MLB Prospects: Hottest Pitching Prospects at Every Minor League Level

Throughout minor league baseball, the week following Labor Day signifies the start of the 2012 postseason. For most levels, including Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A, the playoff schedule begins on either Sept. 4 or 5. The playoffs for Class-A Short-Season began on Monday while the rookie level affiliates begin on Friday, Sept. 7.

Therefore, the stats for the upper-level prospects contained within this final regular season edition of the “Hottest Pitchers at Every Minor League Level,” are final. Moving forward, all playoff statistics will be noted as such. And for those who may have missed it, here is yesterday’s article on the top hitters.

Triple-A

Sonny Gray, RHP, Oakland Athletics: 6-9, 152 IP, 4.26 ERA, .271 BAA, 99 K/58 BB (27  GS)

Recently promoted to Triple-A and could possibly aid the A’s bullpen later this month.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: 12-2, 130.1 IP, 2.42 ERA, .223 BAA, 157 K/61 BB (22 GS)

The right-hander will be back in the major leagues following the conclusion of the Triple-A playoffs.

Bruce Rondon, RHP, Detroit Tigers: 2-1, 29 SV, 53 IP, 1.53 ERA, .172 BAA, 66/26 BB (52 G)

Another likely September call-up, but he needs to cut down on the walks.

Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates: 9-7, 132 IP, 2.80 ERA, .230 BAA, 136 K/45 BB (26 GS)

First Triple-A start: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 7 K, 1 BB

Jarred Cosart, RHP, Houston Astros: 6-7, 114.2 IP, 3.30 ERA, .250 BAA, 2.01 GB/FB, 92 K/51 BB (21 G; 20 GS)

Since promotion to Triple-A: 27.2 IP, 2.60 ERA, .250 BAA, 24 K/13 BB (6 G; 5 GS)

Double-A

Cody Buckel, RHP, Texas Rangers: 10-8, 144.2 IP, 2.49 ERA, .206 BAA, 159 K/48 BB (26 G; 23 GS)

Last four starts: 2-0, 21.2 IP, 15 H, 2 ER, 26 K, 4 BB

Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: 6-6, 121 IP, 4.39 ERA, .271 BAA, 103 K/32 BB (25 GS)

After struggling following promotion to Double-A, the right-hander has found his groove over his last four starts: 3-0, 24 IP, 15 H, 3 ER, 21 K, 6 BB.

Ethan Martin, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies: 13-6, 157.2 IP, 3.48 ERA, .212 BAA, 147 K/79 BB (27 GS)

Since joining the Phillies: 5-0, 39.2 IP, 3.18 ERA, .206 BAA, 35 K/18 BB (7 GS) 

Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates: 9-8, 142 IP, 3.55 ERA, .225 BAA, 116 K/38 BB (26 GS)

Has been dominant in three starts at Double-A: 3-0, 17 IP, 1.59 ERA, .183 BAA, 18 K, 1 BB.

Matt Magill, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: 11-8, 146.1 IP, 3.75 ERA, .232 BAA, 168 K/61 BB (26 GS)

Last 10 games: 62 IP, 2.90 ERA, .200 BAA, 74 K/15 BB.

High-A

Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami Marlins: 14-1, 134 IP, 1.75 ERA, .191 BAA, 158 K/35 BB (25 GS)

In my opinion, the right-hander should be the minor league pitcher of the year.

Alex Meyer, RHP, Washington Nationals: 10-6, 129 IP, 2.86 ERA, .211 BAA, 139 K/45 BB (25 GS)

Right-hander has been shut down after reaching his innings limit.

Jesse Biddle, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies: 10-6, 142.2 IP, 3.22 ERA, .237 BAA, 151 K/54 BB (26 GS)

Last four games: 3-0, 26 IP, 14 H, 6 ER, 29 K, 7 BB.

Tyler Wilson, RHP, Baltimore Orioles: 10-10, 143 IP, 3.84 ERA, .233 BAA, 143 K/30 BB (25 GS)

Last three starts: 22 IP, 11 H, 3 ER, 32 K, 0 BB.

Rob Wort, RHP, Washington Nationals: 2-4, 13 SV, 56.2 IP, 2.38 ERA, .204 BAA, 95 K/19 BB (40 G)

Strikeout artist who could be fast-tracked to major leagues in 2013.

Low-A

Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: 8-5, 103.2 IP, 2.60 ERA, .212 BAA, 122 K/31 BB (27 G; 19 GS)

Last 10 games: 45 IP, 1.80 ERA, .179 BAA, 46 K/14 BB.

Clayton Blackburn, RHP, San Francisco Giants: 8-4, 131.1 IP, 2.54 ERA, .232 BAA, 143 K/18 BB (22 GS)

He flew under the radar headed into the 2012 season, but that won’t happen again next year.

A.J. Cole, RHP, Oakland Athletics: 6-10, 133.2 IP, 3.70 ERA, .267 BAA, 133 K/29 BB (27 GS)

Since demotion to Low-A earlier this season: 6-3, 95.2 IP, 2.07 ERA, .222 BAA, 102 K/19 BB (19 GS).

Kyle Crick, RHP, San Francisco Giants: 7-6, 111.1 IP, 2.51 ERA, .193 BAA, 128 K/67 BB (23 G; 22 GS):

He’s been tough to square up, but walks can be a problem.

Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: 12-6, 136 IP, 3.84 ERA, .181 BAA, 152 K/84 BB (27 GS)

Has allowed almost as many walks (84) and hits (87).

Class-A Short-Season

Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: 1-2, 52 IP, 1.04 ERA, .186 BAA, 45 K/5 BB (12 GS)

Dominant professional debut with only five walks in over 50 innings.

Taylor Cole, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: 6-0, 66.1 IP, 0.81 ERA, .161 BAA, 57 K/17 BB (12 G; 11 GS)

Last 10 games: 5-0, 55.1 IP, 0.81 ERA, .141 BAA, 48 K/14 BB.

Luis Mateo, RHP, New York Mets: 4-5, 73.1 IP, 2.45 ERA, .210 BAA, 85 K/9 BB (12 GS)

He’s 22, but the results speak for themselves; he struggles to get left-handers out (4.91 ERA).

Gabriel Ynoa, RHP, New York Mets: 5-2, 76.2 IP, 2.23 ERA, .213 BAA, 64 K/10 BB (13 GS)

Last five starts: 28.2 IP, 26 H, 4 ER, 27 K, 3 BB.

Rookie

Jose Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins: 3-0, 30.2 IP, 1.17 ERA, .140 BAA, 49 K/4 BB (11 G; 4 GS)

Arguably the most dominant pitching debut of 2012 draftees.

Blake Snell, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays: 5-1, 47.1 IP, 2.09 ERA, .202 BAA, 53 K/17 BB (11 GS)

Appalachian League pitcher of the year.

Sam Selman, LHP, Kansas City Royals: 5-4, 60.1 IP, 2.09 ERA, .204 BAA, 89 K/22 BB (13 G; 12 GS)

Pioneer League pitcher of the year.

Eddie Butler, RHP, Colorado Rockies: 7-1, 67.2 IP, 2.13 ERA, .230 BAA, 55 K/13 BB (13 G; 12 GS)

Last four starts: 2-0, 24.2 IP, 19 H, 2 ER, 21 K, 5 BB.

Tyler Pike, LHP, Seattle Mariners: 2-1, 50.2 IP, 1.78 ERA, .193 BAA, 57 K/21 BB (11 GS)

Last three starts: 23 K, 6 BB.