MAKING THE PITCH: Arizona Diamondbacks

Kennedy will start on Opening Day for D-backs on.si.com/YtdkL4
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) February 25, 2013

Felipe M

We take a look at the projected starting rotations and closer situations of every MLB team.  Of course, this will come from a fantasy perspective.  All cited stats are based on 2013 projections.

For our review on the Angels' pitching staff, click here. 

We'll take a look at the Arizona Diamondbacks.  

PROBABLE STARTING ROTATION

1. Ian Kennedy
• Good: Has ability to strikeout hitters and keeps walks to a minimum (3.26 K/BB). Very durable pitcher.
• Bad: WHIP of 1.25 is too high for a starting pitcher who's supposed to be an "Ace."  
2. Trevor Cahill
• Good: Cheap source of strikeouts (K/9 6.71) and won't hurt you with the long ball.
• Bad: He is still a "pitch-to-contact" hurler.  The problem comes with a 3.24 BB/9 which is a tolerable number, but aggregate that with his H/9 (8.55) and it equals to an unforgiving WHIP of 1.31.
3. Brandon McCarthy
• Good: 3.57 K/BB is really good considering he won't strike out a lot of batters.  No concerns about his control either (1.71 BB/9) and like Cahill, he won't hurt you with the homer runs allowed.
• Bad: Unfortunately, like Cahill, he's depends a lot more on his defense to get him outs.  That dependency means a high H/9 of 9.11.
4. Wade Miley
• Good: Pretty similar numbers to McCarthy, but with a better chance of getting more K's.
• Bad: Just like McCarthy, however, he depends on contact to get him through innings, which makes for a H/9 projection of 8.91.
5. Tyler Skaggs
• Good: Is getting  a legit shot to break camp on the Big League roster as the D'backs try to justify shipping Trevor Bauer to Cleveland. Potential to post a respectable K/9 of 7.36.
• Bad: Despite the raw potential, he's still a young pitcher trying to figure out the Majors.  Projections suggest an approximate BB/9 of 3.68 and H/9 8.69 which should result in a high WHIP of 1.38.  

CLOSER

1. J.J. Putz
• Good: Might not be a big name, but when Putz is healthy and on his 'A' game, he's near-dominant when he gets the ball in the 9th.  K/BB of 5.82 is just sick.  Better than Craig Kimbrel's projected K/BB (5.22).
• Bad: Elbow and back issues from last season is a slight concern.  He'll be 37 this year.

FANTASY ADVICE

The D'backs stockpiled on starting pitchers that can keep the walks to a minimum, but also have unspectacular strikeout potential along with a need to pitch to contact: contact that results in a lot of base hits and rising WHIP.  Ian Kennedy is a safe bet, but should not be depended to be the ace of your pitching staff.  McCarthy, Miley can be trusted in the middle of your rotation and even Cahill has value at the backend of your team's rotation/spot starter.

As far as Putz goes, unless another injury slows him down this spring, even at his advanced age, he's still a legit closer (see Mariano Rivera) and should be drafted as your #1 source for saves.  

More MLB content is available here. 

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #15-11

 A lot of Mariners' players were on this list.  Seattle is looking
to get back to their "glory" days and are hoping that their
young, pitching prospects can lead them to success.
(photo courtesy of Felipe M)

Felipe M

15. James Paxton--SP--Seattle Mariners

• 2012 Outlook: "Dominant in 1st year of Minors.  Big League call-up may not be too far off in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: #4 Prospect in Mariners' system as well as having its Best Curveball; #10 Prospect in Southern League.
• Conclusion: The Mariners are loaded with young, hot prospects and Paxton is one of them.  His Double-A numbers saw Paxton struggle a bit with control, but was still able to display dominance: K/BB 2.4; WHIP 1.31; H/9 7.7; BB/9 4.1; K/9 10.0.  Paxton was invitied to the Mariners' spring training camp, but it is very likely he will be returning to the Minors in 2013, but many scouts think he can be a top-of-the-rotation starter and a mid-season call-up would not be out of the ordinary.

14. Brad Peacock--SP--Houston Astros

• 2012 Outlook: "If he makes the A's roster, he can be the 2012 version of Brandon Beachy."
• 2012 Achievements: #4 A's prospect
• Conclusion: After performing well in the Nationals' system, he struggled mightily in Pacific Coast league last season post the following numbers: K/BB 2.11; K/9 9.3; BB/9 4.4; HR/9 1.1; H/9 9.8; WHIP 1.58.  He recently was traded along with Chris Carter to Houston for SS Jed Lowrie.

