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1 PROSPECT BILLY HAMILTON, OF/SS
BORN: Sept. 9, 1990. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 159. DRAFTED: HS—Taylorsville, Miss., 2009 (2nd round). SIGNED BY: Tyler Jennings.
BACKGROUND: A few years ago, the Internet spawned a meme called Matt Wieters facts, where impossible feats were attributed to baseball’s top prospect. (One sample: Matt Wieters draws intentional walks in batting practice.) Billy Hamilton facts seem equally overblown—except they’re true. When a left fielder lost sight of a fly ball, he ran out from his shortstop position to catch it near the warning track. He scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly that didn’t leave the infield. He scored from second on an infield grounder. And along the way, he set the professional baseball single-season stolen base record last year with 155, eclipsing Vince Coleman’s 30-yearold mark of 145. After Hamilton had played shortstop and second base throughout his pro career, the Reds moved him to center field in the Arizona Fall League. The position change should speed his arrival to the big leagues, as concerns about his arm and hands at shortstop were the biggest knocks on him. The 57th overall pick in the 2009 draft, he turned down the chance to play wide receiver at Mississippi State for a $623,600 bonus.
SCOUTING REPORT: Every scouting report ever written about Hamilton has to start with his speed. There may be current players who can run a faster 60-yard dash, but no one is faster on a diamond. He turns in hard-to-comprehend 3.35-3.4 second times to first base on bunts from the left side. His aggressiveness makes his speed play up, if that’s even possible. His ability to turn routine plays into nail-biters forces infielders to hurry, and he’s a threat to take an extra base on any ball to the outfield. Hamilton has made more use of his speed as he has improved at the plate. A switch-hitter, he has smoothed out his less-natural lefthanded swing, which has left him less vulnerable to high fastballs that he used to chase and pop up. Pitchers with good fastballs can still bust him up and in at times. He’s rail-thin and never will have home run power, but he does show some gap pop, especially from the right side. His speed also means that singles sometimes turn into doubles. He has improved his pitch recognition and selectivity, with his 86 walks in 2012 nearly matching his previous career total from three pro seasons. The move to center field should fit Hamilton’s aggressive approach. He still has some work to do on jumps and routes, but his quickness allows him to outrun mistakes and play shallower than most . He projects as a plus defender, perhaps even a Gold Glover, with an average arm. Hamilton is as durable as he is fast. Despite taking the pounding of countless steal attempts, he never has spent a day on the disabled list.
THE FUTURE: Hamilton’s speed ensures him some sort of big league job, and his continued development at the plate will determine whether he ends up being an all-star or a bottom-of-the-order speedster. Cincinnati’s trade for Shin-Soo Choo ended any chance Hamilton had of winning the center-field job in spring training, and he could use some time at Triple-A Louisville to refine his game. When he arrives in the big leagues, he’ll spur ticket sales with his style of play.
2. ROBERT STEPHENSON,RHP
BORN: Feb. 24, 1993. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 185. DRAFTED: HS—Martinez, Calif., 2011 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Rich Bordi.
BACKGROUND: He has pitched just 65 pro innings, but Stephenson already has shown the best pure stuff of any Reds draftee dating back to at least 2004 first-rounder Homer Bailey. Signed for $2 million as the 27th overall pick in 2011, he ranked as the Rookie-level Pioneer League’s top pitching prospect in his pro debut last summer and was equally impressive in his best starts after a promotion to low Class A Dayton.
SCOUTING REPORT: Stephenson’s fastball velocity has improved in pro ball, rising from 92-95 in his draft year to 93-97 in 2012, and he touched 100 mph at low Class A Dayton. His heater has excellent life as well. What makes him stand out from the average prep flamethrower is that he also has a good feel for his secondary pitches. His changeup also has gotten better since his high school days, and some scouts project it as a plus pitch. His curveball has similar potential. Stephenson can get too intense at times—he sometimes throws in the mid-90s warming up in the bullpen—and needs to avoid rushing his delivery, which detracts from his control.
THE FUTURE: Cincinnati kept a tight leash on Stephenson and will turn him loose in 2013, when he’ll open back in low Class A. He has all of the ingredients to become a frontline starter.
