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 Twitch.tv/pitcherlist, as I watch all of the starts with y’all and answer all your fantasy baseball questions.
Major SP News To Know
We launched Pitcher List Stats on Tuesday! Our first launch was @PitcherListPLV, which posts all of our new Pitcher Cards from recent games. We’ll be granting free access to generate these cards in the near future. Check out the tutorial pinned to the Twitter account.
Cubs’ southpaw Jordan Wicks will begin the year on the IL with a left arm nerve issue. We’ve been waiting for Wicks to get a true look in the rotation for a while and it will be even longer now.
Zack Littell has signed with the Nationals. It’s a perfect fit with the rough rotation currently in the nation’s capital and there’s some potential value for the innings-eater in an organization that loves to let their veterans toss 90+ pitches.
Bryce Miller threw a bullpen session on Sunday after receiving a PRP injection to alleviate inflammation in his left side. It’s still possible Miller opens the season in the rotation, despite this setback.
Dodgers prospect Jackson Ferris was scratched from his Friday start with an adductor issue. It doesn’t seem serious as he also threw a bullpen on Saturday, and Ferris will be an arm to monitor this season if the Dodgers need SP reinforcements.
There was hope Joey Wentz would break camp in the Atlanta rotation, but those hopes have been dashed after he was carted off the field after hurting his right leg covering first base. We’re still in the dark about the severity of the injury.
We still don’t know Hunter Greene’s outlook after he suffered from elbow pain and was shut down from throwing. He’s visited two doctors since and we wait with bated breath. At the very least, he’s on the IL to begin the season.
Expected Rotations By Team
On TV
BOS vs. PIT
TOR vs. BAL
PHI vs. MIN
DET vs. TOR
STL vs. MIA
NYY vs. NYM
AZ vs. CIN
LAA vs. ATH
LAD vs. ATH
SF vs. CHC
KC vs. CWS
CLE vs. COL
CIN vs. SD
TPE vs. KOR
AUS vs. JPN
COL vs. CUB
NED vs. DOM
GBR vs. ITA
NCA vs. ISR
PAN vs. CAN
BRA vs. MEX
Aaron Civale (ATH) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K. Yep, that’s Civale Everything is worse than what we saw last year and there’s nothing to report, save for a reminder that he has 5.5 feet of extension with a horrific home park.
Jacob Lopez (ATH) – 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K. Nothing too different fromt Lopez here, outside of failure to get his sinker armside, his changeup anywhere near competitive to RHB, and some experimentation with his cutter and slider (with a sweeper…?). I want to see another.
Tyler Wells (BAL) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K. Bassitt was signed. Wells is not in the rotation. We move on.
Jake Bennett (BOS) – 1.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K. He has 7.1 feet of extension at 93/94 mph from the left side + a cutter he gets inside to RHB, though it’s more of a gyro slider at 85/86 mph and the changeup can be good, but needs to become more of a thing. He also couldn’t get the -21″ iHB sinker inside to LHB, albeit that’s a whole lot of movement.
Brady Singer (CIN) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K. He only faced RHB, which means it was sinker/slider day. A tick down and less rise on the four-seamer, but a new “hand of god” cutter at 81 mph is kinda interesting…? It was likely a really bad sweeper he missed up and in. Nothing to report.
Chase Burns (CIN) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K. He threw 20% changeups to LHB, making six total thrown and 4/6 strikes without a whiff. Not the most exciting thing, but he would get whiffs if he located it properly down-and-away. Just a thought.
Chase Petty (CIN) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K. Petty was removed from the spring squad after this and he still can’t find the zone. It’s really too bad – he was up to 97/98 mph on the heater in this one, albeit with Empty Velocity and some four-seamers really acting as sinkers with poore movement. We did see a splitter in there, too.
Joey Cantillo (CLE) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K. This was textbook Cantillo with 9/19 whiffs on his changeup, 8/13 against RHB alone. That’s nasty. He doesn’t have the best four-seamer and slider feel, though, and I still feel weird endorsing him a ton. He’s a HIPSTER where there will be some lucious outings paired with struggles aginst LHB-heavy lineups.
Sean Newcomb (CWS) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K. Newcomb is doing his best to force a rotation spot, but I just don’t think it’s going to happen.
Noah Cameron (KC) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K. He’s at 92+ on his heater (that’s fine!) with three inches less cut action and I’m not sure I like that. He also didn’t get the cutter inside to RHB as well as he normally does, but 6/19 four-seamer whiffs is kinda cool as he kept it upstairs and toying with the zone. I think I’m still in on him, though Sporer has pulled me a little further down past the IL stashes in my ranks, near the likes of Boyd, Eflin, etc.
