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There was big news in the baseball world Tuesday evening, when a nine-player, three-team trade was announced between the Diamondbacks, Indians and Reds.
But while several big names (including Shin-Soo Choo, Drew Stubbs and others) were part of the deal, it was Reds prospect Didi Gregorius who had Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers most excited.
"When I saw him, he reminded me of a young Derek Jeter," Towers said on a Tuesday night conference call.
Whether Gregorius ever lives up to those lofty expectations or not, he was the center-piece of the trade for Arizona, which has been searching for a shortstop all off-season.
Gregorius comes to Arizona off a solid 2012 season, which saw him make two separate minor league stops before eventually getting 20 at-bats as part of Cincinnati's big league club. During 2012, Gregorius hit .278 at Double-A Pensacola and .243 at Triple-A Louisville, before ending the season in Cincinnati with the Reds. There, Gregorius had six hits in 20 at-bats.
However, it was Gregorius' defense that had Towers most impressed, and where the Jeter comparisons were made.
Here is more from Towers, via his press conference transcript:
"I was fortunate enough to see Jeter when he was in high school in Michigan," Towers said. "He's got that type of range."
Gregorius, 22, signed out of his native Curacao as a free agent in 2007.
He was rated by MLB.com as the Reds No. 5 prospect during the 2012 season.