The question has to be asked: Who doesn’t need pitching? The answer is everyone needs pitching but who wants to pay big prices that dynasty managers demand? This article’s goal is to help find top-performing pitching stashes in high-A. I will dive into one pitcher per division for you to put in a waiver claim or trade for in your dynasty leagues.
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High-A Pitching Prospects on the Rise
Midwest League
Jairo Iriarte, RHP SDP
One of the bright spots on the pitching side for the Padres this season is the 21-year-old, Jairo Iriarte. In seven starts in 2023, Iriarte has struck out 39 batters in 26 innings, good for a 13.50 K/9 with a .163 average against and a 1.73 ERA with the TinCaps. Currently, Iriarte is third in the Midwest league in strikeouts.
🚫💥SDP RHP Jairo Iriarte was a part of a solid no hitter in high-A. On the season Iriarte has looked solid striking out 39 in 26IP with a .163 AVG and a 1.73 ERA. The 13.50 K/9 has been 💪. #bringthegold @TinCaps @Padres @LosPadres @PadresRadio https://t.co/db2bCoOg8A
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 17, 2023
The right-hander features a mid-90s fastball that grades out as a plus future pitch. Working off the fastball is a change-up that sits at 88 MPH with solid fade which pairs well off his third offering of a hard-breaking slider that sits in the mid-80s. Iriarte is an intriguing young arm but will need to work on landing his slider for strikes as he currently has a 4.50 BB/9. With a depleted Padres system this is a good stash for a system that evaluates talent well on both sides.
South Atlantic League
Chase Hampton, RHP NYY
The Yankees might have struck gold drafting Chase Hampton out of Texas Tech in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. The 21-year-old right-hander is currently tied for second in the South Atlantic League in strikeouts (42) and with a four-pitch mix there is a lot to like with Hampton. In five starts with Hudson Valley, Hampton has 42 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched with a .207 average against and a solid 3.04 ERA. The strikeout rate is fantastic sitting at 15.97 K/9 and the walks are a work in progress at 3.42 BB/9.
🔥🎯NYY RHP Chase Hampton has been sharp so far this season. With a devastating curveball and four pitch mix Hampton is currently tied for second in the South Atlantic League in strikeouts (42) with a 15.97 K/9 and 3.04 ERA in 5 starts. ##RepBX @ChaseHampton7 @HVRenegades https://t.co/axeemCeSYd
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 17, 2023
Hampton features a high spin rate four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-90s but tops out at 96 mph. That pairs well with his mid-80s tight slider that profiles more as a cutter. One of Hampton’s most devastating pitches is a high-70s curveball that has a major break and has contributed to Hampton’s higher walk rates so far. Rounding out the pitch mix is a mid-80s change-up that Hampton will pepper in but grades out as a below-average offering currently. This is a sneaky grab in deep dynasty leagues as a 6’2” and 225-pound workhorse pitcher in the Yankees system with big strikeout upside.
Northwest League
Carson Whisenhunt, LHP SFG
Taken by the San Francisco Giants in the second round of the 2022 draft out of East Carolina University, Carson Whisenhunt has been lighting up the lower minor leagues. After starting the season in low-A, Whisenhunt struck out 20 in 13.2 innings pitched keeping batters to a .231 average and posting a 3.29 ERA in four starts before a promotion to high-A. Since his promotion to the Emeralds, Whisenhunt has struck out 16 batters in 13 innings pitched, with a .070 average against and a strong 0.69 ERA in three starts. Carson has limited the walks so far this season to a 1.38 BB/9 with a solid 11.08 K/9 in high-A Eugene.
💪📝SFG LHP Carson Whisenhunt has one of the best change-up in the minor leagues right now. Since the promotion to A+ he has 16Ks in 13IP that’s a 11.08 K/9 with a 1.38 BB/9 and a 0.69 ERA in 3 starts. #SFGiants @EugeneEmeralds @C_whisenhunt18 @SFGiants @ECUBaseball @Fantrax https://t.co/pRyMbunoTm
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 17, 2023
The left-handed Whisenhunt features a solid three-pitch mix that is highlighted by his mid-80s change-up which has resulted in strong swing-and-miss numbers for Carson. So far this season Whisenhunt has increased his fastball velocity and sits in the mid-90s while his 78 mph curveball is a work in progress and is used sparingly. No doubt Whisenhunt is not a cheap ad in deep dynasty leagues but could be a solid target. If the Giants are able to increase the velocity for the former ECU Pirate this could be a solid SP2 for dynasty managers.
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— Lisa Ann (@thereallisaann) May 6, 2023