MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Former Dragons Fill Reds Top-10 Prospect List

Published on November 16, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


DAYTON, OH -Two members of the 2011 Dayton Dragons are included on the list of top-10 prospects in the Cincinnati Reds organization, as announced today by Baseball's America, the trade publication for Minor League Baseball.

Catcher Devin Mesoraco, who spent the 2008 season with the Dragons and reached the major leagues with the Reds in 2011, is rated as the # 1 Reds prospect by Baseball America.

Dragons 2011 shortstop Billy Hamilton is rated # 2 while '11 Dragons starting pitcher Daniel Corcino is listed at # 6. Other former Dragons on the list include shortstop Zack Cozart at # 5, shortstop Didi Gregorius at # 8, and third baseman/outfielder Todd Frazier at # 9.

Here is the complete list from Baseball America:

1) Devin Mesoraco, catcher

2) Billy Hamilton, shortstop

3) Yonder Alonso, first baseman/outfielder

4) Yasmani Grandal, catcher

5) Zack Cozart, shortstop

6) Daniel Corcino, right-handed pitcher

7) Robert Stephenson, right-handed pitcher

8) Didi Gregorius, shortstop

9) Todd Frazier, third baseman/outfielder

10) Brad Boxberger, right-handed pitcher

Hamilton set an all-time Reds organizational record with the Dragons this season by stealing 103 bases. He was selected as the # 2 prospect in the Midwest League by Baseball America and was also named as the shortstop on the league's full-season all-star team based on a vote by league managers. Hamilton batted .278 with the Dragons and led the league in both hits and runs scored. Hamilton was only 20 years old for the entire '11 season. This marks the second straight season that Hamilton has been rated as the Reds # 2 prospect. A year ago, he was second on the list to left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who spent most of 2011 with the Reds.

Corcino, the highest-rated pitcher on the list, also spent the entire 2011 season with the Dragons. He was the youngest of the Dragons' outstanding starting pitchers, turning 21 the final week of the regular season. Corcino went 11-7 for the Dragons and his 156 strikeouts would have broken the club record if not for the fact that his 2011 Dragons teammate, Josh Smith, struck out 166. Corcino has been compared to Reds ace Johnny Cueto, a 2006 Dragon, due to their similar physical builds and Corcino's 94-96 mph fastball. Corcino was rated as the # 15 prospect in the Reds system after the 2010 season.

Mesoraco was the Reds first round draft pick in 2007. He spent his first full season in professional baseball with the Dragons in '08, batting .261 with nine home runs as one of the league's youngest position players. Mesoraco spent most of 2011 with class AAA Louisville, batting .289 with 15 home runs. He also appeared in 18 games with the Reds.

Cozart, like Mesoraco, spent the 2008 season with the Dragons on a team that reached the Midwest League playoffs. Cozart hit .280 with 14 home runs in Dayton. This season, he hit .310 in 77 games with Louisville before receiving a promotion to the Reds. Cozart played well in Cincinnati, batting .324 with two homers in just 11 games before suffering a season-ending injury.

Gregorius, the Dragons shortstop in 2010, made a big climb up the list. He was rated as the Reds # 19 prospect prior to this season and moves up to # 8. Gregorius hit .273 with the Dragons in '10, contributing 16 doubles, 11 triples, and five home runs. Gregorius split the 2011 season between Single-A Bakersfield (.303) and Double-A Carolina (.270). His is an athletic shortstop with excellent arm strength.

Frazier spent parts of 2007 and '08 with Dragons, hitting a combined .321 with nine homers in 36 games. In 2011, he split the season between Louisville and Cincinnati. With the Reds, Frazier connected on six homers in just 41 games after hitting 15 home runs in 90 games in Triple-A.

Reds # 1 Prospects over the last decade by season from Baseball America (listed with the upcoming season):

* indicates player played for Dragons

2012: *Devin Mescoraco, catcher

2011: Aroldis Chapman, left-handed pitcher

2010: *Todd Frazier, third baseman/outfielder

2009: Yonder Alonso, first baseman

2008: *Jay Bruce, outfielder

2007: *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher

2006: *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher

2005: *Homer Bailey, right-handed pitcher

2004: Ryan Wagner, right-handed pitcher

2003: *Chris Gruler, right-handed pitcher

2002: *Austin Kearns, outfielder

Complete information on the list is available at baseballamerica.com

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Midwest League Stories from November 16, 2011


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