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Who is the best starting pitching prospect in baseball? My top 25

by the pinstripes on

Please find a list below of my top 25 starting pitching prospects. For the purpose of this exercise I have left out 08' draftees (which you can feel free to opine as to where they should rank on this list) as well as players that look to have graduated to the bigs seemingly to stay.

Also, bear in mind that my rankings are based solely on fantasy value where I use the following categories: WHIP, ERA, K, QS. 

This was the absolute hardest list i've ever put together. Not so much in the 25 I chose but the actual order in which they rank. Again, if I've left anyone else off the list whether by mistake or otherwise I'm sure I'll hear about it real soon.

legend = inn/h/bb/k/era/goao/baa

1. David Price - Tampa Bay (22 yrs old) - 104.2/88/29/104/2.24/1.43/.228 total minors - currently playing for AAA durham - consensus best pitching prozi in the game. he should get the call by sept. 1 at the latest.

2. Trevor Cahill - Oakland (20 yrs old) - 124.1/76/50/136/2.61/2.43/.179 total minors - currently playing for AA midland - cahill is having a breakout season to say the least. needs to cut down on the walks but you gotta love the ground outs to fly outs ratio.

3. (5) Madison Bumgarner - San Francisco (18/19 yrs old) - 136.2/108/20/155/0.84/.217 for class A augusta - personally, my favorite pitching prospect not named miller. maddy has dominated low A as an 18 yr. old. usually young power lefties with high k rates struggle to throw strikes early on which is not the case here. what's not to like?

4. Neftali Feliz - Texas (20 yrs old) - 122.1/83/49/147/2.72/1.22/.197 total minors - currently with AA frisco - feliz has hit 100mph on the gun and is a terrific young flamethrower. he needs to develop his secondary pitches as is the case w/ most young pitchers. if he can do that look out. if he can't i think he'll end up as a dominant closer worst case scenario.

5. (8) Chris Tillman - Baltimore (20 yrs old) - 124.2/106/59/139/3.32/0.85/.228 for AA bowie - pitching very well age relative to level. hopefully his fly ball tendencies won't hurt him in camden yards.

6. (9) Tim Alderson - San Francisco (19 yrs old) - 139.1/122/34/117/2.91/1.04/.238 for class A+ San Jose - having a terrific forst year in high A. very strong components age relative and as is the case w/ oakland both he and madbum make a strong combo in san frans stable of arms. can you imagine lincecum, cain, sanchez, alderson, bumgraner. ouch!

7. (10) Rick Porcello - Detroit (19 yrs old) - 119/113/32/68/2.35/.247 for class A+ lakeland - having a fine season for high A lakeland at age 19. gotta love the ground ball rates but his lack of strikeouts is a concern.

8. (17) Max Scherzer (24 yrs old) - 53/35/22/79/2.72/1.47/.182 for AAA albuquerque - posted a line of 31/25/14/33/2.90/1.19/.225 in a brief stint in the majors mostly out of the bullpen - big question mark as to if he can remain a starter. filthy stuff!

9. (6) Brett Anderson - Oakland (20 yrs old) - 99/86/26/109/3.55/1.92/.229 total minors - currently playing for AA midland - nice components, nice command for a power lefty with strong ground ball ratios. oakland has a terrific young set of arms on the way!

10. (7) Thomas Hanson - Atlanta (21 yrs old) - 133/83/50/154/2.50/0.70/.177 total minors - currently with AA mississippi - outstanding components. i was never a huge believer in him until now that is. i mean 50 less hits than innings pitched. the only thing to complain about would be the goao but that's a bit nitpicky. everything else is off the charts.

11. (3) Adam Miller - Cleveland (23 yrs old) - 28.2/26/12/20/1.88/1.56/.239 for AAA buffalo - when HEALTHY miller is without a doubt a top pitching prospect. the good news is that he's still young enough and hasn't had a major arm surgery to date. in my opinion, very unlucky with all the different injuries. hopefully, he'll move past this a la cole hamels.

12. (18) Derek Holland (21 yrs old) - 144.2/107/38/150/2.36/1.25/.209 total minors - currently w/ AA frisco - total sleeper prospect, progressed through 3 levels with a mid 90's fastball and advanced secondary offerings. could it be that texas has 2 top 25 pitching prospects? i think so.

