Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep-February 15, 2025
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Across the League
Alex Bregman-Purple Sox-3B
Alex Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million take care of the Boston Purple Sox, together with opt-outs after the 2025 and 2026 seasons. He reportedly selected this greater common annual worth contract over longer-term presents from the Tigers and Cubs. Bregman is anticipated to transition to second base, a place he final performed in 2018. That is going so as to add positional flexibility in most leagues which is an additional benefit. The second base pool can also be quick on top-end expertise so his profile initiatives higher at 2B than 3B. Bregman hit .260 with 26 HR, 79 R, 75 RBI, and three SB. The stolen bases haven’t come again since 2018 however he has supplied 4 class manufacturing when on the sphere. Moreover, Fenway Park’s favorable hitting atmosphere ought to improve his energy and counting stats, making him a high-floor, high-upside fantasy possibility. He hits the ball laborious (40% Hardhit), within the air (45% FB), and to the pull aspect (40% Pull). That is going to permit him to take full benefit of the Inexperienced Wall. The Purple Sox additionally ought to be one of many higher lineups within the American League.
Nick Pivetta-Padres-SP
Nick Pivetta signed a 4-year, $55 M take care of the San Diego Padres. The Padres wanted to fill out the again finish of their rotation after Dylan Stop, Michael King, and Yu Darvish. There are additionally rumors that the Padres are purchasing Stop and King so Pivetta gives depth in case they do transfer somebody. Pivetta has pitched his whole profession in offensive-friendly parks and divisions. The transfer to San Diego is a optimistic atmosphere. Pivetta is coming off 145.2 IP with a 4.14 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 23% Okay:BB. He continues to have a house run downside (1.73 HR/9) however he has been in a position to pitch across the homers by limiting baserunners (6% BB). Petco Park must also assist barely decrease the house run fee. Pivetta is a back-end starter with high quality expertise who’s going to underperform his superior metrics (3.31 SIERA) due to the house run fee.
Bo Bichette-Blue Jays-SS
Bo Bichette is a “full go” based on supervisor John Schneider. He had the pin taken out of his finger which was surgically repaired. He seems wholesome heading into Spring Coaching. Bichette is coming off a disappointing 2024 season that ended early as a result of damage however was not going properly earlier than. He hit .225 with 4 HR, 29 R, 31 RBI, and 5 SB in 81 GP. His plate expertise stayed robust (19% Okay and 6% BB) however his barrel fee fell from 10% in 2023 to 4%. Coming into Spring Coaching wholesome is a big optimistic for Bichette as his ceiling is a five-category contributor and his present ADP doesn’t mirror that. A return to his 2023 season (.306 AVG with 20 HR, 69 R, 73 RBI, and 5 SB) would symbolize a discount and there may be room for extra.
Heston Kjerstad-Orioles-OF
Orioles common supervisor Mike Elias believes that Heston Kjerstad has earned a proper to get extra at-bats. This sounds good in idea however the strikes that the Orioles have made this low season level in one other route. They introduced again Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn to platoon at 1B/DH in addition to bringing in outfielders Tyler O’Neill, Ramon Laureano, and Dylan Carlson to compete with Cedric Mullins and Colton Cowser. It is a crowded depth chart that’s more likely to platoon at a number of spots. Kjerstad goes to should have a robust spring to actually have a probability at common at-bats. He confirmed respectable expertise in his quick pattern a 12 months in the past (.253 AVG with 4 HR, 8 R, 14 RBI, and 1 SB in 39 GP). Kjerstad hits the ball laborious and has energy upside however his strikeout fee (29% Okay) goes to maintain his common low and be a significant factor in his enjoying time. He’s at the moment going exterior the highest 350 which is sensible given the dearth of assured enjoying time regardless of what his common supervisor mentioned.