3. TONY CINGRANI, LHP
BORN: July 5, 1989. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 205. DRAFTED: Rice, 2011 (3rd round). SIGNED BY: Jerry Flowers.
BACKGROUND:Cingrani was so bad as a Rice junior that he asked his coaches if they wanted him to come back for his senior season. The Owls simplified his delivery and fixed a timing issue in which his arm lagged behind his lower half, and the results were immediate. He improved his fastball velocity and control, pitched his way into the third round of the 2011 draft and led the minors with a 1.73 ERA last year before joining the Reds in September.
SCOUTING REPORT: Cingrani’s success begins with his fastball, which generates plenty of swings and misses thanks to excellent life and some deception in his delivery. He adds and subtracts from his fastball, varying it from 88-95 mph, and locates it to both sides of the plate. It looks even quicker because he pairs it with a plus change with good fade that gives him a weapon against righthanders. His slider is fringy, as it is too often flat and it lacks bite. He generally throws strikes, though his control slipped at Double-A Pensacola.
THE FUTURE: Cingrani’s slider will determine his future role. He can thrive in the bullpen with two pitches, but needs a better breaking ball to succeed as a starter. With a full rotation in Cincinnati, he’ll head to Triple-A to begin 2013.
4. DANIEL CORCINO, RHP
BORN: Aug. 26, 1990. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 205. SIGNED: Dominican Republic, 2008. SIGNED BY: Richard Jimenez.
BACKGROUND: Even before he arrived in the United States, Corcino has been known as the Reds’“next Cueto.” He draws comparisons to Cincinnati’s ace because he’s a short but powerfully built Dominican righthander with a low three-quarters arm slot. And like Cueto, he has had success wherever he goes. In 2012, he pitched the first eight innings of the first no-hitter in Pensacola franchise history and ranked second in the Southern League with a 3.01 ERA.
SCOUTING REPORT: Because of his arm slot, cross-fire delivery and understanding of how to manipulate the baseball, Corcino throws 91-94 mph fastballs with either cutting action or armside run. His slider shows flashes of being a plus pitch, though it needs more consistency. His changeup has good sink at the plate, giving him the potential for three solid or better pitches. Corcino has some effort to his delivery. His control wasn’t as sharp in Double-A, with his walk rate (4.1 per nine innings) nearly doubling from the year before (2.2).
THE FUTURE: If the Reds need a power arm out of the pen, Corcino is ready right now. Because he’ll have more value as a starter, he’ll head to Triple-A to continue to refine his secondary stuff and control. Added to the 40-man roster in November, he projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, much like Cueto did as he climbed the minor league ladder.
5. NICK TRAVIESO, RHP
BORN: Jan. 31, 1994. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 215. DRAFTED: HS—Southwest Ranches, Fla., 2012 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Tony Arias/Miguel Machado.
BACKGROUND: In the final month before the 2012 draft, Travieso’s velocity ticked up as he helped Archbishop McCarthy High (Southwest Ranches, Fla.) win its third straight 6-A state title. He pitched just 15 innings as a junior because the team was stacked. The Reds had plenty of history with him because international scouting director Tony Arias has a son on the team, and they selected Travieso 14th overall and signed him for $2 million--$375,000 less than the assigned pick value.
SCOUTING REPORT: While Travieso’s fastball touched 98 mph in high school, he sat at 90-93 mph and peaked at 96 as pro as Cincinnati worked on getting him to repeat his delivery and avoid opening up too early. Some scouts think his fastball lacks life and deception. He shows the ability to spin a tight slider in the mid-80s, but he doesn’t stay on top of it or command it consistently. His changeup is a long ways away, which isn’t surprising considering his limited innings.
THE FUTURE:The Reds will give Travieso plenty of chances to start, but many observers see him ending up as a power reliever. Cincinnati probably will put him on the same path as 2011 first-rounder Robert Stephenson, sending Travieso to extended spring training and then on to Rookie-level Billings or Dayton.
6. JESSE WINKER, OF
BORN: Aug. 17, 1993. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 195. DRAFTED: HS—Orlando, 2012 (1st round supplemental). SIGNED BY: Greg Zunino.
