Selecting the 2014 All-Prospect Team at Each Minor League Level
While the playoffs at full-season levels are starting to wrap up, it’s time to start looking back at another great year of minor league baseball.
After breaking down the hottest and coldest prospects throughout the minors during the season, today we’re going to highlight the top performances at each individual level.
Each hitter’s level was determined based on where he spent most of the year, focusing on guys who played roughly at least half their season—usually at least 50 games—in a specific league. The same goes for pitchers, though their threshold was set at roughly 50 innings rather than games started.
Additionally, I tried to avoid non-September call-ups, as in players who have seen considerable time in the major leagues this season (Oscar Taveras, Gregory Polanco, Marcus Stroman and Mookie Betts, to name a few). Instead, I looked at prospects who have spent most (if not all) of the year in the minors.
Lastly, there’s a long list of players at each position who deserve a spot in these rankings, so be sure to start a discussion in the comments if the guy(s) you’re looking for wasn't included.
With all that being said, here is the 2014 All-Prospect Team for each minor league level.
*All stats courtesy of MiLB.com, Baseball-Reference or FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.
Catchers
1 of 8
Rookie: Tanner Murphy, Atlanta Braves (Appalachian League)
2014 Stats: .242/.361/.389, 13 XBH (5 HR), 19 RBI, 30 BB, 38 K (50 G)
Murphy, the Braves’ fourth-round pick in 2013, quietly has put together an impressive season, showing projectable power with a mature approach that’s produced an excellent 38-30 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 50 games. The 19-year-old will be a player to watch 2015.
Short Season: Marcus Greene Jr., Texas Rangers (Northwest)
2014 Stats: .289/.425/.422, 16 XBH (3 HR), 25 RBI, 7 SB, 35 BB, 45 K (55 G)
Greene, 20, hit a .912 OPS with 14 extra-base hits in 42 games at Short-Season Spokane before struggling at Low-A Hickory (.603 OPS in 13 games) over the final two weeks of the minor league season.
Low-A: Clint Coulter, Milwaukee Brewers (Midwest)
2014 Stats: .287/.410/.520, 42 XBH (22 HR), 89 RBI, 73 BB, 103 K (126 G)
Selected by the Brewers with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2012 draft, Coulter, now 21, had an impressive professional debut after signing but then struggled mightily last year and battled injuries in what was supposed to be his full-season debut.
He's made up for the lost time this year, however, by leading the Midwest League in numerous categories, including OPS (.930), home runs (tied-22) and OBP (.410).
High-A: Tyler Marlette, Seattle Mariners (California)
2014 Stats: .297/.349/.517, 42 XBH (17 HR), 51 RBI, 9 SB, 28 BB, 71 K (90 G)
Coming off a breakout full-season debut in 2013, Marlette, 21, saw his power improve this year in the hitter-friendly California League, setting career highs with 17 home runs, 25 doubles, 51 RBI and a .517 slugging percentage. However, after 22 passed balls in 81 games behind the plate, Marlette's defense is a work in progress moving forward.
Double-A: Blake Swihart, Boston Red Sox (Eastern)
2014 Stats: .293/.341/.469, 43 XBH (13 HR), 64 RBI, 8 SB, 31 BB, 80 K (110 G)
At the dish, the 22-year-old switch-hitter batted .300/.353/.487 with 38 extra-base hits through 92 games at Double-A Portland. Defensively, Swihart threw out 47 percent (28 of 59) of all base stealers this season and did not allow a passed ball in 81 games behind the plate.
Triple-A: James McCann, Detroit Tigers (International)
2014 Stats: .295/.343/.427, 41 XBH (7 HR), 54 RBI, 9 SB, 25 BB, 90 K (109 G)
James McCann, a second-round draft pick back in 2011, took a big step forward last year at Double-A Erie and has continued to improve this season at Triple-A Toledo.
Defensively, McCann allowed only five passed balls in 98 minor league games this season and threw out base stealers at a 42 percent clip. However, the 24-year-old’s greatest strength might be his ability to crush left-handed pitching, evidenced by his .342/.404/.475 batting line in 120 at-bats this season against southpaws.
