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.