Breaking Down the 20 Hottest Arizona Fall League Pitching Prospects

After highlighting the top hitters of the Arizona Fall League yesterday afternoon, I thought that I’d follow-up today with a look at the league’s top arms thus far.

Until his start on Monday, the Twins’ Kyle Gibson was the talk of the league after three excellent outings to begin the fall. However, his recent shelling has shed light on some of the other notable pitching performances throughout the league.

So, here’s a look at the Arizona Fall League’s 10 hottest pitching prospects—both starters and relievers.

Starters

Chase Anderson, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: 2-0, 13.2 IP, 3.29 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 19/5 K/BB (4 GS)

6’1” right-hander quietly had a breakout season at Double-A, and fanned eight batters over four innings in his last AFL start.

Seth Blair, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals: 2-0, 13.1 IP, 0.68 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 18/8 K/BB (4 GS)

23-year-old right-hander showing slightly improved command and has struck out five batters in three of four starts.

Bobby Cassevah, RHP, Los Angels Angels: 2-0, 16 IP, 0.56 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 11/4 K/BB (4 GS)

Yes, he’s pitched with the Angels in each of the last three seasons, but until the AFL, Cassevah hadn’t started a professional game since 2006.

Ryan Perry, RHP, Washington Nationals: 1-0, 14 IP, 4.50 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 12/4 K/BB (4 GS)

Working his way back to the major leagues as a starter, Perry has been lights-out in his last two starts: 9 IP, H, 0 ER, 7/0 K/BB.

Kyle Kaminska, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates: 2-1, 18 IP, 2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 16/1 K/BB (4 GS)

Continued his strong fall by firing a gem on Oct. 29: (W), 5 IP, H, 0 ER, 6/0 K/BB.

T.J. House, LHP, Cleveland Indians: 2-0, 17 IP, 1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 18/6 K/BB (4 GS)

Fresh off his best start of the fall on Wednesday: (W) 4 IP, H, 4/1 K/BB.

Boone Whiting, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals: 2-1, 13.1 IP, 2.03 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 14/5 K/BB (4 GS)

The 23-year-old right-hander has extraordinary command—224/34 K/BB in 208.2 career minor league innings—and a deceptive delivery, though nothing in his arsenal is overpowering. I’m interested to see how he fares at Double-A next year.

Kevin Siegrist, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals: 1-1, 12 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 15/2 K/BB (4 G; 3 GS)

If you remove his ugly Oct. 24 start (2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER), the left-hander’s AFL stats are as follows: 10 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 13/1 K/BB.

Jimmy Nelson, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: 1-1, 11 IP, 4.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 12/3 K/BB (4 G; 3 GS)

After three solid starts to begin the fall, the 6’6”, 245-pound right-hander has struggled in back-to-back starts against Surprise: 1-1, 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8/6 K/BB.

Kyle Gibson, RHP, Minnesota Twins: 3-1, 15 IP, 4.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 20/3 K/BB (4 GS)

Making up for lost time due to Tommy John surgery, the 25-year-old right-hander allowed one earned run over his first three starts. And then there was his fourth start of Monday: (L) 2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 1/1 K/BB.

Relievers

Kevin Quackenbush, RHP, San Diego Padres: 4 SV, 7 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0 H, 11/2 K/BB (7 G)

6’3” right-hander has tallied four saves and 11 strikeouts over seven appearances without allowing a hit(!).

Mark Montgomery, RHP, New York Yankees: 1 SV, 8.1 IP, 1.08 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 15/4 K/BB (7 G)

Montgomery is nasty—really nasty—with a low- to mid-90s fastball and plus-plus slider; last five AFL appearances: 6 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 10/3 K/BB.

James Simmons, RHP, Oakland Athletics : 7.1 IP, 1.23 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, 6/3 K/BB (8 G)

Even though he’s allowed an earned run in 7.1 AFL frames, the 26-year-old right-hander is yet to give up a base hit.

Nick Tropeano, RHP, Houston Astros: 9 IP, 3.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 10/3 K/BB (7 G)

6’4” right-hander has pitched out of the bullpen this fall, but was sharp in his first AFL start today: 2 IP, H, 4 K.

Jimmy Reyes, LHP, Texas Rangers : 1-0, 8 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 6/0 K/BB (6 G)

Undersized left-handed pitcher who knows how to get outs; is yet to allow an earned run this fall after posting a 2.44 ERA with 71/16 K/BB for High-A Myrtle Beach.

Johnny Hellweg, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: 1 SV, 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 5/7 K/BB (6 G)

The 6’9” right-hander continues to struggle with his control and allows too many baserunners, but is aided by a high ground-ball rate.

Heath Hembree, RHP, San Francisco Giants: 1 SV, 6 IP, 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 10/2 K/BB (6 G)

Hembree has the size and arsenal to close games, but he gives up too many hits and is prone to big innings.

Michael Tonkin, RHP, Minnesota Twins: 1-0, 7.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 6/1 K/BB (6 G)

6’7” right-hander is a presence on the mound with an overpowering but raw arsenal; yet to allow an earned run this fall.

C.J. Riefenhauser, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays: 10.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 10/3 K/BB (7 G)

6’ left-hander moved to the bullpen full-time this season; capable of posting favorable strikeout-to-walk rate, but continues to be plagued by the long ball.

Carson Smith, RHP, Seattle Mariners : 1-0, 10.1 IP, 0.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 9/2 K/BB (7 G)

The 6’6” right-hander throws a heavy, mid-90s fastball and registers heaps of groundouts and strikeouts; secondary pitches are fringy but has a late-inning, power arm.