10 Lists of 10 Names for Dynasty Leagues

List Mania

I love lists! And I love it even more when a list inspires me to go out and immediately locate the item named. This thirst for discovery was the impetus for many late-night sessions in my college days when Napster & Limewire were the best ways to get the latest music.

Fast forward to today, when I am writing about minor league baseball players, I have collected, sorted, and discovered talent that I wasn’t familiar with, including many high-quality players from the 2024 draft. Each category below represents an opportunity to uncover hidden gems. Imagine yourself staring out the window, as John Forbes Nash Jr. from the book and movie A Beautiful Mind. The next pitching star is right there; we just have to decipher the pattern.

Without further ado, check out the Top Ten lists with a few bonus names here and there. In fact, there are way more than 100 names listed in this article. Happy digging!

Strikeout Rate by Minor Leaguers in each Major League Organization

Before we get started with the player lists, here is a team list. 4,587 players pitched in the regular minor league season (as downloaded from FanGraphs on September 29, 2025), and here is a bonus list sorted by the strikeout rate of all minor league players in a team’s organization. Blank represents players who were not affiliated with a major league team. Green shading denotes the category leader.

TEAM	# Players	K	BB	TBF	K%	BB%	SwK%	Strike%
NYM	161	6183	2859	24593	25.1%	11.6%	13.0%	59.8%
TEX	171	7116	3260	28452	25.0%	11.5%	12.4%	60.5%
MIA	159	6586	3324	26492	24.9%	12.5%	12.9%	58.6%
NYY	164	6096	3036	25147	24.2%	12.1%	11.3%	59.5%
BAL	179	6456	3364	26731	24.2%	12.6%	12.1%	60.4%
BOS	155	6014	3095	25084	24.0%	12.3%	12.1%	59.5%
STL	133	6187	3048	25907	23.9%	11.8%	12.3%	60.9%
LAD	171	6931	4128	29143	23.8%	14.2%	12.5%	58.4%
TOR	133	5656	2595	23920	23.6%	10.8%	12.6%	61.3%
SFG	145	6598	3122	28368	23.3%	11.0%	11.9%	60.5%
CHW	151	5610	2864	24298	23.1%	11.8%	11.4%	60.0%
ATL	145	5705	2706	24733	23.1%	10.9%	11.3%	60.7%
HOU	153	5780	3182	25239	22.9%	12.6%	11.2%	60.4%
TBR	159	6290	2796	27562	22.8%	10.1%	12.6%	61.4%
CLE	156	6219	3312	27359	22.7%	12.1%	11.8%	60.2%
MIN	137	5255	2433	23129	22.7%	10.5%	11.9%	61.0%
LAA	121	5747	3042	25361	22.7%	12.0%	11.6%	60.9%
CHC	168	6334	3501	28130	22.5%	12.4%	11.8%	59.5%
KCR	157	5938	2878	26385	22.5%	10.9%	12.5%	60.0%
PIT	167	5942	3087	26416	22.5%	11.7%	11.9%	60.9%
PHI	147	5644	2868	25175	22.4%	11.4%	11.6%	60.1%
DET	157	5762	2679	25713	22.4%	10.4%	11.5%	61.3%
MIL	149	5962	2847	26641	22.4%	10.7%	11.4%	60.1%
OAK	133	5934	2745	26661	22.3%	10.3%	11.6%	61.4%
COL	141	6288	3060	28266	22.2%	10.8%	12.5%	61.1%
SDP	157	5847	3226	26721	21.9%	12.1%	10.7%	60.1%
CIN	159	5717	3200	26195	21.8%	12.2%	11.7%	60.7%
WSN	126	5441	2890	25207	21.6%	11.5%	11.6%	60.8%
ARI	165	5704	3500	27120	21.0%	12.9%	11.0%	59.1%
SEA	146	5384	2581	25793	20.9%	10.0%	11.5%	61.7%
BLANK	22	401	258	1952	20.5%	13.2%	14.5%	58.9%

1. Strikeout Rate – Walk Rate

Here are the top 10 plus one pitchers in this category who have made at least ten starts in Minor League Baseball.

