MLB Prospects: The Top Pitchers Across All Minor League Levels

As the minor league baseball season progresses and an increasing number of prospects receive promotions for their strong performances, it’s important to note which players are dominating at their respective levels.

On Friday afternoon I looked at the top hitters across all levels in the minors, and today I thought that I’d follow it up by highlighting a large number of pitchers who continue to tear it up.

Having said that, here are the top pitchers this season across every minor league level, with an emphasis on those who have appeared in my prospect rankings or are making a case to do so in the next updated installment.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Triple-A)

10-1, 80.1 IP, 1.79 ERA, .201 BAA, 102 K/40 BB (13 GS)

Continues to absolutely dominate hitters in the Pacific Coast League, which is no easy feat. We could see him in Arizona at the end of this month.

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City Royals (Triple-A)

7-2, 66.1 IP, 2.85 ERA, .220 BAA, 74 K/19 BB (11 GS)

Both he and Wil Myers have been thriving since their simultaneous promotion from Double- to Triple-A. Expect to see him in the big leagues this season.

Donnie Joseph, LHP, Cincinnati Reds (Triple-A)

32.1 IP, 14 SV, 0.84 ERA, .121 BAA, 48 K/8 BB (27 G)

Dominated at Double-A and made his Triple-A debut on Sunday.

Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets (Double-A)

6-2, 59.2 IP, 1.66 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 67 K/25 BB (10 GS)

Wheeler has lasted at least seven innings and struck out at least seven in each of his last four starts. Don't expect to see him until some point in 2013.

Daniel Rosenbaum, LHP, Washington Nationals (Double-A)

7-2, 84 IP, 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 52 K/13 BB (12 GS)

He’s cooled off as of late but is still putting together a remarkable season.

Danny Hultzen, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Double-A)

7-3, 70.1 IP, 1.28 ERA, .145 BAA, 75 K/31 BB (12 GS)

One of the hottest pitchers in all the minor leagues, Hultzen has allowed five earned runs in his last 60.2 innings pitched.

Tyler Thornburg, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers (Double-A)

8-1, 75 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 71 K/24 BB (13 GS)

He's having an impressive season but tends to struggle with runners on base—0.63 ERA with nobody on base.

Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Double-A)

4-2, 53.1 IP, 3.04 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 55 K/20 BB (11 GS)

Not bad for a 19-year-old, right?

Barret Loux, RHP, Texas Rangers (Double-A)

11-0, 67.1 IP, 2.81 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 62 K/24 BB (12 GS)

Has only allowed more than three earned runs in one of his last 10 starts.

Tony Cingrani, LHP, Cincinnati Reds (Double-A)

6-1, 69.1 IP, 1.17 ERA, .194 BAA, 85 K/17 BB (12 GS)

Promotion to Double-A hasn’t slowed down the left-hander. He's demonstrating exceptional command while striking out opposing hitters at a high rate.

Donn Roach, RHP, San Diego Padres (High-A)

10-1, 82.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 4.30 GB/FB, 66 K/13 BB (12 GS)

Arguably the best ground-ball pitcher in the minor leagues.

David Holmberg, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Double-A)

6-3, 78.1 IP, 2.99 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 86 K/14 BB (12 GS)

His outstanding performance at High-A just earned him a promotion to Double-A.

Andrew Chafin, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (High-A)

3-2, 69 IP, 3.78 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 90 K/29 BB (12 GS)

Another talented Diamondbacks left-hander who leads all High-A pitchers with 90 strikeouts.

Mark Montgomery, RHP, New York Yankees (High-A)

4-1, 8 SV, 28.2 IP, 1.26 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 46 K/9 BB (20 G)

In my opinion, he’s the Yankees’ future closer. He boasts a 14.44 K/9.

Cody Buckel, RHP, Texas Rangers (High-A)

4-3, 69.2 IP, 1.42 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 86 K/24 BB (12 GS)

Has been both incredibly impressive and consistent and is due for a promotion to Double-A.

Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (High-A)

4-1, 62 IP, 2.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 62 K/19 BB (12 GS)

Last year’s No. 1 overall pick isn’t striking out hitters as I expected, but he’s shown improvement in his command.

Jesse Biddle, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies (High-A)

3-3, 60.1 IP, 2.98 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 70 K/21 BB (12 GS)

One of the hottest pitchers in the minors over the last month, Biddle has posted impressive strikeout rates and worked deep into games.

Matt Barnes, RHP, Boston Red Sox (High-A)

6-1, 67.2 IP, 0.93 ERA, .180 BAA, 86 K/11 BB (12 GS)

Outside of Dylan Bundy, Barnes has been the most impressive pitcher in the minors this season.

Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (High-A)

3-1, 45 IP, 1.00 ERA, .122 BAA, 58 K/6 BB (11 GS)

His legend continues to grow; three of his six walks came in his last start.

Adys Portillo, RHP, San Diego Padres (Low-A)

4-3, 60.2 IP, 1.78 ERA, .170 BAA, 56 K/27 BB (12 GS)

Portillo is coming off his worst start of the year in which he surrendered five runs, though only one of them was earned.

Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami Marlins (Low-A)

6-0, 67 IP, 1.34 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 85 K/16 BB (12 GS)

Another 2011 first-rounder doing remarkable things in his first full professional season, Fernandez leads the South Atlantic League in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts.

Mike Foltynewicz, RHP, Houston Astros (Low-A)

8-1, 78.1 IP, 2.07 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 61 K/29 BB (13 GS)

After a dismal 2011 season, the right-hander is starting to put things together.

Nicholas Tropeano, RHP, Houston Astros (Low-A)

5-3, 70.1 IP, 2.82 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 82 K/16 BB (11 GS)

Tropeano has fanned at least eight in five of his last 10 starts. The Stony Brook alumnus has to be ecstatic about the team’s College World Series berth.

Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Low-A)

5-0, 41 IP, 0.66 ERA, .149 BAA, 3.53 GB/FB, 47 K/21 BB (12 G; 6 GS)

Still on a short leash; only way guys are reaching base is if he walks them.

Justin Nicolino, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Low-A)

2-0, 43 IP, 1.47 ERA, .226 BAA, 39 K/5 BB (12 G; 6 GS)

Excellent command; switches off starting and relieving games with teammate Aaron Sanchez.

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