Yonder Alonso getting dialed in at new position

NORFOLK, Va. - Since being selected with the number seven overall pick in the 2008 draft, expectations have remained high for Cincinnati Reds' prospect Yonder Alonso. In just over two professional seasons, however, the 24-year-old Alonso has done nothing to disappoint Reds' brass, steadily moving through the team's farm system and even earning a September call-up to the Reds in 2010.

To start 2011, Alonso, who has played the bulk of his career at first base, has added versatility to a repertoire that has always included outstanding offensive numbers. While Alonso has still logged some starts at his natural first base position, the former Miami Hurricane has spent the bulk of his time in left field with the Louisville Bats, making 24 starts at a position he rarely played before this year. The unfamiliar territory hasn't fazed Alonso, however, as he has yet to commit an error this season, while also registering two outfield assists.

Although Alonso, who has played in 41 of the Bats 45 games this year, may be spending his practice time learning a new defensive position, his production at the plate has not suffered. In fact, his numbers thus far in 2011 have him on pace to enjoy the best offensive season of his young career. The left-handed hitting Alonso's .323 batting average ranks fourth in the International League, while his 15 doubles and 51 hits also rank among the top-five in the IL.

Alonso has really gotten it going offensively since the calendar flipped to May, hitting .361 with a .443 on-base percentage for the month. Alonso reeled off a 12-game hitting streak and 19-game on-base streak earlier in the month, forming a potent combination over the past few weeks with fellow hot-hitting teammates Todd Frazier and Juan Francisco in the middle of the Louisville batting order.

While leading the team in batting average and hits, the steady Alonso has been one of the Bats' top home run (5) and RBI (23) men, while also ranking second on the team in walks (18). Although never having the reputation as a huge threat on the base paths, Alonso has become a legitimate threat to steal over the past few seasons, swiping five bases thus far in 2011 and 13 last year.

After starting last season at double-A Carolina, Alonso quickly worked his way up to Louisville and was a stalwart for the Bats as they made their run for their third straight division crown. Between the two levels, the six-foot-two, 240-pound Alonso hit .290 with 15 homers, 69 RBIs, and 36 doubles in 132 games. This marked the third time in three pro seasons that Alonso has finished the season hitting above .290. After the Bats' season concluded, Alonso made his big league debut, appearing in 22 games as the Reds came down the stretch to clinch their own division title.

Offensive production such as this is what has entrenched Alonso as a valued prospect, rated in MLB.com's top-50, and earning a spot in the 2010 Futures Game that took place all-star weekend. According to Baseball America, he came into 2011 as the Reds' fourth-best prospect.
With Alonso growing more and more comfortable in left field, the likelihood of him getting a big-league call up have increased exponentially. Since 2010 NL MVP Joey Votto is manning first base with the Reds, it would take an injury for Alonso to see much big league time at that position in 2011. With left field being a less settled position, however, Alonso's hot hitting could put him in play for an opportunity if the Reds need a spark or suffer an injury.



(web.minorleaguebaseball.com)