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 morning 10am-12pm ET at playback.tv/pitcherlist as I watch all of the starts with y’all and answer all your fantasy baseball questions.
Major SP News To Know
There’s no major news this morning and I’m leaving the first two items from yesterday as they were made public in the mid-to-late afternoon.
Sandy Alcantara told reporters that he hasn’t been told about any innings restrictions in place for his season ahead. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE ANYMORE.
The latest on Grayson Rodriguez: He’s been given a cortisone injection and will be shut down for 7-10 days. That does not sound good at all, y’all.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman told reporters that he’s “preparing for the worst” with Gerrit Cole’s elbow. I think you should, too.
Matt Manning was demoted to Triple-A by the Tigers, taking him out of the running for the #5 spot with the Tigers.
Chris Paddack was hit in the head by a comebacker and did not suffer a concussion. Always incredibly scary and we’re all glad he’s okay.
Site News
We’re launching PL 11 in the upcoming days and we’ve outlined everything we’re working on and improved on the site inside this Twitter thread and this Bluesky thread.
Check out all the apps, a tease of the PL Fantasy Baseball Pro Dashboard, our new Live Draft Assistant, and so much more.
Now it’s super easy to see velo changes, movement changes (extra vert from Rodón!), extension, usage changes, locations, etc. It’s incredible, y’all. Get access via PL Pro at 15% off with code SPRINGISHERE
Expected Rotations By Team
Statcast Games – TV
PHI vs. TOR
TOR vs. DET
CIN vs. AZ
CWS vs. LAD
SD vs. CLE
ATH vs. AZ
Taijuan Walker (PHI) – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K. Hey, props to Taijuan for sitting a tick up, but that’s just 92.4 mph, not 94.2. He could easily get a shot with the Phillies early if Ranger Suárez isn’t fully ready and I wish him the best of luck as I watch far away from my fantasy teams.
Bowden Francis (TOR) – 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 4 K. Ouch. He leaned heavily into the splitter in this one with four-seamers elevated at 91.4 mph (-1.5 ticks) and they jumped on his heater a ton. The slider and curve didn’t help, either, and the sub 60% strike rate on the splitter made things tougher for Francis, even if the pitch went 5/26 whiffs. I’m still out on Francis, even if there were some good moments here and the intent is a bit better.
Max Scherzer (TOR) – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 6 K. Jeezz, nine whiffs on four-seamers + changeups?! That’s fun to see, with his slider working per usual as well. I wish the Jays had a better early schedule with a ton of quality opponents the first month, though maybe I’m overthinking it…
Jackson Jobe (DET) – 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K. The fella was quoted to say he’s starting to rear back and focus less on nibbling the edges for the perfect pitch. That’s cool n all, but can you do so without two walks and going 0/11 cutter whiffs? I can’t help but be a bit worried that he’s not destroying batters as much as his stuff suggests it should, but then again, he only threw four curveballs and batters can’t hit his 96/97 mph sinker. SO FINE.
Brant Hurter (DET) – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K. Welp. That sinker got hit and it didn’t get hit at all last year. THE DREAM IS DEAD.
Zac Gallen (AZ) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 3 K. The velocity was back down to 91.3 (-2.5) and his fastball command was spotty at best. He’s not ready for the year quite yet and I’m a little scared he won’t be ready in time.
Jordan Montgomery (AZ) – 0.1 IP, 5 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 K. Oh dear. JorMont was down nearly three ticks to 89.0 mph on the sinker. This is bad.
Shane Smith (CWS) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K. This dude. 97 mph heaters (empty velocity – it has poor vert and mid attack angle with a slightly good extension) with 91 mph sliders and changeups he can’t put over the plate. I wonder if Shane will start over Bryse Wilson at this point…probably not, right? He’s a deep league sleeper after the spring he’s had.
Nick Nastrini (CWS) – 2.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K. Whoa, a 68% strike rate on four-seamers?! And…WHAT. 12/27 whiffs on sliders?! That’s absurd. To do that and return just two strikeouts is kinda hilarious and so Nastrini. That slider is all he has going for himself, sadly, and I wouldn’t bank on this panning out. He needs his velocity to head north of 95 again with that strike ability he’s rarely shown.
Grant Taylor (CWS) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 6 K. Well howdy, partner. Tayor is super over the top at…98 mph. With 7.4 feet of extension. Thing is, his four-seamer returned 2/9 strikes. His curve and cutter found the zone aplenty to make up for it and I feel like we have to be super aware of the dude who just fanned six batters in two innings with 7.4 feet extension and 98 mph velocity at 1.5 HAVAA and two secondary pitches for strikes. 8/26 whiffs on curveballs and cutters that are so deceptive with his high arm angle. That’s a legit curve at 85 mph with -13 inches of drop. THIS GUY IS SO GOOD.
Tyler Glasnow (LAD) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K. Aces gonna ace. He’s good to go.
Yu Darvish (SD) – 2.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K. Not his best, but the velo is there and that’s all I care about. Let’s move on.
Luis Ortiz (CLE) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K. The command was a bit wonky and his velocity is a little down. Ortiz has had a shaky spring but he still has a rotation spot in Cleveland as far as we know. Let’s hope he improves in season.
