Devin Mesoraco heads Baseball America's Reds Top 10 prospects list.

The catcher ranks ahead of shortstop Billy Hamilton and firstbaseman/left fielder Yonder Alonso, respectively, in the top three. Catcher Yasmani Grandal rankes fourth and shortstop Zack Cozart is fifth, followed by right-handed pitchers Daniel Corcino and Robert Stephenson, shortstop Didi Gregorius, infielder Todd Frazier and right-handed pitcher Brad Boxberger.

I'd love to see what BA thinks of the Reds organization as a whole, but the information at the top of the article mistakenly pertains to the Miami Marlins, an error I'm sure BA editors will fix at some point today.

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From Baseball America

Cincinnati Reds
Released: RHP Cesar Caceres, RHP Po-Cheng Chi, RHP Scott Gaffney, RHP Pat Quinn, LHP Tom Cochran, LHP Matt Leonard, LHP Luca Panerati, 2B Jake Kahaulelio, 3B Jorge Jimenez, SS Cristobal Rodriguez, OF Phil Bauer
Elected free agency: RHP Jared Burton, RHP Daryl Thompson
Added to 40-man roster: OF Denis Phipps
Removed from 40-man: RHP Jared Burton, RHP Daryl Thompson (both players outrighted to Triple-A)

The Reds quietly re-signed Dominican outfielder Denis Phipps last offseason following a season in which he topped out in Double-A and batted just .228/.295/.336 in 104 games for Carolina. Cincinnati believed in his raw tools, athleticism and bat speed, even though he hadn't produced results since rookie ball. The 26-year-old Phipps rewarded the organization in ’11 by batting a composite .346/.397/.527 with 12 homers in 122 games at Double-A and Triple-A. He still struck out more than you'd like to see (nearly 25 percent of plate appearances with Louisville) for a batter with gap-to-gap power, so don't be surprised if he gives back some progress next season. The Reds added Phipps to 40-man roster to prevent him from leaving as a minor league free agent.

Baseball America reports the Cincinnati Reds have signed RHP Soid Marquez. No figures were disclosed on how much the 16-year-old Venezuelan received as a signing bonus.

BA ranked Marquez (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) the 38th-best prospect available internationally this year, although some scouts consider him one of the top two or three pitchers in Latin America. The biggest knock on Marquez is an inconsistent fastball that has hit 89, but often ranges from 85 to 88. Marquez is projectable, however, and figures to reach the low 90s in time.

Marquez also has some effort to his delivery, although BA reports his motion is solid and the ball comes out of his hand well. Marquez's best present feature is one of the most advanced curves among all Latin American pitchers. He also throws a promising change and consistently throws strikes.

Marquez pitched for Venezuela in the 16-under World Championships in Mexico. In 12 2/3 innings, he allowed 14 runs (eight earned), struck out 11 and walked seven.

(UPDATE from RSC:) Whle Marquez was not among BA's top-most tier international talents when the signing period began in July, he generated some good buzz. LIke maybe a mellow, loopy feeling with some visuals?

Some Marquez links:

• Full scouting report from BA (Subscription only)
• Story from 16U Championships (Venezuela vs. Australia)
• MLB.com forum on international talent mentioning Marquez

Baseball America thinks highly of the quartet of Louisville Bats. Devin Mesoraco came in a solid third, behind Tampa Bay pitching phenom Matt Moore and Atlanta hurler Julio Teheran. Interestingly, Zack Cozart checked in at No. 11 and as the top-ranked shortstop, ahead of first baseman/left fielder Yonder Alonso, who is ranked 13th. Todd Frazier rounded out the Top 20.

BA writer James Bailey wrote that he is impressed with Mesoraco’s defensive improvement under Bats manager and former MLB catcher Rick Sweet. Bailey added that Mesoraco has a consistent swing, power and a strong knowledge of the strike zone with no holes pitchers may exploit. Mesoraco posted a line of 15-71-.289/.371/.484 in AAA, with 43 of his 126 hits going for extra bases.

Bailey wrote that Cozart is the most complete middle infield prospect in the league and described him as a smart hitter who can bat at the top of the order while providing slightly above average defense. Bailey likes that Cozart uses the whole field and profiles as an above average hitter. Cozart put up an impressive 7-32-.310/.357/.467 line with nine steals in 11 attempts. He knocked 35 of 100 hits for extra bases.

