Best of this year's rookie pitchers?
by nyy601
on Jul 25, 2025 6:20 PM EDT
75 comments
Coming into the season David Price was by far the favorite, but he has had some struggles.
The #2 pitching prospect coming into the season, Tommy Hanson, has be amazing.
Brett Anderson started out really slow, but has turned it on the last month.
Rick Porcello has done great considering he is the youngest player in MLB.
There have also been a few surprises: Happ, Neimann, Romero, Bergesen, Outman (before his injury), Randy Wells, Richmond, etc.
Long term who do you think the best pitcher from this years rookie class is?
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Not my picks but...
Alfredo Aceves and Phil Coke are doing pretty well. Coke should have a much better ERA based on his stats as well. Just thought that they were worth mentioning…
http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com/
by hallofamer2000 on Jul 25, 2025 6:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Porcello...
he has the highest ceiling. I could becoming a Roy Halladay type pitcher.
by joegonzo on Jul 25, 2025 6:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
YOU could become a Halladay type?
damn son…not bad.
baseball rules.
by doublestix on Jul 25, 2025 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You need to check this out
Just when the experts were willing to say Mazzaro could possibly be a number 3, along comes this from Gammons:
‘Two scouts watching Oakland’s Vin Mazzaro on Thursday agreed that they think he is “a young Chris Carpenter.” One added, “I love Rick Porcello, but Mazzaro is the best young pitcher in the American League.”’
Nuff Said
"This has got to hurt"
by Da.aron on Jul 27, 2025 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
I voted for Anderson, because I’m a homer, but I’d probably say Hanson.
Solace: Law says he's a fourth OFer
PaulThomas: I think Keith Law is only a fourth analyst
by hero66 on Jul 25, 2025 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it’s not really ridiculous at all to think anderson > hanson. anderson is pretty damn good.
baseball rules.
by doublestix on Jul 25, 2025 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is ridiculous
is that you didn’t go
Mazzaro>Anderson>Hanson
"This has got to hurt"
by Da.aron on Jul 27, 2025 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crazy
After 54 votes more people think Romero will be better than Price.
I know he has struggled, but his stuff is still the same as it was in the offseason.
by nyy601 on Jul 25, 2025 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Shit, I misread the title of the poll. I thought this was just who has been the best so far.
by jfish26101 on Jul 25, 2025 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is really crazy
is that Vin Mazzaro, the reigning AA pitcher of the year didn’t even get his own slot, but got lumped in with the “others”, guys who never even won a POY award.
"This has got to hurt"
by Da.aron on Jul 27, 2025 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, that's not true.
But I did vote for Hanson. It was tight between him, Anderson, Price, and Porcello, and I couldn’t argue with any of those selections.
by PhillyFriar on Jul 27, 2025 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Long term it's probably Hanson or Porcello
but not this year. Hansons ERA looks nice but he’s been incredibly lucky. Low K-rate, high walk-rate, low BABIP all combined with a really high strand rate. Sounds like an incredibly lucky pitcher.
The guy that’s going under-appreciated is Jordan Zimmerman. He’s been arguably the best rookie pitcher this year but it’s hard to keep a low ERA when your backed up by the worst defense in baseball.
by superk1ng on Jul 25, 2025 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed on Zimmermann (2 n’s right?) being way under-appreciated. I’m gonna be straight, I’m a Braves homer, but I’ll admit that he has definitely been lucky. However, he has shown flashes of what he will be in the near future and this poll is really who has the potential to be the best. I think it’s Hanson, but I’m surprised so many are already giving up on Price.
by acie4mvp on Jul 25, 2025 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Zimmermann’s stuff is VERY nice. Mid-90s heat, awesome slider, nice poise, a real treat to watch. With the usual caveats re: health, I’m convinced that this guy is 2 years away from being a true major league frontlne starter.
by mrkupe on Jul 26, 2025 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why 2 years from now?
