In preparation for my annual Top 400 Starting Pitchers ranking article in February 2026, I spend the fall and winter months thoroughly reviewing every team’s rotation, taking the time to analyze every piece of the pitcher and write my analysis months in advance. I usually don’t share these publicly until then, and the last two years I elected to share them exclusively with PL Pro members.
PL Pro members get four major benefits inside these articles:
1. Early Ranking Access
As I go through each team, I rank each pitcher relative to the other pitchers I have already covered inside a Google Spreadsheet. While I often change these throughout the winter even after completing their write-up, PL Pro members have access to view the progress of those rankings before they are made public.
2. 2026 Player Projections, powered by PLV
At the start of each write-up, you can view each player’s Pitcher List player projection for 2026, powered by PLV. These projections matched hitters alongside BatX in 2025, and performed exceptionally well across the Top 200 SP. They even beat me in the daily streamer challenge by one. So close.
3. Nick’s Starting Pitcher Sheet – The One Sheet for all Pitcher Research
With the help of Kyle Bland, I have a Team SP one-sheet that provides all the relevant data on every pitcher for each team featured in these articles. Here is the example for the Arizona Diamondbacks:
It’s the ultimate resource for your personal SP research. I cannot express enough how helpful it is to have everything in one place.
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Expected Starters
Brandon Woodruff (RHP)
2025 Stats: 64.2 IP | 3.20 ERA | 0.91 WHIP | 32.3 K% | 5.4 BB%
We didn’t know what to expect from Woody after missing 2024 with shoulder surgery, and on the precipice of his return, he was delayed in his final tune-up after getting struck in the ankle by a comebacker. And here we are now, wondering not only if his two-tick drop in velocity is the new norm or if that will change (higher or lower), but also how much we should bake in his injury risk after hitting the IL again in September with a lat strain. He’s expected to be a full go for the spring, but who knows, really.
All of that aside, Woodruff was a stud for his 64 frames of 2025, boasting a 32% strikeout rate and blissful ratios, which is awfully shocking considering his fastball fell from 95+ mph to ~93 mph, and without a great breaker supporting him. His home park (yes, good for pitchers despite the HR rates) and easy schedule certainly propelled his success in the small sample, though Woodruff’s unique arsenal is the biggest catalyst. His attack is rooted in three fastballs – cutter, four-seamer, sinker – and despite terrible sinker movement, the pitch induced a ton of weak contact as batters tried to figure out how to deal with the high vert + cut-action of his four-seamer, merged with a cutter that adds movement in both directions at just 3-4 mph slower. In short, three heaters that look similar, all going different directions and speed differentiation.
It allowed Woodruff to lean into cutters and sinkers early (16 inches of pitch separation horizontally), then elevate four-seamers late. It was hilariously effective, with a 30%+ putaway rate and a 23% SwStr rate, which are absurd outliers among all four-seamers across baseball, suggesting obvious regression despite the velocity drop and small sample.
His attack to LHB is a little suspect, too. I’m surprised he doesn’t throw more cutters inside and instead features sinker/change with the heater once again saved for elevating late. I expect that sinker to get tagged a bit more, and his slowball’s near 70% strike rate is likely to fall a bit as well. I’m curious if he can adapt here.
Despite these shortcomings, Woodruff’s approach should work again in 2026, just not at the same levels. Paired with injury risk, I’m cautious chasing him as my SP #2 or even SP #3, though I’d gladly grab him as an SP #4. When he pitches, he’ll be helpful, but the risk/reward doesn’t tip in his favor as much as others inside the Top 30 SP.
Quick Take: While Woodruff is unlikely to have a 30%+ strikeout rate and glistening ratios for another season, his flavor of cut-fastballs with great control and a legit changeup allow him to boast a solid floor, even with his velocity dip and without the help of a small sample. Unfortunately, injuries have haunted Woodruff’s career, and a lat strain in September adds haze to his 2026 output even before the season begins. He’ll help your teams, but not at the same level and for an uncertain amount of time.
