Photo: Minda Haas Kuhlmann. License here.
Fangraphs prospect crew released their Top 100+ prospects list today. Among the Top 100 players that were listed there were just two Cincinnati Reds. The list actually went to 110 players – all the players who were graded out as 50 FV (future value). A third Reds prospect wound up in that extra 10-player section.
At the top of the list was Alfredo Duno. The catcher came in rated 22nd on the list with a 55 FV grade. Players graded a 55 ranged from the #11 prospect to the #30 prospect. The next tier, the 50 FV grade prospects, featured the other Red who made the Top 100. Sal Stewart wound up being ranked 34th. As noted above, the rankings included all players who were a 50 FV or higher, so this part of the list stretches from #31-110.
Before diving into players, let’s talk about what the FV grades mean. Your average everyday player/starting pitcher is a grade 50 player. They tend to be around 2.0 WAR in a given season. A player graded at 55 is considered an above-average everyday player/starting pitcher/non-elite level closer. Those players tend to average around 3.0 WAR in a given season. Your All-Stars tend to be grade 60 players, while your MVP level players are 70’s, and a guy who is arguably the best player in the game is a grade 80 player who is going to produce 7+ WAR per season. For perspective, Fangraphs only has one player that’s a grade 70 player this year and it’s Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin. There are only three guys graded out as 65 below him, and then only six others who are 60’s.
The report they have on Alfredo Duno reads similarly to others you will see. Big time power leads the way, with the potential to be one of the better power hitters in the game. There’s no question about his defensive positioning with their description saying he could potentially become a plus defender.
For Sal Stewart it’s a good balance of potential above-average hitting ability along with above-average power to go along with below-average defensive value. “He is arguably as sure a thing as a bat-first prospect can be” is in his write up, just to give you a good idea of just how much they like his bat and it’s potential.
Just outside of the top 100 was right-handed pitcher Rhett Lowder. He graded out at a 50 FV and was described as a 4th starter. The individual grades on his pitches show his slider being a plus pitch, but everything else being average across the board.
It’s not the best look for the farm system at this point. But as we’ve seen from other publications over the offseason, the Reds farm looks to be middle of the pack in baseball right now.
About The Author