Five pitching prospects that have been unhittable in the minors
With the first month of the baseball season behind us, prospective players are starting to settle in and are leaving it all out on the field as they try to advance through the minor leagues.
Let's take a look at five prospects who have been giving opposing batters trouble at the plate and leaving zeros on the scoreboard.
Matthew Liberatore, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals
The main piece of the trade that sent Randy Arozarena to the Tampa Bay Rays, Liberatore has always possessed one of the best curveballs in the minor leagues since being drafted in 2018.
Off to a 3-1 start with a 2.14 ERA, Liberatore is posting career bests in K/9 with 12.03 and HR/9 at 0.53 in Triple-A. With the Cardinals desperate for starting pitching, Liberatore figures to get a shot with the major league squad soon.
Nick Frasso, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Acquired this offseason from the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Mitch White, Frasso has looked like yet another gem found by the Dodgers. Following elbow surgery at the advent of his professional career, Frasso was eased into the minors in 2021.
After a solid 2022 season, Frasso is off to a great start this year, posting a 1-1 record, alongside a 1.23 ERA and a 12.27 K/9. With a high-velocity fastball, he has focused on improving his secondary pitches and has turned in great results.
The 24-year-old could find himself in the majors soon if he continues to pitch with the dominance he's shown this season.
Frank Mozzicato, LHP, Kansas City Royals
Drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mozzicato rose up draft boards after four straight no-hitters in his senior year at East Catholic High School in Connecticut.
At 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, Mozzicato has watched his velocity continue to increase while having a wipeout curveball from the left side. Across 19 frames in 2023, he has pitched to a 1.42 ERA with 34 strikeouts, good for an eye-popping 16.11 K/9.
Still only 19 years old, Mozzicato has all of the makings to be the future ace of the Royals.
Cody Bradford, LHP, Texas Rangers
Currently ranked as the 26th-best prospect in the Rangers farm system, Bradford is making a name for himself this season at Triple-A Round Rock.
With a rough start to his minor league career—posting a 4.11 and 5.01 ERA in the past two seasons, respectively—Bradford is dominating in 2023.
With a 5-0 record, the 25-year-old has a 0.64 ERA over 28 1/3 innings, allowing just two runs on the season. Doing all of this in Triple-A, Bradford may make his MLB debut this season should he continue to shine.
Brant Hurter, LHP, Detriot Tigers
The 6-foot-6 lefty out of Georgia Tech has been unhittable in 2023. After rising all the way to Tigers' Double-A affiliate Erie SeaWolves in his first professional season in 2022, Hurter struggled in his four appearances with the club.
He learned from his struggles and came back better this season. In 2023, Hurter has a 0.43 ERA in 21 innings pitched, and while his walk numbers may be higher than usual, he isn't letting those runners score.
Possessing a wipeout slider, he makes it difficult to pick up the ball thanks to his big frame and throwing motion. The 24-year-old could rise through the system as the Tigers struggle to find consistency in their starting pitching.
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