Spring Training has arrived and as I’ve been writing daily notes for myself to recap all spring training starting pitchers, 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
Dylan Cease was traded to the San Diego Padres for Drew Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte, and two other prospects. It has a pair of repercussions – Jhony Brito and Matt Waldron are now fighting for just one rotation spot (I’m leaning Brito).
In addition, the White Sox are also moving Michael Kopech back to the bullpen. It’s the right move, though it does leave some holes to fill in the rotation. The Cease trade already opened the door for another spot in the White Sox rotation and now there’s room for two new faces. Garrett Crochet is assured a spot now (pick him up as a spec add!), while Chris Flexen has the security of the SP #4 spot. The fifth spot could be Drew Thorpe or Nick Nastrini, the latter of whom would be an instant pickup if confirmed to start – over Crochet.
There’s also this tweet that I don’t want to be true. Please don’t be true.
Gerrit Cole is expected to be out 1-2 months at least (likely longer as he is being shut down and will need to ramp up again) and is undergoing more tests on his elbow. If the Yankees don’t make a deal or signing, it’s a battle for the SP #5 spot between Will Warren, Clayton Beeter, and Luis Gil. I personally hope it’s Gil and his elite four-seamer, but the favorite at the moment is Warren. His first start would be against the Diamondbacks and there are worse streams if that’s what you’re looking for.
Another option for both the White Sox and Yankees is signing Michael Lorenzen, who both the White Sox and Yankees have been rumored to check-in on. Bboth teams have lost rotation depth recently and while this generally makes sense, it’s not nearly as fun for both, of course.
Eury Perez left his start with the same fingernail issue as last time. I believe the Marlins will take it slower this time, pushing back his timeline a week or two into the season. This shouldn’t be a long term issue – at least it helps depress his innings a little at the start of the year, right?
Alek Manoah is throwing a bullpen next week as his shoulder is feeling better.
Gavin Williams will start the year on the IL with elbow discomfort. He has yet to touch a mound since hurting his elbow during his daily weighted ball routine. The MRI did not show structural damage, suggesting Williams could miss just a start or two at the start of the year. I’m still in here.
JP France will make his spring debut this weekend and will toss roughly three frames and 50 pitches. It should make him ready for about 70 pitches at the start of the year, if not up to 80 if he’s able to throw on opening day and ramp up for his fifth spot in the rotation.
Daniel Espino is getting shoulder surgery again and will miss all of the 2024 season. Absolutely brutal. Poor guy.
Expected Rotations By Team
Statcast Games – TV
DET vs. PHI
BOS vs. NYY
PIT vs. TOR
HOU vs. NYM
Jack Flaherty (DET) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Well how about that. Flaherty’s pitch separation was fantastic, with four-seamers high, sliders down-and-gloveside with legit precision, and that heater is comfortably sitting 94 mph as he varied speeds from 92 mph to 97 mph instead of getting progressively gassed through the start. Much better. Does that mean I’m in on Flaherty now? Not exactly – I still wonder if that heater is legit at 94 mph and I’m not sold his slider command will be like this more often than not, but at least we’re on the upward trend now.
Aaron Nola (PHI) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. He focused on changeups and they were far better than the regular affair from last season. We’ve seen that before, though, so let’s hope it sticks. Still hoping for a few more high four-seamers (his sole run came on one pumped down the pipe 0-0, just elevate it yoooooo), but he seems to be in a good place. 4/5 cutter strikes is good enough.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. So I have yet to see the whirlybird sweeper do the things it was doing in the second half of last season and I’m getting a little worried about it. That said, the cutter was legit here and that may be enough – just get me a third pitch outside the curve and four-seamer to get strikes (and some whiffs!) and he should be solid.
Carlos Rodón (NYY) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. Okay, we’re up to sitting 94/95 mph for Rodón, which is getting closer to the 95/96 target, but 6/68 whiffs is a bit underwhelming and I’m still waiting for that start to showcase he still has it in the tank. If it’s not the next one, we should take a hard moment to really think about this.
