Down on the Farm–Top Pitching Prospects Minor League Statistics (through 5/8)

The following pitchers were promoted to the major leagues since the last time I published this article:

Max Scherzer
Nick Adenhart
Aaron Laffey
Jo-Jo Reyes

They will be replaced by new entrants next week.

Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds

Bailey went 1-1 in his last two starts, Bailey has been going deeper into the games, and striking out more batters. He has 17 Ks in his last 14 innings, and his ERA is still under 3.00. His call up to the majors doesn’t appear to be imminent at this point, but he is certainly pitching like he wants it to be sooner rather than later.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
7	4	3	2.72	46.1	37	14	12	39	.222

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Kershaw appears to be close to the majors now, and it looks like his call will come sometime in May. The Dodgers had him work out of the bullpen in his last appearance to try to keep his innings down. They have said he will not pitch more than 25 innings in any month, something Joe Torre called the Kershaw Decree, playing off the Joba Rules.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
6	0	3	1.08	33.1	23	4	11	36	.192

Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics

In his last three starts, Gonzalez has been very hittable, as he took the loss in two of them. His ERA more than doubled, and he walked more guys than he struck out. Gonzalez still has a very high ceiling, but it doesn’t appear he will be in the majors soon.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
7	0	2	5.18	33	37	19	18	26	.289

Adam Miller, Cleveland Indians

Miller has had a decent last ten days, although he is yet to record a decision. He does have 10 strikeouts in just 12.2 innings, but he also has five walks and has a .328 batting average against. Miller will certainly be someone to watch if he gets the call to the majors, but I don’t believe it will be in the near future.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
3	0	0	2.84	12	19	4	5	10	.328

Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays

Niemann was optioned back to the minors on April 20^th, but hasn’t pitched in the minors since his return. Still researching why that might be, will keep you updated.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
2	1	1	3.27	11	8	4	5	9	.195

Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers

Forget about his win-loss record and the rest is pretty impressive. He has only allowed eight runs in seven starts, and although his strikeouts have been down over his past couple of starts, Porcello is still one to watch for the future.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
7	2	4	1.98	36.1	25	8	12	22	.191

Carlos Carrasco, Philadelphia Phillies

Carrasco has posted two consecutive wins, and gotten his strikeout level to over one an inning. He is only 21 years old, and his ceiling is very high. Given some injuries to the rotation in Philly, there’s a shot he could be in the show this year.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
6	3	2	3.25	36	30	13	14	39	.234

Philip Humber, Minnesota Twins

The Twins had Humber pitching out of the bullpen for a couple of appearances, but he is back starting again. Although he did collect a win, Humber certainly has been disappointing so far. He projects to be about a number three starter, so don’t go crazy if/when he is called.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
6	1	3	4.97	29	38	16	13	20	.319

Justin Masterson, Boston Red Sox

After an amazing start that culminated with getting an appearance for the Red Sox, Masterson has been struggling as of late. He has given up four runs in back to back games, and watched his ERA jump from under one to over three. I wouldn’t grab him if he’s just spot starting again, but if he gets the call for an extended stay, Masterson has proven that he can pitch at the highest level.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
6	1	2	3.25	27.2	23	10	10	34	.225

Chris Volstad, Florida Marlins

Volstad continues to be impressive, and looks like he will be ready if duty calls in Florida. He needs to strikeout more hitters to have a huge fantasy impact, as being in Florida won’t net him a ton of wins, but keep his name on your watch list later in the season.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
7	3	1	2.58	45.1	33	13	17	32	.208

Wade Davis, Tampa Bay Rays

Davis will be an impressive addition when he gets the call to the Rays, but it appears there is more than one or more pitchers in front of him in line. He continues to put together a solid, although unspectacular, 2008 campaign.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
7	3	2	3.51	41	34	16	13	29	.234

Joe Savery, Philadelphia Phillies

Although Savery continues to rack up the strikeouts, he has struggled his last couple times out. He allowed nine runs in the past 11 innings, but struck out 14. He’s got a long road before he could end up with the Phillies, but he is a name to watch.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
6	1	2	3.56	43	42	17	18	39	.259

Radhames Liz, Baltimore Orioles

Liz is allowing way too many runs right now, and hasn’t collected a win yet. He is still striking out a batter an inning, but he needs more than that to make it to the major leagues. He has a world of talent, and a great arm, but hasn’t been able to put it together as of yet.

Starts	Wins	Losses	ERA	IP	Hits	ER	BB	Ks	BAA
6	0	3	5.35	33.2	32	20	14	34	.262

 As always, your questions (adds, drops, trades) and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee a response within 18 hours. Don’t forget to check me out at mlbfrontoffice.com on Tuesdays under In The News. Also go to fantasybaseballsearch.com to find me in the Gurus Blog.