Uh Oh! The farmer's got deep pockets

While writing about my Opening Day experiences, and reflecting on the greatest Opening Day I have seen (My Opening Day: The road less traveled), I couldn't help but notice; almost all the players on the field had one thing in common. Almost every star Reds player came up through the farm system.

Now the Reds have broken into being a middle to big market team with Joey Votto's extension as well as on the brink of signing Brandon Phillips for 65 million dollars; it's nice to remember the team still has one of the greatest farm systems in the league.

On the Reds 2012 Opening Day, the starting lineup contained 6 players raised in the Reds farm system. Chris Heisey pinch hit for Chapman with an RBI double, raising the number to 7 of the 11 players (Chapman and Marshall).

Farm raised OD starters:
Pitcher Johnny Cueto
Catcher Ryan Hanigan
First Baseman Joey Votto
Shortstop Zach Cozart
Center Fielder Drew Stubbs
Right Fielder Jay Bruce
PH/LF- Chris Heisey

None-raised OD starters:
Brandon Phillips
Scott Rolen
Ryan Ludwick
Sean Marshall
Aroldis Chapman








A special mention to other up-and-coming Reds stars like Didi Gregorius, Billy Hamilton, Dan Corcino, Nefitali Soto, Josh Judy, Donald Lutz, Kyle Lotzkar, Tucker Barnhart, Dan Joseph, Ryan LaMarre, Todd Frazier and many more... A special-special mention to the guys we lost to trade over the off season such as Torreys, Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger, Yasmani Grandal and anyone else I had forgotten.