Why do high school prospect writeups feel the need to mention the lack—or surplus—of talent historically produced in a particular area? What does a 1978 eighth-round pick from a relocated high school in the next town over have to do with a player’s performance in 2026? Absolutely nothing! Please spare us the historical trivia masquerading as scouting analysis.
In preparation for this article, I have been reading a dozen or so scouting reports with that topic as the opening paragraph or worse, heavy use of the uninformative adjective ‘projectable.’ Isn’t every player projectable? Heck, I’m projectable! Here is my unofficial 2027 Steamer projection:
0 IP 0 K 0 BB 0.00 ERA 0.00 WHIP
Dang, that’s a sick WHIP! So projectable!
Pardon the rant.
The first-year player draft for your dynasty leagues is an opportunity to replenish your roster with talent that is more than likely 1-2 years or more away from making an impact. Even more difficult is selecting from the multitude of pitchers who are available because of the position’s propensity for injury or lengthened development. Therefore, proposing sleeper picks for a position that is itself already a sleeper choice is challenging.
The obvious pitcher choices for the 2027 FYPD are Jackson Flora, Gio Rojas, Liam Peterson, and, if posted, Hiromi Itoh and Kona Takahashi. After these obvious selections, let’s see if any of these players below have an appealing profile for a place on your draft board.
2027 Pitcher Sleepers: First Year Player Draft
International
Kaima Taira RHP, 26 yo, 5’8″
Kaima Taira is a shorter pitcher who utilizes a deep drop and drive delivery to fire upper-90s mph fastballs from an even lower release height. He flourished as a starter in 2026 after two seasons in relief, making him an attractive target for Major League teams should he be posted this offseason. With the Seibu Lions, Taira posted a 1.36 ERA, 25 K%, 8 BB%, 13 SwK%, and 2.6 HR/FB% across 146 innings and 22 starts. He employs a standard Nippon League repertoire of eight pitches, with the four-seamer and cutter being the top two. With a deep arsenal and evidence that he is ready for a starter’s workload, Taira is an appealing target who will be overshadowed by Itoh or Takahashi if all three make their way stateside. The backup option of Taira as a reliever makes him a solid pick.
Liván Moinelo LHP, 30 yo, 6′
Liván Moinelo is running out of time to make it to Major League Baseball, but he could have a Robert Suarez impact if he is finally allowed to come stateside. Command is the name of the game for Moinelo, who rarely surpasses 94 mph on the four-seamer and has a highly graded changeup. The lefty gets the most whiffs from his 75 mph curveball and changeup. His walk rate has been below 7.4% over his last three seasons, while he has always limited baserunners via the hit. The strikeout rates have been acceptable as a starter and dynamite as a reliever, which makes that latter role more likely if the velocity isn’t enough ammunition for Major League hitters. The Cuban national missed the first few months of the 2026 season with a shoulder strain, but demonstrated his health by throwing a complete-game shutout on 115 pitches only a few weeks after returning from the injured list.
Hiroto Saiki RHP, 27 yo, 6’2″
Although he hasn’t received the same attention as some of his peers, Hiroto Saiki led Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league in strikeouts in 2026 and deserves a closer look. His 175 strikeouts in 154 innings translated to a 28% strikeout rate and a respectable 13% swinging-strike rate. He generated those results with a superior splitter and an average 93 mph four-seam fastball, giving him a legitimate bat-missing weapon without overpowering velocity. But the stuff isn’t the only reason to watch Saiki. His mound theatrics are downright Johnny Cueto-esque.
This highlight is a perfect example: Saiki begins his delivery with a leg lift so prolonged it looks like he might run out the pitch clock, leaving his leg suspended in the air before finally unleashing a devilish splitter down and away from the left-handed hitter.