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	K%-BB%	Notes
Travis Sykora	WSN	A,A+,AA,CPX	45.1	1.79	46.7%	10.1%	36.7%	Laborious windup conjures a Decipticon transforming, so repeating mechanics over a full season will be important to show.
Chase Burns	CIN	A+,AA,AAA	66	1.77	36.8%	5.4%	31.4%	His fastball has not been that hittable, so developing the CH & SI will serve to boost his 16% swinging-strike rate (SwK%).
Trey Yesavage	TOR	A,A+,AA,AAA	98	3.12	41.1%	10.5%	30.6%	5-level riser fools hitters with/ highest release point in MLB & sick splitter, while managing a solid 64% strike rate.
Payton Tolle	BOS	A+,AA,AAA	91.2	3.04	36.5%	6.3%	30.2%	5-pitch mix was led by 97 FF & 87 SL combo as a sweet 1-2 punch, helping him dominate on a 69% strike rate.
Jonah Tong	NYM	AA,AAA	113.2	1.43	40.5%	10.6%	29.9%	Further development of the CH with/ 13″ break & CU and/or SL will take pressure off the FF.
David Hagaman	TEX	A,A+,CPX	42.1	2.98	33.7%	6.1%	27.6%	Low workload is hiding strikeout rate (K%) upside with his 96 FF & great SL
Kendry Chourio	KCR	A,CPX,DSL	51.1	3.51	29.9%	2.4%	27.5%	18-year-old w/ elite command w/ 95 FF & wicked CH; begs the question if he lives too much in the zone.
Luis De La Torre	SFG	A,CPX	74.1	2.78	36.1%	8.9%	27.2%	Unheralded lefty who has made a successful leap to A with a 15% SwK%, 53% GB%, & a 95+ FF.
Wei-En Lin	OAK	A,A+,AA	87	3.72	33.4%	6.3%	27.1%	19-year-old didn’t carry the high 70% strike rate in A to his reliever role in A+, so his increased BB% may be inflated due to shorter appearances.
Caden Scarborough	TEX	A,A+	88	2.45	33.2%	6.1%	27.1%	A buzzy name who has above-average extension & low release height that plays up the sweeper, slider, and splitter/change.
Keyner Martinez	SFG	A,CPX	69.1	2.21	34.2%	7.4%	26.8%	Another Low-A gem for SFG w/ 49% GB% & 15% SwK% on a late-breaking SL, nice CH, & FF touching 98.

Prospect Watch

Caden Scarborough
A+ DEBUT Hub City TEX

8.21 v Greeneville
5 IP 1H 0R 1BB 9K
17whiffs/73pitches

Announcers gushing over the stuff
Sweeper here, slider there, splitter where
71% strike rate, minimal contact

Hop on the bandwagon now! pic.twitter.com/TH220a3wLU

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) August 22, 2025

2. Fielding Independent Pitching

Here are the top-10 pitchers in this category who have made at least ten starts in Minor League Baseball. Fielding Independent Pitching focuses on the events that a pitcher has control over: strikeouts, walks, hit-by-pitches, and home runs. FIP uses the actual number of home runs allowed by a pitcher, while xFIP replaces that variable with the league average. The FIP formula is ((13HR)+(3(BB+HBP))-(2*K))/IP + constant.

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	FIP	Notes
Travis Sykora	WSN	A,A+,AA,CPX	45.1	1.79	46.7%	10.1%	1.20	One of the top arms who will be out all of ’26 after August Tommy John surgery.
Jonah Tong	NYM	AA,AAA	113.2	1.43	40.5%	10.6%	1.68	Despite the MLB service time, he could be back in AAA to start ’26 after a 7.71 ERA in 18.1 IP and drops SwK% and GB%
Chase Burns	CIN	A+,AA,AAA	66	1.77	36.8%	5.4%	2.16	Has 35% K% to 8% BB% in 41.1 IP in the MLB, primarily using FF & SL
Thomas White	MIA	A+,AA,AAA	89.2	2.31	38.6%	13.6%	2.27	End of season BB% jump damaged FIP, as he had 38 K: 24 BB in final 22.2 IP.
Ty Johnson	TBR	AA	110.1	2.61	34.7%	8.8%	2.33	Strong repeatable delivery has led to a 66% strike rate & lots of weak contact with/ .172 AVG & 5 HR
Braxton Bragg	BAL	A+,AA	59	1.68	32.8%	7.2%	2.34	Late July Tommy John surgery dampens gains made on the arsenal from its low release height.
Coleman Crow	MIL	AA,AAA	50	3.24	32.0%	6.0%	2.35	Made the AAA jump in July after showing off a big drop CU & 93 FF from a low attack angle, before a hip injury/flexor strain sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Tyson Hardin	MIL	A+,AA	96	2.72	24.7%	4.4%	2.35	24 draft pick ratcheted down the control while allowing only 3 HR, a 48% GB%, & a 13% SwK%.
Michael Forret	BAL	A+,AA	74	1.58	32.3%	7.4%	2.37	95 FF & big sweeper propel strong swing & miss stuff (15% SwK%) & solid 65% strike rate.
Ryan Johnson	LAA	A+	57.1	1.88	29.7%	4.6%	2.38	Aggressive short arm delivery hides 94 SI & FF led to a string of four games of 7+ IP where he had 32 K: 4 BB.

Prospect Watch

Jonah Tong
MLB Mets

5.10 Binghamton AAvReading
6.2 IP 0H 0R 0BB 13K
18whiffs/99pitches

Combined 7-inning perfect game w TJ Shook.

Maybe starts 2026 back in AAA pic.twitter.com/8LppsatnPF

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) October 6, 2025

3. Ground-Ball Rate

Here are the top 10 pitchers in this category who have made at least ten starts in Minor League Baseball. A high ground ball rate could highlight a skill in a pitcher that they can lean on when the strikeouts aren’t there. On this list, we do uncover some unfamiliar talent. The issue is that they usually need to demonstrate success for another few months before we can consider them a breakout.

