Top 20 Right-handed Pitcher Prospects

by Phil Zuccarell

1. Justin Verlander -- Detroit Tigers

Maybe the Tigers fortunes have turned. Verlander’s stuff has ace written all over it. He has shown the ability to dominate hitters at every level in his brief career. The only real question for Verlander is if he can avoid the injury bug that fells many top pitching prospects.

2. Matt Cain -- San Francisco Giants

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
21	Triple-A	4.39	146	118	73	176	1.31	22
	Majors	2.33	46	24	19	30	0.93	4

Raw stuff is as good as anyone in the minors. Has show the ability to dominate in his brief stint in the Majors as well. Needs to improve his control to avoid big innings and to pitch deeper into games.

3. Chad Billingsley -- Los Angeles Dodgers

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
21	Double-A	3.51	146	116	50	162	1.14	12

Has shown dominant stuff since being drafted out of high school in 2003. After a slow start in 2005, continued to show off his stuff by dominating Double-A at age 21. If he continues his development curve, he could end up as the best pitcher on this list.

4. Joel Zumaya -- Detroit Tigers

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
21	Double-A	2.77	107	71	52	143	1.15	8
	Triple-A	2.66	44	30	24	56	1.23	2

Another Tiger on this list!  Has blossomed into a dominant power pitcher who can reach back fire in the high 90’s and even touch 100. Only real concern is his delivery which has led some to think he is an injury waiting to happen.

5. Bobby Jenks -- Chicago White Sox

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
25	Double-A	2.85	41	34	20	48	1.32	1
	Majors	2.75	39	34	15	50	1.26	3

Post-season star still qualifies for this list. Has extreme power stuff with a fastball that reaches triple digits. Needs to continue to improve control to maintain success.

6. Dustin McGowan -- Toronto Blue Jays

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
24	High-A	4.29	21	21	5	20	1.24	2
	Double-A	3.34	35	35	10	33	1.29	6
	Majors	6.35	45	49	17	34	1.47	7

Has front line starter stuff and was on the fast track before Tommy John surgery. Has regained most of his stuff but still needs to work on control. Could start in Toronto this season.

7. Anthony Reyes -- St. Louis Cardinals

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
24	Triple-A	3.64	129	105	34	136	1.08	13
	Majors	2.71	13	6	4	12	0.77	2

Dominates when he pitches including a one-game big league audition last season. Unfortunately it hasn’t always been every 5^th day. If he can get through all the minor injuries and get though a full season he will establish himself as one of the better pitchers in the league.

8. Jonathan Papelbon -- Boston Red Sox

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
25	Double-A	2.48	87	59	23	83	0.94	9
	Triple-A	2.92	28	21	3	27	0.86	2
	Majors	2.65	34	33	17	34	1.47	4

Came up late in the season last year and showed he can get big leaguers out right now. Pitches off his low 90s fastball but will need to continue the development of his other pitches to have continued success in the Majors.

9. Anibal Sanchez -- Florida Marlins

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
22	High-A	2.40	79	53	24	95	0.97	7
	Double-A	3.45	57	53	16	63	1.21	5

Shipped to Florida in the Beckett trade, he is now the best pitcher in the system. Has a strong fastball and a good changeup. Will need to improve on his curve ball or develop a different 3^rd pitch to succeed in the Majors.

10. Adam Miller -- Cleveland Indians

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
21	SS-A	5.05	11	17	4	6	1.91	0
	High-A	4.82	60	76	17	45	1.55	5

Was considered one of the elite pitching prospects before a shoulder injury derailed him at the start of the 2005 season. When healthy, he features a low 90s fastball and hard slider. If he can remain healthy and regain his stuff, Miller could move quickly.

11. Philip Hughes -- New York Yankees

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
20	Low-A	1.97	69	46	16	72	0.90	1
	High-A	3.05	18	8	4	21	0.67	0

Easily top pitching prospect for the Yankees. Has dominated the Minors since being drafted out of high school in 2004. Has very good control of his fastball and curveball. Has had some minor injuries that need to be watched. Could be an emergency call up this season.

12. Homer Bailey -- Cincinnati Reds

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
20	Low-A	4.43	104	89	62	125	1.45	5

Has the makings of a front line starter. A fastball/curveball pitcher, Bailey has yet to translate that stuff into consistent success.  Could be on the fast track to Cincy with the dearth of pitching at the parent club.

13. Taylor Buchholz -- Houston Astros

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
24	Triple-A	4.81	77	79	27	45	1.38	14

The top prospect in the Billy Wagner trade, Buchholz struggled after the trade. When he is on he can dominate hitters with his big curve while keeping them honest with his low 90s fastball. Had a good fall and could be in line for a spot in the rotation.

14. Jason Hirsch -- Houston Astros

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
24	Double-A	2.87	172	137	42	165	1.04	12

An improvement in control and consistency made all the difference last season. Went from marginal pitcher to top-flite prospect in one year.

15. Mark Rogers -- Milwaukee Brewers

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
20	Low-A	5.11	99	87	70	109	1.59	11

A flame thrower who can hit 100 on his fastball and 90 on his slider. Control of that awesome stuff has been his biggest problem. Control should improve with experience and age. If it does, he could be a pitching staff anchor in Milwaukee for years.

16. Jonathan Broxton -- Los Angeles Dodgers

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
22	Double-A	3.17	97	79	31	107	1.13	4
	Majors	5.93	14	13	12	22	1.79	0

Another reliever on this list, Broxton could be a star closer in a few seasons. Has an explosive fastball that can hit triple digits and powerful slider. That combination could be all he needs to dominate big league hitters.

17. Mike Pelfrey -- New York Mets

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
21	DNP

Has yet to pitch in pro ball but his raw stuff and college success warrant inclusion on this list. In college his fastball dominated and he was very adept at keeping the ball low and inducing ground balls. If he is able to continue to pitch that way in pro ball he will be a very successful starter.

18. Edison Volquez -- Texas Rangers

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
23	High-A	4.18	67	64	12	77	1.13	9
	Double-A	4.14	59	58	17	49	1.27	6
	Majors	14.17	13	25	10	11	2.69	3

Could be the headline of a resurgence in pitching for the Rangers. A fastball/changeup pitcher, he can get hitters out by setting them up with his mid 90s fastball then pulling the rope with his change. He will need a consistent breaking ball to be a successful starter in the Bigs.

19. Thomas Diamond -- Texas Rangers

Age	2005 level	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO	WHIP	HR
23	High-A	1.99	81	53	31	101	1.04	3
	Double-A	5.35	69	66	38	68	1.51	8

Another Texas pitcher who could be in the rotation soon. Diamond dominated High-A last season but was hit hard after a promotion to Double-A. Like Volquez, his fastball and changeup are his best pitches and he is in need of an improved breaking pitch.

20. Jered Weaver -- Los Angeles Angels