It’s been an extended summer season. With every stage of the Minor Leagues solely weeks away from the tip of its common season, pitchers could also be dropping steam as they shut in on innings limits or face basic late-year fatigue.
Among the Minors’ greatest arms are nonetheless getting warmed up as we shut in on Labor Day. These are the most well liked pitching prospects from every farm system:
Blue Jays: Gage Stanifer, RHP (No. 6)The 2022 Nineteenth-rounder’s breakout season continues apace, and you might make a powerful argument that August has truly been his strongest month of the season, not less than as a full-time starter. Coming into this week, Stanifer has strung collectively three straight high quality begins for Excessive-A Vancouver, and he owns a 2.00 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 5 August begins whole. His 34 strikeouts are tied for second-most at Excessive-A this month.
Orioles: Michael Forret, RHP (No. 11)Forret didn’t enable an earned run in his ultimate 4 begins with Excessive-A Aberdeen, resulting in a promotion to Double-A Chesapeake in the course of August. He’s stored the zeros going (minus an unearned run allowed) in his first two outings with the Baysox, hanging out 12 and strolling solely two in 10 2/3 innings. He’s dropped his already stellar ERA from 1.99 at the beginning of this run to its present state of 1.28 by way of 70 1/3 innings between each stops, second-best within the Minors amongst 559 pitchers with not less than 70 frames.
Rays: Brody Hopkins, RHP (No. 3)On July 20, Hopkins had his roughest begin of the season by which he allowed 5 runs (all unearned) on six hits and two walks in solely 2/3 of an inning for Double-A Montgomery towards Biloxi. Two begins afterward Aug. 1, he had his greatest – a 10-strikeout gem over seven scoreless innings towards Columbus. He’s continued to impress since then and enters his scheduled begin Wednesday with a 1.13 ERA and 20 Ok’s over his final three outings (16 innings). His 122 strikeouts on the season rank tenth in Double-A.
Pink Sox: Yhoiker Fajardo, RHP (No. 25)Probably the most coveted Venezuelan pitcher on the ‘24 worldwide market, the 18-year-old Fajardo continues to impress this summer season in his full-season debut with Single-A Salem. After permitting a number of runs in every of his first three begins, Fajardo allowed solely three runs in 34 1/3 innings over his previous eight begins. He’s posted scoreless outings in 5 of his final six begins, and in his most up-to-date, cruised for six scoreless innings of two-hit ball as he punched out eight.
Yankees: Kyle Carr, LHP (No. 13)Twelve of the Yankees’ high 19 prospects are hurlers, so there may be critical competitors on this system. Nonetheless, nobody is throwing the ball as properly proper now as Carr, the membership’s third-round choose from the ‘23 Draft. The 23-year-old southpaw owns a 1.73 ERA in 4 August begins at Excessive-A, having thrown not less than six innings in all of them. He’s allowed one run or fewer in every of his previous three, most just lately logging 6 1/3 scoreless towards Jersey Shore on Aug. 21.
Guardians: Braylon Doughty, RHP (No. 9)The thirty sixth general choose from the ‘24 Draft technically doesn’t have knowledgeable win but, however that doesn’t mirror the promise he’s proven at Single-A throughout his professional debut. Over the previous two months particularly he’s actually settled in, recording a 1.71 ERA with greater than a strikeout per inning since July 1. He’s been notably efficient in three August begins, surrendering just one earned run and hanging out 19 throughout 13 2/3 innings.
Royals: David Shields, LHP (No. 6)From July 18 to Aug. 19, Shields didn’t enable an earned run over a stretch of six begins for Single-A Columbia. He fanned 33 and walked solely three over 26 1/3 innings in that span. Sadly, the run of zeros got here to an finish Tuesday when he gave up two earned runs over 4 frames towards Hickory (nonetheless a comparatively positive efficiency for an 18-year-old in full-season ball). Because the begin of July, Shields leads Single-A qualifiers with a 0.96 ERA and ranks fourth with a 0.96 WHIP over 9 begins.
