George Kirby

Kirby continues to look sharp this spring despite Seattle's pitching staff adjusting to life without All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh behind the plate due to the World Baseball Classic. He struck out two and issued just one walk, needing an efficient 55 pitches (35 strikes) to complete three innings. It's an encouraging sign to see the 28-year-old fantasy stalwart progressing through a normal ramp-up this spring after shoulder inflammation sidelined him at the start of last year.

George Kirby is experimenting with calling his own pitches as a way to increase his conviction and confidence on the mound

The Mariners take on the Brewers with George Kirby on the mound

Kirby feels like a classic rebound candidate. His 3.88 xERA last season aligned closely with his established baseline, while the 4.21 ERA -- the worst of his four-year career -- arrived alongside shoulder issues that limited him to a career-low 23 starts. The underlying profile didn't collapse; the surface results just drifted in the wrong direction. At 28, he profiles as the type of arm the market temporarily overthinks before quietly rediscovering. Expect him to settle back into the top-15 starter tier this spring -- the kind of bet that feels less like chasing upside and more like trusting mathematics.