MLB Spring Training 2012: Top Pitchers to Watch During Exhibition Season

Spring training is all fun and games for the most part, but there are some guys who have to take it more seriously than others. Some guys actually have to prove something in spring training.

If you're kind of lukewarm about spring training, these are the guys you want to focus on. There's slightly more intrigue surrounding them, and that's a good thing if you're looking for a spring training rooting interest.

I'm a fan of pitchers, myself. As we get deeper into exhibition season, there are five pitchers in particular that I'm going to have my eye on.

5. Daniel Bard, Boston Red Sox

I'm putting Daniel Bard on this list partially because I'm a Red Sox fan, but also because his storyline is indeed one of the more interesting storylines out there.

Everyone knows Bard as Jonathan Papelbon's setup man. You know, the one with the blistering fastball.

Not anymore. Bard is going to be a starter in 2012, and the Red Sox desperately need him to pan out. Their rotation is strong up top, but they need it to be deep all the way to the bottom if they hope to compete in the American League East this season.

So the Red Sox will be looking for a couple things from Bard. They need to see if he can be consistent for more than one inning, if his fastball velocity holds up and if he can throw his secondary pitches with any consistency.

If Bard shows them what they want to see, he'll be a starter. If he doesn't show them what they want to see, he'll probably be a starter anyway—just not a good one.

4. Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays

Matt Moore is a trendy pick to win the American League Rookie of the Year award this season, and it's no secret why. Moore's stuff is absolutely filthy, and he already established himself as a major league-ready pitcher with his performance in the postseason last year.

But all is not well with Moore. He's dealing with some abdominal pain, forcing the Rays to play it safe with him.

Per MLB.com, the Rays don't think Moore's injury is anything serious, which is a relief. The last thing they need is a major injury to their young stud in spring training, for crying out loud.

Nevertheless, Moore's situation is worth monitoring. Maybe this injury is more serious than the Rays think.

If it's not, I'd still monitor Moore. You're not going to find a better pitching prospect this season.

3. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

It's pretty ridiculous that the Cardinals won the World Series without any help from Adam Wainwright, who missed the season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

At last check, Wainwright was looking pretty good. MLB.com reported that he threw a live batting practice session against the Cardinals' top hitters. He threw mostly fastballs, and the one curveball he threw resulted in a home run courtesy of Yadier Molina.

Everybody panic!

Okay, maybe not. 

The thought of the Cardinals with a healthy and effective Wainwright should concern the National League. If the Cardinals can win the World Series without him, there's no telling what they can do with him.

We know Wainwright is healthy, but effective...not so much. That's something Wainwright will have to establish this spring, so definitely keep an eye on him.

2. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers

He apparently doesn't throw a gyroball, but Yu Darvish is the biggest thing to come out of Japan since Daisuke Matsuzaka, otherwise known as the last biggest thing to come out of Japan.

The Rangers are hoping Darvish ends up being a better investment than Dice-K, but they're definitely rolling the dice. How Darvish's stuff is going to translate over to the majors is anybody's guess.

According to Richard Durrett of ESPN.com, the Rangers are going to see Darvish pitch for the first time on Friday. He's only going to pitch one inning, but that'll do just fine for now.

Darvish will ramp it up as spring training goes along. You're going to want to pay attention.

1. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

When healthy, nobody can match Stephen Strasburg's stuff. It's that good.

Because Strasburg has already had Tommy John surgery, and because he's still just 23 years old, the Nationals are going to be very careful with him from now on. However, they're not going to be doing him any favors by keeping him on a short leash all the way through spring training. At some point, they're going to have to turn Strasburg loose.

Whatever they do, I'll be happy just to see him pitch. Dude is remarkable.