| Rank | Player | Position | Bat | Thr | Height | Wgt | Age | Birth | Level | College/Hometown | Notes | ETA |
| 1. | Ardolis Chapman | SP | LH | LH | 6'4" | 205 | 21 | 6/1/1988 | AAA | Hanana, Cuba | ++ Fastball, + Slider, Changeup | 2010 |
| 2. | Todd Frazier | 2B/LF/3B/1B | RH | RH | 6'3" | 220 | 24 | 2/12/1986 | AAA | Rutgers | + Contact, + Power, + Leader | 2010 |
| 3. | Mike Leake | SP | RH | RH | 6'0" | 180 | 22 | 11/12/1987 | A+ | Arizona State | ++ Command, 4 pitches, 89-93 | 2011 |
| 4. | Yonder Alonso | 1B | LH | RH | 6'2" | 215 | 22 | 4/8/1987 | AAA | Miami | + Power, ++ OBP, + Contact | 2011 |
| 5. | Yorman Rodriquez | CF | RH | RH | 6'3" | 185 | 17 | 8/15/1992 | RK | Venezuela | ++ Speed, + Power, + Defense | 2014 |
| 6. | Chris Heisey | OF | RH | RH | 6'0" | 200 | 25 | 12/14/1984 | AAA | Messiah College | + Speed, + Defense, + OBP | 2010 |
| 7. | Travis Wood | SP | RH | LH | 5'11" | 166 | 23 | 2/6/1987 | AAA | Bryant, AK | ++ Changeup, + Cutter, 88-91 FB | 2010 |
| 8. | Zack Cozart | SS | RH | RH | 6'1" | 185 | 24 | 8/12/1985 | AAA | Mississippi | + Defense, + OBP, improving bat | 2011 |
| 9. | Juan Francisco | 3B/1B/LF | LH | RH | 6'2" | 220 | 22 | 6/24/1987 | AAA | Bonao, DR | ++ Power, - OBP, - Defense | 2010 |
| 10. | Matt Fairel | SP | LH | LH | 6'3" | 203 | 22 | 7/8/1987 | A+ | Miami | + Command, 88-90, + Changeup | 2011 |
| 11. | Matthew Klinker | SP | RH | RH | 6'4" | 220 | 25 | 10/8/1984 | AAA | Furman | Consistent improvement | 2010 |
| 12. | Brad Boxberger | SP/RP | RH | RH | 6'2" | 200 | 21 | 5/27/1988 | A+ | USC | + Fastball, + Curveball | 2012 |
| 13. | Devin Mesoraco | C | RH | RH | 6'1" | 220 | 21 | 6/19/1988 | AA | Punxsutawney, PA | Improving defense, + OBP | 2012 |
| 14. | Miguel Rojas | SS | RH | RH | 5'9" | 176 | 20 | 2/24/1989 | A+ | Venezuela | ++ Defense, + Contact, improving | 2013 |
| 15. | JC Sulbaran | SP | RH | RH | 6'2" | 198 | 20 | 11/9/1989 | A- | Plantation, FL | Beat Cuba in Olympics at 18 | 2013 |
| 16. | Josh Fellhauer | OF | LH | LH | 5'11" | 175 | 21 | 3/24/1988 | A+ | Cal State Fullerton | Solid all around player | 2011 |
| 17. | Netali Soto | 3B/C/1B | RH | RH | 6'2" | 180 | 20 | 2/28/1989 | A+ | San Juan, Puerto Rico | ++ Contact, + Power, - OBP | 2013 |
| 18. | Billy Hamilton | SS | RH | RH | 6'1" | 160 | 19 | 9/9/1990 | BL | Taylorsville, MS | ++ Athlete, ++ Speed, Raw | 2014 |
| 19. | Don Jospeh | RP | LH | LH | 6'3" | 190 | 22 | 11/1/1987 | A+ | Houston | 3rd rd pick in 2009 draft | 2012 |
| 20. | Chris Valaika | SS/2B | RH | RH | 6'0" | 215 | 24 | 8/14/1985 | AAA | UC Santa Barbara | Good bat, decent glove | 2010 |
| 21. | Jordan Smith | SP | RH | RH | 6'4" | 220 | 24 | 2/4/1986 | AAA | CC of Southern Nevada | Groundball pitcher | 2011 |
| 22. | Juan Silva | OF | LH | LH | 6'1" | 190 | 19 | 1/8/1991 | A- | Puerto Rico | Top PR Hitter in 2009 Draft | 2014 |
| 23. | Mariekson Gregorious | SS | RH | RH | 6'1" | 165 | 20 | 2/18/1990 | A- | Amsterdam | + Contact, good range, speed | 2014 |
