Welcome to the ultimate guide to drafting Starting Pitchers for 2026 Fantasy Baseball. I’ve ranked the Top 400 (actually 430…) starting pitchers for the year ahead in an attempt to determine every SP who could help your fantasy teams this season.
However, before you scroll down to the Top 1-20, it’s incredibly important that you read this introduction. It highlights how I rank pitchers and why this is not a projection of the end of season Player Rater. It’s my strategy of how I draft pitchers, embracing the burn and churn nature of the game.
Remember, these ranks are based on a 12-teamer, 5×5 roto format. Adjust accordingly to your situation. I’ve also added the Top 100 SP table at the bottom of this article.
For a table of the entire 400 SP (really 430!) and to read this article Ad-Free (or to simply support me for putting all of this together!), make sure to subscribe to PL+ or PL Pro where I have these rankings inside a massive Google Sheet, with my blurbs included. You can access the sheet inside our subscriber Discord.
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Read The Notes
Tier 33 – No Job And It’s Meh (Cont’d)
301. Colin Rea (CHC, RHP)
He was a surprise streamer/pick up when he replaced Justin Steele in the rotation last season and you can thank his four-seamer’s shocking skill against RHB for his success. No, I don’t believe it’ll go 70%+ strikes with a 12% SwStr rate and sub 40% ICR for another year in a row. The rest of his attack to RHB was fine, with sinkers failing to get inside a ton, and sweepers missing a handful of bats and mitigating hard contact. It wasn’t fun watching Rea square up against LHB, though. He reached into his back pocket to pull out a splitter over 20% of the time, which didn’t return the CSW needed to be a strong #2 offering (21% CSW?! Yikes.), leaving the hittable four-seamer and called-strike-focused curveball to do the rest. In short, he’ll struggle against LHB and likely regress to RHB, and all we can hope for is Rea to be good enough to stream on a random night or two across the year. The Cubs sure don’t want to rely on another 160 frames from Rea this season.
Quick Take: Rea was a fantasy savior for many deep-league teams last season. Don’t expect a replication in 2026 with clear regression coming for his four-seamer, and a LHB attack that is sure to create many disaster outings when he’s given the pearl in the first. He’s a streamer at best.
302. Javier Assad (CHC, RHP)
I still don’t understand how Assad gets away with it. He throws sinkers, cutters, and sweepers to RHB that are average at best that convert enough outs to return solid ERA marks, while his attack to LHB comes with high sinkers, poor cutters, and a sub 2% SwStr four-seamer that allows all the hard contact. It really shouldn’t work. We can spin all the narratives we want that He just knows how to sequence and work the edges when he needs to, etc. but in reality, pitchers like Assad do not work out in a large enough sample. At the moment, the Cubs are likely to turn to either Assad or Rea for innings when they inevitably have a hole to fill, and I preach caution to those considering a pickup of any kind, outside of a streaming opportunity after they’ve proven they can go 80+ pitches of quality.
Quick Take: Assad has Koufax to thank for never returning an ERA above 3.75 in his career, though his luck is sure to run out with his average offerings. After a 15% strikeout rate in 2025 with a WHIP that you have to convince yourself to digest and low volume that caps his Win potential, Assad’s only value comes in the form of the hope for a sub 4.00 ERA once again.
303. Jonathan Cannon (CHW, RHP)
When Cannon is able to actually locate his sinker, cutter, four-seamer, and changeup, it’s a pretty thing. Some games it’s an email that never arrives, another a fleeting breeze you wish would stay, and on the rare evening, it’s the smart commuter you follow when the trains are messed up, and they’re going to the same stations as you. Oh, I thought this was going to be bad, but it’s taken care of! Today’s a good day! Cannon should not be relied upon to be the wily, crafty command arm needed without impressive fastballs, and during drafts, he’s a dart-throw for AL-Only leagues desperate for potential QS arms. He’s not even guaranteed a rotation spot after a back strain last season. Expectations should be awfully low.
Quick Take: The best version of Cannon is a command arm who can efficiently pitch through six frames. That ideal is similar to my vision of opening a can of tuna for my cat, which never comes with perfectly scraping her food out of the can and preserving the non-fish smell from the kitchen. The day is unlikely to ever arrive.
304. Walker Buehler (SDP, ADD THS)
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305. Bradley Blalock (MIA, RHP)
Blalock arrives from Colorado and fits squarely into Miami’s high-arm-angle collection. The interesting wrinkle is the Coors adjustment. When you see 17-18 inches of vert on his four-seamer, half his games were played at altitude, which strips roughly three inches of vertical break. Adjust for that and his true vert sits closer to 18.5-19 inches, a legitimately impressive number. But the same arm-angle concern applies: from his release point, hitters expect that ride, which diminishes the perceived advantage. The secondaries are unremarkable.
Like the rest of this group, not a fantasy target.
Quick Take: The Coors-adjusted vert is genuinely impressive at roughly 19 inches, but the high arm angle neutralizes the deception and the secondaries don’t support a fantasy profile.
306. Eric Lauer (TOR, LHP)
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307. Caleb Kilian (SFG, RHP)
Oh snap, he’s with the Giants now?! Kilian has been plauged by injuries and in the single frame of spring so far, he’s been at 95/96 mph with poor movement and a 91/92 mph cutter that he should clearly lean more into. The dream feels dead, though. It’s too bad.
308. Patrick Sandoval (BOS, LHP)
There’s a chance The Irish Panda is in the starting rotation for the Red Sox to begin the year, even though he won’t be their best option. Why? Well, it’s because the Red Sox signed him for a two-year, $18 Million dollar contract, including Sandoval’s 2025 season of TJS rehab. Oh no. Yeaaaah. Personally, I see it as sunk cost, but the Red Sox could easily view this as found money, where Sandoval gives them a few starts in April and if it’s simply not going well, they move on. They are committed at this point, so why not give it a shot, right?
The counterpoint is simple: Because he’s been terrible. Sandoval has been a SWATCH across his career, but without the necessary element of a good fastball he can rely upon for strikes. The slider has been a weapon in the past to LHB, but it fell off dramatically in 2023 and 2024 and I do not expect it to return instantly after returning from surgery.
Fenway’s offensive boost comes in the form of baserunners, with the Green Monster and their deep right field limiting the long ball in favor of far more doubles. In other words, Sandoval’s historically ghastly WHIP does not have fortune on its side to return the first sub 1.20 mark of his career. In fact, Sandoval has held a sub 1.34 WHIP just once in six seasons. Good ole high walk rate + elevated BABIP due to a hittable sinker.
It’s clear that I’m out on Sandoval, though I have an open mind. I’m ready to witness the new Irish Panda in the spring and across his first starts and I’ll report back if we should forget everything we know about mattresses Patrick. Maybe the Red Sox will push a cutter as they have with so many others and it’ll be everything Sandoval needed. I may even be convincing myself now that sinker/slider to LHB + cutter/change is all Sandoval needs to do – the sinker has done well to LHB in the past, even without the best command – but the question of control and command haunts.
Quick Take: With the Red Sox on the hook for $18 million, Sandoval will likely get an early chance to impress in the rotation. Opportunity is one of the most valuable assets of a fantasy starter and who knows, maybe the Irish Panda can seize the moment and show us two great secondaries with a serviceable fastball and new cutter for strikes.
309. Shinnosuke Ogasawara (WAS, LHP)
Ogasawara was signed last year by the Nationals for SP Depth and he only returned a pair of starts in July before heading back to the minors and returning for twenty-one appearances out of the pen to end the season. His best pitch is a slow 80 mph changeup that generates soft contact to RHB, but everything else? Bleeegh. The four-seamer is too susceptible to damage to be a SWATCH and he struggles to earn enough strikes with his slider and curve to LHB, as if he’s failing to keep his head above water during the rest period of a pond race. Maybe he’s good for a stream at some point, I guess.
