2019 Minor League Preview: Cincinnati Reds

“Has it always been this way? Where we just f***in’ tell everybody everything? I’m f***in’ sick of this s***!” No ,that’s not me talking about social media (although that’s pretty much how I feel). Those quotes are from former Reds manager Bryan Price’s epic tirade during a post-game press conference. He famously dropped 77 f-bombs after a reporter basically asked him if Tucker Barnhart was available. Whoops! As a Philly fan I can respect that kind of passionate potty mouth as well as the frustration. There’s some hope for this rebuilding Reds club in 2019 though. And at least part of the optimism should stem from its solid minor league system.

Grade A

1. Nick Senzel, 3B/OF | Age: 23 | ETA: 2019
Senzel’s stock is up in all formats now that the Reds have announced he’ll compete for the starting center field gig this spring. He was already a top prospect with a 2019 ETA, but a full season in the majors would give him a nice bump in redrafts as an upside pick. If you happen to play in a league where he’ll have both third base and outfield eligibility, that’s good flexibility for your lineup as well. Steamer projects ten homers and eight steals, hitting .276 with a .339 on-base percentage. That’s for 357 plate appearances though. Obviously you’d take the over on those counting stats with 500+ PAs. For Grey’s take click here. Senzel was also recently selected by Rudy for his LABR team.

2. Taylor Trammell, OF | Age: 21 | ETA: 2020
Trammell is a left-handed bat with average pop and double-plus speed. That could put him in 10/30, may 15/30+ territory if everything clicks. He’s only reached High-A to this point, but he’s posted walk rates near 13% in each of the past two seasons. That should serve him well as he faces better pitchers in the upper minors. I’d expect almost a full season of Double-A in 2019 with Triple-A/MLB on deck in 2020. There’s no need to rush him, especially if Senzel’s outfield move works out.

3. Jonathan India, 3B | Age: 22 | ETA: 2020
India has an average hit tool and a half-tick more in the power department. The Reds took him fifth overall in the 2018 draft and he should move relatively quickly through their system. He had 112 plate appearances in A-ball, where he hit .229 with a 25% strikeout rate. He did walk at a 12% clip though. I’m not as high on him as some others simply because I think he’s more high-floor/low-ceiling, but regardless he’s one of the better bats to come out of the 2018 crop.

4. Hunter Greene, RHP | Age: 19 | ETA: 2022
Mr. Greene has a big fastball and some nice strikeout potential. He’s posted a K/9 around 12 in about 70 innings of minor league work (he was the 2017 second overall pick in the draft and his 2018 ended early with an elbow strain). He has frontline potential, but personally guys like him never end up on my team. Just too many things that could go wrong in the next three years. TL;DR – high risk/reward.

Grade B

5. Tyler Stephenson, C | Age: 22 | ETA: 2020
You can insert my usual spiel about catchers here as a disclaimer. Stephenson looks like a 15-18 homer bat with good on-base skills. That should fit the bill in two-catcher formats and deeper leagues.

6. Tony Santillan, RHP | Age: 21 | ETA: 2020
Like Greene, Santillan has a great heater. Coming into last season, one of the big questions was whether he’d be able to take a step forward with his control. He responded – walking just 2.3 batters per nine in 148 innings across High-A and Double-A. The Reds have a lot of options in AAA that would likely get a call before Santillan, but we could still see him up late this summer. A hot start in Triple-A could force the issue a little sooner.

Grade C

7. Jose Siri, OF | Age: 23 | ETA: 2020
The Reds have a lot of decent outfielders in their pipeline. Siri is a good combination of power and speed – he hit 13 homers and stole 23 bases in 2018 – but he also strikes out a lot (30%). My guess is he’ll end up as a fourth outfielder unless he turns a big corner with his strikeout rate/approach.

8. Vladimir Gutierrez, RHP | Age: 23 | ETA: 2019
Gutierrez has two good pitches in his fastball and curve. His stuff isn’t overpowering (low-to-mid 90s heater) so the ceiling is more of a mid-rotation innings eater. In other words, you shouldn’t push small children and the elderly out of the way while running to the wire to pick him up. Maybe a brisk walk and an elbow check tops. He should join Santillan in Triple-A to start the year.

9. Mike Siani, OF | Age: 19 | ETA: 2022
The Reds took Siani in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. He looks like your typical table-setter…not much power but plus speed and good on-base skills. His first taste of pro ball went well at 19 years old, but it’ll be a minute before his fantasy profile really comes into focus.

10. Jose Garcia, 2B/SS | Age: 20 | ETA: 2021
It’s probable that Garcia ends up as a utility infielder, but if you’re more optimistic there’s the potential for 12-15 homers and 15 steals up the middle. He’s tall for a shortstop (6’2″) so there’s a frame here that could fill out and develop some more power in the next year or two. Not the worst cat to take a flyer on in a deeper dynasty format.

2019 Index