| 24. | Junior Arias | SS | RH | RH | 6'2" | 178 | 18 | 1/9/1992 | GCL | Dominican Republic | Slick Fielding Int FA, decent bat | 2015 |
| 25. | Alex Smit | SP | LH | LH | 6'3" | 215 | 24 | 10/2/1985 | AA | Geldrop, Netherlands | Lefty with talent & Injury history | 2011 |
| 26. | Mark Serrano | SP | LH | RH | 6'2" | 195 | 24 | 9/14/1985 | A+ | Oral Roberts | 2009 College strikeout leader | 2012 |
| 27. | Tyler Cline | SP | RH | RH | 6'2" | 215 | 19 | 6/24/1990 | BL | Cartersville, GA | Good frame, potential | 2014 |
| 28. | David Sappelt | OF | RH | RH | 5'9" | 195 | 23 | 1/2/1987 | AA | Coastal Carolina | + Def, + Speed, developing bat | 2012 |
| 29. | Logan Ondrusek | RP | RH | RH | 6'7" | 205 | 25 | 2/13/1985 | AAA | McLennan CC | Emerging year, + GB tendencies | 2010 |
| 30. | Juan Duran | OF | RH | RH | 6'7" | 200 | 18 | 9/2/1991 | GCL | Santo Domingo, DR | ++ Power, + arm, Raw | 2015 |
| 31. | Alex Buchholz | SS/2B | RH | RH | 6'0" | 182 | 22 | 9/30/1987 | AA | Delaware | + Contact, decent glove | 2012 |
| 32. | Dan Dorn | LF/1B | LH | LH | 6'2" | 190 | 25 | 7/20/1984 | AAA | Cal State Fullerton | + Power, + OBP, slow starter | 2010 |
| 33. | Philippe Valiquette | RP | LH | LH | 6'0" | 175 | 23 | 2/14/1987 | AA | Montpetit HS, Montreal | Good stuff, inconsistent | 2011 |
| 34. | Enerio Del Rosario | RP/SP | RH | RH | 6'2" | 165 | 24 | 10/16/1985 | AAA | Santa Lucia, DR | Fringe stuff, smart pitcher | 2010 |
| 35. | Kevin Coddington | C | RH | RH | 6'4" | 205 | 22 | 7/21/1987 | A+ | Illinois-Chicago | + contact, solid defense at C | 2012 |
| 36. | Kyle Lotzkar | SP | RH | RH | 6'4" | 200 | 20 | 10/24/1989 | A- | Canada | Curveball, fastball, injuries | 2014 |
| 37. | Jeremy Horst | SP | LH | LH | 6'4" | 220 | 24 | 10/1/1985 | AA | Armstrong Atlantic State | Good frame, good changeup | 2011 |
| 38. | Ramirez not with Reds | RP/SP | RH | RH | 6'0" | 190 | 27 | 9/16/1982 | AAA | Venezuela | Good changeup, 88-91 FB | 2010 |
| 39. | Daniel Tuttle | SP | RH | RH | 6'1" | 200 | 19 | 8/21/1990 | BL | Randleman, NC | + Fastball, good in 2009 GCL | 2014 |
| 40. | Humberto Valor | SS | RH | RH | | | 16 | 8/1/1993 | DSL | | $1.5 mil 2009 Intl Signee | 2016 |
1. Aroldis Chapman, LHSP, 21, AAA - Chapman was the Reds big offseason free agent splash as they ponied up $30 million to get the Cuban lefty with the 100 mph fastball. Chapman also shows a promising changeup and slider, both of which have flashed plus potential to go along with his plus plus fastball. He had been competing internationally for Team Cuba for a few years already and because of that experiece I expect Chapman to start in AAA this year to face advanced hitters and polish his off speed pitches. He may be the first pitcher to get a callup from this staff, albeit he may have some competition for that in Travis Wood who already has some AAA experience, is also a lefty, and does not have contract reprecusions if he is brought up before a certain point. Chapman has excited the Reds fan base and could be a cornerstone of a good young pitching staff over the next several years.
