Farm Futures: 17 Starts That Might Mean Something

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Updated on April 10, 2018 6:00PM EST

It's too early to draw any meaningful conclusions from minor-league play, but I've attempted to do just that here, pinpointing 17 performances by pitching prospects in the first week that could mean something with regard to their short-term or long-term value.

Michael Kopech, CHW: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K at Triple-A Norfolk

What it means: Kopech is who we think he is. He is going to miss Triple-A bats at a ridiculous clip until the White Sox are willing to put up with his command issues in the big leagues. I don't know when that will be, but James Shields has as many strikeouts (one) through two starts as he does hit batsmen and Miguel Gonzalez has a 7.64 FIP, so it really could be any day now.

Walker Buehler, LAD: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K at Triple-A Iowa

What it means: Buehler's workload is being monitored closely at Triple-A, as he was limited to just 72 pitches (45 strikes) despite the fact he was in control throughout his 2018 debut. He is close to being ready to step into the big-league rotation.

Mike Soroka, ATL: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K at Triple-A Norfolk

What it means: Soroka is going to be a rare pitching prospect who truly doesn't get tested until he gets to the majors. I keep waiting for him to struggle with these

Michael Kopech, CHW: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K at Triple-A Norfolk

Walker Buehler, LAD: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K at Triple-A Iowa

Mike Soroka, ATL: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K at Triple-A Norfolk

What it means: Soroka is going to be a rare pitching prospect who truly doesn't get tested until he gets to the majors. I keep waiting for him to struggle with these aggressive assignments and he keeps doing his thing. He needed just 60 pitches (42 strikes) to cruise through five innings in his Triple-A debut and doesn't turn 21 until August. It might be time to stash him in re-draft leagues.

Adonis Medina, PHI: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K vs. High-A Dunedin

What it means: This was easy to see coming, but it doesn't look like Medina will face much resistance in the Florida State League. His dynasty league value should continue on this upward trajectory as long as he stays healthy.

Jack Flaherty, STL: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K at Triple-A Round Rock

What it means: Flaherty has mastered Triple-A, and needs to be in the big-league rotation. St. Louis knows this, and the situation should sort itself out soon. Continue to stash.

Jesus Luzardo, OAK: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K vs. High-A Lake Elsinore

What it means: The California League trips up many inexperienced pitchers, but I don't think Luzardo will be among them. He has never pitched at Low-A, and may only log a handful of starts at High-A before he earns a promotion to the Texas League, where he might finally meet his first challenge as a pro.

Corbin Burnes, MIL: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K at Triple-A Omaha

What it means: He has not yet made his debut in Colorado Springs, where some rough results are inevitable, but Burnes showed in his first start that he has the potential to earn a call-up in the first half. It's not quite time to add him in deeper redraft leagues, but he will soon become a popular stash.

Sandy Alcantara, MIA: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K vs. Triple-A Nashville

What it means: Alcantara is up to his usual tricks. If he's not struggling with his command, he's overpowering hitters, and sometimes he does both at the same time. He may be the best bet of any Marlins starting pitcher to provide value in shallow leagues this season, thanks to his high-end stuff. Look for him to join the big-league rotation in the coming weeks.

Max Fried, ATL: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K vs. Double-A Tennessee

What it means: Fried is not particularly close to getting another shot in the big-league rotation. The Braves had five spots in the Triple-A rotation and Fried was passed over, which suggests the new regime is not as high on his current abilities as the previous regime. It also means that they still want to develop him as a starter (he needs to improve his command and his changeup). If the Braves wanted to move him to the bullpen, he'd be in the big leagues right now.

Shane Bieber, CLE: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K at Double-A Altoona

What it means: The Indians' top healthy pitching prospect won't be at Double-A much longer. He has now logged 60.1 innings at the level and if his 2018 debut against a quality Altoona lineup is any indication, the 22-year-old righty won't be challenged until he reaches the highest level of the minors. Bieber has legitimate mid-rotation upside, and if the Indians need rotation help in the second half, he could be an intriguing option.

Anthony Banda, TB: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K vs. Triple-A Charlotte

What it means: There's nothing left for Banda to prove against Triple-A hitters. He is easily the Rays' top option if they need to dip into their minor-league starting pitching depth in the coming weeks. While guys like Yonny Chirinos and Ryan Yarbrough belong in a role where they get pulled after facing the opposing lineup for a second time, Banda has a shot to be more of a traditional No. 4 starter, occasionally going deep into games.

