RoboScout Top MLB Prospects At Every Level On July 7, 2024

Dominican Summer League Hitters (min 25 PA)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Juneiker Caceres	CLE	99	100
2	Jesus Made	MIL	92	96
3	Jose Anderson	MIL	100	93
4	Eduardo Beltre	MIN	83	91
5	Elvin Garcia	BAL	82	90
6	Luis Pena	MIL	86	89
7	Gabriel Rodriguez	CLE	86	89
8	Yolfran Castillo	TEX	84	88
9	Jirvin Morillo	CIN	81	87
10	Edward Florentino	PIT	75	85
11	Jaset Martinez	CIN	76	84
12	Justin Gonzales	BOS	72	84
13	Emil Morales	LAD	85	83
14	Adriander Mejia	BAL	71	83
15	Queni Pineda	NYY	70	82
16	Jhonayker Ugarte	KCR	77	81
17	Diorland Zambrano	CIN	66	80
18	Yeiferth Castillo	CLE	63	78
19	Rafael Flores	TOR	66	78
20	Euri Rosa	LAD	71	78

In a reversal of “AI is coming for our jobs”, Ben Badler delivered his latest article of players in the DSL generating buzz, essentially rendering RoboScout irrelevant this week. If you haven’t read it, do yourself a favor. 

Elvin Garcia (Orioles) has entered into the top tier of targets. Although his performance is already sufficient to have him in the conversation of dynasty targets, when you add in that he plays a solid shortstop with a high baseball IQ and athleticism, he becomes a must-bid. Garcia also has a plus contact rate, plus chase rate and a preternatural knack for barreling all pitch types. This includes five barrels against breaking pitches. This is not clear when merely scouting the statline, but RoboScout folds it into the grade.

Congratulations also to Yolfran Castillo (Rangers). He was brought stateside and is now in the Complex League. 

Complex League Hitters (min 55 PA)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Yeremi Cabrera	TEX	100	100
2	Eduardo Tait	PHI	93	99
3	Robert Calaz	COL	92	99
4	Eric Bitonti	MIL	84	97
5	Eduardo Quintero	LAD	81	94
6	Franklin Arias	BOS	78	91
7	Edgleen Perez	NYY	75	91
8	Starlyn Caba	PHI	78	91
9	Yoeilin Cespedes	BOS	81	91
10	Dameury Pena	MIN	77	87
11	Jhonny Severino	PIT	73	87
12	Brailer Guerrero	TBR	73	86
13	Luis Parababire	ATL	72	86
14	Welbyn Francisca	CLE	71	85
15	Andruw Musett	BOS	67	84
16	Felnin Celesten	SEA	72	84
17	Miguel Rodriguez	BAL	69	83
18	Pablo Guerrero	TEX	85	82
19	Joshua Liranzo	BAL	72	82
20	Aroon Escobar	PHI	67	81
21	Carlos Tavares	WSN	68	81
22	Franyerber Montilla	DET	67	80
23	Jeremy Rodriguez	NYM	77	78
24	Abrahan Ramirez	NYY	64	78
25	Alexander Albertus	LAD	63	78

After missing the first bit of the season, Joshua Liranzo (Orioles) has only recently debuted stateside and only now has qualified for the Complex Level hitting list, debuting in the Top 20. Considering he has already hit two balls over 105 mph in his first week of playing—and is one of the youngest hitters in the Complex League—RoboScout is extremely excited, and that’s without even knowing that he is the younger brother of Thayron Liranzo (Dodgers). Although a growth spurt has pushed him off shortstop, the younger Liranzo’s patient approach, solid bat-to-ball skills, and potential for high end exit velocities should be more than enough to play at a corner. The biggest concern right now is Liranzo’s average launch angle is currently negative, something already evident in the 51% groundball rate, but despite that he still has put up a league average barrel rate. It’s been fewer than 60 plate appearances but RoboScout is extremely excited about the young Oriole infielder’s ceiling – probably making him a Top 250 fantasy prospect already.

In 2022, the Brewers signed Jhonny Severino (Pirates) for $1.25 million but traded him to the Pirates for Carlos Santana a year ago. The report on Severino was that he had a fair bit of chase, but his average contact rate and above average exit velocities should be viable even if he moved off shortstop to the hot corner. So far in 2024, he has improved his contact rate by 7%, essentially raising it from average to plus, and improved his swing decisions from a 35 grade to a 45. Not only has he demonstrated that he has a strong underlying foundation, over his last 130 plate appearances he has a 146 wRC+, with a league leading nine home runs over that time, and seven stolen bases. He will no doubt be pushed to a corner. To my surprise, RoboScout projects him to have the second most home runs at peak of any hitter in the Complex Leagues behind only Yeremi Cabrera (Rangers).