Bailey likes Alonso’s "pure swing" and ability to hit for power and average. He also likes Alonso’s discerning eye at the plate and his ability to hit the ball where it is pitched. Bailey suggested Alonso can get by defensively in left field, but should be at first base. Alonso’s line was 12-56-.296/.374/.486, with 40 of his 106 hits being non-singles.

Frazier has plus power to all fields, according to Bailey, but doesn’t have the plate discipline to hit for average. Bailey figures Frazier can play multiple positions but fits better at third base or left field than at second base or shortstop. Frazier finished with a line of 15-46-.260/.340/.467 and was 17-for-21 in stolen bases attempts. Frazier smacked 34 extra base hits among his 82 hits.

The Reds and Rays led the league with four players apiece in the Top 20. Atlanta, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Boston placed two each on the list. The Yankees, Washington, White Sox and Pittsburgh each landed one player in the rankings.

Reds farmhand Yasmani Grandal is the 10th-ranked prospect in the California League, according to Baseball America.

BA writer Josh Leventhal wrote in a chat that Grandal's defense was rough but the bat was promising. Leventhal also wrote that some scouts liked Giants catching prospect Tommy Joseph better. Joseph ranked 11th on the list. Leventhal wrote that Grandal's tools are enough for him to be a solid major leaguer with 20-homer, .280 batting average potential. BA likes Grandal's eye at the plate and ability to pound fastballs.

Defensively, opinions are mixed. Grandal allowed 14 passed balls in 44 games, but threw out 34 percent of attempted base stealers. Bakersfield manager Ken Griffey said Grandal learns quickly.

Grandal went 10-40-.296/.410/.510, fine numbers even in a hitter's league. His 61 hits included 14 doubles. Grandal struck out 57 times and walked 41.

Grandal was the only Red to grace the Cal League Top 20. Juan Carlos Sulbaran earned a mention in Leventhal's chat as a player who improved significantly. Arizona pitcher Tyler Skaggs topped the circuit. Skaggs was one of three Diamondbacks to make it. The Giants led the way with four players. Colorado placed three on the list. San Diego, Houston and Anaheim had two apiece. Oakland, the Dodgers and Seattle joined the Reds with one.

   Concerned about Billy Hamilton? Baseball America isn't. BA ranked Hamilton the No. 2 prospect in the Midwest League for 2011, just behind Seattle pitcher Taijuan Walker. BA writers raved about Hamilton's speed, which allowed him to steal bases (103 in 120 attempts) even on pitchouts, as well as beat out choppers to the mound. One scout reportedly called Hamilton the fastest baseball player he'd ever seen. BA ranks Hamilton's speed as 90 or 100 on a scouting scale that tops out at 80.

   BA's Jim Callis wrote that Hamilton is the fastest player since Willie Wilson ran wild for the Royals, A's and Cubs from 1976 through 1994. Switch-hitting for just his second season, the naturally right-handed shortstop batted .286 left-handed and .259 from the right side. The former Mississippi State football recruit began the season slowly, batting .195 through May but hit .316 the rest of the way to finish at 3-50-.278/.340/.360. Hamilton had 18 doubles and nine triples among his 153 hits. Hamilton committed a league-high 39 errors at shortstop, but BA isn't concerned, as many of those came on balls other players never would have reached. Several others were on throws and BA said that's correctable.

    Corcino is ranked No. 16 and draws Johnny Cueto comparisons for his size and lively arm. BA loves Corcino's command, strong slider and improving change. Corcino went 11-7 with a 3.42 ERA. In 139 innings, Corcino struck out 156, walked 34 and allowed 128 hits. FOes batted .238. The Reds joined Seattle, Toronto, St. Louis, the Dodgers and Tampa Bay with two players in the Top 20. San Diego had a league-high three. The Tigers, Cubs, Royals, Brewers and Diamondbacks had one apiece.

After landing just one player, Gabriel Rosa, on Baseball America's Arizona Rookie League Top 20 Prospects list, the Reds rebounded nicely, placing four in BA's Pioneer League Top 20.

    Toni Cingrani heads the Cincinnati contingent at No. 8. The fireballing left-hander went 3-2 with a 1.75 earned run average. In 51 innings and 13 starts, the former Rice Owl allowed just 35 hits, struck out 80 and walked six while holding foes to a .190 batting average. Cingrani led the league in ERA, K/9 (14.0), K/BB (13.3:1), opponents batting average and WHIP (0.80). BA's Matt Eddy wrote that he's impressed with Cingrani's 92-94 mph fastball, which is aided by deception in the hurler's delivery. Eddy wrote that Cingrani's changeup also is deceptive and that his slider has improved greatly during his first pro season.

