FanGraphs Prospect Stock Market: Part 2

Thursday night saw a number of strong pitching performances erupt throughout the minor leagues.

Cody Buckel, RHP, Texas Rangers
Current Level: A+
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 15th
Current Value: Holding Steady

Buckel, still just 19, is enjoying his time in the high-A Carolina League. He gave up just two hits and no walks in 6.0 innings last night. He’s now given up four hits and three walks in his first 10 innings of work. That goes along with 16 strikeouts and a high rate of ground-ball outs. Buckel doesn’t have the most dynamic stuff but if he continues to show good command and control of his repertoire he could develop into a solid No. 3 starter at the big league level.

Andrew Chafin, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Current Level: A+
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 8th
Current Value: Monitor Closely

The 2011 supplemental first round pick survived Tommy John surgery while in college and has bounced back nicely. Chafin, soon to be 22, has struck out nine batters in each of his first two starts in the California League and has given up just one run in 11.0 innings. Chafin has also shown his moxie by not allowing a hit with runners on base. The southpaw gives the Diamondbacks yet another high-ceiling arm, although he may end up in the bullpen at the big league level (depending on the big league club’s needs).

John Gast, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Current Level: AA
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: NR (just missed)
Current Value: Looking Up

A former top high school pitcher, Gast struggled with injuries and inconsistencies in college, causing him to slide to the 6th round of the 2010 draft. Thanks to hard work and a strong minor league development staff, the lefty has turned things around dramatically. Gast, 23, has yet to allow a walk to a right-handed hitters in 10 cumulative innings. His durability has been on display this year with both starts lasting seven innings. Gast was especially sharp Thursday night with seven strikeouts and a plethora of ground-ball outs.

Chris Marlowe, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Current Level: A-
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 15th
Current Value: Monitor Closely

Marlowe turned down an over-slot offer from the Toronto Blue Jays as a 21st round pick in the 2010 draft to return to school and ended up getting popped by the Giants in the 5th round of last year’s draft. He has a plus fastball and a good breaking ball but he struggles with his control, thanks in part to a less-than-smooth delivery. Interestingly, the Giants organization has been using him as a starter in low-A ball. He’s probably too advanced for the level and he could be a very quick mover as a reliever but the organization may be trying to get him as many innings as possible to work out the kinks in his delivery. In two starts he’s allowed just three hits in nine innings but he’s walked five batters.

Aaron Miller, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Current Level: A+
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 15th
Current Value: Monitor Closely

Miller endured a rough 2011 season and was plagued by a hernia. Despite appearing in just 11 games at the high-A level in 2011 the organization made the decision to promote the lefty to double-A to begin 2012. His first start was a little inconsistent but Miller was spot-on during his second game. He struck out 10 batters in five innings and allowed just one hit. He did walk three and gave up a large number of fly balls so there are some things to work on.