The annual Baseball America Top 100 prospects were just released and the Cincinnati Reds had five prospects on the list.
The Cincinnati Reds have one of the more highly touted farm systems in baseball, and the release of the 2018 top 100 prospects validated that sentiment. Only the Braves (eight) and the Yankees, Brewers, Padres and Rays (six each) had more top 100 prospects.
The top prospect for Cincinnati is third baseman Nick Senzel, who checks in at number seven. He projects to be at least an above average third baseman in the majors, and someone who is as sure a bet as any to become a perennial all-star.
Senzel posted a better average in AA than he did in A+, in addition to posting a better OBP, slugging percentage, and OPS. He may even be ready for the majors this season, though Dick Williams has said the Reds will not rush his development.
Checking in at the 29 spot is highly touted pitcher Hunter Greene. The flame throwing pitcher played rookie ball last season and hopes to start the season in A- Dayton.
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Greene can throw upwards of 100 mph, but he still needs time to mature in the minors. His ETA is estimated to be around 2020 or 2021, and his ERA in rookie ball was 12.46. He has immense potential, but won’t be in Cincinnati for a little while.
Taylor Trammell is the next highest rated at 48. Trammell, like Greene, has immense potential. His average dipped slightly last season in A- ball, but his plate discipline is among the best in the minors. He drew 71 walks and had an OBP of .368.
Trammell has elite speed and defensive instincts, and his power is improving. It will be another year or two before the Reds call him up, but he could be an all-star caliber player.
Some of the prospects are already with the Cincinnati Reds.
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Pitcher Tyler Mahle made the list again this year, coming in at 90. Mahle made this major league debut last season, posting a 2.70 ERA in four starts. Though he only walked 30 batters in 24 starts in the minors, we walked 11 in the majors.
Whether Mahle can keep up his pinpoint location in the majors will be key to his success, as he does not have overpowering stuff. If he starts the season in the majors, he’ll lose prospect eligibility. Mahle likely won’t be on this list for long.
Another prospect likely to lose that label soon is Jesse Winker. The outfielder is very likely to start the year with Cincinnati, and it isn’t hard to see why. In 47 games, Winker slashed .298/.375/.529, hitting seven homeruns and walking seven times.
Winker is a natural hitter and a solid defender, and is someone who should be in Cincinnati for a long time, as he is only 23 years old.
Next: Interview with potential Reds draft pick Bryan Reyes
The future is bright for the Reds, and the farm system is a main reason why.