Impact Prospect Ranking: RH Starting Pitchers (Tier 2 of 2)

I began the year at RotoGraphs by producing a semi-regularly-updated Top 25 prospects list. For the second half of the year and into the offseason, I’ll be rotating expanded Top 10, 12 or 15 lists (on a far more regular basis) by position: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF/RF, CF, RHSP (tier 1), RHSP (tier 2), LHSP. Whether you play traditional formats of fantasy baseball or dynasty/keeper styles (or you’re just a prospect nut like me), you’ll surely find these lists indispensable. You can read the Impact Catchers, the Impact First Basemen, the Impact Second Basemen, the Impact Third Basemen, the Impact Shortstops, the Impact Corner Outfielders, the Impact Center-fielders and the Impact RH Starting Pitchers (Tier 1).

#1 Hunter Harvey | Orioles | ETA: 2017 (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
19	17	17	87.2	66	5	10.88	3.39	3.18	3.43

August 29 notes: It’s been a disappointing season for Dylan Bundy, a talented arm in his own right, but the Orioles have to be excited about the development of Harvey. The young right-hander has thrown just 87.2 innings of work but he’s struck out 106 batters. His season ended early due to an elbow strain.

#2 A.J. Cole | Nationals | ETA: 2015 (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
22	25	25	134.0	148	10	7.46	2.15	3.16	3.48

August 29 notes: Cole, 22, isn’t flashy so he doesn’t garner the attention that other flame-throwing prospects do but he has the potential to develop into a solid No. 3/4 starter for the Nationals. He’s split his 2014 campaign between Double-A and Triple-A and should be ready to challenge for a big league rotation spot next spring.

#3 Jeff Hoffman | Blue Jays | ETA: 2017

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August 29 notes: Hoffman opened the year as a potential first overall selection for the 2014 amateur draft. Unfortunately, he blew out his elbow and hurt his draft stock. However, the injury didn’t deter the Blue Jays from nabbing the college hurler in the upper portion of the draft.  

#4 Kyle Zimmer | Royals | ETA: 2015 (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
22	4	3	3.0	4	0	3.00	6.00	3.00	5.38

August 29 notes: A few injuries conspired to keep Zimmer on the sidelines for most of the 2014 and he’s just recently begun throwing in competitive Rookie ball games. Despite the setback, the right-hander should be ready to challenge for a big league role in the second half of 2015 — assuming he can stay healthy. 

#5 Braden Shipley | Diamondbacks | ETA: 2015 (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
22	21	21	121.0	114	10	9.00	2.83	3.79	3.80

August 29 notes: The Diamondbacks’ 2013 first round pick has had a solid season while pitching at three levels — and topping out in Double-A. The athletic hurler has shown durability with 121.0 innings of work and has missed a solid number of bats, including a recent stretch that saw him strike out at least five batters in seven straight starts. He’s another young hurler that could be ready to help a big league club in 2015.

#6 Aaron Nola | Phillies | ETA: 2015 (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
21	11	10	50.1	45	8	7.69	1.79	3.22	4.33

August 29 notes: Considered an advanced college arm prior to the 2014 draft, Nola has already reached Double-A. He has a good shot at joining the Phillies at the big league level at some point during the 2015 season and should settle in as a solid mid-rotation arm.

#7 Alexander Reyes | Cardinals | ETA: 2017 (P)

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Age	G	GS	IP	H	HR	K/9	BB/9	ERA	FIP
19	20	20	102.2	75	6	11.31	5.08	3.77	3.51

August 29 notes: Just 19, Reyes has begun to gain traction as one of the most electric young starters in the minors. He’s struck out 129 batters in 102.2 Low-A ball innings and has whiffed 30 batters in his last 18.1 innings (over three starts). He’s a little further away than some of the other arms on this list but he has tantalizing potential.

#8 Jimmy Nelson | Brewers | ETA: 2014 (P)

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Age	IP	K/9	BB/9	GB%	ERA	FIP	xFIP	RA9-WAR	WAR
25	52.2	7.69	2.56	49.1 %	4.10	3.66	3.94	0.2	0.7

August 29 notes: Nelson has settled into a big league rotation spot but the Brewers’ big league pitching depth kept him in the minors much longer than expected. He’s not flashy but the big-bodied right-hander should chew up a lot of innings while producing solid results. 

#9 Allen Webster | Red Sox | ETA: 2014 (P)

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Age	IP	K/9	BB/9	GB%	ERA	FIP	xFIP	RA9-WAR	WAR
24	31.0	5.23	5.81	43.3 %	5.81	4.61	5.57	-0.2	0.2

August 29 notes: Webster has produced some solid minor league numbers in his career. He also has solid stuff. Unfortunately, he’s struggled on more than one occasion to throw strikes at the big league level and whispers that his future may lie in the bullpen will no doubt continue to get louder. 

#10 Mike Foltynewicz | Astros | ETA: 2015 (P)

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Age	IP	K/9	BB/9	GB%	ERA	FIP	xFIP	RA9-WAR	WAR
22	9.2	10.24	3.72	25.8 %	5.59	4.78	3.91	-0.1	0.0

August 29 notes: A starter for much of his professional career, Foltynewicz has been eased into the big leagues as a reliever. He’s struggled with his command at the big league level but he tickles triple-digits with his heater. The Illinois native will no doubt receive a solid opportunity to challenge for a rotation spot in 2015.