BACKGROUND: When he was a sophomore, Winker watched Olympia High (Orlando) teammate Mason Williams hit his way to a $1.45 million signing bonus as a fourth-round pick. Two years later, Winker and righthander Walker Weickel gave Olympia a pair of 2012 supplemental first-round picks. After signing for $1 million, Winker led the Pioneer League in on-base percentage (.443) and ranked third in hitting (.338) and OPS (.993).
SCOUTING REPORT: Winker has a sweet lefthanded swing and keeps his bat in the hitting zone for a long time. He’s an extremely disciplined hitter who isn’t afraid to work counts, though he’ll have to cut down his strikeouts as he advances. His stroke generates natural loft that could produce 20 homers annually as he adds further muscle. He has strong legs that he uses well in his swing. Reds coaches compare his stroke to Jay Bruce’s, though Winker isn’t nearly as athletic. He’s a below-average runner now and will get slower as he fills out. He’s most likely a left fielder in the long term, though he has enough arm to handle right.
THE FUTURE: Following a fabulous pro debut, Winker is more than ready to move up for low Class A. His big league future depends on his bat, but it looks like it will be up to the challenge. He’s a potential No. 3 hitter in a contender’s lineup.
7. J.J. HOOVER, RHP
BORN: Aug. 13, 1987. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 230. DRAFTED: Calhoun (Ala.) CC, 2008 (10th round). SIGNED BY: Brian Bridges (Braves).
BACKGROUND: The Braves drafted 11 pitchers in the first 12 rounds of the 2008 draft. They have already released three of their first six choices, but they did get Craig Kimbrel (third round) and Hoover. Traded to Cincinnati for Juan Francisco at the end of spring training in 2012, he impressed the Reds so much during a September callup that they added him to their playoff roster ahead of more veteran relievers. He made two scoreless appearances in the National League Division Series.
SCOUTING REPORT: The thick-bodied Hoover has been dominant ever since he moved to the bullpen early in 2011. His fastball velocity increased with the move, now sitting at 92-93 mph with plenty of sink. Because of his background as a starter, he has a varied repertoire. Hoover junked his slider last year in favor of a slow curveball that he can command better. His curve can handcuff hitters who are gearing up to catch up to his fastball. He also throws a usable changeup and has average control.
THE FUTURE: Hoover already has demonstrated that he can pitch in a big league bullpen. He’ll serve as a set-up man for Jonathan Broxton in 2013, and he could grow into the closer role if needed down the road.
8. ISMAEL GUILLON, LHP
BORN: Feb. 13, 1992. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 200. DRAFTED: Venezuela, 2009. SIGNED BY: Tony Arias.
BACKGROUND: Other teams scouted Guillon more as a hitter, but the Reds signed him for $220,000 as a pitcher in 2008. When he was found to need Tommy John surgery, they voided his original deal and re-signed him at a significantly reduced rate. The renegotiation made him eligible for the Rule 5 draft if he wasn’t on the 40-man roster, and while he went unpicked in 2010 and 2011, Cincinnati protected him this offseason.
SCOUTING REPORT: Guillon’s changeup is a true plus pitch. He throws it with the same arm speed as his fastball and is willing to double up on it, baffling even hitters who are looking for the pitch. The quality of his changeup helps his fastball play up. He usually works at 89-92 mph, touching 94 on some nights but struggling to top 90 on others. His curveball is well below average, but Guillon’s biggest weakness is his control. He has smoothed out his delivery, reducing a pronounced wrap in the back, but he still needs to repeat his mechanics better. His delivery does give him some deception.
THE FUTURE: While Guillon’s 40-man roster spot means he’ll head to big league spring training, he has a lot of development ahead of him. He’ll open 2013 in low Class A after making four strong starts there to conclude last season.
9. JONATHAN REYNOSO, OF
BORN: Jan. 7, 1993. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 177. SIGNED: Dominican Republic, 2010. SIGNED BY: Richard Jimenez.
BACKGROUND: In a system thinned out by big league promotions and trades, Reynoso is one of the toolsiest players. Signed for only $45,000, he batted .223 in two seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League before taking a big step forward in his 2012 U.S. debut. He hit .311 and led the Rookie-level Arizona League with 30 steals.