Complex League Pitchers (min 12 IP)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Trevor Harrison	TBR	95	100
2	Samuel Sanchez	LAD	96	96
3	Jacob Bresnahan	CLE	100	95
4	Christian Zazueta	LAD	89	94
5	Sean Linan	LAD	92	93
6	Ovis Portes	BOS	86	92
7	Hayden Robinson	MIL	95	92
8	Keyner Benitez	MIA	100	91
9	Joseph Yabbour	NYM	84	91
10	Rafael Gonzalez	HOU	86	91
11	Alix Hernandez	SFG	86	89
12	Nelfy Ynfante	STL	93	89
13	Yeferson Vargas	BOS	82	88
14	Adrian Herrera	CIN	82	87
15	Jesus Palacios	BAL	86	87
16	Jogly Garcia	CLE	82	87
17	Sandy Ozuna	COL	90	86
18	Luis Arestigueta	ATL	81	85
19	Adam Bates	BOS	79	85
20	Jesus Carrera	HOU	82	84
21	Juan Nunez	HOU	77	84
22	Jordarlin Mendoza	NYY	78	84
23	Zander Mueth	PIT	76	83
24	Jeremy Pilon	TBR	88	83
25	Luis Gonzalez	PHI	89	83

Moving up to just outside the top 15 is Sandy Ozuna (Rockies), an 18-year-old righthander with a 94 mph four seam fastball, an 83 mph bullet slider that gets above average whiffs and chases, and a show-me changeup. In 2023 in the DSL, Ozuna had a 14% walk rate, demonstrating his lack of command, however so far in his 22 innings at the complex, the 6-foot-3-inch has a 7% walk rate to go along with his 30% strikeout rate. The fastball, despite the velocity, doesn’t have the shape of modern four seamers but he has topped out at 97 mph and won’t turn 19 until next May, suggesting it will still be an effective pitch even if it remains a dead-zone shape.

Low-A Hitters (min 55 PA)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Lazaro Montes	SEA	100	100
2	Colt Emerson	SEA	89	98
3	Michael Arroyo	SEA	94	98
4	Kevin McGonigle	DET	85	97
5	Blake Mitchell	KCR	86	96
6	Jonny Farmelo	SEA	79	91
7	Axiel Plaz	PIT	90	89
8	Ralphy Velazquez	CLE	79	89
9	Demetrio Crisantes	ARI	73	88
10	Josue De Paula	LAD	73	88
11	Aidan Smith	SEA	83	88
12	Jaison Chourio	CLE	74	87
13	Jesus Baez	NYM	76	87
14	Jeral Perez	LAD	74	86
15	Max Clark	DET	73	85
16	Leodalis De Vries	SDP	96	85
17	Walker Jenkins	MIN	68	84
18	Zyhir Hope	LAD	67	84
19	Angel Genao	CLE	66	81
20	Josue Briceno	DET	65	80
21	Logan Wagner	LAD	63	80
22	Aron Estrada	BAL	74	79
23	Yophery Rodriguez	MIL	74	79
24	Jordan Viars	PHI	69	78
25	Cooper Pratt	MIL	67	78

Over the last month, we’ve discussed Leandro Arias and Thomas Sosa (Orioles) as some noteworthy Low-A Delmarva hitters —but the hitter who has filled up the stat sheet the most in the last six weeks is their teammate Aron Estrada who has put up a 170 wRC+ with eight home runs and 14 stolen bases. With his poor chase rate, he doesn’t walk—getting a bit dinged in OBP leagues—and might get exploited as he progresses up the levels, but RoboScout projects him to be a league-average hitter with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases at peak in the major leagues, without being a defensive liability. The statcast data slightly lags the surface stats, but RoboScout views him as a Top 200 fantasy prospect.