1st Basemen
2 of 8
Rookie: Bobby Bradley, Cleveland Indians (Arizona)
2014 Stats: .361/.426/.652, 25 XBH (8 HR), 50 RBI, 16 BB, 36 K (39 G)
The Indians selected Bobby Bradley in the third round for his big-time power potential from the left side, and power was what the 18-year-old showed in his professional debut—and lots of it. The 6’3” left-handed batter had 25 of his 56 hits go for extra bases, leading the Arizona League with eight home runs, 13 doubles and 50 RBI.
Short Season: A.J. Reed, Houston Astros (New York-Penn)
2014 Stats: .289/.375/.522, 33 XBH (12 HR), 54 RBI, 30 BB, 54 K (68 G)
Reed, the No. 42 overall pick in this year’s draft, didn’t spend long in the New York-Penn League, but that’s only because the College Player of the Year batted .306/.420/.516 with 16 extra-base hits and 30 RBI in his first 34 games at the level.
Low-A: Nellie Rodriguez, Indians (Midwest)
2014 Stats: .268/.349/.482, 57 XBH (22 HR), 88 RBI, 60 BB, 142 K (130 G)
Rodriguez was overmatched last year at Low-A Lake County, as he batted just. 194/.305/.256 with one home run in 47 games. This season, however, the 20-year-old was better prepared for the challenge, pacing the Midwest League in home runs (tied 22) and total bases (234).
High-A: Matt Olson, Oakland Athletics (California)
2014 Stats: .262/.404/.543, 111 R, 69 XBH (37 HR), 97 RBI, 117 BB, 137 K (138 G)
Olson, 20, led the California League and was third in all of minor league baseball with 37 home runs for the season. The California League is hitter-friendly, but Stockton is slightly slanted toward pitchers, which makes Olson's higher output at home (.262/.402/.591 with 21 homers) as opposed to on the road (.262/.406/.496 with 16 homers) all the more impressive.
Double-A: Christian Walker, Baltimore Orioles (Eastern)
2014 Stats: .288/.357/.489, 53 XBH (26 HR), 96 RBI, 56 BB, 132 K (139 G)
The question was never whether Walker would hit; it was whether he’d hit for power against advanced pitching. Well, after hitting 11 home runs last year in his full-season debut, Walker, 23, has shown more consistent power this season with 20 home runs and .516 slugging in 95 Double-A games.
Triple-A: Jesus Aguilar, Indians (International)
2014 Stats: .304/.395/.511, 50 XBH (19 HR), 77 RBI, 64 BB, 96 K (118 G)
Aguilar fared much better this season in the minor leagues, batting .304/.395/.511 with 19 home runs, 31 doubles and 77 RBI in 118 games with Triple-A Columbus. The right-handed batter actually hit same-side pitching this season (.911 OPS, 14 HR) better than he did lefties (.894 OPS, 5 HR).
2nd Basemen
3 of 8
Rookie: Forrest Wall, Colorado Rockies (Pioneer League)
2014 Stats: .318/.416/.490, 48 R, 15 XBH (6 3B), 24 RBI, 18 SB, 27 BB, 32 K (41 G)
Wall, the 35th overall selection in the 2014 draft, raked in his introduction to professional baseball, posting an .907 OPS with 15 extra-base hits and 18 steals over 41 games. The 18-year-old second baseman has the potential to hit .300 and the raw power to hit 20 home runs in the majors, and he could be moved to center field long term, which would take advantage of his speed.
Short Season: Mason Davis, Miami Marlins (New York-Penn)
2014 Stats: .313/.389/.453, 23 XBH (5 3B), 32 RBI, 9 SB, 28 BB, 41 K (63 G)
A 19th-round pick this past June out of a The Citadel, Davis, a 21-year-old switch-hitter, finished second in New York-Penn League with an .861 OPS.
Low-A: Avery Romero, Marlins (South Atlantic)
2014 Stats: .320/.367/.423, 37 XBH (5 HR), 56 RBI, 10 SB, 32 BB, 60 K (118 G)
Romero was widely viewed as one of the best pure hitters in the 2012 draft class, so it’s not surprising that the 21-year-old second baseman finished fifth in the South Atlantic League in batting average (.320) before moving up to the High-A level.
