MLB Draft Central: Grading Every Cincinnati Reds Draft Since 2000

With the 2012 Major League Baseball draft just around the corner beginning on June 4, it got me thinking about how far the Cincinnati Reds farm system has come since the turn of the millennium.

The club began the new millennium with current ESPN employee Jim Bowden at the GM helm, or "Ol' Leather Pants," as Marty Brennaman so fondly refers to him. Bowden is known for his continuous search for the infamous five-tool prospect and "power arms." Unfortunately, Jim's search was much greater than his ability to find, and his drafts from 2000-2003 reflect just that.

Dan O'Brian would take over for the 2004-2005 drafts and should be credited for what he produced and as the architect that produced a new mindset in approaching the draft for the organization. Unfortunately for Dan, his tenure was short-lived, and he was not around to see his rebuilding process through.

Wayne Krivsky would arrive in town and continue the charge to re-stock the Cincinnati farm system, but Wayne would be replaced after two drafts by the current man in charge, GM Walt Jocketty.

The Reds Organization has made tremendous strides over the past 12 years, and those strides have been producing major league talent over recent years.

Non-drafted free agents were taken into consideration and included in the draft analysis. Most non-drafted free agents were not available for the draft because the draft did not cover their home locations. But, these players are scouted and signed by the club and are thus included as an evaluation of bringing talent into the farm system.  

Let's break down just how far the Cincinnati Reds drafts have come.

2000: The Year of David Espinosa and Dustin Moseley

Overall Grade: D

The 2000 draft was far from spectacular. Though the draft did produce four players who eventually would end up in the majors, only one of them would really amount to any sort of success, Dustin Moseley has pitched in parts of seven seasons with the Angels and Padres, compiling a current lifetime ERA of 4.67 through 101 appearances and 53 starts.

No. 1 draft pick David Espinosa would never make it past a short stint in Triple-A.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: SS  David Espinosa  AAA

Round 1: P Dustin Moseley  MLB

Round 2: C Dane Sardinha   MLB

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 2: P Ryan Snare

Round 23: OF Steve Smitherman

2001 Draft: the Infamous Jeremy Sowers

Overall Grade: F

There isn't a whole lot that can be said about the 2001 Reds draft, other than it was horrendous. No players that signed with the Reds ever made it to the majors. There were, however, two players that the team drafted that are in the bigs after not signing and then being drafted by other teams.

Jeremy Sowers, the Reds' No. 1 overall pick in 2001, was drafted out of high school. Jim Bowden insisted on drafting him even though it was widely known and publicized that Sowers was not going to sign. Sowers would not sign and would go to college and later be drafted and signed by Cleveland.  

The Reds also drafted current Orioles star OF Nick Markakis in Round 35. Nick opted to not sign and go to college.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: P Jeremy Sowers MLB  (Did not sign with Reds)

Round 2: P Justin Gilman  A

Round 3: OF Alan Moye  AAA

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 35: OF Nick Markakis MLB  (did not sign with Reds)

2002 Draft: The Arrival of Joey Votto

Overall Grade: C

Other than one player, the 2002 draft was just as unproductive and horrible as the 2001 draft. Joey Votto himself increases this draft grade from an "F" to the current grade of "C." Drafted as a third baseman, Joey's accomplishments and current contract extension speaks for itself.

First rounder and the No. 3 overall pick in the country Chris Gruler never made it past Single-A and was out of professional baseball altogether within a couple of years due to injuries. Gruler is considered one of the biggest draft busts of all-time.

We should mention here that Jim Bowden liked Nick Markakis so much that he decided to draft him again, just one year after Nick chose not to sign with Cincinnati. Nick would choose, once again, to not sign with Cincinnati.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: P Chris Gruler A

Round 1: P Mark Schramek AA

Round 2: 3B  Joey Votto MLB

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 19: OF Chris Denorfia (with CIN, OAK, SD, .275 Career BA)

Round 23: OF Nick Markakis (did not sign with Reds, again)

2003 Draft: Ryan Wagner Is Rushed to the Majors

Overall Grade: D-

The Reds would draft Ryan Wagner in the first round and promptly bring him to the big club. Wagner would post a 1.66 ERA through 21.1 innings while striking out 25 for the Reds in 2003. Unfortunately, for him and the Reds, this would be the extent of his stellar pitching.

Ryan Wagner would go on to post ERA's of 4.70, 6.11, 4.70,and 5.74 before ending his career in 2007.  

Reds fans may remember Chris Dickerson, who was a solid minor league player and earned a promotion to Cincy. He performed relatively well in his limited part-time role.

Top 3 Picks:

Round 1:  P Ryan Wagner MLB

Round 2: P Thomas Pauly A

Round 3: SS  Jose Ronda Rookie

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 7: P Carlos Guevara (with SD, 2008)

Round 16: OF Chris Dickerson (with CIN, MIL, NYY, .266 BA)

2004 Draft: Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto Emerge as Reds Prospects

Overall Grade:  B+

Dan O'Brian's first MLB draft has yeilded a couple of pretty solid major leaguers, but nothing too spectacular so far. The 2004 Reds draft has seen four of its draftees and one non-drafted free agent signing make it to MLB diamonds.

