Low-A Pitching Prospects To Stash Early In Season

The Low-A season is rolling on with some of the game’s newest prospects getting their first taste of professional ball. Last week we dove into the Low-A batting prospects to stash early in the season and it’s only right that we dive into some of the Low-A pitchers to stash. Across three leagues there are plenty of names to highlight who won’t make this article. My main goal is to make dynasty managers aware of some of the not-as-well-known prospects who are typically not highly rostered on Fantrax. Getting in on these prospects could prove to be a dynasty-changing decision as we have seen in the past with pitching prospects like Eury Perez and Andrew Abbott in season’s past. Let’s dive into some of the low-A pitching prospects to stash early in the season.

Low-A Pitching Prospects To Stash

Santiago Suarez, RHP TBR

(3 GS, 16 IP, 19 K, 10.69 K/9, 1.13 ERA)

Carving up the Carolina League right now is Santiago Suarez. The 6’2” 175 pound Suarez was originally signed by the Miami Marlins. Along with Marcus Johnson, Suarez came to Tampa Bay in the Xavier Edwards and J.T. Chargois deal and made his state-side debut in 2023. Suarez features a 95 mph four-seam fastball with pinpoint command. Paired with his sharp breaking curveball and fading change-up Suarez is showing signs of three potential plus offerings. In his first season in the Ray’s organization, Suarez played in the Complex League before heading out to Low-A to finish the season. Across 15 appearances (eight starts) Suarez struck out 52 batters in 59.1 innings pitched, good for a 7.9 K/9 while walking just 11 batters (1.7 BB/9) and finishing the season with a 1.52 ERA.

📝📈TBR RHP Santiago Suarez stock is quickly rising! The former Marlin has unlocked a new level with the Rays with gains across the board. In 3 GS with Charleston he has

•16 IP
•19 K
•10.69 K/9
•0.6 BB/9
•.167 AVG
•1.13 ERA

Currently 14% rostered in @Fantrax leagues. https://t.co/tSKhKZ8ba7

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 25, 2024

Starting the season back in Low-A Charleston Suarez has made some mechanical adjustments that seem to be paying off early on. In three games started Suarez has 19 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched, good for a 10.7 K/9 while walking just one batter (0.6 BB/9) with a .167 batting average against and is currently sporting a 1.13 ERA. The Rays have a long history of getting the most out of their pitching prospects and seeing them succeed in the Major Leagues and Suarez could be the next Taj Bradley to do it. Already the percentage rostered is climbing for Suarez currently at 14% but it will only continue to climb with this hot start to the season.

Yujanyer Herrera, RHP MIL

(4 GP, 17 IP, 27 K, 14.29 K/9, 2.12 ERA)

The Milwaukee pitching factory continues to get the most out of their prospects coming up in the lower minor leagues and Yujanyer Herrera might be one to watch. Standing at 6’3” and 175 pounds Herrera has a starter’s build with more room to fill out and at just 20 years old there is still time to see velocity gains. Currently, Herrera features a four-seam fastball that tops out at 97 and finds the most success up in the zone with right-handed batters. The late fade and tumble of the Herrera’s change-up sets him apart racking up the strikeouts against left-handed batters. Working off the fastball up to right-handed batters is a sweeping slider down and away coming in at 87 mph. New this season is a low-80s curveball that has a sharp break and has proven to be an effective strikeout pitch early on.

📝😱MIL RHP Yujanyer Herrera is an excellent stash early this season. FB,SL,CB,CH with big K numbers so far. In 4 GP he has

•17 IP
•27 K
•14.29 K/9
•.172 AVG
•2.12 ERA

Improvements to the BB% early on has been great. @Fantrax @yujanyer https://t.co/S8365GLOzn

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 25, 2024

This season the Low-A Mudcats have been using Herrera for long relief out of the pen early on but the innings pitched fall in line as a potential to be moved to the rotation. In four appearances with the Mudcats Herrera has a Carolina League-leading 27 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched, good for a 14.29 K/9 with a 2.12 ERA. The major focus for the Brewers and Herrera going into this season was to limit the walks and so far he has done well lowering his walks per nine innings from 5.33 to 3.18. The batting average against has dropped significantly as well from .240 in 2023 now to .172. With these adjustments ending in results do not be surprised to see Herrera get a bump to High-A Wisconsin in short order and at 0% owned in Fantrax leagues currently he is a no-cost pick-up who could benefit you long-term.

Adam Serwinowski, LHP CIN

(3 GS, 12 IP, 15 K, 11.25 K/9, 0.00 ERA)

Effectively carving up Low-A batters right now is Adam Serwinowski. The 6’5” 190-pound lefty has impressed since being selected in the 15th round of the 2022 MLB draft out of high school. Now 19-year-old Serwinowski features a fastball that sits around 95 mph and tops out at 97 with life up in the zone. The slider comes in at 82 mph and has high spin rates proving early on to be a nasty out pitch. Both offerings are flashing plus early on but the development of a third pitch will be key for Serwinowski to remain a starter long-term. In 2023 the Reds had Serwinowski in the Complex League where he made 11 appearances (six starts) with 43 strikeouts over 27.1 innings pitched, good for a 14.16 K/9 and finished with a 3.62 ERA.