Jacob Misiorowski (RHP)
2025 Stats: 66.0 IP | 4.36 ERA | 1.24 WHIP | 31.9 K% | 11.4 BB%
Sigh. Misiorowski. The fella with 99th percentile extension, velocity, and HAVAA on his four-seamer returned a 10.5% SwStr with the pitch to RHB last season. Wait, that seems low. Right?! The “slider” (which is pretty much a cutter at 94 mph as a gyro slider but with 6″ less drop than you’d want), also had a shockingly low 11% SwStr rate to RHB, and his two-plane curve held a 10% SwStr rate. And despite all of this, Jay Mis had a 32% strikeout clip + his ICR was bliss across all three pitches to RHB.
LHB are the opposite. High ICR on the heater but a 21% SwStr rate as their swing rates climbed five points, and I think the reason is clear: They saw 15% sliders with 26% curves + changeups, while RHB saw just 13% non-fastball/slider. It meant that batters geared up for 99 mph, and when they saw the 94 mph slider, it was close enough both in velocity and location that they could get wood on it. Not the best contact, but not a whiff. Get that dang thing down, Mis! LHB had larger velocity gaps to prepare for, which meant they couldn’t adjust as effectively, but when they did hunt correctly, they saw a greater reward.
It really shouldn’t be that easy to hit off this guy the real issue is the walk rate at 11%, which is a product of Misiorowski losing feel at random moments. He’s consistently throwing strikes at a rate that speaks to a far better walk rate (all three offerings comfortably in the zone and above 60% strikes to both handed batters), but you don’t get to spread those strikes out evenly across a start. It just takes a couple of lost at-bats to raise that mark.
His lanky nature does suggest volatility and despite my belief that Misiorowski will get better in the year ahead, yes, he’ll have Cherry Bomb tendencies. There’s also his health to worry about, too, and as much as I watch this kid and see the best stuff in baseball, I also struggle to envision 170 innings, which would require health and efficiency.
So I’m torn. If he can lower his slider to get greater pitch separation with his four-seamer (and maybe throw more curves to RHB?), and figure out the adjustments he needs to make mid-batter to get the walk rates down, he’ll become a stud. He’s already a stud, really. I also understand he shouldn’t be drafted to be that reliable #2 every week, which has me pushing him down further than I like. If you’re someone who enjoys fantasy baseball to roster the players you get stoked to watch, Jay Mis is your guy. If they’re just numbers on a spreadsheet, maybe don’t take the gamble.
Quick Take: He’s the most electric young arm out there and we’re still in the dark about his future. There’s injury concerns + inefficiency that has his projected volume lower than his peers, while the strikeout ability is so apparent and requires a small tweak to unlock against RHB for a potential 35%+ strikeout rate. It’s up to you if you want to chase the fun.
Quinn Priester (RHP)
2025 Stats: 157.1 IP | 3.32 ERA | 1.24 WHIP | 20.2 K% | 7.7 BB%
I’m not as sold as others on Priester, though his expected volume + prior success does suggest upside if he makes a tweak. What I see is a sinker/cutter that allowed a ton of weak contact to RHB last year that doesn’t quite make sense (he doesn’t locate either exceptionally well), and a cutter that is also located poorly to LHB (up and away?!) and is punished often as a result. His slider isn’t a whiff pitch to LHB, and while its sub 20% putaway rate in 2025 could jump closer to 25% in 2026 given the near 20% SwStr rate, I worry that the 1.20+ WHIP will return as he’ll return more hits when the ICR marks inevitable rise, nor a solution to his LHB problem.
Maybe there’s something I’m missing about the sinker’s effectiveness and maybe his cutter takes a step forward to go inside to LHB, while getting more out of his slider or curve as well. The benefit here is the good home park and long leash to go deep into games, so consider Priester a good last round pick to see how he performs early in the year. He could be a Toby at the end of the day (or worse), but the Holly potential is there. It just can’t be more of the unsustainable same from 2026.
Quick Take: Priester’s sinker performed far better than it should last season, and I question if there’s enough in the tank to deal with LHB and stave off expected regression. There is whiffability in the 86 mph slider to RHB that could return more strikeouts, and the cutter is a solid pitch when he’s able to locate effectively. With high volume in a good situation, there is an opportunity for Priester to become a reliable Holly, though I expect a Toby you question rostering all year.
