Reds tab Garrett as best Minor League arm

As the top pitching prospect in the Reds organization, Amir Garrett faced steep expectations coming into the season. In his team's estimation, he delivered.

At Redsfest on Friday, the team announced that Garrett was named Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season. Outfielder Aristides Aquino was recognized as the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.

Ranked as MLB.com's No. 44 overall prospect, Garrett began his fifth Minor League season with Double-A Pensacola and put together a 1.75 ERA over 77 innings en route to being named a Southern League midseason All-Star and earning a spot on Team USA at the All-Star Futures Game. After a promotion to Triple-A Louisville in June, the 24-year-old left-hander posted a combined 7-8 record, 2.55 ERA and 132 strikeouts over 144 2/3 frames. He led the organization in ERA while finishing fourth in punchouts.

Over the last two seasons, Garrett has garnered two Futures Game selections, two Reds Organization All-Star nods as well as the Florida State League's Most Valuable Pitcher award.

Aquino, the Reds' No. 21 prospect, put up a .273/.327/.519 slash line in 125 games for Class A Advanced Daytona. The 22-year-old led the organization with 23 homers and 79 RBIs and topped the FSL with 251 total bases and 61 extra-base hits.

The Reds also recognized 21-year-old second baseman Shed Long as their Minor League Hitter of the Year and gave the Minor League Community Service Award to right-hander Barrett Astin. Long split the season between Class A Dayton and Daytona and batted .293 with 15 homers, 75 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 132 games; Astin pitched for Pensacola, where he was 9-3 with a 2.26 ERA 96 strikeouts over 103 1/3 innings.