Before the season, Geoff identified Jancel Villarroel (Astros) as a prospect with outstanding exit velocities for his age as the then 18-year-old had a 102.8 mph 90th percentile exit velocity with a 108 mph maximum exit velocity. Well, in 2024, the still-teenager has seen his 90th percentile exit velocity rise to 106 mph, having hit already nine tracked balls over 105 mph, setting a new personal high maximum exit velocity of 111 mph in the process. Last week, I mentioned how the Astros target an archetype of hitter of plus or better exit velocities with contact and chase rates average or even slightly lower than average, and Villarroel definitely falls within that taxonomy. Although he is not quite in the Top 30 for the level—and has yet to hit a home run in full season ball—RoboScout has the teenager watch-listed, and will be particularly excited to see his power play in the cozy confines of High-A Asheville.

Low-A Pitchers (min 15 IP)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Matt Wilkinson	CLE	100	100
2	Jonah Tong	NYM	91	95
3	Quinn Mathews	STL	85	94
4	Alejandro Rosario	TEX	84	93
5	Jarlin Susana	WSN	80	91
6	Santiago Suarez	TBR	79	90
7	Grant Taylor	CHW	76	89
8	Didier Fuentes	ATL	80	89
9	George Klassen	PHI	78	88
10	Eliazar Dishmey	MIA	73	86
11	Travis Sykora	WSN	81	85
12	Yujanyer Herrera	MIL	83	84
13	Sean Linan	LAD	85	84
14	Thomas White	MIA	71	81
15	Kohl Drake	TEX	81	81
16	Mavis Graves	PHI	86	81
17	Christian Zazueta	LAD	74	80
18	Gary Gill Hill	TBR	80	80
19	Welinton Herrera	COL	69	80
20	Ovis Portes	BOS	70	80
21	Tyler Gough	SEA	64	78
22	Adam Serwinowski	CIN	65	78
23	Noble Meyer	MIA	66	78
24	Alimber Santa	HOU	66	77
25	Isaiah Lowe	SDP	67	77

Last week we talked about the recent “heater” that Jarlin Susana (Nationals) was on and he got promptly promoted to High-A Wilmington where he can continue to hurl his triple-digit heat.

Another Nationals pitcher ascending the rankings is Travis Sykora who has struck out 38% of batters in his last seven starts while putting up the third-highest swinging strike rate in Low-A during that span. Sykora has a mid 90s four seam fastball, an 83 mph bullet slider that gets above average whiffs for the level, and an above average changeup. The command was the concern coming into the season but Sykora has kept the walk rate below 9% all season, never walking more than three in any game, with RoboScout giving him a good shot at becoming a mid-rotation starter.

Two pitchers who we mentioned in these pages when they were at the Complex League have now qualified for the Low-A rankings and both Ovis Portes (Red Sox) and Christian Zazueta (Dodgers) both find themselves in the Top 20. Despite the poor surface stats so far in full season ball, RoboScout still currently projects them to be back-of-the-rotation starters.

High-A Hitters (min 50 PA)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Luke Keaschall	MIN	97	100
2	Xavier Isaac	TBR	97	95
3	Luke Adams	MIL	92	95
4	Sal Stewart	CIN	88	92
5	Carter Jensen	KCR	89	92
6	Samuel Zavala	CHW	89	92
7	Sebastian Walcott	TEX	100	90
8	Alex Freeland	LAD	81	87
9	William Bergolla	PHI	87	85
10	Brayden Taylor	TBR	83	84
11	Ricardo Olivar	MIN	77	83
12	Yohendrick Pinango	CHC	76	83
13	Angel Genao	CLE	76	81
14	Cutter Coffey	BOS	85	81
15	Jefferson Rojas	CHC	75	81
16	Cam Collier	CIN	81	81
17	Jadher Areinamo	MIL	83	80
18	Henry Bolte	OAK	80	79
19	Jesus Rodriguez	NYY	72	79
20	Charles McAdoo	PIT	73	79
21	C.J. Kayfus	CLE	73	78
22	Cooper Ingle	CLE	71	78
23	Leonardo Bernal	STL	76	77
24	Hector Rodriguez	CIN	70	77
25	Kristian Campbell	BOS	68	77

Jadher Areinamo (Brewers) had some early buzz in 2023 as a name to watch as a 19 year old in Low-A who finished second for the Carolina League batting title. Although this year’s statcast data is very similar to that which he generated last year, the 20-year-old middle infielder is currently on a tear, hitting six of his season’s seven home runs over the last six weeks. With his 27 stolen bases on the season—and his above average defense—Areinamo is showing potential to actualize as a utility infielder who could put up a solid power/speed blend but with slightly below average on base percentages.