2. Todd Frazier, 2B/3B/SS/LF/1B, RH, 24, AAA - Todd Frazier has been a winner at every point in his baseball career from the little league world sereis, through Rutgers, and now in his impressive run in the minor leagues for the Reds. He has shown good contact rates, developing power (40+ 2B in 2009 and 16 HR), and enough athleticism that he can play most positions on the field. Once he finally hits his way onto the Reds and gets to settle in at one position I think people will be suprised at how well he can be defensively for a man of his size. Frazier's quickest possible route to the Reds this summer will probably be LF which is a spring training dogfight between Jonny Gomes, Chirs Dickerson, Wlad Balentein, Chris Heisey, and Frazier will determine who will play there to start the 201 season for the Reds. The most likely scenario is a platoon of Dickerosn and one of Gomes or Balentein, but Frazier could force his way in there if his veteran competition does not step it up. Long term, I think Frazier will eventually settle in at 3B once the aging Scott Rolen has a serious injury or a the longest when his contract a few years down the road. With Rolen's age and injury history, I think it will be sooner rather than later.
3. Mike Leake, RHSP, 22, A+ - It's not out of the question that Leake, maybe the most decorated college pitcher not named Strasberg in last years draft, starts in AA after he had a good showing against advanced prospects in the Arizona Fall League in 2009. Leake's calling card is his command of the strikezone and the use of 4 effective pitches (fastball, changeup, slider, curveball), and tremendous poise on the mound. Not the biggest pitcher at 6'0" and 180 lbs, but he has an extremely clean throwing motion that allows him to run up his fastball to 92-93 mph at times (usually sitting in the 89-91 range) without over exertion. Leake's 1.37 ERA in the AFL was one of the lowest, and that was in his first taste of professional baseball, and he has shown the polish that could have a meteroic rise through the Reds system, and a leading candidate for a starting pitching spot in 2011 if both Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo are not brought back. Leake profiles as more a middle of the rotation pitcher, but a good one who could be a solid #2 pitcher.
4. Yonder Alonso, 1B, LH, 22, AAA - Alonso has been touted as an extremely polished bat after a stellar career at the University of Miami, but he has dealt with a couple injuries since being picked in the first rd of the 2008 draft by the Reds. Alonso has flashed very good contact rates, as well as plate discipline, but the injuries have limited his power so far and has not shown what many expect to be 20-25 HR power. Alonso's connundrum is that he is pigeonholed at 1B, a position that is currently manned by the Reds best hitter in Joe Votto. Votto has the athleticism to be an adequate LF, but the Reds recent emphasis on team defense to go with their talented young pictching leads me to believe that one of two things will happen. The more likely scenario is that Alonso becomes a trade chip should the Reds be competitive in 2010 that could bring back a veteran at a position of need (RH power bat for LF?), or that if Votto continues to have anxiety problems, the Reds could look at Alonso as more of a long term future. Alonso is still a question mark because of his limited professional experience due to his injuries, but I think he'll start off in AAA this year for a few reasons. The first being that he is a polished college bat and the better competition he faces will allow him to grow more as a hitter. Also, a good deal of his professional at bats have come in AA already, and he finished last year with a not unsuccessful stint in AAA. Lastly, should Chapman start in AAA, he could find a buddy in Alonso who is also of Cuban descent and speaks fluent spanish. 2010 should be a turning point for Alonso and a lot of his questions should be answered by the end of this season.
