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2011 MiLB Farm Report: Rays' Matt Moore Leaving Batters With Less & Other AA Pitchers

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Matt Moore, LH SP Tampa Bay
Moore and utter domination go hand in hand. The left-hander, who will turn 22 later in June, has added the AA Southern League to his list of victims. Through 11 game starts he's pitching to a 2.76 ERA, allowing just 43 hits in 58 2/3 innings of work. However, his mind boggling 82:16 K:BB ratio stands out above all else. He has posted massive K rates at every stop (208 last season), but his efficiency continues to improve as he gains much needed experience. He's allowed two runs or fewer in eight straight starts, and is pitching to a 1.05 ERA in the month of May (six starts). 

Moore features a mid-90's fastball with live arm action, a devastating sharp, late breaking curve and the makings of a plus change. Opposing hitters are yet to get a sniff of his 12-5 hammer. Inconsistent command has been the paramount knock on his top of the rotation potential, but he's quieting the doubters thus far in 2011. 

While still relatively raw with little experience at upper levels, Moore has the highest upside of the Rays many young arms. To nobody's surprise, he continues to zoom up the prospect rankings. Sky rockets in flight, afternoon delight. With that said, don't hold your breathe waiting for his ML debut. 

Brad Boxberger, RH RP Cincinnati
The former USC product was converted from starter to reliever last season, and has excelled through his opening 25 innings. Boxberger, the 43rd overall selection in the 2009 draft, has been lights out in the pen working to a 1.44 ERA in 25 innings, allowing 13 hits and striking out 41 (15 K per nine innings). 

His peripheral statistics are ludicrous as well: right-handed hitters are batting .065 against him, and he's stranding an obscene 93.8% of base runners. To say he's working his way out of trouble spots would be slightly underselling his accomplishment. 

Despite the impressive numbers, spotty control is a legitimate concern going forward. He walked 41 men in 91 2/3 IP last year and has issued ten free passes during limited work in 2011. Boxberger makes his bread with a low 90's sinking fastball (can gear it up to 95-96), as his knuckle curve and change are both still in the refinement stage. He also utilizes deception to his advantage, turning his back to the hitter and hiding the ball effectively. 

Is he targeted for a late inning relief role? If so, he could contribute to the Reds cause this season with obvious low-end fantasy value. 

Will he be trade bait? Quite conceivably. One thing is for certain; he can’t succeed multiple times through a lineup using his current allotment of secondary pitches.

Randall Delgado, RH SP Atlanta
The 6'3 200-pound Delgado is a seasoned 21-year old in his fifth minor league campaign. His numbers in AA are not overwhelming: 3.77 ERA, 57 hits in 59 innings and 54:24 K:BB ratio. His ten hit, ten run effort on May 24th didn't do his pitching line any favors. Nevertheless, he's taken major strides from his performance at the same level last season. 

In eight starts for Mississippi in 2010, over 43+ innings, he walked 20 batters and posted a 4.74 ERA. While his command is still left wanting on occasion, the enhanced polish on his stuff is apparent. An uptick in velocity has bolstered his already underrated repertoire, which also includes a lights out change and wicked curve. 

Delgado entered this year 16 games below .500 for his career, but the ground balls and lack of square contact litter the stat sheet. He continues to up the ante with constantly evolving power stuff, but control issues must be shored up. The hype machine is all about Teheran, but Delgado is sneakily close to contributing.

Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com

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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, Matt Moore, Brad Boxberger, Randall Delgado
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