Next Wave: Pitching Prospects outside the T30

[NorthSideSox72 401]

We posted the position player version last week, this one is pitchers. Here is a look at some pitchers who didn't make our Top 30 prospects, but that are still worth keeping an eye on. There are 13 hurlers in the article, some you've heard of, some you may not have.

 

Thirteen sounds like a lot, but honestly I could have gone 20. There were at least a handful more I could have included, but I didn't want the article to go too nuts. There are a lot of arms in the system with some intrigue.

[Eminor3rd 1,120]

Does seem like a ton of arms that could at least be bullpen pieces. Is this typical, though? Or is our system legitimately deep in this area?

[witesoxfan 0]

Does seem like a ton of arms that could at least be bullpen pieces. Is this typical, though? Or is our system legitimately deep in this area?

 

Seems to me that, compared to previous years, the Sox actually have quite a few guys with ceilings and really good raw stuff. Not that they have completely avoided trying to find high upside guys in the past, but that those attempts have failed immensely, partly because they didn't spend anything on the draft or internationally. It also seems as though their coaching and development has improved over time as well, as it seems like they've actually been able to help mold a few pitchers, improving mechanics and adding changeups and sliders instead of the old standard cutter.

 

Ultimately, most of these guys will bottom out, but any one of these guys always seem as though they can be one mechanical tweak away from taking a big step forward.

[NorthSideSox72 401]

Does seem like a ton of arms that could at least be bullpen pieces. Is this typical, though? Or is our system legitimately deep in this area?

My personal opinion, I think (as wite said) there are more pitchers in the system now with some legit raw pitches and tools than in the last few years. Most of these guys are high bust rate, but this is the change in philosophy we are seeing - fewer high floor, polished guys with iffy stuff, and more power guys who need refinement but have higher ceilings. I like it.

 

I loved writing about Mendonca. Legitimately have never seen a guy make that dramatic a change in peripherals from year to year.

 

[Buehrlesque 23]

Whatever happened to Myles Jaye?

[NorthSideSox72 401]

Whatever happened to Myles Jaye?

He was among the handful I left out, along with Robinson Leyer and a few others. I just had to stop writing at some point or I'd end up with an encyclopedia.

 

Jaye has a strong sinker that runs 92-94 (T95), and a curve that has at times flashed plus but has been on and off. He's also been pitching relatively young for level, but less so now. He's struggled when being promoted the last couple years, he's getting hit harder and his K rate for all of 2014 was 4.9 K/9, which is dangerously low. He'll be 23 for this upcoming season, probably back at AA so he's still a little on the younger side for that level.

 

Still an interesting guy.

 

[NorthSideSox72 401]

OK I'll try to prompt some discussion... which of these 13 names in the article are you highest on, and why?

 

[GGajewski18 151]

OK I'll try to prompt some discussion... which of these 13 names in the article are you highest on, and why?

 

JB Wendelken. His peripherals are great, if he has better command of his pitches meaning that he can hit his spots better than leave it over the middle of the plate with his 11H/9IP, then I can see him rise through the rankings.

[witesoxfan 0]

I love what Adam Lopez brings and want to see him pitch a full and healthy season. Hoping he can be a fast riser this season and put himself back on the radar. Even if he starts next year, 2016, as a 26 year old in the minors, he's still young enough to give quite a few good years. Really hoping he does something.

 

I am also intrigued by Kyle Hansen. He's a guy with good stuff and good peripherals too. Hoping he can succeed in AA this year and maybe get a cup of coffee in September.

[NorthSideSox72 401]

I love what Adam Lopez brings and want to see him pitch a full and healthy season. Hoping he can be a fast riser this season and put himself back on the radar. Even if he starts next year, 2016, as a 26 year old in the minors, he's still young enough to give quite a few good years. Really hoping he does something.

 

I am also intrigued by Kyle Hansen. He's a guy with good stuff and good peripherals too. Hoping he can succeed in AA this year and maybe get a cup of coffee in September.

Of all the guys I've written up in these two just-missed articles, the one that most made me re-think them as I wrote it was Kyle Hansen. Looking back, I think I might have snuck him into the back end of my T30 votes if I re-did them. I think he's got a really intriguing reliever profile and could be a force in the pen.