Tigers: Lucas Elissalt, RHP (No. 26)The final time Elissalt allowed greater than two earned runs in a begin was Could 7 again with Single-A Lakeland. After debuting with Excessive-A West Michigan on Aug. 7, the 21-year-old right-hander, who stands out most for his 77-80 mph curveball, has a 1.47 ERA by way of his first 4 begins with the Whitecaps. He has needed to work by way of some management points, as he did Sunday with 4 walks in 3 1/3 innings, however general, the 2024 Thirteenth-rounder has hit the bottom operating at his second membership of his first full season.
Twins: Ty Langenberg, RHP (Not ranked)The College of Iowa product is actually feeling snug with Excessive-A Cedar Rapids. An Eleventh-round choose in 2023, Langenberg has achieved high quality begins in 5 of his final seven begins with the Kernels, posting a 2.51 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 12 walks in 43 innings over that span. The 23-year-old right-hander has a deep pitch combine that contains a fastball, cutter, slider, changeup and curveball to maintain hitters guessing.
White Sox: Peyton Pallette, RHP (No. 14)Now strictly a reliever, Chicago’s second-round choose from 2022 reached Triple-A this summer season and has recorded 72 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings on the season. He acquired off to a troublesome begin with Charlotte however grew dependable by mid-June, and since, 15 of his previous 21 appearances have been scoreless, together with 4 of his final six. He’s been actually robust to sq. up since Aug. 7, particularly, with 16 punchouts in 8 2/3 innings over that span.
Angels: Trey Gregory-Alford, RHP (No. 11)An Eleventh-round choose who signed for second-round cash ($1.96 million) final 12 months, Gregory-Alford was eased into professional ball within the Arizona Advanced League, as many high-school arms are. The 6-foot-5 right-hander moved to Single-A Inland Empire at first of this month and has had no bother transitioning to full-season ball with a 0.53 ERA and 0.76 WHIP by way of his first 4 begins (17 innings) with the 66ers. He’s been extraordinarily fastball-dominant within the early going however has gotten six whiffs on 9 swings towards his slider, per Synergy.
Astros: Alonzo Tredwell, RHP (No. 28)The 6-foot-8 Tredwell’s vital harm historical past stored him off the mound for lengthy stretches, however he’s wholesome this 12 months and exhibiting why he was an over-slot second-rounder again in 2023. He’s thrived since an Aug. 5 promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi, pitching to a 2.81 ERA with 26 strikeouts over his first 216 innings for the Hooks, each in beginning and multi-inning aid roles. Tredwell’s prime efficiency got here two begins in the past, when he racked up a career-high 10 strikeouts throughout 4 innings of lengthy aid, with out strolling a batter.
A’s: Cole Miller, RHP (No. 27)The 2023 fourth-round choose is lastly having fun with a sustained workload within the Minors after Tommy John surgical procedure worn out what ought to have been his first full season, and he’s hitting his stride of late with Single-A Stockton. In 4 begins this month, Miller owns a 0.57 ERA with 18 strikeouts and solely two walks in 15 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-6 righty has but to throw greater than 4 innings or 58 pitches in any of his 9 begins with the Ports, however the combination of well being and success has been excellent for the participant and group.
Mariners: Adam Seminaris, LHP (Not ranked)After stints within the Angels and Brewers methods, Seminaris signed with the Mariners as a Minor League free agent again in January and has confirmed to be a strong Double-A bit in Arkansas, particularly of late. Since July 19, Seminaris leads the Texas League with a 1.85 ERA and ranks fourth along with his 1.06 WHIP over six begins (34 innings) with the Vacationers. The southpaw has allowed just one homer in 109 2/3 innings on the season and depends a ton on producing groundball contact with a 48.7 % GB charge in ‘25.
Rangers: Caden Scarborough, RHP (No. 8)The 20-year-old Scarborough earned a promotion to Excessive-A Hub Metropolis on August 21 on the heels of a string of robust outings, after which fired 5 innings of one-hit ball, with 9 strikeouts, in his fiery debut on the new stage. Scarborough had allowed one run or fewer in seven of his final eight begins at Single-A earlier than the promotion. Now, he’s gone his final 16 innings since allowing an earned run, the final coming all the way in which again in July. The suitable-hander owns a 2.70 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 80 whole innings this season throughout the 2 ranges.
