To be honest, the first several games of Spring Training are exciting simply because live baseball is being played again for the first time in months. But once that initial wave of euphoria dissipates, it can sometimes be difficult to be emotionally invested in the games. There is a constant flurry of players, both known and unknown, in games that ultimately don’t matter in the grand scheme. These games can be fun — the Rockies allowed a bases-clearing sac fly on Saturday — but players use this time to shake off the rust and continue to tweak their individual game.
Even with analysis, it is sometimes best to take things with a grain of salt. For example, pitch classification from Statcast isn’t always perfect in the parks that do have those capabilities. Players try different things in camp. Pitchers can tinker with deliveries and pitch shapes. Hitters could be working on their timing and approach at the plate. It takes repetition to see what is going to stick or not. With that said, it doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate what we’re watching. Speaking for myself, I was curious to see how certain pitchers and pitches looked this early in camp, and I have four favorites at the moment.
Pitcher No. 1 – Ryan Gusto
One debut that I was curious to watch last year was Ryan Gusto’s, who I think can be classified as a phantom major leaguer at the moment. Unfortunately, his debut was scheduled for Game 162 in Cleveland, and that one was canceled due to rain. That status will likely change this year as he is on the shortlist in terms of immediate pitching depth on the 40-man roster.
In any case, he did get the start one of the split-squad on Saturday, striking out three Nationals in two scoreless innings. A positive appearance, even if it was a split-squad game on the first day of games. I thought Gusto looked fairly sharp for his first appearance of 2025, and I liked some of the breaking action on his pitches, the one shown above included.
Pitcher No. 2 – Spencer Arrighetti
It wasn’t a secret that Spencer Arrighetti didn’t have his best control in the first inning of his start against the Cardinals, walking three but escaping the bases-loaded jam. An issue with his timing and rhythm with the pitch clock hampered his efforts, but he adjusted in time for the second inning, looking much sharper in that frame. This 92.4 mph four-seam fastball with some noticeable “ride” atop the zone to strike out Matt Koperniak is something I wish to see more from him in 2025.
Pitcher No. 3 – Steven Okert
With Shawn Dubin heading back to Houston for an MRI on his right shoulder, the Astros may have another opening to fill in the bullpen. Left-hander Steven Okert, a non-roster invitee, is possibly in line to make the roster if he impresses in camp. I did find it a little interesting in his first outing as an Astro that he threw only two pitches: His four-seam fastball and slider. It is too early to know if he dropped his changeup, which the Twins had him implement last season, but something to monitor for future reference.
In any case, Okert pitched well, and his slider looked particularly effective. His strikeout against the right-handed Luken Baker was encouraging — well, as much as one can be in a first appearance in Spring Training — on his slider could bode well for Okert. If he can demonstrate an ability to generate outs against right-handed hitters in addition to lefties, it will only increase his chances of making the Opening Day roster.
Pitcher No. 4 – A.J. Blubaugh
A.J. Blubaugh didn’t have an appearance to remember, thanks to a three-run fifth inning by the Cardinals. His sweeper helped set the table before J.J. Wetherholt took a four-seam fastball out for a three-run blast. But Blubaugh did show flashes of why he is well-regarded within the organization in the first place, especially with how he responded in that scoreless sixth inning.
Personally, I liked how his curveball looked most of the time, with some notable breaking action. 56 inches of vertical break in the fifth inning, shown in the GIF above. 55 and 57 inches a couple of other times. The odds feel high that we’ll see him in Houston at some point in 2025. But if he can improve his command, I think it will be sooner than most expect.