310. Mitchell Parker (WAS, LHP)
On paper, I see a 93 mph four-seamer with 17″ of vert and nearly seven feet of extension and I perk up. Then I remember he has a 61-degree arm angle (i.e. vert isn’t as effective as it looks) and Parker features questionable command. At least he has a deadly slider to deal with LHB, yeah? Maybe he can also use that slider against RHB…You know, he had a mini stretch of about six games where he tried it out, and it worked for two games before it started failing him, then 6/20 whiffs against the Phillies…with three hits and a HR ended the experiment at the end of August. Bummer. I still think that’s his best hope given the inconsistency of his curve and splitter, but even if he is trying to make it work this year, it’s not a massive ceiling to reach for. This is, of course, assuming he’s the #5 starter for the Nationals, which could go to Lord or Ogasawara or Eder instead.
311. Jake Irvin (WAS, RHP)
Despite all the digs at the Nationals for having Irvin as the possible opening day starter after a 5.70 ERA last season, he isn’t that bad. He gets his sinker inside to RHB with a decent curveball that can be stellar when he gets into a rhythm, which often comes with the four-seamer actually staying upstairs in two-strike counts to amplify his 7.1 feet of extension. LHB is a different story, though said four-seamer was actually productive against them in 2023 and 2024…it’s the other two itches that are consistently underwhelming. Unless Irvin shows up with a refined changeup, extra velocity, or a new pitch to help limit poor pitches filling the gaps, Irvin will be a deep-league streamer for those who need to gamble on six innings.
Quick Take: Irvin has a few interesting tools – great extension, a sinker that works to RHB, and a good curveball – but not enough firepower to suggest he can become recurring member of your rosters.
312. Keider Montero (DET, RHP)
Montero has a great approach against RHB – a legit 22% SwStr slider with a 70%+ strike rate paired with a sinker he can get inside and induces plenty of outs – and very little to deal with LHB. He’s been used as the Tigers’ favorite “Welp, we need a guy out of nowhere who can give us 4+ innings” arm and expect more of the same this year. I wouldn’t expect him to be a blocker for Melton at any point, and there are going to be a few days you can stream him as the bulk guy with a follower.
313. Roddery Muñoz (HOU, RHP)
I have a soft spot for Muñoz, who has a vicious 87/88 mph slider with more drop than most, 95+ mph heaters, and a 92 mph cutter he features as his main pitch to LHB on the inner half. His poor extension and deadzone four-seamer movement makes it a pitch reserved for the upper third against LHB when sitting cutters, and his sinker does a good job of finding the right spots of the zone with decent ride, creating a good enough foundation for 40%+ sliders to cook. There isn’t enough pizzazz to get stoked for him when he gets a proper opportunity, but I see above-average command and a fantastic slider with good velocity and a solid cutter. That can work, right?
314. Bailey Falter (KAN, LHP)
You’re still here? Go to the Rays! But seriously, he has seven feet of extension and an arsenal that doesn’t know what to do with it. His high arm slot creates some vert and cut on his pitches, but he doesn’t locate them particularly well, nor does he have a secondary pitch he can rely upon for whiffs. Maybe it’ll appear at some point, and I’d hold off until then. His slider had a 53% strike rate with a 13% SwStr rate to LHB, after all.
315. Daniel Lynch IV (FA, ADD THS)
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316. Cal Quantrill (TEX, LHP)
Watch Quantrill come out of nowhere and snatch the SP #5 spot. It wouldn’t make any sense given his last year of value came in 2022, but maybe the splitter and cutter feel is there, or velocity peaks or something. He’s the UnQuantrillfiable, after all. Nick. Okay fine, but just know he’s there.
317. Dietrich Enns (BAL, LHP)
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318. Kyle Hart (SDP, LHP)
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Tier 34 – Stud Likely 2028 Prospect
319. Kyson Witherspoon (BOS, RHP, ROK, Age 21) – Watch Video
Drafted in 2025, we haven’t seen Witherspoon pitch yet, and we should not expect to see him until 2027 at the very earliest. The scouting reports love him, touting a mid-to-upper 90s heater with a mid-80s slider and high-80s cutter (you know I dig that), while working on a curve and changeup. He could quickly rise up the system and have us excited for next season if he displays stellar control with his electric stuff.
320. Braylon Doughty (CLE, RHP, Age 20) – Watch Video
Drafted in 2024, Doughty fanned 99 batters in 85.1 innings of his first year of professional ball in Single-A last season, utilizing a low-to-mid 90s heater and a pair of breakers with elite spin. There’s more apparent upside in his arm at 20 years old than most in the organization and he’s an arm to keep an eye on, especially if he gets promoted to Double-A out of camp. I’m curious if he’s added polish and can keep his velocity up when he’s allowed to consistently travel more than five innings.
321. Argenis Cayama (SFG, RHP, Age 19) – Watch Video
At just ninteen years old, Cayama is further along than expected, boasting few walks in his 62.1 innings of 2025 with a low-to-mid 90s fastball and a decent slider + changeup. We’re hoping for more to come as he ages, and don’t expect him in the bigs until 2027 at the very earliest.
322. Zachary Root (LAD, LHP) – Watch Video
Root was drafted in 2025 by the Dodgers and has yet to make his professional debut. He’s a stellar southpaw (126 strikeouts in nearly 100 college frames) whose strength comes from a polished four-pitch mix over explosive stuff, sitting low-to-mid 90s with a big hook as his strikeout offering, though the breaker’s success may not carry over into the bigs (it’s rare to see curveballs as strikeout pitches given the lower velocity). There’s little to no hope Root finds the majors in 2026, but you should know that he exists for the trade deadline and the possible 2027/2028 call-up. The Dodgers have so much pitching talent, it’s bonkers.
323. Adam Serwinowski (LAD, LHP, AA) – Watch Video
He has a funky delivery as a southpaw, with short arm action and an unusual timing as he turns his back foot to extend toward the plate. At first glance, it seems like a shorter extension, but reports are average, if not better, and his oddity and overall stuff with mid-to-upper 90s velocity (he hit triple digits?!) helped him carve 136 strikeouts in nearly 109 frames on two different A+ teams last season. Per usual, he has a near-4.50 BB/9 with a typical case of stuff-over-execution, but you need to know the name. He doesn’t seem as chaotic as his contemporaries, opening the door for Serwinowski to become a legit southpaw stud in the future.
324. Christian Zazueta (LAD, RHP) – Watch Video
He’s an interesting one. The Dodgers acquired him in a deal for Caleb Ferguson from the Yankees, and while he lacks overpowering velocity in the low-to-mid 90s, his flat attack angle with sparkling control (16 walks in 67+ frames of Single-A) allowed him to collect 80 strikeouts and boast a low 1.04 WHIP and 2.44 ERA. There’s a changeup and slider both in the mid 80s as well, that he features good feel for and finds whiffs. There’s potential here, especially if the velocity climbs without sacrificing his ability to find the zone. I’d rule him out for 2026, though.
325. J.D. Thompson (MIL, LHP) – 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.
326. Dasan Hill (MIN, LHP) – Watch Video
We haven’t seen a whole lot from Hill, but hot dang is this guy legit…once he gets the control in order. He’s a southpaw who can sit 95 mph with a full arsenal. That’s really all I need to tell you, and at 20-years-old, he’ll have a season or two in the minors, polishing that command, and likely turning into a major stud for the Twins by 2029. As for 2027? I’d be shocked if they pushed a 20-year-old who has fewer than 60 professional innings and walk issues into the majors without a full season on the farm, but hey, weirder things have happened. If Hill gets the call this year, pick him up. Just do it.
