LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Best In Show Winner Declared
Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the underrated Cincinnati system.Chris Valaika, SS: The biggest knock on him is that he doesn't have great plate discipline. Valaika hit .306 in the minors, but he's never drawn more than 35 walks in a season, so if he can't keep hitting for a high average it will be tough for him to be valuable. On the flip side, he has the defensive chops to stick at short and good pop for a middle infielder. Considering incumbent shortstop Alex Gonzalez struggled to stay healthy last year and you can make the same criticisms of his game, Valaika could get a shot at the major league level sometime this year.
Drew Stubbs, OF: The No. 8 overall selection in the 2006 draft, two spots ahead of reigning NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, Stubbs is a speedy center fielder with a superb grasp of the strike zone. He has 75 career stolen bases and 168 walks in three minor league seasons, but he has struggled with contact at times and hasn't shown a ton of power. The Reds made a significant investment in Willy Taveras this winter, showing little faith in Stubbs, but, other than Jay Bruce, it's hardly a bunch of world-beaters in Cincinnati's outfield.
Todd Frazier, IF: A Rutgers star and member of the 1998 Little League World Series champion Toms River, N.J. team, Frazier was selected by Cincinnati in the supplemental round of the 2007 draft. Though he is yet to play above Single-A, he has impressed with the bat, displaying an ability to hit for average and power, while also possessing a good batting eye. Frazier was drafted as a shortstop, but he has spent significant time at first and third base and even played eight games in the outfield. With that kind of versatility -- and with a lack of depth on the big-league roster -- he could carve out a role with the Reds sometime this year.
For comprehensive coverage of the minor leagues, visit John Sickels at Minor League Ball and Baseball America. For minor league statistics, visit Baseball-Reference and Minor League Splits.
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