Spring training matches are on and as dynasty managers finish patching up their rosters going into the 2024 season we stop and highlight some of the prospect pitchers impressing clubs right now. In this article, we will dive into five pitching prospects who could be a solid trade candidate or pick up leading into the season. Let’s dive into spring training pitching prospects to watch right now.
5 Pitching Prospects To Watch in Spring Training
Joe Boyle, RHP OAK
(4 GS, 11.1 IP, 10 K, 7.94 K/9, 2.38 ERA)
Holding on to the fifth rotation spot for the Oakland Athletics, for now, is Joe Boyle, and thanks to his debut in 2023, it’s well deserved. Boyle is the pride of Notre Dame right now in the major leagues being drafted as a reliever in the fifth round of a shortened 2020 MLB draft by the Reds. Now in the Oakland Athletics organization, Boyle is getting an opportunity to remain a starter and show off a filthy fastball and curveball combination that has proven to rack up strikeouts. Prior to the trade to Oakland Boyle had a 13.07 K/9 in 84 innings pitched in Double-A Chatanooga then followed that up with a 14.54 K/9 in Double-A Midland in the A’s organization across 17.1 innings pitched. That level of dominance led to his first taste of major league action with the A’s.
⛽️🔥Straight heat for 6’7” Joe Boyle who has compiled 26 Ks in 13.2 IP keeping batters to a .200 AVG and holding a 1.98 ERA in 3 starts. Just a 17.12 K/9 🤣 Nothing to see here. 👀 #ATOBTTR @ChattLookouts @Reds @RedsMiLB @NDBaseball @Fantrax @BallySportsCIN https://t.co/bmXhue5WUz
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 26, 2023
This spring Boyle is still impressing with his high-velocity fastball and curveball though we have seen the walks creep back up in the early goings. This is something that has threatened to pull Boyle off being a starting pitcher long term as he had an 8.04 BB/9 in Double-A Chatanooga before the trade to the Athletics. All this to say there could be great strikeout upside here as a starter or a potential lights-out reliever either way he is an interesting prospect to have on your squad heading into 2024.
Jordan Wicks, LHP CHC
(4 GP, 3 GS, 12.1 IP, 10 K, 7.30 K/9, 1.46 ERA)
Holding on to the fifth rotation spot currently for a Cubs team that appears to be on the rise is Jordan Wicks. Making his major league debut in 2023, the former first-round draft pick out of Kansas State had lackluster results in seven starts. Despite the start to his major league career Wicks is looking sharp this spring and has a chance to be a sneaky add in deeper dynasty leagues. Once Wicks hit Triple-A Iowa the strikeout rate which stuck in the double-digits dropped to 8.18 K/9 which shouldn’t alarm any dynasty managers as Wicks works off of weak contact and not overpowering velocity fastballs.
📈📣CHC LHP Jordan Wicks is absolutely going to be a problem.. in 10 starts the lefty has 53 Ks in 46.1 IP keeping batters to a .211 AVG against and has a 2.91 ERA. All while keeping the walks per nine low at 2.33. #NextStartsHere @smokiesbaseball @Cubs https://t.co/zxpEZN62Pa
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) June 3, 2023
What Jordan Wicks has done a good job of to this point in spring is continuing to limit walks as he currently has a 0.73 BB/9. Total for the spring, Wicks has pitched in four games starting three with 10 strikeouts across 12.1 innings pitched with a .245 average against and has a solid 1.46 ERA. Long-term Wicks has the upside to be like Kyle Hendricks if he can continue to cut back on already solid walks per nine and so far this spring is taking a step in the right direction.
Gavin Stone, RHP LAD
(4 GP, 3 GS, 9.2 IP, 9 K, 8.38 K/9, 0.93 ERA)
The Dodgers have one of the most impressive rotations that we have seen possibly ever with an injured list rotation that would rival probably 80% of MLB teams. So writing about Gavin Stone becomes a bit harder to sell as a buy-now candidate but I feel like now is the time to do so. Prior to last season’s debut for 31 innings Gavin Stone has been one of the best pitching prospects in all the minor leagues. Before his major league call Stone never had a K/9 below 10.08 while never having a batting average above .252 (back in 2021). Stone finds his success with one of the most impressive change-ups in the minor leagues right now paired with his four-seam fastball, slider, and sharp cutter.
This spring Stone has nine strikeouts across 9.2 innings pitched keeping opposing batters to a .156 average while having a 0.93 ERA in four appearances. This start is very encouraging for Stone to have a bounce-back season in the minor leagues and get another opportunity to stick in the rotation or even better yet be a part of a trade where he can get a real chance to stick in a big league rotation. To this point, it seems the Dodgers know what they have which is why we have not seen Stone’s name dangled in trade discussions to this point but stay tuned and grab the shares now.
Mitch Spence, RHP OAK
(3 GS, 9 IP, 9 K, 9.00 K/9, 3.00 ERA)
Oakland’s rotation is in a rough state and any pitcher in the organization has a chance of locking down one of the spots in a lackluster rotation. Enter Mitch Spence a former Yankee’s pitcher selected in the tenth round of the 2019 MLB draft. Spence features a four-seam fastball that sits 91-92 mph but can get to the mid-90s paired with a plus sweeper that induces a lot of swing and miss. New this spring is a cutter and curveball to Spence’s arsenal all can help him remain a starter long-term if thrown effectively.
This spring Spence has started three games striking out nine batters across nine innings pitched allowing eight hits and only two walks. If Spence can continue to string together a good outing to start the season don’t be surprised if he makes not only the opening day roster (due to the rule 5 selection) but the lack of pitching depth currently on the Athletics roster.
Jared Jones, RHP PIT
(4 GP, 1 GS, 7.1 IP, 6 K, 7.36 K/9, 0.00 ERA)
One of the most talked about names over the off-season as well as the spring is Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones. The 22-year-old has been throwing straight gas this spring training surpassing 100 mph with the fastball. Over the off-season, Jared Jones introduced a cutter to his fastball, slider, and change-up and has already seen positive results. In 2023 Jones played at both Double-A Altoona and finished his season with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. While in Triple-A Jones had a 10.87 K/9 with a .237 average against while walking batters at a 3.68 walks per nine across 16 appearances and 82 innings pitched.
📝📈PIT RHP Jared Jones has been filthy long before I saw him in A+ Greensboro in 2022. Now making a serious case to make the opening day roster for the Pirates. In 4 appearances he has
•7.1 IP
•6 K
•.120 AVG
•0.00 ERAFastball has been over 100 MPH this spring ⛽️ @Fantrax https://t.co/DYWnuT9mIv
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) March 13, 2024
This spring Jones has four appearances with six strikeouts across 7.1 innings pitched with a .120 average against and a 0.00 ERA. It’s a solid start for Jared Jones who still should start the season back in Triple-A but make no mistake he might be the first name called when an injury occurs to a less-than-stellar Pirates starting pitcher early on. For this reason, Jared Jones should be on everyone’s radar as he could be something special to watch here soon.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.