Spring Training has arrived and as I’ve been writing daily notes for myself to recap all spring training starting pitchers for the Plus Pitch Podcast, I realized I should publish them on the site for quick access.
I’ll be livestreaming every weekday morning 10am-12pm ET at playback.tv/pitcherlist starting Tuesday, February 24th, as I watch all of the starts with y’all and answer all your fantasy baseball questions.
Major SP News To Know
Max Scherzer has signed with the Blue Jays. It could mean José Berríos or Cody Ponce are not in the rotation, or a six-man, or it’s possible Scherzer doesn’t debut with the team until the middle of April.
Twins ace Pablo López underwent internal brace UCL surgery. In contrast to 14-18 months of recovery time of TJS, López has a chance to return to the field before May 2027.
The Yankees are likely keeping Cam Schlittler on a pitch/innings limit in his first start or two after back inflammation delayed his spring routine.
The Diamondbacks will miss Merrill Kelly at the beginning of the season with a back injury. It’s unclear how long they will miss him at this time after an MRI revealed no structural damage, while Kelly still feels pain. This could be longer than you think on the IL. Be careful.
Despite all our hope for Troy Melton to force his way into the rotation, he hasn’t received a start yet due to “general arm soreness”. Nooooope. Terrible news. Let’s hope he pitches fine in Triple-A in April and gets the call mid-season.
Trey Yesavage is getting delayed by the Jays after he had his longest off-season followed by his shortest off-season. There’s no injury, simply doing what they think is best for the rookie. It likely means Yesavage gets skipped once and/or is heavily limited in April, then pitches normally in May. Take it into consideration.
Blue Jays prospect Ricky Tiedemann is recovering from TJS and felt soreness in his elbow during his last throwing session. MRI was clean, but there’s little reason to expect Tiedemann to appear in the majors anytime soon.
Expected Rotations By Team
On TV
BAL vs. TB
MIN vs. BOS
PHI vs. DET
ATL vs. PIT
NYM vs. STL
AZ vs. LAD
SD vs. LAA
NYY vs. WSH
Trevor Rogers (BAL) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K. Data was weird for whatever reason and Rogers looked like himself and more. 18″ of vert on the four-seamer now (not 15!) and I’m so down for that. His four-seamer overperformed last season and a proper vert heater could nullify a lot of the expected regression. I’m so in.
Brody Hopkins (TB) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K. He’s a prospect to know for the Rays, hurling 96/97 mph heaters with intent to elevate and 91 mph cutters + 86 mph sweepers. Sadly, data was scrambled for this one and I’m sure we’ll get a better idea next time out. Take serious note.
Yoendrys Gómez (TB) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K. He sat 1-2 ticks up and worked on the changeup a bit, showcasing four inches extra drop vs. last year’s iteration. We may see him in the swing role for the Rays this year, and let’s keep monitoring him.
Johan Oviedo (BOS) – 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 K. Velo was down and the command was terrible. Sigh. Here’s to figuring this out, Oviedo. I sure hope you do. If he continues like this, we could see Patrick Sandoval or Connelly Early in his place, though I am surprised neither of them followed Oviedo in this outing.
Jake Bennett (BOS) – 1.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K. The high-extension southpaw in the Nats one-for-one trade sat 95 mph with Empty Velocity, sadly. The cutter is a gyro 88 mph but 5″ of more vert than the pure gyro slider, but he does have a good changeup if he can locate it well to RHB. We need more polish.
Ty Madden (DET) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K. With Melton’s soreness, it’s unclear if SGL, Montero, or Anderson, or Madden are the SP #6. I had zero expectations for Madden entering the year, though he gained two inches of vert on his four-seamer with three inches of ride on his sinker, extra depth on his slider, and good command of his cutter. Sadly, no velo bump, but it’s interesting. I wonder if those stick.
Bryce Elder (ATL) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K. Elder added four more inches of drop on the slider and I wonder if that sticks. After all, it’s always been his best offering.
Paul Skenes (PIT) – 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 4 BB, 4 K. Aces gonna havea weird day on the bump with 3″ extra vert on the four-seamer to a strong 15″ for his arm angle…? Fascinating.
