Post by RoyalsGM on Apr 30, 2013 23:06:49 GMT -5
So this will be the final section of my trilogy.
This part will get more into the meat of the pitching that will impact the league for years to come.
Hopefully, no one will be injured and insulted during the creation of this thread.
So here we go...
Grant Balfour
So Grant Balfour is a potential deliverer of filth. He has two un-hittable pitches, and the type of make up a manager loves. Balfour will likely be resigned to a middle of the rotation spot unless he can increase his arm strength, but even in a relief role, Balfour will be an elite pitcher that Indians fans will love for years.
B.J. Ryan
This Ryan is not to be confused with a former Texas legend named Ryan....however, this Ryan from the left side is just as deadly. Ryan mixes 4 quality pitches and an incredible strikeout rate in his small minor league sample. Ryan, a lot like Balfour has top of the line stuff, but arm strength is a concern and Ryan will likely end up an elite closer, or middle of the rotation safety blanket.
Scot Shields
Shields has a solid makeup and quality arm. He mixes pitches well and although he won't blow hitters away, he will get his share of groundouts and as he continues to develop, have a solid WHIP. Shields does have value as a starter, and could land in the Phillies top 2 before he's 25 years old.
Josh Beckett
The 19 year old right hander is a solid fly ball pitcher with a plus changeup and splitter. If Beckett can continue to locate and improve his control, he has the potential to be a 200 game winner. He's got plenty of time to hone his skills and the Reds will likely be patient.
Ben Sheets
The Marlins have invested heavily in young pitching and Sheets is one of the better young arms in their system. The right hander has a bevy of solid pitches and can throw them all for strikes. In Single A, Sheets was counted as throwing 7 different pitches, including a knuckle curve and cutter. If Sheets can harness three of these pitches to plus status, he will likely be a top the NL leaders in Wins, ERA and WHIP.
Erik Bedard
The Canadian southpaw Bedard is one of the best products North of the Border since Larry Walker. Bedard has incredible command and uses a fastball, changeup, slider combination to baffle hitters and rack up solid, quality innings. Best case, he's an ace, worst case a solid workhorse and occasional All Star. Not often a lefty like Bedard comes a long, a very solid young pitcher.
Braden Looper
Looper is another very high end right handed arm. He keeps the ball down, throws strikes and can start. He will likely need to improve his arm strength, but like many of the pitchers on this list, Looper is just getting started. He will be a very solid and dependable pitcher in any role.
Freddy Garcia
The Chief as he's called by his Baruta high school teammates, was one of the best young right handers in the minors last year. The Jays decided to move the 22 year old in their rotation this season and as expected he's had some mixed results. There is no denying Garcia's potential to be a solid, top of the rotation pitcher. If he can start missing more bats, Garcia will rise quickly in the American League.
Jake Peavy
On this list, Peavy is a personal favorite. He does give up the occasional homer, but Peavy has the make up and stuff to be a dominant right handed starter in the majors. He mixes speeds, and can rack up the K's, and unlike most strikeout pitchers, Peavy uses guile and movement to miss bats. His fastball tops out at around 90 MPH. Look for this 18 year old to spend the next few years developing in the Mets system. The Mets will likely take their time with this kid.
Jeremy Affeldt
The 20 year old Affeldt has a nasty habit of inducing groundballs. Mixing in the triple threat 2 seamer, changeup and 12-6 curve, there is nothing standing in the young pitchers way to stardom. The right mix of luck and development here and Affeldt is one of the most elite left handers in league history.
Carl Pavano
Pavano is an advanced pitcher at the ripe old age of 23. He has a full season of major league experience under his belt already having throw 230 plus innings last year for the A's. Pavano pitches in cavernous A's Stadium, so his high flyball rate shouldn't prevent him from being a top of the rotation pitcher for many years to come.
Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood is a beast and he's just getting started. The 22 year old ace is on a path for greatness and he hasn't scratched the surface. The Cubs may just break their long championship drought with the solid cast of pitching, and with Kerry Wood in the fold, the Cubs are guaranteed tons of quality starts, wins and strikeouts.
There are so many promising young pitchers in the league right now and I'm not going to make a post touching on every single one. The list is long, deep and would create a ton of conversation about the future of baseball. It's going to be fun watching these young potential stars develop and find their roles.
I will however dedicate this final post to one of my favorite pitchers of all time.