His FIP is already in the top 30 or so. I think he basically is a front-line starter now
TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems
by OldProspects on Jul 26, 2025 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
the guy has GREAT stuff and except for a few bad starts very early in the season and a few bad innings he has been very good…and still only 22 i believe?
by miraclemets on Jul 26, 2025 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And even with those bad starts and bad innings
He’s still be very good on the whole. His ERA has been high because his BABIP is unusually high, and because his strand rate is slightly low
TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems
by OldProspects on Jul 27, 2025 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hanson's been really lucky
But he did have an 11 K outing this week.
by Fanon on Jul 26, 2025 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going Hanson
Then Porcello or Anderson, I’m undecided, but sold on both of them.
Side-note; Holland’s ERA looks gruesome, but anyone who’s seen him pitch knows he’s been quite a bit better than that. He’s still putting things together and learning to use his breaking pitches. His K/BB rate is still solid, and once he stops making mistake pitches he’ll be a stud. Remember, people, this dude was in Low A last year.
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by Conjunction on Jul 25, 2025 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
price
if this poll was made in the beginning of the season, most of you would have probably said price. Has he really lost that much long term value that Ricky Romero has ultimately passed him? he is not doing THAT bad. He is still the only man on that list with the repertoire to be a pure ace and im still voting for him. followed by anderson,hanson,porcello,zimmermann,cahill and romero
by mjr20 on Jul 26, 2025 12:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Only one with ace stuff?
That’s pretty harsh, undeserved criticism for Hanson, Anderson and Porcello at the very least.
Kanye, you want to be the voice of this generation? Get in line! It goes me, Obamagirl, the Freecreditreport.com guys, then It's a tie between you-and Crocs.
-Stephen Colbert
by Conjunction on Jul 26, 2025 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoaaaa
I agree that Price is getting under rated, he still has amazing stuff and will be unhittable if he gets contol of his pitches, BUT to say he is the only pitcher with ace like stuff is crazy. Over the last month Brett Anderson has basically been throwing as hard as Price with much better control. Porcello has the stuff to be the next Brandon Webb. And Hanson has a great fastball and great secondary pitches.
by nyy601 on Jul 26, 2025 3:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ace
most people see Hanson as a great number 2 because of his lack of one dominating pitch. Anderson could definitely be one i think you guys are misinterpreting what i said.. i never said they don’t have the stuff, i said he is the only one with the track record to be a pure ace. that doesn’t mean Porcello cant be an ace, but he hasn’t yet shown that he can strike out a lot of batters at any level.
by mjr20 on Jul 26, 2025 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anderson's track record is considerably more impressive than Price's, BTW
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
by PaulThomas on Jul 26, 2025 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think people liked Price more because of his stuff
But Anderson is suddenly throwing 95-97 this year, significantly up from the low 90’s control, and “polished” pitcher he was dubbed.
HELMET: Sandurz, what's going on?
SANDURZ: It's Mega Maid. She's gone from suck to
blow!
by SoCalA'sFan on Jul 26, 2025 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
never
did i say anderson or anyone was not impressive. i probably should have worded that differently because it makes it seem like im low on those guys but i meant that Price has everything to become an ace and he is developing just fine, yet for some reason he isn’t getting the votes. and i do think Prices pre-major numbers are better than Andersons. There is a reason why he was higher on almost all lists last year.
by mjr20 on Jul 26, 2025 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is a reason why he was higher on almost all lists last year.
i’m probably gonna have to pin that on the fact that everyone thought brett anderson threw about 5 MPH less than he’s throwing right now. due to groupthink, anderson probably still wouldn’t get ranked higher, but if i could choose only one of these pitchers to build around, i know for a fact it’d be ricky romero.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jul 26, 2025 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hanson’s fastball is dominant when he has it working (and hasn’t lost 12 lbs because of sickness). It has great movement and he can get it up to 97. Follow that with a Smoltzian slider and other plus secondary pitches and what do you have? An ace. Clearly not this year, but definitely in the future.
by acie4mvp on Jul 27, 2025 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude,
no need to exagerrate.
Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.
by Frederick0220 on Jul 27, 2025 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vin Mazzaro
Begs to differ. Just ask Peter Gammons and the Texas League managers
"This has got to hurt"
by Da.aron on Jul 27, 2025 2:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
is it me or are the phillies over rating ja happ
making him untouchable in halladay trades?
by Asfan4ever723 on Jul 26, 2025 1:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that's not the issue
I think they’re fine with moving Happ . . .I think they have an issue moving both their most major league ready young starter AND an arm with Kyle Drabek’s upside in the same deal. That’s why they want to substitute in Carlos Carrasco for one of the two.
by mrkupe on Jul 26, 2025 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not overrating at all
They just don’t want to make that sort of deal because you take away one vital cog in the starting rotation and just replace it with a superior one. They much rather keep him (who should get more love as I voted him over Hanson) and add Halladay, cause that makes the rotation much more formidable. I think they feel that Drabek is as good as gone in any Doc deal, so that doesn’t hurt them as losing a valued member of the starting rotation. Losing Happ keeps the depth short
by MartyMcFly on Jul 26, 2025 2:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Happ over Hanson?
I agree with the rest of your post re: Halladay trade, but Happ over Hanson is kind of out there IMO
http://rswanzey.blogspot.com
by rswanzey on Jul 26, 2025 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In case you want evidence:
83.5% strand rate
.260 BABIP
His FIP is 4.17
He isn’t a bad pitcher by any means, but not as good as he has been. Not to mention his ceiling his far lower than Hanson’s, Price’s, Zimmermann’s, etc.
by acie4mvp on Jul 27, 2025 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
In the long term, it is a no doubted that Hanson will be the better pitcher, but during this season, Happ has impressed me. I’ve seen a couple of starts in which Hanson shows the potential to be a front line starter, yet that will come next season (his whip is up there and has close to a 1:1 K:BB ratio. Happ on the other hand has a better k:BB ratio, a lower whip, less walks/9ip and more K’s/9ip. The home runs worry me. Now I don’t think he will be able to sustain this for his career, but in terms of this season, Happ is the best rookie
by MartyMcFly on Jul 28, 2025 11:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Man, this was really hard
Top four (no particular order)
Anderson
Hanson
Price
Porcello
by alskor on Jul 26, 2025 2:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Brett Anderson
Fah teh win.
Mid-90s fastball that can touch 97 (hopefully this velocity surge is here to stay), which isn’t even his best pitch. Jesus Christ, that 85-88 mph slider is devastating.
Then you factor in his beauteous, silky smooth mechanics and unshakable, buddha-like poise, and you have a pitcher who can definitely become a bona fide ace.
Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.
by Frederick0220 on Jul 26, 2025 3:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He has all it takes
Plus velocity? Yep.
Multiple potentially plus offspeed offerings? Check.
Command? You betcha.
Makeup? In spades.
Strikeouts? Bit of a slow start, but he’s figuring out how to match his minor league numbers.
Ground balls? Lots of ’em.
He really has no weaknesses as a prospect. Doesn’t have the spotty command of Price, the fringy strikeout stuff of Porcello, or the extreme flyball tendencies of Hanson. The A’s traded Dan Haren to get him, but he might be the young pitcher most likely to eventually be able to match what Haren’s doing right now.
Second place goes to Zimmermann, I think. As someone pointed out, it’s not his fault he’s playing in front of the Bad News Bears.
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
by PaulThomas on Jul 26, 2025 3:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only negative on Anderson
Is his athleticism. The Yankees got multiple guys on base the other night because he couldn’t cover 1B effectively with his (lack of) speed.
by jibs on Jul 26, 2025 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard that garbage spewed out from the Yankee's homer announcers
Each of those plays you’re describing the runners would’ve been safe if a more “athletic” pitcher was on the mound
HELMET: Sandurz, what's going on?
SANDURZ: It's Mega Maid. She's gone from suck to
blow!
by SoCalA'sFan on Jul 26, 2025 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Back to this point
It just happened again on a Josh Hamilton infield single. It takes Anderson ages to get from the mound to the 1B bag, and it’s going to cost him a base runner here and there.
by jibs on Aug 3, 2025 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i gree...he has a double chin
he’s 2 big macs away from turning into david wells!!!
by Asfan4ever723 on Jul 26, 2025 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or Brett Wallace?!