SCOUTING REPORT: Only Yorman Rodriguez can match Reynoso’s all-around physicality among Reds farmhands. His best present tool is his plus speed, though he’s still learning to use it. He led the AZL by getting caught stealing nine times and doesn’t take good routes in center field. His 6-foot-3 frame has room to add strength, which means he could end up as a power-hitting right fielder, though his high-waisted build leads observers to believe he’ll retain most of his speed as he matures. Reynoso has solid hand-eye coordination and squares up pitches over the plate. He’s comfortable lining pitches off the plate to the opposite field, but he does have trouble turning on inside offerings. He has well above-average arm strength, though he’s not always accurate with his throws and he needs to speed up his release.
THE FUTURE: The jump from the AZL to full-season ball is steep, but Reynoso might be ready for low Class A after some time in extended spring training. The Reds are anxious to see how he’ll handle better competition.
10. DAN LANGFIELD, RHP
BORN: Jan. 21, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 196. DRAFTED: Memphis, 2012 (3rd round). SIGNED BY: Joe Katuska.
BACKGROUND: In 2011, the Reds spent a third-round pick on Tony Cingrani, a college pitcher most scouts projected as a reliever. Cincinnati let him start, and Cingrani looks like he has a future in the rotation after leading the minors in ERA last season. The Reds may have made a similar third-round discovery with Langfield. After signing him for $436,800 last June, Cincinnati helped him smooth out his mechanics without losing anything off his fastball. His father Paul was a 10th-round pick of the Blue Jays in 1980.
SCOUTING REPORT: In college, Langfield’s 93-97 mph fastball was his calling card, but he pitched to the radar gun too often. The Reds slowed down his delivery, toned down some arm-jarring recoil and were rewarded with a strong pro debut. His fastball and hard slider both could be plus pitches and allowed him to lead Conference USA with 111 strikeouts in 94 innings last spring. His curveball and changeup show flashes of becoming solid offerings as well. Langfield’s control improved after he cleaned up his mechanics, but it still needs further refinement. He has been durable throughout his amateur career.
THE FUTURE: Langfield’s ability to make adjustments to his delivery has shelved efforts to move him to the bullpen for now. He heads to full-season ball with a chance to anchor the Dayton rotation.
BORN: Sept. 9, 1990. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 159. DRAFTED: HS—Taylorsville, Miss., 2009 (2nd round). SIGNED BY: Tyler Jennings.
BACKGROUND: A few years ago, the Internet spawned a meme called Matt Wieters facts, where impossible feats were attributed to baseball’s top prospect. (One sample: Matt Wieters draws intentional walks in batting practice.) Billy Hamilton facts seem equally overblown—except they’re true. When a left fielder lost sight of a fly ball, he ran out from his shortstop position to catch it near the warning track. He scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly that didn’t leave the infield. He scored from second on an infield grounder. And along the way, he set the professional baseball single-season stolen base record last year with 155, eclipsing Vince Coleman’s 30-yearold mark of 145. After Hamilton had played shortstop and second base throughout his pro career, the Reds moved him to center field in the Arizona Fall League. The position change should speed his arrival to the big leagues, as concerns about his arm and hands at shortstop were the biggest knocks on him. The 57th overall pick in the 2009 draft, he turned down the chance to play wide receiver at Mississippi State for a $623,600 bonus.
SCOUTING REPORT: Every scouting report ever written about Hamilton has to start with his speed. There may be current players who can run a faster 60-yard dash, but no one is faster on a diamond. He turns in hard-to-comprehend 3.35-3.4 second times to first base on bunts from the left side. His aggressiveness makes his speed play up, if that’s even possible. His ability to turn routine plays into nail-biters forces infielders to hurry, and he’s a threat to take an extra base on any ball to the outfield. Hamilton has made more use of his speed as he has improved at the plate. A switch-hitter, he has smoothed out his less-natural lefthanded swing, which has left him less vulnerable to high fastballs that he used to chase and pop up. Pitchers with good fastballs can still bust him up and in at times. He’s rail-thin and never will have home run power, but he does show some gap pop, especially from the right side. His speed also means that singles sometimes turn into doubles. He has improved his pitch recognition and selectivity, with his 86 walks in 2012 nearly matching his previous career total from three pro seasons. The move to center field should fit Hamilton’s aggressive approach. He still has some work to do on jumps and routes, but his quickness allows him to outrun mistakes and play shallower than most . He projects as a plus defender, perhaps even a Gold Glover, with an average arm. Hamilton is as durable as he is fast. Despite taking the pounding of countless steal attempts, he never has spent a day on the disabled list.
