2016 Minor Leagues Starting Pitchers by Level

[Mr Southpaw]

Here is a list of Starts in the organization by level. Fell free to adjust levels or make comments. There seems to be a good mix of of depth and age at every level.

 

MLB

 

Nelson

Garza

Peralta

Anderson

Jungmann

 

AAA

 

Davies

Lopez

Cravy

Burgos

Sutor

Hall

Hader

 

AA

 

Houser

 

Ortega

Salas

Wang

Johnson, H

Woodruff MOVED UP FROM A+

 

A+

 

Medieros

William, D

Hirsch

Ponce

 

Ventura

Burkhalter ADD

 

A

 

Diplan, M

Diaz, V

Benoit

Luna

Gomez, M

Rodriguez, W

 

R+

 

Diaz, M

Yamamoto

Fortuna

Walters

Perrin

Diplan, N

[reillymcshane]

Hellweg is no longer with the organization. He was a six-year minor league FA and signed with SD in November.

[Mr Southpaw]

Fixed it. The volume still looks good. I just realized Kirby can be added once he come off the DL.

[Jenkins5]

Houser got moved to MLB as a call-up unless he is absolutely brutal in spring, he is in AAA. He is a priority prospect. He I believe goes above Burgos, Hall, & Suter. Cravy best chance in big leagues will be as a RP so I would be surprised to see him transition this season

 

Moreover you forgot Burkhalter who I expect to be in BC, he was nearly as good as Williams, Kodi, & Ventura. Only will be 20 this season. Worst case he will be in Wisconsin as there Ace

[Crash2303]

A+ and up look like solid roster projections. but, I think A ball and R+ will look a lot different than you have. first of all, often times they platoon starters, so although not all may "start" perhaps 8 pitchers might be regularly throwing 4-5 innings per outing. with that said, not sure Rodriguez and Benoit would be starting in Aball after subpar seasons in the DSL as 20+ year olds. Luna would be a very aggressive move, in spite of his impressive DSL numbers- I expect him down in Arizona.

 

I think Miguel Diaz will be in full season ball to give him more innings after missing all of last year. I also think you might see Daniel Missaki and Christian Trent starting in Appleton and even Yamamoto- despite his horrid numbers so far, he's got great stuff. Victor Diaz might even end up in Brevard County in the bullpen. Also jon perrin would have had to have taken a major step back to start off in rookie ball as he held his own last season in Appleton- expect him to pitch in A+. Some notable guys you left off were some people picked up in trades, notably Trey Supak, Carlos Herrera, Freddy Peralta, and Missaki (mentioned above) who will factor into this picture. And over Nattino Diplan I'd put in Joan DeLa Cruz, who's coming off a season long injury.

 

Hard to project- and who knows what guys take huge offseason leaps ie last year with Burkhalter, Earls, Woodruff that few outside of the organization anticipated. any way you look at it a lot of talent up and down the system.

[FVBrewerFan]

Something has to give. 7 starters in AAA, a couple will need to come out of the pen- at least to start the season. And A only has 6. Since they piggy-back starts, they actually need 10 SP.

[Crash2303]

one guy you can take out of that crowded mix at AAA is unfortunately, Brooks Hall. had a disappointing year as he fell out of the rotation in Huntsville. as he'll be entering his age 26 season he would have to have a huge preseason to break camp in the AAA rotation. and with a crowded bullpen to boot, he is most likely the odd man out. in assuming pena and jones make the MLB bullpen, all of these guys will be looking for a roster spot as well:

 

Jaye Chapman

Jim Miller

Junior Guerra

David Goforth

Cesar Jimenez

Yhonathan Barrios

Austin Ross

Jacob Barnes

Damien Magnifico

Mitchell Lambson

Nick Hagadone

Chris Capuano

Tim Dillard

Pat Misch

Jed Bradley

Drew Gagnon

[Mass Haas]

Just a reminder from the post just above, LHP Nick Hagadone's minor league deal was voided.

[CheeseheadInQC]

I'd probably guess

 

AAA: Davies, Lopez, Hader, Cravy, Burgos

AA: Houser, Ortega, Wang, Woodruff, Terry (if healthy)

A+: Medeiros, Williams, Ponce, Ventura, Burkhalter

A: Diplan, Peralta, Supak, Diaz, Hanhold, Harber, Drossner, Trent, Ortega

 

Houser and Burkhalter are the toughest for me. With Houser, he wasn't really all that successful until after the trade. With the pitching depth they have, I think they are going to put him in the best possible position to carry the advances he made after the deal over into the new season. That place is probably Biloxi. Assuming he doesn't regress, I fully expect to see him in the AAA rotation by midseason, but I think he'll be Biloxi's opening day starter to begin.