Braves: Hayden Harris, LHP (No. 27)Atlanta could have a reliable left-handed reliever within the making in Harris, a 26-year-old southpaw who’s spent this season pitching like one of many Minors’ high aid aces. Harris owns a miniscule 0.59 ERA throughout 37 appearances this season, together with a 0.39 mark in 19 video games for Triple-A Gwinnett, and he is racked up 70 strikeouts in 46 whole innings. However he’s actually been automated this month, but to permit a run in six August appearances. Harris’ final 10 outings – and 20 of his previous 21 courting again to June 4 – have been scoreless.
Marlins: Robby Snelling, LHP (No. 4/MLB No. 79)What a distinction a 12 months makes. One 12 months in the past, Snelling’s prospect shine was carrying, as he slumped terribly earlier than a midseason commerce to the Marlins. This 12 months, he’s at Triple-A pitching in addition to he ever has. Snelling owns a 0.88 ERA and fairly ridiculous 46-6 Ok/BB ratio over his previous 5 begins courting again to July 26. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in any of his previous three begins, racking up 28 strikeouts in that span. Snelling’s most spectacular gem got here on August 7, when he punched out 11 throughout six innings of one-hit ball towards Nashville.
Mets: Jonah Tong, RHP (No. 4/MLB No. 44)May this be anybody else? “It’s all about him dominating the Minor Leagues,” Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned Tuesday when discussing Tong’s ascent to the Majors. There’s little doubt the 22-year-old right-hander achieved that in latest weeks. Since showing within the All-Star Futures Recreation on July 12, Tong posted a 0.51 ERA with 54 strikeouts over his seven begins (35 innings) between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. He fanned 17 batters over 11 2/3 scoreless innings on the larger stage, and that’s all of the Mets wanted to see forward of his MLB debut Friday.
Nationals: Jarlin Susana, RHP (No. 3/MLB No. 72)Susana missed two months with a Grade 1 UCL sprain, made three rehab appearances with Excessive-A Wilmington, returned to the Double-A Harrisburg rotation on Aug. 7 and has been near-lights-out ever since. He’s fanned 38 batters in his final 4 begins with the Senators, together with 13 on Aug. 19 and 10 on Sunday (each occasions towards a loaded Erie lineup). The 6-foot-6 righty has proven his trademark velocity by revving his fastball as much as 103, however his 86-88 mph slider could possibly be an excellent higher pitch with the way in which it generates depraved whiff charges.
Phillies: Mavis Graves, LHP (No. 25)The 6-foot-6 Graves made massive strides in 2024, and after a couple of robust outings at Single-A at the beginning of the 12 months, is admittedly settling in at Excessive-A Jersey Shore because the summer season wears on. Graves pitched to a 1.72 ERA over 4 begins in July, following that up with a 0.92 ERA in 4 August begins – he’s allowed solely two earned runs whole in his final seven begins, a stretch of 32 2/3 innings. As such, he’s logged scoreless outings in six of these seven begins, with opponents batting merely .159 towards him this month.
Brewers: Jaron DeBerry (Not ranked)Taken within the third spherical final 12 months out of Dallas Baptist, DeBerry is now on his third Minor League membership of the season, having ascended from Single-A to Excessive-A to Double-A and debuting on the latter spot on Aug. 6. He’s been lights-out in his first 4 begins with Biloxi, posting a 1.50 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 5 walks in 24 innings. DeBerry, whose greatest pitch is a low-80s sweeper, has 94 punchouts in 87 1/3 innings in his first full season.
Cardinals: Brycen Mautz, LHP (No. 21)Mautz had a slight hiccup on Aug. 20 when he allowed 5 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings, however outdoors of that, he’s been arguably the Texas League’s greatest starter this month. His 2.08 ERA over 5 begins (26 innings) for Springfield is the circuit’s lowest this month, whereas his 1.00 WHIP and 27 strikeouts rank second and third, respectively. His 27.7 % Ok charge for the season is sixth-best amongst all Double-A qualifiers.
