K-BB% Leaders in the High Minors

It feels like the season is winding down, but there are still two-plus months left so we will still see plenty of minor leaguers come up and get a shot. Today I want to look at a group of K-BB% leaders who haven’t appeared in the majors yet (min. 70 IP at Double- and Triple-A).

Nabil Crismatt, SEA – 24% K-BB

The 24-year old started his big season in Double-A and has definitely slowed down in Triple-A, despite still striking out 34% of the batters he’s faced in 22 innings there. I’ll defer to Alex Chamberlain for more info on him as he recently featured Crismatt in a Peripheral Prospects piece.

Alex Faedo, DET – 23%

Faedo has improved in a repeat of Double-A, jumping in K-BB% from 15% to 23%. He was ranked 15th in the Detroit prospect list this spring, but these 99 innings have helped his outlook. While he hasn’t hit Triple-A, he might not need much time there before getting a look in the majors. He and the next guy on the list both appeared in Peripheral Prospect 1.13.

Alec Bettinger, MIL – 22%

Betting has done an excellent job at Double-A with a 3.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 22% K-BB in 101.3 innings. The Brewers should consider challenging Bettinger with Triple-A to see if he can possibly handle a call-up to help their rotation, especially with Brandon Woodruff sidelined for six weeks due to an oblique.

Justin Dunn, SEA – 22%

Part of Cano/Diaz deal, Dunn ranked 4th on Seattle’s prospect list and has done a good job in Double-A with a 3.46 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 88.3 innings. There’s still a chance he debuts this year despite not yet pitching in Triple-A.

Rico Garcia, COL – 21%

Garcia been awful since a promotion to Triple-A, dropping his K-BB% from 25% to 13% while seeing his ERA soar from 1.85 to 8.64… that’s not a typo. A 13.7 H/9 and 2.2 HR/9 have tanked Garcia in 25 Triple-A innings. He was tabbed as a potential reliever in the Colorado Rockies prospect list.

Conner Menez, SF – 21%

Menez has in fact appeared in the majors this year with a 5-inning start this past Sunday, but I decided to include him because he was sent back down immediately after so you might’ve missed the appearance. If the Giants do go forward with selling and move the likes of Madison Bumgarner, then a spot will open up for Menez to return. Shelly included him in an early-June Stash List, so check that out for some more info.

Ian Anderson, ATL – 21%

Anderson could wind up as a trade piece next week given Atlanta’s extensive pitching depth in the minors. The 21-year old righty has a high walk rate (11%), but he’s striking out 31% of the batters he’s faced while limiting both hits (6.6 H/9) and homers (0.6 HR/9) en route to a 2.80 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. I’m not sure the Braves will skip him over Triple-A and get him in the majors, but a new organization might if they acquire him in a deadline deal.

Matt Manning, DET – 20%

Manning has built on his big three-level 2018 season, maintaining a 20% K-BB in 96 innings. An improved changeup has given him three strong offerings with the fastball and curveball as his foundation. It’s unfortunate that baseball’s structure offers literally zero incentive for the Tigers to bring up Manning this year, but maybe he gets August in Triple-A and then a September call-up if he continues to dominate.