The Dynasty Digest: February, 26, 2024

Chris Clegg is back to run down everything you need to know for dynasty leagues from the previous days action.

Welcome back to the Dynasty Digest! Baseball is back, and so are we, with our daily reports of everything you need to know from the previous days’ action for you to win your dynasty leagues.

Spring Training is always an interesting time, as box score stats don’t necessarily matter, but I am looking for other things of note. Has a pitcher seen an increase in velo or do they have a new pitch that compliments the arsenal well? Has a hitter simplified their approach, or did they post a new max exit velocity? The little things are much more important than box score stats for Spring Training, and we are going to talk about them. Let’s break down Sunday’s action.

Spring Training Notables: February 25

Cole Ragans, LHP, KC

Ragans tossed two scoreless innings with five strikeouts and did not allow a walk, but that was not the most impressive thing. According to Lance Brozdowski, Ragans touched 101 mph with 20 inches of IVB. Last year he touched 101, but it was with just 15 inches of IVB.

When Kansas City traded Aroldis Chapman to Texas, I am not sure anyone expected Ragans to breakout like he did. They tweaked the fastball, and it saw a massive velocity jump, and the shape improved tremendously.

The changeup was already a good pitch but got even better when he added a slider that had a 40 percent whiff rate against it. It appears Ragans got even better this offseason working at Tread Athletics and has positioned himself to be one of the best pitchers in the game.

If Ragans stays healthy for the entire 2024 season and gives you 170 or more innings, there is no reason to think he won’t be in the AL Cy Young discussion.

Cole Irvin, LHP, BAL

Irvin’s performance on Sunday was one of those that makes you ask, does it matter? I think it absolutely does. Even though Irvin only threw 28 pitches, he struck out three across two perfect innings.

That was not what really mattered though. Irvin’s fastball sat 94 mph, which was up two ticks from last season, and averaged three inches more of horizontal movement than it did last year. His cutter was up 2.5 mph, and every other pitch in the arsenal was up at least 1.3 mph.

Irvin threw four pitches at least 20 percent of the time each and threw two changeups in the outing. It was one start and a small sample, but it is something to keep a close eye on, and Irvin could have deep league appeal.

Carlos Rodon, LHP, NYY

As I got a ton of replies on X about my post about Rodon, yes I am well aware it is February and his first outing of the year. But, Rodon’s fastball being down nearly two ticks with a major drop in IVB is notable, it doesn’t matter how early it is. He has had time to ramp up all winter and still could see the velocity jump back up, but it is concerning nonetheless.

Rodon threw a new cutter sitting around 91 mph, which will be interesting to track if it sticks and is a usable pitch. Beyond the velocity dip, his command was not good. Sliders were left over the heart of the plate, there was no feel for the fastball command either.

Still, Rodon struck out five batters across 2.2 innings, walking two and the only hit he allowed was a home run. It is early, I get that. I am not worried about Rodon, but it is something to watch.

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