[Mr Southpaw]

I'd probably guess

 

AAA: Davies, Lopez, Hader, Cravy, Burgos

AA: Houser, Ortega, Wang, Woodruff, Terry (if healthy)

A+: Medeiros, Williams, Ponce, Ventura, Burkhalter

A: Diplan, Peralta, Supak, Diaz, Hanhold, Harber, Drossner, Trent, Ortega

 

Houser and Burkhalter are the toughest for me. With Houser, he wasn't really all that successful until after the trade. With the pitching depth they have, I think they are going to put him in the best possible position to carry the advances he made after the deal over into the new season. That place is probably Biloxi. Assuming he doesn't regress, I fully expect to see him in the AAA rotation by midseason, but I think he'll be Biloxi's opening day starter to begin.

 

That is what I was thinking. Even though he got the MLB callup, he needs some continued success and AA is the best place for that.

[Mr Southpaw]

Houser got moved to MLB as a call-up unless he is absolutely brutal in spring, he is in AAA. He is a priority prospect. He I believe goes above Burgos, Hall, & Suter. Cravy best chance in big leagues will be as a RP so I would be surprised to see him transition this season

 

Moreover you forgot Burkhalter who I expect to be in BC, he was nearly as good as Williams, Kodi, & Ventura. Only will be 20 this season. Worst case he will be in Wisconsin as there Ace

 

Forgot Burkhalter, so added him to A+. He might do half and half with Appleton and BC.

[JohnBriggs12]

Barring an injury, scratch Garza and insert Davies in the major league rotation. Garza is headed to long relief like the Cubs did with Edwin Jackson last year. I'd simply release him, but I'm betting Attanasio won't sign off of Stearns doing that. AAA will be Lopez, Hader, Houser, Suter, Burgos. Cravy will be relegated to a swing role.

[Eye Black]

A+

 

Medieros

William, D

Hirsch

Ponce

Woodruff

Ventura

Burkhalter ADD

I would be disappointed if Brandon Woodruff isn't pitching in Biloxi this year. Seems like he has had enough success (when healthy) and quality stuff to continue the organizational climb. Maybe he does start in BC to continue working on command and then moves to Biloxi mid-season.

[CheezWizHed]

I would be pretty disappointed if Cravy and Burgos were ahead of Houser at AAA.

[Jenkins5]

Burgos to me does not pitch over any real prospects. Cravy has great stuff to slide back into the pen. Not buying Cravy ever making the Brewer rotation again unless most other guys arms fall off.

 

This is Stearns & Flanigans show now. Nichols is out so I forsee our most talented prospects getting 1st dibs to the level they need to be at. I think they will be more aggressive with placements. Houser helped carry that team down the stretch in the playoffs. He has nothing to prove in AA & has a brighter MLB future compared to many other guys. They should be smart enough to start future MLB players over career AAAA types

[Mr Southpaw]

A+

 

Medieros

William, D

Hirsch

Ponce

Woodruff

Ventura

Burkhalter ADD

I would be disappointed if Brandon Woodruff isn't pitching in Biloxi this year. Seems like he has had enough success (when healthy) and quality stuff to continue the organizational climb. Maybe he does start in BC to continue working on command and then moves to Biloxi mid-season.

 

I don't know that he needs to start at AA, but you always seem to be straight on with your opinions, so moving him up it is.

[Mr Southpaw]

Burgos to me does not pitch over any real prospects. Cravy has great stuff to slide back into the pen. Not buying Cravy ever making the Brewer rotation again unless most other guys arms fall off.

 

This is Stearns & Flanigans show now. Nichols is out so I forsee our most talented prospects getting 1st dibs to the level they need to be at. I think they will be more aggressive with placements. Houser helped carry that team down the stretch in the playoffs. He has nothing to prove in AA & has a brighter MLB future compared to many other guys. They should be smart enough to start future MLB players over career AAAA types

 

I look at Burgos as a Carlos Villenuava type, kinda small, kinda soft toss, but sneaky when he is on. Long Relief might be his future, which is really ok. Houser may start in AAA, but he may need a little booster before moving up.

[yfinn6]

Barring an injury, scratch Garza and insert Davies in the major league rotation. Garza is headed to long relief like the Cubs did with Edwin Jackson last year. I'd simply release him, but I'm betting Attanasio won't sign off of Stearns doing that. AAA will be Lopez, Hader, Houser, Suter, Burgos. Cravy will be relegated to a swing role.

