Is Domingo Acevedo another Dellin Betances or could he morph into C.C. Sabathia?
Yesterday, I published the top breakout hitting prospects from this season. Today, you get the pitchers, and boy, are there some good ones. Only one of these pitchers appeared on the top 100 lists of any major publications at the beginning of the season, and now we may be talking about five or six pitchers who could end the season as top 50 prospects.
Kohl Stewart (MIN, RHP)
He was supposed to replace Johnny Football for Texas A&M, but picked a large signing bonus, I mean baseball, instead. He started off as a top 40 prospect, but despite a strong ERA, was a striking no one out. That has changed this season and the 21-year-old is regaining some of the hype he originally came with.
Domingo Acevedo (NYY, RHP)
At 6’7″, 190 pounds and with a supremely talented arm, the sky is the limit for the Yankees’ next big thing. Acevedo has struck out 37 in 33 innings with a 2.43 ERA in hitter-friendly, Charleston. Look for him to burst into the top-30 by next spring.
Mitch Keller (PIT, RHP)
Not only do the Pirates have Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Tyler Glasnow and Ray Searage, but they also have the best surprise in the minors this season in the 20-year-old, Keller. He has 52 Ks in 45 innings this season while just allowing 28 hits and 7 runs for a 1.40 ERA. Keller doesn’t have top-of-the-rotation stuff, but could be another extremely useful piece for Searage and his magic.
Albert Abreu (HOU, RHP)
Among minor league starting pitchers, Abreu’s 14.79 K/9 IP is far and away the best. Add in the fact that he is still just 20 years old and you’ve got to be even more impressed. Perhaps more impressive than his 46 Ks in 28 IP is that despite the dominance in that category, he carries a whopping 5.79 ERA and 5.46 BB/9 rate. Tame your expectations, but do realize he could be a very special pitcher.
Amir Garrett (CIN, LHP)
After passing up basketball for baseball, the 6’5″ lefty has added a few extra ticks to an already impressive fastball. Yes, he is already 24-years-old and doesn’t have the K-rates of some of these other names, but his potential is every bit as enticing and his 1.49 ERA is a witness to his already polished pitchability.
Mike Soroka (ATL, RHP)
Despite being drafted in the first round of last season’s MLB draft, Soroka hasn’t received much talk in prospect circles. He is proving this season (49 IP, 46 K, 9 BB, 2.37 ERA) why the Braves think he can be a reliable No. 3 in the majors for a long time, and perhaps even sooner than you would imagine.
Stephen Gonsalves (MIN, LHP)
When he was a junior in high school, many scouts tabbed him as the top prospect in his class. After a rough senior season, he fell to the 4th round, but has been lights out in pro ball and has especially turned it on this season, allowing just 26 hits in 47 innings. Through 276 minor league innings, the 6’5″ lefty is 24-8 with a 2.12 ERA and over a strikeout per inning pitched.
Junior Fernandez (STL, RHP)
This Cardinals fireballer is unlike the other names on this list in that his stats, while respectable, are not the reason he is rising. Instead, Fernandez’ stuff is what has driven his breakout. He throws absolute gas and there is reason to believe that if he can harness his control, he will follow the same path as Alex Reyes (without the suspension) on his way to becoming a top-20 prospect.
Yohander Mendez (TEX, LHP)
This bonus baby has always been projectable with a picture perfect pitcher’s body and superb stuff, but the Rangers have been careful with him so he hasn’t quite received his due attention. Last season, he came out of the bullpen for 13 of his 21 appearances and struck out 74 in 66 IP with a 2.44 ERA. This season he has been let loose on the world and has possibly been the best starter in the minors with 45 Ks and only 21 hits allowed in his first 33 innings. He already received a promotion to Double-A, where he struck out six in his first five innings. I will not be surprised whatsoever to see him in everyone’s top 20 next season.
In the next prospect report, I’ll bring you a mock draft of the MLB Draft that is now just two weeks away! Thank for reading and if you have any prospect questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me an e-mail at bobby@fantasypros.com or tweet me @bobbyfantasypro