    Ryan Wright checks in at No. 10. The former Louisville second baseman went 7-32-.298/.348/.522 this season, with 11 doubles and two triples. Wright stole six bases in seven tries. Defensively, Wright was stellar, making only one error in 37 games. Wright's power and speed are fringe-average, yet he hits home runs and steals bases. Eddy wrote that Wright continued as a pro what he did in college, playing above his tools.

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Baseball America doesn't think highly of the Arizona Rookie League Reds, ranking just one of the team's prospects -- third baseman and 2011 second round pick Gabriel Rosa - in the circuit's top 20 players from 2011.

BA ranked Rosa, Cincinnati's second round draft choice out of a Puerto Rican high school, 15th after the youngster put up a line of 2-10-.245/.314/.406. Rosa struggled until mid-August, boosting his average from .156 down the stretch. BA writer Bill Mitchell wrote that Rosa has a quick bat and strength, but needs to stop trying to pull the ball so much. Mitchell also pointed out Rosa's strong arm, considerable power potential and center field speed, along with a need to improve his footwork. 

In 106 at bats, Rosa had 26 hits, five doubles, three triples and 28 strike outs. He walked five times and stole four bases. Mitchell wrote that Rosa has the tools to be a solid player at the hot corner.  No other Reds were mentioned even in the chat that Mitchell did.

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A pair of Reds 2011 draft picks -- ninth-rounder Cole Green of Texas and 22nd-rounder Amir Garrett of Findlay Prep -- made news this week.

   Garrett, the Nevada left-hander with an electric arm and a $1 million signing bonus, was to play basketball at St. John's and baseball with the Reds. Now, he might have only baseball as an option. Garrett and fellow Red Storm recruits Jakarr Sampson and Norvel Pelle havel been declared ineligible by the NCAA, according to CBS Sports, among other sources. St. John's hopes to get all three through the NCAA Clearinghouse in time for the second semester, but that could be a challenge.

   Garrett's bonus was spread over five years because of his legitimate two-sport eligibility. That won't be impacted by his ineligibility on the hardwood. Garrett was considered one of the top 80 high school basketball players in the nation last season. His high school didn't offer baseball, admittedly his first love, but he was impressive in workouts for scouts, displaying a high-90s fastball and promising breaking pitches. 

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to a minor league deal and sent him to Louisville. Tanner (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) was on the 40-man roster and was designated for assignment before being released. That Cincinnati signed Tanner apparently surprised San Francisco's front office. Brian Sabean was quoted by the San Jose Mercury News as saying Clayton's release "was a paper move" and the team expected to re-sign him. Giants fans on various boards were mildly upset with the loss of the youngster.

A third-round pick from the 2006 draft, Tanner, 23, pitched this season with the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels where he was 6-10 with a 4.29 ERA in 22 games, all starts. Tanner allowed 120 hits in as many innings, struck out 90 and walked 35. He uncorked 10 wild pitches and hit 10 batters, uncharacteristic for his career. This was Tanner's second stint in AA.

For his career, the Australian-born, California-raised southpaw is 51-43 with a 3.66 ERA. He has allowed 9 hits, struck out 6.6 and walked 3 per nine innings pitched. Tanner throws 86-88 mph, but has better than average movement. He is adept at holding runners and getting groundballs.

It warmed an old turtle’s heart to see nearly 500 comments on a draft day signing thread and less than 1 percent was from me. Five years ago, we’d have been lucky to get a couple of dozen comments on the draft signing deadline. You folks make me proud.

Recapping a bit, the Reds signed 30 of their 50 selections, including No. 1 choice Robert Stephenson-RHP-Alhambra HS. Stephenson waited until the final hour before Cincinnati’s $2 million offers convinced him to spurn a scholarship from the University of Washington.

Eight players who were selected before Stephenson signed for less money and three others signed for the same amount. Stephenson likely will draw an assignment to the AZL, but whether he sees any action this season remains to be seen.

The Reds did quite well, signing nearly every difficult-to-ink player they wanted. The most expensive outside the first round was coveted LHP Amir Garrett of Nevada’s Findlay Prep for a cool $1 million. Garrett, a 22nd-rounder, is a high school All-American … in basketball. He plans to play hoops at St. John’s and baseball for the Reds. Because he is a legitimate two-sport athlete, Garrett’s bonus may be spread over five years.

