MLB Prospects: Hottest Pitching Prospects at Every Minor League Level

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

Considering that July’s signing deadline for draft picks has come and gone, I decided to include those prospects playing in Class-A Short Season and Rookie-level affiliates.

So, here are some of the hottest pitchers at every minor league level.

Triple-A

Dan Straily, RHP, Oakland Athletics

3-2, 41 IP, 1.10 ERA, .125 BAA, 54 K/13 BB (6 GS)

From pop-up prospect to one of the top pitching prospects in the minors. Big-league ready.

Matt Harvey, RHP, New York Mets

7-5, 110 IP, 3.68 ERA, .233 BAA, 112 K/48 BB (20 GS)

Will make his highly anticipated major league debut on Thursday.

Tyler Cloyd, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

9-1, 102.1 IP, 2.11 ERA, .215 BAA, 67 K/25 BB (16 GS)

Deserves a call-up this season and is essentially a lock for the organization's pitching prospect of the year.

Cory Burns, RHP, San Diego Padres

1-2, 2 SV, 59.1 IP, 2.88 ERA, .205 BAA, 71 K/15 BB (48 G)

Has been nails in Triple-A bullpen and could be called upon in the near future.

Jeurys Familia, RHP, New York Mets

7-5, 95.2 IP, 4.33 ERA, .253 BAA, 87 K/56 BB (20 GS)

Last three starts: 2-0, 20.2 IP, 2 ER, 20 K/4 BB

Double-A

Zack Wheeler, RHP, New York Mets

9-5, 105.1 IP, 2.99 ERA, .213 BAA, 101 K/39 BB (17 GS)

Has been dominant this season, except for his most recent start on July 20: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 8 ER, 6 K/3 BB

Johnny Hellweg, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

5-9, 118.1 IP, 3.12 ERA, .240 BAA, 87 K/58 BB (20 GS)

The 6’9” right-hander continues to improve as the season progresses. He's sporting a 1.55 ERA and .192 BAA over 29 innings in July.

Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Boston Red Sox

3-4, 75.2 IP, 5.00 EA, .278 BAA, 54 K/24 BB (14 GS)

Last two starts: 14 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 13 K/1 BB

Jarred Cosart, RHP, Houston Astros

5-5, 87 IP, 3.52 ERA, .250 BAA, 68 K/38 BB (15 GS)

He's having a solid season, but I'm still wondering where all the strikeouts went.

Tony Cingrani, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

5-1, 49 IP, 1.29 ERA, .182 BAA, 52 K/17 BB (8 GS)

Continues to dominate with two plus pitches (fastball and changeup). I still think he’ll need to develop a solid-average breaking ball.

High-A

Nick Maronde, LHP, Los Angeles Angels

2-1, 53 IP, 1.87 ERA, .180 BAA, 52 K/14 BB (9 GS)

His last three starts since returning from disabled list: 18 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 17 K/5 BB

Nathan Karns, RHP, Washington Nationals

6-2, 52.2 IP, 1.88 ERA, .145 BAA, 61 K/17 BB (9 GS)

Fired six no-hit innings on July 21. Last two outings: 2-0, 12 IP, H, 0 ER, 8 K/2 BB

Jesse Biddle, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies

6-4, 101 IP, 3.21 ERA, .245 BAA, 104 K/39 BB (19 GS)

The left-hander is emerging as the Phillies’ top prospect.

Alex Meyer, RHP, Washington Nationals

1-0, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 7 K/1 BB (1 GS)

The 6’9” right-hander was dominant in his first start since promotion to High-A Potomac.

Sean Nolin, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays

7-0, 72.2 IP, 2.35 ERA, .232 BAA, 73 K/17 BB (13 GS)

His excellent command has led to consistent success this season.

Low-A

A.J. Cole, RHP, Oakland Athletics

4-2, 59.2 IP, 2.11 ERA, .226 BAA, 68 K/11 BB (12 GS)

Has found both command and success since demotion to Low-A.

Charlie Lowell, LHP, Miami Marlins

5-4, 91 IP, 3.66 ERA, .199 BAA, 106 K/46 BB (18 GS)

He's fresh off a seven-inning no-hitter and is missing bats with consistency.

Justin Nicolino, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays

6-2, 83.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, .255 BAA, 86 K/13 BB (20 G; 14 GS)

Continues to deal as part of the Blue Jays’ Low-A trio (Aaron Sanchez and Noah Syndergaard the others).

Domingo Tapia, RHP, New York Mets

5-2, 73 IP, 3.45 ERA, .231 BAA, 62 K/21 BB (14 GS)

Coming off arguably his best start of the season on Sunday: 7 IP, H, 0 ER, 8 K/2 BB

Jake Barrett, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

0-1, 4 SV, 13.2 IP, 3.29 ERA, .128 BAA, 15 K/4 BB (13 G)

The 2012 draft pick could be fast-tracked to the major leagues.

Class-A Short Season

Aaron West, RHP, Houston Astros

4-0, 30.2 IP, 0.88 ERA, .142 BAA, 26 K/2 BB (6 GS)

The 2012 17^th rounder has exhibited excellent command, and the results are there.

Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

0-1, 20 IP, 0.90 ERA, .167 BAA, 19 K/2 BB (5 GS)

He's clearly too good for the level. He could see a promotion in the near future.

Luis Heredia, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

1-1, 29 IP, 1.86 ERA, .248 BAA, 17 K/7 BB (6 GS)

Highly encouraging results from the 17-year-old right-hander.

Nick Wittgren, RHP, Miami Marlins

9 SV, 15 IP, 0.60 ERA, .193 BAA, 23 K/1 BB (11 G)

Outstanding control of a power arsenal.

Brandon Alger, LHP, San Diego Padres

3-0, 20 IP, 0.00 ERA, .134 BAA, 19 K/1 BB (7 G; 3 GS)

Pop-up prospect turning in a strong professional debut.

Rookie

Sam Selman, LHP, Kansas City Royals

3-0, 26.1 IP, 2.05 ERA, .221 BAA, 35 K/7 BB (6 G; 5 GS)

The 2012 draft pick has 24 strikeouts in last 16.1 innings.

Blake Snell, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays

3-1, 32.1 IP, 0.84 ERA, .157 BAA, 36 K/11 BB (7 GS)

The left-hander has not allowed an earned run in five of seven starts.

Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

1-0, 30.2 IP, 2.05 ERA, .195 BAA, 37 K/8 BB (7 GS)

The 2011 first-rounder is enjoying an outstanding professional debut.

Kyle Zimmer, RHP, Kansas City Royals

1-0, 10 IP, 0.90 ERA, .152 BAA, 13 K/0 BB (3 GS)

May be a short-lived stay in the Arizona league.

Max Fried, LHP, San Diego Padres

0-1, 6.1 IP, 2.84 ERA, .200 BAA, 7 K/3 BB (4 GS)

He's been on a short leash, but he had yet to allow an earned run prior to July 18 start.