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Several pitchers worth watching in Arizona Fall League

Lawr Michaels, USA TODAY Sports
Dellin Betances pitched in two games for the New York Yankees in 2011 before spending the entire 2012 season in the minors. He was shut down in August with a shoulder injury but is scheduled to pitch in the Arizona Fall League.
  • Yankees prospect Dellin Betances was shut down in August with a shoulder injury
  • The Padres' Robbie Erlin was slowed by elbow tendinitis in May, but has a high ceiling
  • D'backs right-hander Chase Anderson has averaged over a strikeout per inning in the minors

Last week we took a look at some of the hitting possibilities appearing at the Arizona Fall League (AFL), so this week let's take a peek at some of the pitchers playing in the Valley of the Sun this October and November.

Note too, that while some of these names might be familiar to fantasy fanatics, there are a few quieter prospects, making them great Ultra reserve targets.

Dellin Betances (Yankees/Scottsdale): One of the celebrated next generation of "killer B" Bronx hurlers, Betances was an eighth-round pick in the 2006 draft. As a minor leaguer, the big (6-8, 255) hurler has 615 strikeouts over his 557 1/3 minor league frames, with just 485 hits allowed. The problem has been control, as 304 walks meant a minor league 1.416 ratio, and that is exactly why Betances is working out his kinks in Scottsdale.

Robbie Erlin (Padres/Peoria): The Rangers grabbed Erlin in the third round of the 2009 draft, but then swapped him to the Pads as part of the deal that sent Mike Adams to Texas. Erlin turned in 52 1/3 innings at Class-AA San Antonio, good for 3-1, 2.92 totals, with 72 strikeouts to just 14 walks (1.28 WHIP). As a minor leaguer he has 368 whiffs over 326 2/3 innings, with just 278 hits and 50 walks allowed (1.05 WHIP).

Chase Anderson (Diamondbacks/Salt River): Drafted no fewer than three times (2006-07 by Minnesota, then 2009 by the Diamondbacks), Anderson had a solid year at Class AA Mobile (Ala.), going 5-4, 2.86 over 104 innings, with 97 strikeouts to 91 hits and 25 walks (1.151 ratio). Anderson has 279 total punchouts over 271 minor league innings and a 16-13, 3.09 mark.

Kevin Siegrist (Cardinals/Surprise): The 24-year-old is likely under the radar of most, having been drafted in the 41st round in 2008. Siegrist is not so overpowering, with 226 strikeouts over 289 2/3 minor league innings, but he does keep runners off base with just 226 hits allowed as well, and 112 walks (1.167 WHIP). Last year, split between Class A Palm Beach (Fla.) and Class AA Springfield (Mo.), Siegrist was 7-2, 2.77 over 15 starts and 87 2/3 innings.

Nick Bucci (Brewers/Phoenix): Bucci was an 18th-round selection out of high school in 2008 and since has been increasingly effective. With minor league totals of 24-27, 3.76, the Ontario native has allowed 345 hits over 397 2/3 innings (346 whiffs, 159 BB, and a 1.267 WHIP). However, his 2012, split between rookie ball and Class A Brevard County (Fla.) shows 3-3, 1.90 totals over 10 starts and 42 2/3 innings. Over that span, Bucci 44 strikeouts while walking 15 and allowing 32 hits (1.102 WHIP).

Tony Zych (Cubs/Mesa): The Cubs were so enamored of Zych that they drafted him twice, first in the 46th round of 2008 out of high school, then in the fourth round of 2011 out of the University of Louisville. Groomed as a reliever, Zych has participated in 52 games, finishing 32. Last year he earned his first six professional saves at Daytona, with 3-3, 3.19 numbers over 27 games and 36 2/3 innings. With just 65 1/3 professional innings under his belt, Zych has 69 strikeouts to 60 hits with 21 walks (1.240 WHIP) and just one homer allowed.

Matt Stites (Padres/Peoria): The 22-year old opted for a year at the University of Missouri before signing with the Padres in the 17th round of the 2011 draft. With 99 minor league strikeouts over 83 1/3 innings, Stites converted 13 saves this year at high Class A Fort Wayne (Ind.), twirling 48 2/3 innings, with a 2-0 mark and minuscule 0.74 ERA. He struck out 60 while allowing 25 hits and an incredible three walks, good for an 0.575 WHIP.

Lawr Michaels writes for Mastersball.com, a USA TODAY Sports Media Group affiliate

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