Congrats Bert Blyleven on your HOF nod!!
A truly devastating bender!
This part will get more into the meat of the pitching that will impact the league for years to come.
Hopefully, no one will be injured and insulted during the creation of this thread.
So here we go...
Grant Balfour
So Grant Balfour is a potential deliverer of filth. He has two un-hittable pitches, and the type of make up a manager loves. Balfour will likely be resigned to a middle of the rotation spot unless he can increase his arm strength, but even in a relief role, Balfour will be an elite pitcher that Indians fans will love for years.
B.J. Ryan
This Ryan is not to be confused with a former Texas legend named Ryan....however, this Ryan from the left side is just as deadly. Ryan mixes 4 quality pitches and an incredible strikeout rate in his small minor league sample. Ryan, a lot like Balfour has top of the line stuff, but arm strength is a concern and Ryan will likely end up an elite closer, or middle of the rotation safety blanket.
Scot Shields
Shields has a solid makeup and quality arm. He mixes pitches well and although he won't blow hitters away, he will get his share of groundouts and as he continues to develop, have a solid WHIP. Shields does have value as a starter, and could land in the Phillies top 2 before he's 25 years old.
Josh Beckett
The 19 year old right hander is a solid fly ball pitcher with a plus changeup and splitter. If Beckett can continue to locate and improve his control, he has the potential to be a 200 game winner. He's got plenty of time to hone his skills and the Reds will likely be patient.
Ben Sheets
The Marlins have invested heavily in young pitching and Sheets is one of the better young arms in their system. The right hander has a bevy of solid pitches and can throw them all for strikes. In Single A, Sheets was counted as throwing 7 different pitches, including a knuckle curve and cutter. If Sheets can harness three of these pitches to plus status, he will likely be a top the NL leaders in Wins, ERA and WHIP.
Erik Bedard
The Canadian southpaw Bedard is one of the best products North of the Border since Larry Walker. Bedard has incredible command and uses a fastball, changeup, slider combination to baffle hitters and rack up solid, quality innings. Best case, he's an ace, worst case a solid workhorse and occasional All Star. Not often a lefty like Bedard comes a long, a very solid young pitcher.
Braden Looper
Looper is another very high end right handed arm. He keeps the ball down, throws strikes and can start. He will likely need to improve his arm strength, but like many of the pitchers on this list, Looper is just getting started. He will be a very solid and dependable pitcher in any role.
Freddy Garcia
The Chief as he's called by his Baruta high school teammates, was one of the best young right handers in the minors last year. The Jays decided to move the 22 year old in their rotation this season and as expected he's had some mixed results. There is no denying Garcia's potential to be a solid, top of the rotation pitcher. If he can start missing more bats, Garcia will rise quickly in the American League.
Jake Peavy
On this list, Peavy is a personal favorite. He does give up the occasional homer, but Peavy has the make up and stuff to be a dominant right handed starter in the majors. He mixes speeds, and can rack up the K's, and unlike most strikeout pitchers, Peavy uses guile and movement to miss bats. His fastball tops out at around 90 MPH. Look for this 18 year old to spend the next few years developing in the Mets system. The Mets will likely take their time with this kid.
Jeremy Affeldt
The 20 year old Affeldt has a nasty habit of inducing groundballs. Mixing in the triple threat 2 seamer, changeup and 12-6 curve, there is nothing standing in the young pitchers way to stardom. The right mix of luck and development here and Affeldt is one of the most elite left handers in league history.
Carl Pavano
Pavano is an advanced pitcher at the ripe old age of 23. He has a full season of major league experience under his belt already having throw 230 plus innings last year for the A's. Pavano pitches in cavernous A's Stadium, so his high flyball rate shouldn't prevent him from being a top of the rotation pitcher for many years to come.
Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood is a beast and he's just getting started. The 22 year old ace is on a path for greatness and he hasn't scratched the surface. The Cubs may just break their long championship drought with the solid cast of pitching, and with Kerry Wood in the fold, the Cubs are guaranteed tons of quality starts, wins and strikeouts.
There are so many promising young pitchers in the league right now and I'm not going to make a post touching on every single one. The list is long, deep and would create a ton of conversation about the future of baseball. It's going to be fun watching these young potential stars develop and find their roles.
I will however dedicate this final post to one of my favorite pitchers of all time.
Congrats Bert Blyleven on your HOF nod!!
A truly devastating bender!