On The Fringe
Kyle Harrison (LHP)
2025 Stats: 35.2 IP | 4.04 ERA | 1.37 WHIP | 24.4 K% | 9.0 BB%
The “prize” of the Devers trade, Harrison has suddenly been dealt to the Brewers with a clear path to playing time, albeit a possibility he gets beat by two others for a #4/#5 SP spot. It’s a better park and the comfort of Milwaukee should do him favors, though I’m hesitant to jump in, despite the addition of a 86/87 mph cutter (labeled as a slider often). The issues on the west coast stemmed from volatility inside the zone, while the curve and changeup were in-and-out on a given night. A cutter theoretically solves that issue, but the three games we saw in September came with an unreliable cutter, and my hopes for him to learn the pitch from Crochet are now dashed. The Triple-A data does look a bit better than the small sample under the stadium lights, though I’m skeptical he has found the stabilizer for a chaotic arm.
We also saw a dip in velocity to 93 mph (not 94/95 mph) and similar command volatility across his full pitch mix. And yet, I can still understand the hype. If Harrison can locate his heater upstairs, its 1.7 HAVAA will do the work for a high SwStr, and if he can confidently land changeups, curveballs, and hopefully a cutter in the zone at roughly 50% usage between them, well, there’s a pitcher that should work. But will it be at 94+? Will we ever be able to trust Harrison? It remains to be seen. I encourage caution with a HIPSTER label for now and hopefully proven wrong by May.
Quick Take: Harrison’s four-seamer has potential if he can wield it properly in the zone, while the new cutter remains to be seen as the final piece of the puzzle. Moving to the Brewers makes a starting gig out of camp far more likely, though I’m not ready to trust his command and arsenal quality right away. Harrison comes with too much anxiety for me in most situations.
Chad Patrick (RHP)
2025 Stats: 119.2 IP | 3.53 ERA | 1.28 WHIP | 25.2 K% | 8.0 BB%
I wonder if Chaddy P is going to run it back or tweak his approach/mix for the year ahead, because I don’t think he can replicate with the same crew. His cutter and four-seamer had unsustainable putaway rates to create the 25% strikeout clip of last year, while the approach to LHB is sorely lacking. It’s not a major surprise when Patrick’s approach is cutter, sinker, four-seamer, with a changeup that can’t eclipse the 50% strike mark. Against RHB, those three are enough with cutters dancing out of the zone, four-seamers with good vert landing at the top of the zone and above, and sinkers taking advantage of batters guessing cutter more than not, leading to weak contact over the plate. LHB have an easier time with cutters all over the place, sinkers that found the edges last year and likely won’t again this year, and four-seamers that don’t surprise upstairs nearly as well. It makes me wonder if he’ll return as a starter or if the Brewers will push him into long relief and favor Henderson or Sproat for the fifth spot instead. If he’s locked in the rotation, I’m not fully against taking a shot and seeing if there’s something new. However, I don’t expect gains on 2025, while the strikeout rate should fall to roughly 20%.
Quick Take: Patrick had a fun time mixing cutters, sinkers, and four-seamers to RHB last year, creating an unsustainable 25% strikeout based on two-strike high four-seamers at a 19% SwStr rate. It masked his struggles against LHB and lack of proper breaker or changeup, and I’m skeptical he can have the same success without a significant addition or tweak. If he gets runaway as a starter, I’d be cautious trusting Patrick unless there’s a clear shift in his approach that irons out the kinks.
Logan Henderson (RHP)
2025 Stats: 25.1 IP | 1.78 ERA | 0.99 WHIP | 33.3 K% | 8.1 BB%
There’s one simple reason to like Henderson: He has a really good four-seamer. It’s not the hardest out there at 93 mph, but it’s flat with stellar precision upstairs with great two-plane movement, especially the surprising vert at his low 33 degree arm angle. The offering returned elite SwStr marks and 70% strikes against both LHB and RHB as a result, laying a stellar foundation. My biggest concern is the supporting cast. His changeup is clearly the #2 offering regardless of handedness, appearing to be a kick-change that can be deadly, but was erratic as it scattered around the zone. I’m not terribly confident he can make it a 60%+ strike pitch, as I look toward his cutter and slider to take a step forward and be a reliable strike offering. The former had success pulling off the “Cannibal McSanchez” to LHB in its brief usage, and I’d be surprised if the Brewers didn’t encourage Henderson to embrace it in 2026. He’s also working on a curveball to help out his mix in an effort to be less two-pitch in the year ahead. The final question? His health. Henderson hit the IL in August with a right flexor strain, and the current word is he’s having a normal offseason with a proper chance for a rotation spot in April. I’m going to assume the Brewers let Harrison and Patrick have the final two spots and take it easy with Henderson after this injury scare, and once Henderson gets the green light for a rotation spot, I’ll be all over him. That four-seamer is too good.
