Dynasty managers are always on the hunt for starting pitching prospects for their big-league clubs. Some go to the trade block to pay up big for spot starts or back-end rotational help. This is why I dive deep in the minor leagues to find you upside arms to stash so you don’t have to pay up for pitching. Most won’t pan out but the joy of the minor leagues is that there is always someone coming up next. In this article, I am checking on the top pitching prospects in Low-A that I believe need to be watched or stashed in deeper dynasty leagues.
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Low-A Pitching Prospects to Watch
Carolina League
Jake Bennett, LHP WSH
The Washington Nationals might have snagged a gem in the second round of the 2022 MLB draft in Jake Bennett. Similar to teammate Cade Cavalli, the left-handed Bennett came out of Oklahoma where he put together a solid junior season for the Sooners. Bennett struck out 133 batters in 117 innings pitched, with a .236 average against and a 3.69 ERA in 19 games started. The Big 12 Conference is one of the better conferences in college baseball so Bennett’s performance was pretty solid for a lefty starter.
📝📈WSH LHP Jake Bennett has been solid this season in Low-A Fredericksburg. In 30.1 innings he has 40Ks a .233 AVG and a 2.37 ERA. 11.87 K/9 and 2.37 BB/9. Solid performance for the former Sooner #Natitude @FXBGNats @Nationals @OU_Baseball @Fantrax https://t.co/avhXht8lgG
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 19, 2023
The Nationals held Bennett back after being drafted to start his pro career in Low-A Fredricksburg in 2023. So far the results are strong as he has struck out 40 batters in 30.1 innings keeping batters to a .233 average and has a 2.37 ERA. The numbers are looking like the polished college arm Jake Bennett is limiting the walks to 2.37 BB/9 and keeping a strong 11.87 K/9. One of the strong parts of Bennett’s game is keeping the ball on the ground, something he has been able to do 58% of the time so far this season.
For dynasty purposes, Bennett profiles as a mid-to-back of the rotation arm. I believe Bennett can be a workhorse lefty that can give you quality starts and more than likely a solid 9 K/9. This is a solid target for trades in 20-team leagues and up as he is more than likely owned due to his high draft pick.
Florida State League
Cory Lewis, RHP MIN
The Minnesota Twins took Cory Lewis out of UC Santa Barbara in the ninth round of the 2022 draft. At UC Santa Barbara Lewis struck out 107 batters in 88.1 innings pitched, a solid performance for the 6’5” 220-pound right-hander. With the Twins holding Lewis out from making his debut after the draft in 2022 we saw them assign him to Low-A Fort Myers to start the 2023 season. Currently, Cory Lewis has 39 strikeouts in 29.2 innings pitched, holding batters to a .167 average while posting a 2.43 ERA in six starts. Lewis has been effective in his appearances having a 2.43 BB/9 and a strong 11.83 K/9.
📝📈MIN RHP Cory Lewis has been putting up 💪 numbers in Low-A. In 6 starts Lewis has 39 Ks in 29.2 IP keeping batters to a .167 AVG and a 2.43 ERA. Keep him on your radar! #MNTwins @MightyMussels @Twins @UCSB_Baseball @Fantrax https://t.co/6DSzxAeOBE
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 19, 2023
As a college arm, it should come as no surprise that Lewis is performing well in the lower minors, but we can take this opportunity to target college performers before they get moved up the organizational ladder. In Lewis’ case, I like the strong strikeout rate while limiting the walks, and more the approach has been effective as Lewis has kept the ball on the ground. To me, Cory Lewis is an easy grab and stash in 20 to 30-team leagues as a backend starter.
California League
Blake Adams, RHP COL
Going into the 2022 MLB Draft Blake Adams was a bit of an unknown player coming out of Kansas State. Adams was a transfer to Kansas State out of Arkansas and the numbers in his lone season were not great. In 13 starts and 17 appearances, Adams had a 5.07 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 87 innings pitched at K-State. Regardless, the Colorado Rockies selected Blake Adams in the 13th round and sent him to complex ball shortly after.
📝COL RHP Blake Adams has put up solid numbers in Low-A Fresno currently league leader in the California League in strikeouts. In 36 IP Adams has 45 Ks with a .200 AVG and 1.50 ERA. 11.25 K/9 and 0.75 BB/9. Keep your 👀 on Adams. #Rockies @FresnoGrizzlies @Rockies @KStateBSB https://t.co/b9YzFx0vOo
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 19, 2023
The Rockies assigned Adams to Low-A Fresno where he has been fantastic in his first six starts. Adams has struck out 45 batters in 36 innings pitched keeping opposing batters to a .200 average and has a 1.50 ERA. One of the most impressive stats for Adams has been the low 0.75 BB/9. Blake Adams is a speculative add in deep 30-team dynasty leagues as a possible back-end rotation arm or future middle reliever.