Jonah Tong (NYM) – 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K. The cutter is here! And it was smoked! I’m just happy he’s testing it out at 91/92 mph. It also has very little drop at 15″+ vert (terrible) and just four inches of cut relative to the four-seamer. I don’t love this. The 82 mph gyro slider may ultimately be the better pitch, though he can’t command that one yet either. So yeah. We wait.
Richard Fitts (STL) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K. Oh look, it’s Fitts doing the same craziness we saw from him a year ago! The heater sat three ticks up at 97/98 mph (lol) and 18″ of vert, while the sweeper’s 86 mph velocity was stellar for its -12″ of horizontal. Fitts, you’re gonna make us go bonkers again, aren’t you. And here I was thinking the Cardinals were going to delay you for a rotation spot. Leahy, you’ve got some work to do.
Jurrangelo Cijntje (STL) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K. He’s throwing 95/96 mph and only from the right side. It’s a fastball labeled as a sinker for some reason, but really a 15/16″ vert at 1.6 HAVAA with intent to elevate (dig that!) + a slider that…is meh. 84 mph with a variable sweeper and drop as his hardest secondary. I was hoping for something around 89/90 mph, you know?
Zac Gallen (AZ) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K. Hey it’s Gallen! And yes, it’s pretty much the same Gallen, save for 1-3 ticks up on everything in the very short stint. Considering the elite Diamondbacks defense, I’m down to give it another go with Gallen.
Drey Jameson (AZ) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K. He’s back! And at 97+ with Empty Velocity. Enjoy the pen.
Roki Sasaki (LAD) – 1.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K. Alright! What do we have… It’s the same fastball (still 97 mph and 7ft ext, but Empty Velocity) with a little extra cut that doesn’t matter. He added a sinker (which is a great idea!), and it’s absurdly meh with just 13″ of horizontal, but maybe if he pairs the four-seamer and sinker together with legit command it could work. Probably not. He’s been trying to find a third pitch and we saw the new “slider” that is labeled as a cutter. It’s a slider alright, and a pretty average one at 87 mph and generally gyro movement with a bit more sweep. I’m happy he was albe to keep it down to RHB, but I’m just not seeing the potential stud we want.
River Ryan (LAD) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K. I’ve been super excited to see River again post-TJS and here he was 96 mph with Empty Velocity and average extension. Womp womp. The 90 mph slider is Sasaki’s, but three ticks harder and with a little more depth (it’s dope) and there was a ridiculous cutter at 94 mph that I hope he can actually harness. For now, the four-seamer and sinker aren’t it. Slow down the engines.
Chris Campos (LAD) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K. He had 20″ of vert with 95 mph four-seamers due to his high arm angle + 88 mph cutters at 8/9″ of vert (which is a solid drop relative to the fastball. Take notes, Tong). Lots of strikes, too, and I’m curious if this becomes something. Just a slow 78 mph curveball as a #3 pitch, though.
Michael King (SD) – 2.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K. The dude is healthy and ready to go. I expect him to climb in drafts across the next month.
George Klassen (LAA) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K. You’ve heard the name and it’s because the fella chucks 98 mph heaters with two-plane movement, albeit just 14″ vert but matching horizontal at 13/14″ as well. He also has a solid set of breakers with a 90 mph gyro slider and tight 86 mph curve, which both returned a pair of whiffs here. If that fastball shape is good enough with solid control, yes Klassen is a legit arm. The velo will likely come down, though, and I question the fastball’s dominance.
Ryan Weathers (NYY) – 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K. I was banging the drum for Weathers to throw sinkers to LHB after joining the Yankees (he threw nine total last year) and look at that! 41% sinkers to LHB – seven total with stupid good 18/19″ horizontal movement and 43% CSW at 96/97 mph. His four-seamer was even more ridiculous at 16″ of vert and 98/99 mph velocity (not a typo), while displaying some crazy good changeups. Like -8″ of drop at times and this was hype city. Twelve whiffs on 49 pitches. Yeaaaaah, grab him. Don’t push him to Top 40 SP levels – his health is a major question mark and he’s had absurd March spring training numbers before – but he should be helpful early on at least.