THE FUTURE: Hamilton’s speed ensures him some sort of big league job, and his continued development at the plate will determine whether he ends up being an all-star or a bottom-of-the-order speedster. Cincinnati’s trade for Shin-Soo Choo ended any chance Hamilton had of winning the center-field job in spring training, and he could use some time at Triple-A Louisville to refine his game. When he arrives in the big leagues, he’ll spur ticket sales with his style of play.
2. ROBERT STEPHENSON,RHP
BORN: Feb. 24, 1993. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 185. DRAFTED: HS—Martinez, Calif., 2011 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Rich Bordi.
BACKGROUND: He has pitched just 65 pro innings, but Stephenson already has shown the best pure stuff of any Reds draftee dating back to at least 2004 first-rounder Homer Bailey. Signed for $2 million as the 27th overall pick in 2011, he ranked as the Rookie-level Pioneer League’s top pitching prospect in his pro debut last summer and was equally impressive in his best starts after a promotion to low Class A Dayton.
SCOUTING REPORT: Stephenson’s fastball velocity has improved in pro ball, rising from 92-95 in his draft year to 93-97 in 2012, and he touched 100 mph at low Class A Dayton. His heater has excellent life as well. What makes him stand out from the average prep flamethrower is that he also has a good feel for his secondary pitches. His changeup also has gotten better since his high school days, and some scouts project it as a plus pitch. His curveball has similar potential. Stephenson can get too intense at times—he sometimes throws in the mid-90s warming up in the bullpen—and needs to avoid rushing his delivery, which detracts from his control.
THE FUTURE: Cincinnati kept a tight leash on Stephenson and will turn him loose in 2013, when he’ll open back in low Class A. He has all of the ingredients to become a frontline starter.
3. TONY CINGRANI, LHP
BORN: July 5, 1989. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 205. DRAFTED: Rice, 2011 (3rd round). SIGNED BY: Jerry Flowers.
BACKGROUND:Cingrani was so bad as a Rice junior that he asked his coaches if they wanted him to come back for his senior season. The Owls simplified his delivery and fixed a timing issue in which his arm lagged behind his lower half, and the results were immediate. He improved his fastball velocity and control, pitched his way into the third round of the 2011 draft and led the minors with a 1.73 ERA last year before joining the Reds in September.
SCOUTING REPORT: Cingrani’s success begins with his fastball, which generates plenty of swings and misses thanks to excellent life and some deception in his delivery. He adds and subtracts from his fastball, varying it from 88-95 mph, and locates it to both sides of the plate. It looks even quicker because he pairs it with a plus change with good fade that gives him a weapon against righthanders. His slider is fringy, as it is too often flat and it lacks bite. He generally throws strikes, though his control slipped at Double-A Pensacola.
THE FUTURE: Cingrani’s slider will determine his future role. He can thrive in the bullpen with two pitches, but needs a better breaking ball to succeed as a starter. With a full rotation in Cincinnati, he’ll head to Triple-A to begin 2013.
4. DANIEL CORCINO, RHP
BORN: Aug. 26, 1990. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 205. SIGNED: Dominican Republic, 2008. SIGNED BY: Richard Jimenez.
BACKGROUND: Even before he arrived in the United States, Corcino has been known as the Reds’“next Cueto.” He draws comparisons to Cincinnati’s ace because he’s a short but powerfully built Dominican righthander with a low three-quarters arm slot. And like Cueto, he has had success wherever he goes. In 2012, he pitched the first eight innings of the first no-hitter in Pensacola franchise history and ranked second in the Southern League with a 3.01 ERA.
SCOUTING REPORT: Because of his arm slot, cross-fire delivery and understanding of how to manipulate the baseball, Corcino throws 91-94 mph fastballs with either cutting action or armside run. His slider shows flashes of being a plus pitch, though it needs more consistency. His changeup has good sink at the plate, giving him the potential for three solid or better pitches. Corcino has some effort to his delivery. His control wasn’t as sharp in Double-A, with his walk rate (4.1 per nine innings) nearly doubling from the year before (2.2).
