Spring Training results should never be overanalyzed. However, the preseason is a good time to see how pitchers — whether they are ones who missed significant time last year or new starters — are adjusting heading into the regular season. Now that we’ve had a few weeks to watch spring games, here’s a look at five pitchers who are rising.

Clay Holmes

When Clay Holmes signed with the Mets this past winter, I noted that he was going to need to make adjustments to become a full-time starter. Holmes, as a reliever, was a heavy fastball pitcher with one true secondary offering, relying on either his sinker (used 56% of the time in 2024) or his four-seamer nearly 60% of the time last season. This spring? That total is down to 46.2%.

Holmes has broken out weapons we’ve really never seen from him to this point. The new Met’s used a changeup (18.9%) a lot, and the same can be said for a cutter (9.1%) — both of which should be very useful against lefties. And to this point, he’s been extremely effective.

The 31-year-old sat at a 36.7% Whiff% as of March 11, a number that’s helped him strike out 13 over 9.2 IP. Don’t overdraft Holmes. But, he’s inching closer and closer to top-200 player potential.

Jesus Luzardo

Injuries limited Jesus Luzardo in 2022 and 2024. Heading into 2025, Luzardo is healthy for now, and that’s all that matters.

Yes, his spring numbers haven’t been great; Luzardo conceded six runs over his first four innings. However, the other metrics have been promising. The 27-year-old has been sitting in the 96-98 MPH range, in line with where he was in 2023 (his velocity was down over a MPH in 2024). And, don’t forget Luzardo, when healthy, was a 200-strikeout pitcher.

Luzardo is available in over 60% (!) of Yahoo! leagues right now, which is criminal in a sense. The Phillies left-hander has more strikeout output potential compared to teammate Cristopher Sanchez, who in his own right an excellent starter, albeit a different one. If he’s available, grab him.

Max Scherzer

The Blue Jays took a shot on Max Scherzer, the two-time World Series champion, this winter in a move to bolster their rotation. Scherzer posted good numbers in 2024. However, back, shoulder, and hamstring problems limited Scherzer to only nine starts.

It’s a small sample size but Scherzer’s metrics have been roughly where he was in 2024 when healthy. The fastball’s had carrying action, the changeup has been sinking, and the results have been strong thus far. Scherzer struck out 14 over nine innings, touching 95 MPH along the way.

The big question with Scherzer is whether he can hold up over a full, 162-game season. He hasn’t made 30 or more starts in a season since 2021, and Scherzer’s had injury problems in each of the last four seasons. It’s why Scherzer can be found later in drafts. But once outside the top 15 rounds, he’s worth a shot.

Will Warren

Will Warren figured to be in the bullpen conversation heading into 2025. That, however, has changed for a few reasons. Warren struck out 12 over his first 11.2 IP and has been crafty this spring, limiting hitters to just a .103 batting average.

Warren, who’s been on our radar for a while, looks a little different now, compared to the past. The 25-year-old’s incorporated a changeup into his arsenal, giving him a weapon to use against left-handed batters.

With Gerrit Cole out for all of 2025 and Luis Gil done for almost half of the year, Warren now figures to be a favorite for the #5 spot in the Yankees’ rotation. This puts Warren in play late in drafts as a mixed league target.

Gavin Williams

It feels like we’ve been waiting two years for a Gavin Williams breakout. The former first-round pick showed off a blistering fastball and exciting secondary stuff in the Minors. However, Williams has been marred by command issues, routinely getting himself in trouble with walks.

Williams’ fastball velocity is slightly down (96.2 MPH average, down from 96.6 in 2024) but the results have been strong. The 25-year-old right-hander posted 16 strikeouts over his first eight spring frames, walking two and allowing a home run.

The strikeout potential has always been there. Williams has a hook for a curveball, which is his best secondary offering, along with a slutter-like slider. However, whether Williams can excel in a regular-season setting remains to be seen.

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