4. Brady Aiken, LHP
Birthdate: 8/16/96 (20 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: rookie, short season A
Stats in 2016: 46 1/3 IP, 5.83 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 9.68 BB%, 26.27 K%
One of the most interesting draft stories of all time in his ordeal with the Astros in 2014 after being selected #1 overall and then being having his offer pulled after initially agreeing to a deal with the Astros when they found “something” in his medicals, Aiken has been in the mind of many in the prospect world for some time.
He ended up fulfilling the Astros’s worries when he ended up having Tommy John surgery the next season. That made him a risky upside pick in the 2015 draft, and the Indians were willing to take the swing at #17 overall on Aiken.
When healthy, Aiken has the makings of three possible plus pitches
His 2016 was not great as he slowly worked his way back to the mound. His strikeout rate was excellent, but his control was lacking, not uncommon upon return from TJS.
When healthy, Aiken has the makings of three possible plus pitches with a present plus fastball that can touch 97 with excellent life, a curve with big time break that he can manipulate, and a change that he has excellent late movement on as well.
I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s become a mantra that the return from TJS is a two-year process. In the first full year back, the pitcher gets back his velocity, and in his second year, his control works its way back.
Aiken had his first year this year, and with him, control is such a big part of how he is successful as he is able to move the ball around the zone on hitters that he needs that command/control to come back. That is the major reason he is where he is on this list for me. I’d have him as high as #2 if he had that command back because the raw stuff is just so good.
Next: #3