Just because the Reds have sucked for a long time now doesn’t mean there’s any reason for despair. An article on MiLB.com joins dozens of others in heaping accolades upon the Reds minor league system and prospects.

Out of all 30 teams, the Reds are ranked 4th best.

Outfielder Jay Bruce is the consensus No. 1 prospect in all of baseball. Ace of the future Homer Bailey may have had a small hiccup last year, but finished strongly and is still a Top 10 kind of player. Joey Votto is ready for a full-time first base job in the big leagues now and right-hander Johnny Cueto has generated a ton of buzz in big-league camp this spring, working his way into the No. 5 starter mix. Even if none of these players breaks north with the Reds on Opening Day, you’ll be hearing from them soon enough.

Thank goodness the team hired a manager who’s unparalleled in his ability to bring along young talent.