This is the final batch of right-handed pitchers. I’d not be surprised if one or more of these ended up in our Opening Day bullpen, and there is a non-zero chance every one we talk about here, sees some MLB action over the course of the 2026 campaign…
Jonathan Loaisiga (43)
With eight years of major-league experience, and a 120 ERA+ across almost 250 innings of MLB work, Loaisiga is a very credible option for the Arizona ‘pen. All of that time came with the Yankees – he was their longest-tenured pitcher at the end of last
season – peaking in a stellar 2023 campaign where has worth 3.3 bWAR, entirely in relief. Last year was a bit of a struggle, with a mediocre 4.25 ERA across 30 appearances in pinstripes, and an ugly 5.83 FIP. It’s possible he was still recovering from elbow surgery – an internal brace, rather than traditional Tommy John – which ended his 2024 season after just three games. He also had back and flexor problems, so staying healthy is going to be key.
Alfred Morillo (78)
Not to be confused with right-handed relief pitcher Juan Morillo, who is already on the 40-man roster, Morillo is also Dominican rather than Venezuelan. He has been part of the Arizona farm system for four years, splitting 2025 between Double-A and Triple-A. Morillo does need to get the walks down – 20 over just 29 innings for Reno, and control has been an issue through his minor-league career. But he only turned 24 in November, so time is on his side. In September, Preston called him “most likely a shuttle-riding mid-inning option, but there is a small chance of greater upside.”
Taylor Rashi (54)
It was a bit of a surprise when Rashi was non-tendered in November, especially considering he was pre-arbitration, so was still set to earn league minimum this season. After all, he had looked good in his MLB debut, striking out 22 batters over 16.1 innings to give him a 1.91 FIP, while notching a pair of saves (above). Across a bigger sample size with Reno (67.1 IP), he also had a 3.48 ERA – the best of any Aces pitcher with 30+ innings last year. But a couple of weeks later, he re-signed with the Diamondbacks, so no harm done. It did take him until almost the end of August to reach the majors last year, but if he can reproduce his 2025 form, he should see Phoenix considerably sooner.
Landon Sims (87)
Our first-round pick (#34 overall) in 2022, Sims spent all of last season in Double-A Amarillo, where his 3.63 ERA was very credible given the environment. Of particular note, he allowed only two home-runs to the 233 batters he faced. It has been a process for Sims, since Tommy John surgery a couple of months before the draft, meant his pro debut was delayed until mid-2023. The initial results were short of impressive, but they have improved as Landon’s strength has returned. However, Fangraphs were unimpressed, calling him “a relief-only prospect now, and a bit of a fringy one… it’s a low-ceiling, low-leverage profile.”
