In his final year in the minors, Roger Clemens went 2-3 with a 1.93 ERA. He struck out 50 and walked 14 in 46.2 innings. A couple years later he was striking out the side in the MLB All-Star game and sweeping the MVP and Cy Young awards. Randy Johnson went 8-7 with a 3.26 ERA. He mowed down 111 batters and walked 72 in 113.1 innings. The Big Unit was scary wild back then. It took him about five seasons in the bigs before he became a polished pitcher. Pedro Martinez went 7-6 with a 3.81 ERA, while striking out 124 in 125.1 innings. Fourteen years later, he’s got 196 wins and 2,850 strikeouts. Each has built quite a resume on the pitching mound in the major leagues since their debuts; all are probably cinches to make the Hall of Fame as well. Back in 1983 at Triple-A Pawtucket, did anybody in their wildest dreams ever imagine the Rocket would compile half the records and accolades he’s racked up?

In 2005, the Double-A and Triple-A levels were full of talented, young pitching prospects. Some have already reached the major leagues, while others hope to see time next year. The following 20 pitchers dominated their individual leagues while posting eye-opening stat lines. These guys are good, and most of them will be in the major leagues by 2007. If your fantasy league has minor league roster spots, here’s the cream of the crop.

Starters

Felix Hernandez, SEA, Triple-A Tacoma: 9-4, 2.25 ERA, 88 IP, 62 H, 100 K
Francisco Liriano, MIN, Triple-A Rochester: 9-2, 1.78 ERA, 91 IP, 56 H, 112-24 K-BB ratio
Yusmeiro Petit, NYM, Double-A Binghamton: 9-3, 2.91 ERA, 117.2 IP, 90 H, 130-18 K-BB ratio
Brian Bannister, NYM, Double-A Binghamton: 9-4, 2.56 ERA, 109 IP, 91 H, 94-27 K-BB ratio
Brandon McCarthy, CHW, Triple-A Charlotte: 7-7, 3.92 ERA, 119.1 IP, 104 H, 130-32 K-BB ratio
Ricky Nolasco, CHC, Double-A West Tennessee: 14-3, 2.89 ERA, 161.2 IP, 151 H, 173-46 K-BB ratio
Matt Cain, SF, Triple-A Fresno: 10-5, 4.39 ERA, 145.2 IP, 118 H, 176 K
Chuck James, ATL, Double-A Mississippi: 9-1, 2.09 ERA, 86 IP, 62 H, 104-18 K-BB ratio
Jon Lester, BOS, Double-A Portland: 11-6, 2.61 ERA, 26 GS, 3 CG, 163 K, 148.1 IP, 114 H
Boof Bonser, MIN, Triple-A Rochester: 11-9, 3.99 ERA, 160.1 IP, 153 H, 168 K

Hernandez hit the big leagues by storm – he’s 3-3 with a 2.33 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in eight games with Seattle. The Dwight Gooden comparisons won’t stop. He’s got absolutely filthy stuff and is probably the game’s next elite pitcher. Remember, he’s only 19 years old. 

Liriano made his first major league start Wednesday and held his own against the Tigers. The southpaw has 11 strikeouts in seven innings so far. Cain is 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA in four starts with the Giants – expect to see him in the starting rotation next April.

Bonser and Lester deserve a chance as well. McCarthy is 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA in three starts since rejoining the White Sox rotation. The Mets have a bright future on the mound with both Bannister and Petit tearing up the minor leagues.

Closers

Jermaine Van Buren, CHC, Triple-A Iowa: 2-3, 27 SV, 1.98 ERA, 66.1 IP, 75 K
Sendy Rleal, BAL, Double-A Bowie: 4-4, 2.04 ERA, 16 SV, 70.2 IP, 46 H, 75-18 K-BB ratio
Matt Whiteside, TOR, Triple-A Syracuse: 0-4, 27 SV, 2.59 ERA, 41.2 IP, 39-5 K-BB ratio
Patrick Neshek, MIN, Double-A New Britain: 24 SV, 6-4, 2.19 ERA, 82.1 IP, 69 H, 95-21 K-BB ratio
Lee Gronkiewicz, TOR, Double-A New Hampshire: 24 SV, 2-0, 1.41 ERA, 38.1 IP, 24 H, 45-10 K-BB ratio
Chris Ray, BAL, Double-A Bowie: 18 SV, 1-2, 0.96 ERA, 37.1 IP, 17 H, 40-7 K-BB ratio
Jorge Vasquez, ATL, Double-A Mississippi: 2-1, 10 SV, 1.12 ERA, 40.1 IP, 22 H, 45-11 K-BB ratio
Josh Kinney, STL, Double-A Springfield: 5-2, 11 SV, 1.29 ERA, 42 IP, 28 H, 42-12 K-BB ratio
Dale Thayer, SD, Double-A Mobile: 27 SV, 3-5, 2.34 ERA, 59 K in 57.2 IP
Jose Veras, TEX, Triple-A Oklahoma: 3-5, 3.79 ERA, 24 SV, 61.2 IP, 72 K

The closer's role isn’t typically a job a young, inexperienced player can get. Huston Street was the exception to that rule this year. Most teams slowly advance a reliever’s role in their bullpen. For example, when a team’s closer goes on the DL, you never hear that team call up a minor leaguer to work the ninth inning while the starter is out. They go to eighth-inning man or a proven veteran. While these hurlers dominated each of their leagues, they’re realistically at least three years from becoming ninth-inning stoppers. From a fantasy perspective, only a few of these guys will pan out. Whiteside's 27 saves and 39-5 K-BB ratio dominated Triple-A, but he's blocked by Miguel Batista. Vasquez is a rare talent with the Braves as well – he could be a valuable late-inning guy next season.