Every team covets the young power pitcher, but they also represent the most risk from a developmental standpoint. These three prospects, however, are certainly on the right track.
- The early results are encouraging for the development of Adys Portillo, says Ben Badler of Baseball America. Portillo was a big-time international signing by the Padres in 2008, and the now 20-year-old right-hander out of Venezuela is shutting down the Midwest League so far this year after a rough go-round at it last season.
- The Marlins farm system was devoid of a truly legitimate power pitching prospect, but the presence of Jose Fernandez has changed that. Fernandez, the 14th overall pick in last year's draft, displayed a 97-mph fastball and a devastating breaking ball on Tuesday night, according to Josh Norris of Minor Matters. In three Sally League starts, Fernandez has an ERA of 2.12 and his given up just nine hits in 17 innings, while striking out 25 batters. If the young righty continues to have this kind of success, look for him to jump to High-A Jupiter at some point around the all-star break.
- No one questioned the ability of Archie Bradley when the Diamondbacks took him seventh overall in 2011, but even the most optimistic observer probably wouldn't have predicted this kind of success from a kid who was pitching in high school at this time last year. Bradley's combination of 96-mph fastball and hammer-of-a-curveball has helped him tear through the Midwest League to the tune of a 1.13 ERA through three starts and 22 strikeouts in 16 innings, says Curt Rallo of MiLB.com.
