The race to the 2026 season is on, and for some pitchers, it's not just about getting in shape – it's about a complete overhaul! As pitchers and catchers prepare to report and Spring Training games loom, the familiar buzz of offseason improvements is already in the air. We're used to hearing about players hitting the gym or adopting new diets, often with a nod to specialized facilities like Driveline. These stories typically highlight how athletes are addressing a specific weakness from the previous year, whether it's a hitter working on swing speed or a pitcher focusing on endurance.
But here's where it gets interesting: a select group of starting pitchers are facing a particularly steep climb, needing to make significant adjustments for the 2026 season. While two are already making strides, one remains a bit of an enigma. Let's dive into what each of these pitchers is up against.
Michael Lorenzen: Conquering the Mountain That is Coors Field
Veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen has willingly stepped into one of baseball's most notorious challenges: pitching at Coors Field. By signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Colorado Rockies, Lorenzen has made the mile-high stadium his home, a place that notoriously inflates offensive numbers. Coors Field consistently tops the Statcast Park Factors leaderboard, boasting a score of 113 over the past three seasons, a significant lead over even a park like Fenway at 104. It's the undisputed king for generating hits, runs, singles, and on-base percentages from 2023 to 2025.
Fortunately, Lorenzen isn't going into this blind. He's armed with a plan: an eight-pitch mix designed to tame the hitter-friendly environment. As Lorenzen himself stated, "I feel like I own the shapes (of my pitches) … I just know what I’m trying to do, I know what the feel is I’m looking for and the shape I’m trying to create." He's also proactive about understanding the unique challenges of pitching in Colorado, planning to visit soon to throw bullpens and observe how his pitches perform. Last season, Lorenzen utilized seven different pitches, with his sweeper being used sparingly at 8.2%, while others saw more action. His most frequent pitch, the four-seamer, was still thrown at a modest 22% clip. He posted a 4.64 ERA with Kansas City and was likely looking at a depth role elsewhere, but joining the Rockies offers a solid opportunity to secure a rotation spot.
Paul DePodesta, head of baseball operations, noted Lorenzen's enthusiasm for the challenge: "We didn’t have to convince him of anything; he ran toward this challenge... Michael definitely wanted to pitch here. … I don’t think he’s afraid of anything. This is a challenge that he was actually (eager) to take on."
But here's where it gets controversial: Is it truly possible for a pitcher to 'conquer' Coors Field with pitch selection alone, or is it an insurmountable environmental hurdle? What are your thoughts?
Roki Sasaki: From Bullpen Ace to Rotation Staple?
Perhaps Michael Lorenzen could share some pitch-design wisdom with Roki Sasaki, who is aiming to transition back into a starting role. Sasaki's initial foray into the majors was a mixed bag, with a 4.46 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and 22 walks over eight starts. A shoulder injury in May landed him on the injured list, but upon his return, he became a dominant force in the Dodgers' bullpen, allowing just one earned run in 10 2/3 postseason innings and notching three saves. His splitter was a standout, boasting an impressive 37.2% whiff rate.
However, the rest of his arsenal needs work. His fastball, thrown about half the time, had a low 11.1% whiff rate and was hit hard for a .500 SLG. His slider, used 16.3% of the time, struggled with consistency, falling below a 40% zone rate.
For 2026, Sasaki is slated to rejoin the rotation. Manager Dave Roberts has emphasized the need for Sasaki to develop a third pitch, stating, "He needs to develop a third pitch. It’s going to need to be something that goes left." Sasaki is reportedly working on a cutter and a two-seamer, pitches that could help him generate swings and misses from right-handed hitters and improve his 59.3% strike rate, which is nearly 5% below league average.
And this is the part most people miss: Can a pitcher truly succeed as a starter in today's game with only two elite pitches, even if one is exceptional? Is the era of relying on a fastball-splitter combination truly over for starters?
Shota Imanaga: Rekindling the Flame of His Fastball
Shota Imanaga's rookie season in 2024 was largely powered by his signature "rising" fastball, complemented by an elite splitter and a few breaking balls, leading to a sub-3.00 ERA and excellent control. He started 2025 strong, but a hamstring strain in early May derailed his season. Upon his return, his ERA climbed to 4.14, and he surrendered 24 home runs in just 17 starts. This struggle carried into the playoffs, where he was tagged for six earned runs and three homers in 6 2/3 innings.
The data reveals a clear dip in his fastball's effectiveness post-injury. Its velocity decreased by half a tick, and induced vertical break dropped by 1.6 inches. His fastball's Stuff+ rating fell from a strong 112 to a concerning 98.
If Imanaga's fastball can't regain its elite characteristics, the home run problem is likely to persist. Hitters have made contact with the ball in the air against him at a high 66.1% clip over his two MLB seasons. While these fly balls were often caught by outfielders when his fastball was at its best, they were squared up and hit out of the park last year.
Here's a point that could spark differing opinions: Will a full offseason of rest for his hamstring be enough to restore his fastball's dominance, or does Imanaga need a more significant mechanical adjustment? What do you believe is the key to his comeback?
What are your predictions for these pitchers in 2026? Do you think they'll successfully navigate their challenges, or will they struggle to adapt? Let us know in the comments below!