In 2023, Cooper Ingle (Guardians) was taken in the fourth round, ultimately signing for $400,000. In his first full season as a professional, the High-A Lake County catcher has a 171 wRC+ with six home runs. With his league average swing decisions and plus contact rate, Ingle is a prototypical Guardian hitting prospect where thump is less of a priority than precocious bat-to-ball ability. Ingle has been particularly productive in the last six weeks, with five of his six home runs coming in his last 134 plate appearances, where he has also put up a scorching 201 wRC+, the second-highest mark by anyone with at least 80 plate appearances over that span.

High-A Pitchers (min 15 IP)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Noah Schultz	CHW	88	100
2	Matt Wilkinson	CLE	100	100
3	Quinn Mathews	STL	90	98
4	Luis Perales	BOS	85	98
5	Owen Murphy	ATL	88	97
6	Chase Dollander	COL	84	95
7	Zebby Matthews	MIN	80	91
8	K.C. Hunt	MIL	87	88
9	George Klassen	PHI	78	88
10	Jonah Tong	NYM	84	87
11	Jaden Hamm	DET	84	86
12	Thomas White	MIA	76	85
13	Jedixson Paez	BOS	89	83
14	Winston Santos	TEX	73	83
15	Alessandro Ercolani	PIT	69	82
16	Brandyn Garcia	SEA	69	82
17	Edgar Portes	BAL	70	81
18	Sean Sullivan	COL	85	81
19	Lazaro Estrada	TOR	67	80
20	Ben Shields	NYY	72	79
21	Nolan McLean	NYM	66	78
22	Austin Peterson	CLE	76	78
23	Yujanyer Herrera	MIL	77	78
24	Jake Bloss	HOU	67	77
25	Jean Cabrera	PHI	72	77

The hottest pitcher in High-A over the last six weeks—and who is just outside the Top 15 on the season—is Brandyn Garcia (Mariners).  The 24-year-old southpaw predominantly throws a 94 mph two-seamer which has over a foot and a half of horizontal run—consequently eliciting weak contact and a ton of groundballs—and a plus 85 mph slider that generates plus whiffs and chases. He also throws a changeup but it needs refinement as he gets promoted to the upper levels. For now, the 11th-round draft pick from 2023 doesn’t seem to need a third pitch—but it will remain to be seen whether he will be able to convince RoboScout that he can transcend his destiny as a likely bullpen arm or spot starter, without one.

On May 19, Lucas Braun (Braves) had a 1.45 WHIP and a 6.35 ERA with an uncompelling strikeout minus rate of 15%. Since then, the 22-year right hander has made six starts across 36 innings, striking out 31% of batters while only walking 4% with a 1.08 WHIP and 2.75 ERA. In 2023 his fastball topped out at 94 mph but this year he’s registered velocities as high as 96 mph, playing up even further with his extension, while still maintaining his trademark control, to wit: his four-seam fastball, slider, and curveball each have a plus CSW% for that pitch-type. The 11th^–round 2023 draft pick has turned his season around after a slow start, going deep into games, looking more and more like a solid back-of-the-rotation starter with a chance for more if he can continue to develop even more velocity.

Congratulations to Jean Cabrera (Phillies) who checks in at No. 25 only to be promptly promoted to Double-A Reading where he can deploy his East/West three-pitch mix of a 94 mph fastball, 82 mph sweeper and effective changeup.

Double-A Hitters (min 55 PA)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Emmanuel Rodriguez	MIN	100	100
2	Agustin Ramirez	NYY	88	91
3	Moises Ballesteros	CHC	88	90
4	Luke Keaschall	MIN	82	87
5	Roman Anthony	BOS	79	85
6	Carson Williams	TBR	87	84
7	Samuel Basallo	BAL	84	84
8	Hao-Yu Lee	DET	81	84
9	Matthew Lugo	BOS	79	83
10	Cole Young	SEA	81	83
11	Alex Freeland	LAD	75	81
12	James Triantos	CHC	73	80
13	Edgar Quero	CHW	75	79
14	Kristian Campbell	BOS	71	78
15	Ryan Clifford	NYM	79	77
16	Colby Thomas	OAK	70	75
17	C.J. Kayfus	CLE	72	75
18	Charles McAdoo	PIT	70	75
19	Jacob Wilson	OAK	67	75
20	Deyvison De Los Santos	ARI	83	74
21	Harry Ford	SEA	71	73
22	Marcelo Mayer	BOS	68	73
23	Tyler Locklear	SEA	66	72
24	Yohendrick Pinango	CHC	61	71
25	Dalton Rushing	LAD	59	70

