The Arizona Fall League is a chance for organizations to get a feel for some of their young players. Let’s take a look at three pitchers drafted in 2009 and how they are fairing so far:
Drew Storen, Washington Nationals
While Stephen Strasburg is the Nationals pitching prospect who gets all the attention, Storen (who was selected 10th overall) deserves just as many accolades. He was impressive in 37 innings after being drafted, pitching across three minor league levels and posting a 1.95 ERA with 49 Ks.
In the AFL he has been nearly as impressive, posting a 1.17 ERA with 10 Ks over 7.2 innings. His 1.43 WHIP comes from having allowed 10 hits, which certainly does not correlate with the 0.78 he posted in the minor leagues. Chances are, he probably falls somewhere in the middle.
For a pitcher who is armed with a mid-90s fastball, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see him pitching for the Nationals early on in 2010. Remember, this was a team who used Mike MacDougal as their closer in 2009, a pitcher with a career ERA over 4.00.
We’ll focus on him more in the coming weeks, but right now the important thing to know for fantasy owners is that he is a player to have on your radar. With the potential to pile up the strikeouts as well as claim the closers job this season, he’s a potential closer “ace,” one that gives owners reason not to draft a closer in the early rounds.
Mike Leake, Cincinnati Reds
Storen is not the only 2009 first round draft pick who is impressing in the AFL. Leake, who was drafted two spots earlier, has made three starts thus far totaling 8.2 innings. Over that span he’s posted a 1.04 ERA with six Ks, though he has allowed 13 hits and four unearned runs.
While you like seeing the ERA number where it is, obviously the unearned runs make things a little bit deceiving. Without that benefit, he’d be in the same conversation as Strasburg (currently with a 6.97 ERA).
His fastball sits in the low 90s, but he’s better known for his control. Prior to the draft, mlb.com said about his strengths:
“Four pitches that are all usable and the ability to command all of them extremelly well. He’s extremely durable, having thrown as many innings as just about anyone in the class over the past few seasons.”
Having not yet thrown a pitch in the minor leagues, it is tough to get a read as to what to expect from Leake but it is nearly certain that he is not going to make an impact on the Reds in 2010. Often control pitchers take a little bit longer to develop, so keep that in mind.
Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers
Best known for being drafted in 2008 by the Pirates though not signing (a shoulder injury may have played a role), Scheppers was selected 44th overall in 2009 and ultimately signed with the Rangers. Pitching out of the bullpen he’s posted a 3.86 ERA over 7.0 innings, striking out eight.
One of the things that have been most impressive from him is that he has allowed just six base runners (five hits and one walk).
The Rangers are a team that is perpetually looking for pitching, so it is possible that he moves quickly through the system.
Unless they move him to the rotation, however, does any fantasy owners really care?
With Frank Francisco and C.J. Wilson on the roster, it’s not like he’s going to get to make an impact at the back end of the bullpen. Of course, having not thrown a pitch in the minor leagues, there’s no guarantee he’s going to even reach the majors in 2010.
What are your thoughts on these three pitchers? Which do you think has the best chance of making a 2010 impact?
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