THE FUTURE: If the Reds need a power arm out of the pen, Corcino is ready right now. Because he’ll have more value as a starter, he’ll head to Triple-A to continue to refine his secondary stuff and control. Added to the 40-man roster in November, he projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, much like Cueto did as he climbed the minor league ladder.
5. NICK TRAVIESO, RHP
BORN: Jan. 31, 1994. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 215. DRAFTED: HS—Southwest Ranches, Fla., 2012 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Tony Arias/Miguel Machado.
BACKGROUND: In the final month before the 2012 draft, Travieso’s velocity ticked up as he helped Archbishop McCarthy High (Southwest Ranches, Fla.) win its third straight 6-A state title. He pitched just 15 innings as a junior because the team was stacked. The Reds had plenty of history with him because international scouting director Tony Arias has a son on the team, and they selected Travieso 14th overall and signed him for $2 million--$375,000 less than the assigned pick value.
SCOUTING REPORT: While Travieso’s fastball touched 98 mph in high school, he sat at 90-93 mph and peaked at 96 as pro as Cincinnati worked on getting him to repeat his delivery and avoid opening up too early. Some scouts think his fastball lacks life and deception. He shows the ability to spin a tight slider in the mid-80s, but he doesn’t stay on top of it or command it consistently. His changeup is a long ways away, which isn’t surprising considering his limited innings.
THE FUTURE:The Reds will give Travieso plenty of chances to start, but many observers see him ending up as a power reliever. Cincinnati probably will put him on the same path as 2011 first-rounder Robert Stephenson, sending Travieso to extended spring training and then on to Rookie-level Billings or Dayton.
6. JESSE WINKER, OF
BORN: Aug. 17, 1993. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 195. DRAFTED: HS—Orlando, 2012 (1st round supplemental). SIGNED BY: Greg Zunino.
BACKGROUND: When he was a sophomore, Winker watched Olympia High (Orlando) teammate Mason Williams hit his way to a $1.45 million signing bonus as a fourth-round pick. Two years later, Winker and righthander Walker Weickel gave Olympia a pair of 2012 supplemental first-round picks. After signing for $1 million, Winker led the Pioneer League in on-base percentage (.443) and ranked third in hitting (.338) and OPS (.993).
SCOUTING REPORT: Winker has a sweet lefthanded swing and keeps his bat in the hitting zone for a long time. He’s an extremely disciplined hitter who isn’t afraid to work counts, though he’ll have to cut down his strikeouts as he advances. His stroke generates natural loft that could produce 20 homers annually as he adds further muscle. He has strong legs that he uses well in his swing. Reds coaches compare his stroke to Jay Bruce’s, though Winker isn’t nearly as athletic. He’s a below-average runner now and will get slower as he fills out. He’s most likely a left fielder in the long term, though he has enough arm to handle right.
THE FUTURE: Following a fabulous pro debut, Winker is more than ready to move up for low Class A. His big league future depends on his bat, but it looks like it will be up to the challenge. He’s a potential No. 3 hitter in a contender’s lineup.
7. J.J. HOOVER, RHP
BORN: Aug. 13, 1987. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 230. DRAFTED: Calhoun (Ala.) CC, 2008 (10th round). SIGNED BY: Brian Bridges (Braves).
BACKGROUND: The Braves drafted 11 pitchers in the first 12 rounds of the 2008 draft. They have already released three of their first six choices, but they did get Craig Kimbrel (third round) and Hoover. Traded to Cincinnati for Juan Francisco at the end of spring training in 2012, he impressed the Reds so much during a September callup that they added him to their playoff roster ahead of more veteran relievers. He made two scoreless appearances in the National League Division Series.
SCOUTING REPORT: The thick-bodied Hoover has been dominant ever since he moved to the bullpen early in 2011. His fastball velocity increased with the move, now sitting at 92-93 mph with plenty of sink. Because of his background as a starter, he has a varied repertoire. Hoover junked his slider last year in favor of a slow curveball that he can command better. His curve can handcuff hitters who are gearing up to catch up to his fastball. He also throws a usable changeup and has average control.