13. (11) Jhoulys Chacin - Colorado (20 yrs old) - 172.2/138/41/155/2.03/2.85/.220 total minors - currently playing for class A+ modesto - can you say breakout? already at 172+ innings w/ fantastic components including a sizzling ground ball to fly ball ratio which should come in handy at coors field.

14. (12) Brett Cecil - Toronto (22 yrs old) - 113.1/94/37/124/2.70/2.37/.221 total minors - currently with AAA syracuse - high strikeout, big time ground ball pitcher. has moved up 3 levels and more than held his own. possible september call up?

15. (14) Jarrod Parker - Arizona (19 yrs old) - 112.2/112/33/110/3.59/1.03/.258 for class A south bend - big time arm who's starting to match expectations w/ performance. a solid season overall.

16. (NR) Michael Bowden - Boston (22 yrs old) - 144.1/112/29/130/2.62/0.87/.212 total minors - currently w/ AAA pawtucket -  

17. (NR) David Huff - Cleveland (23 yrs old) -141.1/110/27/139/2.48/1.26/.212 total minors - currently w/ AAA buffalo -

18. (NR) Jeremy Jeffress - Milwaukee (21 yrs old) - 93.1/76/51/115/3.76/1.41/.226 total minors - currently w/ AA huntsville -

19. (NR) Daniel Cortes - Kansas City (21 yrs old) - 110.2/103/53/106/3.98/0.80/.251 for AA northwest arkansas -

20 (15) Jordan Walden (20 yrs old) - 144.2/114/51/127/2.68/2.12/.215 total minors - currently with A+ rancho cucamonga - terrific components including a fantastic go/ao ratio. has to be the best pitching prospect in the anaheim system moving ahead of nick adenhart.

21. (16) Jordan Zimmerman (22 yrs old) - 129/100/46/126/2.93/1.37/.214 total minors - currently with AA harrisburg - terrific components. if he keeps it up perhaps he could be in washington middle to late 09?

22. (23) Jake Arrieta (22 yrs old) - 113/80/51/120/2.87/1.14/.199 for A+ frederick - the 3rd baltimore pitching prospect to make the list. terrific components. we'll see what he does next yr at the higher levels. lots to like here.

23. (13) Daniel Duffy (19 yrs old) - 81.2/56/25/102/2.20/0.55/.193 for class A burlington - extreme fly ball pitcher w/ terrific components. gotta love the k/bb ratio and hits per nine. gotta love everything really w/ the expection of go/ao.

24. (19) Phillippe Aumont (19 yrs old) - 55.2/46/19/50/2.75/1.73/.224 for class A wisconsin - the numbers are sort of misleading as they would be much better minus the start before he went on the dl 1.2/7/2/2 with 6 runs allowed. if he can stay healthy he's a huge(6'8",220lbs) power arm.

25. (24) James McDonald (23 yrs old) - 136/111/51/140/3.31/0.64/.223 total minors - currently with AAA las vegas - having another terrific season. the knock on him has always been the extreme fly ball rates. thank God he's pitching in los angeles. seemingly nothing left to prove in the minors. possible september call up? 

 

HM - David Hernandez, Jeremy Hellickson, Dellin Betances, Cole Rohrbough, Jaime Garcia, Carlos Carrasco, Jonathan Niese, William Inman, Wade Davis, Hector Rondon, Fautino De Los Santos, Jacob McGee

7 recs | Comment 233 comments

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before you guys slice me up

this was hard as hell. thanks to everyone who’s participated in all of my other rankings so far. much appreciated!

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 10:07 AM EDT   0 recs

Good list

My list would look quite different, but it’s great to see diverse opinions (and I’m too lazy to put my own together).

I’m sure you’ll get some flack for your Davis, Bowden, and Hellickson rankings.

by dkdc on Aug 26, 2025 10:52 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It's a good list

Some omissions, but nobody on the list that shouldn’t be in the conversation.

I’m not as high on Dan Duffy. Great numbers, but at a low level, and my understanding is that he’s foiling low-level hitters with a cartoon curve that better hitters will handle more easily. I might go HM on him, but I think 13 is high.