327. Charlee Soto (MIN, RHP) – Watch Video
Soto underwent elbow surgery last season to remove bone spurs, ending his year with just 13 frames of A+ ball. It’s easy to be pessimistic about a call up this year, though his build certainly looks MLB ready. He throws ched at mid-to-upper 90s with a hard slider and splitter to match and all he really needs is a little more time on the bump before he’ll show up in Minnesota (and maybe something else that isn’t a splitter for LHB…). At such a young age and many options ahead of him, Soto is unlikely to debut this year, let alone next, but I’d sure love to see as soon as possible. Him and Hill look like a fantastic duo for the future Twins rotation.
328. Bryce Cunningham (NYY, RHP) – Watch Video
We haven’t seen a whole lot of Cunningham, who was drafted in 2024 and only pitched 54.1 innings in 2025 due to an undisclosed injury before some games in the AFL. He apparently has a good fastball and a super legit changeup + a decent sweeper, but without more experience, there’s little reason to believe he’ll make an appearance in 2026. Let’s wait for more exposure to pro ball before jumping on this.
329. Moises Chace (PHI, RHP, AA) – Watch Video
Man, I was so pumped for Chace this time last year. His four-seamer looked legit and I was hoping he’d get a crack at the rotation during the year. Then his velocity plummeted while his walk rate inflated, and the worst news came shortly after in May – Tommy John Surgery. It marks Chace out until 2027 at the earliest (he’ll need innings in the minors later this year if he returns in time), and here’s to hoping he has his old fastball with good control on the rest of his arsenal.
330. Antwone Kelly (PIT, RHP, AA) – Watch Video
There’s reliever risk with Kelly as a fastball-first arm with a whiffable secondary and not much else, especially with some questions of his slider control. He took a step forward in 2025 to grab a 27% strikeout rate with a sub 8% walk rate in 107.1 frames of A+ and AA, and climbed to triple digits in brief moments. Expect a move to Triple-A shortly and flirtation with a call-up by the end of the year if the arsenal fills out well.
331. Seth Hernandez (PIT, RHP, ROK) – Watch Video
Hernandez was selected 6th overall by the Pirates in 2025, armed with a mid-90s heater that can touch 97/98 mph. A spiked curve is a trusty companion as a legit hammer with proper depth, with a slider and change to fill out the package. He showcased great control in High School and he dominated the Dominican League over the winter, but we haven’t seen him face professional batters yet. I’d be shocked if Hernandez makes such an impression that he finds his way to Pittsburgh this season, let alone in 2028.
332. Bryan Balzer (SDP, RHP) – Watch Video
He’s a sinker/sweeper arm who can touch the upper 90s with a developing splitter that I wouldn’t trust. As with all of the type, Balzer will have to work on figuring out a cutter or four-seamer to deal with LHB, and ensure he can nail the sinker inside to RHB without fear. He’s not an option for this year.
333. Kash Mayfield (SDP, LHP) – Watch Video
The kid looks to be a SWATCH for the future with great feel that helped him return 88 strikeouts in just sixty frames in Single-A last season. With a likely bump to Double-A in the near future, stranger things have happened than a team promoting a young arm like Mayfield to the majors mid-season, and if that time comes, I’d spec-add him. The Padres are sure to have questionable arms starting for them this season and Mayfield could be a push they need to make.
334. Kruz Schoolcraft (SDP, LHP) – Watch Video
Drafted 25th overall by the Padres in 2025, we’ll likely have to wait a long time for Schoolcraft to get schooled and refine his craft. I’m so sorry. I needed to do it once and never again. He’s a massive dude at 6’8″ and touched 99 mph with seven feet of extension. He’s a potential elite SWATCH with a changeup in the arsenal, and as long as he throws strikes, he’ll be a legit prospect in time.
335. Kade Anderson (SEA, LHP, ROK) – Watch Video
Anderson has yet to pitch professional ball after drafted 15th overall by the Mariners in the first round of 2025’s draft. He has an NRI and I’m looking forward the data we get in the spring (all 30 parks will have Statcast!), He’s a southpaw with a strong arsenal and low-to-mid 90s heat that could improve quickly and turn him into a proper rotation arm in a short time. Like this year? Okay, not that short.
336. Tekoah Roby (STL, RHP, AAA) – Watch Video
Just when I started to get back into Roby with a tight arsenal he was able to replicate often and living in their distinct movement islands, he had elbow issues and will miss all of 2026 recovering from TJS. Welp, maybe one day.
337. Liam Doyle (STL, LHP) – Watch Video
The fifth overall pick in the 2025 draft, Doyle could make a convincing argument early to jump levels and appear in the majors given the Cardinals’ lack of convincing arms across their system. He earned over a 40% strikeout rate in his final college season, and with a fastball that can hit 100 mph from the left side, it’s difficult to argue against his ability to face major league talent. That said, a mid-80s slider isn’t quite the breaker you want to see with that kind of velo, and his feel for pitch + his upper-80s cutter leaves a bit to be desired. If he gets the call this season, it’ll be due to dominance in the lower levels and should be an auto-add. In all likelihood, we don’t see him until 2027 at the earliest.
338. Alejandro Rosario (WAS, RHP) – Watch Video
For some reason, Rosario, who we were told needed TJS around this time last season, underwent surgery in January 2026. We’ll just have to wait until 2028 at the earliest for him to appear, which is absurdly frustrating and even more puzzling to be a major piece in the MacKenzie Gore trade. Welp, here’s to being dope post-surgery.
339. Travis Sykora (WAS, RHP, AA) – Watch Video
He’s also disgusting, with all of the strikeouts via hard fastballs and legit breakers. Sadly, he underwent UCL surgery in August 2025, making him out until 2027 at least. Then why write him up here? Because he’s a big name and you should be informed. I GOT YOU.
340. Cam Caminiti (ATL, LHP, Age 19) – Watch Video
He’s a super young, cross-firing southpaw with some giddy-up on his heater and a solid horizontal breaker, while the changeup is coming along nicely as a harder-throwing SWATCH. I see Nick Lodolo in him and it’s hard not to quickly get enamored watching that video, though I wonder about his control with his cross-body mechanics. But he’s the Braves’ #1 prospect! Well, I get it, though I’d love to see some more data first. With the acceleration of Fuentes to the majors last season at his young age, it’s not out of the question for Caminiti to follow suit and get a surprise call this year. THAT SAID, Atlanta is unlikely to be in the same situation as last season, and they have more options among their farm than before. If Caminiti appears this year, he’s worth the spec add, but the chances are incredibly low.
341. Jamie Arnold (ATH, LHP, ROK, Age 21) – Watch Video
He just got drafted by the Athletics in 2025 and sits mid-90s with a flat release from the left side with a bit sweeper and a changeup that could turn him into a hard throwing SWATCH. Sadly, he’s far too young to consider for the 2026 season, but if he gets a late season callup by some miracle, he’s absolutely worth the spec add.
Tier 35 – If Job Would Be For Rockies
342. McCade Brown (COL, RHP)
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343. Tanner Gordon (COL, RHP)
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344. Antonio Senzatela (COL, RHP)
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345. Ryan Feltner (COL, RHP)
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Tier 36 – Hurt But You Forgot
346. Gunnar Hoglund (ATH, RHP)
I dig Hoglund and will be keeping a close eye on him. He’s not an arm to bank on out of drafts (is he fully recovered from his hip injury and locked into the rotation? Will he be in rhythm?), though his arsenal is an intriguing package with a firm command foundation to build upon. His 93/94 mph four-seamer has good vert (albeit with a steep arm angle) with a variety of offerings moving off it. His “slider” is actually a cutter he is likely to throw more in 2025 and finds its way inside with ease, the sweeper has big movement and could refine to be a proper weapon to RHB, his slowball is a kick-change that found a little too much of the zone to LHB last season, and his sinker is exactly what you want it to be: A plan of attack to jam RHB consistently. Give him more innings on the bump to polish his array and Hoglund looks prime to become a solid Toby if not a Holly in time.
