On the surface it appears the Reds had an alright day in the first six rounds of the amateur player draft, but beneath the surface the growing philosophical differences between some of former GM Wayne Krivsky's old staff and those who hope to stay with newer GM Walt Jocketty have begun to percolate.

The selection of University of Miami 1b Yonder Alonso was the first ripple as the Reds made college players five of their six selections, including two pitchers. In the press cafeteria at Nationals Park in Washington, a huddle of advance scouts was busy-bodying about the draft between games of a Nats-Cards doubleheader amid murmurs that Krivsky was close to landing a new job with either the Mets or Twins. Said an AL Central scout: "Wayne would not have had this draft [if he was with the Reds]."

Jocketty gave Reds director of scouting Chris Buckley and development chief Terry Reynolds great leeway in the draft and the belief among some scouts is Buckley was too heavy on college players, especially short-term relief pitchers, while the team didn't do enough to address organizational needs. The famous "best player available" didn't apply, according to my friend the NL West scout, because he doesn't believe Alonso is a frontline starter.



"He's strictly a first base/DH type who's probably a bat off the bench," the scout projected. Pressed further, including word that Alonso can play some third base or catch, the scout waved off the notion as "garbage."

The selection of Alonso isn't without curiosity. No one questions his ability to hit. An AL East scout countered by saying Alonso might be Edgar Martinez minus the .317 career batting average—hitting gaps, putting the ball in play, 30 homers. That's all very inviting, very encouraging. The Reds cleared a spot on the 40-man roster just prior to the draft, raising the possibility their selection would be demanding a major league contract with a stipulation for a September call-up to Cincinnati. Alonso reportedly is seeking an $8 million signing bonus . . . as the No. 7 pick. Yeah, good luck with that. One scout said Alonso was likely just two years from the big leagues.

But with rookies in 1b Joey Votto and OF Jay Bruce looking like the real deals, where in the near future do the Reds have room for yet another middle-of-the-order left-handed bat? Especially if they intend to re-sign Adam Dunn? Maybe that's the catch. Maybe the selection of Alonso means the exit of Dunn with Votto moving to left field. Some also wonder if Alonso or Votto will be trade bait in the near future because a lefty lineup of Bruce batting 3rd, Alonso cleanup, Dunn No. 5 and Votto 2 or 6 isn't happening.

Said Buckley of Alonso: "He may just be a first baseman, but we think he is an outstanding defensive first baseman. He is a big, mature guy. He is a very good first baseman."

Translation: Votto to the outfield if Alonso arrives to the big leagues. 

Not so fast, said another source, who believes owner Bob Castellini sincerely wants Dunn signed long term. Then why waste a pick on a left-handed, position-limited bat such as Alonso when switch-hitting, better-gloved Justin Smoak of the University of South Carolina was there until the 12^th pick to Texas? Or what about RHP Aaron Crow of Missouri, who might be ready for the majors next year? Many draft experts expected the Reds to take University of Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham, who was quickly taken by the White Sox after the Reds passed.

Another issue with yesterday's picks is the Reds still haven't addressed their catching depth issues in the minors (or majors, for that matter). The selection of Delaware shortstop Alexander Buchholz in the sixth round caused the AL East scout to say "utility infielder." 

All of this re-routes to Buckley's scouting strengths and draft preferences. Most baseball people know Buckley has a sharp eye for hitters. Pitchers? Not so much. The Reds have solid reliever depth in the minors and the selection of Texas Tech reliever Zachary Stewart and N.C. State starter Clayton Shunick, who one scout projects a reliever, bypassed an organizational need—stockpiling young arms.

"The Reds have a solid group of short-term relievers close to the majors," said an NL East scout. "They probably should have followed [the Braves'] philosophy and drafted high school pitchers to build some depth in the lower parts of their system."

Buckley did select Georgia prep pitcher Tyler Cline, the 24th prospect in the state, in the fourth round. When that selection hit the boards, one scout said, "What are the Reds doing?"



Flashback: Do you remember the Reds' last Ty Cline? He was involved in the famous Elrod Hendricks phantom tag collision at the plate in Game 1 of the 1970 World Series. Cline hit a chopper in front of the plate, Bernie Carbo raced home from third. Hendricks fielded the ball then made a spinning, swiping tag attempt. He and umpire Ken Burkhardt became entangled, Hendricks tagged Carbo with the glove with the ball in his other hand, and Burkhardt, on his rump, called Carbo out. Sparky and Carbo went nuts and it became a blown call that changed the Series.

Anyway, the broader point is Uncle Walt hasn't made any changes to Krivsky's staff because he wanted no distractions leading up to the draft. But several team insiders say they expect the natural front office and scouting attrition shortly, especially if Krivsky can make some hires in his new job.

As for the draft, the gaggle of scouts loafing about Nationals Park Thursday between games agreed this isn't a very deep draft and there's no purpose in getting too worked up. Many like Alonso's bat but think he's an American League player and a bad fit for the Reds. And don't forget: As Trent Rosecrans points out on his blog, Uncle Walt has a long history of trading top-end prospects for proven Major League players. Could that be the thinking with this selection of Alonso? Best player available now, deal from strength later? Hmmmm.