The fantasy outlook, however, calls for measured expectations. Saiki has a four-pitch mix, and while the splitter is his best weapon, splitters can be volatile offerings from one outing to the next. His track record has leaned more toward control and limiting damage than overwhelming hitters, so the 2026 strikeout lead shouldn’t automatically be treated as a new baseline. Still, a pitcher who can miss bats at that rate while working deep into games deserves attention. Saiki is an intriguing name to monitor, particularly if his draft price reflects a control-oriented starter rather than a strikeout leader.
High Stock Draftees
Carson Bolemon LHP, 19 yo, 6’4″, San Francisco Giants, 29th pick
I am drooling over the possibility of Jackson Flora making his debut for the 2027 Giants, but Carson Bolemon is another quality arm they acquired in the draft. Bolemon struck out an absolutely absurd number of batters, while allowing only five earned runs across his 140 innings in high school. That 66% strikeout rate is insane! Even better, Bolemon has already accrued time on the back fields in the instructional league. He looks poised with a smooth three-quarter slot, generating movement to both sides of the plate. The fastball was sitting in the low 90s, which is acceptable for now as southpaws can get away with slightly less. Bolemon is a no-brainer add for any dynasty team that can stack talented arms who aren’t arriving in the Major Leagues for 2-3+ years.
Tegan Kuhns RHP, 21 yo, 6’3″, St. Louis Cardinals, 32nd pick
Tegan Kuhns has a delivery that looks like a tarantula stepping into a room: long levers unfolding in every direction as he lifts his knee before striding out toward his landing point. It’s an exaggerated, athletic move that hints at excellent mobility and range of motion, giving the right-hander a solid physical foundation to build on. His current four-pitch mix leans heavily on a college baseball with raised seams, which could mute some of the impact of his fastball’s persistent 20 inches of vertical break. That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, though. The fastball gives him a solid starting point, while his up-and-down curveball offers a complementary look and a potential secondary weapon as he develops.
The most encouraging sign is Kuhns’ progress with his control. He made significant strides in his final college season even as his workload doubled, suggesting he can handle more responsibility without losing his ability to attack the zone. There’s still plenty to refine as he transitions to professional hitters and a different baseball, but the combination of athleticism, power-arm potential, and improved control gives the Cardinals an intriguing developmental project. St. Louis has shown an affinity for Volunteers, and regardless of the college connection, the organization has added another athletic arm with room to grow.
Mason Edwards LHP, 6’1″, 21 yo, Athletics, 47th pick
Mason Edwards gets an immediate boost from being a left-hander, especially given that he isn’t generating premium fastball velocity. His higher arm slot and elevated release point give his pitches a natural downward plane, creating an interesting foundation for a pitcher who wins more with deception and movement than raw power. The changeup has splitter-like characteristics, while his arm action helps generate significant spin on the curveball. There’s enough here to envision a diverse arsenal that can keep hitters off balance, even if the fastball doesn’t overwhelm them.
Edwards also has a slight mechanical resemblance to Gage Jump, particularly with the hitch in his arm action. That comparison would be an encouraging one for the Athletics, especially if Edwards can follow a similar path and add a few ticks to his fastball as Jump did. The biggest hurdle is command: his control took a step backward after moving into a full-time starting role. If Edwards can rein in the walks while maintaining the traits that make his secondaries effective, he has a chance to develop into an intriguing left-handed pitching prospect. For now, the arsenal offers promise, but improved strike-throwing will determine how far it takes him.
Ethan Norby LHP, 5’10”, 21 yo, Reds, 122nd pick
Ethan Norby was one of a handful of 2026 draft picks, alongside Shane Sdao, to get his feet wet in Minor League Baseball this fall. The fourth-round pick looked sharp across three appearances in Low-A, offering an early glimpse of why his profile deserves attention. The left-hander brings legitimate pedigree, having posted a 32% strikeout rate and 6% walk rate in back-to-back college seasons. He has carried that command and bat-missing ability into the professional ranks, recording seven strikeouts against one walk with a respectable 12% swinging-strike rate against 22 hitters. It’s a small sample, but an encouraging start.
