Alonso named top prospect

CINCINNATI -- Two Reds corner-infield prospects received further acknowledgment on Wednesday that their big league futures should be bright.

MLB.com revealed that first baseman Yonder Alonso and third baseman Juan Francisco were included in MLB.com's Top 50 Prospects list. Alonso was ranked No. 30 while Francisco came in at No. 48.

The Top 50 Prospects list is back for the seventh year, but this was the first time that the announcement was simulcast on MLB.com and MLB Network.

In 78 games combined for Class A Sarasota and Double-A Chattanooga, the 22-year-old Alonso batted .300 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs. He missed two months on the disabled list with a broken hamate bone in his right hand that required surgery.

After the regular season, Alonso was moved up to Triple-A Louisville and played five games in the postseason.

"A list like that is an honor, but, honestly, it doesn't mean much," Alonso said. "It doesn't take me to the big leagues. It doesn't get me called up, but it's definitely an honor when you look at the guys on the list. I could be 50 or I could be one, it's an honor just to be there."



(mlb.com)