Teams have signed 30 players for bonuses of at least $1 million since the start of the 2019-20 international signing period on July 2.
Of those 30 players, just two of them are pitchers. That’s a fairly typical distribution. Teams are hesitant to make big investments in 16-year-old pitchers. At that age, even the best pitchers in the world require significant improvements in their stuff to have the repertoire of a major league pitcher. That doesn’t even account for all the risks inherent in trying to keep pitchers healthy, and with pitchers that young, there’s a longer road to go than with high school or college arms.
With pitchers that young, their stuff can change quickly. Once players sign, it’s not uncommon to see their fastballs jump a few miles per hour, with professional coaching, throwing programs, strength and conditioning coaches and access to plenty of calories at club academies in the Dominican Republic.
Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez (originally a Phillies signee), Padres righthander Luis Patiño and Twins righthander Brusdar Graterol all flew under the radar as amateurs. Now they all pump elite fastballs and are three of the best pitching prospects in the game.
The 2019 international signing class has some big arms who were famous early on, but there have also been several pitchers signed this year who were not high-profile names who have trended up since signing and are among the more promising sleeper pitching prospects to watch.
Here we present nine under-the-radar pitching prospects who signed in 2019 and are trending up.
ROBERT DOMINGUEZ, RHP, METS
この記事は Baseball America の January 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Baseball America の January 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
SUMMER STANDOUTS
The top prospects in summer college leagues are poised to impact the 2025 draft
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.
IN WITH THE NEW
The 2024 draft is in the books. The trade deadline is history.
WALCOTT BLASTS OFF
It took some time for Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott to find his footing at High-A Hickory.
A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS
Four key takeaways from the 2024 draft
K.C.MASTERPIECE
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins games for the Royals with his bat, glove, speed and baseball IQ. He might be the most tooled-up player in the game.
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.