Top MLB Prospects for 2017: The Pitchers (Part 1 of 2)

Over a two-week span, I’m going to be reviewing 12 rookie hitters and 12 rookie pitchers that could make signifiant waves in Major League Baseball — and help your fantasy squad — in 2017. Last week, I took a look at the 12 hitters (Part 1, Part 2) and today I’ll be reviewing the first six arms.

Potential Impact Rookie Pitchers for 2017 (part 1 of 2):

Ty Blach, LHP, Giants: Blach, 26, is my pick for the rookie nobody knows about that’s going to have the biggest impact in 2017. He may eventually receive a lot of attention as a contributor to a veteran-heavy team that is heavily favorited to be a World Series contender. Although he probably currently slots in as the club’s No. 6 starter, veteran Matt Cain is in the No. 5 slot and he’s coming off of a terrible year and has injury concerns. The good thing about Blach — and why I think he can have a huge impact — is that he threw 179.2 innings in ’16 (and 165.1 in ’15) so he’s a rare rookie that could actually shoulder the workload of a 200-inning season, if needed. Most young pitchers come to the majors having topped out at 120-130 innings. Blach isn’t flashy and won’t be a big strikeout guy but he puts the ball in play, trusts his defence and doesn’t hurt himself with walks. Sophomore Albert Suarez and prospect Tyler Beede are potentially the biggest threats -- beyond Cain -- to steal innings from the freshman.

Zack Burdi, RHP, White Sox: Not to be confused with his brother Nick Burdi, a hard-throwing relief prospect for the Twins, this Burdi was a 2016 draft pick (26th overall) who has a chance to zoom through the minors and contribute to the Sox in ’17. He played at four levels in ’16 and even reached triple-A — although he battled control issues. Until the hard-throwing right-hander finds the strike zone more often, he’ll struggle to settle into a high-leverage role. Once he commands his heater and slider, though, Burdi is ticketed to become one of the top closers in the game. With only about three proven, reliable arms in the pen, he’s almost assured of pitching in the big leagues in 2017 while racking up his fair share of Ks and issuing his fair share of free passes. He’ll open the year in triple-A.

Jose De Leon, RHP, Rays: Traded from the Dodgers to the Rays during the offseason, DeLeon should pitch significant innings for Tampa Bay in 2017 and slots in nicely with the club’s young rotation. He has a solid combination of command/control and stuff that could make him a solid No. 3 starter with swing-and-miss stuff in time. He has enough current polish to make an impact in The Show right away. DeLeon may face some competition for starts from Matt Andriese but the freshman’s ceiling should ensure that he ultimately sees the bulk of the starter’s innings between the two hurlers.

Amir Garrett, LHP, Reds: The Reds enter 2017 in a rebuilding phase and the starting rotation is both young and unproven. That will provide plenty of opportunity for Garrett to earn a spot in the starting five. Tall pitchers tend to take a little longer to harness their deliveries (and, in turn, their command/control) and add in the fact that the lefty was also a very good basketball player as an amateur… and you have a pitching prospect who is just now coming into his own. With just 67.2 innings under his belt at the triple-A level, Garrett will likely need another 10-12 starts in the minors before he’s ready for The Show. Once everything clicks for him, though, he’ll get good in a hurry.

Lucas Giolito, RHP, White Sox: One of the top acquisitions by the White Sox during the offseason, Giolito moves into less friendly confines that he would have experienced in Washington. Still, he has the stuff to dominate just about anywhere if he can find consistency with his command. His upper-90s heat and brilliant breaking ball gives him swing-and-miss stuff; he could eventually be a 200+ K guy. His strong frame hints at 200+ inning potential in his prime — although he’s already experienced Tommy John surgery. Giolito, 22, will look to beat out veteran Derek Holland for the final slot in the Sox rotation but if he finds himself in triple-A it likely won’t be for long.

Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates: Glasnow has the stuff to challenge Gerrit Cole for the title of No. 1 starter in the Pirates rotation but club boasts a lot of starting pitching depth so it may be difficult for the young hurler to break camp on the 25-man roster. His golden arm, though, will ensure that he sifts his way through the likes of Drew Hutchison, Steve Brault and Trevor Williams before too long. The 23-year-old hurler is going to walk more than his fair share of batters early in his big league career but he’s struck out 10 or more batters per nine innings in each stop he’s made in the minors so he’ll eventually be a beast in fantasy baseball. Look for him to say goodbye to the minors for good no later than the summer.





Marc Hulet has been writing at FanGraphs since 2008. His work focuses on prospects and fantasy. Follow him on Twitter @marchulet.

5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
MustBunique
7 years ago

Marc, are you thinking Blach for deep leagues only? I don’t see anything to love in those numbers for 12 team mixed.

Amir Garrett was not on my radar and his numbers do interest me. Some nice FIPs and decent K rates. Read Longenhagen’s writeup just now, looks like he touches 96, good slider, and has a good athletic frame. He’s on my radar now. Thanks.