The List: Five Midwest League Pitchers You Should Know
Pitching usually dominates in the Midwest League for a variety of factors. Pitchers with college pedigrees usually make their first pro stop in the MWL, overwhelming young hitters. Then there’s the matter of the cold, as temperatures tend to hover in the 50s and 60s even into late May, a shock to the system of players who have spent their pro careers to that point in the Rookie-level Dominican, Arizona or Gulf Coast leagues.
Kane County’s Jon Duplantier, the Diamondbacks’ third-round pick a year ago out of Rice, is one of those pitchers having his way with low Class A hitters, and he has heard the criticism that college pitchers should dominate.
“I agree with them,” Duplantier said. “But I don’t want to be average; nobody does. I feel like I’m preparing myself to dominate at every level, and I still have respect for hitters here—there are guys doing real damage.”
Not many guys are doing damage against the one-time Rice ace. Duplantier is 4-0, 0.64 this season with 54 strikeouts and just 11 walks in 42.1 innings and just 21 hits allowed.
A shoulder issue pushed Duplantier down draft boards last June, but he is fully healthy now and the only thing on his shoulder is a chip. He admits not going earlier in the draft bothered him.
“In my head, yes, definitely,” Duplantier said. “Everybody (feels disappointed unless) you get taken 1-1. Where I fell in the draft, I understood and I’m just happy for the opportunity, but there’s just a little bit of an edge.”
Duplantier is not the only pitcher posting excellent numbers in the Midwest League. Here are four others whose names you should know, with observations from scouts, managers, coaches or broadcasters.
Aaron Civale • rhp • Indians
The third-round pick from Northeastern last June is known for filling up the zone and that hasn’t changed as a pro. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder has the lowest walk rate in the MWL at 0.67 per nine innings and he leads the league in innings pitched and is among the leaders in strikeouts.
What They’re Saying: One evaluator said Civale is the best arm in the Indians system behind just Triston McKenzie. He has an average fastball which plays up with his plus control, and his slider flashes plus.
Greg Soto • lhp • Tigers
The 6-1, 180-pound lefthander signed in 2012 out of the Dominican Republic and took a slow route to full-season ball. He’s 4-0, 1.26 this season with just 21 hits allowed in 35.2 innings. He’s got one of the lowest opponent averages in the MWL (.169) and one of the best strikeout rates (10.8). Still, his high walk rate (4.5 per nine innings) is a red flag.
What They’re Saying: Soto’s fastball sits 93-94 mph, one league observer said, with a curveball and slurve, the latter of which is a more effective offering for him. He’s able to pitch out of trouble, which is a good trait, but the trouble is often self-inflicted because of his lack of control.
Brock Burke • lhp • Rays
The 6-4 lefthander was a third-round pick of the Rays in 2014 out of high school in Colorado. He fit the mold as a tall, projectable Colorado prep pitcher. This season, his first in full-season ball, Burke has been among the most difficult pitchers to hit in the MWL with an opponent average of .184. He is 5-0, 1.22 and has not allowed a home run in 44.1 innings, but he has walked 18.
What They’re Saying: Burke has been compared to Cole Hamels as a long, lanky lefty. His fastball has topped out at 94 mph, but commonly sits 89-92. He is difficult to hit because of some deception, but he tends to open up early, causing inconsistent control.
Trey Supak • rhp • Brewers
Supak was originally drafted by the Pirates in the supplemental second round in 2014 out of high school in Texas. He was traded to the Brewers in December 2015 with Keon Broxton for first baseman Jason Rogers. After middling seasons with the Pirates, Supak has blossomed with the Brewers. Still just 21, Supak leads the MWL in WHIP and is second to Duplantier in opponent average.
What They’re Saying: Supak’s fastball touches 95 and sits 92, one evaluator said. His curveball projects as a future above average pitch, and his changeup has a chance to be average. His command has a chance to be above average. The 6-5, 235-pounder has a workhorse build with a chance to be a mid-rotation type.
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