Freddy Peralta, MIL: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K at Triple-A Omaha

What it means: Peralta was fortunate to make his Sky Sox debut away from the home park in Colorado Springs. He is a prototypical modern day No. 4 or 5 starter, as he should be able to provide four or five high-quality innings before turning things over to the bullpen. Basically, if you like Yonny Chirinos, you'll love Peralta. He should make his big-league debut this summer.

Griffin Canning, LAA: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K vs. High-A San Jose

What it means: There is usually a college starter or two who lasts too long in the draft due to durability or command issues -- Alec Hansen and Jon Duplantier come to mind from the 2016 class. Canning may be that guy from the 2017 class. If he can stay healthy, he could rocket all the way up to Triple-A in his first full season. Canning has a quality four-pitch mix with above-average command. The fact that he has a couple useful breaking balls and already has excellent feel for a potentially plus changeup makes his profile feel pretty safe, relative to other pitching prospects with his limited track record in pro ball.

Reggie Lawson, SD: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K at High-A Stockton

What it means: Lawson will enter the top-400 prospect rankings on the next update. He has pedigree (No. 71 overall pick in 2016), excellent size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) and is a good athlete; he just didn't throw enough strikes last year at Low-A. Indeed, the eight strikeouts in his debut this year were less surprising than the zero walks. If he can continue this trend, he'll be a top-200 prospect by season's end.

Nick Kingham, PIT: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 K vs. Triple-A Columbus

What it means: Provided it works out with his pitching schedule, Kingham will be the next man up when the Pirates either suffer an injury or need an upgrade in the big-league rotation. He projects as a back-end starter who could be a useful streaming option in deeper leagues.

Taylor Clarke, ARI: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K vs. Triple-A Fresno

What it means: Clarke is not yet on the 40-man roster, but from a readiness standpoint, he deserves to be first in line if the Diamondbacks need a spot starter in the near future. Fresno's lineup is on par with some of the lineups the Marlins and Royals have trotted out thus far, so this was a truly impressive performance. Clarke has a plus fastball and above-average command/control, which will have to carry him, as he doesn't have any plus secondary offerings.

Kohl Stewart, MIN: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K vs. Double-A Birmingham

What it means: He's still a prospect, despite the fact he was passed over in this winter's Rule 5 draft. My friend and RotoWire Dynasty Invitational owner Chris Blessing was at the game:

#mntwins prospect Kohl Stewart 90-93 MPH tonight. Locating well, lwr half. Curve pretty good tonight after struggling with it early. Best appearance I've seen in 3 years.
— Chris Blessing (@C_Blessing) April 10, 2018

Other notable pitching performances from the first week of minor-league games:

Mitch Keller, PIT: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K vs. Double-A Akron
Brock Stewart, LAD: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K at Triple-A Iowa
Dane Dunning, CHW: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K at High-A Carolina
Logan Allen, SD: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K at Double-A Arkansas
Hector Perez, HOU: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K at High-A Salem
Lucas Sims, ATL: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K at Triple-A Durham
Darwinzon Hernandez, BOS: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K vs. High-A Buies Creek
Corbin Martin, HOU: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K at High-A Lynchburg
Eric Lauer, SD: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K at Triple-A Las Vegas
Beau Burrows, DET: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K at Double-A Reading
Justin Dunn, NYM: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K vs. High-A Bradenton
Dennis Santana, LAD: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K at Double-A Frisco
Sean Reid-Foley, TOR: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K at Double-A Hartford
Jonathan Loaisiga, NYY: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K vs. High-A Lakeland
Genesis Cabrera, TB: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K vs. Double-A Biloxi
Zack Brown, MIL: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K at Double-A Montgomery
Jonathan Hernandez, TEX: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K at High-A Lynchburg
Jen-Ho Tseng, CHC: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K vs. Triple-A Oklahoma City
Zac Lowther, BAL: 6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 13 K vs. Low-A Hickory
Jalen Beeks, BOS: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K vs. Triple-A Buffalo
Yennsy Diaz, TOR: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K at Low-A Great Lakes
Javier Assad, CHC: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K vs. Low-A West Michigan