Yasmani Grandal

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #4 prospect in 2012
  Heading into 2007, Grandal was rated the nation's top high school catching prospect, though Devin Mesoraco moved ahead of him on most draft boards. Signed to a $3.2 million major league contract as the 12th overall pick in 2010, he zoomed to Triple-A in his first full pro season. There are a lot of similarities between Grandal and Mesoraco. Both project as catchers who will provide above-average offense and solid defense. Mesoraco is a better athlete and has a tick more power, but Grandal projects to hit for a higher average and has the advantage of being a switch-hitter. He has a balanced approach, controls the strike zone and uses the entire field. Though Grandal racked up 19 passed balls in 90 games in 2011, the Reds still think he'll be an average receiver. He has an average arm and threw out 34 percent of basestealers. He has well below-average speed. Grandal still has work to do on his receiving and could use a full year in Triple-A. By then Mesoraco may be entrenched in Cincinnati, and backup Ryan Hanigan is signed through 2013, which may lead to a trade.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #6 prospect in 2011
  Much like Alonso, Grandal was born in Cuba but emigrated to Florida and played collegiately at Miami. He was one of the top high school catchers available in the 2007 draft, but his $1 million asking price dropped him to the Red Sox in the 27th round. He more than tripled that when he went 12th overall last June and signed a $3.2 million big league contract with a $2 million bonus at the Aug. 16 deadline. His scouting report is similar to Devin Mesoraco's. Grandal has a little less pop, arm strength and athleticism, but he's more polished and a better overall defender. A switch-hitter, Grandal uses the whole field and has good plate discipline. He projects as a plus hitter with perhaps 20-25 homers per season. He's a solid receiver, though his long release takes away from his average arm strength and results in pop times as slow as 2.1 seconds. Like most catchers, he doesn't run well and will slow down further as he piles up games behind the plate. He's relatively advanced for a player fresh out of the draft, but Mesoraco's development means the Reds have no reason to rush Grandal. He'll spend his first full pro season at Cincinnati's new high Class A Bakersfield affiliate.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #9 prospect in 2012
  Acquired in the offseason Mat Latos trade with the Reds, Grandal played his way to the big leagues after just two months in Triple-A. He burst onto the scene by homering from both sides of the plate in his first start for San Diego, and he played well in the majors despite missing time with an oblique injury. Grandal profiles as an offensive catcher who will provide average defense. He has a balanced approach from both sides, hitting to all fields with solid power. He has lapses with passed balls at times, but he should become an average receiver with arm strength to match. He erased 29 percent of PCL basestealers.
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  Ranked California League #10 prospect in 2011
  Though he had just eight games of prior pro experience, Grandal started 2011 at Bakersfield and advanced to Triple-A by season's end. He has the tools to become a solid all-around backstop, though he faces a large obstacle ahead in fellow Reds farmhand Devin Mesoraco. A switch-hitter, Grandal is a little more advanced and has a little more power from the left side. He has a good read on the strike zone and doesn't miss many fastballs. He could develop into a .280 hitter with 20 or more homers per season. Described by Bakersfield manager Ken Griffey as a quick learner on defense, Grandal showed off an as-advertised strong arm by throwing out 34 percent of basestealers. He scuffled behind the plate at times, however, giving up 14 passed balls in just 44 games. Like most catchers, he's a well below-average runner.
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  Ranked Southern League #9 prospect in 2011
  The 12th overall pick in 2010, Grandal moved from high Class A to Triple-A in his first full pro season. His bat came as advertised but his defense needs some work. He reminded SL observers of Ramon Hernandez. Grandal is a balanced hitter with good bat speed and an advanced approach at the plate. He understands the strike zone and uses the whole field, so he should be able to hit for a high average. He has average power with perhaps more down the road. Before he can catch in the big leagues, Grandal will have to clean up his receiving ability. He committed 19 passed balls in 90 games between his three stops. He has solid arm strength and threw out 36 percent of SL basestealers.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #53 prospect in 2012

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Heading into 2007, Grandal was rated the nation's top high school catching prospect, though Devin Mesoraco eventually moved ahead of him on most draft boards. Signed to a $3.2 million big league contract as the 12th overall pick in 2010, he zoomed from high Class A Bakersfield to Triple-A in his first full pro season. Scouting Report: There are a lot of similarities between Grandal and Mesoraco. Both project as catchers who will provide above-average offense and solid defense. Mesoraco is a better athlete and has a tick more power, but Grandal projects to hit for a higher average and has the advantage of being a switch-hitter. He has a balanced approach, controls the strike zone and uses the entire field. Though Grandal racked up 19 passed balls in 90 games in 2011, the Reds still think he'll be an average receiver. He has an average arm and threw out 34 percent of basestealers. He has well below-average speed. The Future: Grandal still has work to do on his receiving and could use a full year in Triple-A. By then Mesoraco may be fully entrenched in Cincinnati, and backup Ryan Hanigan is signed through 2013, which may lead to a trade.