Gabe Speier: Key Role for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
- Every great team can use a sidearming lefty in its bullpen.And out of all the sidearming lefties, Team USA picked the Mariners' for the World Baseball Classic.
- Gabe Speier is set to pitch in the 2026 Classic as of this week, making him the only true left-handed reliever on the roster.
- It's low to the ground, creating a funky angle that batters struggle to pick up.He doesn't throw particularly hard, averaging 91.8 mph with his fastball, but the movement...
Every great team can use a sidearming lefty in its bullpen.And out of all the sidearming lefties, Team USA picked the Mariners’ for the World Baseball Classic. For good reason.
Gabe Speier is set to pitch in the 2026 Classic as of this week, making him the only true left-handed reliever on the roster. Here’s why he could play a key role:
1. His unique look
Speier’s arm slot is… different. It’s low to the ground, creating a funky angle that batters struggle to pick up.He doesn’t throw particularly hard, averaging 91.8 mph with his fastball, but the movement and deception make it play up. That’s why he consistently generates a high ground-ball rate (56.8% last year) and a solid whiff rate (26.4%).
“It’s just a different look,” USA manager Mark DeRosa said. “You’re seeing a lot of over-the-top guys, and then you get a guy like Gabe, who’s coming from a different angle. It messes with timing. It messes with hitters’ eyes.It’s a weapon.”
2.He’s a proven performer
Speier isn’t just a novelty act. He’s been a consistently good reliever for the mariners the past three seasons, posting a 3.48 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and 158 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings. He’s also pitched in high-leverage situations, with a career 3.17 ERA in those spots.
“He’s not afraid of the moment,” DeRosa said. “He’s been in big games, he’s pitched well, and he’s got the stuff to get guys out.”
3. He fills a specific need
As mentioned earlier, Speier is the only true left-handed reliever on Team USA’s roster. That makes him a valuable asset against tough left-handed hitters, especially in crucial situations. With the Classic’s rules limiting pitching changes, having a reliable lefty who can get a key out is a huge advantage.
“You need a guy who can come in and neutralize a left-handed hitter,” DeRosa said.”Gabe is that guy. He’s a specialist, and he’s really good at what he does.”
Gabe Speier is quietly becoming one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is exceptional – the largest gap between K% and BB% among relievers with at least 50 innings pitched in 2025, trailing only his Team USA teammate Mason Miller.
RP with largest gap between K% and BB%,2025
Min. 50 innings pitched
* 1. Mason Miller: 32.5%
* 2. Aroldis Chapman: 30.7%
* 3. Edwin Díaz: 29.8%
* 4. Gabe Speier: 29.2%
* 5. Josh Hader: 29.1%
When a pitcher strikes out that many people and walks so few people, he’s just not going to give up many runs.
to that end, Speier’s expected ERA, according to statcast, was among the MLB leaders for 2025. Expected ERA combines a pitcher’s strikeouts, walks and quality of contact allowed to measure what his ERA deserves to look like.
Lowest xERA,2025
min. 100 batters faced
* 1. Josh Hader: 2.00
* 2. aroldis Chapman: 2.11
* 3. Brandon Woodruff: 2.22
* 4-T. Gabe Speier: 2.49
* 4-T. Edwin Díaz: 2.49
* 4-T. Zack Wheeler: 2.49
* 4-T. Caleb Thielbar: 2.49
That number tells you Speier chopping three runs off his real ERA last year was no fluke.
Gabe speier has quickly become one of the most valuable relievers in baseball, and here’s why he could be a key piece for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
1) he’s a strikeout machine. Speier has a 33.8% strikeout rate, which ranks in the 98th percentile of MLB pitchers. He also ranked in the 98th percentile of MLB pitchers with a 36% chase rate induced last season. And hitters aren’t making contact with Speier’s slider when it’s in the dead zones he likes to throw it to. He generated a 49% whiff rate on the slider in 2025.
