There are 46 pitchers who have thrown 18.2 innings this spring. The only one with single-digit strikeouts is Raul Alcantara who has nine in 20 innings. He is set to open the season as the Athletics' fifth starter since he’s out of options. Doubtful he remains in the rotation for long though, as Sonny Gray is hopeful of a return in April.

Trevor Cahill has a 3.26 ERA and 1.14 WHIP for the Padres. Completely unearned. He’s walked 11 batters in 19.1 innings while, luckily holding batters to a .155 average. Things are gonna get ugly soon for Cahill if he keeps pitching like this.

Matt Cain is donzo. He has an 8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 20 innings. He’s simply got nothing left to consistently get batters out.

I keep getting questions about Mike Foltynewicz. He has a 1.31 WHIP this spring and just 18 strikeouts in 23.2 innings. The 25-year-old righty has a good arm, but it’s often injured. He did post a solid 3.17 K/BB ratio last season though. At the same time he owns a 4.92 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and just 7.95 strikeouts per nine in 56 big-league outings. Still has a lot to prove does he.

Kyle Gibson has a 1.59 ERA and 1.02 WHIP this spring. Been burned too many times with Gibson. If you take a shot, and he gets off to a strong start, trade him to a believer quickly. His success won’t last.

Tyler Glasnow has 23 strikeouts in 14.1 innings, simply dominating work. Oddly, he’s posted a 5.65 ERA and 1.74 WHIP as batters have produced a .306 average against him. He’s just not ready yet.

Kendall Graveman questions are flying at me as folks see the 2.29 ERA and 0.81 WHIP through five outings. It doesn’t matter folks. In 57 big-league outings, 52 starts, he has a 4.08 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a pathetic 5.55 K/9 rate. He’s simply not very talented and nothing more than a spot starter in a mixed league.

For all you Rich Hill lovers... and I know there are amazingly tons... you should be awfully concerned that his current K/BB ratio is 0.93, a hideous number. Folks, Hill has walked 14 batters in 12.1 innings. He just ain’t right, no matter what you’re reading.

Phil Hughes has been battered for a .353 batting average against. He had the same surgery as Matt Harvey. He doesn’t look good at all. Move on.

Kyle Kendrick leads the spring with 29 innings. Even with a 1.00 WHIP and 2.17 ERA he’s been sent to minor league camp. He’s not very good anyway. The upshot is that Drew Pomeranz must be healthy so at least there is that.

Clayton Kershaw appears to be as healthy as ever. I still have some mild concerns after he failed to reach 150-innings last season with a back issue, but he’s looked as sharp as ever with some astounding early numbers: 2.14 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 21 innings.

Mike Leake wasn’t good last year. He’s better than he showed without being anything to write home about unless you’re really lacking gossip to chat about. He’s been on his game early with a 1.12 WHIP over 26 innings.

Sean Manaea has a concerning 10 walks in 19 innings this spring. Still a fan though.

I keep getting questions about Hyun-Jin Ryu. It’s insane. Folks, you didn’t just discover plutonium, create the character of Batman or marry Kate Beckinsale. As I said on Twitter this morning, the answer to any question is NEVER Ryu. Never.

The most important thing right now is that Danny Salazar is healthy. He’s struggled to throw strikes with 14 free passes in 26 innings, but he’s also punched out a whopping 37 batters showing that his stuff is certainly there.

Blake Snell has a dynamic arm, zero doubt. However, he still looks like he’s searching. In 19 innings he has just 13 strikeouts and he’s still had trouble throwing strikes with nine walks. Just doesn’t appear ready to consistently get batters out at the moment.

Masahiro Tanaka has been dynamic this spring: 0.00 ERA, 0.48 WHIP over 18.2 innings.

Josh Tomlin is pitching like... Josh Tomlin. He hasn’t walked a batter in 14 innings. He also has allowed a whopping seven homers. Don’t know why folks are drafting him in mixed leagues. Don’t be one of those folks.

Taijuan Walker has punched out 28 batters in 22.1 innings. More impressive, and that’s saying something, is his total of two walks. The homers are an ongoing concern though as he’s allowed four big flies. Still, tons to like early on with the righty.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 7 PM EDT, Wednesday 8 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).