Rubby De La Rosa: Los Angeles Dodges- SP
Along with Colorado’s Nicasio, De La Rosa is among the NL West’s top young arms. Already one of the Dodgers top starters of late, the 22 year old righty has held opponents to a .247 OBA through 50.2 innings pitched. De La Rosa debuted in May as relief help but his power arm catapulted him into the starting rotation in June and hasn’t looked back since. A 2.50 ERA in July through 18 innings has made Rubby a shining star amidst a gloomy Dodger future. With just eight starts under his belt and 49 K’s in 50 IP thus far, De La Rosa has the potential to be a frontline starter in Hollywood for a long time. 

Juan Nicasio: Colorado- SP
The Rockies right-hander has been brilliant throughout most of July save from a rough outing in Atlanta. Over his previous two starts Nicasio boasts a 0.64 ERA paired with a 0.71 WHIP bringing his season totals to a 3.88 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. The lone facet of the 24 year olds’ repertoire that has failed to translate at the big league level has been Nicasio’s strike out ability. Through six minor league seasons he averaged a gaudy 8.9 K/9 including a 10.0 K/9 in nine starts at AA this season. Nicasio’s rise to prominence has made names like Ubaldo Jimenez available but it may be another year or two before Nicasio is prepared to fill the void anchoring the rotation.

Danny Duffy: Kansas City- SP
The former 3rd round pick, Duffy has shown flashes of brilliance in his debut season such as a 7 IP, 2 ER, and 6 strikeout performance on the 19th against Chicago. The 6’3’’ lefty still allows too many runner on base for Kansas City to label him the second coming of Zack Grienke. At three different minor league levels in 2010 Duffy displayed a sparkling 2.74 ERA combined with a 1.10 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 rate—numbers worthy of a major league promotion this season. Moving forward Duffy will be a mainstay for the Royals as the team looks to give their young players plenty of time to develop at the Major League level.

Anthony Swarzak: Minnesota- SP/RP
At 25, Swarzak is no longer the high-ceiling prospect he was once labeled in 2004 when the Twins drafted him in the 2nd round. Swarzak has filled in nicely at the tail end of the Minnesota rotation featuring a 3.52 ERA this season swinging between both the starting and relief roles. The Twins called up the crafty right-hander in 2009 for 12 starts but a 6.25 ERA sent Swarzak back down to AAA Rochester. Two years later, a 3.90 ERA this spring was enough for another promotion and perhaps Swarzak’s last opportunity in the Twins’ organization.

(June 17, 2011 – Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images North America)

Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com

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