2. Bryce Bonnin, Reds RHP prospect
It's extremely difficult to evaluate pitching prospects after the lost season in 2020. Bryce Bonnin was part of the five-player draft class the Cincinnati Reds selected in 2020 and saw his first professional action last season.
Bonnin is a relief prospect through and through, however, all of his appearances last season were as a starter. I'm not suggesting that Bonnin doesn't have starter stuff, but is his delivery repeatable? Bonnin's cross-body release makes some scouts doubt that the right-hander has what it takes to be a full-time starter.
That said, if I were the Reds, I'd keep sending Bonnin out as a starter until he proves that he can't handle it. The 23-year-old has a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and a plus slider. Bonnin also has a curveball and changeup as part of his repertoire as well.
Bryce Bonnin's numbers in 2021 at both Low-A Daytona and High-A Dayton were quite impressive. Collectively, the right-hander started 11 games and posted a 4-2 record with a 2.87 ERA. Bonnin struck out 71 batters over 42 innings of work and a 38.6% strikeout-rate.
Bonnin saw just three games for Dragons in 2021, but mowed down the opposition to the tune of a 41.7% K-rate and 16.36 K/9. The problem during those three games was the 16.7% walk-rate with eight free passes over 11 innings at High-A.
Bryce Bonnin offers a lot of upside, especially if he can gain better command and control heading into the 2022 season. It'll be interesting to see where Bonnin begins the 2022 season, and if he continues to be as dominant once the competition gets tougher.