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On the strikeout the gun read 98 on the fastball. Love to see the velocity. When was the last time we had a starting pitcher throw 98+? I think Lance Lynn maybe hit that a few times 10+ years ago. 98 in Spring is maybe 100 in the regular season?

Video: https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/richard-fi ... -2026.html

Now, you still have to locate and have good offspeed. It's just nice to see the velo from a starter.

ggnoobs wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 10:55 am On the strikeout the gun read 98 on the fastball. Love to see the velocity. When was the last time we had a starting pitcher throw 98+? I think Lance Lynn maybe hit that a few times 10+ years ago. 98 in Spring is maybe 100 in the regular season?

Video: https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/richard-fi ... -2026.html

Now, you still have to locate and have good offspeed. It's just nice to see the velo from a starter.

Lance Lynn said, “I don’t need no stinkin’ off-speed!”

ggnoobs wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 10:55 am On the strikeout the gun read 98 on the fastball. Love to see the velocity. When was the last time we had a starting pitcher throw 98+? I think Lance Lynn maybe hit that a few times 10+ years ago. 98 in Spring is maybe 100 in the regular season?

Video: https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/richard-fi ... -2026.html

Now, you still have to locate and have good offspeed. It's just nice to see the velo from a starter.

Joe Kelly would light up the gun as a spot starter back in the day. Same general era as Lance Lynn (the first stint).

Carlos Martinez could touch 98 too when he wanted to as well.

Sandy Alcantara and Ryan Helsley were both hitting 98 as starters on the farm.

WaltsSuccessor wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 11:26 am Carlos Martinez could touch 98 too when he wanted to as well.

I personally saw Carlos hit 100 as a starter at Busch. It was a game against the Giants. Martinez went nine innings, and was hitting 100MPH in the seventh inning.

I remember several details about that game. Matt Carpenter got thrown out at third base BY A MILE trying to stretch a double into a triple on a well hit (but not that well hit) of a ball. Made even dumber because Gyorko was hitting behind him and having a pretty decent season. Jedd then came up and hit a single that probably could've scored Carpenter.

Carlos gave up one run over nine innings. Then Rosenthal came in and put up a zero, then Siegrist came in and shut them down in the next inning, but came back out for a second inning...allowed some traffic on the bases, and then Matheny brought in Broxton who cleared the traffic in the worst way possible.

But yeah, Martinez was DEALING that game. Probably the best pitched game I've ever seen in person. Maybe outside of a Matt Morris complete game that was...like...two hours long against the Reds.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxe ... 5200.shtml

I think Hicks started a few games

Dobbins also averages 94-95 and can hit 97-99. I would put both of them ahead of Palante.

TopofthePerch wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 18:06 pm Dobbins also averages 94-95 and can hit 97-99. I would put both of them ahead of Palante.

Everyone is ahead of Pallante.

People will be surprised this season by the starters...

ecleme22 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 19:00 pm

TopofthePerch wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 18:06 pm Dobbins also averages 94-95 and can hit 97-99. I would put both of them ahead of Palante.

Everyone is ahead of Pallante.

People will be surprised this season by the starters...

Yes I do agree with you there but unfortunately for whatever reason we didn't have enough pitchers ready last year that were. I feel we are addressing this issue with the arms we have added and will continue to add.

If the arm holds up he could be a key player in 2026. The circumstances of his removal from the game sounded very bad at the time but apparently he has healed up and is ready. 75 innings last year - they will need to be careful with him.

I can see Fitts as a backend bullpen guy long term.

ggnoobs wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 10:55 am On the strikeout the gun read 98 on the fastball. Love to see the velocity. When was the last time we had a starting pitcher throw 98+? I think Lance Lynn maybe hit that a few times 10+ years ago. 98 in Spring is maybe 100 in the regular season?

Video: https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/richard-fi ... -2026.html

Now, you still have to locate and have good offspeed. It's just nice to see the velo from a starter.

Carlos Martinez?

I remember a few months ago taking a look at Blade Tidwell and it occurred to me he may have no more upside than Fitts. I like Fitts pitch mix and his build, seems like he could end up being a consistent performer.

ecleme22 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 19:00 pm

TopofthePerch wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 18:06 pm Dobbins also averages 94-95 and can hit 97-99. I would put both of them ahead of Palante.

Everyone is ahead of Pallante.

People will be surprised this season by the starters...

I would be incredibly surprised if the staff starts anywhere close to last years '9 games over by June' - they were shockingly good until they weren't

ScotchMIrish wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 20:33 pm If the arm holds up he could be a key player in 2026. The circumstances of his removal from the game sounded very bad at the time but apparently he has healed up and is ready. 75 innings last year - they will need to be careful with him.

Fitts has a career 1.294 WHIP
Gray had a 2025 1.234 WHIP

Who does better in 2026