Jaime Garcia might not be eligible if he spends all of Sept on the Cards roster. That’s gotta be getting him close to the roster time limit.

Again, nice list.

by siddfynch on Aug 26, 2025 11:32 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Jon Niese

I’d like some Jon Niese love on the list. Towards the bottom if not in the honorable mentions. Guy just keeps being effective.

by Lunkwill Fook on Aug 26, 2025 10:08 AM EDT   0 recs

he was supposed to be an HM.

i will add now. thx for mentioning him.

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 10:27 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Poreda

What do you see as the ceiling on Poreda?

by The Big Hurt on Aug 26, 2025 10:27 AM EDT   0 recs

#2 or #3 maybe

more likely outstanding closer

www.loftylantern.com

by OldProspects on Aug 28, 2025 1:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Daniel Cortes

way way too low. He’s certainly top 15 on this list, as his periphs have stayed strong while his ERA has gone up a touch due to the Texas League.

Adam Miller is way too high - no way can he be the 3rd best pitching prospect when he can’t even stay healthy. His star is fading fast.

James McDonald and Jeremy Hellickson should be higher.

by deezle on Aug 26, 2025 10:33 AM EDT   0 recs

top 15?

i like cortes quite a bit but fail to see how he’d come out in the top 15.

110.2/103/53/106/3.98/0.80/.251

those numbers are good and all but nothing eye popping. i think he’s borderline top 25.

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 11:14 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd swap Cortes and Inman

Inman has slightly better numbers, but he’s more a smoke and mirrors guy with a deceptive herky jerk delivery.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Aug 26, 2025 12:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Consider the league

The Texas League is extremely tough on pitchers new to the league, and Cortes is one of the league leaders in Ks. I could really care less about his ERA in such a hitter friendly league. He has the build, the stuff, he’s still young, racks up Ks……all that adds up for me.

by deezle on Aug 26, 2025 3:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

again

i like cortes quite a bit and will admit i had him in the top 25 originally. having had time to think about it combined w/ your valid points i should have left him in. i’ll give him top 20 … :-)

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 3:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

p.s.

you had me at hello!

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 3:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

David Huff

Needs to be somewhere on here. ~2.50 ERA, 139/27 K/BB in 140 IP between AA and AAA is pretty impressive. And agreed on the Adam Miller ranking - health as to play a factor here, especially with pitchers.

by seabass on Aug 26, 2025 11:04 AM EDT   0 recs

+1 - agreed!

Hello seabass,

I agree - Huff was somewhat comparable to Sowers when he was drafted - college arm that could move quickly and has good command of solid stuff. However, unlike Sowers, Huff has had very good K rates to go along with his quick progression, making his ceiling much higher than Sowers in my opinion. I think Huff has at least a #3 ceiling, and I think a #2 ceiling is not out of the question for him, so I certainly think Huff should be mentioned in the HMs, if not be in the 10-20 range of this list.

Just my 2 cents - no offense.

Take care and have a great day!

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Aug 27, 2025 12:35 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly

You have to couple his ceiling with his likelihood to hit it. His performance in AA and AAA this year certainly merits his inclusion on this list somewhere. Not that any of this really matters, but I think he should get his due.

by seabass on Aug 27, 2025 1:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hi indiansfan,

Long time, no talk. What do you think about the omission of Hector Rondon? Sure seems like he ought to be on this list somewhere. Awfully advanced at 20 an good K rates.

Not sure I am with you on Sowers and Huff but Huff is on the list now.

by sdtribefan on Aug 28, 2025 1:43 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hello sdtribefan,

Yes, it has been a long time, for reasons I mentioned below in my reply to pinstripes.

I agree with you about Rondon - he definitely should be on this list. Has a fastball that regularly is between 92-95 MPH, good breaking stuff (not sure if his second-best pitch is a slider or changeup, but I believe I have heard that both are definitely above-average to possibly plus pitches), and as you mentioned, is doing very well in the Carolina League at age 20. I would think that he’s at least a very good #3, with a solid to good chance of being a #2 or even a #1 pitcher in time.

He definitely should be on this list and in an Indians’ Top 10 Prospect List.