13. Jacob Turner--SP--Miami Marlins

• 2012 Outlook: "'Control artist' should make his way to the Big Leagues in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: Started 10 games the Majors. 
• Conclusion: Turner was traded to Miami for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante as Detroit was stocking up for a playoff run.  Before being called up, Turner garnered 18 pitching starts in the Minors:  K/BB 1.95; WHIP 1.24; BB/9 3.3; H/9 7.9; K/9 6.4.  His MLB stat line looks like this: K/BB 2.25, WHIP 1.20; BB/9 2.62; H/9 8.2; K/9 5.9.  So very similar numbers, but slightly improved his walks in the Majors.  Turner's ticket to the Majors is his control and is projected to start in the middle of the rotation.  A concern is his low strikeout rate as many scouts and experts are starting to doubt his reputation as a potential, elite starter.  

12. Randall Delgado--SP--Arizona Diamondbacks

Seattle was also in pursuit of Justin Upton this offseason and
were willing to give up their promising prospects for him.
Instead, Upton will be playing in Atlanta with his
brother B.J.
(photo courtesy of Mike McCann's Field of Fotos)

• 2012 Outlook: "Might start the season in the Big Leagues depending if Tim Hudson is healthy."
• 2012 Achievements: Made 17 pitching starts for the Atlanta Braves last season.
• Conclusion: Delgado was dealt to Arizona in the Justin Upton trade. Very likely that Delgado will get a shot to compete for the back end of Arizona's rotation in spring training.  His numbers in Triple-A: K/BB 2.38; K/9 10.4; BB/9 4.4; H/9 9.0; WHIP 1.49.  His numbers for the 2012 MLB season: K/BB 1.81; K/9 7.38; BB/9 4.08; H/9 8.69; WHIP 1.41.  So clearly he needs to show he can improve his control and command, but has also shown dominance throughout his young career as well and that's why he remains such an enticing pitcher. 

11. Duane Below--SP--Detroit Tigers

• 2012 Outlook: "Might make the Tigers as team's 5th starter out of spring training."
• 2012 Achievements: Appeared in 27 games for the Tigers, including one pitching start.
• Conclusion: Posted solid numbers as a reliever last year.  His K/9 did dip to an ordinary 5.66.  Might start 2013 in the Minors as well. Triple-A stats: WHIP 1.30; H/9 8.4; BB/9 3.3; K/9 6.1; K/BB 1.84.  So it is noticeable that Below's strikeout rate has been dropping throughout his career as he continues to struggle with command and tries to improve his walks' totals.  

Prospects #20-16 are available here.

Prospects #10-6 are available here.

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #35-31

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

35. Joe Benson--OF--Minnesota Twins

• 2012 Outlook: "Future 20-20 player, but needs to raise contact rate and lower strikeouts."
• 2012 Achievements: N/A
• Conclusion: Benson struggled in 2012, but they can be attributed to hand and knee surgeries. Despite a down 2012, GM Terry Ryan is expecting Benson to compete for CF spot in 2013. Benson, however, is far away from ready. He has posted a career BB:K of .43 in the Minors justifying the concern over his patience. Also, Benson needs to show more efficiency when attempint to steal bases. As much as the Twins are high on Benson, his Slash Line seems to be that of a solid, but unspectacular player: .258/.351/.430/.782.

34. Jerry Sands--OF--Pittsburgh Pirates

• 2012 Outlook: "Strong finish to the 2011 MLB season, but might be heading back to Triple-A in 2012. However, as soon as a spot in the OF opens, he'll be the first one up for the Dodgers."
• 2012 Achievements: N/A
• Conclusion: After being traded to the Red Sox in the big Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Adrian Gonzalez deal, the Red Sox traded him to the Pirates in the trade for Joel Hanrahan. Sands did manage to garner 23 at bats for the Dodgers last season (struck out 9 times). He has also proven to be a versatile defender, capable of playing anywhere in the OF and has even played at 1B, and a couple of games at 3B. His Minor League Slash Line is as follows: .289/.376/.562/.938 along with a BB:K of .56. He is currently listed as the 3rd RF in the Pirates' depth chart. 

