What to watch for today (20 Feb)

We’ve endured a long, cold offseason. But today, baseball is back! The crack of the bat will echo once more across the sun-drenched fields of Arizona and Florida. The wait is finally over. There’s a slate of exhibition games that kick off Spring Training 2026.

During Spring, the diamond comes alive with promise and possibility, and pure, unfiltered joy as we get to watch our favourite players in action yet again. Remember not to overreact to Spring performances (I won’t listen to my own advice!).

Here are some starting pitchers I’m excited about today with a short write up on what to watch for.

Trevor Rogers (Orioles)

Rogers is coming off a breakout and dominant 2025. He posted an elite 1.81 ERA over 109.2 innings with a 0.90 WHIP. He was voted the most valuable Oriole last season and finished ninth in AL Cy Young voting. There’s no doubt hitters will adjust, so the question is whether Rogers stays ahead of hitters this season by tweaking his repertoire. Rogers relies on a lively mid-90s fastball and a devastating changeup. Watch if his velocity sits in the 93-95 mph range early and if the changeup generates big whiffs and weak contact. He was dominant in live BP sessions this Spring, so lets see if that carries over into the games. A strong Spring showing could land Rogers the Opening Day job.

Jonathan Cannon (White Sox)

This is a pivotal camp for Cannon. He showed flashes in his debut 2024 season, but struggled mightily in 2025. He went 4-10 with a 5.82 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and -0.6 WAR across 22 appearances, striking out 86 and walking 38 over 103 2/3 innings.

He struggled with velocity dips, control issues, and hard contact (allowing 22 earned runs and seven homers in July-August alone), leading to two demotions to Triple-A Charlotte, where he continued to struggle.

Apparently, he has revamped his sinker this offseason. Cannon’s arsenal features a mid-90s sinker (his primary pitch), a slider, changeup, and occasional cutter. Today, watch if his velo holds in the 92-95 mph range and how the revamped sinker grip generates more run or ground balls.

Stephen Kolek (Royals)

Kolek, 28, joined the Royals via trade from the San Diego Padres at the 2025 deadline, and he found much better results in Kansas. Can they continue to improve him? In his limited Royals tenure last season (five starts, 33 innings), he posted an impressive 1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts, showing strong command. In San Diego, he had a 4.18 ERA over 80 innings.

Kolek is viewed as pitching depth, potentially competing for a back-end rotation spot or long-relief/swingman role. His success in Kansas stemmed from pounding the zone, inducing weak contact, and avoiding walks. Today, watch his first-pitch strikes, ability to work both sides of the plate, and how quickly he gets ahead in counts.

Nathan Eovaldi (Rangers)

The focus will be on a cautious ramp-up after his elite but injury-shortened 2025 season (11-3, 1.73 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 129 K in 130 IP over 22 starts), with a rotator cuff strain ending his year early and offseason sports hernia surgery.

We will be watching to see if he’s healthy and for any signs of discomfort. Eovaldi’s four-seamer typically sits 94-96 mph (touching higher), with sink and ride that plays up. Watch if it’s back to full strength early—any drop below 93-94 could indicate he’s easing in slowly too.

Jameson Taillon (Cubs)

He’s coming off a solid 2025 (11-7, 3.68 ERA in 23 starts), where he showed good control (1.9/BB). We are really just watching to see if he looks healthy after a few stints on the IL in 2025.

Dane Dunning (Mariners)

He’s competing for a swingman/long relief or spot-start role in Seattle’s depth chart, after a rough 2025 (6.97 ERA in limited action split between Texas and Atlanta). Dunn had control issues with a 1.50 WHIP. Watch if he pounds the zone early and avoids walks.

Enjoy the baseball today!