Roansy Contreras (PIT) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 Hits, 6 BBs, 3 Ks. Womp womp. This ain’t it.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks. He threw eight different pitches and earned whiffs on many of them. Yep, this is the Bassitt of last year.
Cristian Javier (HOU) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. No data. But you said Statcast! The Mets have been messy with their Statcast data for the first three frames and it’s driving me up the wall. SO WHATEVER. I watched it and the changeup! It’s legit! I’m really encouraged by this from Javier as he still has a fantastic four-seamer and needs just one of his secondaries to get him strikes when batters are on the heater. It used to be the slider and it failed him often last year, but now it looks like the changeup can be a legit addition to give him a higher floor start-to-start. UP THE DRAFT BOARDS YOU GO.
Luis Severino – (NYM) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. There were some nice moments with the four-seamer and slider, but I’m still a little skeptical that the heater is all that great and that he has the electricity we’re looking for. Well, at worst he’s a Toby, right? I guess so. He’ll get the Brewers + @ Cincy for this first two starts, though, and I think I’d rather just pass on this.
Statcast Games – No TV
STL vs. MIN
WSH vs. MIA
COL vs. ARI
Zack Thompson (STL) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. He’s three ticks down from last season and got through this one with a ton of sliders and curves in the zone. That heavy 50%+ breaker usage with a 70% strike rate is great, but that dwindling heater makes this not something I’m interested in chasing. He’s the SP #5 if Sonny Gray isn’t ready and the next arm up otherwise.
Louie Varland (MIN) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. JUST. LET. HIM. START. The four-seamer is above-average in all areas you want (save for its flat-ness, which is average) and now that its sitting 95/96 mph as a starter (not reliever!), I’m loving that he can keep it upstairs for a 12% SwStr rate with his cutter and slider earning a ton of strikes below. This is the way. Let. Him. START.
Jake Irvin (WSN) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. Hey, that’s cool! And he’s throwing ~96 mph now! Sadly, the four-seamer shape is still questionable and there isn’t a whole lot else in the arsenal. I’m out.
Eury Pérez (MIA) – 0.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks. He left this one early with the same fingernail issue as last time. Sigh. If I were the Marlins, I’d take this one very slow, and considering they were already going to limit his innings in some fashion this season, why not make that a few weeks into the season and let this heal properly? Yes, this would mean Trevor Rogers, A.J. Puk, and Ryan Weathers all have secure rotation spots, and maybe even Max Meyer getting an earlier shot than expected. That is, if Eury does hit the IL to start the year (which is kinda great for your fantasy leagues, FYI. Instead of Eury getting limited, you get to maximize his production when on the field and stash him for free on the IL when he’s not pitching).
Sixto Sánchez (MIA) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks. Hey, he sat 97 mph! Flirted with 99 mph! And had meh overall command and only went four-seamer/changeup. But at least he’s pitching again!
Tanner Gordon (COL) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. COL story, bro.
Carson Palmquist (COL) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Col stro–ohhh right! This is one of the top Colorado pitching prospects and you’ll see him in the Spring Breakout series this weekend. So, he throws hard? Ummm, it’s 91 mph from the left side. What. But it’s a cool cutter and sweeper! Nick. Okay okay okay.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks. All looks normal here. More cutters and sliders than usual with fewer changeups as he’s likely working on them when he gets the chance. All good.
No Statcast – TV
MIN vs. TBR
LAA vs. KCR
SEA vs. LAD
Brendan McKay (TBR) – 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks. It’s him! Annnnnd he’s not there. But at least he’s around again!
Reid Detmers (LAA) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Four of those strikeouts came on the slider, including a beautiful backfoot to a RHB. If that slider is cooking, he could return another season of a ~24% strikeout rate, though I’m still terrified of that heater and his overall volatility. And, you know, The Angels.