Coming into 2024, we had Matt Shaw (Cubs) to be a power/speed blend, likely ending up at third base, but also potentially manning the hot corner for the parent club at some point during the season. Unfortunately, the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft came out of the gate slowly, potentially putting in jeopardy the chance for him to debut in the major leagues this year. Well, in the last six weeks, the 22 year old has raked with a 154 wRC+, knocking seven bombs and stealing ten bases over his last 141 plate appearances, reinforcing RoboScout’s projection of a better-than-league average bat and potential for 20/20 seasons. There are still some flaws in his game – his defense has not been great in 2024 – and his exit velocities have not been as high as his numbers in 2023 would have predicted. Still, it’s been a solid season for the Cubs future infielder and he is currently just off the list at No. 27.

Congratulations to Edgar Quero (White Sox) who was promoted last week to Triple-A Charlotte. Regular readers of this space know that RoboScout is a big fan of the switch-hitting catcher, and projects him to be an above average bat with above average in-game power. In fantasy, that’s a boon for the catching position, and Quero is easily ranked in the Top 50 for fantasy accordingly.

In 2022, Rainer Nunez (Blue Jays) raised some eyebrows when he had a 140 wRC+ as a 21 year old. Unfortunately, he was unable to follow through on that promise, by being 30% worse than the average Double-A hitter. In 2024, Rainer’s bat has mounted a comeback: improving his 90^th percentile exit velocity from 105 mph to 109 mph – the eighth-highest mark in Double-A, paired with a better contact rate than Roman Anthony (Red Sox), Agustin Ramirez (Yankees) and Zach Dezenzo (Astros). He does have a fair bit of chase in his profile, and there’s little defensive value, but it’s been a nice recent bounce back with the bat for the Blue Jay first baseman.

Double-A Pitchers (min 15 IP)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Noah Schultz	CHW	100	100
2	Zebby Matthews	MIN	98	97
3	Logan Henderson	MIL	93	89
4	Bubba Chandler	PIT	86	89
5	Braxton Ashcraft	PIT	87	84
6	Tink Hence	STL	91	84
7	Jackson Jobe	DET	79	83
8	Jacob Misiorowski	MIL	76	81
9	Chandler Champlain	KCR	92	81
10	Nolan McLean	NYM	76	79
11	Ben Casparius	LAD	76	79
12	Blade Tidwell	NYM	74	78
13	Thomas Harrington	PIT	77	77
14	Carson Palmquist	COL	78	77
15	Zach Penrod	BOS	83	76
16	Emiliano Teodo	TEX	78	76
17	Brandon Young	BAL	85	76
18	Yilber Diaz	ARI	80	76
19	Andrew Morris	MIN	82	75
20	Kyle McGowin	CHC	77	75
21	Troy Melton	DET	72	75
22	Justin Jarvis	NYM	74	75
23	Brandon Sproat	NYM	76	74
24	Justin Wrobleski	LAD	72	74
25	Mason Adams	CHW	83	74

In 85 innings in High-A, Austin Peterson (Guardians) has walked batters at a microscopic 1.9% rate. Although he has been in the back end of the High-A Top 25, RoboScout hasn’t been too enthused because of the fact that he is a bit older at 24-years old and his 91 mph doesn’t light up the internal “stuff” model. This attitude, however, is what led to Matt Wilkinson (Guardians) being initially dismissed this season and Zebby Matthews (Twins) himself was a victim to this robotic snobbism last year. Speaking of Zebby, since being promoted to Double-A Akron, Peterson has followed in Matthews’ footsteps by refusing to issue a free pass in his first 13 innings of work. It would behoove RoboScout to adjust his priors and concede that the ninth-round pick from the 2022 draft may not throw flames, but his ability to command his above average slider, curveball and change up are pointing to another Guardian pitching development success story – and what looks like a back-of-the-rotation innings eater.

Another pitcher who has eschewed walks in the summer, is Justin Jarvis (Mets) who has only allowed 3% of batters over his last 31 innings to reach base by way of a base on balls. With a 30% strikeout rate over that span, it seems that hitters have had trouble with his fastball/cutter mix – which, together, make up over 83% of the pitches he’s thrown. It’s a starter’s mix and he has shown good pitchability – but it might not be enough to get him much further than the back of a rotation.

