Stock Up, Stock Down for Cincinnati Reds' Top 10 Prospects for Week of July 1

With the trade deadline approaching quickly, the Cincinnati Reds are likely going to find help for the second half of the season.

The Reds are sitting three-and-half games out of first, and some top minor league prospects could be on the move.

Certain Reds’ top prospects like Billy Hamilton and Robert Stephenson might be off-limits. However, the club has a modest farm system and could send some of its top talent for veteran players.

Focusing on the Reds’ top prospects according to their official site, here are the stock reports for the top 10 prospects.

All statistics courtesy of MiLB.com unless otherwise noted.

*Sean Buckley, the No. 7-ranked prospect, is currently on the disabled list. Tony Cingrani—the previous No. 3-ranked prospect—is kept in the top 10.

10. Jesse Winker

2013 Stats 

.279/.373/.449, 13 2B, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 46 R

Overview

Jessie Winker has cooled off dramatically in the past few weeks. The Reds’ organization is starting to see a slide in Winker’s bat and power stats. He only collected three hits last week, none for extra bases.

Winker has the most hits, runs and RBI on the Dayton Dragons Low-A team. Even though he leads his club in several categories—Winker is starting to struggle at the plate.

He’s certainly a young prospect to keep your eyes on, but the Reds are hoping his early domination at Low-A wasn’t a fluke.

Last Week’s Stats

3-for-22, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R

Stock

Down

9. Henry Rodriguez

2013 Stats 

.255/.295/.337, 13 2B, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 29 R

Overview

Henry Rodriguez is currently in a bit of a slump. His numbers have decreased, and his batting average is falling fast.

Rodriguez is typically a batter who can reach a .300 batting average, but Triple-A pitching is keeping him off the bases.

He was on a quick path to the majors—even with Brandon Phillips blocking him at second base.

However, Rodriguez still has a chance to turn his season around and excel as a September call-up.

Last Week’s Stats

4-for-26, 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R

Stock

Down

8. Sal Romano

2013 Stats

15 GS, 5-7, 4.60 ERA, 32 BB, 58 K, 72.1 IP

Overview

Sal Romano recently started one of his more forgettable games. On July 3, Romano gave up two homers and four earned runs without getting the loss on his record.

Romano has brought down his ERA and kept his strikeouts up. Romano has to keep the runners off base. He has the second-most walks and runs allowed on his club.

Opposing batters are hitting .273 off Romano this season. If he expects a promotion—Romano has to limit the runners on base.

Last Week’s Stats

1 GS, 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 5 BB, 4 K, 4 IP

Stock

Even

7. Ryan Wright

2013 Stats

.264/.314/.406, 18 2B, 7 HR, 38 RBI, 37 R

Overview

Ryan Wright has been on a slight tear lately. He’s showing his power by getting several extra-base hits.

Wright’s batting average could use a boost, but it has increased over the last few weeks. The Reds hope this will continue to rise, and he soon might be fighting Henry Rodriguez for second base playing time at Triple-A.

Wright is still having a bit of trouble at away games with a .203/.245/.268 slash line.

Last Week’s Stats

9-for-27, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R

Stock

Up

6. Kyle Lotzkar

2013 Stats

15 G, 1-2, 6.75 ERA, 20 BB, 24 K, 21.2 IP

Overview

Kyle Lotzkar appears to be transitioning well into his new relief role. A previous first-round pick, Lotzkar has been able to keep progressing through the Reds' system.

His biggest problem has been runs allowed and walks. However, Lotzkar had a pretty successful week at Bakersfield Double-A.

He had two appearances without giving up an earned run and only allowed one hit.

His five walks in two appearances is a bit high for a reliever, but Lotzkar is on the right path.

Last Week’s Stats

2 G, 0-0, 0 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 2.2 IP

Stock

Up

5. Nick Travieso

2013 Stats

7 GS, 3-2, 4.91 ERA, 12 BB, 725 K, 33 IP

Overview

Nick Travieso is a 19-year-old prospect who could be moving quickly through the minors.

Travieso had three or fewer strikeouts in all of his starts except last week where he struck out 13 batters in 12 innings pitched.

He’s showing great control on the mound and getting batters out. Travieso's low walk total is certainly helping his cause.

Travieso is having a little trouble with consistent quality outings. Hopefully, this last week was the start of something good for the young right-hander.

Last Week’s Stats

2 GS, 1-0, 3.75 ERA, 3 BB, 13 K, 12 IP

Stock

Up

4. Daniel Corcino

2013 Stats

16 GS, 4-11, 6.72 ERA, 43 BB, 56 K, 83 IP

Overview

Daniel Corcino is continuing to allow a plethora of hits and earned runs in Triple-A. Corcino is having a bit of a down year, and Triple-A hitting is obviously getting to the young Dominican pitcher.

Although his last outing was the longest he lasted in a game (7.2 IP), Corcino still had trouble getting batters out.

His ERA has dropped in the last few weeks, but a 6.72 ERA for one of the Reds’ top prospects could be a problem.

Last Week’s Stats

1 GS, 0-1, 8.22 ERA, 3 BB, 5 K, 7.2 IP

Stock

Down

3. Tony Cingrani

2013 MLB Stats

8 GS, 3-0, 3.26 ERA, 23 BB, 71 K, 58 IP

Overview

It’s becoming apparent that Tony Cingrani is about to collect a lot of major league starts with Johnny Cueto hitting the DL once again this season.

Cingrani is still undefeated with eight starts in the majors, per MLB.com. His ability to exit innings with runners on base is becoming a noticeable trait. 

It’s hard to tell if Cingrani will be put back in the minors if he continues to pitch well. The Reds will likely keep him in the bullpen once Cueto returns, but that timetable is still in the air.

For now, Cingrani is handling major league hitting well for Cincinnati.

Last Week’s MLB Stats

1 GS, 0-0, 3.40 ERA, 4 BB, 5 K, 5.2 IP

Stock

Up

2. Robert Stephenson

2013 Stats

12 GS, 5-3, 2.97 ERA, 17 BB, 85 K, 66.2 IP

Overview

Robert Stephenson has easily been one of the Reds’ best prospects in 2013. His velocity and strikeout rate are impressive for the young righty.

Stephenson is still on the DL with a strained left hamstring, per MiLB.com. However, the Reds are eager for him to return to the mound.

As far as trades go, the Reds will likely hold on to their top pitching prospect as their farm system isn’t necessarily deep in pitching.

Last Week’s Stats

On the 7-day DL

Stock

Even

1. Billy Hamilton

2013 Stats

.251/.305/.346, 11 2B, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 50 R, 49 SB

Overview

Billy Hamilton is still having a difficult time facing Triple-A pitching.

His batting average has bobbled around .250 all season, and although he’s quickly adapted to playing center field—Hamilton is still struggling to get on base.

Hamilton was selected to play in the 2013 Futures Game at Citi Field, per MLB.com. He first showcased his unbelievable speed at last years Futures Game in Kansas City.

Hamilton, along with Carlos Contreras, will be the only two Reds prospects featured at the Futures Game on July 14.

Last Week’s Stats

2-for-5, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 R, 0 SB

Stock

Even