Reds Announce AFL Players

There will be seven Reds prospects heading to the Arizona Fall League. If you are unfamiliar with the AFL (and it’s not the league where the Bengals once participated), it is a league geared toward top prospects so that they can showcase their talents. The league is operated by MLB.

Here are your seven prospects heading to the league…

1. Bradley Boxberger

Boxberger was the 43rd overall selection (first round, comp pick) in the 2009 June draft. According to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo, he expects Boxberger to arrive in Cincy next year. When Boxberger was drafted, the question was starter or reliever (sound a little familiar?). Well, the jury is still out (also sound familiar?).

Mayo tabs Boxberger as the Reds #6 prospect.

2. Nick Christiani

This 13th round selection from the 2009 June draft has been a bit of a surprise to some.Mayo doesn’t have Christiani among his top 10 Reds prospects. In Nick’s two years in the Reds organization, he has played at every level except for one: rookie league for Billings. Christiani has served solely as a reliver.

3. Donnie Joseph

What can you really say about the #10 Reds prospect (according to Mayo)? Joseph was selected in the 3rd round in ’09 ( a sense a theme here) after playing college ball for the Houston Cougars. Mayo also projects Joseph as a set-up guy even though Joseph led the organization with 24 saves in 2010.

4. Travis Webb

Another pitcher and another player not on Mayo’s list. And if you view his numbers from this season (1-7, 4.41 ERA, 1.471 WHIP, 89 SO and 36 BB in 65 IP), you might be a little confused as to why Webb is getting this opportunity. Then you see the strikeouts and get an idea. Webb may just need this for two reasons: learn more control and provide a boost of confidence. Webb was an 8th round pick in 2006. That might also produce a question or two.

5. Yasmani Grandal.

No surpise here. Ever since being tabbed as the 12th overall pick just last year, Grnadal has done everything to suggest he is progressing well. He started this year in Bakersfiled (A+) and was promoted to Carolina (AA) in mid-June. With the possibility of Devin Mesoraco joining the Reds next season, Louisville fans might get a glimpse of Grandal next season. He’s Mayo’s #5 pick.

6. Brodie Greene

One of Grandal’s teammates in Bakersfield and also a 2010 June draft selection (4th round). Two things of note on Greene. He can steal a base (41 SB in 52 attempts in 2 seasons) and he has started to develop some pop (14 HR) with the ability to drive in runs (79 RBI).

7. Cody Puckett

Like Greene (SS), Puckett is a middle infielder (2B). He has spent almost the entire season with the Carolina Mudcats (2 games with AZL Reds) and has produced pretty well in the power game (13 HR, 64 RBI) this season. And he has the ability to steal a base (10 SB in 12 attempts), too. But Puckett has also played a bit in left field this year.