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	GB%	Notes
Brandon Clarke	BOS	A,A+	38	4.03	34.5%	15.5%	63.9%	Averaged 16% SwK% in short bursts of 3-4 innings and hasn’t pitched since early August.
Josh Hartle	CLE	A+,AA	113.1	2.54	23.3%	8.5%	62.0%	Low arm, crossbody slinger pitches to contact from a 6’6″ frame are mainly low 90s FF & SL.
Chris Cortez	LAA	A+	113.2	4.28	22.2%	16.4%	61.8%	’24 draft pick has above average sinker & slider combo producing weak contact, but only when he lands them in the zone, 58% strike rate
Bryan Balzer	SDP	A	50	7.92	20.3%	11.6%	60.5%	Small pro career history includes nice SL & reports of upper 90s fastball, so check back in ’26.
Evan Fitterer	MIA	AA	94.2	3.42	23.6%	10.6%	58.4%	With >400 IP in MiLB, his shift to a bullpen role gives him a better shot at a promotion.
Blake Wolters	KCR	A	47.1	3.99	19.3%	19.3%	58.1%	6’4″ righty had some hype with/ an upper 90s FF, but showed off a gross BB% in a small sample due to missing two months with/ an undisclosed injury.
Walbert Ureña	LAA	AA,AAA	141	4.34	20.7%	12.1%	57.6%	Take note of the 98 SI & SL combo as he finished really strong in September with/ 32 K, 7 BB, & 16% SwK%.
Gerelmi Maldonado	SFG	A	59	3.97	25.4%	16.2%	57.4%	After missing 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, he is someone to watch in ’26 while showing off an upper 90s FF & nasty SL across 23 short appearances.
Eli Jones	MIN	A	100	5.13	18.8%	8.9%	57.4%	The ’24 draft pick gets the nod for a no-hitter in LLWS & has a 6-pitch arsenal that features 3 fastballs as well as an SL & CU with 40% whiff rates.
Travis Smith	MIL	A,A+	102.1	3.43	17.4%	6.9%	57.0%	The 6’4″ ’24 draft pick has a disappearing SL and strung together 5 gms w/ 5+ IP when he showed out w/ 24 K & 7 BB in 26 IP.

Prospect Watch

Walbert Urena
AA Rocket City LAA
6’0” RHP

9.13vChattanooga
8 IP 1H 0R 0BB 8K
18whiffs/92pitches

3/4 arm slot w spinning delivery that adds natural tailing action
SI 90
SL quick bite
CH

25: 20K% 12BB% 58GB% 61%strike 11%SwK 4.39ERA 135.1 IP pic.twitter.com/Y90cns4eS7

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) September 16, 2025

4. Swinging-Strike Rate

Here are the top 10 plus one pitchers in this category who have made at least ten starts in Minor League Baseball.

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	SwKS%	Notes
Trey Yesavage	TOR	A,A+,AA,AAA	98	3.12	41.1%	10.5%	19.7%	A pitch mix change is forthcoming as success on SL (30% whiff rate) & FS (57% whiffs), buoy the metrics-strong 94 FF (21% whiffs).
Payton Tolle	BOS	A+,AA,AAA	91.2	3.04	36.5%	6.3%	17.9%	Aided by 7.5′ of extension, the FF, SI, & CH each have >30% whiff rate in MLB and support his case to be closer to ’25 MiLB next season.
Ty Johnson	TBR	AA	110.1	2.61	34.7%	8.8%	17.7%	Lanky 6’6″ cross-body slinger has a deceptive short arm action that boosts the 95 FF / SL combo.
Chase Burns	CIN	A+,AA,AAA	66	1.77	36.8%	5.4%	17.7%	The gyro slider was filthy with a 50% K% & 50% whiff rate in AAA after a near 50% strikeout rate in college; could more whiffs be on the way in ’26?
Shane Drohan	BOS	A+,AAA	54	3.00	34.5%	9.4%	17.3%	K% has jumped up in 2025 on a highly graded CH w/ 15″ break (44% whiff rate) & a SL as his main putaway pitch (54% K%)
Joe Boyle	TBR	AAA	86	1.88	32.9%	11.8%	17.3%	The early-season control dried up by August, relegating his 98 FF & 93 FS with/ great movement to the bullpen in ’26.
Jonah Tong	NYM	AA,AAA	113.2	1.43	40.5%	10.6%	17.1%	MiLB pitcher of the year candidate had SwK% plummet to 8.6% in NYM with/ mediocre 20% whiff rate across a 3-pitch arsenal.
Thomas White	MIA	A+,AA,AAA	89.2	2.31	38.6%	13.6%	17.0%	95 FF & 86″ FS w/ 14″ break produce great swing & miss at >35% whiff rate, but also the fastball command can be spotty.
Braden Davis	STL	A,A+	110.1	2.85	33.8%	16.6%	17.0%	’24 draft pick set a high foundation on an 81 CH w/ 12″ break that had a 60% whiff rate in A.
Juaron Watts-Brown	BAL	A+,AA	124.1	3.62	30.7%	9.7%	17.0%	SL & CU are the foundation & 96 FF supports an athletic 6’3″ righty who is trending towards ’26 MLB debut in SP-thirsty BAL.
Christian Zazueta	LAD	A,A+	67.1	2.41	29.7%	5.9%	16.9%	Athletic low arm delivery is punctuated by solid command of his 97 FF & sick CH.

