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| | Thursday, April 20 Reds minor-league report | |||||
| By John Sickels Special to ESPN.com System overview The Reds farm system was probably the weakest in baseball through most of the 1990s, mainly because Marge Schott never understood the importance of investment in player development. General Manager Jim Bowden always did, and with the old bat finally out of the picture, the baseball people were given the resources to rebuild the organization. Progress has been slow, but steady, and the Reds are in much better shape than they were just two years ago. The system boasts a number of interesting position players, especially in the outfield. The 1998 draft brought high-ceiling outfielders Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn into the system. The Reds have also increased their investment in Latin America, and are now willing to go after talents like Alejandro Diaz, a Dominican outfielder who played in Japan, and was sought after by many other clubs. The last two draft efforts focused on high school talent, which can be risky if done to excess. But at least it shows the Reds understand that obtaining talented players when they are amateurs is less expensive and more efficient than looking just for veterans. The system still lacks pitchers, and that will be the next goal for improvement. 1999 Minor League W-L Percentage: .521, (ranked 8th) 1999 amateur draft Cincinnati went after raw high school players in the early rounds of the draft, with one very important exception. The first pick was Ty Howington, a left-handed pitcher from high school in Vancouver, Washington. He throws 94 mph, but is otherwise fairly raw, and signed too late to pitch in 1999. Third-round pick Brandon Love, from Arkansas, and fourth-round pick Ken Lutz, from Illinois, were also high school pitchers with good arms, but little refinement. All three of these guys could be really good, or they could turn into nothing. It's too early to tell. The gem of the draft was Ben Broussard, a second-round pick from McNeese State. A first baseman in college, the Reds moved him to the outfield. He did OK with the glove, but his bat was incredible: he finished the season in Double-A, hitting 24 home runs in half a season, with good strike zone judgment. Sixth-round pick Alex LeFlore (Ron LeFlore's son) has speed, but might not hit much. Seventh-rounder Okorie Barrow, from high school in Georgia, has outstanding tools, but is very raw. Ryan Lundquist, drafted in the eighth round from the University of Arkansas, and Casey Bookout, picked in the ninth round from Oklahoma, are polished college hitters who have power, but aren't great with the glove. For the draft to be successful overall, at least one of the high school pitchers picked early will have to develop. Even if that doesn't happen, the quick advance of Broussard was a pleasant surprise, and a big boost to the system. Top prospects 1) Travis Dawkins, SS: Excellent glove, started to show hitting potential last year. Runs well, controls the strike zone, may not have much power, but will be a fine player if he keeps hitting for average. 2) Ben Broussard, OF: Anyone who hits in Double-A two months after leaving college is a great prospect. 3) Rob Bell, RHP: Power pitcher with a great curve, acquired from the Braves in the Denny Neagle/Bret Boone trade. Missed much of season with elbow injury, but the Reds' best pitching prospect if healthy. 4) Adam Dunn, OF: Former quarterback at the University of Texas. Excellent athlete, with better baseball skills than anticipated. 5) Antonio Perez, SS: Dominican shortstop with flashy glove, speed, offensive potential. May move to second base due to presence of Dawkins. Others of note Alejandro Diaz, OF: Reds outbid several other teams to acquire the tool-laden outfielder. Needs work on the strike zone. Austin Kearns, OF: 1998 first-rounder struggled at times in 1999. Excellent power potential, hard-nosed. Needs to cut down on strikeouts. Jason LaRue, C: Didn't hit as well in 1999 as he did in 1998, but improved his defense. Could platoon with Eddie Taubensee. Mike Frank, OF: Hustler with a line-drive bat and good glove. Probably a fine fourth outfielder. Other names to know: Jose Acevedo, RHP; Robert Averette, RHP; Casey Bookout, 1B; Andy Burress, OF; Brady Clark, OF; Brandon Larson, 3B; Pedro Minaya, RHP; Brandon Puffer, RHP; John Riedling, RHP; Dave Therneau, RHP; Jason Williams, 2B; DeWayne Wise, OF. John Sickels is the author of the 2000 STATS Minor League Scouting Notebook. You can email your questions to him at JASickels@AOL.com. | ALSO SEE Hot Stove Heaters: Reds ESPN.com's Hot Stove Heaters  | |||||