High-A: Jose Peraza, Braves (Carolina)
2014 Stats: .339/.364/.441, 33 XBH (11 3B), 60 SB, 17 BB, 47 K (110 G)
After opening eyes last year with a .288 batting average and 64 steals in his full-season debut at Low-A Rome, Peraza, 20, jumped on the fast track to the major leagues by batting .342/.365/.454 with 97 hits and 35 stolen bases in his first 66 games at High-A Lynchburg.
At the time of his promotion to Double-A, Peraza was riding a 14-game hitting streak, during which he was batting .426/.444/.656, and leading the Carolina League in batting average, stolen bases and hits (97).
Double-A: Dilson Herrera, New York Mets (Eastern)
2014 Stats: .323/.379/.479, 51 XBH (13 HR), 71 RBI, 23 SB, 47 BB, 96 K (128 G)
Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates late last season in the Marlon Byrd trade, Dilson Herrera, 20, is currently in the major leagues after a breakout campaign in his first year in the Mets’ system. Prior to the call-up, Herrera was putting up impressive numbers at Double-A Binghamton, batting .340/.406/.560 with 17 doubles, three triples and 10 home runs over 61 games in the Eastern League.
Triple-A: Robert Refsnyder, New York Yankees (International)
2014 Stats: .318/.387/.497, 58 XBH (14 HR), 63 RBI, 9 SB, 55 BB, 105 K (137 G)
Refsnyder didn’t knock the cover off the ball at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as he did at Double-A Trenton, but the 23-year-old breakout prospect still batted .300/.389/.456 with eight home runs, 19 doubles and a 67-41 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 77 games at the minor’s highest level.
3rd Basemen
4 of 8
Rookie: Rafael Devers, Red Sox (Gulf Coast League)
2014 Stats: .322/.404/.506, 29 XBH (7 HR), 57 RBI, 35 BB, 50 K (70 G)
Seventeen-year-old third baseman Rafael Devers, signed by the Red Sox out of the Dominican Republic last summer for $1.5 million, tore up the Dominican Summer League en route to an ahead-of-schedule promotion to the Gulf Coast League, where he’s batted .312/.374/.484 with 17 extra-base hits and 36 RBI over 42 games.
Short Season: Jhoan Urena, Mets (New York-Penn)
2014 Stats: .300/.356/.431, 26 XBH (5 HR), 47 RBI, 7 SB (9 CS), 27 BB, 58 K (75 G)
Urena, a 20-year-old switch-hitter, led the New York-Penn League with 85 hits, ranked second in doubles (20) and RBI (47) as well as fourth in batting average (.300).
Low-A: Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies (South Atlantic)
2014 Stats: .282/.358/.502, 67 XBH (18 HR), 102 RBI, 54 BB, 143 K (126 G)
McMahon, 19, opened the season on a tear, posting a 1.092 OPS with nine home runs over his first 23 games, but the left-handed hitter’s power dropped off in a hurry in subsequent months, as he tallied just four home runs over his next 76 games covering May, June and July.
However, McMahon is finished his season just like it began, with a .904 OPS, five home runs and eight doubles in 26 games during August. Overall, McMahon ranked second in the South Atlantic League in runs (93), doubles (46), OPS (.860) and RBI (tied 102).
High-A: Joey Gallo, Rangers (Carolina)
2014 Stats: .271/.394/.615, 64 XBH (42 HR), 106 RBI, 87 BB, 179 K (126 G)
Gallo led all minor league hitters last season with 40 home runs and then broke that mark this season with 42, one off Kris Bryant’s MiLB lead. The 20-year-old’s impressive campaign began at High-A Myrtle Beach, where his refined approach and shorter swing produced a .323/.463/.735 batting line, 21 home runs and 50 RBI in 58 games.
Double-A: D.J. Peterson, Mariners (Southern)
2014 Stats: .297/.360/.552, 63 XBH (31 HR), 111 RBI, 45 BB, 116 K (123 G)
Peterson was promoted to Double-A Jackson in late June after posting a .997 OPS with 18 home runs and 73 RBI in 65 games at High-A High Desert. He cooled off a bit at the more advanced level, but after hitting 31 home runs and 31 doubles in his first full professional season, the 22-year-old has everyone’s attention entering 2015.
