10 Pitching Prospects to Grab Before Offseason Buzz

Late-season breakouts happen all the time and don’t generate near the buzz that dominant April performances do. Typically, as people have a full offseason to dig in, some of these names get uncovered and get more buzz, especially if they head to the Arizona Fall League and look good.

My goal today is to highlight ten pitching prospects that have been raising their stock to end the year that you should look to grab in dynasty leagues now, before the offseason.

Ten Pitching Prospects with Strong Late-Season Performances

Adam Serwinowski, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers, 21, A+

Serwinowski found himself in the Dodgers organization after being part of a three-way trade at the deadline that sent Zack Littell to the Reds. We have seen the Dodgers' pitching development work wonders on this type of arm, and so far, the results are there.

Since joining Great Lakes, Serwinowski has made six starts and has a 1.55 ERA across 29 innings. The walk rate has dropped from 11.7 percent prior to the trade to 10.2 percent to give him a strikeout minus walk rate of 21 percent.

The lefty sits 94 mph on his fastball with 17 inches of IVB from a 6’0” release height. The pitch plays up due to 6’8” of extension. The slider sits in the low 80s with long sweeping action, averaging around 10 inches of horizontal with good depth as well. He generates an exceptional amount of whiffs on the slider and can get chase out of the zone. The further development of a changeup will take Serinowski a long way.

It is possible that Great Lakes could reach the playoffs and Serwinowski make one more start, but if his season is done, people are sure to push him aggressively this offseason. Get in now.

Joey Oakie, RHP, Cleveland Guardians, 19, A

After getting a $2 million bonus in the third round of the 2024 draft, Oakie stunk it up at the complex. He had a 10.71 ERA in his first 21 innings with 18 strikeouts. While things did improve, he ended his complex stint with a 7.46 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. The transition to Single-A Lynchburg could not have gone better.

Not only has the fastball ticked up and the rest of the stuff with it, but the results came. Oakie struck out 11 batters in each of his last two starts and allowed just one hit in those 9.2 innings pitched.

The fastball’s low, 5’2” release point creates a very flat plane and has a strong -4.4 VAA this season. Sitting around 93 mph at the complex, Oakie finished the year touching 99 mph and averaging between 94-96 mph. The pitch comes with north of 15 inches of IVB, which is well above-average from his release point. The seven-foot extension also allows the pitch to play up in a big way. Oakie will also mix in a sinker with good arm-side run.

Oakie throws a mid-80s slider with good depth and 6-8 inches of sweeping action. The changeup looks much improved from what we saw in high school, creating more velocity separation from the fastball. It sits around 86 mph with late depth and over 12 inches of fade on average.

Command will be the biggest thing here, but I expect Oakie to continue to refine himself as a pitcher. The stuff is there and quite advanced for his age, which makes him a fun arm to dream on. The way he ended the season will likely create a ton of offseason buzz, and I would get in now.

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