Will Inman- The Florida State League Strikeout King

More Brewers
hype – Many of Milwaukee’s better prospects are already in the majors and succeeding;
my best in system coming into this year — Ryan Braun — recently called up
with Yovani Gallardo more than ready and dominating the Triple-A Pacific Coast
League waiting for a chance to ply his trade at the next level. Lost in the
shadows of all this talent  — which includes
the comeuppance of J.J. Hardy and 23-year-old Prince Fielder tied for the major
league lead with 20 home runs  — is the
early results for arguably their third best prospect; Will Inman, the current
strikeout King of the high Single-A Florida State league.

 

The
20-year-old third rounder from 2005 has blown through both of the two lower levels
coming into the year, thus his performance in the FSL — 4-2 in 11 starts with
a 1.33 ERA, a .202 batting average against, and an 84/18 strikeout-to-walk
ratio in 67 and two-third innings – could hardly be viewed as a shock. He is,
after all, a legitimate pitching prospect pitching at the correct level for his
age. Not overpowering, he’s currently getting by with a low-90s fastball and an
improved curve, a changeup still in development. His control is sound, his
stuff is better than described with good life, but the issue is the development
of his secondary pitches.  

 

He’s due
a promotion this summer, and some have expressed concern his stuff won’t translate
to success at Double-A. I doubt this is the case, while echoing similar concerns
when projecting him as a major league starter. He should have success at Double-A
as well but the lack of overpowering velocity without another above-plus pitch
is an issue. I’ll wait another year before making a prognostication, simply
noting he’s at present in development. He’ll likely succeed, but to a lesser
extent, at Double-A; the need for further refinement of his changeup imperative,
a fourth pitch not present at this time, but possibly an option.       

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