 

Stearns has already said that Garza is going to be in the rotation.

[logan82]

Barring an injury, scratch Garza and insert Davies in the major league rotation. Garza is headed to long relief like the Cubs did with Edwin Jackson last year. I'd simply release him, but I'm betting Attanasio won't sign off of Stearns doing that. AAA will be Lopez, Hader, Houser, Suter, Burgos. Cravy will be relegated to a swing role.

 

Stearns has already said that Garza is going to be in the rotation.

It would be a terrible decision to not have Garza in the rotation. He either pitches well and we get something for him or he pitches poorly and is gone. It would be really bad not to try and get something for him while chasing an extra win or two by inserting a younger guy and using service time.

[Outlander]

Yes, people might not like the guy but Stearns/Counsell have seemed to indicate Garza will get a spot. Really, there isn't much downside to having him in the rotation. Potential to increase trade value, lose some more games if he isn't good, pause the service time for other potential starters like Davies or Lopez.

[Jenkins5]

MLB

 

Nelson

Garza

Peralta

Anderson

Jungmann

 

AAA

 

Davies

Lopez

Hader

Houser

Cravy/Suter .....Cravy would be a terrific bullpen arm, his spot on the SP depth chart has fallen a bunch. Him face planting last season in his audition doesn't help. Feel Suter as a crafty lefty offers more in rotation. Burgos can start his career as AAAA long reliever.

 

 

AA Yawn...

Ortega

Wang

Woodruff

H.Johnson

Salas/Hirsch/Hall one of them

 

A+ Drooling.....

Medieros

William, D

Ponce

Ventura

Burkhalter

 

A Wisconsin

Usually under Nichols it was 1 or 2 lone starters the rest piggyback, we will see how it is now with Flanigan

I just gave all 5 piggy backs

 

Eric Hanhold/ Jon Perrin

D. Missaki/ Milton Gomez

Marcos Diplan/ Miguel Diaz

Nate Griep/ J. Drossner

Freddy Peralta/Trey Supak

 

R+ Depends on draft....

Yamamoto

Walters

Fortuna

Lindell

Desquin

[JohnBriggs12]

Yes, people might not like the guy but Stearns/Counsell have seemed to indicate Garza will get a spot. Really, there isn't much downside to having him in the rotation. Potential to increase trade value, lose some more games if he isn't good, pause the service time for other potential starters like Davies or Lopez.

 

What are they going to say? "We don't think Garza has a place on our roster, but we are bringing him to camp as punishment"? They are bringing him to camp for depth in case other guys come up with arm issues.

 

Downside is plenty and include overworked young arms in the bullpen and stunting progress for Davies.

 

There's really no downside whatsoever in releasing him at the end of camp if all other guys are healthy. He's not going to be in demand for teams looking to upgrade at the deadline. They know how bad he was in 2015, and a couple decent months in 2015 won't make his contract worth it especially given his less than stellar clubhouse presence. The contract? The entire budget for the starting rotation is going to be under $20 million including what they are paying Garza. That's bare bones in today's game.

 

Service time for Davies? Davies is controllable through 2021. Is keeping his control through 2022 really that big a deal? They'll be tremendous turnover in the rotation and roster by that time.

[JohnBriggs12]

Barring an injury, scratch Garza and insert Davies in the major league rotation. Garza is headed to long relief like the Cubs did with Edwin Jackson last year. I'd simply release him, but I'm betting Attanasio won't sign off of Stearns doing that. AAA will be Lopez, Hader, Houser, Suter, Burgos. Cravy will be relegated to a swing role.

 

Stearns has already said that Garza is going to be in the rotation.

It would be a terrible decision to not have Garza in the rotation. He either pitches well and we get something for him or he pitches poorly and is gone. It would be really bad not to try and get something for him while chasing an extra win or two by inserting a younger guy and using service time.

 

You really think there's a chance Garza will pitch well enough that a contending team will completely ignore his 2015 mess and decide they'll give up something of value and take on the risk that he can revert to 2015 form at any time and pay the rest of his contract to do so through 2017? The chances of that happening are slim and none and slim just left town. Remember, he's got the 2016 Brewers behind him, not the 27 Yankees. He's not likely to enjoy it.

[StearnsFTW]

I actually do think he could be traded if he has a good first 15 starts. If nothing else, someone may just take him for free which would obviously be great.

[Mr Southpaw]

If Garza has stats like below for the first half of the year, he is very tradable...

 

W-L ERA IP BB SO WHIP

4-4 3.64 80 25 63 1.182

 

By the way, those were his stats on average for half of 2014.

 

Now, can we get back to a minor league discussion?