[Video: Gabe Speier strikes out Nick Kurtz to end the top of the 8th inning with a runner on second]
2) He can be the Ohtani specialist
If history repeats itself in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Team USA could be in for a rematch with Japan. And that would mean somebody has to get out Shohei Ohtani in the late innings.
Speier can be that guy. He’s the exact type of pitcher that the Phillies used to shut down Ohtani in their playoff series in October: a low arm angle lefty with a heavy sinker.
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The Phillies’ southpaws — Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo, Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks – held Ohtani to a .556 OPS in 21 plate appearances during the NLCS.
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What is Spring training?
Table of Contents
Spring Training is a series of exhibition games played by Major League Baseball (MLB) teams to prepare for the regular season. It typically begins in February and lasts until late March, allowing players to regain form and managers to evaluate their rosters.
The tradition dates back to the late 19th century, evolving from informal workouts in warmer climates to the highly organized event it is today. Teams split into two squads - often referred to as the “A” and “B” teams – to maximize playing time for all players. Spring Training isn’t just about baseball; it’s a crucial period for physical conditioning, skill refinement, and team building.
In 2024, Spring Training games began on February 22nd, with the Seattle Mariners and San Diego padres playing the first official game in Peoria, arizona. MLB.com provides a full schedule and results.
Where Does Spring Training Take Place?
Spring Training is primarily held in two states: Florida and Arizona. Florida’s Grapefruit League and arizona’s Cactus League are the two main locations.
The Grapefruit League, played in Florida, hosts teams from the American League East and National League East, as well as some others. Arizona’s Cactus League, located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, is home to the remaining teams.These locations offer warm weather and dedicated facilities for training and games. The facilities range from simple practice fields to modern stadiums.
As of January 17, 2026, the Cactus League includes facilities like Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies) and Sloan Park (Chicago Cubs). The Cactus League website lists all participating teams and their locations. The Grapefruit League features stadiums like Publix Field at LECOM Park (Pittsburgh Pirates) and George M. Steinbrenner Field (New York Yankees). The Grapefruit League website details the Florida locations.
Why is Spring Training Important?
Spring Training is vital for several reasons, impacting both player performance and team strategy. It allows players to gradually increase their workload after the offseason, reducing the risk of injury during the regular season.
For pitchers,Spring Training is crucial for building arm strength and refining their mechanics. Position players use the time to work on hitting, fielding, and base running. Managers use the games to experiment with different lineups and assess player performance in game situations. It’s also a chance for rookies and non-roster invitees to compete for a spot on the 26-man roster.
According to a 2023 study by the American Sports Medicine Institute, pitchers who gradually increased their workload during Spring Training experienced a 30% lower rate of elbow and shoulder injuries during the regular season. The American Sports Medicine Institute is a leading research organization in sports injury prevention.
How Long Does Spring Training Last?
Spring Training typically lasts approximately six to eight weeks. In 2024,the official start date was February 22nd,with the regular season beginning on march 28th.
The schedule includes a mix of exhibition games against other MLB teams,as well as intrasquad games. Teams generally play around 60-70 games during Spring Training. The final week is usually dedicated to fine-tuning the roster and preparing for Opening Day. The length of Spring training has been a subject of debate in recent years, with some advocating for a shorter duration to reduce player fatigue and injury risk.
MLB announced on February 8, 2024, that the 2025 spring Training schedule would begin on February 21st, maintaining the six-to-eight week timeframe. MLB’s official press release confirmed these dates.
Which Teams Participate in Spring Training?
All 30 Major League Baseball teams participate in Spring Training. They are divided between the Grapefruit league in Florida and the Cactus League in Arizona.
Here’s a partial list of teams and their Spring Training locations as of January 17, 2026:
- Cactus League (Arizona): Los Angeles Angels (tempe Diablo Stadium), Arizona diamondbacks (Salt River Fields), Chicago Cubs (Sloan Park), Cincinnati Reds (Goodyear Ballpark), Cleveland Guardians (Goodyear Ballpark), Colorado Rockies (Salt River Fields), Kansas City Royals (Surprise Recreation Campus), Milwaukee