33. Matt Adams--1B--St. Louis Cardinals

• 2012 Outlook: "Starting 1B for the Cardinals by 2013." 
• 2012 Achievements: #19 Prospect in Pacific Coast League
• Conclusion: Adams is a big guy with legit power. He garnered 86 at bats with the Cardinals last season and struck out 24 times. And then he was forced to have surgery to remove bone spur from his right elbow in August, but should be ready by spring training. Unfortunately, with Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter at the top of the Cards' depth chart, Adams' chance at the Big Leagues will continue to be delayed. Baseball experts and fans alike have been waiting in anticipation to see if Adams is the real deal. Power and production has been improving in the Minors since 2010 (from A-ball to Triple-A) and has show adequate patience, posting a BB:K of .60. Adams just needs an opportunity in the Majors to see if skills and abilities can streamline to the Big Leagues. 

32. Jonathan Singleton--1B--Houston Astros

Singleton showing off his big bat.

• 2012 Outlook: "20 year-old can hit for high average and high power."
• 2012 Achievements: Played in Arizona Fall League; #5 Prospect in Texas League; #2 Prospect in Astros' organization as well as the system's Best Hitter for Average.
• Conclusion: Singleton will have to be called up sometime in 2013, but the Astros have pretty much tried to defer having to call-up the young power hitter by signing Carlos Pena and even flirting with the idea of reuniting with Lance Berkman. In the Minors, Singleton has shown discipline (BB:K .70) and production (Slash Line: .291/.394/.470/.864). Reports have shown Singleton to compete for a spot in the Astros' roster in spring training, to projecting his call-up for September.  Singleton will be worth monitoring even in the Minors.

31. Adam C. Eaton--OF--Arizona Diamondbacks

• 2012 Outlook: "Shane Victorino-like. Might step in 2012 if somebody gets hurt." 
• 2012 Achievements: #12 Prospect in Pacific Coast League as well as the League's Fastest Baserunner and Most Exciting Player.
• Conclusion: Eaton did indeed get called up and filled in for a hurt D'backs' OF. He held his own in 85 Big League at bats posting a BB:K of .93(!), .259 batting average, and a .382 on-base%. He has a career .456 OBP%, .966 OPS, and a BB:K of .85 in the Minors. Despite all of the impressive numbers, Eaton is expected to compete for CF spot in 2013 and will most likely be on a short leash as he will be shipped back to the Minors at the fist sign of struggle. However, Eaton has shown flashes of his potential and despite the lack of size, he has show, thus far, that he can be a prototypical baseball player. 

Prospects #40-36 are available here.

Prospects #30-26 are available here. 

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #65-61

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

65. Chris Archer--SP--Tampa Rays

• 2012 Outlook: "Command issues, but still has high ceiling."
• 2012 Achievements: #1 Prospect and Best Slider in Tampa Rays' system. #3 International League Prospect; Made 6 pitching appearances for Tampa Rays.
• Conclusion: Archer has the potential to strike out batters in bunches.  He also has done a great job in limiting hitters' contact rate against him, in both Major and Minor Leagues--also averaged a 1.24 WHIP in both leagues. His main issue is his control, which, along with high strikeout rate, followed him to the Majors. Despite the major overhaul in the Rays' pitching rotation, it is still unclear where Archer will fit with the Rays in 2013. 

64. Dellin Betances--P--New York Yankees

• 2012 Outlook: "Hard-throwing, 'strikeout artist.' Top of rotation stuff, but has control issues."
• 2012 Achievements: Participated in Arizona Fall League.
• Conclusion: Betances is a big fellow at 6'8", 260lbs so he might need a little more time to develop if you believe in the theory that big pitchers need more time in doing so.  As promised, he did post a high strikeout rate in the Minors, but also posted a high WHIP, BB/9, and H/9.  In his defense, Betances was placed on the 60-day Disabled List because of a shoulder injury in September so perhaps those numbers were affected by that. 

63. Johnny Hellweg--SP--Milwaukee Brewers

• 2012 Outlook: "Needs to keep control in check. High 90s fastball makes him future ace."
• 2012 Achievements: Participated in AFL, used mostly as a Relief Pitcher; #15 Prospect in Texas League.
• Conclusion: Hellweg was traded to the Brewers, along with Jean Segura, in the Zack Greinke trade that sent him to the Angels. He stands at 6'9", 210 lbs. It can be argued that his size, along with his hard stuff, might account for his high amount of groundballs (3.13 groundball/flyball in Double-A Huntsville (Brewers)). However, while with Double-A Arkansas (Angels), he had a mediocre K/9 and high BB/9 of 4.5). Once acquired by the Brewers, they had him coming out of the bullpen most of the time at Huntsville. Because lack of control, he won't be making the Big League club anytime soon unless they are desperate for bullpen help. 