Quick Take: He’s not as electric as others, but wide arsenal with strong command and a great approach has me intrigued. Hoglund can become a strong volume arm over time if he gets routine starts, which may come as soon as April. Keep an eye on Gunnar through 2025 and beyond.
347. Cody Bradford (TEX, LHP)
Bradford underwent internal brace surgery in June last year and could return near that time this season. He’s not a stash target, but the dude was a SWATCH a year before it was cool. Gotta love the 7.2 feet of extension and 17″ of vert helping the slow 89/90 mph four-seamer work upstairs, then landing the changeup away to both RHB and LHB, with the latter getting a healthy dose of sliders, too. It could work if he falls back into the rotation, and keep him in mind when searching for backup in early summer.
348. Jordan Montgomery (TEX, LHP)
Ayyyy, he’s back! And will be out for a bit as he undewent TJS before the 2025 season started. You know, I consider The Bear a mid-season pickup sleeper. Come on now. No, seriously. Do you realize that JorMont was a solid arm, then was horrible when he had half a season pitching injured? Then went on the IL, that led to TJS, and here we are. JUST SAYING. Maybe he can get back to going four-seamer, cutter, sinker, curve, change and be a legit SWATCH. Wouldn’t that be cool.
349. Christian Scott (NYM, RHP)
Scott sat out all of 2025 recovering from TJS and I’m excited to see if he picks up where he left off. The four-seamer is flat with seven feet of extension at 94/95 mph, which can work against LHB and RHB, while the sweeper is his signature offering that should make RHB spin in the box constantly. Against LHB, his slider cuts plenty of the sweeper movement and sits on the inside edge, while a splitter appears that Scott too often gets on the side of, pushing it outside for an easy take.
The four-seamer/breakers combo is a solid one and with an improved splitter or changeup, or even the slider adding velo to be more like a cutter, Scott could form into a quality arm capable of a 25%+ strikeout rate while flirting with five frames on a given night. However, if he struggles to eclipse 94 mph and fails to land the fastball upstairs frequently, Scott’s foundation will crumble, making him a HIPSTER more than anything. Let’s see what we get and take it from there, which will likely be a little bit given how long Scott has been away from the mound. Here’s to hoping he soars in a callup this summer.
Quick Take: Scott will need some time in Triple-A before making his next appearance in the majors after missing all of 2025 with TJS. If he gets the call this summer, ensure he’s sitting above 94 mph in Triple-A with good feel for elevation on his four-seamer, while the sweeper is whiffing RHB, and another offering can be relied upon for LHB.
350. DJ Herz (WAS, LHP)
Herz underwent TJS around this time last year and assuredly will find his way back to the rotation by the end of the season. He was trying to make the SWATCH life work last time around, though he wasn’t consistent with his command (in a rookie year, who could see that coming?!), while the prerequisite breaker to take down left-handers was a slider that didn’t do its part. In addition, I’m surprised there’s no sinker in sight despite getting 12″ of horizontal on his four-seamer, which would certainly help fend of LHB. I wouldn’t be shocked if it appeared upon return this year and there may be some sneaky value in Herz across the second half. Make sure to monitor him during his rehab this summer using our MiLB player card app if you’re a PL Pro member.
351. Jake Bloss (TOR, RHP)
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352. AJ Smith-Shawver (ATL, RHP)
I wasn’t thrilled to see AJSS lose a tick of velocity and become a four-seamer/splitter arm in the early months of the year, though he suddenly flattened his attack angle to open the door for upstairs whiffs with the heater. Sadly, he underwent TJS in June and should not be expected back in 2026. It’s possible he makes a return late in the year, but given his questionable ability when healthy, it’s a reach to expect production in a brief stint this season.
353. Nestor Cortes (FA, LHP)
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354. Tylor Megill (NYM, RHP)
The fella underwent TJS in late September this year, marking him firmly out for the 2026 season. Oh how I hope we see Tylord return in 2027 and spot 96+ mph four-seamers upstairs with sliders and changeups underneath with proper command. HOW I WISH.
355. Hayden Wesneski (HOU, RHP)
Wesneski is both intriguing and easily avoidable and someone to discuss entering 2027 after getting TJS in May of 2025. He breaks the Huascar Rule of having a really good sweeper and not much else, albeit a cutter he was embracing before injury to LHB, but that’s not enough. The fastballs are poor, even when they were 94 mph with seven feet of extension in 2024, and I’ll likely be out next year, too.
356. Ronel Blanco (HOU, RHP)
Blanco had TJS in June 2025 and you shouldn’t have any expectation he returns to the rotation by the end of 2026. Maybe as a reliever, where he can go all slider heavy he wants and have a ball. His game was “Can’t hit my fastball if I don’t throw my fastball in the zone” and then go back to the slider or changeup, which kinda fits for relief at the end of the year. We’ll see if he’s anything interesting for 2027.
357. Griffin Canning (SDP, RHP)
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358. Trevor Williams (WAS, RHP)
He underwent the Internal Brace procedure in July of last year and it’s my yearly reminder to tell you #NeverTrevor.
Tier 37 – Hammock Or Mound?
359. Jon Gray (FA, RHP)
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360. Wade Miley (FA, LHP)
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361. Tyler Anderson (FA, LHP)
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362. Patrick Corbin (FA, LHP)
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363. Charlie Morton (FA, RHP)
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364. Alex Cobb (FA, RHP)
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365. Michael Kopech (FA, RHP)
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366. Marcus Stroman (FA, RHP)
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367. Spencer Turnbull (FA, RHP)
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Tier 38 – Out For 2026 Just So You Know
368. Pablo López (MIN, RHP)
I’m not concerned about PabLó’s mild forearm strain at the end of last season – I asked him about it and he told me he would have returned to the mound if the season was a week or two longer – and all signs point to a normal off-season and spring as if nothing happened. Phew. The skills? Still solid, though there are a few tweaks I hope are made this year. He told me The changeup is always there during his 2024 interview, yet the pitch wasn’t there against LHB in 2025, featuring just a 52% strike rate and 11% SwStr rate despite throwing it nearly 30% of the time. Given the questionable sweeper and curve to LHB, that put too much weight on the four-seamer. That has to get better.
I also hope he doesn’t give in quite as much with his four-seamer. PabLó’s heater has some excellent qualities – 95/96 mph velocity, 7+ feet extension, 1.2 HAVAA, – but movement is not one of them. He’s routinely featured the pitch in the zone without fear and while that has kept his walk rates low over his career, I hope he can become a little picky with its location, with more high intent than in previous seasons. Why? Because it’ll make the separation between the pitch and his sinker that much more effective. In addition, batters freely swing at the pitch (keying in on it often), and playing with that approach a little more should work to his benefit.
Don’t worry about the injury last season and embrace López as a Holly if not more for 2026. His 23% strikeout rate will likely increase as the changeup’s form and sub 20% putaway rates on everything positively regress, while there’s hope for another level with a small tweak with his heaters. He may not have the greatest WHIP or another sub 3.00 ERA season, and that’s okay. He’ll be an SP #2/#3 all year.
Quick Take: I’m optimistic about PabLó’s health and ability to get his changeup working against LHB once again, while the strikeout rate should return to 25%+ with positive regression in putaway rates across the board. His four-seamer is still a bit more hittable than we’d like, and the sweeper’s feel can go in and out, but the overall package of great control, quality ratios, and likely 170 IP of 180+ strikeouts is a lovely addition to any team.