5. Yorman Rodriquez, CF, RH, 17, BL - After the Reds spent $2.5 million to sign Yorman as a 16 year old international free agent in 2008, he did not make his professional debut stateside until last year in 2009 where he showed extraordinary promise for a 16 year old first in the GCL and then in Billings where in both places he was the youngest player in the league. With what scuots already call the best arm in the Reds system, plus plus speed, good defensive instincts, promising power potential on a good frame (6'3" 185 lbs already as a 17 year old), and decent contact rates it is clear that Yorman is the most promising player in the Reds system, but he is still a very looooong way from the majors. It is possible that he could start this year in Low A Dayton (what I would do), I think it more likely that the Reds take it easy and let him go through extended spring trainging again in 2010, and another tour in Billings with a possible one or two week stint in Dayton to finish the season. I would let him play all year in Dayton and push him to see if he can handle playing with players mostly 4-5 years older than him. Worse comes to worse, he can spend 2 years in Dayton and still only be 19 years old when he started High A in 2012, and if he can handle playing in Dayton this year or even excel there it will help his development that much more being able to play every day over a full season and against better competition. How he does in spring training will largely determine what happens with him this season, so he will be one to keep an eye on.
6. Chris Heisey, OF, RH, 25, AAA - Heisey took a giant leap forward last year where he showed increased power numbers, great contact rates, and good pitch selectivity as well. Over his half a season in AA he maintained an OPS over 1.000 while providing very good defense in CF and showing the versitility to play either of the corner spots as well. Heisey will be part of the mish mash competing for the Reds LF spot in 2010, but with more experienced vets in front of him and only half a season of AAA under his belt I think it is likely that he spends at least half of the season in AAA. Already 25 years old (he was a 4 year college player at tiny Messiah College) there is little left for Heisey to prove in the minors and with his solid bat, good defense, and versitility I think it won't be long before Heisey gets a chance with the big club. Whether it be by injuries, forcing his way up, or poor play by the Reds LF, I think Heisey will get his shot sometime in the middle of this season and could force his way into the LF spot. He has had to prove himself every step of the way in his professional career, and Heisey is one of the guys I am high on because he always seems to make his way to the top. An outfield of Heisey, Stubbs, and Bruce could be the best defensive outfield in baseball as well.
7. Travis Wood, LHSP, 23, AAA - Wood was the minor league ERA leader in 2009, and showed a 5 pitch repitoire highlighted by an added cutter to go along with what some call a plus plus changeup. Wood is not a power pitcher, usually working in the 89-90 mph range, but he can run it up to 92-93 mph when he needs too. Wood really reminds me a lot of a left handed version of Mike Leake, with a little less command. Wood is among those competiting for the Reds 5th starting pitcher spot this year (along with Matt Maloney, Micah Owings, Justin Lehr, Kip Wells, and theoretically Aroldis Chapman), but unless he has an outstanding spring training I think it more likely that he will start off in AAA where he only has about 10 starts or so, and he just turned 23 as well. With a fastball, changeup, cutter, slider, curveball arsenal, i'll be very interested to see if Wood was able to hone his command over the offseason as while only the changeup and cutter look like plus pitches, he can throw all of them for strikes in any count, and with increased command he could very effectively keep hitters off balance and be a very good pitcher.
