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2011 MiLB Farm Report: Shelby Miller & Other Future Aces Lurking in the Depths

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Shelby Miller

Shelby Miller, RH SP St. Louis
At 20 years of age, Miller is far and away the superior overall prospect in the Cardinals system. His fastball is an electric 94-96 with great life. He’s throwing an inordinately high percentage of heaters at this stage, with refinement of 12-6 curve, change and overall command required.

Despite his reliance on one (premium) offering, he’s overmatched the Advanced A FSL allowing 31 hits in 40 innings while striking out a hefty 59 (140 in 104 1/3 IP last season at Low A). He’s capable of utter dominance with his power arm, but raw attributes are quite evident.

Miller’s walk total of 40 is exorbitant, including a seven BB performance in 4 1/3 innings in late April. He must develop a reliable second (and third) pitch to keep hitters off balance and work his way out of trouble spots. He’s failed to induce ground balls with regularity (0.57 GO/AO), but has allowed just nine HR in nearly 150 minor league innings.

Miller has significant work to do before talk of the majors can be entertained, particularly in an organization cautious with young starters. However, he possesses legit ACE potential in his 6’3 195 pound frame.


Anthony Ranaudo, RH SP Boston
Following an injury plagued (elbow) junior season at LSU that cost him dramatically in 2010 draft positioning, Ranaudo is back on the uptick.

The 6’7 mountain of a man, selected 39th overall as a supplemental selection, has regained the form that had him valued as top ten material just two short years ago.

His repertoire includes a low-mid 90’s fastball and polished, downer curveball, both bolstered by a deceptive delivery. To put it simply, he’s an extremely uncomfortable at bat.

In his first four starts at Low A SAL he allowed just a single earned run. He’s ran into some trouble spots since, however, allowing six runs in 1 2/3 innings one start, and five runs in 2 2/3 in another. Those two starts aside, Ranaudo has been nearly untouchable.

Overall he's pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 35 innings, allowing 26 hits and striking out 39 (15 BB). Fine-tuning his change up will prove critical as he makes his way up the food chain. He's all upside from here on out – with kinks to fix.


Zach Lee, RH SP Los Angeles (NL)
The Dodgers awarded Lee, 19, the biggest signing bonus in franchise history with a $5.25 million prize.

The 28th selection in last year’s draft was expected to be a two-sport star (football) in college, so it’s no surprise that he’s a well put together 6’4 190 with room for growth.

He’s already widely believed to be the organization’s top prospect with three seasoned pitches: low 90’s fastball (capable of gearing up higher), tight slider and change with great arm action. All have potential to be plus major league offerings. In addition, Lee is well ahead of schedule from a mound intellect angle.

All of the above positive traits are reflected in his ridiculous numbers: 3-0, 1.17 ERA, 28 K in 30 2/3 IP and 1.14 GO/AO ratio. He’s yet to allow more than one run in any of his six abbreviated starts.

Lee suffered from elbow tightness following his last outing on May 5th, but tests came back negative. He’s expected to miss 10-15 days. Barring setbacks (as he just suffered), he should move quickly through the system.


Jake Odorizzi, RH SP Kansas City
Another Royals young gun on the horizon in what seems like a never-ending chain of talent.

Odorizzi was acquired from Milwaukee in the Zack Greinke deal, and has shown tremendous improvement in his third full MiLB campaign. He’s taken the Advanced A Carolina League by storm, pitching to a 2.45 ERA while striking out 55 in 36 2/3 innings. The K is nothing out of the ordinary for Odorizzi who whiffed 135 in low A ball last season, but his opening seven starts in 2011 have been freakish. In addition, his command has been exceptional issuing only eight free passes.

To nitpick a weakness, his frequency of balls hit in the air is on the high side (0.63 GO/AO). The 2008 first round picks work off a low-mid 90’s fastball with free and easy arm action, a two-seam fastball and a sharp breaking curve. Like most young pitchers, his effectiveness (and comfort level) with the change is inconsistent at best.

Odorizzi's name has started to catch fire on the minor league scene, and he's built himself into a widely agreed upon top 50 prospect. Still just 21, his ceiling is HIGH. 

Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com

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(February 28, 2010 – Photo by Getty Images North America)

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Tags: The Fantasy Fix,  2011 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Advice, 2011 Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MiLB, The Farm Report, AA, AAA, Adam Ganeles, Shelby Miller, Anthony Ranaudo, Zach Lee, Jake Odorizzi
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