MLB Prospects: 5 Red-Hot Pitchers at Every Minor League Level

With the second half of the 2012 minor league season underway and numerous top prospects from each organization having already received a promotion, it’s time to once again take a look at some of the hottest pitchers from each minor league level.

I’ve decided not include those prospects playing in either Low-A Short Season or Rookie-level leagues, as those seasons are no more than 20 games deep and therefore provide too small of a sample size.

So, here are the top pitchers at each minor league level, including those who have recently received a promotion to a higher level.

Triple-A

Tyler Cloyd, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

8-1, 84 IP, 2.15 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 57 K/18 BB (13 GS)

A finesse pitcher who’s had a lot of success this season and seems poised for a potential late-season call-up

Matt Harvey, RHP, New York Mets

7-4, 98 IP, 3.39 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 102 K/42 BB (18 GS)

He’s pitched extremely over his last 10 starts: 56.1 IP, 2.72 ERA, .210 BAA, 64 K/24 BB

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City Royals

5-0, 48 IP, 2.83 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 45 K/16 BB (8 GS)

Will make his debut later this season, but for the time being is refining his command at Triple-A

Duente Heath, RHP, Chicago White Sox

4-2, 1 SV, 42.1 IP, 1.70 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 46 K/10 BB (22 G; 3 GS)

With all the White Sox relievers making their big-league debut as of late, one would have to think that Heath is next in line.

Dan Straily, RHP, Oakland

2-1, 19 IP, 1.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 26 K/8 BB (3 GS)

One of the top strikeout artists in the minors, the recent promotion to Triple-A hasn’t slowed down Straily.

Double-A

Carter Capps, RHP, Mariners

2-2, 14 SV, 40.2 IP, 1.11 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 60 K/10 BB (30 G)

A power arm with swing-and-miss stuff could see some time in the Mariners bullpen later this season.

Tony Cingrani, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

3-1, 36 IP, 1.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 47 K/12 BB (6 GS)

Although he relies on a plus fastball-changeup combo, he’s still been highly effective since the promotion to Double-A.

Robbie Erlin, LHP, San Diego Padres

2-1, 33.2 IP, 2.67 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 45 K/10 BB (7 GS)

He’s been too hittable over his first seven starts this season, but the swing-and-miss stuff is still there.

Hiram Burgos, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

4-1, 61.1 IP, 2.05 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 61 K/24 BB (10 GS)

The top-performing prospect in the Brewers’ system thus far, Burgos is enjoying a breakout season.

Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets

8-4, 92.2 IP, 2.62 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 87 K/35 BB (15 GS)

Still having a tremendous year, but one of baseball’s top pitching prospects has struggled a bit as of late.

High-A

Mark Montgomery, RHP, New York Yankees

4-1, 12 SV, 37.2 IP, 1.43 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 55 K/14 BB (28 G)

Has closer stuff; it’s just a matter of how quickly the Yankees choose to move him through the system.

Sean Nolin, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays

7-0, 72.2 IP, 2.35 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 73 K/17 BB (13 GS)

One of a number of immensely talented pitchers staggered across Class-A levels within Blue Jays’ system.

Rob Worth, RHP, Washington Nationals

1-4, 5 SV, 37.1 IP, 2.41 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 62 K/13 BB (25 G)

Hard-throwing right-hander with minor-league leading 14.95 K/9 could quickly find himself in a big-league bullpen.

Yordano Ventura, RHP, Kansas City Royals

3-5, 76.1 IP, 3.30 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 98 K/28 BB (16 GS)

Having a huge rebound season while racking up strikeouts and minimizing baserunners.

Aaron Northcraft, RHP, Atlanta Braves

8-4, 93 IP, 3.39 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 94 K/37 BB (16 GS)

A pop-up prospect for the Braves fresh off a seven-inning no-hitter.

Low-A

Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

7-0, 57 IP, 0.63 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 62 K/30 BB (16 G; 9 GS)

His stuff is incredible; now he just needs to improve his command. Part of elite trio with Noah Syndergaard and Justin Nicolino.

Mike Tonkin, RHP, Minnesota Twins

3-0, 6 SV, 39 IP, 1.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 53 K/9 BB (22 G)

6’7” right-hander has big-time stuff with impeccable command.

Henry Owens, LHP, Boston Red Sox

8-2, 59 IP, 5.52 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 85 K/28 BB (12 GS)

Ignore the ERA and WHIP and focus on the left-hander’s K-to-BB rate.

Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

5-2, 59 IP, 3.22 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 76 K/17 BB (17 G; 10 GS)

Like Sanchez, part of Blue Jays’ talented Low-A staff that’s carving up Midwest League hitters.

A.J. Cole, RHP, Oakland Athletics

4-1, 44.1 IP, 2.44 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 52 K/9 BB (9 GS)

Has found himself since demotion from High- to Low-A, and doing a much better job locating pitches down in the zone.