Top Prospects Who Are MLB's Future 100 MPH Flamethrowers
Velocity isn't everything. Control and off-speed pitches matter. When it comes to dominating at the MLB level, however, a triple-digit heater helps.
Who are the next radar-gun-singeing studs primed to blow the proverbial doors off opposing hitters?
Let's take a look at a half-dozen top-rated prospects who fit the bill based on pedigree and potential while closing our eyes and dreaming about their crackling fastballs.
Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
1 of 6Age: 19
ETA: 2019
An unheralded international signee out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, Sixto Sanchez has dominated in 174.2 minor league innings spread over three seasons and now ranks as the No. 11 pitching prospect in the game.
The 19-year-old sports a 2.47 ERA and has solid sinking action on a fastball that has been clocked in excess of 100 mph.
He needs to refine his changeup and breaking ball, but both have the makings of plus offerings. Once his repertoire is in place, the athletic Sanchez could be a force for the rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies.
He's been compared favorably to Pedro Martinez, which is about all you need to know.
"It was like he was a clone," a National League scout said of the Sanchez-Pedro comp, per Bleacher Report's Danny Knobler. "Physically, he looks like him. He has the same style of pitching, the same delivery. And for a young guy, I loved his poise and presence. For me, he is Pedro Martinez."
Hunter Greene, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
2 of 6
Age: 18
MLB.com Prospect Rank: 21
ETA: 2020
A unique talent with the skills to stick as a hitter or pitcher, Hunter Greene is on pace to impact the Cincinnati Reds starting rotation—and possibly their lineup—in the next few seasons.
The 18-year-old is in the initial stages of his learning curve, but as the second overall selection in the 2017 draft, he could rise quickly through the Reds system.
So far, it seems Cincinnati values his live arm above his bat. Word of both assets has spread to the highest level.
"He's like a mythical legend already, Hunter Greene," Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman said in July 2017, per B/R's Joon Lee. "People are already whispering about him: Did you see that guy throw 105 AND hit the ball 700 feet?"
Alex Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
3 of 6
Age: 23
MLB.com Prospect Rank: 17
ETA: 2018
Alex Reyes posted a 1.57 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 46 innings for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 while touching 100 mph with his fastball. Tommy John surgery ruptured his timeline, but he's back on track.
Reyes threw a bullpen session to minor leaguers Wednesday, per Joe Trezza of MLB.com, a positive step on his road to recovery.
"The guy can be a superstar in this league," Cardinals veteran Adam Wainwright said, per the Associated Press (h/t FoxSports.com). "I think he has humongous talent and will be one of the best pitchers in the game."
The Cards could use Reyes out of the bullpen or starting rotation. Assuming he suffers no setbacks, he'll be a key piece for St. Louis in 2018 and beyond.
.png?w=256)
Walker Buehler, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
4 of 6
Age: 23
MLB.com Prospect Rank: 12
ETA: 2018
A first-round pick (24th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2015 amateur draft, Walker Buehler posted a 3.35 ERA with 125 strikeouts in 88.2 innings while rising from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A in 2017.
He made his MLB debut in September and hit 100 mph. In 9.1 big league innings, he averaged 98.2 mph with his heater, tied for seventh-best in the game.
Last season was his first full year back after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers will be cautious with his development. They should also be excited about the possibility of making him the Robin to Clayton Kershaw's Batman, maybe as soon as late 2018.
"I have a new ligament," Buehler said, per Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. "I have a new arm. I have new kind of arsenal. It's a different world now."
Michael Kopech, RHP, Chicago White Sox
5 of 6
Age: 21
MLB.com Prospect Rank: 10
ETA: 2018
Michael Kopech wants to be a pitcher, not a thrower.
"I can throw a first-pitch strike with my fastball nine times out of 10, but the secondary stuff is what I'm really focusing on," the 21-year-old said in camp, per Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune.
Fair enough. It's a wise strategy for a kid who could soon front the Chicago White Sox rotation. At the same time, his fastball is a thing to behold.
As Bleacher Report's Scott Miller noted in a profile last March, Kopech once hit 110 mph during a throwing drill.
He won't attain that velocity on an MLB mound, but he managed 101 mph in his spring debut, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Needless to say, the radar guns will be cocked when the ChiSox call him up.
Shohei Ohtani, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
6 of 6
Age: 23
MLB.com Prospect Rank: 1
ETA: 2018
Shohei Ohtani didn't reach triple digits in his Cactus League debut with the Los Angeles Angels. In fact, his breaking balls drew the biggest reaction.
Maybe we're cheating by calling him a prospect after five seasons of pro ball in Japan, though he's technically the top prospect in the game, according to MLB.com.
Here's what we know: The 23-year-old Japanese star is capable of attaining the century mark with his fastball.
He threw the fastest pitch in the history of Nippon Professional Baseball, clocked at 101.9 mph, per MLB.com's Chris Landers.
Can he repeat the feat stateside, while also crushing home runs as the Halos designated hitter? Stay tuned.
All statistics courtesy of FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.
.png?w=480)