Prospect Watch

Christian Zazueta
A+ Rancho Cuca LAD
6’3” RHP 21 yo

6.18vLake Elsinore
5 IP 1H 0R 0BB 10K
15whiffs/61pitches

One of the top SwK% in MiLB w/ Abv avg command.
97+FF
Sick CH
Athletic low arm delivery

25: 67.1 IP 2.41ERA 29K% 6BB% 17SwK% 67%strikes

On the rise! pic.twitter.com/hKDcxl0e8X

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) October 1, 2025

5. Strikeout Rate (3-10 MiLB starts)

Here are the top 10 plus one pitchers in this category who have made between three and ten starts in Minor League Baseball. This is a fun list with a 2025 draft pick included, along with a lot of potential pop-up names in 2026.

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	WHIP	Notes
Liam Doyle	STL	A,AA	3.2	2.45	40.0%	13.3%	1.36	Showed off strikeout stuff with/ 96 FF 17″ IVB & tight 86 SL in a small MiLB sample. Ok, he only had 2 starts, but 40 K% was too hard to ignore!
Will McCausland	CLE	A	10	2.70	39.5%	10.5%	1.00	Unheralded ’25 draft pick didn’t start as a senior, yet could see a SP chance after 24:5 K:BB in 16.2 IP in A.
Juan Nunez	BAL	AA	14	7.07	39.4%	18.2%	1.79	Small sample standout ended 25 in May.
Jogly Garcia	CLE	A,A+	39	2.77	38.7%	10.4%	1.10	Was still leading with the breakers in 3 games after a 3-month hiatus due to undisclosed injury.
Jack Perkins	OAK	AAA	44	2.86	38.4%	11.3%	1.02	96 FF & solid breakers didn’t help the 38% K% translate to MLB
Pierce Coppola	CHC	A	8	2.25	36.8%	23.7%	1.75	6’8″ lefty ’25 draft pick turning heads with/ 37% K% in A after being lightly used at Florida, where he carried a 47% K% & 10% BB% over 21.1 IP.
Yordanny Monegro	BOS	AA	33.2	2.67	35.8%	5.8%	1.19	Will have to see if he can get back to 15% SwK% in 2027, as he is getting Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a torn UCL in July ’25
Julian Garcia	CIN	AA	16	1.13	35.6%	6.8%	0.88	30-year-old who rebuilt career in AAPB, striking out 163 over 111.2 IP, only to follow up with 28:4 K:BB across 4 game audition for Reds.
Winston Santos	TEX	AA,AAA	17.1	6.75	33.3%	9.0%	1.67	Back injury forced 4 months on the IL, was averaging 96 FF & 11″ of break on the CH in lone AAA start.
Braxton Bragg	BAL	A+,AA	59	1.68	32.8%	7.2%	1.00	Was popping 34% K% & 7% BB% in AA before a forearm injury led to late July Tommy John surgery & probably hiatus until ’27.
Brady Tygart	BOS	A,A+	19.1	3.26	32.5%	8.4%	1.14	Late June surgery on right pectoral shelved the ’24 draft pick righty until August, when he put up 27:7 K:BB over 19.1 IP.

Prospect Watch

Liam Doyle
A DEBUT Palm Beach STL
6’2” LHP

9.6vDaytona
1.2 IP 1H 1ER 1HR 2BB 3K
4whiffs/42pitches

Aggressive 3/4 delivery w solid extension.
FF 96 up to 20”IVB, 10” horz. 3 whiffs
SL 85
CU 81 45+”drop
CH 87

Only 1 hard-hit allowed on poorly located SL pic.twitter.com/Qbgqa9NI6A

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) September 7, 2025

6. Best Single Game Pitching Performances of 2025

Here are the top 15 of the best individual pitching performances in 2025, sorted by game score. The Game Score statistic is a useful metric for comparing individual performances, but of course, it is unable to assign an unbiased value to the atmosphere or context of each game. Therefore, there are a few higher Game Scores that were not included. This wasn’t a straightforward task, so if anyone knows of a website where daily game logs for all levels of minor league pitchers are available, please share! Baseball Reference only allows for a recap of all the previous day’s results.

