Sunday, April 07, 2002
No clear choice for Reds' No. 3 pick
But expect team to draft much-needed pitching
By John Fay, jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A year ago, it would have been easy. With the third pick in the draft, the Reds could have focused on determining the best player not named Mark Prior or Mark Teixeira.
If Prior or Teixeira had fallen for signability reasons, the Reds would have jumped on them, because they clearly were the best two players. No such scenario exists this year.
“There aren't any Priors or Teixeiras out there,” said Kasey McKeon, the Reds' director of scouting.
“Up top, this draft isn't as strong as last year. In the middle, it's pretty good.”
The third pick is the second-highest the Reds have ever had. The only time they went earlier was in 1983 when they took Kurt Stillwell with the second pick overall.
The Reds would like to do better than Stillwell this time around. They'd like to get a pitcher who would help quickly.
Prior, whom the Chicago Cubs took second last year, was that kind of pick. He could be in the rotation for the Cubs at any time.
The top college pitching prospect this year is Bobby Brownlie, a right-hander from Rutgers, of all places. Brownlie is only 6 feet tall; that concerns scouts.
But he throws 94-95 mph; that pleases scouts.
Other college players on the Reds' list: Stanford right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, Clemson third baseman Jeff Baker and University of British Columbia left-hander Jeff Francis.
Scott Kazmir, a left-hander from Cypress Falls, Texas, is considered to be the top high school pitcher. But he's even smaller than Brownlie.
The Reds also are looking at B.J. Upton, a shortstop from Chesapeake, Va., and Jeff Francoeur, an outfielder from Lilburn, Ga.
“We've narrowed it to 10 guys or so,” McKeon said. “There are some intriguing guys out there.
“So far, nobody has jumped out and surprised everybody. It's a matter of time before that happens.”
Obviously, pitching is the greatest need for the Reds. A position player would have to wow everyone for the Reds to risk a third pick on him.
The signability factor is huge here. Remember, the Reds failed to sign Jeremy Sowers, last year's top pick. Sowers was the 20th pick but wanted top-five money because he was set on going to Georgia Tech.
With the top picks, money is an even bigger issue. Teixeira dropped in the draft for that reason. Teixeira, a Scott Boras client, ended up going fifth to the Texas Rangers. He and Prior both signed major-league contracts.
“We've accounted for the fact that we're picking third in our budget,” said Reds chief operating officer John Allen. “But that (draft bonuses) is one of those expenses that keeps going up and up.”
The third pick last year, right-hander Dewon Brazelton of Middle Tennessee State, got a $4.2 million bonus from Tampa Bay and signed a major-league contract. It's worth noting that Brownlie is represented by Boras, the inflator of signing bonuses and the man whose demands kept J.D. Drew from playing in Philadelphia. Brownlie could drop because he's one of Boras' guys.
The Reds have a good relationship with Boras. They picked David Espinosa and Dane Sardinha in 2000 and signed them when others shied away because of the Boras connection. But the Reds had to put them on the major-league roster, a move that made the 40-man roster a 38-man roster for the next four years. It has become a factor in player moves.
The Reds will send out their best people to see virtually all of the top prospects. This is an important draft.
“We also have the 40th and 44th pick,” McKeon said. “You want as many eyes to see these guys as possible, especially with the experience our scouts have.”
The Reds got the 40th pick because they didn't sign Sowers. Good players are always available in that range. Consider: Adam Dunn was the 50th pick overall in 1998.
Reds Stories
SULLIVAN: Donald Little
AHL: Ducks, Barons tie 2-2
Augusta National fits Tiger to a tee
Ball in the family
Canadiens solidify playoff spot
Coming up this week
Enquirer Page Two power rankings
Gophers win Frozen Four title
Icons: 5 men sacred to city
Icons: Hubbard to Huggs, a case can be made
Local legends honored
Mumper jumps for good measure
Speeds raise questions in Texas
Spurs clip Mavericks, move closer to 1st place
Take Charge Lady wins Ashland Stakes
U.S. Open champ leads BellSouth
Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
Jets trade Loverne to Redskins
Hallman, Boothe lead Ky. girls all-stars
Kentucky wins boys All-Star game
High school insider
Sean May Indiana's Mr. Basketball
Two close wins for Firebirds
• Return to Reds front page...
No clear choice for Reds' No. 3 pick