Jack Kochanowicz (LAA) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K. He’s lost sink and can’t get it inside to RHB. The slider is pretty dang hot, though, with an increase of drop to -03″ at 88 mph. Too bad he couldn’t locate that either.
Justin Wrobleski (LAD) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K. He’s up to 43 pitches, which is a little less than I want, but how do you not let him start instead of Sasaki? He’s clearly better. SLEEPER ALERT.
Braxton Garrett (MIA) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K. His cutter is acting like an 88 mph gyro slider, with the 83 mph slider as a two-plane sweeper at -11 sweeper and -5 depth. That’s cool, especially with the cut action on his four-seamer, but he’s not jamming RHB enough. The command needs help, but I can see the skills. He could find that groove in time as he returns from injury.
Ryan Gusto (MIA) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K. He has a lot of vert and needs to eleveate the four-seamer, but can’t do it. Love that he’s using the kitchen sink, but the command isn’t there to demand a rotation spot over Braxton.
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K. Velocity is still down at 92 mph and I’m out on SWR again. It’s too bad, really, as he has such a steep release on that splitter and I love that he’s leaning into it against both LHB and RHB. But he had five strikeouts! Against a poor lineup and a slider that was all over the place. Don’t lean too hard into that if the velo doesn’t climb before opening day.
Ryan Weathers (NYY) – 2.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K. Changeup was worse, the sinker wasn’t inside to LHB, and the pair led to nearly all of the damage dealt. He actually pitched three frames, getting relieved in both the second and third before throwing too much, for what it’s worth. I wouldn’t change my opinion of Weathers after this one – he has some wrinkles with the sinker and that changeup had far less drop than in his first one, but he’s still great. Fun fact that isn’t fun – the far away “best” changeup (the only one with negative drop at -2.4″) induced a double at 99.5 mph EV.
Freddy Peralta (NYM) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K. Whoa, far fewer sliders than last year – throwing just one and leaning changeup/curve more to RHB. Not sure I love that given the slow 78 mph velocity on the curve at mediocre movement (about 1-2 inches less in both drop and sweep at the same velo), but the changeup is better with less velocity and more movement – great for separation from his fastball. Uhhhh you missed something. Oh jeez, his extension dropped massively to 6.5 feet on the four-seamer and only 6.2 feet on the changeup. I feel like that’s a spring intensity thing, right? We gotta get that up.
Alan Rangel (PHI) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K. He’s throwing 94 mph and is stretched out to 40 pitches, while the command is a bit shaky and he’s not exhibiting stellar stuff, save for the high vert on his four-seamer…which should be there given his extreme arm angle. He’s got some time left, but I don’t think he’s beating Walker or Painter. None of these three are getting me amped for these two spots. SIGN GIOLITO ALREADY.
Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K. That’s 58 pitches for Carmer with a filthy 83/84 mph curveball, a splitter that returned 3/13 whiffs, and a sinker that he just can’t figure out how to get inside. Sadly, the sinker is down from 96 mph to 94/95 (stretched out more) and is sitting away to RHB for some reason. He needs to be a sinker/curve guy with splitters and four-seamers helping the hook against LHB and I can see it working, but the command needs to be better.
Landen Roupp (SF) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K. Man he’s so close. I dig the 91 mph cutter and changeup to LHB for this sinker/curve guy, and he just needs to get that dang sinker inside to RHB. He’s trying too much to emulate Nola, who loves the backdoor sinker. He’s battling Tidwell for the spot and after this, it sure feels like Roupp has it. Another sleeper over here if Roupp gets into a rhythm. He will have a few impressive strikeout games when the curve and change are cooking.
Blade Tidwell (SF) – 1.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K. He really couldn’t find the zone against RHB, but he looked impressive to LHB. He’s lost a fair amount of vert on the four-seamer and he’s clearly behind Roupp after pitching second and having a day like this (53 pitches is a good sign he was in contention for the spot). Could be a fun mid-season pickup.
Logan Gillaspie (SD) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K. Ummmm, I think he might be the Padres SP #5. Sorry not sorry Márquez and Buehler. Gilly doesn’t have the best movement, but the feel for the changeup is great, the death ball curve is interesting, the sinker lands inside to RHB for outs, and it’s there, like a Kolek, almost. He needs to get that slider and sweeper feel for RHB, and look at that cutter to LHB! This makes a whole lot more sense than the other pair and there’s some sleeper material here.
Andre Pallante (STL) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K. He’s getting sinkers inside to RHB and leaning on the cut-fastball to LHB, which is the way it should be. The slider is still good and that cut fastball can work, and the Cardinals are likely going with him in the rotation. He really loves that slider to RHB now (44% usage!) and his move away from the four-seamer could make him actually decent. I won’t rule it out.