Shortstop Paul Janish has spent parts of four seasons and accumulated over 300 games played with the Cincinnati Reds. Janish has proved to be a great defender, but very weak with the bat. Currently at Triple-A Louisville, Janish got off to a great offensive start this year, but went down early with an injury that has kept him on the DL since.

But it is Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto that make 2004's draft and signings so special.

Homer Bailey was taken No. 7 overall in the country by Cincinnati in 2004 and began right away charging towards the majors. He first reached Cincinnati in 2007 and has now established himself as a full-time rotational starter in the Reds rotation. Still only 26 years old, Bailey has been showing gradual signs of improvement every year. I am a believer that his full potential has not yet been reached and he will be busting out soon.

Johnny Cueto has emerged as the current ace of the Cincinnati staff. Having really come into his own last season, Cueto has continued his excellent pitching through this season.

It's very rare that you can claim two rotational starters from the same draft year.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: P Homer Bailey MLB

Round 2: OF B.J. Szymanski AAA

Round 3: C Craig Tatum MLB

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 7: C  Robert Coello MLB

Notable Non-Drafted Free Agents

P  Johnny Cueto

2005 Draft: Sprucing Up the Big Club with Jay Bruce and Co.

Overall Grade: A

Jay Bruce, Logan Ondrusek and Sam Lecure are all products of the 2005 draft for the Cincinnati Reds that has produced seven major league players to this point. Those players players are on the current 25-man roster and contributing to this season's team, while another draft pick in Travis Wood was a key contributor during their 2010 playoff run.

Producing multiple players that contribute to your major league team is what earns you a good draft grade, and that is what the Reds did here.

Jay Bruce is quickly becoming one of the most talented outfielders in the game and has already produced over 100 career home-runs at the Big League level. Logan Ondrusek and Sam LeCure have become a big component in the best bullpen in all of baseball.

Another draft pick out of the 2005 draft has went on to become one of the better closers in baseball; his name is John Axford. Axford was taken by the Reds in the 42nd round that year and has since moved on to Milwaukee, where he has racked up 81 saves and a 2.39 ERA since his debut in 2009.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: OF  Jay Bruce MLB

Round 2: P Travis Wood MLB

Round 3: P Zack Ward AA

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 4: P Sam LeCure      

Round 6:  P Jeff Stevens

Round 12: SS Adan Rosales

Round 13: P Logan Ondrusek

Round 42: P John Axford

2006 Draft: The Reds Find Their Centefielder in Drew Stubbs

Overall Grade: C+

The 2006 draft for the Reds still has a chance to improve upon its draft score. With Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey, the Reds obtained two outstanding defensive outfielders and two fellas that have a ton of talent at the plate. The question now is, can they become consistent at the plate?

Jordan Smith has contributed to Cincy during some call-ups, but has struggled mightily this season with a 6.35 ERA at Triple-A Louisville. The same can be said for infielder Chris Valaika, who struggled last season and continues to struggle this season at Triple-A.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: OF  Drew Stubbs MLB

Round 2: P Sean Watson AAA

Round 3: SS Chris Valaika MLB

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 6: P Jordan Smith

Round 7:  2B Justin Turner

Round 17: OF Chris Heisey

2007 Draft: Mesoraco, Frazier, Cozart and a Strew of Other Talent

Overall Grade: A

The 2007 draft for the Cincinnati Reds could end up going down as one of the top three ever in team history. Three of the biggest rookies contributing to their teams in MLB this season reside with the Cincinnati Reds. Devin Mesoraco, Todd Frazier and Zack Cozart and all were taken during this draft.

Cozart has been batting leadoff, providing excellent pop with the bat and playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop. Frazier, who has taken over for the injured Scott Rolen at third base, is second on the team with a .596 SLUG percentage and has answered the call in numerous clutch at-bats. Mesoraco has handled the turnarounds of Homer Bailey and Mike Leake behind the plate and has himself came up with some big clutch hits.

The Club also has tons of talent remaining from the '07 draft in the minor league system. Much of this talent continues to progress strongly on their march towards the majors.

Kyle Lotzkar and Neftali Soto are two more names that the Reds picked up with their six picks within the first three rounds. First baseman Neftali Soto hit 31 home runs in 396 at-bats last season between Double-A and Triple-A.  

You can read more about Lotzkar and two non-drafted free agents in Donald Lutz and Henry Rodriguez that were also signed by the club in 2007 by checking out my article 5 Reds Prospects Not Named Billy Hamilton.

The 2007 draft and non-draft signings have provided a major boost to the Reds talent pool. Keep a look out for more of them to be joining the big club soon.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: C Devin Mesoraco  MLB

Round 1: 3B  Todd Frazier MLB

Round 1: P Kyle Lotzkar AA

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 2: SS Zack Cozart

Round 21: P Jeremy Horst

2008 Draft: Yonder Alonso

Overall Grade:  B

The Reds took Yonder Alonso with the seventh-overall pick in the 2008 draft. Alonso quickly found himself stuck behind MVP Joey Votto at first base to no fault of his own. Alonso is a great offensive talent who has already began to pay dividends for the San Diego Padres after he was traded this past offseason in a package for pitcher Mat Latos.

