Reds top draft picks of the past decade
2004 — Homer Bailey (RHP)
Bailey has been in the Reds organization for the entirety of his 10-year career, making his major league debut in 2007. He has emerged as a key piece of the Reds starting rotation during the last two seasons — posting a 13–10 record with a 3.68 ERA in 2012 along with an 11–12 record with a 3.49 ERA last season. Bailey has thrown a no-hitter each of the previous two seasons — one to end the 2012 season and the other to begin the 2013 season — making him the first pitcher responsible for consecutive MLB no-no’s since Nolan Ryan did so in 1974 and 1975. With 2014 being the last year on Bailey’s current contract, the Reds and general manger Walt Jocketty would like to sign him, but admit it may be hard to do so with the right-hander looking for a long-term deal.
2005 — Jay Bruce (OF)
Bruce, like Bailey, has been a part of the organization since signing with the team out of high school in 2005. He has become a core part of the Reds lineup since joining the club in 2008. The left-handed slugger broke onto the scene with a hot start as a rookie — hitting 21 home runs in 108 games — and finished fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year race. He had bettered his power numbers every year since then until last season. However, it could be argued 2013 was his best season yet — hitting .262 with 30 home runs and 109 RBI’s (his first season breaking the century mark). Having played 150 or more games in each of the past three seasons, Bruce has become a staple in the Reds’ lineup — hitting fifth in the order and playing right field.
2006 — Drew Stubbs (OF)
Stubbs’ speed brought him up to the big leagues toward the end of the 2009 season, yet he never really panned out like the Reds had hoped. As a leadoff hitter, he struck out well too many times — precisely 205 times in 604 at-bats with a strike out to walk ratio of approximately 3.25–1 during the 2011 season. He continued to struggle through 2012 and was ultimately dealt to the Cleveland Indians at the season’s end as part of the deal in which the Reds acquired outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Last season, Stubbs played in 146 for the Indians, yet still continued to strike out at an alarming rate.
2007 — Devin Mesoraco ©
Mesoraco has been in the Reds organization for the entirety of his young career as well. He played sparingly for the team in 2011 and 2012, but was called upon for more production last season — playing in 103 games and hitting .238 with nine home runs and 42 RBI’s. However, with the departure of veteran catcher Ryan Hanigan, who was dealt to the Tampa Bay in a three-team trade this offseason, Mesoraco will undoubtedly be looked upon to provide more production to the bottom third of the Reds lineup.
2008 — Yonder Alonso (1B)
Alonso was drafted by the Reds out of the University of Miami (Fla.) in 2008 and played in only 69 career games with the ball club during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. However, the lefty slugger hit .299 in his time with the Reds. In the winter of 2011, Alonso was part of the deal that brought RHP Mat Latos to the organization. Subsequently, Alonso was shipped to San Diego to join the Padres organization. Alonso has continued to be a productive hitter with the Padres — hovering right around a .275 batting average — and looks to have a bright future.
2009 — Mike Leake (RHP)
Leake was a rarity in professional baseball in that he immediately jumped from the draft straight to the big leagues. His overall numbers are fairly good — with a 42–29 career record in 109 starts over the past four seasons — but his consistency seems to be a bit of an issue. Johnny Cueto struggled through health issues last season and Latos had offseason surgery to remove bone chips in his throwing elbow. If these health issues prove to be a problem, the Reds may begin to lean on Leake. Also, with Bronson Arroyo on the free agent market and unlikely to resign with the Reds, Leake will have to assume more responsibility.
2010 — Yasmani Grandal ©
Grandal never made it to the big stage, but his production during his first two years in the minor leagues made him a desirable commodity for other teams — namely the San Diego Padres. He has an eerily similar path to that of Alonso. Both were signed by the Reds out of Miami (Fla.) and both were part of the deal that brought Latos to Cincinnati. Grandal has played sparingly with the Padres — hitting .297 in his initial 60-game stint with the team in 2012 and struggling through last season while hitting .216 in only 28 games.
2011 — Robert Stephenson (RHP)
The Reds signed Stephenson directly out of high school in 2011 and the hard-throwing right hander has pitched well in Single-A and Double-A over the past two seasons. Although his record doesn’t necessarily show it at 10–11, his ERA of 3.06 shows he has the ability to be a big league pitcher. According to Bleacher Report, Stephenson is the top prospect in the Reds organization and is expected to make his debut at some point during the 2015 season.
2012 — Nick Travieso (RHP)
At only 19 years old it’s easy to tell what kind of raw talent this young right hander has, but how it’s developed is another question. The Florida native pitched well for the Class A Dayton Dragons last season — posting a 7–4 record in 17 starts — but his 4.63 ERA could use some improvement. With so much raw talent, yet much work needed on his mechanics, Travieso could be seen as a reliever down the road. Bleacher Report projects him as the Reds ninth best prospect.
2013 — Phillip Ervin (OF)
Ervin has made strides rather quickly. The first-year player out of Samford has already suited up for the Class A Dayton Dragons and has not disappointed — hitting .349 in 43 at-bats with the team. Although the sample size may be too small as of now, the Reds have to like what they see out of the young outfielder. Bleacher Report has him projected as the organization’s third best prospect, behind Billy Hamilton and Stephensen.
