Examining the Hottest Pitching Prospects of the Arizona Fall League

After examining the hottest hitting prospects in the Arizona Fall League on Monday, today, as always, I’m back to highlight some of the top pitching performances.

However, I’m switching the format compared to the last installment, as it makes more sense to look at starters and relievers separately than all AFL pitchers as a whole.

So, here’s your weekly update on the most impressive pitchers so far in the Arizona Fall League.

Starters

Seth Blair, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals: 1-0, 9.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 15/6 K/BB (3 GS)

Missed four months this season after having a tumor removed from pitching hand; has fanned five batters in all three starts.

Kyle Gibson, RHP, Minnesota Twins: 3-0, 13 IP, 0.69 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 19/2 K/BB (3 GS)

Fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, the 6’4” right-hander is making an early case to open the 2013 season in the Twins’ starting rotation.

Bobby Cassevah, RHP, Los Angeles Angels: 1-0, 7 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, 4/2 K/BB (2 GS)

Has served as a reliever in the major leagues over the last three seasons, but is being lengthened out in the AFL.

Andre Rienzo, RHP, Chicago White Sox: 7 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 10/3 K/BB (2 GS)

Had a breakout campaign despite serving a 50-game suspension for PEDS and has turned in two sharp AFL starts.

Zeke Spruill, RHP, Atlanta Braves: 1-0, 8.2 IP, 1.04 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 6/4 K/BB (3 GS)

Posted a 3.67 ERA at Double-A this past season, but the Braves right-hander still allows too many baserunners.

T.J. House, RHP, Cleveland Indians: 8 IP, 1.13 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 8/3 K/BB (2 GS)

Right-hander posted a 3.98 ERA over 23 Double-A starts.

Jimmy Nelson, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: 1-0, 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 8/2 K/BB (3 G; 2 GS)

The 6’6” right-hander posted a 2.83 in 23 starts between High and Double-A; should make big league debut at some point in 2013.

Chase Anderson, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: 1-0, 9.2 IP, 2.79 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 11/5 K/BB (3 GS)

Twenty-five-year-old registered a 2.86 ERA and 97/25 K/BB in 104 innings at Double-A; allowed two baserunners with five strikeouts in last start.

Kyle Kaminska, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates: 1-1, 13 IP, 2.77 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 10/1 K/BB (3 GS)

6’4” right-hander pitched at three levels last season; allowed seven hits over four innings in last AFL start.

Kevin Siegrist, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals: 1-0, 6 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 9/0 K/BB (2 G; 1 GS)

6’5” left-hander posted a 2.77 ERA and .190 BAA in 18 games (15 starts) between High and Double-A in 2012; allowed two hits and fanned nine over six innings in first AFL start.

Robbie Erlin, LHP, San Diego Padres: 4.2 IP, 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 8/0 K/BB (1 GS)

Missed three months this season with elbow inflammation, but his excellent final month has carried into the fall.

Relievers

Nick Tropeano, RHP, Houston Astros: 7 IP, 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 9/2 K/BB (5 G)

Posted a 12-7 record and 3.02 ERA with 166/47 K/BB as a starter between Low and High-A; has pitched in five games as a reliever this fall.

Mark Montgomery, RHP, New York Yankees: 5 IP, 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9/3 K/BB (4 G)

Yankees’ future closer continues to pile up strikeouts after amassing 99 in 64.1 innings this past season between High and Double-A.

  

Kevin Rhoderick, RHP, Chicago Cubs : 5.2 IP, 1.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 9/1 K/BB (5 G)

Right-hander showing improved command after walking 47 in 57.2 innings at Double-A during the regular season.

Heath Hembree, RHP, San Francisco Giants: 1 SV, 4 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 8/0 K/BB (4 G)

Missed time during the regular season due to injury; otherwise, he’d have reached the major leagues; still profiles as a future set-up man or closer.

Kevin Quackenbush, RHP, San Diego Padres: 3 SV, 5 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.40 WHIP, 0 H, 7/2 K/BB (5 G)

One of the best relievers in the minors last year after posting a 0.94 ERA with 27 saves and 70/22 K/BB in 57.2 innings at High-A.

Coty Woods, RHP, Colorado Rockies : 1-0, 5 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.20 WHIP, 2/1 K/BB (4 G)

Has the potential to reach the majors next season after notching 27 saves and posting a 3.20 ERA in 61 games between Double and Triple-A.

C.J. Riefenhauser, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays : 7.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 6/1 K/BB (5 G)

The left-hander’s always possessed swing-and-miss stuff, but is still adjusting to a relief role.

Michael Tonkin, RHP, Minnesota Twins: 5.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 4/1 K/BB (4 G)

6’7” right-hander recorded 12 saves, 2.08 ERA and 97/20 K/BB in 69.1 innings between Low and High-A during the regular season.

Deck McGuire, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: 1-0, 5.1 IP, 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 6/2 K/BB (5 G)

Working as a reliever exclusively after a disappointing 2012 campaign that featured a 5-15 record, 5.88 ERA and .286 BAA.

Dan Runzler, , San Francisco Giants: 1-0, SV, 4 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 4/0 K/BB (5 G)

Has worked out of the Giants’ big league bullpen in each of the last four seasons with mixed results.