Post by The Duke on Mar 26, 2008 6:12:37 GMT -5
The Reds have the #7 pick in this Junes Rule IV draft (College and High School) and they are in an interesting position as if they are drafting purely on talent, a top 5 worthy pick will likely fall to them as picks 2-9 are all pretty comparable in this draft. Pedro Alverez, 3B is the clear top choice as scouts love his bat and he has the D to stick at 3B.
For the Reds there are 3 players I have narrowed it down to who I like at #7.
1. Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kenutcky - Left handed starter who should fly through the minors with 4 pitches. A fastball that sits 90-92 and can hit 94-95 if he dials it up, a plus 12-6 curveball with plus plus potential, an above average change up, and a decent slider. A very smooth and repeatable delivery that is easy on his arm. Before this year he struck out 307 batters in 232 IP in college. He also doesn't turn 21 until this July.
2. Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS Georgia - An athlete in the Alfonso Soriano mold who has great bat speed already as an 18 year old. He is a prospect that can hit and actually stick at SS unlike Frazier, Valiaka, or Soto. This guy could be a fantastic leadoff or 2 hitter.
3. Tom Melville, RHP, Wentzville Holt HS Missouri - He has a fastball that sits 92-93 that can touch 96, but what he is noted for most is his command. He already throws his fastball, curveball, and changeup all for strikes on both sides of the plate. A good 6'5" frame and alrady 205 lbs he has the body that can go all year long, and he may add another mph or two on his fastball as he fills out another 10-20 lbs.
There are 3 1B prospects that get a lot of pub, but with maybe the exception of Hosmer I rhink the Reds attention is better spent elsewhere. Alvarez, Crow, and Matusz will all like be taken top 5, and hopefully all 3 1B go early so that would leave the Reds with a lot of options.
What is other opinions of what the Reds should be looking at in June?
For the Reds there are 3 players I have narrowed it down to who I like at #7.
1. Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kenutcky - Left handed starter who should fly through the minors with 4 pitches. A fastball that sits 90-92 and can hit 94-95 if he dials it up, a plus 12-6 curveball with plus plus potential, an above average change up, and a decent slider. A very smooth and repeatable delivery that is easy on his arm. Before this year he struck out 307 batters in 232 IP in college. He also doesn't turn 21 until this July.
2. Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS Georgia - An athlete in the Alfonso Soriano mold who has great bat speed already as an 18 year old. He is a prospect that can hit and actually stick at SS unlike Frazier, Valiaka, or Soto. This guy could be a fantastic leadoff or 2 hitter.
3. Tom Melville, RHP, Wentzville Holt HS Missouri - He has a fastball that sits 92-93 that can touch 96, but what he is noted for most is his command. He already throws his fastball, curveball, and changeup all for strikes on both sides of the plate. A good 6'5" frame and alrady 205 lbs he has the body that can go all year long, and he may add another mph or two on his fastball as he fills out another 10-20 lbs.
There are 3 1B prospects that get a lot of pub, but with maybe the exception of Hosmer I rhink the Reds attention is better spent elsewhere. Alvarez, Crow, and Matusz will all like be taken top 5, and hopefully all 3 1B go early so that would leave the Reds with a lot of options.
What is other opinions of what the Reds should be looking at in June?