With Daytona, Norby flashed a high-grade slider that spun above 3000 rpm with 12 inches of break. The spin characteristics extend throughout his arsenal: both the sinker and four-seamer sit above 2700 rpm, while his changeup registers a distinctive 2200 rpm for the pitch type. His low arm slot and extreme outside release create an unusual angle of attack, while a half-cocked arm load and added wrist action help generate even more rotation. The velocity is fairly ordinary at 93-94 mph, but that’s less concerning for a southpaw whose release characteristics and secondaries could make his stuff play above the radar-gun readings. Norby is already showing that his spin profile can be a weapon, and if the early command trends hold, he could prove to be a more intriguing pitching prospect than some of the arms selected ahead of him.
Over Slot High School Draftees
Ethan Wachsmann RHP, 6’5″, 18 yo, Minnesota Twins, 79th pick
Ethan Wachsmann was a Wake Forest commit who accepted $1.2 million over slot to sign with the Twins as a third-round draft pick. Wachsmann is a flamethrowing righty who is hitting 101 mph as an 18-year-old. He has built quite a reputation after minimal experience in high school. During his senior year, Wachsmann only threw 36.2 innings and faced 152 batters. Nevertheless, he still racked up an impressive 43% strikeout rate, 9% walk rate, and sparkling 2.10 ERA. It will be notable to watch how he operates past 15-20 appearances in a year, but he has likely been playing travel baseball beyond the high school season to build that stamina.
Beyond the high heat, the 6’5″ righty has shown big spin on the breakers, with the curveball getting the most buzz. Given his athletic high three-quarter release, it is nice to see him incorporate a quality cutter and changeup into the mix as well.
Jensen Hirschkorn RHP, 6’7″, 18 yo, Atlanta Braves, 84th pick
Jensen Hirschkorn received $3,023,800 over slot, the product of convincing a high schooler to sign instead of heading to inevitable celebrity status at LSU. Nevertheless, Hirschkorn has a 6’7″ frame to build upon, and while not a hard thrower, he has great command. In high school, he posted a 1.07 ERA, 240 strikeouts, 53 walks, and an impressive 23-3 record over 39 appearances. In his final season, those ratios were 50% strikeout rate and 6% walk rate, or 114 strikeouts to 14 walks.
The 18-year-old’s fastball is only at 93 mph with a hittable trajectory, something that Atlanta will certainly tweak, especially given his casual follow-through. The slider already looks dominant with its downward slice, while the changeup should grow into a similarly moving pitch in a complementary way. Given his organization, this is one development that should be trusted to blossom into his full potential as a frontline starter.
Julian Garcia RHP, 6’3″, 18 yo, Milwaukee Brewers, 130th pick
Julian Garcia enters professional baseball with a competitor’s edge, a promising foundation of stuff, and a massive 12-to-6 curveball that should have no trouble stealing strikes. The 6’3″ right-hander made a statement on the biggest stage of his amateur career, striking out 14 batters in a complete-game shutout to lead his team to a section championship and send his draft stock climbing. There’s more to like than the big-game performance, too: Garcia sits 94–95 mph with a lively four-seamer and complements it with a promising changeup. Still, the curveball is the headliner. Its high spin rate of over 2900 rpm gives the pitch an intriguing foundation, and scouts believe that ability to generate spin could eventually translate to other pitch types as he develops. If Garcia can build on that foundation, the curveball may be more than a weapon in its own right—it could be a clue to how much more his arsenal has to offer.
Garcia’s advanced mechanics and multiple promising pitches give him a chance to move quickly through the lower levels of the minors. The real test will come as he faces more advanced hitters, particularly once he reaches Double-A, where his command, pitch execution, and ability to turn over a lineup will face a much tougher examination. For now, Garcia is an intriguing developmental arm with a standout breaking ball, encouraging velocity, and the competitive makeup to attack hitters. The raw ingredients are there; the next step is turning them into a complete professional pitching arsenal.
