The Book on Yonder Alonso

Prospect Info

Yonder Alonso
Born 4/8/1987
1B, CIN

In addition to having the best name in the 2008 draft class, Yonder Alonso is also one of the strongest power hitters of his generation, probably the premium 1B slugger in the minors right now. After he signed too late to play more than a few pro games in 2008, Alonso fans had to wait for Hawaiian winter ball to see his stuff. Alonso finished in the top ten in most offensive categories on the islands, and followed that up with a 2009 season that saw him reach as high as AA Carolina (an acceptable .295/.372/.457 in 29 games).

He's adequate but no gold-glover in the field, which means he's probably locked at first base. While his bat is hot, the Reds choice was odd, since they already have Joey Votto just settling in for the next decade. But if he lives up to his early sheen, Alonso will force Votto into the outfield, or onto a different MLB roster, very very soon.

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Player Updates and Notes

Yonder Alonso will join the Reds for September. He's much too powerful a hitter to sit on the bench while MVP-candidate Joey Votto takes all the at-bats, so look for him to get some looks in the outfield as well. Alonso is the Reds top hitting prospect, no matter where he plays.

9/1/2010 by PeeWee

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First baseman Yonder Alonso finished July with a .366/.423/.663 line for AAA Louisville. Alonso seems blocked at the MLB level by Joey Votto, so a trade may be in order, but either of the young first baseman is agile enough for an outfield corner, should the Reds try to squeeze both into the lineup. And with Alonso looking like an even better hitter than MVP candidate Votto at the same age... they should definitely try.

8/2/2010 by PeeWee

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