Triple-A: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs (Pacific Coast)
2014 Stats: .325/.438/.661, 118 R, 78 XBH (43 HR), 110 RBI, 15 SB, 86 BB, 162 K (138 G)
Make no doubt about it: Kris Bryant was the best player in the minors this season.
The 22-year-old slugger put up unimaginable numbers in his first full professional season, as he led the minor leagues (qualified hitters only) in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.661), OPS (1.098) and wOBA (.472). He also ranked second in runs (118) and fourth in RBI (110), and he batted .325 with a .438 on-base percentage in 594 plate appearances.
Shortstops
5 of 8
Rookie: Yu-Cheng Chang, Indians (Arizona League)
2014 Stats: .346/.420/.566, 19 XBH (6 HR), 25 RBI, 6 SB, 18 BB, 28 K (42 G)
Making his professional debut, Chang, 19, ranked second in Arizona League in OPS (.986) and slugging (.566) and finished third with a .346 batting average.
Short Season: Franklin Barreto, Toronto Blue Jays (Northwest)
2014 Stats: .311/.384/.481, 33 XBH (6 HR), 61 RBI, 29 SB, 26 BB, 64 K (73 G)
Barreto emerged this year as one of the more intriguing shortstop prospects below full-season ball, as the 18-year-old led the Northwest League in runs scored (65), hits (90), doubles (t-23), RBI (61) and total bases (139). He also ranked third in stolen bases (29) and seventh with in OPS (.865).
Low-A: Wilmer Difo, Washington Nationals (South Atlantic)
2014 Stats: .315/.360/.470, 52 XBH (14 HR), 90 RBI, 49 SB, 37 BB, 65 K (136 G)
Things finally came together this season for Difo, though it happened as a 22-year-old against younger pitching in the South Atlantic League. That being said, his power/speed impact really stands out given his up-the-middle profile and should make him a name to follow in 2015.
High-A: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers (California)
2014 Stats: .349/.402/.602, 75 XBH (20 HR), 97 RBI, 40 BB, 115 K (118 G)
Seager struggled at High-A Rancho Cucamonga during the final month of the 2013 regular season, batting just .160 with 31 strikeouts in 27 games. That wasn’t the case in the 20-year-old’s second tour of the California League, as he batted a robust .352/.411/.633 with 18 home runs, 34 doubles and 70 RBI at Cucamonga.
Double-A: Addison Russell, Cubs (Southern)
2014 Stats: .295/.350/.508, 28 XBH (13 HR), 45 RBI, 6 SB, 19 BB, 49 K (68 G)
Russell, 20, raked after coming over from the A’s in early July, batting .294/.332/.536 with 12 home runs, 11 doubles and 36 RBI in 50 games at Double-A Tennessee. The only thing Russell didn’t do this season was steal bases, though that should have been expected after he missed most of the first half with a hamstring injury.
Triple-A: Matt Reynolds, Mets (Pacific Coast)
2014 Stats: .343/.405/.454, 87 R, 34 XBH (6 HR), 20 SB, 50 BB, 101 K (126 G)
A second-round draft pick in 2012, Reynolds put himself on the major league radar this season with a breakout performance across the Double- and Triple-A levels. The 23-year-old spent more time in the Pacific Coast League, where he batted .333/.385/.479 with 25 extra-base hits, 40 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 68 games.
Outfielders
6 of 8
Rookie: Justin Williams, Arizona Diamondbacks (Pioneer)
2014 Stats: .351/.403/.467, 21 XBH (4 HR), 46 RBI, 24 BB, 67 K (74 G)
Williams flashed his hit-tool potential last season in his professional debut, when he batted .351/.397/.452 in 51 games across three levels and finished the year at Low-A South Bend. Well, the 19-year-old was even more impressive this season by leading the Pioneer League with a .386 batting average.
Short Season: Rowan Wick, St. Louis Cardinals (New York-Penn)
2014 Stats: .292/.383/.608, 39 XBH (20 HR), 60 RBI, 33 BB, 94 K (74 G)
Wick, a 2012 ninth-round pick, spent the first two years of his career as a catcher but was moved to right field before the 2014 season. It also allowed his bat to take flight, as the 21-year-old qualified to lead the New York-Penn League in each triple-slash-line category (.378/.475/.815) and OPS (1.290) and finished tied for home run title (14).
