MLB: Five Under the Radar Pitching Prospects to Watch

1 of 6

Sometimes, a prospect can sneak up on everyone, greatly outperforming their expectations. Here are five MLB pitching prospects that few under the radar last year.

Not every prospect comes with a pedigree. Sometimes, the best MLB players barely made a ripple as prospects, despite solid performances as they worked their way up the ladder. Be it from a low draft position, or other prospects in the same system overshadowing their performance, there are players who simply do not get their just due.

Unfortunately, those players can be overlooked by even the most dedicated prospect hounds. While a statistic or two may catch the eye, these players still fly under the radar. Chances are, you will not find them amongst the top 100 in any year, and they may rank towards the bottom of a team’s top 20 or 30 prospects.

And yet, these players can show just as much potential as those other, more highly touted prospects. In some cases, they may even outperform their more ballyhooed brethren, and have a track record that proves to be worthy of being a top prospect. Still, they hide in anonymity.

Yesterday, we looked at five underrated performances for hitters. Today, let us do the same on the pitching side, and look at five under the radar MLB prospects.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Alec Hansen: Chicago White Sox

When one thinks of a strikeout pitcher in the Chicago White Sox farm system, one immediately thinks of Michael Kopech. However, it was Alec Hansen who led the minor leagues in strikeouts this past season.

A second round draft choice in 2016, Hansen made his way up to the South Atlantic League last season. He struck out 81 batters in his 54.2 innings in 2016, showing that incredible swing and miss stuff that would normally make him the top pitching prospect in most organizations. However, with the acquisitions of Kopech and Lucas Giolito, Hansen was a forgotten commodity.

This season may have changed that. Again, Hansen rocketed through the system, reaching the AA level. Along the way, he posted a solid 11-8 record with a 2.80 ERA and a 1.167 WHiP. In his 141.1 innings, Hansen allowed 114 hits and 51 walks, striking out 191 batters.

It may not be outside the realm of possibility for Hansen to appear on an MLB mound sometime in 2018. With his improved command, and high octane fastball, Hansen would be a prospect to keep an eye on. Add in his developing slider and curve, and he could well develop into a top of the rotation arm.

Alec Hansen will likely rise up the White Sox rankings this offseason. His dominant performance could well make him a name to remember in the coming years.

Aaron Civale: Cleveland Indians

Taken with the Cleveland Indians third round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, Aaron Civale could rocket through the system in the next couple of years.

After a solid showing in the New York-Pennsylvania League last season, Civale took a major step forward in 2017. Harnessing his intriguing arsenal, he displayed a command that was well beyond his years. He rode that control to a promotion to the Carolina League, putting himself in position for a look at AA next year.

Overall, in his 164.2 innings, Civale posted a 13-6 record with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.057 WHiP. He issued only 14 walks while striking out 141 batters, a performance similar to Bret Saberhagen in 1994. Unsurprisingly, Civale led the minors with a 10.07 strikeout to walk rate, far outpacing the second place Mike O’Reilly, who we will look at shortly.

Armed with a fastball that typically sits in the lower 90s, but has the potential to reach 95, Civale’s best weapon may be his cutter. Occasionally referred to as a slider, this is the pitch that he has built his arsenal around. With that one dominant pitch, incredible command, and a repeatable delivery, Civale is an intriguing prospect to watch.

While it may be a question mark as to whether or not Civale stays in the rotation, he should end up being a solid piece of the Indians future. Given his cutter, he could end up as a possible weapon in the Cleveland bullpen if nothing else.

(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Mike O’Reilly: St. Louis Cardinals

Like Aaron Civale, Mike O’Reilly was selected in the 2016 MLB Draft. However, unlike the one pitcher with a better K/BB ratio, O’Reilly was a late round selection.

Drafted in the 27th round, O’Reilly had a strong showing in the Gulf Coast League in his first season as a professional. Aggressively slotted to start the year, O’Reilly dominated the Midwest League, earning a promotion to the Florida State League. While he did not fare as well at the High-A level, O’Reilly still proved to be far better than his humble draft spot.

In between those two stops in the minors, O’Reilly produced a solid campaign. Overall, he had a 12-3 record with a 2.34 ERA and a 0.941 WHiP, with two shutouts. In his 142.1 innings, he allowed just 114 hits and 20 walks, striking out 132 batters. It is that type of performance that will open some eyes, even if O’Reilly’s raw stuff would not.

A look at his frame and velocity would not lead one to imagine a top prospect. At 5’11 and 180 pounds, O’Reilly does not seem to have the frame of a dependable starter. His fastball sits in the upper 80s, and he has a decent change and curve, neither of which are really plus pitches. However, O’Reilly has impressive command and an innate feel for pitching, allowing him to maximize his stuff.

Mike O’Reilly does not look like a pitching prospect. The results say otherwise.

Toronto Blue Jays prospects Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero /

Carlos Ramirez: Toronto Blue Jays

An outfielder whose career stalled out in A ball, Carlos Ramirez took his strong arm to the mound. The Toronto Blue Jays are certainly glad he did.

Almost immediately, Ramirez got results. He struggled with his command as he learned how to pitch, but there was no questioning the potential of that right arm. The only question was whether or not he could ever harness his stuff.

Ramirez answered that question with an emphatic yes this season. Starting off the year with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, a level he never reached as an outfielder. He allowed two unearned runs in New Hampshire, the only runs he has allowed this year. Overall, Ramirez did not allow an earned run in his 37.2 minor league innings, allowing 16 hits and 10 walks while striking out 45 batters. That success has carried over to the majors, where he has allowed two baserunners while striking out seven in seven innings.

At this point, Ramirez is a two pitch pitcher, but that is really all he needs. With a sinking fastball that sits in the mid 90s, and a slider with solid movement, he could become a weapon in the back of the Blue Jays bullpen. Given the issues that Toronto has had in finding relievers, Ramirez could well be auditioning for a high leverage role in 2018.

Sometimes, all a player needs is a change. For Carlos Ramirez, that conversion to the mound led to his MLB debut just three years later.

Jeff Singer: Philadelphia Phillies

An undrafted free agent out of Division III Rutgers-Camden, Jeff Singer was pitching in a men’s league and working in a car dealership. Now, two years later, he may be a part of the Phillies long term answer in the bullpen.

More from Call to the Pen

The fact that Singer has gotten this far is a bit of a surprise. A Phillies scout happened to see Singer in action in the men’s league, and recommended him to the independent Camden Riversharks. Although he was hit hard in independent ball, Singer improved his velocity, reaching the mid 90s. As a lefty, that velocity would earn some attention. In October 2015, Singer signed with the Phillies, a fitting team given the role they played in starting his career.

After a solid 2016 campaign where he appeared at three different levels, Singer took over as the closer in Clearwater. He again pitched well, earning a promotion to AA. Overall, he posted a 3.00 ERA and a 1.238 WHiP, notching 21 saves. In his 63 innings, he struck out 78 batters, but issued 37 walks.

Those control issues are going to be key as Singer continues to move through the minors. If he can harness that mid 90s heater and still developing slider, he could prove to be a weapon. With the Phillies looking for long term pieces to their bullpen, the lefty has a chance to crack the majors in the near future.

Next: Under the radar hitting prospects

Jeff Singer may have taken a circuitous route to becoming an MLB prospect, but he could be a part of the Phillies bullpen by the end of 2018 if he can harness his pure stuff.

Home / MLB Prospects