Name	Team	Level	Date	Opponent	Stats		GSc	Note
Ryan Johnson	LAA	A+	July 5	Vancouver	9 IP 1H 0R 0BB 12K	23 whiffs / 104 pitches	97	Might have thrown his arm out because he was pretty much shut down after this game.
JR Ritchie	ATL	A+	May 10	Greeneville	9 IP 1H 0R 1BB 9K	17 whiffs / 95 pitches	93	First batter got the hit & then he shut ’em down with the 93 SI, 82 SL, & 81 CU.
Walbert Ureña	BAL	AA	September 13	Chattanooga	8 IP 1H 0R 0BB 8K	18 whiffs / 92 pitches	88	Someone to track as he threw this gem in his last AA game before striking out 10 in AAA debut the following week.
Jonah Tong	NYM	AA	May 5	Reading	6.2 IP 0H 0R 0BB 13K	18 whiffs / 99 pitches	87	Combined 7-inning perfect game with TJ Shook.
Travis Sthele	WSN	A+	June 4	Brookyln	9 IP 1H 0R 0BB 2K	2 whiffs / 86 pitches	87	Likely the lowest number of whiffs in a complete game. Only 1 double play too for SP w/ 36% GB%.
Khristian Curtis	PIT	A+	July 4	Aberdeen	6 IP 0H 0R 0BB 10K	15 whiffs / 85 pitches	82	Combined 9-inning perfect game with Jake Shirk & Michael Walsh. Greensboro threw another perfect game on July 13
Gage Jump	ATH	A+	April 25	Fort Wayne	6.2 IP 3H 0R 0BB 13K	16 whiffs / 86 pitches	82	Entered in the 3rd inning to finish out a game that put him on the prospect map early in 2025.
Daniel Eagen	ARI	A+	August 15	Everett	7 IP 2H 0R 2BB 11K	18 whiffs / 83 pitches	81	Had a lot of pep in his step here with an athletic delivery that plays up the FF velo & a drop-out-of-the-sky CU.
Trey Gibson	BAL	AA	July 2	Richmond	7 IP 1H 0R 0BB 6K	12 whiffs / 83 pitches	81	Allowed only 2 baserunners in this 7-inning complete game.
Josh Bostick	SFG	A+	July 8	Spokane	7 IP 4H 0R 0BB 12K	15 whiffs / 83 pitches	81	Multiple games where he showed tremendous grit to grind out of bad situations; finished with 2 K after 2 on with 0 outs.
Ben Kudrna	KCR	AA	July 22	Arkansas	6 IP 1H 0R 0BB 11K	20 whiffs / 73 pitches	81	2021 draft pick finally reached AAA, facing one over the minimum using a 92 FF & 85 CH.
Jacob Misiorowski	MIL	AAA	May 9	Norfolk	6.2 IP 1H 0R 0BB 11K	19 whiffs / 99 pitches	80	Friday night in Nashville is electric, esp. when there is 102 mph being fired all game.
Thomas White	MIA	AA	July 26	Knoxville	5 IP 2H 0R 0BB 14K	20 whiffs / 86 pitches	77	This is the ceiling when he locks in the control as he struck out 14 of the 17 batters he faced, primarily using a 95 FF & 84 SL.
Kai-Wei Teng	SFG	AAA	July 2	Reno	5 IP 1H 0R 1BB 11K	22 whiffs / 72 pitches	75	One of the highest whiff rates per total pitches thrown.
Griffin Herring	NYY	A	May 1	Bradenton	6.2 IP 5H 1ER 0BB 11K	26 whiffs / 91 pitches	71	Highest number of whiffs in a Statcast-tracked game

Prospect Watch

Khristian Curtis
A+ Greensboro
6’5” RHP 25 yo

7.10vAberdeen
6 IP 0H 0R 0BB 10K
15whiffs/85pitches

Combined PERFECT GAME w Jake Shirk & Michael Walsh
Greensboro threw another perfect game 9 days later.

25: 110.2 IP 3.90ERA 25K% 10BB% 14SwK% 63strike% pic.twitter.com/BjXUIWyoek

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) October 6, 2025

7. Batting Average Against

Here are the top 10 plus one pitchers in this category who have thrown at least 99 innings in Minor League Baseball.

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	AVG	Notes
Jonah Tong	NYM	AA,AAA	113.2	1.43	40.5%	10.6%	0.148	In 18.2 MLB innings, rates dropped to 25% K% & AVG rose to .308, signalling a potential return to AAA to start 2026 to revamp arsenal.
Braden Davis	STL	A,A+	110.1	2.85	33.8%	16.6%	0.155	Strikeouts & walks are present even without sub-optimal 59% strikes; Yet, the 21:5 K:BB & 17% SwK% in the first three A+ games show his ceiling.
Griffin Herring	COL	A,A+	119.1	1.89	31.4%	10.3%	0.166	He is productive, 16% SwK%, with a poor 59% strike rate using many SL & 93 FF from a high-arm angle.
Ty Johnson	TBR	AA	110.1	2.61	34.7%	8.8%	0.172	Low arm angle from 6’6″ righty is a contradiction, but he matches the command >66 strike % w/ whiff upside 17% SwK% using FF / SL.
JR Ritchie	ATL	A+,AA,AAA	140	2.64	24.8%	9.6%	0.174	Had a great finish in AAA, getting >21% whiffs on 4 pitches with/ a big drop CU as the main putaway
Hayden Mullins	BOS	A+,AA	101.2	2.21	30.0%	12.4%	0.175	Strong 3/4 delivery from the left side, maintaining a solid 13% SwK% with FF & SL in AA.
Ben Hess	NYY	A+,AA	103.1	3.22	33.0%	10.9%	0.175	Not only is he limiting contact, but the ’24 first round draft pick is riding a big CU, sick CH & 97 FF to a 22% K-BB% in AA.
Gage Stanifer	TOR	A,A+,AA	110	2.86	35.5%	12.8%	0.182	Loses the feel for the SI at times, but shoves with/ the CH & FF; Better results are expected after more time in AA.
David Davalillo	TEX	A+,AA	107	2.44	29.6%	6.6%	0.182	Stepped up the SwK% & K%, harnessing the power of three pitches with/ great arm-side run in the CH, FF, & FS.
Miguel Ullola	HOU	AAA	113.2	3.88	26.6%	15.9%	0.183	Has 6.9 feet extension & 19″ IVB on 93 FF that he mixes with/ a CH, SL, & CU, yet he cannot always overcome the poor 58% strike rate.
Eliazar Dishmey	MIA	A,A+	99.1	2.90	26.7%	11.9%	0.187	5-pitch mix is highlighted by CU & CH w/ 40% whiff rates; if only he can reign in the major two-plane movement on SI.

