12-2, 2.40 ERA, 124 IP, 160 K, 50 BB
MLB Organization: White Sox
Cease has been the gift that keeps on giving since being traded across town last July. The 22-year-old did not complete six innings until his final two starts last season but excelled when stretched to a career-high 124 frames in 2018. His brilliant season came complete with a big finish as the No. 25 overall prospect went 3-0 with an 0.94 ERA and 71 strikeouts in his final nine starts.
11-5, 1.79 ERA, 161 1/3 IP, 152 K, 29 BB
MLB Organization: Yankees
New York acquired King from the Marlins in a November trade, and the 23-year-old made sure the move paid off. King excelled at three levels and finished the year with the second-best overall ERA in the Minors. He pitched the bulk of his innings with Double-A Trenton but combined for a 1.47 ERA over 79 1/3 innings between Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Class A Advanced Tampa.
10-5, 2.88 ERA, 131 1/3 IP, 178 K, 46 BB
MLB Organization: Orioles
Part of Baltimore's haul in the Manny Machado deal, Kremer pitched exclusively as a starter and led the Minors in strikeouts after the Dodgers attempted to transform him into a swingman in 2017. He was elevated from the hitter-friendly California League and made one Texas League appearance before being traded, finishing with a 2.58 ERA over 45 1/3 innings with Double-A Bowie.
8-4, 2.18 ERA, 123 2/3 IP, 151 K, 35 BB
MLB Organization: Orioles
In six starts with Delmarva and three with Frederick, Lowther put together an incredible first half, sporting an 0.97 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 46 1/3 innings. The 2017 first-rounder out of Xavier had a fruitful stay in the Carolina League. Lowther does not have an overpowering fastball, but his 6-foot-2, 235-pound frame works to create a deceptive delivery.
10-5, 2.88 ERA, 109 1/3 IP, 129 K, 30 BB
MLB Organization: Athletics
After breaking camp in the California League, Luzardo took an accelerated track to Triple-A in his first full season. The 21-year-old struggled in Nashville but earned Texas League All-Star honors, sporting a 2.29 ERA with 86 strikeouts over 78 2/3 innings. The No. 12 overall prospect shouldered a heavy workload after undergoing Tommy John surgery as a high schooler in 2016 and pitching 43 1/3 frames last year.
7-3, 2.10 ERA, 90 IP, 120 K, 8 BB
MLB Organization: Padres
After a year-long recovery from Tommy John surgery, Paddack emerged as one of the best young arms in a system loaded with pitching talent. The 22-year-old sustained a brilliant command with just eight free passes and a 35.3 percent strikeout rate in 90 innings. His California League dominance extended to his first Double-A stint, where he posted a 1.91 ERA in seven starts.
11-1, 1.45 ERA, 124 1/3 IP, 141 K, 35 BB
MLB Organization: Phillies
The full-season ERA leader joined impressive company by posting the fourth-best mark in that category since 2005. Parkinson accomplished the feat without a true plus pitch, but effectively worked from behind in the count. He made 11 scoreless starts and never gave up more than four runs in any of his 22 appearances.
12-5, 1.97 ERA, 155 2/3 IP, 145 K, 19 BB
MLB Organization: Red Sox
Reyes garnered Pitcher of the Year honors in the South Atlantic League after posting a league-best 1.89 ERA and 0.85 WHIP before making his final six starts with Class A Advanced Salem. The 21-year-old was a cost-effective signing during a 2014-15 period in which Boston pledged $104 million to Rusney Castillo and Yoan Moncada, finishing the year with the fourth-best qualified ERA in the Minors.
11-1, 2.06 ERA, 122 1/3 IP, 145 K, 29 BB
MLB Organization: Angels
It didn't matter which of the four uniforms the well-traveled Sandoval wore this season, the 21-year-old was lights-out all the way. He jumped from Class A Quad Cities to Class A Advanced Buies Creek after 14 appearances and was nearly untouchable after being traded to the Halos in July. He sported an 0.79 ERA in his final 34 1/3 innings with Inland Empire and Double-A Mobile, including 14 2/3 scoreless frames in the Cal League.
9-6, 2.38 ERA, 136 IP, 163 K, 53 BB
MLB Organization: Braves
Toussiant reached the Majors in August after impressive stints at Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. The 2014 first-rounder gained better control of his upper-90s fastball and knee-buckling curve, finishing with a 5-0 record and a 1.43 ERA while holding International League hitters to a .193 average and not allowing a homer over 50 1/3 innings.
