The major league season is in full swing and it seems like injuries keep popping up! Every week I highlight more prospects making their major league debuts due to production but also the opportunity presented by injury. In this weekly series of prospects to stash now you will get a leg up on some of the best prospect options that could be available on your waiver wire or players to target in your deeper dynasty leagues. Stashing these players now could have an impact during the injury-heavy dog days of summer! In this article I am highlighting my three pitching prospects to stash right now.
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Pitching Prospects Ready to be Called Up
Tanner Bibee, CLE
Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, Tanner Bibee has climbed the Guardians’ organizational ladder. Now at age 24 Bibee is on the precipice of his big league debut and has frankly earned every bit of it. Currently in AAA Columbus Bibee has 19 strikeouts in 15.1 innings pitched, holding batters to a .151 average and sporting a stellar 1.76 ERA in his first 3 starts. If there are any red flags for Bibee this season it has to be the inflated 4.70 BB/9, way up from his career norm of 1.84. Regardless of the inflated walks per nine, the strikeout rate remains strong at 11.15 K/9 this season. Bibee has front-of-the-rotation upside and after being scratched from his start on Tuesday you can’t help but think a major league debut is imminent. This is a must-add pitching prospect in any size league due to the big impact statistics Bibee has already displayed in his short minor league career.
🚀 Tanner Bibee looks poised to start Wednesday for the Guardians. Here is what you need to know. 19k’s in 15.1 IP, .151 AVG, 1.76 ERA in three starts in AAA Columbus. #ForTheLand @CLBClippers @CleGuardians @CleGuardPro @IssaBibe https://t.co/mm3lDZuZ4o
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 25, 2023
Andrew Abbott, CIN
The news is out that Andrew Abbott has been promoted to AAA Louisville. Now tied with Matthew Liberatore for the minor league lead in strikeouts, Abbott has done nothing but impress at AA Chattanooga. I’m sure there is no doubt if you have been reading my articles or listening to The Prospect Pod you have heard me talk about Andrew Abbott. In only 15.2 innings pitched Abbott has 36 strikeouts with a .113 average against and a 1.15 ERA in only three games. Abbott’s strikeout rate is through the roof at 20.68 K/9 with his walks firmly under control at 1.72 BB/9. With Cincinnati promoting Abbott to AAA and the recent struggles in the back end of the Reds rotation, we could be seeing another quick promotion from the Reds similar to what we just saw happen with Mason Miller of the Athletics. Abbott is a buy-now guy as he is proving to be a prolific strikeout pitcher making his mark on the minor leagues.
👀 Reds LHP Andrew Abbott has been filthy in 2 starts at AA. 25Ks in 10.2IP that’s a minor league leading 21.09 K/9 😱 Oh yeah also has a 0.00 ERA & 0.59 AVG. Dominance..that’s it. #ATOBTTR @andrewabbott33 @ChattLookouts @Reds @UVABaseball @Fantrax @WeeklyStreamer https://t.co/EEsAj9oHTw
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 17, 2023
Brandon Pfaadt, ARI
Alright, folks hold on to your seats as we might be nearing Brandon Pfaadt’s long-anticipated MLB debut coming soon. Now you more than likely read my Diamondbacks Pitching Prospect Carousel article over the weekend so I won’t get into the Bumgarner replacement talk. Drey Jameson’s meltdown of 40 plus pitches in the first inning and the Diamondbacks’ desire to “win now” is pushing Brandon Pfaadt to the precipice of making his mark in the rotation now. Pfaadt dominated his last start at AAA Reno, striking out eight in 7 innings pitched giving up three hits and one walk in the process. Now with Pfaadt’s year turned around he is sitting with 25 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched, good for an 11.07 K/9. He has held AAA batters to a .218 average and lowered his ERA to 3.54 in his four starts in Reno. It seems Brandon Pfaadt has done all he can do in AAA and deserves a shot to entrench himself into the future of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ starting rotation for years to come.
🔥With the early season struggles in the rear view mirror Pfaadt’s performance Thursday night puts him squarely in consideration for the rotation cleared by Bumgarner. 25k in 20.1 11.07 K/9 and a 1.77 BB/9 gets it done.🔒 @Aces @b_pfaadt @Dbacks https://t.co/Zzooojtl6y
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 21, 2023