John Danks, Starting Pitcher, Chicago White Sox

John Danks, starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, was a top baseball player in high school and in 2003, he was named the Texas Player of the Year. That same year, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers and he played in their minor league system from 2003 through 2006. The Rangers traded Danks to the White Sox in December, 2006. His brother Jordan was drafted by the White Sox two years later. [read more...]


John Lackey, Starting Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

John Lackey, starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, was first drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 1999. He played in the minor leagues from 1999 through most of 2002, joining the Red Sox that season for 18 games. [read more...]


Jon Lester, Starting Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

Jon Lester, starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, was drafted by the Red Sox in 2002. He pitched in the minor leagues from 2002 through most of 2007, finishing his minor league career with a 3.33 ERA and a 32-31 win-loss record. In 2006, he was diagnosed with cancer and successfully treated. That season, he pitched in 15 games for the Red Sox, finishing the season with a 7-2 record and a 4.76 ERA. In 2007, he pitched in 12 games for Boston. [read more...]


Johnny Cueto, Starting Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds

Johnny Cueto, starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, started his professional career in 2005 in the Reds' minor league system. He pitched in the minors for three seasons before being called up to the Reds in 2008. He had a strong season in the minors in 2007, finishing the season with a 3.07 ERA and a 12-9 win-loss record. [read more...]


Jorge De La Rosa, Starting Pitcher, Colorado Rockies

Jorge De La Rosa, starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, first signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1998. After just one season in the Diamondbacks' minor league system, his contract was purchased by a team in the Mexican League prior to the 2000 season. A year later, the Boston Red Sox purchased his contract. After playing in Boston's minor league system from 2001 through 2003, they traded him back to the Diamondbacks in November, 2003. A month later, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. [read more...]


Julio Teheran, Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves

Julio Teheran, starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, was signed by the Braves in 2008. He pitched in their minor league system from 2008 through most of 2012, finishing with a 3.50 ERA and a 35-26 win-loss record. In 2011, he pitched in five games with the Braves and in two games in 2012. [read more...]


Justin Verlander, Starting Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander, starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, was a top player in college, finishing his collegiate career with a 2.57 ERA. He was drafted by the Tigers in 2004 as the number two draft pick. He played in the Tigers' minor league system for just the 2005 season, finishing with an impressive 1.29 ERA and an 11-2 record. That season, he also pitched in two games with the Tigers. [read more...]


Kevin Correia, Starting Pitcher, Minnesota Twins

Kevin Correia, starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, was first drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2002. From 2003 through 2005, he spent most of his time pitching in the minor leagues. During that time, he also pitched in 38 games for the Giants, both as a starting pitcher and as a relief pitcher. In 2006, he pitched 69.2 innings in 48 games with the Giants. [read more...]


Kyle Kendrick, Starting Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies

Kyle Kendrick, starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, was drafted by the Phillies in 2003. After four seasons in the minor leagues, he was called up to the Phillies in 2007 for 20 games. That season, he pitched 121.0 innings and he had a 10-4 record with a 3.87 ERA. The next year, he had an 11-9 record and a 5.49 ERA in 31 games. In 2009, he was sent back to the minors, playing in just 9 games with the Phillies. [read more...]


Lance Lynn, Starting Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals

Lance Lynn, starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, was first drafted in 2005 by the Seattle Mariners but he opted for college instead. Three years later, he was drafted by the Cardinals. He played in the Cardinals' minor league system through part of 2011, finishing his minor league career with a 3.69 ERA and a 32-18 win-loss record. [read more...]