Regarding Sowers and Huff, I meant that both were deemed as the college lefty who knows how to pitch and should move quickly. However, that’s pretty much where the similarities end - while Sowers’ K rate at AAA plummeted and his stuff was solid-average, but no great “out” pitch, Huff’s AAA K rate stayed strong (or even increased - not sure off the top of my head) and I think at least his curveball (or slider, not sure which it is) is considered to be a plus pitch. He also regularly throws in the low-90s, I believe, so his velocity has also remained solidly above-average for a LHP, though Sowers is hitting the low 90s more often nowadays, even hitting 92-94 MPH more than once in his recent outings (he even struck out a hitter in a recent start on a 94 MPH fastball) and regularly hitting 90-91.

Just my 2 cents.

Good to talk with you again!

Take care and have a great day!

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Aug 29, 2025 4:25 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Miller

when healthy he is a top pitching prospect. he’s had a lot of bad luck injuries. if he can come back next yr it’s not out of the question he could reach the bigs at age 24. it’s not like he’s 26,27.

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 11:17 AM EDT   0 recs

Yeah -

I just don’t see all of those injuries as bad luck and don’t see his chances of being consistantly healthy to be all that good. He’d be on the lower part of my list.

by slurve on Aug 26, 2025 1:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

At the very highest, he should be back of the top ten.

by aap212 on Aug 26, 2025 1:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Not 100% sure

But I think you are wrong on the “no major surgery” thing. I thought I remember reading that he had Tommy John surgery back in like 2004 or so. Basically the year before he broke onto the prospect scene. I remember reading that when he came back from the injury/surgery his fastball had gained like 5MPH in velocity. Someone can correct me if I am remembering this wrong though.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Aug 26, 2025 1:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

never happened

no major arm surgery. he’s only 23 yrs old, if he can come back next yr and at some point reach the bigs he will be right on track again a la cole hamels. i seem to remember everyone writing him off as well.

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 1:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

What have you done for me lately

I don’t think most wrote Hamels off completely - at the same time, let’s just see how long his career is before saying all the doubters were wrong…

Mark Prior was also someone people (including myself) kept pointing to as having “bad luck” injuries and look at where he is now.

by slurve on Aug 26, 2025 4:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Two injured guys

FDLS and Jake McGee.

Tough to know where to slot them, but we can’t forget they’ll be making their returns a some point next year, and would belong on this list if their recovery is successful.

Also, Jess Todd (Cards) and Scott Elbert (LAD) would be on my list.

Elbert was a top-25 pitcher before injury, and his stats since coming back (AA) are very good - 40/22/20/43/2.45/.58/.161

Todd is at 149/109/38/132/2.66/1.24/.206 across 3 levels, and has really rocketed through the system in his first full year.

by siddfynch on Aug 26, 2025 11:28 AM EDT   0 recs

+1

Not sure you can eliminate these two after arm surgery, McGee was top 5 before? I’m not sure I drop him from top 25 due to injury.

"God, I'm from Cleveland. When is it going to be our time?"

by BStal11 on Aug 26, 2025 10:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Porcello 10th?.... Come On

He should be 2

by Birdfan01 on Aug 26, 2025 12:13 PM EDT   0 recs

Lack of K's

he’s top 5 for sure, but certainly argueable he’s not #2.

by slurve on Aug 26, 2025 1:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

5th at best

He just hasn’t earned his way past Price, Bumbgarner, Cahill, or Feliz yet.

by aap212 on Aug 26, 2025 1:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Why is he better than Tillman?

I know you didn’t say that he was, but Tillman’s pitching about as well though at AA, with a significantly higher K rate, a better K/BB. Though Tillman’s ERA is higher than Porcello’s, his FIP is much better than Porcello’s, partially because Porcello has an unusually low BABIP. Alderson also looks better than Porcello so far (same age, same level, equally good control but with Alderson striking out significantly more batters). I think I might also rather have Holland than Porcello, but that’s more questionable. I agree that he put Porcello too low, but I think 7th or 8th is probably better than top-5

www.loftylantern.com

by OldProspects on Aug 26, 2025 4:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Porcello

The k’s aren’t there now, but they will be. He is 19 at Hi A, he doesn’t walk people, and even more impressive is his 2.35 GO/AO ratio. As he perfects his off-speed stuff he is going to start striking out a lot of hitters, couple this with his abilities to keep the ball in the park and not issue the free pass, and you have a monster on your hands.