JP Sears (ATH) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER , 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K. Whoa, he’s up velocity! 93.2 mph four-seamers (+1.3 ticks) with a heavy focus on sweepers to LHB. The changeup and slider showed up against RHB (kinda meh?) but he’s still super flat at 1.6 HAVAA that makes me want him to go upstairs with the four-seamer instead of missing middle-height so often. One day.
Statcast Games – No TV
MIN vs. BOS
TEX vs. KC
COL vs. ATH
MIA vs. NYM
Chris Paddack (MIN) – 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K. I still don’t think his arsenal is good enough, sadly. Cool to see two-plane four-seamer movement with seven feet of extension, but at 93/94 with a splitter and poor sliders and curves are a bit too meh for me.
Sean Newcomb (BOS) – 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K. This feels like the end of Ferris Buehler. Wait, you’re still here?!
Jacob deGrom (TEX) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K. deGrom sat 97 mph and spotted his slider beautifully at 90 mph. He also told reporters that it’s smarter for him to sit 97 mph than to sit 100 mph. He’s the guy you love so dear. Draft him.
Adrian Houser (TEX) – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K. The velocity jump is still real at 94.9 mph (+2.4) and I’ll still mention that Houser is set up to steal starts this year. Not the worst AL-Only option.
Daniel Lynch IV (KC) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K. A strikeout an inning is cool, but the fastball is still blegh and I don’t think he’s made the gains to suggest a breakout.
Chase Dollander (COL) – 1.2 IP, 5 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 1 K. Yikes. His heater found strikes, but none of his secondaries could do the same. It’ll happen, Dollander, welcome to professional ball.
Bradley Blalock (COL) – 1.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 K. Not a good day for Blalock, either. He’ll likely be in the rotation to start the year with Gomber on the shelf. No, you obviously shouldn’t go for this.
Mason Barnett (ATH) – 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K. He got the pearl and went 93/94 mph four-seamer with sweepers. It’s fine, maybe worth a stream if he’s starting regularly.
Max Meyer (MIA) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K. Is the velocity still there? YOU BET IT IS. 95.8 mph four-seamers (+1.8 ticks), though his slider is just under 90 mph now at 89.5 (+1.4 ticks). He’s also leaning upstairs with those four-seamers to RHB, while the slider is cooking at 4/7 whiffs. There’s also a sweeper to RHB that he’s hanging a bit, the changeup isn’t spotted to LHB super well, and the sinker needs to get further inside to RHB, BUT I DON’T CARE. Those are skills I trust Meyer to gain with more time, while the intent and velocity are massive boosts. Sign. Me. UP.
David Peterson (NYM) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K. Velocity is slightly down and that’s fine, but sadly the changeup and slider were not the pitches we want them to be. 0/16 whiffs on both isn’t the feel we’re hoping for. There’s still plenty of time n all and it’s the thing to focus on at the start of the year for Peterson.
No Statcast – TV
WSH vs. STL
ATL vs. PIT
CHC vs. SEA
SF vs. KC
MIL vs. LAA
DJ Herz (WSH) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 K. He’s trying to avoid demotion to Triple-A and at least he didn’t walk the farm this time. He’s not in the minors yet. Ayyyy.
Steven Matz (STL) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 3 K. Cool.
Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K. Not the best day at the park for Mr. Crescendo. So it goes.
Matthew Boyd (CHC) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K. I have high hopes for Boyd this year as a sneaky 15-teamer option. I hope he’s just working on some things.
Cade Horton (CHC) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K. Hey, he’s back! I’m glad he’s back on the bump after his shoulder problems. Curious where the velocity is.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) – 1.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K. Ouch, hope’s he okay…? I’m sure he is.
Keaton Winn (SF) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K. Don’t overlook Winn as a waiver wire add this year when he grabs a rotation spot. There’s a solid mix of splitters and sliders in here.
Michael Wacha (KC) – 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K. Blegh. Whatever, spring, right?
Ross Stripling (KC) – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 0 K. I wonder if he gets released and the Yankees or Orioles sign him. That’s the world we live in.
Elvin Rodríguez (MIL) – 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K. The Brewers need depth and Elvin was hoping to provide some. Welp, I guess not…? Maybe they sign Stripling…
Tyler Anderson (LAA) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K. Sure, that’s Tyler.
No Statcast – No TV
BAL vs. TB
HOU vs. NYY
Charlie Morton (BAL) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K. Hey, that’s a Morton at 95 mph. Fun.
Roansy Contreras (BAL) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K. I guess the Orioles and Yankees need Contreras now…? What a world.
Mason Montgomery (TB) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K. He’s so good. As a reliever. Sigh.
Hayden Wesneski (HOU) – 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K. Great outing for Hayden, though I’m not sold he’ll produce consistently with his arsenal.
Allan Winans (NYY) – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 0 K. Hey, the Yankees are hurting. Winans, Carrasco, Brubaker…we may see them get a start once or twice. I know.
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.Carlos Carrasco – The Yankees' savior?Taj Bradley – Command good?Ranger Suárez – Velo still down at 88/89?Richard Fitts – IS HE REAL?! 96/97?
— Nick Pollack (@nickpollack.pitcherlist.com) 2025-03-09T14:21:39.813Z