Alonso will put up a solid MLB career, though his numbers may be jaded a bit by the fact that he will be playing half of his games in the spacious confines of PETCO Park.

The Reds' second pick in the 2008 draft, Zach Stewart finds himself now in a White Sox uniform, and ninth-round draft pick Dave Sappelt made his debut with the team last season before being part of a deal that brought Sean Marshall from Chicago to Cincinnati this past offseason.

To go along with the draft Cincinnati scouts also brought in non-drafted free agents, pitcher Daniel Corcino and shortstop Didi Gregorius. Corcino was showcased at the team's first annual Futures Game before the start of this season as the starting pitcher for a Futures team that beat the big league club.

Though the team doesn't have talent from this draft on the club, they used the talent for trade bait in luring in pitching needs that are contributing to the club.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: 1B  Yonder Alonso MLB

Round 3: P Zach Stewart MLB

Round 4: P Tyler Cline Rookie

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

Round 9: OF  Dave Sappelt

Notable Non-Drafted Free Agents

P  Daniel Corcino 

SS Didi Gregorious

2009 Draft: Mike Leake and Billy Hamilton Are First Introduced to Reds Fans

Overall Grade:  B+

The 2009 draft gets a B+ grade to this point, but has the potential to turn into an A+ draft. The Reds took pitcher Mike Leake with the eighth-overall pick in 2009. Leake would not play professional ball for the remainder of the season, but in 2010, would make the big league squad out of spring training, going straight from amateur baseball to the highest level.

Leake has performed well the last two seasons, going 8-4 and 12-8 over his first two seasons.  

Fellow first-rounder and power-relief pitcher Brad Boxberger resides at Triple-A Tucson for San Diego (part of the Mat Latos deal) and will be finding himself in the majors relatively soon.

The Reds took super-sonic shortstop Billy Hamilton in the second round. Hamilton, who already has over 60 steals this season, looks to be developing into the lead-off hitter his parent club so badly needs.  

Left-handed relief flame-thrower Donnie Joseph was taken in the third round and will probably see time for Cincinnati late this season. He is another talent that was also featured in my article 5 Reds Prospects Not Named Billy Hamilton.

The 2009 draft is beginning to pay dividends for the Reds and has plenty of upside remaining.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: P Mike Leake MLB

Round 1: P Brad Boxberger AAA

Round 2: SS Billy Hamilton Advanced-A

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

None

2010 Draft: Yasmani Grandal and Stocking Up on Outfield and Infield Talent

Overall Grade: C+ (showing B+ potential)

It is hard to grade drafts that have not yet had time for players to develop into MLB talent. But, the Reds took catcher Yasmani Grandal with the 12th-overall pick in the 2010 draft, and he is on the cusp of breaking the big league lineup with San Diego. Grandal was another chip in the pot for Mat Latos this past offseason.  

Grandal is a great talent and shows great patience with a career .400-plus OBP in his limited time in the minors. He has the potential to be a top-three MLB catcher.

The Reds loaded up with IF and OF talent in this draft, bringing in OF's Ryan LaMarre and Stephen Hunt as well as IF's Devin Lohman, David Vidal and Brodie Greene.

Pitcher Chad Rodgers, who was taken in the 28th round, posted a 2.99 ERA in his first season in 2011 and currently owns a 2.37 ERA through 11 starts at Single-A Bakersfield.  

Lastly, another non-drafted free agent signing entered the Reds farm system in 2010; his name was Aroldis Chapman. Since then, Chapman has went on to become the most dominant relief pitcher in the game. 'Nuff said.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: C Yasmani Grandal AAA

Round 1: CF Ryan LaMarre AA

Round 3: 2B  Devin Lohman Advanced - A

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

None

Other Notable Non-Drafted Signings

P Aroldis Chapman (need we say more?)

2011 Draft: Pitchers Robert Stephenson and Tony Cingrani

Overall Grade: B (showing B+ to A potential)

Once again, it is hard to evaluate a draft early on. Many of the players from this draft have yet to play or have played extremely small samples.

The Reds' top draft pick Robert Stephenson is a 6'3", 190 lbs. pitcher out of high school. Stephenson's fastball is said to reach 96-97 mph and is complimented with a good curve.  

Third-round pick Tony Cingrani has begun to garner national attention. The left-handed pitcher had a tremendous showing at Rookie-Ball Billings last season with a 1.75 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched. This season, Cingrani has improved upon those numbers, maintaining a 1.11 ERA through 10 starts and 56.2 innings with 71 strikeouts.

Others to be keeping an eye on are SS Ryan Wright (hitting .315 through 50 games at Dayton this season), OF Bryson Smith (hitting .333 through 50 games at Bakersfield) and second-round pick OF Gabriel Rosa.

Top 3 Picks

Round 1: P Robert Stephenson  (has not yet played)

Round 2: OF Gabriel Rosa Rookie-Ball

Round 3: P Tony Cingrani Advanced - A

Other Players Who Reached the Majors

None