369. Logan Evans (SEA, RHP)
He got TJS before spring training. Welp, good luck Hancock, YOU GOT THIS! I feel for him – he really had a legit shot for innings this year given someone is bound to get hurt. He has a legit sinker with 18-19″ of ride and 4″ of vert with a proper cutter and sweeper. Not to say this was legit, but it could have been decent at least. Womp womp.
370. Reese Olson (DET, RHP)
UPDATE 2/10: Reese Olson is out for the 2026 season due to shoulder surgery. I’m leaving the blurb below as a reference point for 2027.
371. Bowden Francis (TOR, RHP)
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372. Yu Darvish (SDP, RHP)
Internal Brace – 10/29/25
373. John Means (KCR, LHP)
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374. Tanner Houck (BOS, RHP)
Houck underwent TJS in August and there’s no expectation for him to return in 2026. But let’s say he happens to make the speediest of recoveries – he’d still need to be stretched out and there would have to be a ton of turmoil in the Boston rotation for Houck to be considered as an option. When he does return, it’s imperative he has feel for his splitter to LHB, while keeping the phenomenal slider/sweeper and precision on his sinker. Hopefully a cutter appears in time to help with LHB.
375. Frankie Montas (FA, RHP)
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376. Alec Marsh (KAN, RHP)
I feel for Marsh. He got shoulder labrum surgery in November 2025 and is likely missing the entirety of the 2026 season. Why are you writing about him then? Because you need to know that you shouldn’t think about him. Oh. Makes sense. I got you.
377. Nabil Crismatt (TEX, RHP)
That changeup is so good. He sported it nearly 40% over the time for 71% strikes – 21% SwStr! – and had one of the highest changeup PLV marks out there at 5.42. Then there’s everything else. He sits 89 mph on his heaters and lacks a good breaking ball, turning him into a one-trick Rattler. It makes for a rare stream against a LHB lineup, but not someone to believe in regularly in the slightest.
Quick Take: It’s just a changeup from a RHP that can fluster batters at times, but with just 89 mph heaters and inconsistent command, he’s a rare streamer at best.
Tier 39 – The Rest Who Could Find Random Starts
These are not ranked but in order of their teams. It’s the rest of the arms I’ve written about who could appear for their respective teams for a game or two this year.
378. Blake Walston (ARI, LHP)
He’s recovering from March 2025 TJS. The Diamondbacks will have to be in an incredibly rough state to bring Walston back into the fold when he’s ready after just a few games on the bump in 2024. He’s a SWATCH on his best day, though the kick-change wasn’t consistent during his seven appearances and nothing else excites at all, save for a standard sweeper from a soft-tossing southpaw.
379. Tommy Henry (ARI, LHP)
First of all, two first names. CAN’T TRUST ‘EM. You also can’t quite trust a guy with sub 90 mph who isn’t Rich Hill or peak The Fratty Pirate. He hopes to lead with command of his four-seamer and curve, then go with the typical change/slider split depending on the handedness. It’s so blegh and he’s the kind of guy with a Birthday Party or two across a season.
380. Yu-Min Lin (ARI, LHP, AAA, Age 22) – Watch Video
The ideal is a “Swatch”, but he’s not close at the moment. His 90-92 mph heater was demolished plenty this season, while the changeup is not the elite pitch featured by many of his peers. The sweeper and curve can only do so much, especially if he doesn’t have the command necessary to survive in the low 90s.
Verdict: He’s still young and if he’s able to get his locations down with a proper slowball, it’s possible there’s more to tap into. It’s unwise to expect Lin to become a productive fantasy arm.
381. Yilber Díaz (ARI, RHP)
Díaz has an interesting set of breaking balls. The 81 mph slider and 75 mph curveball each come with elite drop to them, but their low velocities make me question their effectiveness. If they were closer to the 94/95+ mph four-seamer (average, if not below average by all accounts) and were reliable strike pitches, it’s possible he could turn into a Stuff McNasty where the fastball sneaks in for called strikes, though the likelihood of this panning out in its current form is incredibly low.
Quick Take: It’s unwise to expect Díaz to become anything worthwhile in any format this year, unless he finds a way to increase the velocity of his breakers and nailing an approach with his mediocre fastballs.
382. Bryce Jarvis (ARI, RHP)
Jarvis may get a look in the rotation (he tossed 5.2 frames in August), though he’s not there yet. His slider is his filthiest offering, but he doesn’t command it well, and his four-seamer is just not good. I can see him working out as sinker/slider over time, with something else instead of the four-seamer leading the way to LHB, including a changeup with a fair amount of movement and velocity differential. There’s just too much to fix here.
383. Cristian Mena (ARI, RHP)
We’ve barely seen Mena in the majors (just 9.2 IP in two seasons) and I’m not impressed with what he brings to the table. It’s a 94+ mph heater without much going on under the hood, a “curveball” that’s really a gyro slider at 88 mph, and an 87 mph “sweeper” with too much height and not enough sweep. He’ll have to be a different guy in the spring (and force a rotation spot!) if I’m going to give him any attention.
384. Joe Ross (ARI, RHP)
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385. Joey Estes (ATH, RHP)
Estes was sent to the minors shortly after the start of the year, returned in August and promptly underwent surgery on his back. Poor fella. He’s a soft tossing RHP with a generally wide arsenal and knack for finding the zone, which rarely spells worthwhile. The only hope is for Estes to have a sudden surge of velocity, though he already dropped from 92/93 mph in ’24 to 91 mph in ’25, and he needs to be 94/95 mph to at least create a chance to squeak by as a ‘Toby”. That’s not what you want.
386. Mason Barnett (ATH, RHP)
I can see Barnett working out more than the rest of the arms here, but that doesn’t mean it will. Barnett’s four-seamer is actually a cutter (2nd percentile horizontal movement, right on the y-axis divider), but he doesn’t wield it like one yet, refusing to jam LHB with the offering. He struggled to earn strikes to LHB as a result, while he flexed a few whiffable breakers to RHB that could make him intriguing if the cut-fastball can become a reliable #1 pitch. We may see him step into a starting role before June arrives and he has a better chance than others of becoming a boring producer.
387. Mitch Spence (KCR, RHP)
Note: This was written when Spence was on the Athletics, before he was traded to the Royals on 2/12.
I have a soft spot for Spence as a “discount Rasmussen” arm who has flexed a hard 93+ mph cutter in the past with a legit slider underneath. Sadly, he hasn’t had a secure rotation spot and his velocity has fallen to 90 mph with questionable command. But maybe one day…
388. Carlos Carrasco (ATL, RHP)
It was a weird year of Atlanta trying to find anyone to fill in their gaps in the rotation after their entire starting rotation went on the IL, and Carrasco found his way to the squad by the end of it. He’s still there as of now and could find a start or two if injuries arise once again, but in all likelihood, he’s let go before the season starts and hopes to find a random start or two on another squad. This is not the Carrasco of old, it’s the old Carrasco, who is doing everything he can to throw sliders and changeups for strikes and induce whiffs, hoping he doesn’t have to throw the paltry fastballs. The dartest of dart throws on a given night.
389. Brandon Young (BAL, RHP)
Remember the time Young held a perfect game with four outs to go in Houston? Welp, he followed it up with a disaster of 7 ER in 5.1 IP in a repeat matchup and that was the last we saw of the fella after going on the IL with a hamstring strain. His arsenal didn’t speak to replication of his magical evening, though there is some fun in a 94 mph heater with 17″ of vert and a splitter that earned a 70% strike rate to LHB last season. Sadly, the curve and slider provide little hype, and there just isn’t enough oomph for me to circle him. He has massive blowup potential without the necessary upside to make you risk it. And no, he’s not so young, he’ll turn 28 years old in August, reducing hope for another step of velocity or pitch growth to hook us.
