Reds top-10 Prospect List has Strong Dragons Representation

Baseball America, the trade publication for Minor League Baseball, today announced its annual list of top-10 prospects in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Selection to the top-10 prospect list is a notable achievement for any player among the approximately 200 minor leaguers in the Reds system.

Seven of the 10 players on this year's list have played for the Dayton Dragons. Another is expected to play for the Dragons in 2016.

For the third straight year, right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson was selected as the Reds #1 prospect. Stephenson spent part of 2012 and most of 2013 with the Dragons.

The Dragons all-time career leader in victories, Nick Travieso, is rated as the Reds # 7 prospect, while Sal Romano, the Dragons career leader in innings pitched and starts is #9. Both Travieso and Romano are right-handed pitchers. Travieso, the Reds #1 pick in 2012, spent part of the 2013 season and all of 2014 with the Dragons. Romano spent all of both '13 and '14 with the Dragons.

Left-handed pitcher Amir Garrett, a key member of the Dragons in 2013 and '14, jumped to #3 on the list after being ranked #7 after the 2014 season. Jesse Winker, an all-star with the 2013 Dragons, is #5. Infielder Alex Blandino, the Dragons shortstop for the last two months of the 2014 season, is #6. Right-handed starting pitcher Tyler Mahle climbs to #10 on the list after being rated #26 after the 2014 season. Mahle was an all-star for the Dragons this season.

Catcher Tyler Stephenson, the Reds #1 draft pick in 2015, is listed as the Reds #4 prospect. Stephenson is expected to spend the 2016 season with the Dragons.

Two pitchers acquired in trades for Major League players are listed among the Reds top-10 prospects. Left-handed pitcher Cody Reed, the youngest of three pitchers obtained in exchange for former Dragon Johnny Cueto, is listed as the Reds #2 prospect. Right-handed pitcher Keury Mella, one of two players obtained for Mike Leake, is ranked #8. 

Here is the complete list from Baseball America:

1) Robert Stephenson, right-handed pitcher

2) Cody Reed, left-handed pitcher

3) Amir Garrett, left-handed pitcher

4) Tyler Stephenson, catcher

5) Jesse Winker, outfielder

6) Alex Blandino, shortstop/second baseman

7) Nick Travieso, right-handed pitcher

8) Keury Mella, right-handed pitcher

9) Sal Romano, right-handed pitcher

10) Tyler Mahle, right-handed pitcher

Top prospect Robert Stephenson, still only 22 years old, finished the 2015 season at the Triple-A level with Louisville. Stephenson regularly flirted with 100 mph on his fastball in his days with the Dragons, establishing himself as a Reds top-level prospect as a teenager. He was selected to represent the Dragons as the starting pitcher in the 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game in Dayton, but missed the game due to a strained hamstring. He was the Reds #1 pick in 2011.   

Garrett enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Dragons in 2014 and followed that with another outstanding year in 2015 to earn Florida State League co-Pitcher of the Year honors with Daytona. In 26 starts this season, he posted a record of 9-7 with a 2.44 earned run average.

Tyler Stephenson was selected by the Reds in the first round out of high school in Kennesaw, Georgia this summer. He spent his first professional season with the Billings Mustangs as an 18 year old, batting .268 against primarily older and more experienced competition. He is expected to be the Dragons opening day catcher in April of 2016.

Winker, the Dragons popular left fielder and all-star game starter in 2013, spent the 2015 season at the Double-A level with Pensacola, enjoying a tremendous second half of the season after a slow start. He hit .282 and belted 13 home runs as one of the youngest position players in the Southern League (age 21 for most of the season).

Mahle posted one of the top seasons by a starting pitcher in Dragons history in 2015, going 13-8 with a 2.43 ERA. He became the first-ever Dragons starting pitcher to be selected to the Midwest League full-season all-star team (one player per position).

Baseball America also selected the Reds prospects with the "best tools" in several categories. Former Dragon Beau Amaral (2013-'14 Dragons) was named Best Defensive Outfielder" while Aristides Aquino (2015 Dragons) was selected as having the "best outfielder arm." Garrett was picked as the "best athlete" and Winker was selected as both the "best hitter for average" and "best strike zone discipline." Joe Hudson (2013-'14 Dragons) was selected as the best defensive catcher in the Reds system. In pitching categories, Romano was selected for "best fastball,", Stephenson for "best change-up," 2015 Dragons hurler Wyatt Strahan for "best curveball," and Mahle for "best control."

Reds # 1 Prospects by season from Baseball America since 2000 (listed with the upcoming season):

* indicates player played for Dragons

2016: *Robert Stephenson, right-handed pitcher

2015: *Robert Stephenson, right-handed pitcher

2014: *Robert Stephenson, right-handed pitcher

2013: *Billy Hamilton, shortstop/center fielder

2012: *Devin Mescoraco, catcher

2011: Aroldis Chapman, left-handed pitcher

2010: *Todd Frazier, third baseman/outfielder

2009: Yonder Alonso, first baseman

2008: *Jay Bruce, outfielder

2007: *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher

2006: *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher

2005: *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher

2004: Ryan Wagner, right-handed pitcher

2003: *Chris Gruler, right-handed pitcher

2002: *Austin Kearns, outfielder

2001: *Austin Kearns, outfielder

2000: Gookie Dawkins, shortstop

Complete information on the list is available at baseballamerica.com or by going directly to the story at this link: http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/cincinnati-reds-top-10-prospects/