📝⛽️CIN LHP Adam Serwinowski has been fun to watch so far. 6’5” lefty topping out at 97 with the FB with excellent spin rates on the slider. In 3 GS he has

•12 IP
•15 K
•11.25 K/9
•2.25 BB/9
•.100 AVG
•0.00 ERA

Excellent stash at 2% rostered on @Fantrax. @AdamSerwinowski https://t.co/EcCYxuHPXK

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 25, 2024

Now in Low-A Daytona Serwinowski is making short work of the Florida League. In three starts Serwinowski has struck out 15 batters over 12 innings pitched, good for a 11.25 K/9 while walking just 2.25 BB/9 with a .100 batting average against and currently has a 0.00 ERA. The size is there for Serwinowski to remain a starting pitcher long-term and the upside as a strikeout pitcher from the left side can be huge for Cincinnati. Currently, just 2% are owned in Fantrax leagues Adam Serwinowski is a prospect to stash now.

Mavis Graves, LHP PHI

(3 GS, 10.2 IP, 15 K, 12.66 K/9, 3.38 ERA)

There are some exciting arms in the Phillies organization currently in Low-A Clearwater. Players like George Klassen and Luke Russo are getting well-deserved praise for their stellar performance early on but keep your eyes on Mavis Graves. The sixth-round pick by the Phillies in the 2022 MLB Draft out of high school Graves has the size and some interesting offerings that have been effective early on in 2024. The 20-year-old Graves stands 6’6” and 205 pounds and is an intimidating southpaw on the mound to Low-A batters. The fastball sits 90-92 mph maxing out at 95 with high spin rates this paired with his mid 80’s change with solid fade are his set-up pitches. The slider comes in at 80 mph with more of a north-south movement whereas the curveball has more sweep to it thanks to the high spin rates north of 2900 RPMs

📝💪PHI LHP Mavis Graves is another Phillies pitcher to watch in ‘24. FB,SL,CB,CH with great spin rates. In 3 GS for the @Threshers he has

•10.2 IP
•15 K
•12.66 K/9
•3.38 ERA

Limited the walks in the last start great to see. @Fantrax @mavisgraves15 @Phillies https://t.co/alZ3xegzra

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 25, 2024

Coming into this season the goal was to focus on the command and control of Graves offerings. In three starts he has 15 strikeouts in 10.2 innings pitched, good for a 12.66 K/9 with a .256 average against, and currently has a 3.38 ERA. The walks per nine innings are down to 4.22 BB/9 but there is still work to be done here. With the size and the bump in velocity over last season early on, there is some upside here and at 0% rostered in Fantrax leagues, it’s a no-cost pick-up early on.

Jace Kaminska, RHP COL

(3 GS, 12.2 IP, 18 K, 12.79 K/9, 0.71 ERA)

Before you scroll past after seeing a Colorado Rockies pitcher in this article take a deeper look at the prospects the Rockies have not only drafted in the last three drafts but also how they have developed so far. It’s still unproven till they get to the Major Leagues but there is a lot to like so far. Jace Kaminska is standing out to me right now in Low-A Fresno which for the record is predominantly a hitter-friendly environment in the California League. The 22-year-old Kaminska stands 6’2” and 235 pounds and was drafted out of the University of Nebraska. Featuring a low 90s fastball that tops out at 95 Kaminska also features an 87 mph two-seam fastball that has two plane breaks effective against left-handed batters.

The low 80s slider has a solid spin that tails away from right-handed batters. The Rockies are working on Kaminska’s change-up as he didn’t throw it at Nebraska.

📝COL RHP Jace Kaminska has been 💪 in Fresno to start the season. The Rockies 10th round pick is currently 5th in Ks in the Cal League. In 3 GS he has

•12.2 IP
•18 K
•12.79 K/9
•1.42 BB/9
•.174 AVG
•0.71 ERA

Former @HuskerBaseball is one to watch. @Fantrax @JaceKaminska https://t.co/YKV3rZTWfP

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 25, 2024

The early results at Low-A Fresno are solid for Kaminska. In three starts Kaminska has struck out 18 batters over 12.2 innings pitched with a solid 1.42 BB/9 and a .174 average against while currently sporting a 0.71 ERA. The early command of his pitches is a major plus for Kaminska who will need to get outs with movement over velocity as he makes his way up the Rockies organization. Currently, Jace Kaminska is 0% owned in Fantrax leagues so the cost to acquire is next to nothing and if he fails to rise it’s an easy cut come mid-season.