When the Cincinnati Reds selected right hander Mike Leake with the 8^th overall pick in 2009, the Arizona State star quickly became the top pitching prospect in an organization heavy on hitting prospects. Overshadowed during the college season by Stephen Strasburg, Leake is considered to be more polished and could reach the big leagues before Strasburg. He has four pitches that he has plus-plus command with: an 88-94 mph fastball, a slider, an average curveball, and his top pitch-the changeup. Many pitchers are intimidated by pitching at homer-friendly Great American Ballpark, but not Leake because he is a groundball pitcher. When he’s getting ground ball outs, then he is pitching well. Leake has been considered undersized (5’10, 185 pounds) but he held up throughout his collegiate career. Leake has the right mindset for a prospect as he stated on his blog on MLB.com around draft time: “This is a great time in my life right now with fantastic opportunities and obstacles along the way. I will embrace the opportunities with open arms and will stay humble wherever the road takes me.” Despite a 1.72 ERA in 5 games (he is pitching his 6^th and final game today) in the Arizona Fall League, which is his professional debut, Leake is 0-2. He has 15 strikeouts, though he has given up more hits than innings pitched.

Chris Heisey while with Carolina

Chris Heisey’s appeal has grown since being a 17^th round pick out of Messiah (PA) College in 2006. He is an excellent defensive outfielder who can play all three outfield spots and has a strong arm. Heisey is a threat on the basepaths and also draws walks. His overall tools do not stand out but he plays with a chip on his shoulder due to being overlooked for so long. His overall numbers in 2009 were solid while splitting the year between Double-A Carolina and Triple-A Louisville: .314 in 134 games with 35 doubles, 3 triples, 22 homeruns, 77 RBIs, 21 stolen bases (3 CS), and  48 BB/ 77 K. In 2009, Heisey was a Southern League All-Star and a Future’s Game All-Star. Upon moving up to Triple-A Louisville, he was named the International League Player of the Week (7/13/09). While in the AFL, Heisey is hitting .297 with 6 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homeruns, and 14 RBIs. He has also stolen 5 bases, though he has been caught twice. Heisey is on the verge of joining a Reds outfield that already is filled with youth like Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, and Chris Dickerson.

In the 2008 draft, the Reds couldn’t pass on Yonder Alonso’s bat, even with Joey Votto at first base. The first round pick out of the University of Miami has strength, plate discipline, and a short swing. The first baseman from Cuba has the rare combination of pure power and the swing to hit for a high average. The Reds have been excited about his workaholic makeup. In 2009, Alonso was a Florida State League All-Star while playing with High-A Sarasota. His overall numbers, while splitting the 2009 season between three levels (Gulf Coast Reds, Sarasota, and Carolina), were good: .292 in 84 games with 24 doubles, 9 homeruns, 52 RBIs, and 41 BB/ 46 K. While in the AFL, Alonso has a .272 average in 22 games, with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 homeruns, and 21 RBIs. He has 12 BB to 13 K, which is rare for a power hitter (think Albert Pujols). Alonso should force the Reds to make a decision on how to get both him and Votto into their big league lineup (a position change for one of them?).