With the first month of the season coming to a close, let’s look at some of the top pitching prospects and how they rank for the 2014 season. Only one of these players is currently pitching in the Big Leagues, so fantasy owners will want to soak up this information to gain an advantage later this season. A call-up is imminent for all of the other players mentioned below and each has a very bright future.
Yordano Ventura, KC SP
Fantasy owners have already seen why Ventura is atop this list, as the 22-year-old dazzled hitters while allowing just one run in his first two starts this season. He got touched up for four earned runs in as many innings in his next time out against the Minnesota Twins, but some regression is expected. He recently bounced back in his most recent outing and after four starts, the righty is 2-1 with a 1.80 earned run average and 27 punch-outs in 25 innings.
The Dominican made his Major League debut last season as a September call-up and had pedestrian numbers over three starts. He earned a spot in the Royals’ rotation out of camp and has front-line starter-type potential. Ventura features a powerful fastball that can reach 100 mph, and is consistently around 97 even deep into his pitch count, which he offsets with a changeup that sits in the mid-80s. He will mix in the occasional curveball to keep hitters guessing and they do look foolish if the trio of pitches is locked in.
Taijuan Walker, Sea SP
A nagging shoulder has kept the Mariners’ top prospect from pitching so far in 2014 and it could be another few weeks before we see him out there. Walker has resumed throwing and will be closely monitored by team doctors before needing multiple rehab starts before joining the big club. He has a very high ceiling for the long-term, with a chance of being relative in all fantasy formats at some point this season.
The 21-year-old also made his debut late last season and had three starts (1-0, 3.60 ERA in 15 innings) before being shut down for the year. Walker has four pitches he throws with regularity – a mid-90s fastball, a low-90s cutter, a curveball with good movement and a changeup that is still a work in progress. He will need to improve his command of the curveball to really progress into a solid No. 2 starter behind the staff ace, Felix Hernandez.
Archie Bradley, Ari SP
There are a lot of expectations being put on this Oklahoman right-hander and he has run into some trouble already in Triple-A. Bradley allowed a combined seven earned runs over his past two outings and didn’t make it out of the fifth frame both times. This coming after the former No. 5 overall pick in 2011 was marvelous in 2013 with a 12-5 mark and 1.97 ERA in 21 starts in Double-A.
Bradley will bounce back from his recent struggles and the hype is real as there will be many All-Star games in his future. The D-Backs will likely make the call for their top prospect sometime in June of July and he will be a must-add in almost all fantasy leagues. The young hurler’s high leg kick reminds you of Nolan Ryan and his sinking fastball can produce a lot of ground balls while the 12-to-6 curveball can be miss bats often.
Trevor Bauer, Cle SP
We first saw Bauer in the Big Leagues in 2012 and again last season as he posted a combined 2-4 record and a 5.67 ERA in eight starts. He was already brought up this season to start the second game of a doubleheader against San Diego and took the loss allowing four hits and one earned run in six frames. The former No. 3 overall pick in 2011 has looked very sharp in Triple-A this year and a call up is imminent, especially with multiple starters struggling right now.
Bauer’s velocity is up a couple miles per hour from last season and he has electric stuff that can translate into a solid fantasy producer this year. He added a splitter to his arsenal that includes a mid-90s fastball, slider, curve and changeup. Look for the 23-year-old to be with the Indians within a month and he will be an automatic pickup in deep leagues.
Noah Syndergaard, NYM SP
The Mets could have a great one-two punch for the next decade or more if Matt Harvey returns to form and this kid lives up to his potential. Syndergaard came to New York along with Travis d’Arnaud when Toronto overpaid for R.A. Dickey in a seven-player deal back in December 2012.
The six-foot-six righty has progressed quickly through the minors after being a supplemental first-round pick (No. 38 overall) in 2010 and playing rookie ball at age 17. Syndergaard is holding his own, but not overly impressive through his first four starts in Triple-A and he will earn a promotion in the coming months. Fantasy owners should expect to see some flashes of brilliance combined with some struggles as he matures along the way.
Andrew Heaney, Mia SP
There is a ton of talent in Heaney’s left arm as he holds a 2-1 mark and a 2.25 ERA through five starts in Double-A. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy is 22-years-old and is touted for having great mechanics and command for his age.
Heaney throws a low to mid-90s fastball, a hard-breaking curve and a changeup that dives away from right-handed hitters. The Marlins are known to accelerate their prospects when they see fit and the southpaw will eventually compliment fellow youngster and phenom, Jose Fernandez, in the rotation. Expect him to make an immediate impact when promoted, but it’s hard to predict when that will be.
Kevin Gausman, Bal SP
The No. 4 overall pick in 2012 is waiting in Triple-A for another chance to make an impact with the Orioles. Gausman made 20 appearances including five starts in the Majors last season, and finished 3-5 with a 5.66 ERA in almost 43 innings. He was a very accomplished pitcher at Louisiana State University and owners can expect him to be better this season when Baltimore calls his name, which is only a matter of time.
Alex Meyer, Min SP
The six-foot-nine righty has a powerful arm, but Meyer struggles with his command at times. He is 24 years old and currently sits in the Triple-A rotation to fine-tune his game. He projects as a top of the rotation arm with a sinking fastball, a real good slider and a changeup. Owners can expect to see him in Minnesota at some point this season.
Eddie Butler, Col SP
The Rockies have a very talented arm in Double-A in Butler, who they selected in the first round (No. 46th overall) back in 2012. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, but can reach the upper-90s without problem. He has a nasty, sweeping slider that can be really good if located properly, along with a curve and changeup to round out his arsenal. Butler is too talented to be in the minors for too long.
Marcus Stroman, Tor SP
At five-foot-nine, the former Duke Blue Devil isn’t going to intimidate hitters with his size, but he can definitely get hitters out with regularity. Some scouts believe he will be better used in the bullpen and maybe as a closer. His fastball reaches the mid-90s and both his slider and changeup are very good offerings. Stroman has good command and can get the strikeout as evidenced by his 10.6 K/9 ratio over three minor league seasons. He should be up with Toronto making an impact sometime this season.
Jimmy Nelson, Mil SP
The Brewers’ pitching staff is performing very well at the moment, so it might be awhile until we see Nelson back in the Show again. He looked good as a September call-up last season and is dominating in Triple-A right now at 2-1 and a 1.80 ERA. The 24-year-old has a heavy fastball that produces lots of groundballs and he should translate into a No. 3 or 4 starter someday for Milwaukee.
