Cincinnati Reds Mock Draft: Last-Minute Picks and Predictions

With the amateur draft only a few days away, several mock draft lists are changing faster than they can even post them.

The Cincinnati Reds haven’t vocalized the type of player they’re searching for in the first round.

A few weeks ago, I projected the top five most likely first-round picks for the Reds.

Some of my picks­—such as Matt Krook— have dropped dramatically off first-round predictions. However, high school catching prospect Nick Ciuffo (who I had fourth likeliest) moved up on mymlbdraft.com’s list to the 20th overall pick.

There are a few extra names floating around that the Reds might jump on if they’re available. One of the names barely missing out on my top five was Ian Clarkin.

Clarkin is left-handed pitching prospect from James Madison HS at 6’1”, 190 pounds. According to minorleagueball.com, he is projected as a No. 2 or 3 starter. His fastball averages around the low-90s, and Clarkin has a potential plus-plus breaking ball in the low-70s.

Clarkin has been off and on a lot of team’s first-round picks and is now expected to be one of the top left-handed pitchers in the draft.

He has a high leg kick that hides the ball well, and Clarkin might resemble a Bronson Arroyo or Mark Mulder type.

He could fall to the Reds' 27th overall pick, but this might be too late in the draft for the young lefty.

Another name to look out for is outfielder Aaron Judge. Judge comes from Fresno State at a towering 6’7”, 230 pounds. He bats and throws right.

Judge is an extremely large and strong player. The craziest thing is Judge hasn’t quite brought power into his game.

According to coast2coastprospects.com, Judge will likely end up a corner outfielder, but defense really isn’t the main worry. If Judge is able to hone in on his power, he could be a top pick scouts lose sleep over.

Judge is definitely a gamble since there’s not a lot of statistics to base off. However, Judge could fall to the Reds if earlier teams pass on the gamble. If Judge shows power, he could end up as a Michael Morse type.

In my previous article, I had two catching prospects in the top five likeliest picks for the Reds.

For what it’s worth, my instincts are still leaning toward the club selecting a catcher as its first overall pick.

Nick Ciuffo seemed perfect for the Reds, but he has leaped forward in mock draft simulations.

A name that might be more fitting for the Reds at the 27th pick is Jonathan Denney.

Denney is a catching prospect out of Yukon HS and is known for his defensive play. He’s 6’2”, 205 pounds and bats from the right.

Minorleagueball.com's Matt Garrioch says Denney “is arguably the best of the crop” in terms of this year’s catching prospects.

Denney has a solid and quick swing that puts a lot of balls into play. His power gives him the ability to reach extra bases on the regular.

He has a high ceiling and could be moved into a corner outfield position just from his hitting skills alone. However, Denney does have all the right tools to remain a catcher in the Reds' organization.

Mymlbdraft.com currently has him landing with the Reds in their simulated mock draft. But, minorleagueball.com doesn’t believe he’ll make it out of the top 10 first-round picks.

A power-hitting catcher with great hitting skills is tough to find. Denney resembles a Mike Napoli style of catcher and could excel through the minors. 

All the Reds can do is cross their fingers and hope he’ll be there at the 27th overall pick.

Have any picks you think the Reds will take in the first round?

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