10 New Pitches Worth Watching in 2026 MLB Season

From Logan Gilbert's wipeout changeup to Jacob deGrom's revived sinker, these new offerings are set to shake up the league.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting various baseball pitching motions and deliveries broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the dynamic evolution of pitching arsenals in the modern game.A cubist interpretation of the diverse array of new pitches set to shake up the 2026 MLB season.Today in Pittsburgh

Spring Training is always a testing ground for new pitches, but some of those new offerings stick and make an impact in the regular season. This article highlights 10 new or significantly improved pitches from MLB pitchers that are worth keeping an eye on in the 2026 season, including Logan Gilbert's changeup, Dylan Cease's improved changeup, Cam Schlittler's hard cutter, and Jacob deGrom's revived sinker.

Why it matters

New pitch development is crucial for pitchers to stay ahead of hitters and maintain an edge in the majors. These 10 pitches could give their owners a significant advantage, helping them miss more bats, induce more weak contact, and ultimately dominate opposing lineups throughout the 2026 season.

The details

The article provides details on 10 new or improved pitches that MLB pitchers are introducing in 2026, including the pitch type, velocity, movement, and how it differs from the pitcher's previous offerings. For example, Mariners ace Logan Gilbert has added a devastating changeup to complement his wipeout splitter, while Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease has finally found a reliable changeup to go with his power fastball and slider. The article also highlights new cutters from Yankees reliever Cam Schlittler and Rangers rookie Jack Leiter, as well as a sharp new slider from Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez.

  • The 2026 MLB regular season began in early April 2026.

The players

Logan Gilbert

Mariners starting pitcher who has added a new changeup pitch to his arsenal.

Dylan Cease

Blue Jays starting pitcher who has developed an improved changeup pitch.

Cam Schlittler

Yankees relief pitcher who has a new hard cutter in his pitch mix.

Cristopher Sánchez

Phillies starting pitcher who has a sharper slider this season.

Jack Leiter

Rangers starting pitcher who has added a new cutter to his power arsenal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

As the 2026 MLB season progresses, it will be important to monitor how these new pitches perform and impact the success of the pitchers using them. Some may prove to be game-changers, while others may struggle to consistently locate and command the new offerings.

The takeaway

The constant evolution of pitching arsenals is a key part of what makes baseball such a dynamic and ever-changing sport. These 10 new pitches highlight the creativity and adaptability of today's top MLB arms as they seek to stay one step ahead of hitters and dominate on the mound.