Top Prospects to Watch in 2012 Features Two Reds

ESPN came out with a list of 2012 prospects that could make a splash. Two Reds were featured on the list. Here are the comments that follows:

• Alonso can hit at the big league level, but as long as Joey Votto is around, he'll be playing out of position for the Reds. If you've gotten to watch him, you've seen the struggles he has had in left field. Presuming he is not dealt this offseason, the plan is for Alonso to shed some weight, work on his quickness and mobility and try to make a go of it as a starting left fielder next year. Scouts remain skeptical, but the Reds have shown a willingness to live with poor defense from their left fielders before (see: Jonny Gomes) as long as the player produces offensively. I wrote about the offensive potential of Alonso, the seventh overall pick in the 2008 draft, in more detail in July.
• Cozart is expected to return from elbow and ankle surgeries to assume the Reds' starting shortstop job in 2012. He can hit for batting average and has the potential to reach double-digit output in both homers and steals in full-time play. That combination could make him a useful piece at a shortstop position that had depth issues this season. He's not going to be the kind of player that wins you titles, but he can certainly fill a role on a fantasy team as a capable producer with a starting job.

Top Seven Prospects According to Bowden

Jim Bowden discussed the top seven prospects of major "buyers" in the trade market recently. Bowden split the prospects into different tiers (Top, 2nd, 3rd, 4th). The Cincinnati Reds were the only team who had all of their top seven prospects in the top two tiers. Here is Bowden's list along with their current levels and comments from :

1ST TIER

1. Devin Mesoraco, C (Louisville Bats): "With his power, he's going to hit third someday in their lineup someday."

2. Yonder Alonso, 1B (Cincinnati Reds): "He needs to play first, not left, but he’s going to hit. And (with Joey Votto in the way) he’s going to be traded."

3. Billy Hamilton, IF (Dayton Dragons): "An athletic player, his bat will take time."

4. Yasmani Grandal, C (Carolina Mudcats): "A top catching prospect, but behind Mesoraco on the Reds’ depth chart."

2ND TIER

5. Yorman Rodriguez, OF (Dayton Dragons): "Has a quick bat with above-average power, but when will he hit a breaking ball?"

6. Juan Francisco, 3B (Louisville Bats): "The power is there, the bat is coming, but his defense at third needs to improve."

7. Kyle Lotzkar, P (Dayton Dragons): "Throws 90-94 mph heat and throws curveballs at two different speeds. He’s had significant elbow surgeries but would eventually make it to the middle of the Reds’ rotation someday."

Deadline Update

Today, the Cincinnati Reds had contradictory information coming out of their Front Office. Joe Strauss, a writer for the St. Louis Dispatch, reported via Twitter that the "Reds have serious misgivings about [an] all-in move to save this season." Reds owner Bob Castellini told the Cincinnati Enquirer, "There's no stone unturned, but we've got to start playing like we know how. It's getting late."

So, are the Reds buyers, sellers or indifferent in the trade market?

The Reds have been reported to still be in talks with the Colorado Rockies about Ubaldo Jimenez. With prospects Hamilton and Mesoraco off the table, John Fay suggests a deal could consist of Alonso, Grandal, Bailey and Wood. According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Reds do not want to part with Homer Bailey (although this statement was made before his 9 earned runs this afternoon against the New York Mets).

Many other reports have the Reds targeting James Shields over Ubaldo Jimenez.

Cincinnati could also be sellers. Ramon Hernandez is targeted by many clubs but specifically the San Francisco Giants. Hernandez's contract will be up at the end of the season. With the rise of Devin Mesoraco, it seems logical that Hernandez would be moved by the deadline.