MLB Prospects: The Hottest Pitchers from Every Minor League Level

Throughout the minor leagues, there have been pitchers, both starters and relievers, who have continued their blistering start to the 2012 season.  In fact, it’s astonishing how well some of the game’s top pitching prospects have thrown this season—most notably the impressive crop of 2011 draft picks: Trevor Bauer, Dylan Bundy, Archie Bradley, Jose Fernandez and Matt Barnes.

So, as I did yesterday with position prospects, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the top pitchers from each active minor league level.

Triple-A

Garrett Richards, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

4 GS, 3-0, 27 IP, 1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 27 K/6 BB

It won’t be long before he gets another crack at filling out the dynamic Angels rotation; nothing left to prove in Triple-A.

Neil Ramirez, RHP, Texas Rangers

4 GS, 2-1, 21 IP, 2.14 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 20 K/4 BB

Ramirez will be the first pitcher recalled when there’s a need, even ahead of top pitching prospect Martin Perez.

Jarrod Parker, RHP, Oakland Athletics

4 GS, 1-0, 20.2 IP, 2.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 21 K/6 BB

Showed improved command at Triple-A; he will make MLB season debut on Wednesday against White Sox.

Jordan Lyles, RHP, Houston Astros

3 GS, 3-0, 18.2 IP, 2.89 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 18 K/2 BB

But will it translate at the major league level this season?

Christian Friedrich, LHP, Colorado Rockies

3 GS, 2-1, 2.33 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 18 K/3 BB

Left-hander seems back on track after back-to-back down seasons in 2010 and 2011.

Double-A

Daniel Rosenbaum, LHP, Washington Nationals

3 GS, 2-0, 21.2 IP, 1.25 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 16 K/0 BB

One of the hottest pitchers in the minors—and he has probably the greatest last name in baseball.

Trevor May, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

3 GS, 3-0, 17 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 19 K/6 BB

Has held opposing hitters to a .183 average.

Carlos Pimentel, RHP, Texas Rangers

1 GS, 2-0, 1 save, 15.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 20 K/5 BB

Swing-and-miss arsenal has resulted in a .100 opponent batting average.

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City Royals

4 GS, 2-1, 17.2 IP, 4.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 25 K/6 BB

Struck out club-record 11 in best outing of the season on Sunday.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

4 GS, 4-0, 22.2 IP, 0.40 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 28 K/14 B

Bauer has allowed only one earned run thus far; opposing hitters batting .158, but still needs to continue refining command.

Tyler Thornburg, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

4 GS, 1-0, 22.1 IP, 2.01 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 26 K/4 BB

Coming off shortest outing of the season on April 21: 4 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 K, 1 BB; lack of ground balls a bit worrisome.

A.J. Griffin, RHP, Oakland Athletics

4 GS, 1-0, 23.2 IP, 1.52 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 30 K/4 BB

The 6’5” right-hander picked up first win in his fourth straight quality start to open the season.

Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners

3 GS, 2-0, 16 IP, 2.25 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 21 K/5 BB

Leading a very talented Double-A Jackson staff; appears to be the beginning of a terrific season.

Andrew Carraway, RHP, Seattle Mariners

4 GS, 2-0, 22.1 IP, 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 20 K/3 BB

Unsung hero of Double-A Jackson staff who’s obscured by power trio of Walker-Hultzen-Paxton.

Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

3 GS, 0-2, 17.1 IP, 3.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 27 K/3 BB

Coming off a 12-strikeout performance over 6.1 innings; 2.00 GB/FB.

Shawn Tolleson, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

5 G, 3 saves, 6.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.45 WHIP, 13 K/0 BB

Potential lights-out bullpen arm; Dodgers may have to make room in their bullpen for him in the near future.

High-A

Andrew Chafin, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

4 GS, 2-0, 20.2 IP, 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 33 K/5 BB

Showing excellent command while leading California League in strikeouts; proving to be another elite arm in uber-talented Diamondbacks system.

Tony Cingrani, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

3 GS, 1-1, 17 IP, 0.53 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 20 K/4 BB

The 6’4” left-hander is off to great start in first full professional season; .140 BAA.

Chris Reed, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

4 GS, 1-2, 22 IP, 3.68 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 25 K/8 BB

Latest start on April 22: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 8 K, 0 BB.

Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

4 GS, 1-1, 21.1 IP, 2.95 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 25 K/3 BB

Talented right-hander off to a great start in his first full season.

Cody Buckel, RHP, Texas Rangers

4 GS, 2-0, 21.1 IP, 0.70 WHIP, 29 K/8 BB

Offseason throwing program with Trevor Bauer paying huge dividends.

Andre Rienzo, RHP, Chicago White Sox

4 GS, 3-0, 25 IP, 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 31 K/7 BB

Brazilian right-hander has been equally effective against right- and left-handed hitters due to ability to amass both strikeouts and ground balls.

Jed Bradley, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers

4 GS, 2-1, 24 IP, 1.50 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 23 K/4 BB

Stats were even better before Monday’s start: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 5 K, BB.

Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

3 GS, 0-1, 13.2 IP, 2.63 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 18 K/2 BB

Pirates finally loosening the leash on their top prospect, and the early results have been excellent.

Low-A

Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

4 GS, 2-1, 21 IP, 1.71 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 26 K/11 BB

Has been superb despite recent start in which he issued five walks over five innings; opposing hitters batting .119.

Michael Jensen, RHP, Chicago Cubs

4 GS, 3-1, 24 IP, 1.50 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 18 K/5 BB

Has limited opposing hitters to a .148 average while registering a 2.47 GB/FB.

Matt Barnes, RHP, Boston Red Sox

3 GS, 2-0, 16 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 25 K/2 BB

First-rounder has been dominant to open the season; set for pitching duel on Tuesday against Dylan Bundy.

Adam Conley, LHP, Miami Marlins

4 GS, 2-0, 20 IP, 0.90 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 23 K/5 BB

Hits his spots and pounds lower-half of the strike zone.

Jose Campos, RHP, New York Yankees

4 GS, 3-0, 22 IP, 1.23 ERA, 0.82 ERA, 23 K/5 BB

Pineda has been shut down while Campos is simply shutting down opposing hitters.

Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami Marlins

3 GS, 1-0, 17 IP, 2.12 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 25 K/6 BB

Has fanned at least seven in each of his three starts.

Nicholas Tropeano, RHP, Houston Astros

2 GS, 1-0, 19 IP, 0.47 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 27 K/5 BB

The 6’4” right-hander has struck out at least eight in each of his starts while registering a 1.70 FB/GB rate.

Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

3 GS, 9 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0 H, 15 K/1 BB

Possibly the most spectacular professional debut I’ve ever witnessed; going to have a look myself this weekend for his start at Delmarva.