Juan Soto-Mets-OF
Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. Soto is coming off a monster 12 months in his solely season with the Yankees. He hit .288 with 41 HR, 128 R, 109 RBI, and seven SB in 157 GP. The transfer away from Yankee Stadium to a pitcher-friendly Citi Area goes to have a minor impression on his total worth. The Mets lineup can also be a step down however it’s nonetheless an excellent lineup with the latest re-signing of Pete Alonso. The excellent news is that Soto has elite plate expertise (18% BB and 17% Okay) and hits the ball laborious (20% Barrels and 57% Hardhit) which goes to play in any park. He’s projected for a season similar to the one he had in 2023 in San Diego (.275 AVG with 35 HR, 97 R, 109 RBI, and 12 SB). Even with regression, he is among the most secure picks within the draft with five-category manufacturing.
Blake Snell-Dodgers-SP
Blake Snell signed a 5-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers. That is the very best touchdown spot for Snell. The Dodgers have a observe file of getting probably the most out of pitchers. Additionally they have a dominant lineup that’s going to result in wins and the six-man rotation ought to theoretically assist hold Snell wholesome all through the season. Snell had an up-and-down season in San Francisco. He ended with a 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 24% Okay:BB. He continued to overlook bats (35% Okay) at an elite fee. Snell was additionally dominant within the second half (1.45 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 29% Okay:BB) after struggling within the first half. Every part is lined up for Snell to be one of many high pitchers in baseball in Los Angeles.
Pete Alonso-Mets-1B
There was critical doubt concerning the return of Pete Alonso to the Mets however he ended up signing a 2-year, $54 million deal. It was not what he anticipated heading into free company however he was coming off a down 12 months (.240 AVG, 34 HR, 91 R, 88 RBI, and three SB). His energy numbers dropped off regardless of nonetheless hitting the ball laborious (13% Barrels, 46% Hardhit, and 116.3 mph maxEV). It appeared like he made a concentrated effort to hit for the next common after ending with a .217 AVG in 2023. Nonetheless, his floor ball fee was a career-high 42% which at age 30 is a priority. Hitters, particularly energy hitters, are likely to see their floor ball charges spike as they do not want. Alonso shouldn’t be fairly at that stage as a result of it is only one 12 months however it’s value maintaining a tally of in spring coaching and the early a part of the 12 months. He ought to be projected for a .240 AVG with 35+ HR and 190+ R+RBI. First base is a weak place in 2024 so there is no such thing as a low cost for Alonso regardless of coming off a down 12 months. He’s the fifth 1B taken behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bryce Harper, Freddie Freeman, and Matt Olson.
Devin Williams-Yankees-NYY
Devin Williams was traded to the New York Yankees for Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin. Williams missed a big chunk of 2024 with damage however was elite when on the mound. He had a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 43% Okay, 13% BB, and 14 SV in 21.2 IP. Williams has elite expertise and is the nearer for one of many high groups within the league. He does include important danger due to his well being observe file. The identical factor that makes him elite (changeup) is the very factor that makes him a well being danger. The quantity of pronation of his arm that creates his elite changeup additionally places a considerable amount of stress on his physique. Previous to final 12 months, he averaged 57 IP the earlier three seasons which is a lower-end workload for a reliever however not that far off from guys going round him like Josh Hader and Edwin Diaz. Emmanuel Clase is in a league of his personal averaging 72 IP per season over the previous three seasons. Williams is an elite nearer on an excellent staff with barely elevated damage danger which is why he’s being taken because the second nearer off the board behind Clase and in entrance of Hader.
Kyle Tucker-Cubs-OF
The Astros made the choice to commerce OF Kyle Tucker as an alternative of signing him long-term. He’s coming off an injury-plagued 2024 season by which he hit .289 with 23 HR, 56 R, 49 RBI, and 11 SB. Tucker was on his technique to his finest season thus far previous to the damage. He was on tempo for a 40+ HR, 100 R, 100 RBI, and 20 SB season. He combines glorious plate expertise (11% BB and 16% Okay) with laborious contact (11% Barrels and 45% Hardhit). The transfer out of Houston to Chicago is impartial as a result of each parks are league common when it comes to park elements for left-handed house runs. Any considerations concerning the damage have been alleviated when he returned in September and mashed (.365 AVG with 4 HR in 18 GP). Tucker gives five-category manufacturing which is why he’s a first-round expertise. His mixture of flooring and ceiling makes him one of many most secure choices on the board.