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   Thanks to all who read the draft coverage the last few weeks, particularly the last three days as the selections unfolded. I am ever appreciative to BK, nycredsfan,Kidd2Petrovic,  pack_fan and others who helped make this possible. With MLB’s Draft Tracker going haywire and Baseball America’s tracker operating several rounds behind, there was no way to do this in timely fashion without these guys. Kudos, my friends.

   Today we offer a wrapup of the Reds draft, selection by selection. I’ll post players individually, then a "Turtle’s Take" in the comments, so these are easier for you to read and comment on.

   Overall, I’m pleased. Robert Stephenson was a strong pick at No. 27. I like the Ryan Wright selection a lot. Amir Garrett could be a tremendous selection. Sean Buckley is legitimate.

   For me, the Reds went a bit reliever heavy, with four, maybe five, of the top 10 selections being bullpen arms. I’d liked to have seen more starting pitching acquired. Quick-moving relievers, though, make good trade bait if nothing else. The Reds drafted a lot of athletes. I like that. Those players come with risk, but their potential to improve and develop as baseball players is high. Cincinnati took some college outfielders with some pop. I like that, too.

   The Reds didn’t draft anyone from Marshall, but eight Thundering Herd players were selected. I know, you don’t care, but what the heck., I’m including it anyway.

   Here’s a look at the picks 1 through 50:

   Did you know Mike Piazza was a 62nd-round draft pick? Keith Hernandez went in the 42nd round. Plenty of other players selected in round 30 or later have reached the big leagues.

   Tim Lincecum was drafted in the 43rd round out of high school, but the Indians refused to meet his $1 million price tag and the Cy Young winner to be went to the University of Washington before becoming a first-rounder with the Giants in 2006.

   While today doesn't hold the excitement of Day 1 or even the appeal of Day 2, the third day of the MLB draft offers an opportunity to acquire some players who can contribute or even be stars. Let's hope the Reds land a few of those today. I'll be following the draft as it unfolds, offering commentary on each player the Reds select. I hope you'll be along for the ride.

   On Thursday, I'll have a wrapup of all the Reds picks, including a "Turtle's Take" on what I think of the pick.

   Welcome back to the Draft, everyone. Last night was fun. I'm enthused about the Robert Stephenson pick and am looking forward to today's portion of the Draft -- rounds 2 through 30.

   I'll post information and comments on all of the Reds picks. I won't post something on every team's pick as I did for the first round and the supplemental round. I will, however, make comments on selected players as they come off the board.

   The picks come rapid fire, so please excuse any typos and the somewhat haphazard method I'll use when posting comments. On Thursday, we'll wrap it up into a cleaner, more in-depth post.

   The Draft begins at noon. Let's start today, however, with a look at what some are saying about the Reds' selection of Stephenson, the big righty from Alhambra HS in Martinez, Calif.

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   Today is the day, the long-awaited time when we find out if the Reds will draft Tyler Anderson, Sean Gilmartin, Kolten Wong, Robert Stephenson or some other player we might or might not have profiled here in the last three weeks.

   The Draft kicks off at 7 p.m. with the first round. Rounds 2 through 30 take place beginning at noon tomorrow. Rounds 31 through 50 begin at noon on Wednesday. I plan to be here for each and every pick, providing some analysis. On Thursday, I plan a wrapup of the draft with more information and comments on each player the Reds select.

   In the meantime, let's use this for today's discussion thread. I'll post updates throughout the day as various final mock drafts are revealed. Feel free to add any  rumors, information and comments you like.

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  The ever-hyped, much-anticipated time has come for the Turtle to hand his card to the commissioner and hear his pick announced to the world, changing the course of Major League Baseball forever!

   OK, so maybe it’s not quite that earthshattering. Today, though, I’ll reveal whom I think the Reds should select with the 27th overall pick in Monday’s MLB Draft. Keep in mind, No. 27 is way down the list. In real time, I might well like someone else, depending on who slides and who is picked higher than anticipated.

   Before I make the selection, however, let’s review how well the Turtles and Reds have dueled since 2000. Last year, I frowned at the choice of Miami C Yasmani Grandal, preferring Ohio State RHP Alex Wimmers. While the jury remains out, Grandal has performed reasonably well in High-A. Wimmers, on the other hand, faced six batters this spring and walked all of them before being shut down. Wimmers’ inexplicable case of the yips has the Twins wondering if they have a Steve Blass/Rick Ankiel situation without the major league history. Advantage Reds on that one.

