With Mike Leake and Johnny Cueto going into the final year of their contracts and Aroldis Chapman slated for free agency after the 2016 season, the Reds could be facing a pitching shortage soon. Luckily for them, their system appears to be stocked.
In FoxSportsOhio.com's consensus prospect rankings for this season, seven of the top 10 are pitchers. Robert Stephenson is on most service's top 20 MLB prospects as many expect him to bounce back from an uneven season. Three of the prospects on the list -- Michael Lorenzen, Anthony DeSclafani and Rasiel Iglesias -- could begin the year in Cincinnati. DeSclafani is thought to be part of the rotation while Lorenzen or Iglesias could fill a spot while Homer Bailey is on the disabled list.
The best offensive prospect is outfielder Jesse Winkler, who was one of the top players in Arizona Fall League. One player who could rise up lists is outfielder Aristides Aquino, especially if he can put up big power numbers this season.
Here is the top 10:
1. ROBERT STEPHENSON, P
The right-hander has a great fastball/curveball combination and is improving on his changeup. With Double-A Pensacola, Stephenson led the Southern League last season in strikeouts (140) while opposing hitters to a .114 average, but he also allowed 18 home runs en route to going 7-10 with a 4.74 ERA. Expected to be in Louisville sometime this upcoming season and could be in the Reds' rotation by 2016.
2. JESSE WINKER, OF
Led the Arizona Fall League with a .338 average. After starting the season in Single-A he was promoted to Double-A Pensacola but played in only 21 games due to a partially torn tendon in his right wrist after an auto accident. Has great plate discipline and has drawn comparisons to Jay Bruce because of his ability to hit for average.
3. MICHAEL LORENZEN, P
The right-hander was mainly a reliever in college but has developed into a solid starter with the Reds. Even though Lorenzen was 4-6 with Pensacola, he was third in the Southern League with a 3.13 ERA. He didn't produce a lot of strikeouts last year but has a two-seamer that can get in the upper 90's and has plenty of sink that handcuffs hitters.
4. NICK HOWARD, P
The right-hander, who was selected in the first round last year, is similar to Lorenzen in that he was mainly a reliever in college. With Single-A Dayton, Howard's last five outings were starts and he went 1-1 with a 4.18 ERA. His fastball averages 92-95 and he is expected to be in Pensacola at some point this season.
5. ANTHONY DESCLAFANI, P
The right-hander was acquired from the Marlins in the Mat Latos trade. Mainly a ground ball pitcher whose fastball averages 92-94, DeSclafani tried to work on his curveball during the Arizona Fall League with some success.
6. ALEX BLANDINO, SS
Also taken in the first round last year, Blandino has potential at short but he can also play second and third. He has a solid bat but needs to improve on his power. Likely to begin the season in Dayton and if he continues to improve could make a quick trip up the organization.
7. NICK TRAVIESO, P
The right-hander went 14-5 last season at Dayton, which tied for the organization lead in wins and he led the organization in ERA (3.03). He has one of the best sliders in the system and a fastball that averages 92-95. Could begin the season in Daytona or Pensacola.
8. AMIR GARRETT, P
The left-hander went 7-8 with a 3.65 ERA in Dayton last season but over the second half he was 5-4 with a 2.86 ERA. Inconsistent in his delivery and control but does have a fastball that averages between 92-95. Could start the season back in Dayton or move up High-A Daytona.
9. RASIEL IGLESIAS, P
Is the right-hander the next Aroldis Chapman? Possibly except in this case the Reds are adamant that they want Iglesias to be a starter after signing him to a seven-year, $27 million deal. He pitched mainly in relief in the Arizona Fall League and allowed no runs and a hit in seven innings. Has a solid four-pitch repertoire. Some services did not have him in their rankings because of his ability to reach the majors quickly.
10. ARISTIDES AQUINO, OF
He had 16 home runs last season at Billings and continues to add strength. Still needs to hone his swing a little bit and do a better job of hitting offspeed pitches. Aquino is expected to settle into right field as he moves up through the system and should be able to settle into the middle of the order.
