We’ve already seen the debuts of top pitching prospects like Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen, Brandon Pfaadt, and Bryce Wilson. Here’s a quick look into a few more arms that are currently standing out in Triple-A and could be pushing for a promotion to the major leagues in short order.
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3 Triple-A Pitching Prospects to Stash
International League
Drew Rom, BAL
If you have kept up with the Norfolk Tides you have no doubt seen Drew Rom’s dominance over the last few games. The lefty has been extremely effective, striking out 32 batters in 31.1 innings good for a 9.19 K/9, while holding a solid 2.87 ERA in six starts. Rom has done a better job this season limiting his walks to a 2.87 BB/9 down from 3.73 average during the 2022 season. Drew Rom’s 3.50 FIP suggests that he could be due for some regression but not much.
📝👀Keep BAL LHP Drew ROM on your watch list. Currently at AAA Norfolk Rom has 32 Ks in 31.1 IP (9.19k/9) with a 2.87 ERA in 6 starts. Currently on the Orioles 40 man roster a ☎️ could be close. #Birdland @NorfolkTides @Orioles @BSLOnTheVerge @OriolesStatist1 @Fantrax https://t.co/sdClraYRpo
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 6, 2023
What Rom is currently doing has been consistent with his performance at each step of the minor leagues. With a fastball, slider, and splitter mix, Rom thrives on getting swings out of the zone and inducing weak contact. His fastball is not overpowering but features high spin rates that act as a great accent to a sweeping slider and split-finger changeup that induces swing and miss. Currently, on the Orioles’ 40-man roster, Rom seems poised to make his major league debut this season.
Luis L. Ortiz, PIT
The 24-year-old Ortiz made his major league debut in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates striking out 17 batters in 16 innings pitched with a 4.50 ERA in 4 starts. In a surprise move the Pirates did not include Ortiz on their Opening Day roster instead opting to send him back to Triple-A Indy. So far this season Ortiz has been a gem in the International League, striking out 29 batters in 32.1 innings pitched while keeping batters to a .174 average and holding a 2.23 ERA in seven starts.
PIT RHP Luis L. Ortiz has been solid in AAA Indy striking out 29 batters in 32.1 IP keeping batters to a .174 AVG and holding a 2.23 ERA in 7 starts. Currently on the Pirates 40 man roster keep him on your radar. #LetsGoBucs @indyindians @Pirates @PITPiratesChat @Fantrax https://t.co/UouGTccjIc
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 6, 2023
Ortiz profiles as a back-of-the-rotation type of arm that has been a solid strikeout pitcher over the last two seasons averaging 10.79 K/9 in minor leagues. If you are in deeper dynasty leagues, Ortiz is a nice addition to your stable of arms and is currently on the Pirates’ 40-man roster making him a strong option to get the call if the need arises.
Pacific Coast League
Cody Bradford, TEX
A bright spot in a dark Pacific Coast League, Cody Bradford of the Texas Rangers sticks out like a sore thumb on the leaderboards. The 25-year-old Bradford is continuing to put together a fantastic start to 2023 in AAA Round Rock. The left-hander has 30 strikeouts in 33.2 innings while holding batters to a .149 AVG with a league-leading 1.07 ERA in 6 starts. As seems to be the case across the entire Pacific Coast League, the walks are elevated for Bradford at 3.21 BB/9. His left-on-base percentage is also unsustainable at 91.2%, but it appears Bradford has brought his home run to fly ball rate back down to career norms 2.6% (down from 11.8% in 2022).
🔥🚨Cody Bradford keeps his strong start to the 2023 season going! Check out the 3 starting pitching prospects to target article out now on FantraxHQ to read more on the Rangers LHP! #StraightUpTX @RRExpress @BaylorBaseball https://t.co/ULSfhihQgX
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 21, 2023
Bradford is due for some regression but even so, he has stood out once again as the best starting pitcher in the Pacific Coast league. Bradford is not currently on the Rangers’ 40-man roster and surprisingly went unclaimed in this past off-season’s Rule 5 draft. The Rangers are already dealing with an injury scare with Degrom and with their older starters there might be an avenue for Bradford to get his MLB debut at some point this season. Worst-case scenario, he seems like a prime target to be moved at the trade deadline.