Daniel Lynch IV (KCR) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks. He has solid extension, but I sadly don’t think there’s enough in the arsenal that takes advantage of it. No velocity here, so until it’s 95 mph, I’m out.
Casey Lawrence (SEA) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks. Yeah, this isn’t a guy to focus on with a properly locked Mariners rotation. Let’s move on.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks. The curve is being used as a strikeout pitch (sweet!) while the fastball is still not the overpowering pitch we wanted it to be. From what I’ve watched of Yamamoto thus far, I stand by my rank from Monday. He’s going to be productive for the Dodgers, especially once he gets settled in, but he’s not bullying batters. There’s that lack of electricity missing and that can be fine if you’re expecting 180+ innings (Logan Webb!), but when we expect around 140-150, that’s not enough to be Top 10.
No Statcast – No TV
ATL vs. BAL
CHC vs. CLE
CIN vs. SFG
OAK vs. SDP
CHW vs. MIL
Bryce Elder (ATL) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks. Ohhhhh. Elder, if you’re not up for it, it’s alright. We get it. You did so well last year, you deserve a rest. HEY! PATRICK! BRING THAT REYLO KID INTO MY OFFICE.
Cole Irvin (BAL) – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks. He wasn’t feeling like himself and let’s see how he recovers next time out. If all goes well, he’s set up for a start against the Royals in Waltimore and that could be a solid stream – especially if he finds himself as the SP #4 instead of SP #5, which would have him heading to Pittsburgh for his second start of the year. Either him or Tyler Wells…
Kyle Hendricks (CHC) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Meh. I don’t see a need to chase this, personally. Too little reward for the clear risk.
Hayden Wesneski (CHC) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. With Jameson Taillon possibly needing an extra week to recover from throwing out his back, Wesneski may piggyback with Javier Assad or Drew Smyly at the end of the Cubs rotation as they host Rockie Road. I don’t think the volume will be enough to justify this, but it at least makes you think.
Tanner Bibee (CLE) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. Blegh. No data or video makes me sad as I’m curious if this was a product of trying new things or poor locations. Can’t make a move based on this, of course.
Frankie Montas (CIN) – 3.0 IP 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks. He’ll start opening day against the Nationals and I’m awfully blegh about it. I need to see a locked in Montas before trusting him in Cincy.
Mason Black (SFG) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks. He’s trying to earn a rotation spot and I’m starting to wonder if it’ll go to Daulton Jeffries instead at this rate. Keep tabs on it if you’re in an NL-Only.
Ross Stripling (OAK) – 3.2 IP, 8 ER, 13 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks. They just let him hang out there and work on whatever he needed to do. Yikes.
Joe Musgrove (SDP) – 4.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks. Look at this guy. After two atrocities and in his final tune up before next week’s Korea series, Musgrove shows us he’s all good to go. My. MAN.
Adrian Morejon (SDP) – 0.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks. He’s someone to know about throughout the year as he gets innings in the minors to showcase his stamina and health, but hot dang, this was not a fun day at the park.
Erick Fedde (CHW) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks. Hmmmm. He may be the opening day starter now with Cease gone and at least that will help make a very early decision in-season if Fedde is worth our time. As of now, it’s not looking like he’s far enough apart from his time in Washington to demand your draft pick, but don’t rule it out until we get legit data and video. You’re not happy about this, are you. I AM NOT HAPPY. I’m bashful.
Bryce Wilson (MIL) – 3.0 IP, 9 ER, 12 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks. Sooooo, not gonna start for the Brew Crew, right?
What To Watch on TV Today
SPs to watch on TV today #SpringSPnotes
Updates daily via Plus Pitch Podcast & SP Roundup article.
CADE POVICH VS PAUL SKENES Y'ALL
Chris Sale – All good?
Zack Littell – Good pitch separation?
Ranger Suárez – In rhythm? I.e. spotting pitches?
Josh Winckowski – Solid SP #7…— Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) March 14, 2024