8. Zack Cozart, SS, RH, 24 - AAA - Cozart may not have quite the arm that Paul Janish does (albeit Cozart's isn’t bad by any means, probably above average) he has just as much if not more range and a great glove at SS. He has also shown a lot more ability with the bat where he has shown some pop (10-15 HR ability) and great pitch selectivity with an OBP nearly .100 higher than his batting average last season in AA. His batting average wasn't great last year but he also had a very low BABIP and adjusted would have been near .300. Cozart has alway been known as a glove first guy, but if he can take another step forward with the bat like he did last season to go with his great glove he could be a very good starting shortstop fo rthe next 6-7 years for the Reds. With Orlando Cabrera there in 2010 it is unlikely that Cozart makes his MLB debut before September callups unless he both show more progress as a hitter to force his way up (and that may only take an .800 OPS in AAA, a .700 OPS in MLB with his defense would be decent) as well as a Cabrera injury and Janish showing that he continues to hit like Janish.
9. Juan Francisco, 3B/1B/LF, LH, 22, AAA - I'm not as high on Francisco as some, but he did hit well last season in his september callup, and has tremendous power. His biggest weakness has always been pitch selectivity and his ability to take a walk, but he has shown improvements in both areas over the past year, and another step forward could mean great things for him as a hitter. Defensively he is still listed as a 3B, but it is becoming increasingly clear that he will likely have to move off the hot corner to either LF where he is athletic enough to be adequate or 1B, both at the bottom of the defensive spectrum. He will get a shot in the LF sweepstakes in 2010 for the Reds but he would have to really hit well and show himself to have some good instincts since he has so few games in LF as a professional. He has a huge arm, so that would not be a problem, but range and instincts are a big question mark. Should Votto miss time, and the Reds deem Alonso not ready, we could seem him get a shot at 1B, where he has played some in the past.
10. Matt Fairel, LHSP, 22, A+ - I am higher on Fairel than most. He has a good combination of decent stuff, a very very good mound presence (I got to see him pitch twice in Dayton last year), and he is a lefty as well. Fairel was a 30th rd pick as an early entry sophmore that received rd 2 money back in the 2008 draft out of Miami where he was a team mate of Yonder Alonso and was a great pitcher for them. My ranking of Fairel this high is a bit of a projection on my part, but I really like what I saw out of him and a big question going forward is that if the Reds young arms in front of him start to pan out (Chapman, Bailey, Cueto, Volqeuz, Leake, Wood) there could be a crunch in regards of where he could fit in. I expect him to start in High A where he spend the latter half of last season and I would expect a promotion to AA by the all star break and possibly a stint in AAA this year if a spot opens up due to roster expansions in September.
11. Matt Klinker, RHSP, 25, AAA - Late bloomer has had strong metrics the past two seasons.
12. Brad Boxberger, RP/SP, 21, A+ - Could start, but I think his stuff works best as a closer, where he could be a good one.\
13. Devin Mesoraco, C, RH, 21, AA - BIG step forward defensively last year, showed promising power, pitch selectivity, and contact rates.
14. Miguel Rojas, SS, RH, 21, A+ - Best SS glove in the system, showed great contact rates and good pitch selectivity in 2009, hit over .300 last 4 months of the season.
15. Juan Carlos Sulbaran, RHSP, 20, A- - Struggled with blisters and control, but showed good stuff and great mound presence.
16. Josh Fellhauer, OF, RH, 21, A+ - Showed great all around game after getting drafted out of Cal State Fulerton last year. A young Chris Heisey?
17. Neftali Soto, 3B/C/1B, RH, 20, A+ - Bit of a let down year last year but still good contact rates, and now a possible switch to catcher.
18. Bily Hamilton, SS, RH, 19, BL - Best athlete not named Yorman in our system, blazing fast, learning to switch hit.
19. Don Jospeh, LHRP, 22, A+ - Showed great polish after being drafted last year, could be a very good LH RP in the long run, potential closer, except no overpowering stuff.
20. Chris Valaika, SS/2B, RH, 24, AAA - Injuries and inconsistency stole last season from Valaika, but he did finsih strong.