390. Kyle Wright (CHC, RHP)
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391. Vince Velasquez (CHC, RHP)
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392. Ky Bush (CHW, LHP)
Bush debuted in 2024 with four starts, looked incredibly unimpressive, then underwent TJS in February of last season. When Bush returns, I expect him to go to the minors before making his MLB return, where he hopefully displays 92 mph velocity, the same seven feet of extension, and good feel for his cut-four-seamer, slider, curve, changeup mix to turn into a proper SWATCH. That would be fun.
393. Grant Taylor (CHW, RHP)
Taylor is Tyler Glasnow but with a four-seamer that actually misses bats and a flatter attack angle at 98+ mph. It’s pretty unreal. So what’s the issue? Well, health before this past season, a focus as a reliever for all of 2025 (with a manager quote that he’s in all likelihood in the pen again this year), and his four-seamer can’t find strikes against LHB, for some reason. Ten of his fourteen walks came against LHB who saw strikes from his four-seamer just 60% of the time.
He really is a joy to watch, though. That heater is unhittable over the plate, the 85 mph curve is stupid at the same arm angle as the heater and befuddles batters, while there’s a cutter in the middle to help stabilize. I truly wish he were starting and would consider him Top 60 (if not higher) the moment he gets a gig. Outside of pitching for a poor team, I’m hesitant to gush too much about Taylor as he’d likely be inefficient and rarely find the sixth inning, let alone complete it. And his health track record does him few favors. Still, if he happens to be a proper SP during the year, just pick him up. That is all.
Quick Take: His stuff is stupid good with control that is improving more than I expected but still has a way to go. Sadly, he’s all but certainly a reliever for 2026, and reserved as an instant snag if he were to ever get a promotion to the rotation.
394. Drew Thorpe (CHW, RHP)
Thorpe appeared for nine starts in 2024 and underwent TJS in March of 2025, though his 2024 gave us little hope at the time for an exceptional 2025. He’s a changeup-first arm with nothing else. Seriously. 91 mph four-seamers with mediocre sliders, and a decent cutter. It really is the changeup show, which is a great pitch n all, but RHP who lean heavily on a changeup rarely work out quickly in the majors. When we do see Thorpe again, it may not be until 2027, and I hope he’s flexing new skills when the time comes.
395. Wikelman Gonzalez (CHW, RHP)
Gonzalez came over to the White Sox in the Crochet deal and pitched sixteen games in relief with a flat 95 mph four-seamer and decent extension, backed by a trio of secondaries (curve, change, slider) that each returned many whiffs, but were hit hard and struggled to find strikes. Whiff, ball, or thump. He may be among the arms contending for a rotation spot in the spring and with a low-to-mid 80s slider and a 79mph curve, I doubt Gonzalez has enough to support a four-seamer that doesn’t have the command to be the hiLoc king it needs to be.
396. Carson Spiers (CIN, RHP)
He had UCL surgery last July and who knows when he’s ready to come back in 2026, if at all. He’s a kitchen sink right-hander at 91/92 mph, which has already summoned the cane appearing on stage at the Apollo. Welp, it’s time we move on.
397. Graham Ashcraft (CIN, RHP)
The Reds moved Ashcraft to the pen at the start of the 2025 season and as of now, it looks like that’s where he’ll stay for 2026. That’s cool with me – Ashcraft’s questionable command and oddly hittable stuff at 96/97 mph (1st percentile extension doesn’t help) has made me bearish on the fella for a while and if he were to return to the rotation, it better be with something fresh – even then, I’d be awfully skeptical it would work out.
398. Julian Aguiar (CIN, RHP)
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399. Doug Nikhazy (CLE, LHP)
Is it wrong that I kinda like Nikhazy? He has the SWATCH template at 90/91 mph with near seven feet of extension and a decent slider, but his brief moment in the majors was so far from pretty, missing the precision of his slow arsenal to make it all work. He’s on the 40-man, which may mean he gets another shot or two this season to rectify the memories of 2025, and it’s a clear wait-and-see.
400. Emanuel De Jesus (DET, LHP)
De Jesus received a Non-Roster Invite from the Tigers after spending time in the KBO, where he earned roughly a strikeout per inning and a mid 3s ERA as a starter. He’ll likely transition to the bullpen with a mid-90s heater, changeup, and slider and I wouldn’t consider him in your plans for surprise SPs this season, unless he does something special in camp.
401. Ty Madden (DET, RHP)
We’ve heard the name for a while and sadly, Madden simply doesn’t do anything special. The 94 mph four-seamer is located upstairs more than half the time, but fails to eclipse a 10% SwStr rate, the slider is decent to RHB, cutter has been effective to LHB, and a splitter is his biggest out pitch, which, isn’t the most reliable (shocking, I know). Throw in roughly six feet of extension and he needs all the precision to squeeze a reliable starter out of this mix.
402. J.P. France (HOU, RHP)
UPDATE – 1/29: France was DFA’d, cleared waivers, and was outrighted to the minors.
France required surgery for a torn right shoulder capsule in 2024, and we had to wait until September 2025 before we got another glimpse of him – two relief appearances, thirteen days apart, with the latter accompanied by three frames and four strikeouts. He’s back. Oh pish posh. He’s not.
At the very least, France will have a chance to impress in camp for a rotation spot, though I have my doubts he’ll beat out the newly signed Weiss or a healthy Arrighetti or McCullers. His ability is heavily suspect without a proper whiff pitch, though it was fun to see France’s arm angle lower four degrees in those two games, creating a flat 1.5 HAVAA and adding cut to his fastball while losing so much vert. It’s possible he’s found a new whiff pitch in that 92 mph heater, though he didn’t locate it upstairs at all and I’ve already exhausted myself from all this wishcasting.
At the very least, he has a blank slate entering camp and he has the chance to impress and demand volume early in the season. There’s something to that, and if his curveball can become a 65% strike pitch with a fastball that is harder to hit, and a cutter for stabilizing counts, that could be something. Don’t get your hopes up.
Quick Take: Last we saw France in the rotation, he was detrimental to your fantasy teams. Now removed from an extended time on the IL recovering from shoulder capsule surgery, France has a lower arm angle and still carries little hope of becoming a reliable starter, let alone one that forces the Astros to grant him a rotation spot. But hey, spring comes with many surprises and at least France has a blank slate and the sliver of a chance to demand consistent frames.
403. Sam Aldegheri (LAA, LHP)
He’s trying to be a SWATCH with a cut-fastball at 91/92 mph that goes gloveside to both RHB and LHB, a slider slow 82 mph slider he does a decent job of keeping down and away, and a good changeup that is made worse by the slow heater. It’s possible he can find more strikes and whiffs with the changeup over time, but if you’re looking for a SWATCH, there are so many others I’d go for before Aldegheri.
404. Chase Silseth (LAA, RHP)
Back when you were all jazzed about Silseth in the summer of 2022, he had an unreal two-plane slider at 84+ mph that has develoved into an 80/81 mph standard sweeper. Womp womp. At least he still has 95+ mph velocity and sometimes the splitter is cool but still volatile (Shocking! More at Eleven.), and it’s not like the sweeper is terrible. It’s just all fine. If he goes bonkers in the spring, then I’ll have some interest as the potential #5 SP. Hold off for now.
405. Victor Mederos (LAA, RHP)
He has a ton of ride on his sinker at 94/95 mph due to his low arm-angle…and that’s about it. The command isn’t premium and the slider/sweeper doesn’t do enough. Maybe the 88/89 mph slider has enough sweep to miss some bats, but the feel isn’t there and I don’t feel the need to wishcast Mederos.
