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Cincinnati Reds: 5 prospects ready to make a big leap in 2019

ByDrew Koch|
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Taylor Trammell #5 of the Cincinnati Reds and the U.S. Team bats during the sixth inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Taylor Trammell #5 of the Cincinnati Reds and the U.S. Team bats during the sixth inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Cincinnati Reds
OMAHA, NE – JUNE 26: Third basemen Jonathan India #6 of the Florida Gators hits a two run double against the LSU Tigers in the third inning during game one of the College World Series Championship Series on June 26, 2017 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Jonathan India, Third baseman

Jonathan India was the Cincinnati Reds first-round pick in last summer’s MLB Draft. The No. 5 overall pick is already among the Top 100 players in all of the Minor Leagues and is ranked as the No. 6 third base prospect in all of baseball.

India is going to be fast-tracked to the Major Leagues, much in the same way we’ve seen Nick Senzel. India played his college ball for SEC powerhouse Florida and has above-average tools in every category. The Reds skipped India directly to the Pioneer League and he did not disappoint.

India got his feet wet in Greenville, before moving up to Billings after 14 games. He spent 3 games in the Pioneer League before finishing the 2018 season with the Dayton Dragons, the Reds Single-A affiliate. With the Dragons, India saw action in 27 games, racking up 22 hits, including 7 doubles and 3 home runs.

The Reds may experiment with different positions for their talented infielder in 2019. India primarily played third base last season, but did find his way over to shortstop during 9 games.  Look for Jonathan India, just like Senzel before him, to be moved around the diamond in an effort to increase his value for an organization that appears to be looking for versatility.

Jonathan India was a bit of a surprise to some fans when the Reds took him in the first round, but once they get to see his production, they’ll likely change their tune. Yes, the organization has a plethora of talented infielders, from Senzel, to Shed Long, to Jose Israel Garcia. The club also has a lot of infield talent at the Major League level in Eugenio Suárez, José Peraza, and Scooter Gennett.

However, India’s talent is undeniable, and his time at Florida will do nothing but help accelerate his ascension through the Cincinnati Reds farm system. India’s power cannot be overlooked and may be his biggest asset. Look for India to perhaps start 2019 in Dayton, but he won’t stay there for long. By season’s end, India will likely be playing for the Reds’ Double-A affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts.

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