21. Jordan Smith, RHSP, 24, AAA - Great ground ball rates, still needs to improve command on his offspeed stuff.
22.Juan Silva, OF, 19, LH, A- - Best PR hitter in the 2009 draft, had a very good RK league season, and I think can make the jump to Low A.
23. Mareikson Julius Gregorious, SS, RH, 20, A- - Great range at SS, great contact rates, and the coolest name in the system.
24. Junior Arias, SS, 18, RH, GCL - Athletic dominican SS with a good frame and bat will make his stateside debut this year.
25. Alex Smit, LHSP, 24, AA - If he can overcome his injury troubles, has the stuff to be a good back of the rotation pitcher.
26. Mark Serrano, RHSP, 24, A+ - Wanted to rank him higher, but was a 23 year old in Low A last year after being drafted. Decent stuff, good presence, could rise to AAA this year.
27. Tyler Cline, RHSP, 19, BL - Good stuff, very good fastball, I'd start him in Dayton, but I think the Reds will move him slowly.
28. David Sappelt, OF, 23, RH, AA - Little guy, but he produced last year in a tough hitters league in the FSL and has above average defense at all 3 OF spots, but average arm.
29. Logan Ondrusek, RHRP, 25, AAA - Great 2009 season but got rocked in the AFL, likely closer for the Bats. Good ground ball rates could work in GABP.
30. Juan Duran, OF, 18, RH, GCL - Struggled in GCL last year, but showed good athleticism. Keeps growing, any more and he might get converted to pitcher.
31. Alex Buchholz, 2B, 22, RH, AA - Disappointing 2009, but still young and had decent contact rates. Injury troubles last year as well, if healthy could be a fast riser. Average Defese.
32. Dan Dorn, OF, 25, LH, AAA - Could be a top 15 guy if he didn't start off so slowly every year and have huge slumps. When he's on, he's deadly with the bat.
33. Phillipe Valliquette, LHRP, 23, AA - Has steadily progressed and showing some promise as a lefty out of the pen. Just turned 23, should advance to AAA this year, potential September callup.
34. Enerio Del Rosario, RHRP, 24, AAA - Took a big step forward with consistency last year, should be the set up man in AAA.
35. Kevin Coddington, C, 22, RH, A+ - Polished college catcher had a solid 1st year in Dayton, and has good contact rates if less than desired power.
36. Kyle Lotzkar, RHSP, 20, A- - Will come back in the middle of this year after 2 big injuries. Was a top 10 guy before injuries with a 13+ K/9. Does he still have it?
37. Jeremy Horst, LHSP, 24, AA - Steady improvement the last two years, has shown flashes of being very good. If he can improve his command he could take a big step forward.
38. Ramon Ramirez, RHRPSP, 27, AAA - Removed no longer with the Reds
39. Dan Tuttle, RHSP, 19, BL - Impressive pro debut last year, could make it to Dayton at some point this year. Good fastball, could be a fast riser.
40. Humberto Valor, SS, 16, RH, DSL - Slick fielding internation free agent probably won't come stateside until next year had a $600,000 bonus.
5 Guys who I think could be fast risers into the top 40 this season:
1. Ezequiel Infante, LFSP, 21, A- - Young lefty who showed some flashed in Dayton last year has had another offseason to improve his command.
2. Theo Bowe, OF, RH, 19, Billings - Fastest player in the Reds system showed good contact rates in the GCL last year.
3. Brian Pearl, RHRP, 21, A- - Pearl was the closer for Billings last season and was very effetive with a fastball that hit 94 mph, and an effective offspeed pitch to go with it.
4. Tucker Banrhart, C, RH, 19, BL - Barnhart was Mr. Baseball in Indiana in 2009 and has good behind the plate skills and is a switch hitter.
5. Henry Rodriquez, 3B, RH, A- - Some think the 20 year old Venezuelan could play SS, but with Hamilton and Gregorious around the same age, I see him landing at 3B where he has played some.