HELMET: Sandurz, what's going on?
SANDURZ: It's Mega Maid. She's gone from suck to
blow!
by SoCalA'sFan on Jul 26, 2025 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Dewey Finn has lost his mind
Solace: Law says he's a fourth OFer
PaulThomas: I think Keith Law is only a fourth analyst
by hero66 on Jul 27, 2025 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jordan Zimmermann will be something special.....
…and he is already showing flashes of that this year.
When it comes down to it, I think Hanson and Porcello will be the best pitchers on this list, and it is clear that Hanson is the best producing RC pitcher this year.
by soccerman0 on Jul 26, 2025 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kershaw
He should be on this list. Yes, I know he came up last year but come on, he’s 21 years old and should be compared to the other young pitchers his age.
by npurcell on Jul 26, 2025 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he's 21
drafted in ’06 out of HS; birthday in march i believe
Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.
by Frederick0220 on Jul 27, 2025 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
beat me to it
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kershcl01-pitch.shtml
there it is
"This has got to hurt"
by Da.aron on Jul 27, 2025 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anderson and Zimmermann
I see both developing into legitimate aces.
That being said, I do think Bailey is well on his way to becoming an elite reliever a la Joe Nathan.
Jack "The Must, Just has no Rust, ain't no Bust, after him the ladies Lust, turns pitchers into Dust, likes his pizza with no Crust" Cust
by FrankCohen on Jul 26, 2025 10:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Im going against the flow
I have to say Bailey has been the best(although he is a reliever and i voted Anderson). He leads ALL relievers in strikeouts and have a high 1 or low 2 ERA. He has kinda come down to Earth after the AS brak but he has been asked to pitch more than 1 inning at a time.
HILLIS
by robbo650 on Jul 26, 2025 11:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
voted for Porcello
But I’m quickly becoming a fan of Romero the more I see him.
Draft guru in training.
by tj.hendricks on Jul 27, 2025 1:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Vin Mazzaro
How anyone couldn’t pick the reigning AA pitcher of the year is ludacris
"This has got to hurt"
by Da.aron on Jul 27, 2025 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
nah
i got the right one
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludacris
"This has got to hurt"
by Da.aron on Jul 27, 2025 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zimmermann
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Zim puts together the best career out of any guy on that list. However, I’m going with Brett Anderson.
Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.
by Frederick0220 on Jul 27, 2025 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
not my pick but
RHSP Anthony Swarzak is coming on strong for the Twins
and They’re going to need him without Slowey, Perkins, Bonser and Neshek
+ Liriano having a unmemorable year.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 27, 2025 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ricky Romero
A few people here seem convinced he’s a genuine star. Anybody care to explain why?
TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems
by OldProspects on Jul 27, 2025 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Zep!
Certainly a better choice than Bergeson, Happ, or Neimann. I’d say Romero too if I weren’t afraid of the ERA fanboy backlash.
by PissedMick on Jul 29, 2025 1:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Price over Bergesen,really?
Is the poll result related or projection based. I know I’m a homer but I have listened to everyone on of Brad’s starts on the radio{my option for games}. And the thing that most impresses me is his ability to keep a level head and pitch well with runners on. He hasn’t had those implosion innings and in the development of a young arm isn’t that what to look for,composure. I know the hype surrounding Price and it’s well deserved but twice as many votes as Bergesen among “learned” fans is shocking. I’d take Hanson or Anderson so far this year but I couldn’t without feeling quilty pull the lever for price and that big fat ugly ERA. And to all of you that voted for him ,good luck with the 2 pitch arsenal in the majors.
"The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers."
by fourfingerwoo on Aug 5, 2025 4:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Long-term success:
1) Anderson
2) Hanson
3) Porcello
4) Zimmermann
Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.
by Frederick0220 on Aug 5, 2025 9:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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