Projecting who the Reds will take with the 14th overall pick in the Draft

Diminutive Duke RHP Marcus Stroman is linked to the Reds
in at least two mock drafts

The first round of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft is set to get underway next Monday, June 4 at approximately 7:00pm ET. It will run through Wednesday, June 6 and will include 40 rounds instead of 50 like in year's past.

Former first round picks of the Reds that are currently on big league rosters include Mike Leake, Drew Stubbs, Devin Mesoraco, Jay Bruce and Homer Bailey (CIN), Yonder Alonso (SD), and Austin Kearns (MIA).

The Reds have the 14th overall selection at their disposal this year and here are some players the team is reportedly considering taking, according to these sources:


Jonathan Mayo/MLB.com

14. Cincinnati Reds: Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

There are a number of pitchers the Reds could consider here, especially if one of the better college ones drops. But the Reds drafted Marrero once before, in 2009 when he was coming out of the Florida high school ranks. If he gets this far, Cincinnati might take him a second time.

Chris Ransom/RantSports.com

14. Cincinnati Reds: Albert Almora, Outfielder, Mater Academy Florida

Almora is the best player on the board at this point. I strongly believe that Almora is one of the more overrated prospects in the draft. I watched the tape, and I saw a lack of power with Almora’s hits.

Everyone talks about his leadership, but I have not seen it. Every MLB Draft site has Almora graded higher than Dahl. The Reds have to take 6-foot-2, 170 pound outfielder. By doing this, the Reds will address a huge need in the outfield.

Jim Callis/BaseballAmerica.com

14. REDS: Cincinnati is monitoring the same pitchers Chicago is, and the polished Wacha would help the Reds' big league rotation in short order. (It's also possible that Wacha could sneak into the top 10 somewhere.) College bats the Reds might consider include Shaffer and Texas A&M outfielder Tyler Naquin.

Projected Pick: MICHAEL WACHA, RHP, Texas A&M

Adam Wells/BleacherReport.com

14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

Stroman is an interesting case in this year's draft. On the plus side, his stuff is as good as anyone's. He has a mid-90s fastball and two breaking balls that sit in the low- to mid-80s. He has tremendous feel for his pitches and will throw them any time in any count.

The problem comes with his measurables. Stroman is listed at 5'9" and his fastball stays relatively straight, making it easier to hit in the air.

The stuff would play in a big-league rotation, and he is so advanced that he could be the first player taken in this draft to play in the majors. His size could end up pushing him into the bullpen, but the Reds should at least give him a chance to start.

Multiple contributors/Coast2CoastProspects.com

14) Reds: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke University, JR

If Stroman were 6'3", he would easily be in the conversation for a Top 5 selection. He's got absolutely filthy stuff and has a power arm, but the durability concerns are frequently cited. Regardless, he has power stuff and has put up some stellar numbers at Duke.

Keith Law/ESPN.com

Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

Heaney isn't overpowering, but he's the best college southpaw in this draft. These next three arms (including Heaney) could go in any order and it wouldn't surprise anyone.

Cincinnati also has the 49th and 57th overall selections in the supplemental round as compensation for losing free agents Ramon Hernandez (COL) and Francisco Cordero (TOR) during the offseason.

To take a look back at the team's first round picks from prior years, go here.