Matt Svanson

Active

St. Louis Cardinals · RP

Age 276' 5" · 235 lbsThrows Right

#432 Preseason

FBaseball Overview

After an impressive rookie season in 2025 that showcased elite strikeout production and sterling ERA/WHIP metrics, Svanson has struggled early in 2026 with an inflated 7.20 ERA and 1.71 WHIP through 35 innings, raising questions about sustainability. The 27-year-old remains a potential source of strikeouts—he's fanned 34 batters already—but fantasy managers need clarity on his role and whether the early-season struggles represent a temporary adjustment or a concerning trend away from his dominant 2025 form. His pedigree as a multi-time post-season All-Star suggests the talent is there, but the dramatic regression in ERA and WHIP makes him a risky bet until he demonstrates he can recapture the control and effectiveness that made him a breakout pitching prospect last year. Monitor his next few starts closely before committing significant resources, as his upside as a strikeout-heavy pitcher remains intriguing despite the rocky 2026 start.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2025	St. Louis Cardinals	39	0	4	0	1.94	0.88	68	60.1	20
2026	St. Louis Cardinals	41	1	2	3	7.27	1.75	41	43.1	21
Career	Totals	80	1	6	3	4.17	1.24	109	103.2	41

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2021	Dunedin Blue Jays	11	0	1	1	5	2.30	1.02	23	15.2	8
2022	2 teams▼	28	9	8	5	0	4.15	1.28	83	82.1	23
2023	3 teams▼	41	0	6	1	11	1.86	0.99	64	53.1	16
2024	Springfield Cardinals	53	0	4	3	27	2.69	1.46	59	63.2	25
2025	Memphis Redbirds	15	0	1	0	1	3.32	1.62	22	21.2	9
2026	Memphis Redbirds	22	0	2	1	2	1.54	0.94	28	23.1	5
Career	Totals	170	9	22	11	46	2.91	1.25	279	260	86

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Last Week / Last Month

Current season · MLB only

7 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
7	1	5.2	0-1	0	11.12	2.29	3	2

30 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
30	1	30.1	2-2	0	5.64	1.55	30	10

Game Log2026 MLB

Loading game log…

Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo96.3 mph

Avg Spin2259 rpm

Whiff %18.8%

K %19.8%

BB %10.1%

Hard Hit %44.8%

Barrel %7.0%

xERA6.03

xBA Against0.301

xSLG Against0.467

BA Against0.306

SLG Against0.450

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2025

St. Louis Cardinals

1.94

0.88

60.1

2026

St. Louis Cardinals

7.27

1.75

43.1

Career

Totals

4.17

1.24

109

103.2

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2021

Dunedin Blue Jays

2.30

1.02

15.2

2022

2 teams▼

4.15

1.28

82.1

2023

3 teams▼

1.86

0.99

53.1

2024

Springfield Cardinals

2.69

1.46

63.2

2025

Memphis Redbirds

3.32

1.62

21.2

2026

Memphis Redbirds

1.54

0.94

23.1

Career

Totals

170

2.91

1.25

279

260

W-L

ERA

WHIP

5.2

0-1

11.12

2.29

W-L

ERA

WHIP

30.1

2-2

5.64

1.55