2022 Spring Training Update – Pitchers

by Doug Gruber

Let’s look at several noteworthy competitions for the pitchers.

SEATTLE ROTATION AND BULLPEN

Rookies Matt Brash (e,KK) and George Kirby (e) are turning heads in Mariners camp, and at least one could make the rotation to begin the year. BABS says either would be an upgrade to the current 4/5 starters Chris Flexen (|-K) and Justus Sheffield (|-E). Brash features a fastball that has touched 100 mph to go with an elite slider. He is unscored upon in two Cactus League starts and could get an opportunity. BABS likes his chances and says he is worthy of a late round bid. Kirby recently fired three scoreless innings with six strikeouts and could also be knocking at the door sometime this season.

The Seattle bullpen is loaded. Check out these BABS skills profiles: Ken Giles (ER,K+), Paul Sewald (ER,K+), Diego Castillo (ER,KK), Drew Steckenrider (e,k) and Andres Munoz (E+,K+). For fantasy owners, unfortunately all signs continue to point to a crowded closer-by-committee this season. Elite arms for sure but investing in saves here will leave you sleepless in Seattle.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

The Angels gave Noah Syndergaard (e,k) a $21 million contract despite having made just one brief 2021 appearance as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. Syndergaard has looked sharp in his early bullpen sessions and this week made his first spring start throwing 50 pitches over 3.2 innings while allowing only an unearned run and striking out four. At his 200 ADP, the 29-year-old Syndergaard is an arm to target.

CINCINNATI STAFF

Nick Lodolo (E+,K+) and Hunter Greene (k|-E) are in the chase for an opening day spot in the rotation with strong showings so far this spring. Luis Castillo (e,KK) and Mike Minor (k) will not be ready for Opening Day, further creating opportunities in a rotation that has also lost Sonny Gray and Wade Miley. BABS loves the skill set of Lodolo, with a caution that he’s currently not on the 40-man roster versus Greene who has such a spot. Keep monitoring but grab Lodolo if you can.

In the pen, an injury to Lucas Sims (e,K+) has opened the door for the 9th inning. BABS prefers the skills of Art Warren (ER,K+) over the other contenders Luis Cessa (e,k) and Hunter Strickland (k|-E).

MIAMI BULLPEN

Dylan Floro (e,k) ran with the closer role last season but is now behind schedule with arm issues, leaving the job to either Anthony Bender (ER,KK) or Anthony Bass (-). Bass has closer experience in Toronto and Seattle, but BABS favors Bender as your late round speculative target. Bender was outstanding a year ago, appearing in 60 games with ratios of 2.79/1.06 to go with 71 K.

MILWAUKEE ROTATION

The Brewers rotation appears locked with Eric Lauer (-) and Adrian Houser (|-K) owning the final two rotation spots. However, Manager Counsell confirmed that Aaron Ashby (ER,KK) would be stretched out during the spring. In his only appearance, Ashby went three perfect innings with three K. BABS reminds us to draft the superior skill set of Ashby.

MINNESOTA BULLPEN

Taylor Rogers (E+,KK) has looked sharp so far this spring with seven Ks across his first three innings and appears to be locking down the closer position for the Twins. BABS thinks Rogers could be a draft day bargain as he is currently the 15th closer off the board. Of his closest competitors, Jorge Alcala (ER,KK) has been slowed with a finger issue and Tyler Duffey (e,KK) is preferred in a set-up role.

BOSTON STARTERS

Chris Sale’s (ER,K+) rib injury opens an immediate rotation spot for the Red Sox, and the contest will be between veteran Rich Hill (|-E) and Garrett Whitlock (ER,k). Whitlock threw 73 innings as a Rule 5 pick-up last season and delivered an impressive stat line: 8 wins, ratios of 1.96/1.10 and 81 K. BABS says invest in Whitlock to win this battle.

SAN DIEGO BULLPEN

It is unclear who is the frontrunner for the closer’s job. Pierce Johnson (e,KK) returns after a solid season in the Padre pen, but he has never attempted to close. Robert Suarez (e) was signed this offseason and may be the lead candidate as he returns from Japan fresh off a 42-save season. The dark horse might be Dinelson Lamet (KK), who, if healthy (a huge if), has a powerful two-pitch arsenal and may be ideal for the role.

TAMPA INJURIES

Pete Fairbanks (ER,K+) was in the mix for the closer role, but a lat injury will shut him down for the next few months. While roles are never certain in Tampa, BABS frontrunner Andrew Kittredge (ER,KK) seems more certain than ever to nail down the closer duties. Kittridge was outstanding in the Rays pen a year ago, eventually moving into the ninth inning role where he notched 8 saves to go with his impressive 1.88/0.98 ratios and a 22% k-BB rate. Move him up your draft board.

Shane Baz (ER,K+), pictured, was dominant in the minors last year and flashed his huge ceiling over three starts at the big-league level. But recent arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow has delayed his season by at least a month. BABS thinks this is a terrific opportunity to grab both Corey Kluber (e,KK) and Drew Rasmussen (e,k) for your SP staff. Both are still going too late in most drafts.

WHITE SOX BULLPEN

In his spring debut, Craig Kimbrel (E+,K+) gave up five runs in 2/3 of an inning, and his velocity was noticeably down, further cementing Liam Hendricks (E+,K+) as the Chisox closer. Kimbrel owners also recall he started extremely slowly in 2021. BABS digs his extreme skills, but this poor start dims the chances for being moved to another club at this time, which is the bet fantasy owners have been making this spring.