With the major league season moving right along the injuries continuing to mount, it’s important to have your finger on the pulse of the minor leagues to see who is coming next. This is a small look into the pitching prospects that are currently standing out in Double-A and could be pushing for a promotion to Triple-A or, better yet, the Major Leagues by year’s end.
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Double-A Pitching Prospects to Grab And Stash
Emmet Sheehan, LAD
Los Angeles might have caught lightning in a bottle with Emmet Sheehan, plucking him out of Boston College in the 6th round of the 2021 draft. Sheehan moved up two levels in 2022, striking out 106 batters in 68 innings and keeping batters to a .177 average, and putting up a 2.91 ERA in 20 combined games.
Currently in Double-A Tulsa, Sheehan has picked up where he left off with 29 strikeouts in 15.2 innings holding batters to a .145 average and locking in a 2.87 ERA. Emmet features a plus fastball and changeup that he has used to achieve a 16.66 K/9 with a career-low 2.30 BB/9 in three starts.
⚾️💨LAD RHP Emmet Sheehan continues to dominate. In 3 starts he has 29 Ks in 15.2 with a .145 AVG and 2.87 ERA at AA. 16.66 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9. Oh! and tied for 3rd in minor league Ks #HereToPlay @Emmet_Sheehan @TulsaDrillers @Dodgers @DodgersNation @Fantrax https://t.co/agQ09itYYW
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 26, 2023
Sheehan has been so dominant in fact, that his 29 strikeouts are currently tied for third in the minor leagues. With Sheehan repeating Double-A and dominating to start the season, it won’t be long till the Dodgers send the right-hander up to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Joe Boyle, CIN
If you are into 6’7” flame-throwing right-handers, then Joe Boyle is one for you! The Reds selected Boyle in the fifth round of the 2020 draft out of Notre Dame. Primarily a relief pitcher at Notre Dame, Boyle used an electric fastball to rack up the strikeouts as well as the walks; 48 walks to 36 innings pitched to be exact. Regardless, the Reds had plans for Boyle to be a starter long-term and in 2022 he showed what he could do with a full season’s worth of work. In 22 starts across two levels, Boyle struck out 153 batters in 100.2 innings , holding batters to a .141 average and putting up a 2.86 ERA.
⛽️🔥Straight heat for 6’7” Joe Boyle who has compiled 26 Ks in 13.2 IP keeping batters to a .200 AVG and holding a 1.98 ERA in 3 starts. Just a 17.12 K/9 🤣 Nothing to see here. 👀 #ATOBTTR @ChattLookouts @Reds @RedsMiLB @NDBaseball @Fantrax @BallySportsCIN https://t.co/bmXhue5WUz
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 26, 2023
Currently, Boyle is assigned to Double-A Chattanooga where he has struck out 26 batters in 13.2 innings, keeping batters to a .200 average and holding down a 1.98 ERA in three starts. With a 17.12 K/9, there is no doubt that Boyle has what it takes to be a dominant starter. The only drawback, as it was in college, is the walks. Joe is sporting a high 6.59 BB/9, continuing an issue that has been present throughout his minor league career (6.57 Career BB/9). Cincinnati should be moving Boyle up to Triple-A Louisville soon, making him close to making his major league debut as a backend starter or possibly a lights-out reliever.
Coleman Crow, LAA
Taken in the 28th round of the 2019 draft by the Los Angeles Angels, Coleman Crow has gotten off to a strong start in 2023. The 22-year-old right-hander is currently at Double-A Rocket City where he has struck out 25 in 17 innings and kept batters to an .089 average with a 1.59 ERA in three starts. His strikeout rate is up to 13.24 for Crow with his walk rate remaining the same as his career norm at 2.65 BB/9. In 2022 Crow played his entire season in Double-A Rocket City striking out 128 batters in 128 innings and keeping hitters to a .261 average despite a 4.85 ERA.
😱🔥LAA RHP Coleman Crow has been off to a hot start for the Trash Pandas. Crow has 25 Ks in 17 IP keeping batters to a .089 AVG and holding a 1.59 ERA in 3 starts. A 13.24 K/9 and 2.65 BB/9 has been impressive for Crow. #Gohalos @colemancrow @trashpandas @Angels @Fantrax https://t.co/f5JmEqQr8l
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 26, 2023
So with Crow repeating the Double-A level, we can see that he has had a 10% rise in left-on-base percentage and a drop of 8% in his HR/FB rate contributing to an extremely low .133 BABIP. It will be interesting to see when the Angels will move Crow up to Triple-A Salt Lake and how he will adjust to a primarily hitter-friendly league.
Want to learn about more pitching prospects? Check out The Hawk’s Top 400 Fantasy Baseball Prospects for the deepest of dynasty leagues.