MLB: Four Teams Stacked with Hard-Throwers in the Minors

Baseball America recently listed over 60 of the hardest-throwing MLB farmhands, along with their affiliate and how hard they throw. So I thought it would be interesting to dig a little deeper and see just what that velocity has translated into statistically. Here is a look at four teams with the highest number of flamethrowers.

In recent MLB seasons, velocity has seen a rise among starters and relievers by an increase of about 0.2 miles per hour each year according to Baseball America. Over the last decade and a half, fastballs among starting pitchers have risen in average velocity from 89.0 mph to 92.3 in 2015.

As baseball has become more of a global game, there is now more of a chance of finding players with the potential of topping 100 miles per hour. J.J. Cooper thinks this uptick in velocity is due to a few factors: “…improved physical training. Long-tossing, throwing with weighted balls and improved techniques for strengthening shoulders have both reduced shoulder injuries and increased velocity almost across the board.”

Of the list that is provided, four teams stick out with having a number of hard-throwing prospects. Being that they are prospects, and not all of them pan out or even reach MLB, these teams are simply playing the law of averages that at least a couple of their big arms will turn into valuable assets down the road.

Those four teams are the Miami Marlins (6), New York Yankees (9), Seattle Mariners (4) and Detroit Tigers (4). Oddly enough, these four teams nearly comprise the four corners of the United States, save for Detroit. Three of the teams are in the American League while the Marlins are the lone representative in the NL, which could give them a leg up on the competition if their plan comes to fruition.