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JAF373 · 05-01-2022, 12:55 PM

I've held off mentioning one particular pitcher to this point, and he might just be the key to our 2024 season. Read more below on Christian Little, our first round pick (15th overall) in the 2023 Draft and the second player in the class to reach the bigs.

Starting Pitchers (40-Man)

Aaron Nola gets the nod as the opening day starter ahead of Clayton Kershaw, who my scout thinks is a frightening 40 overall after last season's elbow problems. It pains me to say, but he might be cooked. The aforementioned Christian Little arrived at Vanderbilt as a 17-year old and dominated SEC competition. As a Draft-eligible sophomore, we drafted him a few days before his 20th birthday and he sailed three through levels last season, starting 15 games and pitching 81 innings between Myrtle, South Bend, and Tennessee (3.11 FIP, 28% K rate, 9% BB rate). My scout thinks he's a current 55 with 70 upside. With four high-level pitches (including a 75 grade change) and a fastball sitting 95-97, this is the front-end starter we've been searching for. He's skipping AAA and opening the season in the bigs. Sean Manaea is a known commodity and slots in as the fourth guy. We don't need a fifth starter until the third week of the season, at which point it'll be either Jalen Beeks or Kyle Wright, the latter of whom is out of options. I wanted Jordan Wicks to win a rotation job out of camp, but there was no justification for keeping him over Beeks. His command needs additional refinement, though my scout is pessimistic regarding the long-term outlook (40+ FV). Wicks or Cory Abbott would be the first starter up from Iowa. Abbott won the AAA East Cy Young award last season despite spending almost half of the season in the majors. Nick Fanti has never gotten a big league shot but grades out similarly to Abbott. With two minor league options remaining, he'll be around for awhile. Alfredo Garcia was acquired from the Yankees in the Kohl Franklin deal and might be able to stick as an up-and-down 5 inning starter thanks to a devastating (75) changeup. He's our 24th-ranked prospect.

Relief Pitchers (40 Man)

I've previously written about all of these guys. The hardest call was sending Mason Fox to Iowa to start the season. It's hard to pinpoint his struggles last year as a Rule 5 pick. He has a stupefying two-pitch combo (65 fastball; 80 curveball) and 75 grade stuff, but his 40 command reared its ugly head many times during 2023. My scout thinks he's a current 55 with 60 upside, but with this season's Rule 5 pick Jack Little ahead of Fox developmentally, Fox was the odd man out. Recent acquisition Zach Willeman will inevitably be up this year and can pitch in various roles thanks to 45 stamina. We acquired Willy Collado from San Diego last July for Josh Van Meter. His stuff is fringy (45), but with 60 movement and 60 command (and a career 58% ground ball rate), he'll be a useable piece over the next few seasons.

Projected Lineups

05-01-2022, 12:55 PM	#56
JAF373 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 256	2024 Pitching Preview and Lineup Construction I've held off mentioning one particular pitcher to this point, and he might just be the key to our 2024 season. Read more below on Christian Little, our first round pick (15th overall) in the 2023 Draft and the second player in the class to reach the bigs. Starting Pitchers (40-Man) Aaron Nola gets the nod as the opening day starter ahead of Clayton Kershaw, who my scout thinks is a frightening 40 overall after last season's elbow problems. It pains me to say, but he might be cooked. The aforementioned Christian Little arrived at Vanderbilt as a 17-year old and dominated SEC competition. As a Draft-eligible sophomore, we drafted him a few days before his 20th birthday and he sailed three through levels last season, starting 15 games and pitching 81 innings between Myrtle, South Bend, and Tennessee (3.11 FIP, 28% K rate, 9% BB rate). My scout thinks he's a current 55 with 70 upside. With four high-level pitches (including a 75 grade change) and a fastball sitting 95-97, this is the front-end starter we've been searching for. He's skipping AAA and opening the season in the bigs. Sean Manaea is a known commodity and slots in as the fourth guy. We don't need a fifth starter until the third week of the season, at which point it'll be either Jalen Beeks or Kyle Wright, the latter of whom is out of options. I wanted Jordan Wicks to win a rotation job out of camp, but there was no justification for keeping him over Beeks. His command needs additional refinement, though my scout is pessimistic regarding the long-term outlook (40+ FV). Wicks or Cory Abbott would be the first starter up from Iowa. Abbott won the AAA East Cy Young award last season despite spending almost half of the season in the majors. Nick Fanti has never gotten a big league shot but grades out similarly to Abbott. With two minor league options remaining, he'll be around for awhile. Alfredo Garcia was acquired from the Yankees in the Kohl Franklin deal and might be able to stick as an up-and-down 5 inning starter thanks to a devastating (75) changeup. He's our 24th-ranked prospect. Relief Pitchers (40 Man) I've previously written about all of these guys. The hardest call was sending Mason Fox to Iowa to start the season. It's hard to pinpoint his struggles last year as a Rule 5 pick. He has a stupefying two-pitch combo (65 fastball; 80 curveball) and 75 grade stuff, but his 40 command reared its ugly head many times during 2023. My scout thinks he's a current 55 with 60 upside, but with this season's Rule 5 pick Jack Little ahead of Fox developmentally, Fox was the odd man out. Recent acquisition Zach Willeman will inevitably be up this year and can pitch in various roles thanks to 45 stamina. We acquired Willy Collado from San Diego last July for Josh Van Meter. His stuff is fringy (45), but with 60 movement and 60 command (and a career 58% ground ball rate), he'll be a useable piece over the next few seasons. Projected Lineups Last edited by JAF373; 05-01-2022 at 01:01 PM.