Matt Canterino, SP
There have been pitchers we've all kept an eye on this spring, but one name to start buying as much stock as you can in right now is Matt Canterino.
He didn't have a robust Spring Training, but Canterino struck out five batters in two starts for the Twins before getting re-assigned as part of roster cuts. It's not what he did on the mound that's notable so much as the fact that he was there to begin with; Canterino is coming back from Tommy John surgery and so far his progress suggests he could work his way into the big picture soon.
Canterino underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022, which set him back a bit after a tremendous start to his career. After getting drafted in 2019 he posted a 1.48 ERA with 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings before lighting up Double-A with a 1.83 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 34.1 inning.
#MNTwins No. 7 prospect Matt Canterino was dealing tonight for @CRKernels:
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 29, 2021
4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K pic.twitter.com/VMDcLPdivd
It wasn't long after that start in 2022 that he needed to be shut down, halting what seemed to be a clear and rapid ascent to the MLB roster. Had he not needed to have surgery there's a decent chance we're talking about Canterino the same way we are Bailey Ober and the Twins rotation situation is completely different.
His solid spring wasn't anything major in terms of blowing folks away on the stat sheet, rather the way he seemed to slip right back into the pitcher he was before needing surgery is a positive sign. He still needs to work his way back slowly, but Canterino will be a name to watch this year as he prepares for a potential late-season call up.