5 Houston Astros Prospects the Cincinnati Reds Should Inquire About In Any Johnny Cueto Deal

5 Houston Astros Prospects the Cincinnati Reds Should Inquire About In Any Johnny Cueto Deal

By Chad Troyan

July 8, 2015

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5 Astros Prospects the Reds Should Inquire About In Any Cueto Deal

The Reds are likely to ship Cueto and Houston hold a stockpile of attractive prospects — Johnny Cueto’s tenure with the Cincinnati Reds may be slowly drawing to a close. Cueto has been linked to numerous teams including this year’s surprise team, the Houston Astros. Here are five Astros prospects the Reds should inquire about in any Cueto deal.

Johnny Cueto’s tenure with the Cincinnati Reds may be slowly drawing to a close. Cueto has been linked to numerous teams including this year’s surprise team, the Houston Astros. Here are five Astros prospects the Reds should inquire about in any Cueto deal.

5. A.J. Reed (no. 11)

A.J Reed could eventually take over for Votto if he deals with injuries down the road

5. A.J. Reed (No. 11)

A.J Reed could eventually take over for Votto if he deals with injuries down the road — The Reds lost Votto for 100 games last season due to injury. Grabbing Reed would be a great example of planning for the future. He could serve as Votto's replacement if he deals with injuries down the road. Reed is currently slaughtering the ball in Advanced-A ball, hitting .333 (.348 OBP) with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs this season. At 22, he still has some years to develop, and if he can continue to hit as he rises up, he could be a real threat.

The Reds lost Votto for 100 games last season due to injury. Grabbing Reed would be a great example of planning for the future. He could serve as Votto's replacement if he deals with injuries down the road. Reed is currently slaughtering the ball in Advanced-A ball, hitting .333 (.348 OBP) with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs this season. At 22, he still has some years to develop, and if he can continue to hit as he rises up, he could be a real threat.

4. Tony Kemp (No. 13)

Reds can groom Kemp to be Phillips eventual replacement at second base

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4. Tony Kemp (No. 13)

Reds can groom Kemp to be Phillips eventual replacement at second base — Like Reed, Kemp would be an eventual replacement for an aging star. Kemp has been a productive bat in Triple-A, currently hitting .307 (.341 OBP) in 27 games with two home runs and 15 RBIs. Scouts give him below-average arm and fielding due to his 5-foot-6, 165-pound stature. At 23, he could still use some time in the minors to further polish his skills and possibly bulk up a little.

Like Reed, Kemp would be an eventual replacement for an aging star. Kemp has been a productive bat in Triple-A, currently hitting .307 (.341 OBP) in 27 games with two home runs and 15 RBIs. Scouts give him below-average arm and fielding due to his 5-foot-6, 165-pound stature. At 23, he could still use some time in the minors to further polish his skills and possibly bulk up a little.

3. Vincent Velasquez (No. 4)

Velasquez could serve as an effective arm in the rotation next year

3. Vincent Velasquez (No. 4)

Velasquez could serve as an effective arm in the rotation next year — Velasquez has been a productive pitcher so far this season. While his stats may not wow anybody, he gets the job done. Scouting reports give him an above average fastball and change-up along with an average curveball. He impressed in five games in the minors, earning a 1.37 ERA while holding opponents to a .165 average. In six starts in the majors he has yielded a 3.94 ERA and a .237 average. Velasquez could be a good No. 4 or No. 5 starter.

Velasquez has been a productive pitcher so far this season. While his stats may not wow anybody, he gets the job done. Scouting reports give him an above average fastball and change-up along with an average curveball. He impressed in five games in the minors, earning a 1.37 ERA while holding opponents to a .165 average. In six starts in the majors he has yielded a 3.94 ERA and a .237 average. Velasquez could be a good No. 4 or No. 5 starter.

2. Domingo Santana (No. 3)

Santana could help fill a void that could be left with a Bruce trade

2. Domingo Santana (No. 3)

Santana could help fill a void that could be left with a Bruce trade — With the possibility of a Jay Bruce departure, the Reds would find themselves in need of outfield help. Santana has above average power as well as a good arm. While he’s said to have below average hitting, as he's currently hitting .318 with an on-base percentage of .441 in 57 Triple-A games. He does have some time in the majors this year, hitting .256 with a .310 OBP with two HRs and eight RBIs (14 games). He could help the Reds now.

With the possibility of a Jay Bruce departure, the Reds would find themselves in need of outfield help. Santana has above average power as well as a good arm. While he’s said to have below average hitting, as he's currently hitting .318 with an on-base percentage of .441 in 57 Triple-A games. He does have some time in the majors this year, hitting .256 with a .310 OBP with two HRs and eight RBIs (14 games). He could help the Reds now.

1. Mark Appel (No. 2)

Appel could be future no. 2 starter for Reds

1. Mark Appel (No. 2)

Appel could be future no.2 starter for Reds — Appel, the No. 1 pick in 2013, has been an effective pitcher so far. He currently plays for the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies. Scouting reports say he owns an above average fastball, slider and change-up. His problem lies with batters' ability to hit off him. He currently has yielded a .295 average in 15 games between Double and Triple-A. He has the potential to be a No. 2 starter but needs to learn to tame batters.

Appel, the No. 1 pick in 2013, has been an effective pitcher so far. He currently plays for the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies. Scouting reports say he owns an above average fastball, slider and change-up. His problem lies with batters' ability to hit off him. He currently has yielded a .295 average in 15 games between Double and Triple-A. He has the potential to be a No. 2 starter but needs to learn to tame batters.

Chad Troyan is a baseball and football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChadTroyan15, “Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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