5. Jeter Downs, IF
Birthday: 7/27/1998 (20)
Acquired: Draft, 1st round, 2017
Level(s): low-A Dayton
Statistics: .257/.351/.402, 120 G, 524 PA, 23 2B, 2 3B, 13 HR, 37 SB, 9.9% BB, 19.7% K
My other personal favorite in the Cincinnati Reds system, Jeter Downs got more attention seemingly for his first name coming into the 2017 draft than for his impressive set of tools. He showed that with a very good showing in advanced rookie play in his draft year, hitting 6 home runs and stealing 8 bases, with a .795 OPS.
While Downs is a guy who many think eventually ends up in center field, he’s shown very well on the dirt so far, playing much more second base in 2018, and he seemed to find a home there, really playing excellent defense at the keystone.
Downs doesn’t really blow you away with any one tool, but he’s at least average across the board, with his hit tool and his arm probably his strongest tools. He can get a bit aggressive at times, and he’s still building pitch recognition, but he does know the zone well and avoids strikeouts in spite of his contact-heavy approach.
With a great approach to the game mentally, Downs should be able to maximize his tools, allowing him to put together impressive offensive numbers, and if he can continue the positive showing he made at second base in 2018, he’ll move quickly to the upper minors and have a chance to see some time with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020.