Low-A: Aaron Judge, Yankees (South Atlantic)
2014 Stats: .308/.419/.486, 45 XBH (17 HR), 78 RBI, 89 BB, 131 K (131 G)
Judge hit .333/.428/.530 with 15 doubles, two triples, and nine home runs for Low-A Charleston before moving up to the Florida State League. The 22-year-old is the size of many NBA small forwards but has a surprisingly compact swing. But the potential is there for 20-plus home runs with a high OBP while playing a solid right field in the major leagues.
High-A: Jesse Winker, Cincinnati Reds (California)
2014 Stats: .287/.399/.518, 35 XBH (15 HR), 57 RBI, 54 BB, 68 K (74 G)
One of the more underrated hitters in the minor leagues, Winker, 21, showcased his mature approach and preternatural bat-to-ball skills this season by batting .317/.426/.580 with 28 extra-base hits and a 46-40 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 53 games at High-A Bakersfield.
Double-A: Steven Moya, Tigers (Eastern)
2014 Stats: .276/.306/.555, 71 XBH (35 HR), 105 RBI, 16 SB, 23 BB, 161 K (133 G)
Steven Moya, 23, was recently named MVP of the Double-A Eastern League after leading the circuit in home runs (35), RBI (105), extra-base hits (71) and slugging percentage (.555)—all career highs. Furthermore, his 35 bombs, 286 total bases, 71 extra-base hits and 105 RBI were single-season franchise records for Erie.
Triple-A: Joc Pederson, Dodgers (Pacific Coast)
2014 Stats: .303/.435/.582, 106 R, 54 XBH (33 HR), 78 RBI, 30 SB, 100 BB, 149 K (121 G)
Pederson’s September call-up came on the heels of him being named MVP of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. This season, the 22-year-old outfielder led the PCL in home runs (33), OPS (1.017), on-base percentage (.435), runs scored (106), walks (100) and total bases (259).
He also became the first Pacific Coast League player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season since Frank Demaree in 1934.
Starting Pitchers
7 of 8
Rookie
Spencer Adams, RHP, Chicago White Sox (Arizona League)
2014 Stats: 41.2 IP, 3.67 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .282 BAA, 0.9 BB/9, 12.8 K/9 (10 G/9 GS)
Previously known for his dunking prowess in high school, Adams—the South Siders’ second-round pick this past June—was knocked around at times in his professional debut, but he showed excellent command and a knack for missing bats, evidenced by his 59-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
SP: Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (Appalachian)
2014 Stats: 33.2 IP, 1.07 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, .161 BAA, 1.06 BB/9, 10.69 K/9 (9 G/8 GS)
Selected by the Rays with the No. 72 overall pick this past June out of Walters State Community College (Tenn.), Honeywell, 19, led the Appalachian League with 0.74 WHIP while also ranking second in ERA (1.07) and fourth in FIP (2.20).
SP: Cody Reed, LHP, Diamondbacks (Arizona)
2014 Stats: 32.2 IP, 2.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, .174 BAA, 3.3 BB/9, 11.0 K (14 G/11 GS)
Reed, a second-round pick out of high school this past June, was dominant during his time in the Arizona League, posting a 2.18 ERA with 26 strikeouts and just five walks in 20.2 innings.
Short Season
Marcos Molina, RHP, Mets (New York-Penn)
2014 Stats: 76.1 IP, 1.77 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, .170 BAA, 2.1 BB/9, 10.7 K/9 (12 GS)
Molina, 19, paced the New York-Penn League in most categories including ERA (1.77), WHIP (0.84), strikeouts (91) and opponents’ batting average (.170). He finished his season in style too, with 50 strikeouts over his final 34.2 frames.
SP: Jairo Labourt, LHP, Blue Jays (Northwest)
2014 Stats: 85.1 IP, 2.53 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, .207 BAA, 6.0 BB/9, 9.8 K/9 (21 G/18 GS)
Labourt, 20, began the season in the Midwest League but was moved down to short-season ball after walking 20 batters in his first 14 innings. Pitching in the Northwest League, however, the left-hander won the ERA title (1.77) and ranked second in strikeouts (82).