Prospect Watch

Griffin Herring
A+ Spokane NYY
6’2” LHP

5.1 Tampa A vBradenton
6.2 IP 5H 1ER 1HR 0BB 11K
26whiffs/91pitches

Most whiffs in a 25 statcast tracked game. pic.twitter.com/d8MzyQqGwl

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) October 6, 2025

8. Strike Rate

Here are the top 10 pitchers in this category who have made at least ten starts in Minor League Baseball. Strike rate can be a good approximation for control, especially for players in non-Statcast tracking levels.

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	Strike %	Notes
Santiago Suarez	TBR	A+,AAA	51.2	3.14	25.7%	3.8%	71.7%	Post-injury that kept him out 3 months, he had a 73% strike rate & 14% SwK% using above-avg. 6.9′ extension & 95 FF.
Marcus Johnson	TBR	A+	138	4.50	24.2%	2.8%	71.1%	Bounce back season for 6’6″ righty after loose body removal sidelined him for 3 months in ’24; HR% spiked, yet 14% SwK% is a plus.
Fernando Perez	TOR	A+,AA	121.1	3.04	20.9%	5.6%	70.5%	To end 2025, had an 18 whiff game with/ SL as his star pitch, but averaged 11 SwK% on the season.
Ryan Magdic	OAK	A,A+	96.1	3.36	24.6%	5.7%	70.4%	Older 6’5″ lefty is a ’24 draft pick could take a step forward w/ 13% SwK% & 47% GB%
Brian Van Belle	TBR	AAA	105	3.17	20.4%	3.9%	69.8%	29 yo finally graduated to MLB with/ great 6.8′ extension, low release height, 90 FF, & nasty sweeper, but finished on 60-day IL w/ an elbow sprain.
Josh Randall	WSN	A,A+	109.2	4.60	20.0%	4.2%	69.4%	3.56 FIP says run prevention could improve, which signals that the high strike rate, 13% SwK%, & 47% GB% could lead to better results in ’26.
Zach Thornton	NYM	A+,AA	72.2	1.98	28.5%	4.0%	69.3%	Unlike the other names here, he has K% upside with 14% SwK% in 52 AA innings, using a great FF & CU combo.
Jarod Bayless	PIT	A+,AA,AAA	77	3.97	23.7%	4.9%	69.3%	28-year-old sidearmer had his highest innings total in pro ball, yet hasn’t replicated 36% K% from A.
Randy Wynne	CIN	AAA	60	5.55	12.5%	3.9%	69.1%	Got 3 K over 3 innings for his only save in lone ’25 MLB appearance, but not likely a factor in a starter’s role.
Braylon Doughty	CLE	A	85.1	3.48	27.3%	6.4%	68.9%	24 draft pick had a strong finish with/ 29:0 K:BB over the final five games with a 16% SwK%, 47% GB%, & only 1 HR allowed.

Prospect Watch

Santiago Suarez
AAA Durham TBR
6’2” RHP

9.19vCharlotte
5 IP 4H 2ER 1 HR 1BB 5K
10whiffs/75pitches

FB% & HR% up in small sample.
Above avg 6.9’ extension
FF 95 16”IVB
FC 87
SL 84

25: 26K% 4BB% 51.2 IP 3.14ERA 72%strikes 14%SwK pic.twitter.com/fUCsE1Xx4M

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) September 20, 2025

9. Strikeout Rate (Complex Starters Who Made the Jump to Season-Long Ball)

Here are the top-15 starting pitchers in this category who began throwing in Complex ball before making the jump to Single-A or higher. They all pitched at least 11 innings in 2025. This is another fun list because they will have a video to scout!

