Five Reds Prospects Honored

Baseball America released its Minor League All-Star team and Classification All-Star teams for each level. While no Reds prospects were selected to the Minor League All-Star squad, the Reds minor league teams managed to put five on teams within their classification.

Here’s a look at each of the five and another honor bestowed upon a local prospect.

Triple A

Catcher – Devin Mesoraco, Louisville (15 HR, 71 RBI, .289/.371/.484)

This should come as no surprise to Reds fans. For months a portion of the fan base screamed for Meso’s promotion. The #64 overall prospect (by BA coming into 2011) posted numbers that carried over from his 2010 season. That was a good sign. Although some may consider his development a little long, it’s clear he has found his stride behind the plate and at the plate.

Shortstop – Zack Cozart, Louisville (7HR, 32 RBI, .310/.357/.467)

Another Reds farmhand that fans were wanting brought up to the big club before the promotion was granted. Despite an extremely short stint with the Reds cut short due to Tommy John surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow, Cozart already left an impression on the Reds brass. With only 11 games of MLB experience, Cozart is considered by many to be the front-runner for the starting job in 2012.

Low A

Second Base – Ronald Torreyes, Dayton (3 HR, 41 RBI, 12 SB, .356/.398/.457)

When most people think of an offensive player that was in Dayton this past season, most would say Billy Hamilton. Not a bad choice at all considering the alarming rate in which he stole some bags, but this guy deserves a fair amount of attention as well. In fact, I know that Nathaniel Stolz from FanSided’s Seedlings to Stars is very high on him. We’ve chatted about the young Venezuelan before. On thing that may separate Torreyes from Hamilton is his defense. In 265 chances, Torreyes committed only 3, count ’em,3 errors (.989 Fld%).

Starting Pitcher – Daniel Corcino, Dayton (11-7, 3.423 ERA, 1.163 WHIP)

I bet this was a tough choice. Not that Corcino didn’t deserve the honor, but I wonder about Josh Smith‘s absence from this squad. The difference maybe age. Corcino is three years younger (20) than Smith (23). Smith posted better numbers across the board, but Corcino’s flight up the ladder cannot be overlooked in anyway.

Rookie

Starting Pitcher – Tony Cingrani, Billings (3-2, 1.75 ERA, 0.799 WHIP)

The Reds 3rd round selction from the draft this past June dazzled in the Pioneer League. Get this. In 51.1 innings, Cingrani posted 80 strikeouts. that’s a SO/9 rate of 14.0. Add this. He only issued 6 walks for the season. His SO/BB? 13.33. Insane. Plus (yea, there’s more), he surrendered 1 homer. Baseball America selected Cingrani as its Rookie Ball Pitcher of the Year. Much to look forward to on down the road.

The local prospect I referred to at the beginning was given to Eric Surkamp (11-4, 1.94 ERA, 1.072 WHIP). He was selected to the Second Team Minor League All-Star team encompassing all the minors. Surkamp split time between A+ San Jose and Double-A Richmond. He’s also pitched pretty darn well for those Giants, too.

BRM extends its congratulations to all six of these fine players.