Last week we talked about some hitters to keep an eye on during spring training, but now we will dive into some intriguing pitchers to watch as games will be starting up on Sunday. Spring training isn’t always the best way to judge a player’s chances at a big year, but here are three pitchers that I think are well worth keeping tabs on before your draft happens.
SP Nate Pearson Toronto Blue Jays
Pearson had been touted as one of the best pitching prospects for two years before being called up. Unfortunatley, the young prospect’s numbers (5G 4GS 1-0 6.00ERA 1.50WHIP 18IP 16SO 13BB) were flat, but 2020 was such a weird year for everybody. Pearson will get a chance to have a full spring training with the Blue Jays and prove that he can be that frontline starter that the Blue Jays are hoping he can still be.
The Blue Jays will be an even better team than they were last season after adding SS Marcus Semien, OF George Springer, and CP Kirby Yates. Still, to become a World Series contender, they will need Pearson to make considerable strides in his first full season. Pearson has one of the best fastball/slider combos of any pitcher in the league. Despite only pitching five games, he only allowed a .209 batting average. Ultimately, his downfall is his lack of command of the ball.
There have been talks of moving Pearson to the bullpen, something to look for during spring training. Regardless, Pearson is a great late-round pick with extreme upside.
SP Brady Singer Kansas City Royals
The Royals finally got to see their 2018 first-round draft pick in action last year, and Singer looks primed for a big sophomore season. Singer put up solid numbers (12G 12GS 4-5 4.06ERA 1.17WHIP 64.1IP 61SO 23BB) for someone who has never really been at the top of a prospect list. It’s a shame he got lost in the shuffle of pitchers making their debuts last season. Singer started all of his games last season and got stronger as the season went.
In the last month of the 2020 season, Singer had a record of 3-2 2.73ERA .94WHIP 29.2IP 30SO 9BB, which is always a great way to see a player end the year. A clear sign that Singer is starting to figure out the league. Overall, the Royals should be a better team. They added OF Andrew Benintendi, 1B/DH Carlos Santana, OF Michael Taylor, and SP Mike Minor. Singer is another intriguing late-round pitching pickup, but I think he can pay back huge.
RP Jordan Hicks St Louis Cardinals
Hicks has not pitched in a game since June 22nd, 2019. Tommy John surgery sidelined him through June 2020, so he just opted not to pitch last season. Before his hiatus, Hicks had thrown the fastest pitch in baseball history, clocked in at 104MPH. Many people have come back from Tommy John throwing with greater velocity than pre-surgery.
In 2019, Hicks had seized the closer position for the Cardinals, and no one seems to have shown the chops to fill that position. He went 14-15 in save opportunities, and it seems like the Cardinals will be sliding him right back into his old role. Elite closers are tough to come by in fantasy, but Hicks has been out of the game, so make sure to keep a close eye on him in the Spring.