Spring Training action continues on Tuesday as clubs are close to losing parts of their rosters to the World Baseball Classic in the coming days. Several interesting players are set for their 2023 debut today including reigning American League MVP runner-up Shohei Ohtani who appears on the mound for the first time.
Here is what we are on the lookout for on Tuesday with a full slate of games.
Leiter, Rocker Set for 2023 Debut
The hype around Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter reached a fever-pitch at this time two seasons ago, leading to the right-handers being selected 5th and 7th overall by the Mission Viejo Maulers and Idaho Taters. Leiter, 22, was drafted second overall by the Rangers in the 2021 MLB draft and debuted with Double-A Frisco last summer. He struggled in his first professional season with a 5.54 ERA and a 1.95 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 92.2 innings but has drawn positive reviews through two weeks in Arizona.
Rocker dominated in college, pitched a 19-strikeout no-hitter in the 2019 Super Regionals versus Duke and was selected No. 10 overall by the New York Mets in the 2021 draft. He went unsigned after the Mets reviewed his medical information, and the Rangers surprisingly drafted him third overall in 2022. He didn’t pitch in the regular season but threw 18 innings in the Arizona Fall League with a 4.50 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
Shohei Ohtani Debut
The Meinert Hops are set to make Shohei Ohtani (2/$88) the most expensive Keeper in RDBL History this season and for good reason. Ohtani holds a projection of 914.5 points for 2023 and will make his debut on Tuesday against the A’s in Mesa. Ohtani, who threw a live bullpen session without any issues on last Wednesday, is making the change to get an extra day of rest before he travels to Tokyo to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.
Fujinami Faces Off Against Ohtani
One of the more interesting Free Agent pitchers available will be Oakland Athletics right-hander Shintaro Fujinami who faces off against Ohtani on Tuesday. Though the 28-year-old Fujinami was in the same draft class as Ohtani, it took the former a little bit longer to break into MLB. However, since coming over to the A's on a one-year, $3.5 million contract on Jan. 11, the right-hander has impressed manager Mark Kotsay with his three-pitch repertoire. Despite the hype around the matchup, Kotsay added that Fujinami will be limited to two innings or around 35 pitches in his debut as the team continues to evaluate where the righty will be most effective.
Pitching in a combined 25 games between Japan’s Central and Western Leagues in 2022, Fujinami finished the season at 107 1/3 innings. From 2019-21, his highest number of innings pitched in one season was 98 1/3 in ‘20. If he remains healthy, Fujinami said his goal is to reach the qualified innings mark of 162 in his first season with the A's. “I’d like to shoot for maybe 140 innings,” Fujinami said through interpreter Issei Yamada. “If I can throw that number of innings, I would be really happy. I’m hoping for that.”
Lodolo Ready for Next Step?
The Mt. Diablo Devils are anxious to turn Nick Lodolo loose for 2023 with the left-hander set for his Spring debut Tuesday afternoon. The seventh overall pick in 2019, Lodolo is already paying dividends for Cincinnati. He began the 2022 season as the Reds' No. 5 starter but made just three starts before a back issue cropped up that would ultimately sidelined the lefty well beyond the initial estimated timetable. Once finally back, Lodolo pitched like a star in the making, posting a 2.92 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 21.3 K-BB% in 77 innings after the All-Star break. Hunter Greene gets most of the attention in the Reds' rotation, but Lodolo is arguably better equipped for major-league success right now given his secondary pitches and command of his arsenal.
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