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

Miami Marlins

Andy Beltre (Dominican Republic), RHP, 23: Heading into 2016, Beltre had accumulated just 17 innings pitched since 2012, five of which came in 2013 and 12 in 2014 before missing the entire 2015 season. The right-hander returned to post a 1.74 ERA combined between A-ball and Hi-A Jupiter, totaling 46 2/3 innings. His strikeout rate was above 10 (10.3), while his walk rate was right where it has been all along, hovering between 3.5 and 4.0. With health on his side, that walk rate will presumably begin to go down as he gets more reps. 2017 will be his seventh season playing ball since he signed as a 16-year-old.

Brian Ellington (University of West Florida), RHP, 26: Ellington has seen stints in Miami in each of the past two seasons, totaling 58 frames and a 2.64 ERA in that span. It would appear as though he would be due for a bigger role given those numbers, but his walk rate of 4.4 per nine is a bit high for an MLB reliever, especially if his strikeout rate is just under one an inning. Sometimes one can offset the other just a bit, but that’s not the case here for the time being. With some improved command, Ellington could certainly be vying for a regular spot in the Marlins bullpen in 2017.

Jose Adames (Dominican Republic), RHP, 23: Adames is the Marlins’ #29 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, but in his second stint in Hi-A this season he actually regressed just a bit, seeing his ERA go up from 5.38 to 6.19 and his walk rate up from 4.3 to 5.1. The one big difference between the two seasons is that 2016 was Adames’ first in the bullpen, so an adjustment period is to be expected. Like the three players above him in this list, Adames has topped out at 100 miles per hour.

Luis Castillo (Dominican Republic), RHP, 23: Castillo is one of the few names on the list so far that has stuck as a starter to this point, getting the ball in 26 games this season, 24 of which were starts. After holding a 2.07 ERA over 117 2/3 innings with Hi-A Jupiter, he made his final three starts in Double-A with the Jumbo Shrimp where he totaled 14 innings and a 3.86 ERA. His walk rate took a big jump in those 14 innings, but given the small sample size it’s likely not enough to be worried about just yet.

Tayron Guerrero (Colombia), RHP, 25: Guerrero came over from the San Diego Padres in the Andrew Cashner deal, which also lead to the suspension of Pads’ GM A.J. Preller. Castillo (above) was the player that was returned to the Marlins. Guerrero made his MLB debut with the Padres before the trade, but afterwards was back in Double-A with the Marlins where he pitched very effectively, totaling 14 innings and holding a 1.93 ERA while walking just 1.9 per nine. Guerrero was acquired for depth purposes, but if he can continue to control the strike zone, he’s another prospect that could have an impact at the MLB level for Miami next season.

Tyler Kolek (Shepherd High School), RHP, 20: Kolek was a first round pick by the Marlins in 2014, selected second overall right after the Astros took Brady Aiken. Kolek had Tommy John surgery in April, so he will likely miss the beginning of the 2017 season while he continues to recover. Before his injury, Kolek’s walk rate had been hovering around five per nine in his two professional seasons. Castillo, Guerrero and Kolek have all touched 101.