406. Cole Irvin (LAD, LHP)
I gotta say, I absolutely adore Irvin the man. You should go listen to Alex and me talk to him years ago and you’ll quickly become enamored. For your fantasy leagues? I highly doubt Irvin will break camp with the team after sporting a 4.48 ERA with 128 strikeouts in just about 145 innings in the KBO last season + the high number of options internally that the Dodgers surely want to find frames for. But you know what? It’s found money for the Dodgers if Irvin is something decent out of the gate, allowing them to keep a young arm in Triple-A a touch longer. That can’t happen Nick. I know. I can’t. Probably. If he does break camp as a starter? You should not give it a whirl unless you’re desparate in an NL-Only league, and even then I’d suggest starting a Colorado pitcher on the road in the first weekend in Miami instead. Seriously.
407. Ryan Gusto (MIA, RHP)
Gusto fits the same mold as the rest of this group, acquired from the Astros, high-vert four-seamer, high arm angle. There were stretches in Houston where the profile worked, but that was within the Astros’ pitching infrastructure, and that context doesn’t travel to Miami. None of these four carry real fantasy value, and candidly, I’d prefer they don’t earn rotation spots, because that would mean Miami’s more promising prospects are getting the opportunity instead.
408. Aaron Ashby (MIL, 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.
409. DL Hall (MIL, 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.
410. Drew Rom (MIL, 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.
411. Gerson Garabito (MIL, 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.
412. Justin Hagenman (NYM, RHP)
Hagenman acted as a long reliever last season and I wouldn’t hold my breath for more. His 93 mph sinker is as pedestrian as it gets, the slider returned whiffs to RHB without thrilling movement, the changeup returned a sub 5% SwStr to LHB, and his 90 mph cutter is doing its best to help Justin find the dugout. That cutter should continue to be favored well over 30% of the time and maybe there are a couple fun starts with cutters and sliders galore + sinkers doing enough inside to give 5/6 innings of intrigue. That’s the best I’ve got.
413. Ryan Yarbrough (NYY, LHP)
Yes, the Yankees have signed The Fratty Pirate once again and with the lack of depth in this rotation until the big guns return, you may see him as a bulk arm for a game or two. It’s not out of the question he can steal a Win here or there, but y’all know
414. Paul Blackburn (NYY, RHP)
Oh right, he’s with the Yankees, too. This ain’t it, y’all. He’s the ultra back-up if something goes terribly wrong, which should only apply to the Yankees, not your fantasy teams.
415. Mason Montgomery (PIT, LHP)
He’s a reliever, as much as I want to gush about his potential as a starter. But he was terrible as a reliever for the Rays with a 5.67 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. Yeah, he couldn’t find the zone n whatnot, but he had an 18% SwStr rate and a four-seamer that is still disgusting at 99 mph with a flat attack angle, good extension, and 17-18″ of vert that is likely not incredible at his arm angle. If only he had a better slider and a third pitch, let alone the chance to be a starter. Sigh.
416. Mike Clevinger (PIT, LHP)
The Pirates signed Clevinger as an NRI and the dude hasn’t been anything properly worthwhile since 2019 with the Guardians. Can we not? Cool, thanks.
417. Thomas Harrington (PIT, RHP)
Yeaaaah, I don’t think Harrington should be on your radar. He sits 92 mph with a mediocre with good command + a cutter & slider/sweeper that have too much lift at their low velocities to be major weapons to counteract the lack of velocity. LHB see splitters as the main counter to the 92 mph heater and, well, it’s a splitter. I love them as #3 pitches as a putaway pitch, and I hate them when they need to fill the “strike that isn’t a fastball” void. I suggest looking elsewhere.
418. Marco Gonzales (SDP, LHP)
Minor league deal
419. Matt Waldron (SDP, RHP)
No options remaining
420. Cooper Criswell (SEA, RHP)
Heeeeeey, it’s Cooper! The Mets snagged Criswell after the Red Sox let him go and then the Mariners came calling when the Mets DFA’d him as part of the Freddy Peralta trade and we’ve seen those rare moments when Criswell was called upon for a start in Boston and he’s a right-handed Fratty Pirate – His 89/90 mph sinker comes with elite drop at -3″, the changeup sits underneath at 84 mph and -7″ drop, the cutter surprises upstairs to LHB with zero vert, and the sweeper is a frisbee, following his super low-angled arm across the plate at 76/77 mph. He’s the perfect example of “Hey, if he locates well enough, these pitches can find enough outs on a given day.” No team really wants to bank on Criswell routinely, but you may see one of those wild five-inning games from him this year.
421. Dane Dunning (SEA, RHP)
Guess you actually have a chance to get some innings this year if the Hancock experiment doesn’t work out. Well, at least for a moment as the Mariners will likely promote a young arm to cover them instead. And in that moment, I’ll only allow you be one and Dunning, if even that. Nah, sorry, I gotta do what Liam Neeson couldn’t do in Taken, and stick to my guns instead of giving in to your pleas. HOW DID THEY GO BACK TO EUROPE JUST TWO YEARS LATER?! Dunning has his best moments when he’s feeling the sinker/slider combo and the cutter gets strikes. It’s just…so meh. Please don’t do this.
422. Randy Dobnak (FA, ADD THS)
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423. JT Brubaker (SFG, RHP)
Hey, it’s “Coffee Cakes!” He re-signed with the Giants after appearing in relief for all but his final game of the season, where he flexed an 81/82 mph two-plane curve that was all kinds of lovely. Think of him as a discount Roupp with a 17/18″ sinker as well that he doesn’t get inside to RHB and a 86 mph gyro slider. It’s possible the Giants give him a shot to save some bullets, especially if an arm goes down before the season starts, and I’ll at least take notice given the great hook. I heavily doubt a shock post-hype breakout is upon us.
424. Kai-Wei Teng (FA, ADD THS)
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425. Jake Woodford (TBR, RHP)
Jeeeeez, the Amish Mustang is still around? I can’t wait for the random SP Roundup this season where I cover your one start in surprise. Good luck out there, buddy.
426. Jesse Scholtens (TBR, RHP)
There’s been some talk of bringing him back to a starter after eleven starts in 2023, but I don’t see it. The stuff wasn’t exceptional last year in his eight frames (95 mph Empty Velocity four-seamer with two standard breakers and a splitter) and until we see something fantastic here, I’m out.
427. Austin Gomber (TEX, LHP)
Gomber signed to a minor league deal with the Rangers in January and is technically in the running for the SP #5 spot for the Rangers. A lot would have to go wrong for Gomber to be right, though it’s possible his stuff improves now that he’s firmly out of Colorado. Can he become a crafty SWATCH at 89/90 mph? Why would they choose this over Latz? I don’t see it.
428. Jake Eder (WAS, LHP)
The former hyped prospect has already cycled through many teams despite on 20.1 IP at the major league level and doesn’t do a whole lot to make me excited about a potential spot in the rotation in the upcoming season. His four-seamer barely moves at 93 mph (roughly 13″ of vert with average horizontal is blegh) and he doesn’t have a stellar changeup to become a SWATCH. The slider and sweeper have traditionally been his best offerings and do their part against LHB, with the 87 mph slide piece likely taking over more reps from the changeup against RHB if he gets a proper look. I’m not seeing enough in the foundation of fastball/change to RHB to get excited whenever he cracks the rotation.
Tier 40 – He’s In Japan, Jeez
429. José Ureña (FA, ADD THS)
I cannot believe it, NBP. Don’t you know? If you start José, Ureña boatload of trouble. Watch, he’ll still find a way to make an MLB start this year. Just you wait.
