Rising Stock (Pitchers)
Wow, a lot of pitchers helped themselves so far this March.
Kyle Hart and Trey Ball both threw three scoreless innings to this point. While Hart is coming off a superb year, Ball saw his ERA rise by 1.43 last season (5.27). Nevertheless, both showed something this spring.
Hart struck out four while walking one and allowing no hits over his three innings. He also picked up a save in his only opportunity.
Ball meanwhile, walked three and allowed one hit, but still refused a run from scoring. He struck out one and if nothing else showed flashes of the brilliance that caused him to be a first round pick.
Bobby Poyner was stupid dominant last season. In 60 1/3 innings between Advanced-A and Double-A he posted a 1.49 ERA and 0.93 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP). This March, Poyner has tossed seven innings, allowing one run (1.29 ERA). His WHIP sits at 0.43 and the 25-year-old lefty could eventually find his way into the Major League bullpen this spring.
Finally, there’s Ty Buttrey and Teddy Stankiewicz. Both there 4 2/3 innings, and both hold a 1.93 ERA in that time.
Buttrey did so over four appearances, posting a 1.93 WHIP as well, while striking out two. This is coming off an up-and-down year for the 24-year-old and is a great way to start a new season.
Stankiewicz on the other hand needed just three appearances to hit those innings. He posted a 1.29 WHIP and struck out three in the process. The 24-year-old is coming off an odd season that saw most of his numbers take a hit, but some improving as well. If he wants to re-establish himself as a promising pitching prospect, this was a fantastic first step.