Not on TV
DET vs. TOR
MIA vs. HOU
CHC vs. COL
KC vs. SEA
CLE vs. TEX
CWS vs. CIN
MIL vs. SF
Casey Mize (DET) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K. I dig that Mize is trying something new. Two extra inches of vert to 18″ is great, though the loss of velocity may have slightly helped (lower velo can mean more vert, oddly enough), and he’s showing new shapes on his slider and curve. The slide piece is two ticks harder with a little extra sweep and 5″ less drop, which could be the right compromise. The curve is now 82/83 mph like a depthy sweeper and despite the lack of command here, maybe that can work. Keep experimenting Mize, hopefully one of these changes is for the better.
Cody Ponce (TOR) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K. We got data! 96 mph at 16-17″ of vert, but a steep arm angle that diminishes that vert (0.4 HAVAA). I dig his attack up to LHB with cutters at 91/92 mph going inside + changeups for strikeouts, and look at this! An 84/85 mph curveball with 12″ of depth. That’s hot. I want to see more of Ponce, including actually seeing him if they give us some dang video. I wonder if that curve is a pitch he can lean into constantly as a true weapon to both LHB and RHB…
Hunter Brown (HOU) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K. Yep, that was Brown. 95/96 mph velocity so far.
Jameson Taillon (CHC) – 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K. He has moments with fun cut action on his heater and some extra sweep on his secondaries. The results aren’t ideal yet, but he’s still Jameson.
Cade Horton (CHC) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K. He’s throwing 95/96 mph cut-fastballs and it’s awesome.
Noah Cameron (KC) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K. You may see 90.5 mph and be afraid. I get it! I’m not going to read into it so early in the spring. After all, Cameron is the rare sophomore who has full job security. Why wouldn’t he take it easy out of the gate after throwing a full season?
Helcris Olivárez (KC) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K. He throws 98 mph from the left side and can throw the heaters over the plate. The secondaries lack command, though, and he’s mostly Empty Velocity. Sigh.
Bryan Woo (SEA) – 1.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K. It’s Woo. And that’s cool.
Slade Cecconi (CLE) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K. He found an extra 8″ of sweep on his slider without sacrificing velocity at 85 mph, which is kinda dope (-13/14″!), 2/3″ more cut on the cutter at 89 mph, and added 1.5″ of vert on the heater to 17″+. These are cool things! Please do it again.
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) – 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K. He was exactly the same. Pretty dang cool to see that.
Davis Martin (CWS) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K. He has a little extra movement on the cutter with slight upticks in velo (likely due to the short stint. Nothing to get excited about.
Jonathan Cannon (CWS) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K. He has a harder sweeper now that returned 0% CSW on seven thrown. There is a little more ride on the sinker, but we need more.
Nick Lodolo (CIN) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K. Great outing here with a tick up in velo that settled down a little in the second frame. Great command, too. He’s locked in already.
Adrian Houser (SF) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 K. This time last year, I was in a kerfuffle because Houser had gained extension to flirt with seven feet and added velocity to go from 93/94 mph to 94/95 mph. WELL NOW IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN. Houser was 95 mph on the sinker and 96 mph on the four-seamer. But he didn’t pitch well. Yeah, that’s true. He didn’t locate as well as he normally does and it was just two innings. But hey! Something cool to monitor. Houser could be a super sneaky 15-teamer play.
Carson Whisenhunt (SF) – 1.0 IP, 5 ER, 1 H, 4 BB, 1 K. Sure sure sure. Walks. Whisenhunt is 2-3 ticks up from last year, sitting 95+ mph (a little higher early, then gassed a bit by the end, throwing 37 pitches in one frame with too many walks) and I’m stoked to see more. He could be a strong SWATCH with that velo and 17″+ of vert matched with a legit changeup.
Caleb Kilian (SF) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K. Yes, he’s here too! Sitting 96-98 mph with Empty Velocity and questionable fastball command, but that one 90 mph cutter down and in to a LHB was disgusting. -8″ horizontal and -2″ depth is crazy for that velo. But fine, he’ll probably just be in relief at best.
What To Watch Today On TV
SPs to watch on TV today #SpringSPnotesGet morning updates to EVERY SP via my daily Plus Pitch Podcast AND SP Roundup article on the Pitcher List site.Dean Kremer – SP #6?José Urquidy – Could be sleeper SP #5 Taijuan Walker – Here we go againElmer Rodríguez – Solid prospect, NYY SP #7 option
— Nick Pollack (@nickpollack.pitcherlist.com) 2026-02-26T17:18:32.753Z