Kevin Gausman (TOR) – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K. Yep, that’s Gausman, save for 2-3 ticks less on the fastball at 92+ mph. Don’t worry, it’s the spring and he sometimes fluctuates velo in season, too. He’s getting whiffs on the splitter and keeping it down, so we’re Gucci.
Cody Ponce (TOR) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K. I’m surprised his just threw 36 pitches, but that’s because he cruised through his three frames and likely pitched more afterward. He was served just one LHB, who saw a splitter and grounded out
Luis Severino (DOM) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K. He just leaned into the sweeper and cutter to RHB and it worked. He’s up two ticks to 98 mph as well (he’s probably amped pitching for his country) and I don’t think that sticks in-season. Throw in the home park of Sacremento, and it’s still not the best outlook for Sevy, BUT sweeper + cutter is the life I want for him. Fun streaming option.
Dean Kremer (ISR) – 4.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K. The cutter was cooking – 6/18 whiffs n all – and if this is a six-man, he’s in the rotation. I don’t see why not, really.
Jameson Taillon (CAN) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K. He’s still down in velocity (just 91 mph is rough) and the cut action isn’t the jump we wanted to see. He’s not there yet.
Taijuan Walker (MEX) – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 3 K. FINALLY. He went 20% cutters and ys, it’s still his best pitch. What took you so long? He’ll be in the Phillies rotation if those cutters are still cooking (77% strikes) and maybe there’s some NL-Only value. MAYBE.
Not on TV
HOU vs. WSH
ATL vs. TB
LAA vs. TEX
SEA vs. MIL
Bryce Elder (ATL) – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 2 K. He had the first QUAD F report card for this one…until he returned for another inning and managed to squeak out a D+ in locations. And this guy will get innings for Atlanta.
Joey Wentz (ATL) – 0.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K. Terrible news here. Wentz was carted off (but walked to the clubhouse on his own) after awardly covering first base and hurting his right leg. It’s unclear how significant the injury is, but you should consider him out of the rotation for now.
Hunter Brown (HOU) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 9 K. Aces gonna ace. This is bonkers. I still don’t like the secondaries, but the changeup was thrown for strikes and the fastballs are sitting 97 mph once again. Wow. He’s even gained more movement on his four-seamer and sinker (+3.7″ on the four-seamer and +1.5″ on the sinker is AWESOME). I sure wish he cut off some depth of the 84 mph curveball to make it tighter to get it in the zone reliably and entice batters more frequently. 86 mph with -12″ drop instead of -16″ would be dope.
J.P. France (HOU) – 1.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K. Wait, I didn’t know France was in the WBC…There was one cutter that was phenomenal, and the rest was pretty meh. No thanks.
Kyle Harrison (MIL) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K. Yeah, that changeup is still getting a ton of depth and it returned 3/11 whiffs to RHB, but he’s not spotting it super well yet and that’s annoying. He also looks to have a sweeper and a curve, the latter for RHB, and the former for LHB with extra movement at a little less velo. I think I’m in for Harrison as a later round pick to see where this goes. I think he may just need more practice with the changeup to get it going to RHB and the two breakers seem to do enough with his heater now sitting 95 mph, even at his 60th pitch.
Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K. Aces gonna ace. His command is still wonky n all, but he’s just so hard to hit. If he gets the command, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball, so there has to be some wart. Don’t expect him to go more than six on a given night, with five frames the standard affair. He’s too inefficient.
George Kirby (SEA) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K. He’s testing out cutters! There’s work to be done, but that’s cool. He’s also going more sinkers to RHB, but not getting them inside, and that slider is so filthy, but he can’t spot it. Yet. It’s stupid good at 84-87 mph with incredible two-plane break, like -10/-10″ and once he uncloks that, IT’S GAME OVER MAN.
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K. Yep, that’s Eovaldi. He’s toying with a slider and two of them had solid -8″ sweep to them at 85+ mph, one for a whiff, and one for a single, while the other two were blegh. We’ll see if that sticks – probably not? – and I love the fella. He’s healthy, even sitting a tick up from last season at a firm 95 mph. I’m moving him up my ranks.
What To Watch Today On TV
SPs on the mound today #SpringSPnotesGet morning updates to EVERY SP via my daily Plus Pitch Podcast AND SP Roundup article on the Pitcher List site.Trey Gibson – Breaking ball cmd good enough for bad FF?Matthew Liberatore – #SWATCHWATCH2026Richard Fitts – Demanding SP spot?
— Nick Pollack (@nickpollack.pitcherlist.com) 2026-03-09T15:49:07.222Z