62. Tyler Skaggs--SP--Arizona Diamondbacks

• 2012 Outlook: "Should make the Big League team by 2013. Ace pitching prospect in most farm systems."
• 2012 Achievements: Started 6 games for the Diamondbacks; #3 and #4 in both Southern and Pacific Coast Leagues, respectively; Best Breaking Pitch in both leagues.
• Conclusion: Despite making starts for the D'backs, reports showed he had decreased velocity on his pitches, which may have something to do with the mediocre stats he posted in the Majors. He did display good control in the Minors in 2012 (K:BB 3.14). Nevertheless, Arizona was so impressed by Skaggs' progress, that they went ahead and traded away #1 pitching prospect Trevor Bauer. The D'backs have a loaded starting rotation, but despite of the depth, and Skaggs' age (21), he will compete for a rotation spot in 2013. 

61. Jarrod Parker--SP--Oakland A's

• 2012 Outlook: "Most promising of the A's pitchers. Already underwent Tommy John Surgery."
• 2012 Achievements: Started 29 games (20 Quality Starts) for Oakland A's.
• Conclusion: After only 4 starts in Triple-A, Parker was called up by the big club performing outstandingly well for the surging A's. He still has issues with command and might be a "pitch to contact" pitcher, but there's no denying his skill. He might leave too many balls in the air, but clearly, he's in the perfect situation in Oakland. 

Prospects #70-66 can be read here.

Prospects #60-56 can be viewed here. 

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #70-66

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

70. Gary Sanchez--C--New York Yankees

• 2012 Outlook: "Good power-hitting prospect, but needs to work on catching skills."
• 2012 Achievements: #3 Prospect in Yankees organization as well as its Best Power Hitter; #5 South Atlantic League as well as its Best Power Prospect; #9 in Florida State League. 
• Conclusion: Sanchez is only 20 years-old so he has a long way to go, obviously, but the hitting talent is real, putting up 29 doubles in 2012.  As far as his catching skills go, he threw out 30% of base stealers in 2012.  He produced very well in Lo-A ball, but struggled a bit in High-A. Needs to show more discipline at the plate, but Sanchez has time on his side to improve all facets of his game.

69. Alex Liddi--3B--Seattle Mariners

• 2012 Outlook: "Needs to cut back on strikeouts or he'll be the next Brandon Wood."
• 2012 Achievements: Played for Mariners in 2012
• Conclusion: Liddi still strikes out too much and his approach at the plate has proven to be flawed time and time again--since 2010, Liddi's on-base% and OPS have decreased.  Still, he's only 24 years-old so he's not a bust quite yet, but how much longer will the M's wait for him to improve?

68. Brett Jackson--OF--Chicago Cubs

• 2012 Outlook: "5-tool player, but strikes out too much.  Might make Big League club sometime in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: Called up by the Cubs; #15 ranked prospect in Pacific Coast League.
• Conclusion: Just like 3B, the Cubs have had plenty of recent hot shot, CF prospects (Corey Patterson and Felix Pie) and just like the players before him, Jackson is proving to be a bust in the making. While in Triple-A, he sacrificed patience for more power, which resulted in an increase in extra base-hits, but decreased OBP% and OPS.  While with the Cubs, Jackson struck out once ever 2 at bats. It seems that the Cubs have more patience with Jackson than with fellow Cubs' prospect, Josh Vitters, but Jackson needs to find a different approach at the plate and cut back on the strikeouts. 

67. Matt Davidson--3B--Arizona Diamondbacks

• 2012 Outlook: "Power hitter, but might be the next Mark Reynolds. Still young enough to improve."
• 2012 Achievements: Played in Arizona Fall League; #12 Prospect and Best Power Prospect in Southern League.
• Conclusion: Davidson improved his BB:K, strikeouts per at bats, OBP%, and OPS in 2012. Only 21 years-old, he's still has a ways to go before he's in the conversation to join the D'backs.

66. Daniel Corcino--SP--Cincinnati Reds

• 2012 Outlook: "5'11" pitcher, was dominant in 2011.  Will pitch in hitter-friendly California League."
• 2012 Achievements: Made Reds' 40 man roster; #17 Prospect in Southern League
• Conclusion: Corcino was riddled with control issues in 2012.  To his defense, he was promoted from Lo-A straight to Double-A last year, which might have explained his unimpressive numbers last season, but regardless, lack of control is a concern. Also proving to be a flyball pitcher early on in his career.  If he is to pitch for Reds, he needs to cut back on that as well. 

Prospects #75-71 can be viewed here.

Prospects #65-61 can be viewed here.