SP: Derek Thompson, LHP, Rangers (Northwest)
2014 Stats: 70 IP, 3.21 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .251 BAA, 1.9 BB/9, 9.4 K/9 (14 G/13 GS)
A 12th-round pick in 2013, Thompson, 22, ranked third in Northwest League with 73 strikeouts and fourth with a 1.16 WHIP.
Low-A
Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals (Midwest)
2014 Stats: 109.1 IP, 3.62 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, .207 BAA, 5.02 BB/9, 11.3 K/9 (21 GS)
Reyes flashed his huge upside this season as a 19-year-old in full-season ball, ranking fifth in the Midwest League with 137 strikeouts. While the right-hander was difficult to barrel (.207 BAA) and consistently missed bats (11.3 K/9), his lack of control was a season-long problem and resulted in 58 walks (5.02 BB/9).
Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals (South Atlantic)
2014 Stats: 98 IP, 2.20 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .197 BAA, 2.6 BB/9, 10.1 K/9 (20 GS)
In his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, Giolito led the South Atlantic League (among pitchers with 90 innings) in ERA (2.20), strikeout percentage (28.5 percent) and opponents’ batting average (.196). Overall, the 20-year-old right-hander held opposing hitters to a .197/.256/.298 batting line.
Luis Severino, RHP, Yankees (South Atlantic)
2014 Stats: 113.1 IP, 2.46 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .220 BAA, 2.1 BB/9, 10.1 K/9 (24 GS)
Though he finished his season at Double-A Trenton, 20-year-old right-hander Luis Severino’s three-level journey began with a dominant showing at Low-A Charleston, posting a 2.79 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 70 strikeouts and 15 walks over 67.2 innings.
High-A
Julio Urias, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (California)
2014 Stats: 87.2 IP, 2.36 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, .194 BAA, 3.8 BB/9, 11.2 K/9 (25 G/20 GS)
Urias emerged as one of the top pitching prospects in the minor leagues this season, as the immensely talented left-handed pitcher dominated older hitters in the offense-heavy California League.
After celebrating his 18th birthday on Aug. 12, Urias capped his outstanding campaign by posting a 0.44 ERA with 31 strikeouts over his final 20.1 innings (five starts). On the season, Urias held opposing hitters to a dismal .194/.292/.290 batting line.
Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Florida State)
2014 Stats: 124.1 IP, 1.74 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .174 BAA, 4.1 BB/9, 11.4 K/9 (23 GS)
Glasnow was spectacular this season at High-A Bradenton, leading the Florida State League in ERA (1.74), opponents’ batting average (.174) and K/9 (11.4). The 21-year-old right-hander was especially dominant over the second half of the season, with a 9-2 record, 1.65 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 81.2 innings.
Jose Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins (Florida State)
2014 Stats: 140 IP, 2.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, .227 BAA, 2.4 BB/9, 9.0 K/9 (25 GS)
Berrios opened eyes last season in his full-season debut for Low-A Cedar Rapids, as he posted a 3.99 ERA and 100-40 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 103.2 innings against hitters two to three years older.
The 20-year-old took a huge step forward this season at High-A Fort Myers (among other levels) in the Florida State League, highlighted by his stellar 1.96 ERA and 109-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in just 96.1 innings.
Double-A
Henry Owens, LHP, Red Sox (Eastern)
2014 Stats: 3 CG, 159 IP, 2.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .208 BAA, 3.3 BB/9, 9.6 K/9 (26 GS)
Despite his impressive numbers at Double-A Portland, Owens, a 6’6” left-hander, didn’t take a step forward with his command this season and lacked consistency from start to start. However, the 21-year-old southpaw was still difficult to barrel—as is usually the case when his secondary pitches are working—as he held opposing hitters to a .208 average while registering 170 strikeouts in 159 innings.
Clayton Blackburn, RHP, San Francisco Giants (Eastern)
2014 Stats: 98 IP, 3.31 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .266 BAA, 1.8 BB/9, 8.6 K/9 (20 GS)
A 16th-round pick out of high school in 2011, Blackburn spent part of the season on the disabled list but was outstanding at Double-A Richmond when healthy, continuing his slow but steady climb through the Giants’ system.
