2007 Top 10 Left-handed Pitching Prospects

 

by Phil Zuccarell

 

1. Andrew Miller -- Detroit Tigers

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

21

High-A

0.00

5

2

1

9

0.60

0
MLB 6.10 5 8 10 6 3.60 0

 

Considered by many as the best prospect available in the 2006 draft, the Tigers were fortunate to get him with the 6th overall pick.  Miller is tall at 6'6" and is a true power pitcher who throws in the mid 90's and can touch the high 90's.  He compliments his fastball with a good slider which is a strikeout pitch.  While he is nearly ready for the Majors, he's had little pro experience and will likely spend a good portion of the season in the Minors refining his pitches.

 

2. Clayton Kershaw -- Los Angeles Dodgers 

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

19

Rookie

1.95

37

28

5

54

0.89

0

 

Like Miller, who was taken one spot in front of him in the draft, Kershaw is also a true power pitcher.  He has hit the upper 90's with his fastball and should be able to be consistently hit that as he get stronger.  He also throws a curve that can become an excellent pitch as he continues to refine it.  Clayton just needs experience to improve his consistency and he should become one of the elite lefthanders in the Majors once he is ready.

3. Jacob McGee -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

20

Low-A

2.96

134

103

65

171

1.25

7

 

McGee helps give hope that someday there might be a winner in Tampa.  Part of a trio of Rays pitchers who dominated the Midwest League last season, McGee was the best and may become the best home grown the pitcher Tampa has ever developed.  His mid 90's fastball is his best pitch but his curve and changeup are improving.  If he continues to improve his secondary pitches McGee should dominate at the higher levels on his way to the Big Leagues. 

 

4. Chuck Lofgren -- Cleveland Indians 

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

21

High-A

2.32

140

108

54

125

1.16

5

 

Before last season Lofgren was barely on the left-handed pitching prospect map but now he is front and center.  He features a wide array of pitches but his changeup is his best and it compliments his low 90's fastball perfectly.  That combination should allow him continue to dominate as moves up through the Minors and into the Majors.

 

5. Franklin Morales -- Colorado Rockies 

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

21

High-A

3.68

154

126

89

179

1.40

9

 

Signed out of Venezuela, Morales has all the tools to be an elite pitcher.  His fastball runs in the mid 90's and he compliments it with a hard curve.  The biggest question for him will be if he can improve his command.  The upper minors can be very unkind to pitchers with control problems.  If he is able to harness control of his stuff he could move quickly and be and ace for the Rockies.

 

6. Scott Elbert -- Los Angeles Dodgers 

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

21

High-A

2.37

84

57

41

97

1.17

4
Double-A 3.61 62 40 44 76 1.35 11

 

Scott has moved quickly through the Dodger system since signing out of HS in 2004, dominating at every level.  He is a fastball curveball pitcher who has been better against lefties than righties so far.  Scott will need to prove that he can get right handed batters out consistently as well as improve his control before he is ready for LA.

 

7. Gio Gonzalez -- Chicago White Sox 

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

21

Double-A

4.66

155

140

81

166

1.43

24

 

Traded away by the Sox for Jim Thome and then reacquired for Freddy Garcia, Gonzalez should be first in line for any opening in the starting rotation.  His low 90's fastball compliments his out pitch, a devastating curveball. His performance last season didn't reflect his skills and he will need to keep the ball in the park and lower his walks before that happens.

 

8. Troy Patton -- Houston Astros 

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

21

High-A

2.93

101

92

37

102

1.28

4
Double-A 4.37 45 48 13 37 1.36 6

 

With Andy Pettitte gone and Roger Clemens not likely back, Houston needs arms in its rotation.  Patton is close to being able to be one of those arms.  He has become a fastball changeup pitcher which allows him to get righthanders outs. He was a little hittable in AA last season and will need to get a few more swings and misses as he moves up the ladder.

 

9. John Danks -- Chicago White Sox  

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

21

Double-A

4.15

69

74

22

82

1.39

11
Triple-A 4.33 71 67 34 72 1.42 11

 

Part of Texas's DVD trio last season, Danks now gives the White Sox two quality lefthanders nearly ready to help in Chicago.  He has a quality fastball and both his curve and changeup can get hitters out. Like most younger pitchers, his control is a little bit of an issue and will need to be improved before he succeeds in the Majors.

 

10. Glen Perkins -- Minnesota Twins  

Age

2006 level

ERA

IP

H

BB

SO

WHIP

HR

24

Double-A

3.91

117

109

45

131

1.32

11
Triple-A 2.08 4 6 5 3 2.75 0
MLB 1.59 6 3 0 6 0.50 0

 

Perkins moved quickly last season and made the Twins post season roster.  With Brad Radke retiring and Francisco Liriano recovering from surgery, the Twins need help in the rotation and Perkins showed he is ready.  He will take with him a fastball curveball combination that generates lots of strikeouts.  He will need his changeup to improve as he competes for a rotation spot.

 

 

2007 Top Prospects by Position