Tyler Putnam RHP, 6’5″, 18 yo, Colorado Rockies, 136th pick
Tyler Putnam is another high schooler who received a significant amount over slot to pry him away from Tennessee. He was already pitching with great success in the instructional leagues this fall, an outcome that could mean he starts in Low-A in 2027. During those games, Putnam was reportedly hitting 98 mph with a very zippy four-seamer that has natural tail. With his athletic delivery, he has nearly hit his velocity ceiling, but more emphasis can be placed on developing his changeup and sliders now that he will no longer need to worry about batting practice or playing basketball. With a full focus on his performance on the mound, Putnam should rise quickly even with the stench of Coors Field waiting for him down the line.
Kyle Casteel RHP, 6’4″, 18 yo, Chicago White Sox, 315th pick
Anywho, let’s talk about the White Sox’s 11th-round selection of Kyle Casteel. The 6’4″ right-hander doesn’t have premium velocity just yet, but his secondary pitches are showing above-average potential. His curveball and slider complement each other nicely, with the curveball following a similar path to the slider at a slower speed. That shared look gives Casteel a chance to keep hitters guessing, while his changeup adds another wrinkle to the mix. The fastball may need to catch up, but there’s enough to work with here to make him an interesting developmental arm.
Like Wachsmann above, Casteel generated plenty of attention despite getting less work than some of the other pitchers in his class. His usage pattern is especially interesting: he made just two starts in 13 appearances, suggesting his team may have employed a follower strategy rather than using him as a traditional starter. That limited starting experience could leave him under the radar, even if there’s more upside here than the surface-level résumé suggests. Casteel is the kind of arm to monitor quietly, track as more information becomes available, and potentially target before the broader fantasy community catches on.
Note: This was the write-up that pushed me into hysteria with the historical talent analysis. It belongs to Kyle Casteel. According to the MLB Draft website: “The best player to ever come out of Butler Area High School north of Pittsburgh is right-hander Matt Clement, a 1993 third-rounder who spent parts of nine years in the big leagues, but there hasn’t been a player drafted from the program since 2003.” Thanks for the tip!
Injury Bouncebacks & the Unsigned
Brody Bumila LHP, 6’9″, 18 yo, Texas Rangers, 89th pick
Brody Bumila was a third-round pick despite having two arm surgeries (Tommy John surgery in 2026 and UCL internal brace procedure in 2025) in the last two years. The unknown outcomes of his health post-recovery make it difficult to wholly accept any analysis that mentions a 100 mph fastball with amazing vertical break. It doesn’t matter what he did if he can’t do it again once healthy. Therefore, the 6’9″ lefty should see his dynasty value tank, which opens up a buying opportunity for those true believers, as he will likely not throw a pitch in professional baseball until 2028 when he is 20 years old.
Sean Duncan LHP, 6’3″, 18 yo, New York Yankees, 63rd pick
Another southpaw who underwent Tommy John surgery around the 2026 draft date is Sean Duncan. He carries the weight of an entire nation as Canada’s best prospect after signing for a million dollars over slot with the Yankees. To my untrained eye, he has a bit of a late arm action that could be the source of his injury. The arm is still tracking back after his landing foot strikes the dirt. He has more of a finesse delivery with an arsenal that is not overpowering, but he still generates a lot of spin from keeping his wrist action and low three-quarters arm slot.
Logan Schmidt LHP, 6’4″, 18 yo, Cleveland Guardians, 59th pick
Logan Schmidt was the only pitcher among the first 150 picks not to sign with his draft team, most likely because Cleveland’s highest offer was capped at $1,678,845 from a lack of pool money. He is a lefty with an arm hitch in his loading phase. He utilizes a fairly calm follow-through, helping generate solid movement on his pitches, but the velocity sits around 94 mph with occasional pops above that. At the time of writing, it was unclear whether he would sign with a JUCO or go to LSU. If he does choose the Tigers, then he would be someone who could rise on draft boards when eligible.
Photo by Eddie Kelly, Wesley Hitt | Adapted by Parker McDonald (@CarbonFoxGFX on Twitter/X)
