by Jim Brown
*MLBDepthCharts.com considers any player not on a team's 40-man roster, in AAA, or ranked as a top 10 prospect by Baseball America or top 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the 2012 season as an 'under the radar' player.
Under the Radar Minor League NL Pitching Performance of the Week
Something took place this past week that has never occurred since I started this feature in 2009. Two pitchers from the same staff had performances that were worth showcasing. Through the early part of the 2012 season, there wasn’t a better rotation in Lo-A than the Savannah Sand Gnats. The Gnats' staff currently leads the South Atlantic League in ERA (3.18) and WHIP (1.18), including 13 shutouts. Some of that success came from Rafael Montero and Tyler Pill, this week’s Co-UTR selections, who have since taken their wares to Hi-A St Lucie.
RHP Rafael Montero, Hi-A St. Lucie (NYM)
season stats: 2.36 ERA, 122 IP, 96 H, 19 BB, 110 K in 20 starts between HiA/LoA
August 1-August 7: 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 1 start
Signed as an amateur free agent in January 2011, the 21 year-old Montero is setting his sights on getting to Citi Field as fast as possible. He began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League and quickly ascended up to short-season Brooklyn. After starting the 2012 season in Lo-A Savannah, the ascension continued with a mid-season promotion to St. Lucie. On July 31st, the right-hander struck-out a career high 14 batters - the second time in the last three starts that he has whiffed 10 or more batters. Over that time (17.2 IP), he has K’d 28 while walking none.
Montero has excellent command on a mid-90s fastball that is rated the best in the Mets system. His secondary pitches are raw, but show promise. He has shown maturity on the mound in that he doesn’t rely heavily on his fastball. He will use his other offerings, and even though some may not be working on a particular night, he knows that he must go to them in order to develop those pitches. This early maturation could pay-off, in that he could join the next generation of Mets pitchers in the 2014 rotation.
RHP Tyler Pill, Hi-A St. Lucie (NYM)
season stats: 2.31 ERA, 113 IP, 109 H, 22 BB, 105 K in 20 appearances (19 starts) between HiA/LoA
August 1-August 7: 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, BB, 10 K in 1 start
If Montero can project as a near top-of-the-rotation type pitcher, Pill would be an outstanding complement as a middle-of-the-rotation innings-eater. The 4th round pick in 2011 out of Cal State Fullerton is the younger brother of Giants' first baseman/outfielder Brett Pill. As a two-way player with the Titans, the Mets drafted the athletic Pill as a pitcher who has received comps to the Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy. On August 2nd, the 22 year-old threw a 3-hitter over seven plus innings, striking out 10 batters while issuing one free pass to get his sixth straight win.
Pill doesn’t blow away hitters with his high 80s fastball, but with its late release, it seems to arrive faster than it does. He throws his fastball with exceptional command on either side of the plate. He also throws an above-average change-up with good arm speed and movement. The pitch that may be his ticket to Citi Field could be his cutter. While Pill isn’t predestined to become a big league starter, the possibility is there. We could project him as an enigma with his average set of tools.
Relief Pitcher of the Week
RHP Stosh Wawrzasek, Lo-A Wisconsin (MIL): 2.05 ERA, 26.1 IP, 15 H, 4 BB, 21 K, 2 Sv in 15 appearances; 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 9 K, Sv in two appearances last week.
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UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
Under the Radar 2012 Archive
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Pill doesn’t blow away hitters with his high 80s fastball, but with its late release, it seems to arrive faster than it does. He throws his fastball with exceptional command on either side of the plate. He also throws an above-average change-up with good arm speed and movement. The pitch that may be his ticket to Citi Field could be his cutter. While Pill isn’t predestined to become a big league starter, the possibility is there. We could project him as an enigma with his average set of tools.
Relief Pitcher of the Week
RHP Stosh Wawrzasek, Lo-A Wisconsin (MIL): 2.05 ERA, 26.1 IP, 15 H, 4 BB, 21 K, 2 Sv in 15 appearances; 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 9 K, Sv in two appearances last week.
Click HERE to follow Jim Brown on Twitter.
UTR Minor League NL Hitting Performance of the Week
Under the Radar 2012 Archive
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