MLB Pitcher Bold Predictions

We have made it to the games that count on both the MLB and MiLB fronts. Teams have made their final roster decisions and have now headed north (or east, west, south) from their Spring Training sites to their respective MLB (or MiLB) cities. The 2026 season will, no doubt, bring us plenty of excitement, incredible moments, and achievements. The elite players will prove why they are elite, and the next wave of young stars will take steps forward and improve their dynasty (and real-life) value through tremendous performance.

In this four-part series, the Dynasty Team will endeavor to forecast what they think might come to pass in 2026 – in grand fashion, of course – what other way is there to do it? Some of these predictions are more realistic than others, but just like dynasty baseball, we are here to have fun, so let's get to it!

This fourth article focuses on MLB pitchers, take a peek at what the Dynasty Team thinks might happen this year.

MLB Hitter Bold PredictionsThe Dynasty Team provides their bold takes for the upcoming season.Prospects LiveGreg Hoogkamp

Shane Bazfinishes a top five pitcher in the AL. - Tom Gates

Photo Credit: Camden Chat

Moving from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Baltimore Orioles might seem like a downgrade for pitching development given the Rays’ track record, but this feels more like a case of the Rays being offered a package they couldn’t refuse rather than a lack of belief in Shane Baz. Baz still has the makings of an ace. His fastball averaged 97 mph last year, and his knuckle curve, which he throws about 27 percent of the time, generates plenty of groundballs. He also features two additional swing-and-miss offerings in his changeup and cutter, with each of his four main pitches producing at least a 23 percent whiff rate. The biggest issue last season was the long ball, as he allowed 26 home runs, though 18 of those came at his “home” minor league park, and his numbers were much better on the road. We’ve been waiting on the full breakout for a while, but this could finally be the year it happens. I’ll call for an ERA in the low 3.00s with around 180 strikeouts, and being with Baltimore should boost his win total enough to put him in the conversation as a top-five AL fantasy pitcher.

Sign up for Prospects Live

Your one stop shop for Dynasty Fantasy Baseball, MLB Draft, Baseball Card & MiLB Baseball content. Blending Data & Scouting into our Player Evaluation

Subscribe

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

This post is for subscribers only

Become a member to get access to all content

Subscribe now