Discussion Question: Feliz/Holland vs. Cahill/Anderson

by John Sickels on Mar 2, 2026 11:35 AM EST Comment 35 comments

Here is a discussion question for you.

Which pitching prospect duo do you prefer, Neftali Feliz/Derek Holland of Texas, or Trevor Cahill/Brett Anderson of Oakland? You can't mix and match.

Texas and Oakland both have their share of fanboys here, so this should be interesting. Try to use reason and logic.

Poll

Which duo do you like better? Feliz/Holland or Cahill/Anderson?

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I prefer Feliz and Holland

because I am a Rangers fan and I know a lot more about these two than the evil Oakland prospects.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Mar 2, 2026 12:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Should be an interesting topic

I think a lot of votes will follow rooting interests and I have to say that it did for me.

All four of these guys are tremendous prospects so when it came time to vote I was swayed mostly by my greater knowledge of the Oakland guys. As a fan I just have more information about their guys which makes me more confident in their chances. Not the fairest way to judge but it’s all I got.

When looking at the numbers I was surprised at how aggressively Feliz and Holland have moved through the minors, although with their success I can’t really argue against it.

I was slightly concerned by Feliz’s walk rate which seems to stay above 4, although he showed better control in the midwest league it spiked again when he skipped A+ and went right to AA. He obviously has good stuff and if he eventually settles in to walk rate in the low 3’s he will be pretty darned good.

With Holland I have to admit his ‘08 numbers were amazing, the only thing holding me back on him is that I hadn’t really heard of him before last year and his numbers are all spread out across 3 levels so it’s hard for me to get over issues with sample size and what level he should be at. Which is to say Holland is mostly hurt by my own lack of knowledge, but should he settle in at one level and put up numbers at even 80% of what he did last year he might be my favorite of all 4 of these guys.

by DiegoAsFan on Mar 2, 2026 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

and about the A's guys

I personally like Anderson more than Cahill. I think sometimes he gets unfairly dinged because people equate lack of walks with lack of stuff. Anderson has a good fastball for a lefty that sits in the low 90’s with good movement, and also has a plus slider that was ranked best in the organization by BA. I’ve also been impressed with Anderson’s makeup, he really pitches with a plan, uses both sides of the plate and has a good sense of mixing his pitches. He seems to have great control and command, not just getting it in the strike zone but pitching to spots within the strike zone.

Cahill has one advantage going for him in that he has a true MLB ‘out’ pitch in the sinker. Multiple reports from scouts both within and outside the organization have said that Cahill throws one of the ‘heaviest’ fastballs around. His GB rates support this and show that it is very difficult to hit the ball in the air off him, which is always a good start. Combine this with his high K rate and I think he is a good bet to succeed at the highest level.

One thing to keep an eye on is the BB rate, Cahill has been average with his control, walking about 3.3 per 9 in A- and A+. This jumped last summer when he moved to AA, and while 6 starts isn’t enough to draw that much significant data from I am a bit concerned about walks as he moves up the ladder and has to start pitching that heaving sinking fastball into tighter windows.

I chose Anderson/Cahill because while I think all 4 guys here are top 25-30 prospects I just feel more confident in Anderson/Cahill to be at least average/slightly above at the ML level while still having a good shot to be Aces.

by DiegoAsFan on Mar 2, 2026 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't care about either team

But I voted Cahill and Anderson because I think they’re safer picks. Both are likely to be #3’s or better in MLB and both should be up this year.
Feliz and Holland, IMO, have higher upsides but more of a chance to flame out. Feliz, while I love his velo, could still end up a bullpen guy (granted a dominant one) and I’d like to see Holland keep his velo next year.
If both Feliz and Holland play up to their potential, they’ll be the better duo. But I think it’s much more likely that Cahill and Anderson end up better, at least to start their careers (first 3-5 years in MLB).

by joltinjoe on Mar 2, 2026 12:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

re Holland velo: in his first spring game Holland was clocked at 95, fwiw.

"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.

by Kinslerhomer on Mar 2, 2026 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, JParks just said that he reached 98.

"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.

by Kinslerhomer on Mar 2, 2026 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Conflicting reports

I’ve been told 95 and 98. I’ll find out in person in two days.

Martin Perez Interview

by jparks77 on Mar 2, 2026 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

it was either Barnett or Nadel that said hit hit 95 on the radio broadcast which I heard.

"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.

by Kinslerhomer on Mar 2, 2026 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

either one

since there was some worry that his velo rise wouldn’t stick it’s good to know he’s still in the mid-90s.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Mar 2, 2026 11:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Had to vote for the Oakland duo solely on the basis that they are more likely to be rotation contributors. The upside of Feliz and Holland is immense, but I’ll take the relative safety of Anderson and Cahill

Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
Crash Davis

by Terry Ryan Jr on Mar 2, 2026 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Just when I thought I didn’t get enough of comparing these 2 pairs on this site already this winter… Et tu, John?

by slurve on Mar 2, 2026 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Power

I went with the Texas duo mainly because I prefer power pitchers. Those two strike me more as guys who will overpower you, rather than a Cahill who is more dependent on good fielding due to all the GBs he gets.

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by mckeeno on Mar 2, 2026 1:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

so far

great discussion and no homerism.

by Coolbean04 on Mar 2, 2026 1:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Feliz and Holland

As joltinjoe pointed out, that duo has higher upside. When looking at pitching prospects, I’ll take upside over floor every time - replacement level pitchers (3, 4, and 5 starters) can be found in FA. Aces can’t (unless you’re the yankees, mets or Red Sox).

by Locke000 on Mar 2, 2026 1:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A #3 starter

is not a replacement level pitcher.

