Chris Gruler

Gruler became the area's best draft prospect as he continued to get better through the spring. He thrived in his final start in front of nine members of the Reds' front office and scouts from several teams in the top 10, pumping 95 mph heat in the seventh inning. He sits in the 91-94 mph range, touching 94-95. He's been as high as 96-97 mph and his two-seamer has good riding life. His best pitch is a 12-to-6 hammer curveball that he spins for strikes, and he's shown a feel for a changeup and an occasional splitter. While his stuff has drawn comparisons to Denham, last year's top prep pitcher in Northern California, Gruler's mechanics are more advanced, and overall he's a more polished product. Scouts also like his mental toughness and makeup. He played on a weak high school team and wasn't fazed when mistakes were made behind him. Rated as a fringe first-rounder last summer when he threw in the high 80s, Gruler won't make it out of the top 10 now, and maybe not the top five.