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	WHIP	Notes
Reinold Navarro	PIT	A,CPX	32	5.34	40.9%	26.8%	1.56	Abysmal 44% strike rate needs major work, but is pumping a 96 FF 20″ IVB & a vertical SL.
Johnny King	TOR	A,CPX	61.2	2.48	39.5%	13.9%	1.31	Lefty has big-time stuff with/ big CU, arcing SL, & a SI with major two-plane movement.
Jesus Carrera	HOU	A,CPX	40.1	2.90	37.1%	6.6%	1.02	The August audition as SP doesn’t clarify his future role, as he went back to long relief afterwards.
Brody Brecht	COL	A,CPX	61	2.51	36.1%	13.3%	1.36	Looking past the COL tag, this 6’4″ righty catapults a 97 FF from a high arm angle to an 18% SwK% & 55% GB%.
Luis De La Torre	SFG	A,CPX	74.1	2.78	36.1%	8.9%	1.04	Boosted his performance after the promo to A w/ 53% GB%, 32% CSW, .173 AVG, & 0 HR allowed over 35.1 IP.
Keyner Martinez	SFG	A,CPX	69.1	2.21	34.2%	7.4%	1.21	Probably needs more seasoning w/ a 52% GB%, 30% CSW, .247 AVG & 2 HR allowed over 22 IP in A
David Hagaman	TEX	A,A+,CPX	42.1	2.98	33.7%	6.1%	0.85	Lesser-known prospect in Merrill Kelly trade (Mitch Bratt & Kohl Drake) jumped up to 35% K% & 17% SwK% in 20 IP with new team.
Kelvis Salcedo	DET	A,CPX	68.2	1.83	33.5%	9.8%	0.80	Burly righty runs SI & FC 94-96 w/ a sick CH & gyro SL that boosted his K-BB% to over 30% over 23.1 IP in A.
Mathias LaCombe	CHW	A,CPX	53.1	3.04	32.6%	10.7%	1.11	Unspecified injury held him out in 2024, so this was a foundation year to build up innings
Garrett Horn	TEX	A,A+,CPX	41.1	3.27	32.5%	11.8%	1.21	Before August trade to MIN, he was locking in the control after being held out until May while recovering from March 2024 Tommy John surgery.
Andrew Dutkanych IV	STL	A,CPX	17.2	4.08	32.5%	14.3%	1.47	6’3″ ’24 draft pick who is throwing a 93 FF with 18″ IVB & gyro SL (60% whiff rate!) from a high 3/4 arm angle.
Liam Sullivan	WSN	A,CPX	50.2	2.49	32.2%	10.1%	1.09	6’6″ lefty with low 90s velo that has good ride & is aimed up in the zone.
Nate Payne	MIA	A,CPX	56.1	3.20	32.0%	16.2%	1.22	19-year-old lefty has 4+ pitches with the SL & FC as his best whiff pitches, along with a 90 FF that has 18″ IVB.
Jesus Travieso	BOS	A,CPX	64.2	3.06	31.8%	12.7%	1.44	The 5’11” 140-pound listing is outdated for the 2024 DSL grad who is maintaining a >16% SwK% through each level.
Sheng-En Lin	CIN	A,CPX	47	3.06	31.8%	7.8%	0.94	Likely not a two-way player anymore as he hasn’t hit since A promo, which could mean big things for his pitching a la McLean…or not.

Prospect Watch

Brody Brecht
A Fresno COL
6’4” RHP

9.9vSan Jose
7 IP 4H 2ER 0BB 8K
15whiffs/88pitches

‘24 draft pick turns in best&longest start.

Short arm catapult from high angle.
Report says FF 97+
Inconsistent command

25: 36K% 13BB% 61%strike 18SwK% 55GB% 2.51ERA 61 IP pic.twitter.com/dMdCf2wo40

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) September 11, 2025

10. Lefties

Here is a loosely ranked mega list of forty left-handed pitchers who should matter for dynasty leagues in 2026.

