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.
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.
11-1, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
