All articles tagged with #pitching prospects
San Francisco used the MLB Draft Lottery to move into the top five and selected UCSB right-hander Jackson Flora at No. 4, addressing a pitching gap in a farm system that lacks impact arms. Flora, who sits in the upper 90s with a plus changeup and posted a 1.06 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 102 innings as a junior, could reach the majors by late 2027 and has a potential ace trajectory for the Giants.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggests the Braves should go all-in at the MLB Trade Deadline by pursuing Tarik Skubal to bolster their rotation and chase a World Series, noting it’s speculative commentary rather than reporting and highlighting Atlanta’s depth and pitching prospects as context.
Cardinals pitching prospect Tekoah Roby underwent Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the rest of this season and all of 2026, marking a significant setback for the team's young pitching development amid multiple injuries in their system.
The Seattle Mariners selected LSU left-hander Kade Anderson with the third pick in the MLB Draft, valuing his advanced skills and potential. Anderson, who excelled at LSU and was a top prospect, will not play in the minors this summer due to his workload but is expected to develop into a key player, with comparisons to Mariners' pitchers Gilbert and Kirby. The team showed strong interest by conducting an in-home visit, highlighting their confidence in his potential.
The New York Yankees are planning to promote pitching prospect Cam Schlittler to the major league roster due to multiple injuries in their pitching staff, including Clarke Schmidt's season-ending Tommy John surgery. Schlittler, a promising right-hander with a strong strikeout rate and good grounder tendencies, could make his MLB debut soon, potentially extending his audition beyond a single start depending on team needs. The Yankees are considering roster moves to accommodate him, with his future prospects looking bright based on his minor league performance and scouting reports.
Roki Sasaki, a top Japanese pitching prospect, is generating significant interest as he approaches MLB free agency, but he is not necessarily destined for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite the Dodgers' interest, Sasaki's decision will likely be influenced by factors such as endorsement opportunities and pitching development, making teams like the Padres, Rays, Mets, and Braves strong contenders. Sasaki's relationship with Yu Darvish and the potential for maximizing endorsements in Japan could also sway his decision away from the Dodgers.
The Seattle Mariners focused heavily on pitching in the 2024 MLB Draft, selecting 14 pitchers, five position players, and one two-way prospect. Key picks include switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and right-hander Rylan Sloan, though their immediate minor-league assignments are uncertain. Late-round pick Christian Little and two-way player Grant Knipp are also highlighted as potential standout prospects.
The Cleveland Guardians focused heavily on pitching during day two of the MLB draft, selecting eight pitchers, including notable high school prospects Joey Oakie and Chase Mobley. The team has drafted ten pitchers and two hitters so far, continuing their trend of building pitching through the draft. Analysts are impressed with the talent but question if the Guardians can sign all their picks. The MLB All-Star game features Guardians' players Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez, with the final draft rounds resuming today.
The Yankees focused on bolstering their pitching depth in the 2024 MLB Draft, selecting mostly college pitchers, particularly from the SEC, in rounds 6-10. Key picks include LSU's Griffin Herring, Virginia Tech's Wyatt Parliament, and Auburn's Tanner Bauman. They also picked position players Tyler Wilson from Grand Canyon University and Joe Delossantos from William & Mary. The selections reflect the Yankees' strategy of targeting pitchers with potential despite underwhelming college stats.
The Detroit Tigers selected high school pitcher Ethan Schiefelbein with the 72nd pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Schiefelbein, a lefty from Corona High School in California, is known for his smooth pitching motion, advanced control, and solid performance on the showcase circuit. While his individual traits don't stand out, his overall potential and the Tigers' pitching development capabilities could help him become a mid-rotation starter. This pick reflects the Tigers' bold draft strategy, focusing on high school talent despite the associated risks.
New York Mets' ace Kodai Senga will start the 2024 season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury, with no clear timetable for his return, prompting discussions about potential replacements and the team's pitching prospects. Additionally, updates on other Mets players, signings, and MLB news are highlighted, including the Marlins signing Tim Anderson and the Tigers signing Gio Urshela.
The New York Yankees have been successful in developing and maximizing their pitching prospects, which has allowed them to make significant trades to acquire talented players like Andrew Benintendi, Frankie Montas, Lou Trivino, Scott Effross, Greg Allen, Keynan Middleton, and Alex Verdugo. The Yankees' senior director of pitching, Sam Briend, emphasizes the organization's focus on individualized development and maximizing pitch shapes. Despite losing 20 pitchers in trades and the Rule 5 draft, the Yankees continue to produce promising pitching prospects, with Chase Hampton, Will Warren, Kyle Carr, Carlos Lagrange, and Henry Lalane among those to watch.
The New York Yankees are hesitant to include pitching prospect Drew Thorpe in trade talks for Juan Soto, as Thorpe had an impressive first professional season, leading the minor leagues in strikeouts and posting strong numbers. Despite not having overpowering velocity, Thorpe's deep arsenal of pitches, including an elite changeup, has made him a rising prospect. The Yankees, known for their success in developing pitchers, are trying to hold onto Thorpe and Michael King while exploring other pitching options to entice the San Diego Padres in a potential trade for Soto.
The Atlanta Braves have a promising wave of pitching prospects, including AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep, who could make an impact with the big-league team in 2024. The team's focus on developing young, hard-throwing right-handed pitchers with athleticism is paying off, as these prospects offer a potential solution to the team's pitching needs. Other notable prospects include Spencer Schwellenbach, Cade Kuehler, Owen Murphy, Cole Phillips, and JR Ritchie, who are all working their way up the ranks. While the Braves may still look to add proven starters through trades or free agency, the emergence of these young arms provides optimism for the team's pitching situation.
The KC Royals made four roster changes before their game against Toronto, placing pitcher Austin Cox and catcher Freddy Fermin on the injured list while activating Brad Keller and promoting Tyler Cropley. Cox's knee injury raises questions about his future with the team, as he may need to be protected in the upcoming Rule 5 draft.