Name	Team	Level	IP	ERA	K%	BB%	WHIP	Notes
Robby Snelling	MIA	AA,AAA	136	2.51	30.3%	7.1%	1.11	Workhorse threw 8 straight 6+ IP, incl. 3 games w 10+ K
Thomas White	MIA	A+,AA,AAA	89.2	2.31	38.6%	13.6%	1.18	Bulked up to 240 lbs. at 6’4″ with a beautiful diving slider.
Gage Jump	OAK	A+,AA	112.2	3.28	28.4%	7.4%	1.10	Alleviated offseason mechanics concerns by posting a 30% K% & 8% BB% over the first half.
Cam Caminiti	ATL	A,CPX	70	3.09	30.5%	9.5%	1.26	Low arm slot paying dividends with 95 fastball & breakers as main putaway.
Noah Schultz	CHW	AA,AAA	73	4.68	23.2%	13.8%	1.67	Overcame midseason knee injury to finish the season healthy.
Connelly Early	BOS	AA,AAA	100.1	2.60	31.9%	9.7%	1.11	6-pitch mix with a low release point gives Boston rotation depth.
Jonathan Santucci	NYM	A+,AA	117.2	3.06	28.7%	8.5%	1.16	A lot of natural cut from a high 3/4 arm angle.
Quinn Mathews	STL	A,AAA,CPX	99	3.73	26.1%	16.8%	1.55	Horribly bad season made slightly better by a great August: 31% K% and 10% BB%
Mitch Bratt	ARZ	AA	122.1	3.38	29.3%	4.2%	1.17	Toned down the ballet delivery in AA, yet still maximizing extension after trade to Arizona.
Kendry Rojas	TOR	A,AA,AAA,CPX	69	4.70	28.8%	10.3%	1.55	4-level riser who needs to rein in the command, but has serious strikeout upside.
Kohl Drake	ARZ	AA,AAA	89.1	4.23	28.2%	9.6%	1.25	Stayed within PCL after trade to Arizona, but pitched poorly & suffered shoulder strain that isn’t expected to affect 2026.
Adam Serwinowski	LAD	A+,AA	111.2	4.03	28.5%	11.2%	1.36	Big fluffer up to 17% SwK%, 31% K%, & taming walks after trade to Dodgers
Griffin Herring	COL	A,A+	119.1	1.89	31.4%	10.3%	1.00	Primarily 90 mph sinker w/ tight slider as putaway pitch on above-average extension.
Johnny King	TOR	A,CPX	61.2	2.48	39.5%	13.9%	1.31	Sinker w/ major two-plane movement is a blessing >35% whiffs, but overall walk rate could weigh down benefits.
David Shields	KCR	A,CPX	75.2	2.38	28.5%	5.0%	1.02	Workload management is hiding a high riser from the 2024 draft. 23: 1 K:BB in August
Christian Oppor	CHW	A,A+	87.2	3.08	31.7%	11.5%	1.19	Smooth athletic delivery is primarily fastball & slider, improved command each month.
Dasan Hill	MIN	A,A+	62	3.19	31.1%	15.0%	1.35	Big stuff 5-pitch mix, but needs to improve sub-60% strike rate
Alex Clemmey	WSN	A+,AA	116.2	3.47	26.8%	14.4%	1.38	Poor BB% & HR% in AA muddle the potential bred by great A+ numbers
Jacob Bresnahan	SFG	A	93	2.61	32.5%	11.3%	1.18	Command issues at times, but 16% SwK% underscores the K% jump.
Shane Murphy	CHW	A+,AA,AAA	135.1	1.66	20.5%	4.9%	0.89	Command specialist with 3 fastball shapes below 90 & a slurve.
Brandon Clarke	BOS	A,A+	38	4.03	34.5%	15.5%	1.16	Backfoot slider & 96 fastball are highlights from injury-riddled year that may cause shift to bullpen.
Hagen Smith	CHW	AA	75.2	3.57	33.9%	17.6%	1.30	Overcame midseason elbow injury, but 58% strike rate holds back K% & SwK% gains in AA
Xavier Rivas	NYY	A,A+,CPX	85.1	3.38	31.3%	13.9%	1.17	6’4″ ’24 draft pick has nasty stuff & w/ four 10+ strikeout games, but also seven 4+ walk games.
Braden Davis	STL	A,A+	110.1	2.85	33.8%	16.6%	1.21	Despite low velo, the high release & solid changeup boost a 17% SwK%; yet walks are still a concern.
Jackson Ferris	LAD	AA	126	3.86	24.2%	11.8%	1.46	Stable stats after full AA year w/ 11% SwK% & 49% GB% that could foreshadow some growth in ’26.
Ixan Henderson	STL	AA	132	2.59	25.2%	9.6%	1.14	Kept the ball in the park despite increased FB%, while managing enough K% to be interesting.
Matt Wilkinson	CLE	A+	104	4.24	26.2%	10.1%	1.38	Not missing as many bats as he did in ’24 (16% to 11% SwK%), but 47:13 K:BB in July & August were more in line with/ expected rates.
Hunter Barco	PIT	AA,AAA	99.1	2.81	27.8%	11.8%	1.20	Extreme outside release point is a blessing (28% K%) & a curse (62% strikes, 12 BB%).
Zach Thornton	NYM	A+,AA	72.2	1.98	28.5%	4.0%	0.81	Over-the-top strike thrower (69% strike) saw a bump in SwK%, so hope the mid-season oblique injury heals in time for a K jump in 2026.
Luis De La Torre	SFG	A,CPX	74.1	2.78	36.1%	8.9%	1.04	Hidden gem, who showed out in complex w/ 38 K%, uses a high leg kick and low 3/4 arm angle to throw high FF w/ nice ride.
Shane Drohan	BOS	A+,AAA	54	3.00	34.5%	9.4%	1.13	Despite pitching in AAA three straight years, nerve decompression surgery in ’24 & forearm inflammation in ’25 have prevented an MLB promotion.
Felipe De La Cruz	NYM	AA,AAA	64.1	5.04	31.8%	11.3%	1.37	Appears headed to relief role after starting only 6 games out of 33 and throwing mainly 95 SI & SL.
Mason Molina	STL	A,A+	95.2	3.10	30.1%	10.9%	1.18	The ’24 draft pick strives for the strikeout using a four-seamer with/ great IVB & average secondaries.
Dalton Pence	TEX	A,A+	82.1	2.73	31.5%	8.3%	1.02	The ’24 draft pick has 29% K% to 8% BB% in 61 IP as a starter after serving as RP in college.
Kash Mayfield	SDP	A	60.2	2.97	34.1%	10.9%	1.22	Room for growth on a long arm deliverer who already has a standout changeup.
Ricky Tiedemann	TOR	A,AAA,CPX	17.1	5.19	32.5%	19.3%	1.67	Likely to be coddled after 2 injury-plagued years, including July ’24 TJ surgery.
Kade Anderson	LSU	NCAA	103	3.58	38.7%	6.7%	1.10	Over-the-top arm slot saw a huge jump in K-BB%, making him the top SP choice for many in FYPD.
Jamie Arnold	FSU	NCAA	84.2	2.98	33.9%	7.7%	1.06	It will be interesting to see how extreme sidearm release led by breakers plays in A+/AA.
Liam Doyle	TEN	NCAA	95.2	3.20	42.6%	8.3%	0.99	Aggressive 3/4 delivery w/ solid 6.5′ extension in 2 games
Zach Root	ARK	NCAA	92.2	3.59	30.4%	7.9%	1.17	CU & CH get the best grades from 3/4 arm angle delivery that appears highly driven by upper torso rotation.

Prospect Watch

Thomas White
AA Pensacola MIA
6’5” LHP

7.26 v Knoxville
5 IP 2H 0R 0BB 14K
20 whiffs/86 pitches

No splits issue yet, does a good job keeping SL out of RHB power. Can locate 96+ FF up in the zone.

Average 63% strike rate

Over first 5 AA: 33K 10BB 5ER 20 IP pic.twitter.com/aBYBeDAXiB

— YGM Fantasy Baseball (@YGMfantasy) July 27, 2025

Featured Image by Justin Redler (@reldernitsuj on Bsky/Twitter)

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