Future Finds: 5 Under-The-Radar Pitching Prospects

One of the best times of the year for fans who follow prospects comes during the winter, when Baseball America rolls out their list of the top 100 prospects in baseball. The lists are not an exact science, and no matter how hard someone tries, the highly volatile nature of prospects means you can never be exactly right.

Now that the minor league season is underway, it's time to check in with some prospects who might thrust themselves into the discussion of the better ones in the minors. This time, we'll look at five under-the-radar pitching prospects who, in the next couple years, could catapult themselves into Baseball America's list of the top 100 prospects in the game. The only qualifications are that they haven't already appeared on a Baseball America top 100 list or among Baseball America's list of the top 10 prospects in their respective organization.

Jhoulys Chacin, 1/7/88, 6'1/168, Bats R, Throws R, Organization: Colorado Rockies

The Rockies have had considerable success with Latin America players in recent years. Pitchers like Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales were highly regarded pitching prospects who played integral roles in Colorado's surprise run to the World Series in 2007. Could Chacin be next?

Currently pitching for Asheville in the South Atlantic League, Chacin, who was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2004, is off to a flying start. He has a 1.40 ERA after four starts that span 25.2 innings. He's only allowed 14 hits while walking nine and striking out 22. He's picking off where he left off last year, when he had an impressive 16 start stint in the Pioneer League. There, he threw 92 innings, allowing 85 hits and 26 hits. He fanned 77 and had a 3.13 ERA.

"He has an overpowering fastball and a good change and had excellent command of both pitches," Asheville manager Joe Mikulik told milb.com earlier this month. "He threw 91 pitches and his 89th touched 94 mph. Pretty impressive."

Mikulik added: ""He's very coachable and mature beyond his age," Mikulik said. "It's a pleasure to watch him pitch. He's got a great future."

A future that might have him among the top 100 prospects in baseball sooner rather than later.

Kelvin De La Cruz, 1/8/88, 6'5/187, Bats L, Throws L, Organization: Cleveland Indians

With C.C Sabathia likely leaving for greener pastures come winter, the Indians need to continue to develop young (and affordable) pitching in hopes of finding future building blocks for their rotation.

De La Cruz, who was born in La Vega, Dominican Republic, could be one of them.

It's easy to get excited about this lefty. At 6'5, he has the height that could make him an intimidating presence down the line – especially if he fills out his 187 pound frame. Like Chacin, De La Cruz has four starts in the young season, also while throwing in the South Atlantic League. He's racked up 19.2 innings, allowing 18 hits, 9 walks and striking out 18. He was solid in the NY Penn League last season, giving up just 41 hits in 54 innings while striking out 53. Control has been an issue - he walked 34 in those 54 innings last year and has 9 in 19 innings this year. Given the fact he's only 20, there's plenty of time to iron his control out.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?