Griffin Canning

After missing 2022 with a lower-back stress fracture, Canning's season got off to an inauspicious start as began the campaign on the IL with a groin injury. Fortunately, he required only the minimum 15-day visit and went on to toss a career high 127 innings, starting 22 of 24 outings. He did revisit the IL in late July for a calf injury, but only missed three weeks, though it served to keep his inning in check. Considering Canning hadn't thrown a competitive pitch since 2021, his 4.32 ERA was impressive, but a 3.82 xFIP and 3.80 SIERA indicate he pitched even better. His 19.2 percent K-BB percent ranked 22nd among hurlers throwing at least 120 innings. His pitch mix was similar to before he was hurt, but his four-seamer ticked up 1-mph. Even so, Canning's swinging strike rate dropped from 2021, but his called strike rate improved. There's strikeout upside if he can induce more swinging strikes without losing any called strikes. Canning has always yielded homers at a high rate, so he's best used as a streamer, but he can be a sneaky asset if others are scared off by a seemingly high ERA. Read Past Outlooks