5 Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects the Cincinnati Reds Should Inquire About In Any Johnny Cueto Deal

5 Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects the Cincinnati Reds Should Inquire About In Any Johnny Cueto Deal

By Chad Troyan

July 8, 2015

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

Walt Jocketty has been fielding calls on Cueto prior to the trade deadline — The Cincinnati Reds have been preparing themselves for the inevitable end to a great partnership with ace Johnny Cueto. One of the teams that has been connected to the Reds has been the Los Angeles Dodgers. Here are five Dodgers prospects the Reds should inquire about in any Cueto deal.

The Cincinnati Reds have been preparing themselves for the inevitable end to a great partnership with ace Johnny Cueto. One of the teams that has been connected to the Reds has been the Los Angeles Dodgers. Here are five Dodgers prospects the Reds should inquire about in any Cueto deal.

5. Josh Ravin (No. 28)

Ravin could come in and help Reds' bullpen

5. Josh Ravin (No. 28)

Ravin could come in and help Reds' bullpen — The Reds' bullpen may be the next group of players that experiences the infusion of youth. Ravin has been pretty dominant in Triple-A, boasting a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings. His low ERA is largely due to his ability to get hitters out, which can be seen in his opponents' meager .171 batting average. He has played some time in the majors but struggled, yielding a .344 average in 7.0 innings resulting in a 6.43 ERA. Ravin still would be a good pickup.

The Reds' bullpen may be the next group of players that experiences the infusion of youth. Ravin has been pretty dominant in Triple-A, boasting a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings. His low ERA is largely due to his ability to get hitters out, which can be seen in his opponents' meager .171 batting average. He has played some time in the majors but struggled, yielding a .344 average in 7.0 innings resulting in a 6.43 ERA. Ravin still would be a good pickup.

4. Daniel Coulombe (No. 26)

Coulombe could come in and help Reds bullpen

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4. Daniel Coulombe (No. 26)

Coulombe could come in and help Reds bullpen — Coulombe is another option for a bullpen arm. Like Ravin, he has shown the ability to keep hitters at bay, allowing batters to hit only .222 in 22.1 innings in Triple-A this season. He also has had some time in the majors but has struggled with control, walking six batters in only 8.1 innings of work. Holding batters to a .265 average gives the Reds a ray of hope that he can be an effective arm in the bullpen. He just needs to work on control.

Coulombe is another option for a bullpen arm. Like Ravin, he has shown the ability to keep hitters at bay, allowing batters to hit only .222 in 22.1 innings in Triple-A this season. He also has had some time in the majors but has struggled with control, walking six batters in only 8.1 innings of work. Holding batters to a .265 average gives the Reds a ray of hope that he can be an effective arm in the bullpen. He just needs to work on control.

3. Darnell Sweeney (No.7)

Sweeney could help Reds with needs of multiple positions

3. Darnell Sweeney (No.7)

Sweeney could help Reds with needs of multiple positions — Darnell Sweeney is listed as someone who plays second base, shortstop and outfield. His scouting grades indicate this switch-hitter is not outstanding at one specific thing; rather, he can do a little bit of everything. He currently is hitting .289 with a .345 on-base percentage and 26 stolen bases. Given the Reds’ needs at multiple positions, his versatility will make Sweeney an attractive prospect.

Darnell Sweeney is listed as someone who plays second base, shortstop and outfield. His scouting grades indicate this switch-hitter is not outstanding at one specific thing; rather, he can do a little bit of everything. He currently is hitting .289 with a .345 on-base percentage and 26 stolen bases. Given the Reds’ needs at multiple positions, his versatility will make Sweeney an attractive prospect.

2. Alex Verdugo (No. 5)

Dodgers Prospect Alex Verdugo could be the future right fielder for Reds

2. Alex Verdugo (No. 5)

Dodgers Prospect Alex Verdugo could be the future right fielder for Reds — The 19-year-old outfielder Verdugo currently finds himself playing A-Ball for the Great Lake Loons. He is currently hitting .281 with a .313 on-base percentage. Scouting reports say he has the above average arm strength that would put him in right field. At 19, he wouldn’t be up in the majors for another couple years. After a couple years in the minors, he could potentially be part of a future outfield that would feature both Winker and Hamilton.

The 19-year-old outfielder Verdugo currently finds himself playing A-Ball for the Great Lake Loons. He is currently hitting .281 with a .313 on-base percentage. Scouting reports say he has the above average arm strength that would put him in right field. At 19, he wouldn’t be up in the majors for another couple years. After a couple years in the minors, he could potentially be part of a future outfield that would feature both Winker and Hamilton.

1. Grant Holmes (No. 3)

Holmes would be a project but could be in rotation in a couple years

1. Grant Holmes (No. 3)

Holmes would be a project but could be in rotation in a couple years — Holmes, like Verdugo, is 19 years old and would not be major-league ready for another couple years. This righty has an above-average fastball and curveball according to scouts. He currently is pitching in A-Ball for the Loons and boasts a 4-1 record in 14 games started. He is a strikeout machine as he has struck out 80 batters in 60.1 innings and held opponents to a .222 batting average. Holmes shows promise, and the Reds could use another arm.

Holmes, like Verdugo, is 19 years old and would not be major-league ready for another couple years. This righty has an above-average fastball and curveball according to scouts. He currently is pitching in A-Ball for the Loons and boasts a 4-1 record in 14 games started. He is a strikeout machine as he has struck out 80 batters in 60.1 innings and held opponents to a .222 batting average. Holmes shows promise, and the Reds could use another arm.

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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