This list was a bit harder to narrow down than the hitter list, so I expanded it to 10. However, I think this list is much more open to changes, debate, and modification over the next 6 months.
1. Brett Anderson - He won't show up on a lot of prospect top 10 lists, but that's fine with me. Anderson has been very good, he'll be a #1 starter for a long time.
2. Trevor Cahill - Do A's fans realize that one day they'll have a starting rotation with Gio Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Sean Gallagher, and Trevor Cahill? It's quite possibly the best young rotation I've ever seen.
3. David Price - My gut instinct tells me to drop Price down closer to #5 or even #6, but I'm going to give him until the end of the year before I pass a final judgment on him. His stuff isn't as good as I originally thought it would be.
4. Madison Bumgarner - Pop Quiz Time! Name 5 pitchers that have averaged a K/9 of 10 or more in A ball at the age of 18. Time's up. Post your answers below.
5. Brett Cecil - I've seen absolutely zero buzz about Cecil, but he's got better numbers than Price, and he's very good.
6. Rick Porcello - I was hoping for higher strike out totals from Porcello, but his ground ball rate has been a nice surprise, and his control is respectable.
7. Neftali Feliz - It makes me sick every time I think that Feliz could have been pitching for the Braves if they hadn't lost him in the Teixeira trade.
8. Jordan Walden - Watch out Nick Adenhart, Walden's catching up really fast.
9. Jeremy Jeffress - Tons of potential, and it looks like he's got his personal life back on track as well.
10. Michael Bowden - Still a few years away from being a solid pitcher in the Red Sox rotation, but he'll be a very nice addition to the Buchholz-Lester-Masterson trio.
Honorable mentions: Jeremy Jeffress, Jose Ortegano, Jarrod Parker, Will Inman, Matt Latos, Nick Barnese
Any particular reason Anderson is so high? What about Tommy Hanson?
ReplyDeleteSee my David Price vs. Brett Anderson vs. Trevor Cahill post from yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you anymore. And yes I am well aware of what our future rotation may be. Imagine if Inoa, HRod, or Simmons pan out as well. Wow that would be ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteHmmm Lotzkar is posting a k/9 average higher then 10 at A ball lol. But I do agree with you on most of your picks in the top 10. Maybe not cecil as I'm just not a fan. I also was hoping that Porcello would post a higher K rate but he is still pitching well for someone at his age. Im guessing the K's will come in the future...
ReplyDeleteA's have a great rotation ahead of them, already have a decent rotation now, gonna be amazing to see what the future holds for them.