Luis Severino-Athletics-SP
Luis Severino signed a 3-year, $67M take care of the Athletics. Severino is coming off a stable however unspectacular 12 months with the Mets. He had a 3.91 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 13% Okay:BB throughout 182 IP. Sometimes, the Athletics characteristic a really pitcher-friendly house park however transferring out of Oakland and to Sacramento has taken that benefit away. It was good to see Severino wholesome and in a position to pitch a whole workload however sadly, his expertise didn’t return He struck out 28%+ of batters from 2018-2021 however that quantity fell to below-average in 2024 (21%). His swinging strike fee (9%) suggests the strikeouts aren’t coming again. At this level in his profession, Severino is a league-average starter in actual life and a back-end starter for fantasy functions because of the lack of strikeouts.
Jeffrey Springs-Athletics-SP
Jeffrey Springs was traded for 3 prospects to the Athletics this offseason. Springs returned from Tommy John surgical procedure in July making seven begins earlier than ending the season on the IL with elbow fatigue. His well being is the most important query mark coming into 2025. In these seven begins he posted he had a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 18% Okay:BB. He was in a position to miss bats (26% Okay) and management the strike zone (8% BB) regardless of averaging 89.8 mph on his fastball. His Stuff+ numbers dropped drastically from earlier seasons which leaves one other main query mark heading into the brand new season. The Athletics are going to present him each alternative to attempt to get again to kind as a starter. Springs is a high-risk pitcher and his present ADP (#252 @ NFBC) makes him a extremely unstable draft decide.
Pirates Lineup
The Pirates have 4 guys who’re going to be regulars Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Joey Bart, and Ke’Bryan Hayes. The opposite spots are seemingly going to be blended and matched based mostly on the matchup. They traded for 1B Spencer Horwitz with the concept that he might be an on a regular basis first baseman however he had surgical procedure on his proper wrist and is anticipated to overlook 6-8 weeks. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa is penciled in as their beginning shortstop however his 93 wRC+ (.269 AVG with 53 R, 43 RBI, and 11 SB) leaves so much to be desired. They do not actually have another choice as a result of 2B Nick Yorke or 2B Nick Gonzales cannot play shortstop. Gonzalez has 10 HR/10 SB as a ceiling with a batting common that is not going to harm you (.250-.260). Yorke was traded to the Pirates and made his debut (.216 AVG with 2 HR/2 SB in 11 GP) late within the season after tearing the duvet off the ball within the minors (AA and AAA) with a .303 AVG with 12 HR, 79 R, 72 RBI, and 21 SB in 123 GP. He presents probably the most upside but in addition does not have a path to common enjoying time with Gonzales getting the primary shot at second and the latest signing of OF Tommy Pham. Pham has an opportunity to be the Pirates on a regular basis proper fielder and leadoff hitter coming off a .248 AVG with 9 HR, 49 R, 39 RBI, and seven SB in 478 PA unfold throughout three completely different groups. The uncertainty of roles goes to make it laborious to roster any of them exterior of deep blended leagues.
Dodgers Nearer Function
The Dodgers acquired Michael Kopech on the tradeline final 12 months and he was incredible (1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 22% Okay:BB). Nonetheless, the Dodgers went out this offseason and signed two confirmed closers in Tanner Scott (4-year, $72M) and Kirby Yates (1-year, $13M). Scott was glorious in 2024 with a 1.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 16% Okay:BB with 22 SV. Yates excelled because the Rangers nearer (1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 24% Okay:BB with 33 SV). The Dodgers have come out and mentioned that Scott goes to be their major nearer to begin the 12 months which is sweet for fantasy homeowners to know heading into draft season. Yates nonetheless has worth as a result of he’ll seemingly get 5-10 saves with Scott holding the job and there may be all the time the possibility that damage or poor efficiency results in him getting extra probabilities. You do not have to look a lot additional than Scott’s profession 13% stroll fee. Sadly, Kopech is much sufficient down the totem pole that he does not have a lot draft-day worth.
