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Click here for the Reds HHSL Home Page |
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| Reds add to the list of future Major Leaguers |
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As you have read in past issues of the Reds Journal, the Cincinnati Reds have put all possible effort into building up their major league team through their minor leagues. The Amateur draft was held recently, and here's how the Reds made out in their draft. The Reds feel that they may have gotten as many as seven full-time starters out of this draft, as well as a few fringe type players. |
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1. Ernie Hopper, LHP |
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Hopper was a bit of a surprise pick to some in the league, going 26th overall to the Reds. Hopper was the 7th pitcher chosen in this year's draft, but GM Bill Akin had him ranked second. "We felt that he had the best combination of ground ball percentage, endurance and quality pitches. We also liked his control and strikeout to walk ratio. He might give up a few more hits than some of the others in the draft, but he won't walk many at all, and that 75% GB ratio should get him clear of a lot of jams with double play balls." Hopper's advanced age of 21 should also help him move through the Reds' system quickly. "We'd be lying if we said we didn't upgrade him a slight bit because of his age and maturity," said Akin. "We're looking to get him to the majors relatively quickly to help us reach our goal of winning the WS. With him being 21 already, he's right there with a lot of the prospects we drafted even two and three years ago." ETA 2013. |
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2. Carlos Schultz, 2B |
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Wow! Schultz is the fastest player many of us have ever seen. Even better, Schultz can hit a little, which makes him possibly the biggest steal in the draft at the 29th pick. The Reds' current leadoff hitter Emoto Yoon is 32 this year and has already shown some signs of slowing. "We love what we've seen from Carlos already," said Akin. "He looks like he could play right now. He has the best combination of range and arm I've ever seen. We knew he wasn't the slickest fielder in the draft, but we'll take him." Schultz, a left handed hitter, hits lefties pretty well, and does extremely well against righties. He doesn't walk a tremendous amount, but enough to lead off and do a fine job in that role. Another thing Schultz has going for him is that he is already 22 years old, and has started this season in AA, where he has done very well to this point. Rumors swirling around Schultz have him skipping AAA and making the jump to the majors next year. Depending on how well he handles AA for the rest of this season, we may well see him do just that. ETA 2010. |
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3. Jake Quinn, OF |
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Quinn fell all the way to the mid 80's before he was picked by the Reds in the third round. Quinn, unlike Schultz, does not have tremendous skills, but he can just flat out hit. A right handed hitter, Quinn should hit in the neighborhood of .300 with some power. Plate discipline is something he could stand to work on. He also has a decent arm and soft hands which will allow him to play both outfield corners and infield corners. He will have plenty of time to learn those positions as he is only 18, and probably 6 years away or longer from seeing his first Major League action. ETA 2015. |
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4. Huck Fernandez, OF |
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Fernandez is another 18 year old outfielder that was taken in the fourth round. Aside from having the best name in the draft, Fernandez switch hits for a decent average with some power. He will strike out some, but his 20+ HR power makes this acceptable. Defensively, Fernandez has very similar numbers to Quinn, above, soft hands, not a lot of range, and a decent arm. He should be around late in the game to pinch hit off the bench or double switch when his time comes. ETA 2015. |
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