Griffin Canning - 2025 Breakout Candidate
With a new team and revamped pitch arsenal, Griffin Canning has turned in a dominant spring.
Griffin Canning turned in another strong spring training outing today. Facing the Rays, Canning threw 4 2/3 innings surrendering three hits, one earned run, one walk, and struck out nine. This outing brought Canning to an even 10 innings pitched for the spring with a 0.90 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts.
Originally drafted in the second round in 2017 by the Los Angeles Angels, Canning battled a plethora of injuries since debuting in 2019 before throwing a career high 171 2/3 innings in 2024. His numbers last year were less than ideal as he allowed 174 hits (7th most in AL), 105 runs with 99 of them earned (both most in AL), 31 home runs allowed (2nd most), and 66 walks (6th most). A change of scenery and a strong spring could be what Canning needs to piece together a full, strong season. Traded this offseason to Atlanta for Jorge Soler and subsequently non-tendered, Canning signed a one year, $4.25 million contract with the Mets.
At the time of signing, Canning seemed to be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, but after injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, Canning is projected to hold the fifth rotation spot.
Canning’s spring success can be attributed to the notable adjustments to his pitch usage, shifting away from his previously fastball-first approach. He has increasingly relied on his slider, with his four-seam fastball and changeup serving as secondary pitches. Additionally, he rounds out his arsenal with a sinker that he uses solely against right handed hitters and a cutter that he primarily throws to lefties. Though the sample size is limited, Canning threw his slider 36 times today, accounting for 50.7% of his total pitches, and generated nine whiffs on 20 swings. Overall, he threw 71 pitches, tallying 13 whiffs on 33 swings—a 39% whiff rate, a significant improvement over his 24.5% whiff rate in 2024. While it’s still spring training, Canning’s performance offers considerable optimism for a Mets rotation already plagued by injuries.