In the Spotlight: RHP Matt Svanson

In the Spotlight: RHP Matt Svanson

There’s always one pitcher in camp who makes you pause mid-sentence and watch the bullpen session a little longer. This spring, that pitcher might be Matt Svanson.

The right-hander offers the raw tools clubs covet in late-inning relievers: a fastball reaching 97 MPH and two distinct breaking pitches, giving him weapons against both right- and left-handed batters. The fastball has life, and the breaking ball can miss bats. When he’s ahead in the count, hitters rarely look comfortable.

That’s the profile of a modern bullpen asset.

Lindy’s Fantasy Sports projects for Svanson in 2026; 41 innings over 65 appearances with a 3-2 record and a 3.42 ERA. Those numbers suggest steady contribution, not just roster filler. If Svanson handles leverage situations and throws consistent strikes, that projection might even prove conservative.

His 2025 performance established the foundation. A 4-0 record with a 1.94 ERA across 60.1 innings in 39 appearances reflects more than just good fortune—it points to command, poise, and the ability to navigate traffic.

Bullpens are built on trust. Managers don’t hand the seventh, eighth, or ninth inning to arms they’re unsure of. But power stuff travels, and when velocity is paired with secondary pitches that can finish at-bats, roles expand.

Every season, a reliever emerges from relative anonymity and becomes part of the backbone of a pitching staff. Svanson has the tools to make that climb.

For now, he’s an arm worth watching.

And in this game, sometimes that’s how it starts.

Photo Credit - The Brown and White