Cubs: Tyler Schlaffer, RHP (No. 30)It’s been an extended highway for the 24-year-old Schlaffer, whom the Cubs took within the ninth spherical all the way in which again in 2019. He’s battled accidents however is managing a career-high workload this season and reached Double-A in early July. He’s been nails because the promotion, allowing simply 15 runs over his first 9 begins there. He’s allowed two runs or fewer in seven of these outings.
Pirates: Connor Wietgrefe, RHP (Not ranked)Pittsburgh’s seventh-round choose in ‘24 is beginning each fifth day this season at Excessive-A, although if he retains pitching like this he may not be there for lengthy. Wietgrefe is driving a 20-inning scoreless streak over your complete month of August, a span of 4 begins. He’s accomplished six scoreless innings in two of these outings, and his 0.69 ERA over the previous 30 days is greatest amongst Pirates farmhands.
Reds: Simon Miller, RHP (Not ranked)The 24-year-old former Twelfth-round choose has helped flip the again finish of Double-A Chattanooga’s bullpen into one of many extra fearsome items, growing right into a dependable setup man alongside nearer Trevor Kunci. Miller has solely allowed earned runs in 4 of his previous 17 appearances, and as soon as in his final seven outings this month. That’s translated to a 2.20 ERA courting again to the start of July, and 19 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings. He’s solely allowed one house run in that stretch, too.
D-backs: Daniel Eagen, RHP (No. 14)The 2024 third-rounder was actually pushing for a promotion out of Excessive-A Hillsboro when he fanned 10 over six no-hit innings on Aug. 8 and adopted that up with 11 Ok’s in seven scoreless on Aug. 15. He made his long-awaited Double-A Amarillo debut final Friday and stored the great occasions rolling with eight strikeouts, two hits and just one stroll allowed in 7 2/3 zero-laden frames. His 0.61 WHIP and .110 average-against are each tops within the Minors in August.
Dodgers: Marlon Nieves, RHP (Not ranked)The at all times pitching-rich Dodgers have a number of prospects throwing properly, however let’s give the nod to the 20-year-old Nieves at Single-A. He’s been lights-out since arriving in Rancho Cucamonga, registering a 1.95 ERA throughout his first six begins and hanging out greater than a batter per inning. He’s been constant, too, holding opponents to 1 run or fewer in 4 of his first six begins on the stage.
Giants: Jacob Bresnahan, LHP (No. 12)Acquired on the 2024 Deadline for Alex Cobb, the left-handed Bresnahan didn’t appear to be himself down the stretch in his first go within the Giants’ system. That’s not the case this season, as he’s asserted himself as one of many higher pitching prospects within the Single-A California League, the place his 2.69 ERA is the perfect amongst pitchers who’ve made not less than 20 begins. The 20-year-old is on an particularly good run in August, permitting one run or fewer in every of his 4 outings, compiling 26 punchouts in 18 2/3 innings and pitching to a 0.96 ERA.
Padres: Kash Mayfield, LHP (No. 4)Mayfield was restricted at Single-A Lake Elsinore in the course of the season and didn’t throw greater than three innings or 55 pitches in his eight begins between Could 7 and July 29. He’s ramping that workload again up of late whereas sustaining his effectiveness for the Storm with a 2.50 ERA and 22 strikeouts in his final 4 begins (18 innings). The 2024 first-rounder has discovered probably the most effectiveness along with his changeup, recording a 55 % whiff charge on recorded cambios this season per Synergy.
Rockies: LHP Griffin Herring (No. 9)The ‘24 sixth-round choose has been aces since arriving within the Rockies group as a part of the Commerce Deadline deal for Ryan McMahon, operating a 1.71 ERA over his first 5 begins (21 IP) for Excessive-A Spokane. Opponents are hitting solely .132 in that span towards Herring, who’s logged 5 innings whereas permitting one run or fewer in every of his previous two begins, and piled up 9 strikeouts over 4 innings within the begin prior.
