2019 Red Reporter Community Prospect Rankings: Nick Senzel Is Your #1 Prospect!

The people have spoken, and it really wasn’t a surprise. Nick Senzel is the Red Reporter Community Prospect Champion once again. I think this is his third victory? I don’t know. Senzel looks to try and make the big league club out of spring training, and if you’ve seen the report he’s already in Arizona working on his craft. His current craft? Trying to crack the lineup as center fielder, and if he can do that it would just be absolutely freaking awesome. I’m still skeptical, but I love the fact that he’s giving it a shot. He’s certainly athletic and not your typical infielder prospect, especial if a guy his size can man center field. He’s built like a linebacker. Anyhoo, here’s to the #2 prospect!

Hunter Greene, RHP, 19

Highest 2018 Level: Class A (Dayton)

Eye-Poppingest Fact: 11.7 K/9, 3.0 BB/9 in 68 innings.

Most Worrisome Fact: His frickin’ elbow.

Alias(es): John Deere Greene, Hunter “I Hardly Know Her!” Greene, Duck Hunter

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Hunter Greene may have the highest ceiling of all the prospects in all of baseball. He’s tall, lanky, and whipped up a 103 MPH fastball in the Futures Game. This young man has a ridiculous amount of talent, and it’s up to the Reds to make sure they polish it. Greene’s fastball is obviously the catchy part of his game but also has an average to above average breaking ball and a change up that’s ok. It’s kind of funny how you can ho hum a guy’s off speed stuff when he has such freakish velocity and the ability to command it. When Greene was drafted, there was some talk about possibly having Greene prepare as a SS too, but all that nonsense has been scrapped.

Greene had a real rough debut in 2018 but was able to largely turn it around as the season went on. He didn’t throw a ton of innings but that’s fine, and finished the year with a 4.61 ERA. Considering it was like 9+ at the end of April, that’s a good thing. Greene was shelved before the season was over with a strained UCL, which must not have been of the severe grade because he’s already declared himself 100% and ready for 2019. To put that in perspective, it’s the same injury that sometimes requires Tommy John surgery and cost Anthony DeSclafani the entire 2017 season (he didn’t have surgery, just had to rest). So, knock on wood. Hunter Greene also reported to be a super cool and down to Earth kid which is awesome.

Taylor Trammell, OF, 21

Highest 2018 Level: Class A+ (Daytona)

Eye-Poppingest Fact: .277/.375/.406 over 461 plate appearances. 25 steals

Most Worrisome Fact: Slight power decline, and his arm isn’t strong.

Alias(es): TT, Tay Tram, Tramm-a-lamma-ding-dong

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If you thought Hunter Greene hitting 103 MPH at the Futures Game was big news, it was vastly overshadowed by what Taylor Trammell did. He won the MVP cause he smacked a triple and a dinger. He displaed some slick bat speed and real good power, wowing the crowd in attendance and announcers in the booth, and doing it all for a national audience. Trammell had another good year in his second full season as a professional baseball player. There were some injury things in there, but Trammell continues to display an advanced approach at the plate which has him skyrocketing up prospect lists. Trammell has also been on the radar of other teams in trade talks with the Reds. Any deal that goes with Trammell would need to net a top flight player in return. Even then, losing a prospect the caliber of Trammell would hurt.

Taylor Trammell looks to start the year in AA and has an outside shot of seeing some time in Cincinnati this season. While his arm isn’t the strongest (and the only real weak part of his game) his wheels and instincts play really well in center field and that’s where he should stay. The plan is for Trammell to continue killing it and eventually be the starting CF and lead off man for years to come in Cincinnati.

Tony Santillan, 21, RHP

Highest 2018 Level: AA (Pensacola)

Eye-Poppingest Fact: 2.3 BB/9 at both A+ and AA over 149 innings. 8.1 K/9

Most Worrisome Fact: Can he continue to show that control without diminishing his stuff?

Alias(es): Santigold, Tony The Tiger, The Seguin ‘Stache

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Tony Santillan had one of the most impressive, and honestly more surprising 2018 campaigns for a Cincinnati Reds farm hand. The young man was a former 2nd round pick in 2015 out of Texas, and it feels like he’s been around forever. But, the kids is only 21 years old and will turn the double deuce in April. Santillan was so impressive last year that he advanced two levels and held his own against every players real test in AA. In fact, his strikeout rate increased (8.8 K/9 vs. 8.1 K/9) while keeping an identical walk rate. Santillan was a bit more hitable in 2018 vs. 2017 but he drastically improved his control which was the one thing really holding him back.

Santillan sports a fastball that is reliably in the high 90’s with a 55 grade slider and change up. What scouts, and fans, will be looking for in 2019 is if that control improvement is for real. I think we saw a real maturation in Santillan which should really put him in Top 100 discussion on prospect lists. There’s some good argument that Jonathan India and/or Tyler Stephenson should be put up for a vote before Santillan but screw that. I’m excited for Santillan and it would be huge for the Reds if he continues to shine.