One other thing on Porcello is that because he signed late last year this is his first experience in pro ball. He has gotten no chance to adjust the pro life, he has been immediately thrown into the fire and has responded.

by Birdfan01 on Aug 26, 2025 4:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Tillman

I’m an Orioles fan and I couldn’t love Tillman more. If I made my own list it would go 1. Price 2. Porcello 3. Tillman. I just think Porcello has a higher ceiling than Tillman due to stuff, and his ability to keep the ball on the ground.

by Birdfan01 on Aug 26, 2025 4:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

One thing about Tillman

That I just noticed: with the exception of July, every month this year both his strikeout rate and walk rate have improved. In August his performance has been particularly terrific, with 44 strikeouts and only 7 walks in 30 IP. Considering he’s still only 20 years old and in AA, he might be a stronger prospect than we think; I think he’s better than Porcello, and might deserve a top-5 spot by the time the year is over.

www.loftylantern.com

by OldProspects on Aug 27, 2025 10:11 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Eh...

I’m sure he’ll be in the 2-5 range among pitchers when BA’s list comes out. Project Prospect has him as the 3rd pitcher after Kershaw and Price on their last list - Kershaw is no longer eligible for the list. Can’t forget about his potential which is magnanomous compared to most other pitchers. The lack of K’s is a concern, but it’s not huge at this point

by slurve on Aug 26, 2025 4:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Porcello and K's

I don’t know if this is truth or just urban legend but I read that Porcello has had modest K numbers because the Tigers haven’t let him throw his out pitch (his curve I believe) so he could develop his other pitches.

by mg050369 on Aug 26, 2025 9:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Funny

I read an interview with him where he talks about how he isnt the strikeout pitcher everyone thinks he is and he finds it humorous. He considers himself more of a groundball pitcher, fwiw. So I dont think there’s anything to the Tigers limiting his repertoire and it affecting his K rate.

He’s still an elite pitching prospect and the lack of Ks doesnt really bother me, but I do think people have a lot of misconceptions about Porcello.

by alskor on Aug 26, 2025 10:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I, too,

remember that interview, can’t find it, though.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 26, 2025 11:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

re: Porcello

Well both are true, he can’t throw his curve as they are making him work on his slider now. And he has said he isn’t a big strike out guy either, but more of a GB pitcher that also has good stuff. We’ll find out eventually how much of a strike out pitcher he is when he is allowed to throw his full repertoire, but his stuff isn’t lacking.

by hybrid on Aug 27, 2025 1:12 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I Agree

The one point that i never hear brought up about Porcello and his strike out numbers is his pitch count. We have all heard about how Porcello has made the suppossed change from Power Pitcher in HS to Groundball Pitcher in the minors. Well, considering just how advanced Porcello is i think the reason you dont see the high strikeout numbers and the reason you see all those groundballs is because Porcello knows he cant afford to waste pitches trying to strike guys out as many young pitchers do.

He has made the adjustment to being a groundball pitcher and working on that while he is held to a strict pitch count. As next year rolls around and his pitch count is higher, along with him finally being able to use arguably his best pitch in his Curveball i bet his strikeout numbers will jump up. And with everything he has learned from being a groundball pitcher this season we are looking at a future ACE. I have no doubt about that.

For Me hes number 2 on this list, Madison has a huge upside but you have to keep in mind that he can get by with his power FB at this level and the real test will be when he has to really use those offspeed pitches and throw them for strikes. Something Porcello has already done, at a higher level.

I personally like Alderson very much, i do however think you need to consider the fact that many people projected him to end up a reliever, i believe Porcello has a higher ceiling. Thats a big reason why i have him at number 2 above all the other top guys people have mentioned, Porcello is a true ACE in my opinion.

by Kazmir2657 on Aug 27, 2025 4:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Brad Mills

He’s 23, is throwing in AA, and has a composite line this year of:
145 IP, 118h, 51bb, 158 ks, 7 hr allowed and a 1.92 ERA.