Quick Take: Henderson’s flexor strain last August may keep him in the minors to start 2026, but if he breaks camp with the squad, I’d target him. The 93 mph four-seamer comes with great movement and a flat attack angle that Henderson locates upstairs with ease and will continue to earn whiffs as a stable foundation. The changeup needs help and could get it via cutters and curveballs, but even with the same assistants as 2025, Henderson should be worthwhile at the end of 12-teamer rosters, with upside for more if the secondaries advance.
Brandon Sproat (RHP)
2025 Stats: 20.2 IP | 4.79 ERA | 1.21 WHIP | 20.2 K% | 8.3 BB%
There’s more in the total package from Sproat than what Tong provides, though he’s still missing the piece often unattainable by RHB sinker/sweeper arms – an effective approach to LHB. I really love his sinker to RHB at 95/96 mph with not just 17/18″ of horizontal run, but true intent to get inside that induced a sub 20% ICR and 67% strikes against RHB during his brief stint in 2025. The sweeper does its job to RHB as well, with a 25%+ SwStr rate, even if he struggled to place it where he wanted to in those four starts of 20+ IP. But what to do about LHB? The standard option is a changeup, but Sproat’s is awfully unimpressive. He wisely moves away from the sinker to focus on four-seamers, and it’s possible its flat attack angle at 96+ mph is enough to make up for its horrendous vert, though that depends on its location up in the zone, which I’m not sure Sproat is capable of quite yet.
A big question is the efficacy of his curveball. It has tight break at 80 mph that he spun into the zone 60% of the time to LHB…across 30 thrown. That’s too low of a sample to buy into, but this could be a four-seamer/curve/change mix in the end that does enough. Just please fix that changeup.
It really will come down to the LHB approach and I’m not sure we’ll get one we like with Sproat. Comparing him to his former teammates,¿there’s a better chance of success here than Tong, while Christian Scott’s four-seamer removes the LHB/RHB issue as it can take down both when working well. If the opportunity is there as the #5, I’d be curious in a 15-teamer to see if there’s an improved attack to LHB. Maybe even 12-teamers as a spec-add.
Quick Take: I initially considered Sproat as a sinker/sweeper arm who will likely struggle against LHB, though his 96+ velocity with a flat attack angle does open the possibility for four-seamers to perform well enough with his curve to mitigate the damage. If he slots into a secure rotation spot, the makings of a solid six-inning arm are here. Consider him a super sleeper who can be a stellar arm if things go right.
Names To Know
DL Hall (LHP)
As much as I want to hold onto the dream of Hall transitioning back to the rotation and making the impact we thought he was capable two years ago, it’s not going to happen. He doesn’t have a legit pitch to RHB, nor does he have a large whiff pitch to LHB, if you can believe it. I don’t see why the Brewers would do this.
Aaron Ashby (LHP)
What is it with Milwaukee southpaws that use to make me fuzzy and now elicit the same feeling I get when looking at my 2007 DVD collection? Whoa, I really bought that?! Like Hall, I don’t see Ashby returning to the first inning given his lack of control and a slider that has a staggering strike rate of just 48% to LHB. Yikes. The dream is dead.
Robert Gasser (LHP)
Gasser returned from TJS last year after just five starts in 2024, and it was a generally unimpressive display across 5.2 frames. That said, he features a four-seamer with a great 1.4 HAVAA and a fair amount of cut that could be a weapon inside against RHB, paired with a changeup with solid fade. Lefties will see the sinker inside (poor ride, though) and sweepers away, and it could be a decent package – I don’t want to judge this sample size too much. Gasser looks to be well behind the other options, though, making him the #8 SP option as of now. There’s no reason to stash him early in the year, especially when his production is heavily in question when he does inevitably get a shot.