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   Today we make our second stop in the State of Oregon to check out a LHP in our quest to discern who the Reds will select Monday in the MLB Draft. Earlier, we paid a visit to Oregon State’s Josh Osich. Today, we look at Oregon’s Tyler Anderson.

   Jonathan Mayo’s and Keith Law’s latest mock drafts have the Reds taking Anderson. Rumors abound that Cincinnati is looking for a left-handed college pitcher.

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   As Draft Day approaches on Monday, we take a look at another prospective Reds selection during a visit to New England where we’ll have a gander at one of the draft’s more interesting youngsters, Lawrence Academy RHP Tyler Beede.

   Beede (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) is from Groton, Mass. Despite poor weather in the Northeast, Beede has put up ridiculous numbers this season, going 7-0 with a 0.32 ERA. In eight games and 44 innings he has allowed eight hits, walked six and struck out 89.

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   The Reds select 27th in the 2011 MLB Draft June 6 and, of course, we all expect Cincinnati to come away with a superstar.

  Yeah, good luck with that.

   History suggests, taking away the last three draft years just to be fair, that the 27th pick in the first round will net a team a major leaguer 61.5 percent of the time. Since 1982, the first year the initial round went 27 picks deep, 16 players picked in that spot have reached the big leagues.

   The odds are skewed a bit, however, by the fact that from 1983 through 1989, every 27th pick made it to the majors. Take away those guys and just nine of 18 made it.

   Supposing our guy makes it, what kind of player can we expect? Well, probably not an all-star. Just two 27th overall picks have made all-star teams and both were Reds at some point – Pete Harnish, selected by Baltimore in 1987, and Todd Jones, taken by Houston in 1989.

   All right, then, can we at least expect a steady player with a solid career? Not necessarily. Just eight No. 27 picks since 1982 played at least five seasons in big leagues. Jones and Mike Fetters (California Angels, 1986) led the way with 16 years apiece. Harnisch played 14 seasons. Calvin Schiraldi (Mets, 1983) put in eight years. Marc Valdes (Marlins, 1993) pitched six seasons. My buddy and former Red Gary Green (Padres, 1984) put in five years, as did Scott Stahoviak (Twins, 1991) and Joey Devine (Braves, 2005).

   Devine is one of three 27th picks still in the majors, joining Rick Porcello (Tigers, 2007) and Sergio Santos (Diamondbacks, 2002).

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   We’ve toured the country in search of the player the Reds will select with the 27th overall pick in the MLB Draft June 6, so let’s stick closer to home this time and take a look at Kent State LHP Andrew Chafin.

   John Sickels of minorleagueball.com predicts Chafin to be Cincinnati’s first-round selection. The rumor mill is hot and heavy with rumblings that the Reds are high on the Golden Flashes star.

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   Baseball America’s latest mock draft has the Reds selecting RHP Robert Stephenson with the 27th overall pick in the June 6 MLB Draft. Let’s head off to Martinez, Calif., and Alhambra High School to examine the youngster.

   Stephenson (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) is a lanky, hard-throwing University of Washington signee. He began the season in Johnny Vander Meer-like fashion, throwing back-to-back no-hitters. The gems are part of a season that has seen Stephenson go 7-2 with a 1.33 ERA. In 13 games and 64 innings, he has struck out 132, walked 23 and allowed 29 hits.

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   Pack up and prepare for another road trip as we try to determine whom the Reds will select with the 27th overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft June 6. Today’s stop is in Storrs, CT, where we’ll have a gander at Connecticut CF George Springer.

   It would be a surprise to see Springer fall all the way to No. 27, but his slow start (3-for-22) left some scouts doubting his value. Since the weather has warmed, however, Springer has heated up and figures to go in the top 15. John Sickels has Springer as high as No. 10 to San Diego. Jonathan Mayo has him as low as No. 18 to Oakland. Baseball America has him going to Florida at No. 14.

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   We’ve browsed numerous college campuses in search of the Reds first pick, No. 27 overall, in the MLB Draft June 6. Now let’s turn our attention to the high school ranks and have a look at Brandon Nimmo, an OF from Cheyenne (Wyo.) East HS. MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo predicts Cincinnati to select Nimmo.

