The rankings for pitchers are broken into three parts: the top 10 prospects, the next 10 prospects ranked in order and 10 more prospects in alphabetical order. As always, these rankings are done from a scouting perspective but with fantasy baseball in mind, generally focusing on standard 5x5 league categories – though other statistics (e.g., K/9, BB/9 and K/BB) are considered – and long-term, dynasty-league value.
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The Top 10:
1. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Washington Nationals (Double-A Harrisburg Senators)
2016 Stats: 4-2, 54 1/3 IP, 2.98 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .243 BAA, 28 BB, 50 K, 1.39 GO/AO (11 starts)
After struggling for much of April, Giolito has rounded into his usual form over his last six starts for Harrisburg, going 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings. In his latest outing, the 21-year-old right-hander recorded a season-high eight strikeouts while allowing one run on seven hits in six innings. Some anticipated Giolito might be ready for his first taste of the big leagues by June, but his command issues – 4.6 BB/9 – and struggles pitching with runners on base indicate that he’ll need additional time in the Minor Leagues. All in all, Giolito has still been plenty effective in his first Double-A exposure, allowing two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his 11 starts.
Impact categories: W, K, ERA, WHIP
2. Julio Urias, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
2016 Stats: 0-1, 11 2/3 IP, 6.94 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, .320 BAA, 6 BB, 14 K, 1.00 GO/AO (3 starts)
Urias finally flashed his huge upside on Wednesday his third big league start for the Dodgers, when he struck out seven hitters in four innings of one-run ball against the Rockies. He allowed three hits and walked one in the outing while generating whiffs with 10 of his 56 strikes. While Urias hasn’t gotten off to a great start to begin his big league career, the 19-year-old left-hander has all the tools to be an effective pitcher at the highest level even at this juncture in his career. Some more bumps in the road should be expected, naturally, but the Dodgers are giving Urias every chance to stick in their rotation right now, at least until injured starters such as Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brandon McCarthy and Alex Wood are ready to return.
Impact categories: W, K, ERA, WHIP
3. Alex Reyes, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Triple-A Memphis Redbirds)
2016 Stats: 1-0, 16 2/3 IP, 3.78 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .210 BAA, 8 BB, 30 K, 1.00 GO/AO (4 starts)
Reyes, 21, has been mostly dominant in his four starts for Triple-A Memphis since returning from suspension, with the only exception being his outing on Wednesday, when he gave up four earned runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings. He still managed to record four of his six outs via the strikeout, giving him 30 in his first 16 2/3 innings (16.5 K/9) on the year, and 386 over 285 2/3 frames (12.2 K/9) for his career. Reyes missing the first quarter of the Minor League season could turn out to be a blessing for the Cardinals, as it should in theory leave the electric right-hander with innings to spare down the stretch, thus allowing him to potentially contribute in either a starting or bullpen role. For now, however, the organization is intent on not rushing him.
Impact categories: W, K, ERA, WHIP
4. Blake Snell, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays (Triple-A Durham Bulls)
2016 Stats: 3-4, 57 1/3 IP, 3.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, .228 BAA, 27 BB, 77 K, 1.37 GO/AO (11 starts)
Snell has been dominant in his past two starts for the Bulls, with the left-hander striking out 14 hitters and allowing just eight hits across 11 scoreless innings. The 23-year-old lefty has fanned exactly nine hitters on four occasions this season and is tied with Tyler Glasnow for the International League lead in that department with 77 in 57 1/3 innings (12.1 K/9). Snell proved in his big league debut on April 23 – when he fired five innings of one-run, two-hit ball and struck out six at Yankee Stadium -- that he’s ready for a long-term spot in the Rays’ rotation. Should Matt Moore’s struggles continue, Snell’s chance could come soon.
Impact categories: K, ERA, WHIP
5. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis Indians)
2016 Stats: 6-2 IP, 66.1 IP, 2.04 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, .205 BAA, 31 BB, 77 K, 1.00 GO/AO (12 starts)
The Pirates decided to call up Jameson Taillon over Glasnow this week, but it’s the latter that has the higher ceiling, both in real life and fantasy. Glasnow hasn’t made the strides with his control and command this season at the Triple-A level that you’d hope to see, with 31 walks in 66 1/3 innings (4.2 BB/9), but he’s continued to pile up strikeouts (77), generate weak contact (.205 BAA) and keep the ball in the park (3 HR). Although he’s perfectly capable of competing in the big leagues right now, the Pirates know that they need the hard-throwing 22-year-old later this season and for the time being they will continue to manage his workload in Triple-A.