Steven Matz, LHP, Mets (Eastern)
2014 Stats: 140.2 IP, 2.24 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, .251 BAA, 2.2 BB/9, 8.4 K/9 (24 GS)
Matz was dominant during 12 starts in the Eastern League, holding the league to a .248/.289/.350 with an 8.0 K/9 and 2.27 ERA. He primarily relies on a mid-90s fastball with heavy sink and needs significant improvement on his secondary pitches, but his performance at a higher level was very encouraging and has him poised to make an impact in 2015.
Triple-A
Nick Tropeano, RHP, Houston Astros (Pacific Coast)
2014 Stats: 124.2 IP, 3.03 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, .202 BAA, 2.4 BB/9, 8.7 K/9 (23 G/20 GS)
Spending the entire season in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Tropeano posted a 3.03 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and a 120-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 124.2 innings. He held opposing hitters to a .202/.262/.334 batting line in 486 plate appearances during that span.
Alex Meyer, RHP, Twins (International League)
2014 Stats: 130.1 IP, 3.52 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .241 BAA, 4.4 BB/9, 10.6 K/9 (27 GS)
It seemed as though the 24-year-old Meyer would make his debut in September before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury—there’s no structural damage—in his final August start. Although the 6’9” right-hander’s 3.52 ERA and 1.38 WHIP left something to be desired, he did pace the International League with 153 strikeouts over 130.1 innings.
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Red Sox (International League)
2014 Stats: 138 IP, 2.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .223 BAA, 3.5 BB/9, 7.2 K/9 (24 GS)
Ranaudo has made five starts with the Red Sox since the beginning of August, but that wouldn’t have been possible if not for his 2.61 ERA and 111 strikeouts over 138 innings at Triple-A Pawtucket.
Relief Pitchers
8 of 8
Rookie: Eduardo Paredes, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Pioneer)
2014 Stats: 7 SV, 20.1 IP, 1.33 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, .113 BAA, 3.54 BB/9, 13.72 K/9 (19 G)
Paredes, 19, all rookie-level pitchers (with at least 20 innings pitched) in opponents’ batting average (.113) and strikeout rate (37.8 percent), while his seven saves (in save chances) ranked fourth in the Pioneer League.
Short Season: Kyle Grana, RHP, Cardinals (New York-Penn)
2014 Stats: 8 SV, 40.2 IP, 0.89 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, .181 BAA, 3.10 BB/9, 13.72 K/9 (27 G)
The 23-year-old right-hander saved eight games and led all New York-Penn League pitchers (with at least 30 innings pitched) in ERA (0.89), FIP (1.72) and K/9 (13.72).
Low-A: Silvino Bracho, RHP, Diamondbacks (Midwest)
2014 Stats: 26 SV, 43.1 IP, 2.08 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, .167 BAA, 1.7 BB/9, 14.5 K/9 (45 G)
Bracho, a 22-year-old right-hander from Venezuela, led the Midwest League with 26 saves and a 0.76 WHIP while also posting a ridiculous 70-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 43.1 innings.
High-A: Steven Okert, LHP, Giants (California)
2014 Stats: 24 SV, 68.1 IP, 2.11 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .225 BAA, 2.9 BB/9, 12.1 K/9 (57 G)
A fourth-round pick in 2012 out of Oklahoma, Okert, 23, spent most of the season in the hitter-friendly California League, where he ranked second with 19 saves and posted a 1.53 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 11 walks in 35.1 innings.
Double-A: Hunter Strickland, RHP, Giants (Southern)
2014 Stats: 11 SV, 38.2 IP, 2.09 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, .194 BAA, 0.9 BB/9, 12.8 K/9 (41 G)
Strickland is a 6’4” right-hander who pumps 96-99 mph. The 25-year-old saved 11 games between High-A San Jose and Double-A Richmond this season, posting a 2.09 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, .194 BAA and ridiculous 55-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 38.2 innings (41 appearances).
Triple-A: Spencer Patton, RHP, Rangers (Round Rock)
2014 Stats: 18 SV, 62.1 IP, 3.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, .188 BAA, 25 BB, 85 K (49 G)
Patton, 26, has split the year between the Kansas City Royals’ and Rangers’ Triple-A affiliates, going from the former to the latter team in a midseason trade. After joining Round Rock (Rangers), the right-hander saved four games and posted a 25-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 16 innings.