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   Let’s remain on the infield as our quest to discover who the Reds will select with the 27th overall pick in the MLB Draft June 6 continues with a visit to Chapel Hill, N.C., where we’ll examine North Carolina SS Levi Michael.

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   After visiting pitchers in College Station, Texas; Corvallis, Ore.; and Nashville, Tenn., let’s head to beautiful Honolulu and turn our attention to a non-pitcher, Hawaii second baseman Kolten Wong, as we continue to look at prospects the Reds might select with the 27th overall pick in the MLB Draft on June 6.

   Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus has Wong sneaking into the bottom third of the first round, right where Cincinnati selects. Jim Callis of Baseball America predicted in late April the Reds might select Wong. Callis wrote that Wong could be major league ready by 2013.

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   We’ll continue our spin around the nation in search of the player the Reds will select with the 27th overall pick in the MLB Draft June 6 with a stop in Nashville for a look at Vanderbilt LHP Grayson Garvin.

   While many consider Garvin a third-round talent, ESPN’s Keith Law predicted the Reds to select the Commodore hurler in the first round, thus his profile here.

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   We’ll continue our trek through the world of whom the Reds might select with the 27th overall pick in the MLB Draft June 6 by taking a look at Oregon State LHP Josh Osich.

   John Sickels of minorleagueball.com has Cincinnati drafting the Beavers southpaw in the first round.

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(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

With the MLB Draft coming up June 6-8, let’s take a look at some of the players the Reds might have a chance to select.
  Predicting which players might be available with the 27th pick is much more tricky than prognosticating the No. 12 selection, or higher, where Cincinnati usually resides. We’ll take a shot, though, with the understanding that a great deal can change between today and draft day.

   Baseball America’s first mock draft predicts the Reds to take Texas A&M RHP John Stilson. Our buddy nycredsfan probably would like that selection, as he favors a college pitcher who can move quickly to the big leagues.

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   Ah, late May, when the turtle pops out his head from his shell in anticipation of the MLB Draft. Let’s kick off some draft coverage today with a look at the selection history of Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty.

   Cincinnati selects 27th in the first round of this year’s spectacular, which runs from June 6-8. The Reds haven’t picked this late in a draft since 1995 when they chose RHP Brett Tomko of Florida Southern with the 54th selection. Tomko, though, was a second-rounder. Cincinnati hasn’t picked this late in the first round since taking OF Pat Watkins out of East Carolina in 1993.

   Some early mock drafts are all over the place as to whom Walt Jocketty and company might choose. Connecticut OF George Springer, Texas A&M RHP John Stilson, North Carolina SS Levi Michael and Hawaii 2B Kolten Wong are some of the players speculated as Jocketty’s choice out of a draft that experts consider the most talent-laden and deepest since 2005.

   Does a look at Jocketty’s draft history offer a clue as to which way he might go? Well, he’s never picked a third baseman or a left-handed pitcher with his first selection. Other than that, Jocketty has been all over the board. His most-popular choice is a right-handed pitcher, which he has taken seven times. Three times Jocketty has chosen an outfielder. Three times he nabbed a shortstop and twice a catcher. Jocketty also selected one first baseman.

   While the scouting director has great input and near total control through most of the draft, the top choice is on the GM. Jocketty appears to prefer college talent, taking a high schooler just five times. Of those five, two – Daric Barton and Colby Rasmus – have reached the majors. Eight of  Jocketty’s 11 college picks have reached the big leagues.

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Yes ladies and gentlemen, I'm off to get a look at the old ballclub, with an eye toward the newcomers, particularly Matt Diaz, Scott Olsen and Kevin Correa. I'll check out the vets, such as Joel Hanrahan, Ronny Cedeno and Ryan Doumit, but am eager to see youngsters Daniel Moskos, Pedro Alvarez and Tony Watson.

What in the name of Madville am I talking about? Well, later this week I get to go to spring training, only it's the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training in Bradenton. As many of you know, part of my duties are to serve as the team chaplain for the West Virginia Power, Pittsburgh's SALLY League affiliate. Baseball Chapel, in conjunction with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is sending its major league and minor league chaplains to spring training for three days.

In addition to seeing Buccos games with the Blue Jays, Orioles and Phillies, I'll get to meet the players and coaches from the team I'll be serving this season and catch up with last year's crew. It's my first trip to spring training since back in my sports writing days when I covered the Reds and I'm looking forward to it. Sunny Florida where, unlike in Proctorville/Huntington, everything isn't covered fanny deep by the mighty Ohio River sounds very nice right now.