Triple-A Hitters (min 55 PA)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	James Wood	WSN	100	100
2	Coby Mayo	BAL	90	92
3	Jose Fermin	STL	87	92
4	Jackson Holliday	BAL	94	91
5	Kyle Manzardo	CLE	85	90
6	Agustin Ramirez	NYY	81	85
7	Miguel Vargas	LAD	78	83
8	Moises Ballesteros	CHC	76	79
9	Adrian Del Castillo	ARI	72	79
10	Andy Pages	LAD	74	78
11	Javier Sanoja	MIA	73	78
12	Angel Martinez	CLE	75	77
13	Jacob Wilson	OAK	70	77
14	Matthew Lugo	BOS	70	75
15	Tyler Black	MIL	70	75
16	Jonatan Clase	SEA	73	75
17	Luis Matos	SFG	66	75
18	Chase Meidroth	BOS	68	75
19	Heston Kjerstad	BAL	69	74
20	Shay Whitcomb	HOU	76	72
21	Johnathan Rodriguez	CLE	65	72
22	Parker Meadows	DET	67	71
23	Heliot Ramos	SFG	62	71
24	Jhonkensy Noel	CLE	78	71
25	Jordan Beck	COL	64	71

With Orlando Arcia struggling with a sub-60 wRC+, it wouldn’t surprise RoboScout if Nacho Alvarez Jr. (Braves) called up to the parent club. In fewer than 100 plate appearances, the 21 year old has five home runs, three stolen bases and has put up a 162 wRC+. RoboScout loves the swing decisions and contact rate for someone so young and projects 15 to 20 home runs and 10 to 15 stolen bases at peak. He is not only fantasy relevant in re-draft leagues – but sure to be a highly-sought-after commodity in dynasty leagues this off-season.

Triple-A Pitchers (min 15 IP)

Rank	Name	Team	Robo	RoboCast
1	Paul Skenes	PIT	100	100
2	Christian Scott	NYM	91	92
3	David Festa	MIN	91	84
4	Will Warren	NYY	78	80
5	Jack Leiter	TEX	76	79
6	Chayce McDermott	BAL	79	79
7	Cade Povich	BAL	88	79
8	Carson Spiers	CIN	75	77
9	Tobias Myers	MIL	73	77
10	Slade Cecconi	ARI	82	76
11	Yilber Diaz	ARI	80	76
12	Chad Patrick	MIL	75	75
13	Elieser Hernandez	LAD	73	75
14	Braxton Ashcraft	PIT	75	75
15	Matt Manning	DET	72	74
16	Alek Manoah	TOR	75	73
17	Cristian Mena	ARI	80	72
18	Quinn Priester	PIT	84	72
19	Reid Detmers	LAA	86	71
20	Albert Suarez	BAL	75	71
21	Brandon Young	BAL	78	71
22	Louie Varland	MIN	71	70
23	AJ Smith-Shawver	ATL	69	70
24	Jake Woodford	PIT	71	68
25	Osvaldo Bido	OAK	71	68

Throughout the season, he has been a mainstay in the back of the Triple-A pitcher rankings, but Cristian Mena (Diamondbacks) made his major league debut last week before being immediately returned to Reno. The season numbers don’t wow you – 24% strikeout rate and a 10% walk rate with a 1.49 WHIP and 4.90 ERA over 92 innings – but there are a number of things that need to be acknowledged. First of all, he’s only 21 years old. Secondly, Reno is a hitter’s park where runs are created at an 8% higher rate than at other Pacific Coast League parks, leading to inflated surface stats. Thirdly, over his last 37 innings, Mena has been his most effective, striking out 26% of the batters he’s faced while walking fewer than 9%. That 17% strikeout minus walk rate would be the highest mark for a Triple-A Diamondbacks pitcher who is 22 years old or younger since Trevor Bauer and Patrick Corbin both achieved it in 2012. When you consider that Slade Cecconi in 2023 had a 16% strikeout minus walk rate in 2023 but was three years older than Mena is, it shouldn’t surprise you that RoboScout believes Mena to be a mid-rotation starter with a sub 4.00 ERA in his peak years.

After striking out 11 batters in five innings on Saturday, Will Warren (Yankees) skyrockets up the Triple-A rankings to No. 4, more a testament to the volatility inherent to the relative talent level of pitchers at the level. We talked a few weeks ago about the changes to Warren’s slider shape and how there were some hints that he had begun to rebound from his poor start to the season. It definitely seems like he is reclaiming his high pedigree status that he had coming into 2024.

Happy bidding!