2017 Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Insider
See Also: Reds Top 10 Prospects
Talent Infusion: Draft Report Card
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SEASON IN A SENTENCE: In a year focused on the future, the Reds shed some contracts and tied for the National League lead with 94 losses, despite a monster season and particularly strong second half by first baseman Joey Votto.
HIGH POINT: The combination of better health on the pitching staff and Votto’s nuclear production helped the Reds go 36-37 after the all-star break. Votto hit .408/.490/.668 in the last 72 games he played, adding seven homers in September and October. Overall, Votto hit .381/.498/.681 in 65 Reds victories.
LOW POINT: The Reds had won four straight to edge up to 13-17 when the wheels came off, with the club losing 18 of its next 22 games, including a season-long 11-game losing streak from May 16-27. The streak started with the Brewers putting up seven runs in the 10th inning of a 13-7 game the Reds once led 6-2; it ended with a 17-4 drubbing at Coors Field in which the Rockies slugged seven homers. Reds pitchers set a new single-season club record for home runs allowed with 258.
NOTABLE ROOKIES: Lefties John Lamb and Cody Reed and righty Tim Adleman, a former indy-ball find, got 37 starts among them, and both lefties struggled mightily. So did former No. 1 prospect Robert Stephenson, still rookie-eligible in 2017 after eight starts that covered just 37 innings. Rookie Reds hitters impressed a bit more, from outfielder Scott Schebler, who showed strong lefthanded power, to versatile Jose Peraza, whose speed and ability to play second base, shortstop and center field should come in handy.
KEY TRANSACTIONS: The Reds shed Jay Bruce’s salary, trading their 2005 first-round pick to the Mets after he had a strong first half with 25 home runs. Righthander Dan Straily, a late-spring waiver claim, became the team’s stalwart starter, going 14-8, 3.76 with 191.1 innings.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Reds affiliates barely peeked above .500, with two making the playoffs, led by Double-A Pensacola, which won 81 games. Outfielder Aristides Aquino was the MVP of the high Class A Florida State League after hitting .273/.327/.519 with 23 home runs. After loading up on arms in recent drafts, the Reds went hard after hitters in the draft, taking them with their first three selections, including No. 2 overall pick Nick Senzel. The Tennessee third baseman hit .305/.398/.514 in his pro debut with seven home runs and 18 stolen bases in just 68 games.
OPENING DAY PAYROLL: $89,955,059 (22nd)
| BEST TOOLS | |
| Average | Nick Senzel |
| Best Power Hitter | Aristides Aquino |
| Best Strike-Zone Discipline | Jesse Winker |
| Fastest Baserunner | Taylor Trammell |
| Best Athlete | Taylor Trammell |
| Best Fastball | Tony Santillan |
| Best Curveball | Ariel Hernandez |
| Best Slider | Cody Reed |
| Best Changeup | Ismael Guillon |
| Best Control | Tyler Mahle |
| Best Defensive Catcher | Stuart Turner |
| Best Defensive Infielder | Alfredo Rodriguez |
| Best Infield Arm | Taylor Sparks |
| Best Defensive Outfielder | T.J. Friedl |
| Best Outfield Arm | Aristides Aquino |
| PROJECTED 2020 LINEUP | |
| Catcher | Devin Mesoraco |
| First Base | Joey Votto |
| Second Base | Dilson Herrera |
| Third Base | Nick Senzel |
| Shortstop | Jose Peraza |
| Left Field | Taylor Trammell |
| Center Field | Billy Hamilton |
| Right Field | Aristides Aquino |
| No. 1 Starter | Homer Bailey |
| No. 2 Starter | Cody Reed |
| No. 3 Starter | Amir Garrett |
| No. 4 Starter | Brandon Finnegan |
| No. 5 Starter | Robert Stephenson |
| Closer | Raisel Iglesias |
| TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE | ||
| Year | Player, Pos. | 2016 Org |
| 2007 | Homer Bailey, rhp | Reds |
| 2008 | Jay Bruce, of | Mets |
| 2009 | Yonder Alonso, 1b | Athletics |
| 2010 | Todd Frazier, 3b/of | White Sox |
| 2011 | Aroldis Chapman, lhp | Cubs |
| 2012 | Devin Mesoraco, c | Reds |
| 2013 | Billy Hamilton, of | Reds |
| 2014 | Robert Stephenson, rhp | Reds |
| 2015 | Robert Stephenson, rhp | Reds |
| 2016 | Robert Stephenson, rhp | Reds |
| TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE | ||
| Year | Player, Pos. | 2016 Org |
| 2007 | Devin Mesoraco, c | Reds |
| 2008 | Yonder Alonso, 1b | Athletics |
| 2009 | Mike Leake, rhp | Cardinals |
| 2010 | Yasmani Grandal, c | Dodgers |
| 2011 | Robert Stephenson, rhp | Reds |
| 2012 | Nick Travieso, rhp | Reds |
| 2013 | Phillip Ervin, of | Reds |
| 2014 | Nick Howard, rhp | Reds |
| 2015 | Tyler Stephenson, c | Reds |
| 2016 | Nick Senzel, 3b | Reds |
| LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY | |
| Aroldis Chapman, lhp | $16,250,000 |
| Alfredo Rodriguez, ss | $7,000,000 |
| Nick Senzel, 3b | $6,200,000 |
| Rasiel Iglesias, rhp | $5,000,000 |
| Vladimir Gutierrez, rhp | $4,750,000 |
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