Young Arms

[Sam]

I'm trying to get a gauge of the plethora of young arms available in my league's draft this year. Mixed league, normal categories + quality starts. How would you rank these guys for this year only and also for the next few years?

Carlos Martinez
Jameson Tailion
Zach Lee
Andrew Heaney
Mark Appel
Jonathan Gray
Syndergaard
Kevin Gausman
Kyle Zimmer
Yordano Ventura
Robert Stephenson

Do any of them stand head and shoulders above the rest for this year or for the next 3-4 years?

[chancellor]

Carlos Martinez, syndergaard, and Y Ventura are the three that jump out at me. I think Ventura helps you the most this year, but I just really like Carlos Martinez. But all three have very promising futures, and all three play in neutral to pitcher friendly parks.

[james33]

I'd add Stephenson to chancellor's list. 136 Ks vs. 35 BBs in 114.2 IP in the minors last year.

[Flyman]

I think Martinez, Ventura, and Gausman hold a lot of promise in the coming years, perhaps as early as this year.

I'm guessing Appel feels like an idiot...though he may become a good one. He refused to sign with the Pirates because they sucked and ended up having to sign with the Astros a year later. Now the Pirates have become a playoff-caliber team while the light at the end of the tunnel for Houston is a long way down the road.

[Sam]

Thanks guys - I'll look to target Martinez/Ventura first and Syndegaard/Gausman/Stephenson after that.

[Don Quixote]

Stephenson is the farthest away, but the team's system doesn't have that many quality arms IMO, and he is one.

"Ace" Ventura is the first name that jumped out at me, and he has the job already. Martinez just has to bide his time in the bullpen, with the Cardinals being deep at SP.

I like your groupings, but I'd also keep an eye on Taillon (should be up at mid-year if there's a spot in the rotation) and Heaney.

[Moonlight J]

Carlos Martinez has issues with lefties since he doesn't throw anything that really works away from them. He's all sinker, slider, 4-seam against them. I think it would be better for him long-term to go to the minors and be forced to work on a change or a cutter

[Sam]

Carlos Martinez has issues with lefties since he doesn't throw anything that really works away from them. He's all sinker, slider, 4-seam against them. I think it would be better for him long-term to go to the minors and be forced to work on a change or a cutter

MJ - I was just reading the same thing in a Fangraphs article from a few weeks ago. Would you rate someone like Ventura above him then for the next 2-3 years?