At AA, his ERA is 1.10, still with a k per IP. Toronto lefty who also had monster college stats despite not throwing in the mid 90s. For real. He’s 3rd in all the minors in ks, and has to be on this list somewhere…
JAS

by jasvlm on Aug 26, 2025 12:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Response

Seems to be Perfectly Acceptable. I don’t agree with a lot of this but high marks for effort.

I really have no idea how fantasy rankings that incorporate Ks and ERA look down on a guy like Jeremy Jeffress. Given your criteria, he’s no lower than the third or maybe fourth guy out of this bunch, and I could see a good argument for only having Price ahead of him.

by mrkupe on Aug 26, 2025 12:50 PM EDT   1 recs

Jeffress

is a stud

by Birdfan01 on Aug 26, 2025 4:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting that the Giants have two of top 10

First of all, good effort.

The Giants, who already have Lincecum, Cain and Jonathan Sanchez in their rotation, will be adding two of the top three NL prospects — Bumgarner and Alderson within the next couple years.

If they can hold them, it’s a darn good nucleus for a competitive team in an organization that now includes a number of solid offensive prospects.

Flaxseed oil dependent

by 3Com Park on Aug 26, 2025 1:10 PM EDT   0 recs

dont forget about lowry

they should really decide which are expendable and trade depth for hitters

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 26, 2025 2:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

lowry is awful

and is not in the same zip code as even sanchez, who’s been struggling lately.

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 26, 2025 2:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lowry's not awful

he led the team in wins and had a 3.9 ERA last year. He’s hurt now, and his return is questionable, but if he can come back to form he’d definitely get a spot in the rotation.

by boonitez on Aug 26, 2025 7:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

lowry had 87 walks

and 87 k’s…he is not good. sorry

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 29, 2025 5:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Whhaaattttttt.....

You mean you don’t like a 1:1 K:BB ratio from your pitchers?

by The Big Hurt on Aug 30, 2025 12:20 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i love it personally

on wait, i’m not boonitez

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 31, 2025 11:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

on second thought*

i think the site just ate those words. weird

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 31, 2025 11:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

His return is kinda questionable, though

His arm just stopped having tingling sensations several months after his surgery. We Giants fans aren’t hugely optomistic about it. It’d be good to see him back, though.

by boonitez on Aug 26, 2025 7:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Two Sleepers

Jeff Locke is someone who will bust out next year as Derek Holland 2.0. Nice frame, really strong peripherals, above average stuff across the board — still young and developing his craft.

Jairo Heredia is also poised for a breakout in 09.

by gogotabata on Aug 26, 2025 1:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Let me also

Throw out Juan Ramirez and Neil Ramirez as two guys I expect to dash up the rankings next year.

by gogotabata on Aug 26, 2025 3:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Inman too highq

I don’t think Inman’s upside is high enough to put him ahead of some of the guys on the HM list.

Excellent job overall on the list, though. This can’t have been easy.

by aap212 on Aug 26, 2025 1:35 PM EDT   0 recs

Dear Adam Miller,

You’d better not make a fool of me next year you sorry bastard. I’m really sticking my neck out here!

P.S. where’s indiansfan when you need him?

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 1:59 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm here! :-)

Hello pinstripes,

I’m here - it’s been a busy year in 2008 for me, including 2 recent deaths in the family, along with some other factors (grandmother in a nursing home, my mother was ill for a time, though she is healthy now, thank goodness, much work to do, etc.) I’m sorry that I have not been around as much this year.

At any rate, in terms of ceiling, I could see an argument for Miller being around #3 or so, maybe a little lower. When you factor in his health, he’s probably lower than #3, say around #10 or so. (I didn’t fully analyze all those pitchers, so those rankings could be a bit off; that was just at a quick glance).

However, I agree with your point above - Miller is still young enough to rebound. It’s likely he’ll still get a couple more years to live up to his potential; his arm is the type that you don’t give up on too easily.

At worst, if the health issues continue, he could be moved to a backend-role in the bullpen, possibly even as a closer. While we’d really like Miller to live up to his potential as a starter, if Miller can only stay healthy as a reliever/closer and dominate there, that’s better than not getting anything from him at all.