Impact categories: K, ERA
6. Jose Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins (Triple-A Rochester Redwings)
2016 Stats: 4-2, 41 IP, 3.07 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .214 BAA, 18 BB, 46 K, 0.89 GO/AO (7 starts)
Berrios had control issues during his stint with the Twins as he issued 12 walks in 15 innings over four starts. Those problems then followed him back to Triple-A, where the 22-year-old righty walked nine more across his next three turns. But Berrios finally returned to form on Monday as he set season highs with 11 strikeouts and eight innings pitched while permitting only one walk, his lowest total in four starts since returning from the Major Leagues. If he can show more of the same and re-establish consistency from start to start, it shouldn’t be long until he’s back with the Twins.
Impact categories: W, K, ERA
7. Anderson Espinoza, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Low-A Greenville Drive)
2016 Stats: 4-4, 48.2 IP, 3.70 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .251 BAA, 19 BB, 50 K, 1.07 GO/AO (11 starts)
Espinoza’s performance has been up and down in his first full pro campaign, with as many good starts as there have been bad. The good ones have been very impressive though, such as when the precocious 18-year-old righty struck out 11 over five innings against Augusta on May 5. Overall, Espinoza, who boats a mid- to upper-90s fastball as well as two secondary pitches with plus potential, has fanned 50 hitters in 48 2/3 innings, during which he is yet to give up a home run. He’s likely to spend the entire season in the South Atlantic League, though a promotion to High-A Salem isn’t out of the question.
8. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Triple-A Indianapolis Indians)
2016 Stats: 4-2, 61.2 IP, 2.04 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, .196 BAA, 6 BB, 61 K, 1.14 GO/AO (10 starts)
Taillon was impressive in his big league debut on Wednesday, tossing six innings of three-run ball while striking out three in a no-decision against the Mets. Now the 24-year-old right-hander is back with Triple-A Indianapolis, for whom he’s posted an outstanding 61/6 strikeout-to-walk ratio and an International League-leading 0.81 WHIP in 61 2/3 innings (10 starts). Though he may not have Glasnow’s bat-missing potential, Taillon is better equipped to turn over a lineup multiple times and pitch deep into a game.
Impact categories: W, K, ERA, WHIP
9. Cody Reed, LHP, Cincinnati Reds (Triple-A Louisville Bats)
2016 Stats: 5-3, 58.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .253 BAA, 15 BB, 58 K, 1.78 GO/AO (10 starts)
Reed was one of three southpaws acquired from Kansas City for Johnny Cueto last summer, and, so far he’s the only one who hasn’t yet pitched for the Reds. However, the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder could end up being the best of a trio that also included Brandon Finnegan and John Lamb. Reed, 23, has been consistent in his first Triple-A campaign, racking up 58 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings while generating groundballs at a high rate. He still needs some seasoning, but there’s every reason to believe Reed will be up sometime after the All-Star break.
Impact categories: K, ERA
10. Sean Newcomb, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Double-A Mississippi Braves)
2016 Stats: 3-3, 62 IP, 3.63 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, .248 BAA, 33 BB, 63 K, 0.67 GO/AO (12 starts)
Newcomb’s performance has fluctuated in his first taste of Double-A as he’s posted solid numbers but struggled to work deep into games account of his subpar control. The 22-year-old left-hander has still been difficult to square up, though, with 63 strikeouts and one home run allowed in 62 innings, and he’s allowed three or fewer earned runs in 11 of his 12 starts. But even though he’s an impressive talent with the future of a No. 2 or 3 starter, Newcomb is in need of further refinement before he’s offered a crack at the Major Leagues by the rebuilding Braves.
Impact categories: K, ERA
The Next 10:
11. Josh Hader, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers (Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox)
12. Robert Stephenson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds (Triple-A Louisville Bats)
13. Michael Fulmer, RHP, Detroit Tigers (MLB)
14. Sean Manaea, LHP, Oakland Athletics (MLB)
15. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Colorado Rockies (Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes)
16. Jose De Leon, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers)
17. Brent Honeywell, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs)
18. Tyler Jay, LHP, Minnesota Twins (High-A Fort Myers Miracle)
19. Carson Fulmer, RHP, Chicago White Sox (Double-A Birmingham Barons)
20. Francis Martes, RHP, Houston Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks)
The Next 10 (Alphabetical Order):
Brady Aiken, LHP, Cleveland Indians (Extended spring training)
Kolby Allard, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Low-A Rome Braves)
Yadier Alvarez, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Extended spring training)
Mark Appel, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs)
Aaron Blair, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett Braves)
Grant Holmes, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes)
David Paulino, RHP, Houston Astros (Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks)
Braden Shipley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Triple-A Reno Aces)
Dillon Tate, RHP, Texas Rangers (Low-A Hickory Crawdads)
Jake Thompson, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs)