THE FUTURE: Hoover already has demonstrated that he can pitch in a big league bullpen. He’ll serve as a set-up man for Jonathan Broxton in 2013, and he could grow into the closer role if needed down the road.
8. ISMAEL GUILLON, LHP
BORN: Feb. 13, 1992. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 200. DRAFTED: Venezuela, 2009. SIGNED BY: Tony Arias.
BACKGROUND: Other teams scouted Guillon more as a hitter, but the Reds signed him for $220,000 as a pitcher in 2008. When he was found to need Tommy John surgery, they voided his original deal and re-signed him at a significantly reduced rate. The renegotiation made him eligible for the Rule 5 draft if he wasn’t on the 40-man roster, and while he went unpicked in 2010 and 2011, Cincinnati protected him this offseason.
SCOUTING REPORT: Guillon’s changeup is a true plus pitch. He throws it with the same arm speed as his fastball and is willing to double up on it, baffling even hitters who are looking for the pitch. The quality of his changeup helps his fastball play up. He usually works at 89-92 mph, touching 94 on some nights but struggling to top 90 on others. His curveball is well below average, but Guillon’s biggest weakness is his control. He has smoothed out his delivery, reducing a pronounced wrap in the back, but he still needs to repeat his mechanics better. His delivery does give him some deception.
THE FUTURE: While Guillon’s 40-man roster spot means he’ll head to big league spring training, he has a lot of development ahead of him. He’ll open 2013 in low Class A after making four strong starts there to conclude last season.
9. JONATHAN REYNOSO, OF
BORN: Jan. 7, 1993. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 177. SIGNED: Dominican Republic, 2010. SIGNED BY: Richard Jimenez.
BACKGROUND: In a system thinned out by big league promotions and trades, Reynoso is one of the toolsiest players. Signed for only $45,000, he batted .223 in two seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League before taking a big step forward in his 2012 U.S. debut. He hit .311 and led the Rookie-level Arizona League with 30 steals.
SCOUTING REPORT: Only Yorman Rodriguez can match Reynoso’s all-around physicality among Reds farmhands. His best present tool is his plus speed, though he’s still learning to use it. He led the AZL by getting caught stealing nine times and doesn’t take good routes in center field. His 6-foot-3 frame has room to add strength, which means he could end up as a power-hitting right fielder, though his high-waisted build leads observers to believe he’ll retain most of his speed as he matures. Reynoso has solid hand-eye coordination and squares up pitches over the plate. He’s comfortable lining pitches off the plate to the opposite field, but he does have trouble turning on inside offerings. He has well above-average arm strength, though he’s not always accurate with his throws and he needs to speed up his release.
THE FUTURE: The jump from the AZL to full-season ball is steep, but Reynoso might be ready for low Class A after some time in extended spring training. The Reds are anxious to see how he’ll handle better competition.
10. DAN LANGFIELD, RHP
BORN: Jan. 21, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 196. DRAFTED: Memphis, 2012 (3rd round). SIGNED BY: Joe Katuska.
BACKGROUND: In 2011, the Reds spent a third-round pick on Tony Cingrani, a college pitcher most scouts projected as a reliever. Cincinnati let him start, and Cingrani looks like he has a future in the rotation after leading the minors in ERA last season. The Reds may have made a similar third-round discovery with Langfield. After signing him for $436,800 last June, Cincinnati helped him smooth out his mechanics without losing anything off his fastball. His father Paul was a 10th-round pick of the Blue Jays in 1980.
SCOUTING REPORT: In college, Langfield’s 93-97 mph fastball was his calling card, but he pitched to the radar gun too often. The Reds slowed down his delivery, toned down some arm-jarring recoil and were rewarded with a strong pro debut. His fastball and hard slider both could be plus pitches and allowed him to lead Conference USA with 111 strikeouts in 94 innings last spring. His curveball and changeup show flashes of becoming solid offerings as well. Langfield’s control improved after he cleaned up his mechanics, but it still needs further refinement. He has been durable throughout his amateur career.
THE FUTURE: Langfield’s ability to make adjustments to his delivery has shelved efforts to move him to the bullpen for now. He heads to full-season ball with a chance to anchor the Dayton rotation.
