4/15/2008

Early Returns: NL Pitching Prospects Delivering

Two weeks into the season, some pitchers are already shining

With the 2008 season only a few weeks old, a number of young National League prospects are already making their presence felt on the mound. Here's a quick look at some of our spring prospects who are making it big in the majors already, or will be very soon if their hot minor league debuts are to be believed.

Cincinnati righthander Johnny Cueto has been the class of rookie pitchers so far this spring.

Cincinnati fireballer Johnny Cueto, for example, has been the hit of the NL Central, striking out 24 in his first three starts. That's more than veterans Brandon Webb, Jake Peavy or Dan Haren. In fact, of all the NL's strikeout artists, only Tim Lincecum comes close with 22. Cueto is making a bid to be among the NL's very best pitchers, and if he can survive the ups and downs that Cincinnati's ballpark will provide, he should rank among the best by year end.

Meanwhile, last year's Red phenom Homer Bailey is toiling away in the minors, and looks dominant in his early work. If he can overcome last season's gopheritis, he'll rejoin what could be a standout Reds rotation just in time to challenge in the weak NL Central.

In the AA Eastern League, the future Phillies strikeout artist named Carlos Carrasco is mowing down batters, with 14 K's and only 2 hits in his first 11 innings of work, while Arizona's Max Scherzer hasn't given up a run in his first twelve innings while striking out an eyebrow-raising 18 hitters.

In Los Angeles, the Dodgers must be happy with their 33 year old 'rookie', Hiroki Kuroda. The righthander has shown advanced composure and presence in his first three starts, posting a 2.89 ERA to begin his first US season.

And whenever they're ready to add another new arm, Los Angeles can call upon lefty Clayton Kershaw, one of the hottest young pitchers in the minors. Kershaw, who impressed scouts and coaches alike in a stellar spring training, has struck out 12 in his first 8 innings of work (two starts), and he's likely to join the Dodgers late in the season. LA fans will probably see him first in a bullpen role, with an eye to winning a rotation spot for 2009. Of course, injuries or trade opportunities could accelerate that plan even further.

Next up: Early Returns / AL Pitching Prospects