Discussion - 2026 Pitching Injuries and Apparent Lack of Significant Development

[biedergb]

1 hour ago, Ro Mueller said:

I'm pretty sure the team just snuck these previous moves into the log:

• LHP Tate Kuehner transferred to AAA Nashville's 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list on June 29
• RHP Bryce Meccage transferred to High-A Wisconsin's 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list on June 29
• RHP Jesus Flores transferred to High-A Wisconsin's 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list on June 29
• LHP Anfernny Reyes transferred to Low-A Wilson's 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list on June 29
• RHP Johandry Ramirez transferred to ACL Brewers' 60-day injured list from 7-day injured list on June 4

Wow. What a lost year for pitching. A few coming back from injury who are easing in (Knoth among others), and multiple longer term.  Man losing a year of development by Meccage along with the lost years for most of the ‘25 picks is a set back. And then not being able to sign the 5th round pick.. next draft picks 1-20 need to be pitchers.  

[Jim French Stepstool]

8 minutes ago, biedergb said:

next draft picks 1-20 need to be pitchers.  

Didn't the Angels do something like that in a recent draft, or threaten to do it?

[Tedaldtada]

7 minutes ago, biedergb said:

Wow. What a lost year for pitching. A few coming back from injury who are easing in (Knoth among others), and multiple longer term.  Man losing a year of development by Meccage along with the lost years for most of the ‘25 picks is a set back. And then not being able to sign the 5th round pick.. next draft picks 1-20 need to be pitchers.  

I hear ya but the system is littered with ultra young interesting guys. I could easily see next year being the year of the pitcher where numerous arms explode à la the hitters this year.

[biedergb]

15 minutes ago, Tedaldtada said:

I hear ya but the system is littered with ultra young interesting guys. I could easily see next year being the year of the pitcher where numerous arms explode à la the hitters this year.

Agree. A lot there in potential.  It’s the lost year on injury, recovery or just down years. Maybe I’m just bummed from the loss to SF, and seeing Hardin’s poor line tonight.  But there have’t been a big step forward by many hurlers.  Owen’s and Niksch have been very nice surprises.  Hardin has been good.  But Letson good just limited, ditto Knoth.  And still waiting for something more from Thompson, Morrison, Vucinovuch, Holden and Bentley;or big steps by Dubanewicz or Dorchies.

Although Thompson had a nice start today, please stay healthy🤞

[ARobsBrewCrew]

11 hours ago, biedergb said:

Wow. What a lost year for pitching. A few coming back from injury who are easing in (Knoth among others), and multiple longer term.  Man losing a year of development by Meccage along with the lost years for most of the ‘25 picks is a set back. And then not being able to sign the 5th round pick.. next draft picks 1-20 need to be pitchers.  

I was actually looking at this the other day.  It’s honestly been one of the healthiest seasons in recent memory across the board, pitchers and position players, both in terms of total IL time and number of players that have missed at least some time.  That being said, you’d think that would mean a solid year of pitching development in the system and it just hasn’t quite been that.  There has been an odd offensive explosion across the minors this year which has led to outstanding breakouts for hitters and what has seemingly been regression for pitchers.  MLB has denied experimenting with the baseballs being used, but there has been significant drag reduction on this year’s balls which causes them to carry further and pitches to not get as much movement.  I do expect to see (at least I am hoping for) a more balanced 2027 with more promising results from the young arms.  For me, I see the theme being the year of the free pass with BB/9 up from 4.2 in 2025 to 5.4 this year.  Again, that may partially be a product of whatever unintentional changes were made with the baseball, so hopefully that trend will flip again next season.

[wibadgers23]

12 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Didn't the Angels do something like that in a recent draft, or threaten to do it?

Yes, in 2021 and it wasn't very successful. That organization is a mess and has been a mess for a long time. They just can't get anything right.

[biedergb]

I really appreciate your insights @ARobsBrewCrew - that is a perspective that is good to hear as far as injury. I think some is expectation, coming into the season and expecting everyone completely healthy and then having so much competition that we have tons of pitchers perform well.  But the offense has been super high across the leagues.

Anyway, we can return this thread back to the transactions and the discussion on transactions.
MODERATORS - feel free to pull these posts into another thread if there is more discussion on this, sorry to have "hijacked" this but that post of so many pitchers going to 60-day IL triggered me obviously.

[SF70]

Yeah, it’s been a disappointing year for me with the pitching. I think the arms are there, once they get healthy, to breakout at some point next year. 

Episcope-Flores-Cairone are 3 big-armed talents I’m hoping to see excel. Same with Thompson, who’s stuff seems to be ticking-up, and Josh Knoth, who’s stuff seems to be back but needs innings. Wasn’t expecting Woodward to struggle so badly coming back from TJ but maybe it being his second time is slowing down his recovery.

Also looking forward to some of the arms from the ‘26 draft-class. 

[biedergb]

3 hours ago, SF70 said:

Episcope-Flores

yeah losing a full year for those two, and .limited innings for Thompson and MOrrison. Then add the incredible journey for Cairone is a welcome story, but from a purely cold results standpoint is not what we were expecting this time last year. That is NOT to take anything away from what he has done since New Years. And Vucinovich, Holden and Bentley - whether it is live ball, or just get acclimated to pro ball, but not quite the same step forward as we saw with pitchers in other years. 

Hopeful for more - maybe next year