MLB Prospects: Hottest Pitching Prospects at Every Minor League Level

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As we enter the final two months of the Major League Baseball season, there will undoubtedly be more high-profile prospects being recalled. Last week we saw Oakland A's right-hander Dan Straily make his major league debut after seemingly appearing in this segment every week.

Now it's time to once again look at some of the hottest pitchers from each minor league level.

Although I have done my best to include as many notable players from Prospect Pipeline’s Midseason Top 50 Prospects, and those who just missed the cut, I’ve also offered an expanded view of the top performers at Low-A, Class-A Short Season and Rookie leagues, as many of the 2012 draft picks are having strong professional debuts.

Triple-A

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Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

11-1, 104 IP, 2.16 ERA, .226 BAA, 125 K/53 BB (18 GS)

Performed well in first start in two weeks: 6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 5 K/2 BB.

 

Shelby Miller, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

7-9, 106.1 IP, 5.25 ERA, .272 BAA, 115 K/46 BB (22 GS)

Finally turning the corner? Last five starts: 29 IP, 24 H, 9 ER, 25 K/3 BB.

 

Brad Peacock, RHP, Oakland Athletics

9-7, 112 IP, 5.95 ERA, .282 BAA, 122 K/51 BB (23 G; 21 GS)

Been a rough season for the right-hander, but he’s coming off best start of the year: 4 IP, 2 H, 9 K/1 BB.

 

Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

9-5, 111.1 IP, 2.43 ERA, .240 BAA, 106 K/34 BB (20 GS)

Has been lights-out since beginning of July and especially in last two starts: 14 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 19 K/6 BB. Almost ready for a call-up.

 

Tyler Cloyd, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

14-1, 141.1 IP, 1.91 ERA, .213 BAA, 96 K/30 BB (22 GS)

Doesn’t strike a lot of guys out, but command has made his stuff play up. His excellent season should warrant a September call-up, if not sooner. 6-0 and 1.67 ERA in last 10 starts.

Double-A

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Ethan Martin, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

9-6, 124 IP, 3.48 ERA, .212 BAA, 118 K/62 BB (21 GS)

Phillies debut: W, 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 6 K/1 BB.

 

Tony Cingrani, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

10-4, 120.1 IP, 1.57 ERA, .193 BAA, 137 K/38 BB (21 GS)

Has only given up three or more runs in two of his 21 starts.

 

James Paxton, LHP, Seattle Mariners

6-3, 78.2 IP, 3.09 ERA, .237 BAA, 84 K/41 BB (16 GS)

Fresh off best start of the season: 6 IP, 5 H, 8 K/1 BB.

 

Carlos Martinez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

4-5, 82.1 IP, 2.95 ERA, .238 BAA, 72 K/23 BB (17 GS)

20-year-old hasn’t given up more than three runs in a start since May 14.

 

A.J. Ramos, RHP, Miami Marlins

3-1, 16 SV, 56 IP, 0.80 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 68 K/18 BB (46 G)

25-year-old has a power arm and should reach the majors this season.

High-A

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Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

6-3, 79 IP, 1.59 ERA, .170 BAA, 96 K/17 BB (18 GS)

Never fails to impress. Last three starts: 16.1 IP, 11 H, ER, 22 K/4 BB.

 

Jesse Biddle, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies

7-4, 111.1 IP, 3.23 ERA, .252 BAA, 116 K/45 BB (21 G)

Left-hander has emerged as the Phillies’ top prospect.

 

Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami Marlins

11-1, 114 IP, 1.89 ERA, .193 BAA, 134 K/29 BB (21 GS)

Has improved with every start at Double-A. Last three starts: 3-0, 15 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 15 K/6 BB.

 

Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

6-7, 115 IP, 3.91 ERA, .226 BAA, 92 K/34 BB (21 GS)

The up-and-down season continues for Taillon, but last two starts have been good: 12 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 8 K/3 BB.

 

Alex Meyer, RHP, Washington Nationals

8-4, 107 IP, 2.69 ERA, .207 BAA, 122 K/39 BB (21 GS)

Three starts since promotion to High-A: 17 IP, 11 H, ER, 15 K/5 BB.

Low-A

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Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

3-0, 44.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, .180 BAA, 53 K/12 BB (10 GS)

Has been stellar in three starts since promotion to Low-A: 2-0, 14 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 16 K/4 BB.

 

Kyle Crick, RHP, San Francisco Giants

5-6, 87.1 IP, 2.47 ERA, .179 BAA, 97 K/59 BB (18 GS)

Command can still be shaky, but the pure stuff is there. Last four starts: 23 IP, 9 H, ER, 19 K/16 BB.

 

Parker Markel, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

8-5, 90 IP, 4.20 ERA, .246 BAA, 74 K/27 BB (19 GS)

After struggling over first two months of season, Markel found his groove in July: 5-0, 35.1 IP, 2.55 ERA, .188 BAA, 35 K/10 BB (6 GS).

 

Domingo Tapia, RHP, New York Mets

5-3, 85.2 IP, 3.47 ERA, .217 BAA, 73 K/25 BB (16 GS)

Last 10 starts: 2-2, 53.2 IP, 3.19 ERA, .218 BAA, 44 K/18 BB.

 

Austin Wood, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

5-10, 115.2 IP, 4.12 ERA, .266 BAA, 99 K/65 BB (23 GS)

6’4”, 225-pound right-hander has good stuff, but lacks command and overall efficiency.

 

Clayton Blackburn, RHP, San Francisco Giants

6-3, 109.1 IP, 2.63 ERA, .233 BAA, 118 K/16 BB (19 GS)

Absolutely ridiculous command of swing-and-miss stuff. 

Class-A Short Season

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Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

0-2, 29 IP, 1.24 ERA, .194 BAA, 25 K/2 BB (7 GS)

The right-hander has been worth the wait.

 

Aaron West, RHP, Houston Astros

6-0, 43 IP, 1.05 ERA, .175 BAA, 41 K/5 BB (8 GS)

17th-round pick in 2012 is simply getting it done.

 

Kevin Gausman, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

Professional debut: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB.

 

Nick Wittgren, RHP, Miami Marlins

0-2, 11 SV, 23.2 IP, 1.52 ERA, 32 K/4 BB (16 G)

Power arm with closer potential.

 

Adrian Sampson, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

25.2 IP, 2.81 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 26 K/7 BB (7 G; 5 GS)

Last two starts: 10 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 9 K/2 BB.

Rookie

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Ross Stripling, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

1-0, 23 IP, 0.39 ERA, .171 BAA, 28 K/2 BB (9 G; 7 GS)

Former Texas A&M right-hander has the potential to move quickly through the Dodgers’ system.

 

Blake Snell, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays

5-1, 45.1 IP, 1.59 ERA, .184 BAA, 51 K/16 BB (10 GS)

Tall left-hander’s last two starts: 2-0, 10 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 11 K/4 BB.

 

Casey Kelly, RHP, San Diego Padres

9 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 7 K/0 BB

Right-hander is slowly working back from a season-long elbow injury.

 

Sam Selman, LHP, Kansas City Royals

4-0, 36.1 IP, 1.49 ERA, .203 BAA, 51 K/13 BB (8 G; 7 GS)

6’3” left-hander is missing bats and generating groundballs at an impressive rate (2.71 GB/FB).

 

J.O. Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins

1-0, 16.2 IP, 1.08 ERA, 0.60 BAA, 27 K/3 BB (8 G; 1 GS)

2012 first-rounder is proving to be more advanced than expected.