The same situation applies greatly to Lofgren - I don’t know if the move to the bullpen is a permanent one; from what I’ve read and heard, it sounds like it’s temporary and he’ll be moved back to the rotation next year, probably with perhaps one more chance as a starter to build on what he did a couple years ago at Kinston (presumably at AA Akron). If he falters again next season, I could see where he might be moved to the bullpen in the second half of next year or the first half of 2010, mostly because his command has been much better as a reliever; from what I’ve read and heard, it seems he has better focus when coming out of the bullpen.

I’m not sure, but what was mentioned in the Indians Top 20 list about Lofgren perhaps having issues within his family this season may also be true - I’m not entirely sure, but that’s another reason why I think he’ll probably get another chance at starting next season, but if he falters badly again, I could see a permanent move to the bullpen as early as late next year.

I hope that is helpful.

Again, sorry I haven’t been around much - I’ll try to come back more often in the coming months. Keep up the great work! :-)

Take care and have a great day!

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Aug 27, 2025 12:32 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

good list

any consideration for mazzaro/simmons?
their ceiling might top out as #3 types, but should be solid and are doing well for their level at 21/22 yrs old.

maybe they rank fringe top 50 sp range?

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 26, 2025 2:17 PM EDT   0 recs

They don't "feel" like top 25 guys

but I feel like both of them have much more of a chance of making an impact than some of the guys on this list. Simmons probably isn’t going to be a star but he’s about as much of a “can’t miss” as you can get. Mazzaro is

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 26, 2025 8:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Whoops, that posted before I finished it

Anyway, Mazzaro is a bit higher-risk b/c of his lack of track record in prior years, but he shouldn’t be much worse than Chad Gaudin and might be better if he holds his lower walk rate from this season.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 26, 2025 8:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Thoughts

I wouldn’t really call Anderson a “power lefty.” I’d switch he and Tillman, if not put Tillman even higher.

by aCone419 on Aug 26, 2025 2:39 PM EDT   0 recs

anderson is not a power lefty

and i feel like him and tillman is pretty close to a toss-up…and i’m an a’s fan.

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 26, 2025 2:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah, probably

i originally had tillman at #6 and porcello at #8. probably should have left them that way.

also, i thought anderson threw low to mid 90’s?

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Aug 26, 2025 3:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think so.

Everything I’ve read has him sitting about 90.

by aCone419 on Aug 26, 2025 4:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

velocity has inreased

lost weight and its up in that 92-04mph range…he was throwing that speed at the olympics…not a power lefty, but above avg velocity

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 26, 2025 4:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

maybe I'm nuts

But I seem to remember him at 92-93 at the futures game. Might have been one of those things where he was just winging it since he only went one inning though…

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Aug 26, 2025 5:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't doubt that

The guy throws 90-91 with impeccable polish (or so I’ve always heard before this thread). I don’t doubt he can hit 93-94 every now and then if he rears back for it, but that’s not nearly as important as what he does in regular game situations.

by aCone419 on Aug 26, 2025 9:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

OK, Bowden

No. 12 Cecil: Bowden’s two months younger and has very likely outpitched him a bit (IP/GS matters). Cecil’s a GB LHP and Bowden’s a FB RHP, so I can see the argument for Cecil first, but #12 vs. #28?

No. 14 Parker: he’s two year’s younger than Bowden — and is having almost exactly the same year Bowden did two years ago in low A. Just how much value is there in two further injury-free years of development at the same high level of performance? OK, Parker throws harder and was more highly regarded as an amateur, so there’s an argument for putting Parker ahead (maybe not a good one considering the attrition rate for pitching prospects, but still an argument) , but #14 vs. #28?

No. 16 Zimmerman: Bowden was better regarded coming into the season, is three months younger, an entire level more advanced (which is massive), and still has better numbers across the board.

One could go on like this for a while . . .

by emvan on Aug 26, 2025 4:03 PM EDT   0 recs

cecil

IP/GS are going to be skewed since Cecil was a reliever in college and they are slowly building up his innings.

by kootenay_kid on Aug 27, 2025 1:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Age

I just don’t see how it pertains to pitchers in the same way it pertains to hitters. People are honestly using “two months younger” and “three months younger” to justify one pitcher over another? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

by Flynn Blake on Aug 28, 2025 3:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs