The past couple of weeks on Total Sports Live, we’ve decided to take a look at the young prospects making an impact this season in the MLB. To lead off, Joe Tressa talked about how 2015 is the year of the prospect. Then, earlier this week, Alex McKeon talked about the top four rookie pitchers in the American League.
Today, I will talk about the top four rookie pitchers right now in the National League. Two of these guys have already began to make a name for themselves this season, while the other two have the ability to be front end starters on their teams for the foreseeable future.
1. Chris Heston – San Francisco Giants: Now you might be asking yourself, why is Chris Heston ranked number one on my list? Out of all the rookie pitchers in the majors this season, he was the only one to throw a no-hitter. The no-hitter he threw was on June 9 against the New York Mets and was the 17th in San Francisco Giants’ history.
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After throwing the no-hitter, Heston went 1-1 in his next two starts. Overall, the rookie pitcher has pitched phenomenal this season to the tune of an 8-5 record with a 3.73 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 91.2 innings pitched. The 27-year-old is holding his own on a staff that has Madison Bumgarner leading the way and Matt Cain set to come off the disabled list on July 2.
2. Noah Syndergaard – New York Mets: I know there might be some outrage because Noah Syndergaard is ranked second on the list. But the pitcher that they call Thor has a bright future in New York. Syndergaard is a part of a good rotation in New York that has studs in Matt Harvey and reigning National League Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom.
Just like Heston, Syndergaard is holding his own in the Mets’ rotation as their fifth starter. The rook has a 3-4 record but a 3.59 ERA with 53 strikeouts over 52.2 innings pitched. So far this season, Syndergaard has had two 10 plus strikeout games. On June 2 against the San Diego Padres in a loss, he struck out 10 and then against the Toronto Blue Jays in a no-decision, he struck out 11.
Syndergaard might not be the fifth starter for long as the Mets called up starting pitcher Steven Matz from Triple-A Las Vegas.
3. Archie Bradley – Arizona Diamondbacks: Archie Bradley is another rookie starting pitcher and top prospect in the Diamondbacks organization, who made his debut this season. Unlike Heston and Syndergaard, Bradley has dealt with injuries this season. Earlier this season, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right sinus fracture after being hit in the face with a baseball.
Before going on the disabled list the first time on April 29, he was 2-0 to begin the season and giving the Diamondbacks six strong innings on the mound. Then on June 2, Bradley was placed back on the disabled list this time with right shoulder tendinitis. Arizona is hoping they get him back up to the big leagues soon as he is getting his right shoulder checked out by Dr. James Andrews.
This season, Bradley has a 2-3 record with 5.80 ERA in a starting rotation that is missing ace Patrick Corbin.
4. Anthony DeSclafani – Cincinnati Reds: Finally, the last rookie starting pitcher, who is having a solid 2015 season is Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani. Now, you might remember DeSclafani because in 2014 he made his debut with the Miami Marlins. With Miami, he had a 2-2 record with a 6.27 ERA.
Then in the offseason, the Reds traded starting pitcher Mat Latos to the Marlins for DeSclafani and catcher Chad Wallach. Fast forward to this season and DeSclafani has pitched well. He has a 5-6 record and 3.68 ERA in 95.1 innings pitched. The 25-year-old has showed flashes of being a good pitcher this season which gives Reds fans hope for the future.
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