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Badges | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett CrochetT1 | BOS | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside | - |
| 2 | Paul Skenes | PIT | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside | - |
| 3 | Tarik Skubal | DET | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside | - |
| 4 | Bryan WooT2 | SEA | Aces Gonna Ace Ratio Focused | - |
| 5 | Yoshinobu Yamamoto | LAD | Aces Gonna Ace Wins Bonus | - |
| 6 | Max Fried | NYY | Aces Gonna Ace Wins Bonus | - |
| 7 | Cristopher Sánchez | PHI | Aces Gonna Ace Wins Bonus | - |
| 8 | Logan Gilbert | SEA | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | - |
| 9 | Hunter Greene | CIN | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | - |
| 10 | Hunter Brown | HOU | Aces Gonna Ace Quality Starts | - |
| 11 | Shohei Ohtani | LAD | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside | - |
| 12 | Logan WebbT3 | SF | Holly Quality Starts | - |
| 13 | Joe Ryan | MIN | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside | - |
| 14 | Freddy Peralta | NYM | Ace Potential Wins Bonus | +2 |
| 15 | Jacob deGromT4 | TEX | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | +3 |
| 16 | Cole Ragans | KC | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | -2 |
| 17 | George Kirby | SEA | Aces Gonna Ace Quality Starts Injury Risk | -2 |
| 18 | Tyler Glasnow | LAD | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | +1 |
| 19 | Chris Sale | ATL | Aces Gonna Ace Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | +1 |
| 20 | Kyle BradishT5 | BAL | Ace Potential Quality Starts | -3 |
| 21 | Eury Pérez | MIA | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside | +UR |
| 22 | Nick Pivetta | SD | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside | +8 |
| 23 | Ryan Pepiot | TB | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside | -1 |
| 24 | Drew Rasmussen | TB | Ace Potential Ratio Focused | -1 |
| 25 | Cam Schlittler | NYY | Ace Potential Wins Bonus | - |
| 26 | Sandy Alcantara | MIA | Ace Potential Quality Starts | - |
| 27 | Framber Valdez | DET | Ace Potential Quality Starts | - |
| 28 | Michael KingT6 | SD | Cherry Bomb Strikeout Upside | -4 |
| 29 | Dylan Cease | TOR | Cherry Bomb Strikeout Upside | - |
| 30 | Jesús Luzardo | PHI | Cherry Bomb Strikeout Upside | +12 |
| 31 | Kevin GausmanT7 | TOR | Holly Quality Starts | +5 |
| 32 | Trevor Rogers | BAL | Holly Quality Starts | +16 |
| 33 | Tatsuya Imai | HOU | Holly Quality Starts | +1 |
| 34 | Nolan McLean | NYM | Holly Wins Bonus | +1 |
| 35 | Bubba Chandler | PIT | Cherry Bomb Strikeout Upside | +5 |
| 36 | Trey Yesavage | TOR | Cherry Bomb Strikeout Upside | +5 |
| 37 | Cade Horton | CHC | Holly Wins Bonus | +10 |
| 38 | Robbie RayT8 | SF | Cherry Bomb Quality Starts | +6 |
| 39 | Nathan Eovaldi | TEX | Ace Potential Quality Starts Injury Risk | +4 |
| 40 | Jacob Misiorowski | MIL | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | -8 |
| 41 | Chase Burns | CIN | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | -10 |
| 42 | Shane McClanahanT9 | TB | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | -5 |
| 43 | Kris Bubic | KC | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | +21 |
| 44 | Blake Snell | LAD | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | -11 |
| 45 | Bryce MillerT10 | SEA | Holly Ratio Focused | +7 |
| 46 | Edward Cabrera | CHC | Holly Wins Bonus | -8 |
| 47 | Andrew Abbott | CIN | Holly Quality Starts | -8 |
| 48 | Shota Imanaga | CHC | Ace Potential Ratio Focused | -3 |
| 49 | Aaron Nola | PHI | Holly Quality Starts | +11 |
| 50 | MacKenzie GoreT11 | TEX | Frizzle Strikeout Upside | - |
| 51 | Emmet Sheehan | LAD | Frizzle Strikeout Upside | - |
| 52 | Ryan Weathers | NYY | Frizzle Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | +2 |
| 53 | Nick LodoloT12 | CIN | Holly Strikeout Upside | -7 |
| 54 | Sonny Gray | BOS | Holly Wins Bonus | -5 |
| 55 | Ranger Suarez | BOS | Holly Quality Starts | - |
| 56 | Noah Cameron | KC | Holly Ratio Focused | - |
| 57 | Gavin Williams | CLE | Holly Strikeout Upside | - |
| 58 | Shane Baz | BAL | Holly Strikeout Upside Team Context Effect | -5 |
| 59 | Ryne Nelson | ARI | Holly Ratio Focused | -1 |
| 60 | Joe Musgrove | SD | Holly Wins Bonus Injury Risk | +2 |
| 61 | Zac Gallen | ARI | Holly Quality Starts | +9 |
| 62 | Brandon WoodruffT13 | MIL | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | -34 |
| 63 | Gerrit Cole | NYY | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | -2 |
| 64 | Zack Wheeler | PHI | Ace Potential Quality Starts Injury Risk | -1 |
| 65 | Carlos Rodón | NYY | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | - |
| 66 | Jared Jones | PIT | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | +UR |
| 67 | Spencer Schwellenbach | ATL | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | -1 |
| 68 | Shane Bieber | TOR | Ace Potential Quality Starts Injury Risk | -9 |
| 69 | Matthew BoydT14 | CHC | Toby Quality Starts | -2 |
| 70 | Luis Castillo | SEA | Toby Quality Starts | -2 |
| 71 | Merrill Kelly | ARI | Toby Quality Starts | -2 |
| 72 | Zach Eflin | BAL | Toby Quality Starts | - |
| 73 | Andrew PainterT15 | PHI | Hipster Strikeout Upside | +UR |
| 74 | Spencer Strider | ATL | Hipster Strikeout Upside | +2 |
| 75 | Logan Henderson | MIL | Hipster Strikeout Upside | +UR |
| 76 | Robby Snelling | MIA | Hipster Strikeout Upside | +UR |
| 77 | Braxton Ashcraft | PIT | Hipster Strikeout Upside | -4 |
| 78 | Tanner Bibee | CLE | Toby Hipster Wins Bonus | -3 |
| 79 | Jack Flaherty | DET | Hipster Frizzle Strikeout Upside | -5 |
| 80 | Kodai SengaT16 | NYM | Toby Quality Starts Injury Risk | +UR |
| 81 | Joey Cantillo | CLE | Toby Quality Starts | -10 |
| 82 | Bailey Ober | MIN | Toby Quality Starts | -4 |
| 83 | Cody Ponce | TOR | Toby Quality Starts | +UR |
| 84 | Brayan Bello | BOS | Toby Quality Starts | -5 |
| 85 | Seth Lugo | KC | Toby Quality Starts | +UR |
| 86 | Landen Roupp | SF | Toby Strikeout Upside | +UR |
| 87 | Tyler Mahle | SF | Toby Ratio Focused | -2 |
| 88 | Max Scherzer | TOR | Toby Wins Bonus | -2 |
| 89 | Quinn Priester | MIL | Toby Ratio Focused | -7 |
| 90 | Ryan Weiss | HOU | Toby Team Context Effect | +UR |
| 91 | Shane Smith | CWS | Toby Strikeout Upside | -7 |
| 92 | Jack LeiterT17 | TEX | Frizzle Strikeout Upside | -4 |
| 93 | Cristian Javier | HOU | Frizzle Strikeout Upside | -4 |
| 94 | Zebby Matthews | MIN | Frizzle Strikeout Upside | -4 |
| 95 | Mike Burrows | HOU | Frizzle Ratio Focused | +UR |
| 96 | Grant Holmes | ATL | Frizzle Strikeout Upside | -2 |
| 97 | Grayson Rodriguez | LAA | Ace Potential Strikeout Upside Injury Risk | +UR |
| 98 | Spencer Arrighetti | HOU | Frizzle Strikeout Upside | +UR |
| 99 | Jacob Lopez | Frizzle Strikeout Upside | -7 | |
| 100 | Will Warren | NYY | Toby Wins Bonus | -5 |
Labels Legend
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
