Last year: After a demotion in 2010 stemming from a bad case of wildness, May re-emerged last year as one of the Phillies' most powerful young arms.

He spent the whole year with the Threshers, going 10-8 with a 3.80 ERA in the process. Over 144.1 innings, May fanned an impressive 208 hitters, best in the minor leagues and good for a K/9 north of a dozen. 

On the flip side, he also walked 65 hitters, the fourth most on the circuit, showing that the control/command problems that sidetracked him earlier might not quite be a thing of the past.

What people are saying: Baseball America, which rates May as the top prospect in a Phillies system severely depleted by trades for Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee (twice), Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence, said this about the 22-year-old with the blazing heater. 

"Scouts compare May to Chris Carpenter because of his size and swing-and-miss stuff. May's best pitch is his 90-95 mph fastball, which has heavy life and great angle, and he holds his velocity deep into games. He has worked to add a two-seamer to his arsenal, though his high three-quarters arm slot produces natural armside run. He gained consistency with his secondary offerings in 2011, particularly with his changeup."

When you can see him: Reading comes to Trenton July 19-22 and Aug. 7-9.