Gerson Garabito (RHP)
Who?! You barely saw the fella as he got a taste of the majors in two seasons with the Rangers (just three relief appearances in 2025), and he has now received a Non-Roster-Invitation from the Brewers. He fits the mold of “High vert with cut” four-seamers, on top of a shockingly low 1.4 HAVAA, with a low 80s curveball he enjoys leaning on despite mediocre movement. Interesting. I’ll throw this out there – if Garabito gets his time in March, the Brewers could use him as “found money”, pushing Patrick to a long relief role and letting Sproat + Henderson spend some time in the minors. Just throwing it out there. I don’t think he’ll be all too valuable, but there may be a decently long leash if he were to find those starts, making for a shocking NL-Only stream. That’s a whole lot of IFs, though.
Drew Rom (LHP)
Rom has been waiting for a return to majors after undergoing shoulder surgery and this is a massive dart throw for the Brewers after giving Rom an NRI. He’s a slinging southpaw who could find himself in a relief role, but as a starter? I’d be absolutely floored if it happened. We haven’t seen him with anything of interest in his arsenal.
Relevant Prospects
Thanks to MLB.com and Eric Longenhagen’s work at FanGraphs for many insights into these prospects. I also used our PLV Minor League Player App for additional data I couldn’t find elsewhere.
For pitchers in Triple-A, our PL Pro MiLB app was an invaluable resource, gathering all velocity, movement, extension, and HAVAA marks with ease. For example, here’s Kohl’s Drake’s Triple-A slider card this season inside the app. Unlock this app and many more with PL Pro.
Coleman Crow (RHP, 25, AAA) – Watch Video
He has a big 77 mph curveball for LHB, a terrible 92 mph four-seamer with a 1.4 HAVAA, and a decent 87 mph cutter. That’s what we got from two starts in July, and boy is that not it. Let’s move along.
Tate Kuehner (LHP, 25, AAA) – Watch Video
He’s kinda interesting. It’s a flat 1.4 HAVAA 94/95 mph four-seamer from the slinging southpaw, who profiles out as a SWATCH with a legit changeup to RHB he can locate well. There’s 16-17″ of run on the sinker as well, with should sit inside to LHB consistently over the four-seamer (in due time), while there’s work to be done nailing the outside edge with his cutter/slider at 85 mph to take care of LHB. Maybe the 77 mph two-plane curve is the trick at the end of the day, though the command is a little spotty as he flips it over the plate. This could be an interesting arm if he figures out how to deal with LHB effectively + continues to nail down four-seamer/change to RHB.
Brett Wichrowski (RHP, 23, AA) – Watch Video
He doesn’t have the deepest arsenal with a mid-90s fastball and big two-plane curve, though he’d be able to make waves if the command weren’t suspect. He looks like a HIPSTER at best when the heater and curve lock in, while his lack of variety and struggles to find the zone make him carry plenty of reliever-risk. He could raise eyebrows if the control makes major gains, especially if it comes with an improved slider.
Tyson Hardin (RHP, 24, AA) – Watch Video
Tyson does a fantastic job of spotting his four-pitch mix of low-to-mid 90s four-seamers with decent ride upstairs, sliders down-and-away from RHB, changeups fading from LHB, and a stabilizing cutter for strikes whenever he likes. It’s fun to watch as a pitching fan, but without the major stuff behind it, I question if it’s enough to be a fantasy relevant arm in the majors.
Bishop Letson (RHP, 21, AA) – Watch Video
Letson still needs innings under his belt to get the call after just four frames in Double-A and 37.1 IP in Single-A last year, missing months due to a right shoulder injury. His extension is elite, comfortably over seven feet, but lacks the velocity of his future teammate Jay Mis, sitting in the low-to-mid 90s on his fastball and hovering the low 80s with his looping breaker. Pay attention to him as he could rise quickly if he keeps his solid control and can add more electricity that can take full advantage of his ability to get extension while limiting walks.
J.D. Thompson (LHP, 22, A) – Watch Video
Just drafted in 2025 by the Brewers out of Vanderbilt, he’s a mid-90s southpaw with a big curveball who could climb up the minors quickly given his college experience. You should rule him out for 2026, though.