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by t ball on Mar 2, 2026 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and costs a lot more than one

"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."

by DyeLongJustice on Mar 2, 2026 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not if you

developed him. You control him for 6 years.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Mar 2, 2026 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry

perhaps I should have said Easily replaceable" - which, IMO, number 3 starters are.

by Locke000 on Mar 3, 2026 7:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A's

I think I know more about the Rangers guys than the A’s. I also prefer Feliz to any of the other three, but I’d rank Holland fourth out of the group with little hesitation. I’d take the 2 and 2a of the group over the 1 and 4.

If their probably future home park is considered, I’d pick the A’s duo with even more conviction. I know that Feliz and Holland haven’t been home run prone, each giving up three last year, but Arlington will never help.

by mentalpowers on Mar 2, 2026 1:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

How does the Rangers home park factor in to how good they can actually be?

I don’t think the question is about who will have the lower ERA, but which pitchers are better prospects.

I mean, if you can choose a player to add to your team, do you not take a player because he plays in a park that dampens his simple stats?

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by philkid3 on Mar 3, 2026 5:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Which team?

It depends largely on what you’re picking them for. If I’m picking them for fantasy purposes, I want the duo that I believe will put up better numbers. Their home park can play a factor in that.

If I’m some major league team trying to decide which duo is better, then their current probable home park shouldn’t play a factor at all.

by mentalpowers on Mar 3, 2026 7:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cahill/Anderson

Feliz and Holland have quality arms but further to go then Oakland’s duo.

The deciding thing for me is Oakland’s track record for developing young pitching, something Texas hasn’t managed to do in about a decade. I know a guy who pitched in the Rangers system a few years ago, he said he got conflicting instructions at every stop. I realize Nolan Ryan has made big changes in the way Texas develops their young arms but I want to see some success before considering them competent.

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by grover on Mar 2, 2026 2:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'd take either pair

and I think they’re very close. I think they’re both better than any of the other pairs that have been thrown out there (Tillman/Matusz, Bumgarner/Alderson, and yes, Price/Davis).

Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"

by PaulThomas on Mar 2, 2026 2:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cahill & Anderson by a hair

I like Feliz the best of all, but Anderson (the lesser of the A’s duo IMO) is a better prospect than Holland by enough to overcome the difference between Feliz and Cahill.

I like Holland a lot too, but he’s a good step behind Anderson and Cahill - who are much better bets. Meanwhile, Feliz isnt all that much better than Cahill - though he is better.

Its so close though, that my opinion could very well swing around to the Texas duo if Holland looks great in April and May.

by alskor on Mar 2, 2026 2:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Matusz/Tillman

I’d like to see this pole re-created with the Matusz/Tillman duo as an option, also.

by rmarx01 on Mar 2, 2026 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Or Price/Davis

by demondeaconsbaseball on Mar 2, 2026 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Feliz is the best of the 4

But Holland is probably the worst of them. I went with Cahill/Anderson, as much as I like Feliz, the other 2 should be no. 2 starters and I am not convinced Holland can be that good.

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by MJMars on Mar 2, 2026 4:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Odd

I agree Feliz has the highest ceiling, but I think Holland is a safer bet to reach his, and I think his ceiling is a solid #2.

I think I said this in one of the comparison fanposts earlier in the offseason, but I really hope we’re still talking about this pair of duos in a few years when these teams vie for playoff spots in late September.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Mar 2, 2026 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Tex...

pitches have more upside and talent compared to polish and poise. So, give me the Rangers.

by Havok1517 on Mar 2, 2026 6:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cahill ANderson

Cahill looked good his first appearance this spring,
2 I.P 0 Hits 2 S.O.
Anderson had A rough outing, but from what I heard he was feeling a little sick.
Really looking forward to these 2 coming up. I was thinking Anderson would be first considering his command is a little more refined, but I think Cahill has more mental superiority out of the 2.
Thanks
Jay

Green and gold in the freezing cold!!!
Buffalo NY.

by waxman on Mar 2, 2026 6:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Actually, it was better than that

Cahill’s 4 non-strikeouts were all ground ball outs.

Obviously, 2 innings is nothing to hang anyone’s hat on. Just thought it was interesting to point out.

Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"

by PaulThomas on Mar 2, 2026 9:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it comes down to what you prefer in a young pitcher

I remember listening to a podcast with Ben Badler and Aaron Fitt. Badler preferred Cahil and Anderson for their polish (especially Anderson) and secondary stuff, whereas Fitts preferred the fastball and tremendous upside of Holland and Feliz.

by CapgrasDelusion on Mar 2, 2026 7:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A's Duo

mostly because I think each pair is about the equivalent of the other, but I am an A’s fan. Homerism schmomerism, the A’s really need these two (or at least one of them) to come through if they want a shot at a World Series without signing a pitcher like C.C. Sabathia (which won’t happen with that payroll).

"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."

by DyeLongJustice on Mar 2, 2026 7:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A's Pitching....

….until the Texas Rangers system can finally prove me wrong. I think they have a good chance this time to do so, but until then……Cahil and Anderson.

by sheetskout on Mar 2, 2026 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Texas has produce some good pitchers

its just that they always trade them away after a year or so of sucking in Texas, where they become good on their new team (Danks, Young, Galarraga, Duchscherer, etc…)

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by Zonis on Mar 3, 2026 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs