The St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a challenging 2026 season, with many expecting them to struggle in the NL Central.
Yet, amidst the rebuilding phase, there's a glimmer of hope shining from the mound. A couple of their starting pitchers have been making waves during spring training, and it's not just wishful thinking.
Matthew Liberatore and Richard Fitts are turning heads with their impressive Stuff+ metrics. Liberatore is tied for fifth among starters this spring who have thrown at least 100 pitches, boasting a Stuff+ score of 118, while Fitts is close behind at 117.
Liberatore's spring stats are particularly eye-catching, with three runs allowed over 10 innings and 14 strikeouts. Fitts, on the other hand, has had a rougher go with eight hits and four earned runs in 4.2 innings, but there's more to his performance than meets the eye.
Liberatore recently delivered a standout performance, forcing 16 swings and misses, just shy of his career high but with fewer pitches. He's added velocity and improved the drop on his slider, making him a promising candidate to lead the Cardinals' rotation on Opening Day. After a mixed 2025, the team is counting on him to anchor the pitching staff throughout the season.
Fitts is also showing potential, having boosted his velocity as he vies for the final spot in the rotation. Acquired in the trade that sent Sonny Gray to the Red Sox, Fitts is starting to reveal the talent that the Cardinals' new president of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, likely saw in him. Despite a challenging 2025 with a 5.00 ERA over 45 innings, Fitts is poised for a breakthrough.
Dustin May, another new addition to the Cardinals' roster, is getting attention for his increased velocity and improved four-seam fastball. After battling injuries during his time with the Dodgers, May is showing signs of his former brilliance this spring. If he can maintain this form, he could become a valuable trade asset for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals' fans had hoped for a revitalized pitching pipeline under Bloom's leadership, and the transformation is happening faster than expected. After years of uncertainty, the team now has a clear direction, with their pitching staff potentially leading the charge into a new era.