Top 5 Positional Player of the Year Candidates

Today we will look at the 5 Positional players who I think are the 5 most deserving players for Minor League Positional Player of the Year for the Cincinnati Reds. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order. It just so happened to work out that I picked one guy from the top 5 levels, didn't mean for it to work out that way, but it worked out nicely that way.

Jay Bruce -Dayton Dragons

Team	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
DAY	A-	117	444	69	129	42	5	16	81	229	44	106	19	9	.291	.355	.516	.871

Last years #1 pick for the Reds did exactly what you would expect from him and then some At just 19 he almost outperformed everyone in the league he was in and arguably is one of the top 10 prospects in baseball. He led the team in home runs, RBI, batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage and doubles.

Chris Denorfia - Louisville Bats

Team	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
LOU	AAA	83	312	46	109	19	1	7	45	151	34	41	15	1	.349	.409	.484	.893

Chris was last years breakout player in the system. He hit well over .300 in both Chattanooga and Louisville last year before spending part of September with the Reds. This year he began in Louisville and fell just a few plate appearances shy of winning the batting title (teammate Norris Hopper won with a .347 average) and also would have led the team in on base percentage and slugging.

Paul Janish - Dayton Dragons/Sarasota Reds/Chattanooga Lookouts

Team	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
DAY	A-	26	98	19	39	6	0	5	18	60	7	10	0	0	.398	.435	.612	1.047
SAR	A+	91	335	53	93	17	2	9	55	141	38	39	8	2	.278	.355	.421	.776
CHA	AA	4	15	1	4	1	0	0	2	5	1	5	0	0	.267	.313	.333	.646
Totals		121	448	73	136	24	2	14	75	206	46	54	8	2	.304	.371	.460	.830

Paul was always said to have a very good glove, but his bat hadn't quite shown itself prior to this season. He began the year in Dayton and proceeded to flirt with .400 and OPS over 1.000 for the first month of the season, earning him a promotion to Sarasota. Once he got there he put up good numbers again. His combined stat line of .304/.371/.460/.830 for a shortstop is quite intriguing and add in that he had 14 home runs and 75 RBI to go along with just 8 more strikeouts than walks and his season wound up very nicely.

Chris Valaika - Billings Mustangs

Team	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
BIL	R+	70	275	58	89	22	4	8	60	143	24	61	2	2	.324	.387	.520	.907

Normally I wouldn't think of putting a rookie ball player on a list like this. However, in this case I made the exception. Chris won the MVP of the Pioneer League, hit .324 and slugged .520 while putting together a 32 game hitting streak which is the new Pioneer League record.

Joey Votto - Chattanooga Lookouts

Team	Level	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
CHA	AA	136	508	85	162	46	2	22	77	278	78	109	24	7	.319	.408	.547	.956

Joey Votto came off an uninspiring 2005 campaign and tore off one heck of a season in the Southern League. Joey flirted with the league triple crown through August and ended up taking home league MVP honors in the Southern League. His .319/.408/.547 line is more impressive than anyone in the system, he led the entire Minor Leagues in doubles with 46 and he also stole a career high 24 bases.

Thats the list of all of them. I was going to include a poll, but the place I usually use for polls is having some issues right now, so if you want to cast a vote for who you think deserves it the most, just post a comment with who and why if you would like.