Reds Draft Report
Stubbs signable this time
CINCINNATI--The Reds weren't looking for immediate help when they picked Drew Stubbs in the first round of Tuesday's draft.
Stubbs is a center fielder and the Reds have a guy named Griffey who's playing pretty well in center field.
While the philosophy of the Reds has shifted to trying to win immediately, senior scouting director Chris Buckley had no mandate from general manager Wayne Krivsky to fill holes.
"I've known Wayne for a long time," Buckley said. "We wanted to get the best prospect, they guy who will be the best major leaguer down the road."
They think Stubbs is that. But he's a long way from Great American Ball Park. If he signs, and sounds like he's inclined to do so quickly, Stubbs will start at Rookie-level Billings.
The 21-year-old just completed his junior year at Texas and he is similar to last year's top pick, Jay Bruce, in that he combines speed and power. Stubbs is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds.
"(Stubbs) can really, really run," Buckley said. "He can run like Rocco Baldelli."
Stubbs, who is from Atlanta, Texas, was drafted in the third round out of high school by the Houston Astros. The Astros tried to sign him to a $900,000 bonus but the commissioner's office asked the Houston not exceed the third- round bonus average by so much and the deal fell apart.
"It was disappointing," he said.
The Reds and Stubbs agent, Ryan Ware, have already talked.
"The way we've been talking recently, we pretty much came to an agreement that I wouldn't be difficult to sign if I was drafted," Stubbs said. "I'm not sure how quick the actual signing will take place. When it comes to negotiations, I think all that's pretty much ironed out and I won't be a problem to sign at all."
Stubbs hit .342-12-58 with a .439 on-base percentage and 26 steals in 231 at-bats. He also struck out 60 times.
"I think when I get more at-bats it'll cure a lot of those problems," he said. "I don't consider myself a guy that's one of those big power hitters that's either going to hit a home run or strike out. I think I'm more of a balanced hitter that can hit for average. My development over the next few years will cure a lot of those problems."
RED HOTS
•On the first day of the draft, the Reds picked 18 players – 13 college players, two junior college players and three high school players. Buckley said the Reds haven't decided to go more heavily on older players.
"We tried to balance it,' Buckley said. "It wasn't by design."
•The Reds signed Milton Loo, their ninth-round pick in the last year's draft as a draft-and-follow for $220,000. Loo, a third baseman, played at Yavapai JC this season.
Stubbs signable this time
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PrintCINCINNATI--The Reds weren't looking for immediate help when they picked Drew Stubbs in the first round of Tuesday's draft.
Stubbs is a center fielder and the Reds have a guy named Griffey who's playing pretty well in center field.
While the philosophy of the Reds has shifted to trying to win immediately, senior scouting director Chris Buckley had no mandate from general manager Wayne Krivsky to fill holes."I've known Wayne for a long time," Buckley said. "We wanted to get the best prospect, they guy who will be the best major leaguer down the road."
They think Stubbs is that. But he's a long way from Great American Ball Park. If he signs, and sounds like he's inclined to do so quickly, Stubbs will start at Rookie-level Billings.
The 21-year-old just completed his junior year at Texas and he is similar to last year's top pick, Jay Bruce, in that he combines speed and power. Stubbs is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds.
"(Stubbs) can really, really run," Buckley said. "He can run like Rocco Baldelli."
Stubbs, who is from Atlanta, Texas, was drafted in the third round out of high school by the Houston Astros. The Astros tried to sign him to a $900,000 bonus but the commissioner's office asked the Houston not exceed the third- round bonus average by so much and the deal fell apart.
"It was disappointing," he said.
The Reds and Stubbs agent, Ryan Ware, have already talked.
"The way we've been talking recently, we pretty much came to an agreement that I wouldn't be difficult to sign if I was drafted," Stubbs said. "I'm not sure how quick the actual signing will take place. When it comes to negotiations, I think all that's pretty much ironed out and I won't be a problem to sign at all."
Stubbs hit .342-12-58 with a .439 on-base percentage and 26 steals in 231 at-bats. He also struck out 60 times.
"I think when I get more at-bats it'll cure a lot of those problems," he said. "I don't consider myself a guy that's one of those big power hitters that's either going to hit a home run or strike out. I think I'm more of a balanced hitter that can hit for average. My development over the next few years will cure a lot of those problems."
RED HOTS
•On the first day of the draft, the Reds picked 18 players – 13 college players, two junior college players and three high school players. Buckley said the Reds haven't decided to go more heavily on older players.
"We tried to balance it,' Buckley said. "It wasn't by design."
•The Reds signed Milton Loo, their ninth-round pick in the last year's draft as a draft-and-follow for $220,000. Loo, a third baseman, played at Yavapai JC this season.
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