Preseason Draft Prep – February 20, 2025
Mariners Beginning Rotation
The Mariners’ beginning rotation is fascinating. Luis Castillo is the veteran with probably the most spectacular resume, however he may develop into the worst starter on the workforce by the top of the season. He’s definitely the oldest at 32 years previous. The truth is, each different Seattle starter is 27 years previous or youthful. The youth-infused rotation is buoyed by a pitcher-friendly ballpark and an incredible skill to restrict walks. Not solely is he the one starter over 30, Castillo’s stroll charge was the best of all 5 starters final yr at an excellent 6.5 %. This workforce may set a report for least walks allowed by starters. They merely do not enable baserunners. And whereas they do not strike out a unprecedented variety of batters, all 5 starters are able to posting excessive Ok totals. The truth is, No. 5 starter Bryan Woo completed the season with 19 strikeouts in 15.2 innings over his final three begins. And Woo is the least strikeout centered pitcher on the workforce. Will probably be fascinating to see how low the totals for Mariners video games will go, particularly with a lackluster offense. Any one in all these starters is a worthwhile fantasy asset, however sure, Castillo could have the most important title however may wind up with the worst numbers.
Jose Altuve, 2B (HOU)
Apparently re-signing Alex Bregman wasn’t the catalyst to shifting Altuve to the outfield. Regardless of Bregman signing in Boston, Altuve continues to be on a pathway to taking part in left subject this season. Buying multi-positional eligibility is at all times a boon to fantasy house owners, though it might be extra useful if he was gaining the extra scarce second base eligibility. Regardless, Altuve at 34 years previous, after 15,219 innings performed at second base, goes to present it a shot on the outfield. It is left subject so it isn’t fairly as taxing as taking part in centerfield, nevertheless it does probably open the getting older All-Star to extra accidents, both utilizing his legs to cowl extra floor or his arm for longer throws. On the similar time, I feel it is going a bit overboard to dramatically scale back his fantasy worth with the expectation for accidents. He’s coming off an outstanding 20/20 season the place he managed to take care of a excessive batting common (.295) regardless of the best swinging-strike charge of his profession (10.4%) and highest pull charge (55.6%). Pulling the ball is the proper transfer for a right-hander attempting to hit dwelling runs at Daikin Park (beforehand Minute Maid Park) because of the shallow wall topped with the Crawford Packing containers. It does trigger some issues on the street, nonetheless, the place Altuve hit solely seven of his 20 dwelling runs with a sub-.100 ISO (it was .191 at dwelling). In all chance, Altuve will nonetheless get loads of at-bats at second base and the left subject tryout may simply be a spring coaching experiment. The workforce not too long ago signed Brendan Rodgers to a minor league deal so he may see a while at second base, as may Mauricio Dubon.Â
Marcus Stroman, SP (NYY)
It positive will likely be attention-grabbing to see how this Marcus Stroman saga performs out in New York. He says he will not pitch out of the bullpen, however the Yankees actually haven’t got room for him within the rotation. The veteran is coming off his worst non-injury season since 2016. His flyball charge was a career-high 31% and his strikeout charge was a profession low. He has misplaced vital velocity on his fastball and so he mainly cannot even use his 4-seamer anymore, and that makes his sinker a lot much less efficient. It is a unhealthy mixture for an getting older pitcher with no position. Nevertheless, the Yankees introduced Stroman would be the starter for his or her spring coaching opener on Friday. This comes because the workforce introduced starter Clarke Schmidt is coping with a again concern. Stroman supplies a possible fill-in if Schmidt or any of the opposite Yankees starters miss time, however he may be on show as commerce bait. The Yanks would doubtless have to select up most of his wage if traded as he’s set to make $18.5 million this season. Stroman needs to be prevented in practically all fantasy codecs.
Luis Rengifo, 2B (LAA)
Rengifo’s ADP has been diluted within the early a part of draft season as he’s coming off wrist surgical procedure final August, however current information implies that the versatile infielder is absolutely recovered and needs to be good to go to start spring coaching. He’s coming off a breakout season the place he hit .300 with 24 stolen bases in 78 video games. His energy dropped as he took a extra contact, floor ball pushed strategy, however the modifications in his swing open the door for extra taking part in time at or close to the highest of the Angels lineup. If he can keep wholesome, he ought to present a stable common and plenty of stolen bases. Moreover, he qualifies at second and third base and will decide up shortstop eligibility if requested to fill in for the injured Zach Neto. There’s a possibility to get in at an honest worth proper now, however that worth may change shortly because the Cactus League proceeds.
Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP (LAD)
Each time Ohtani practices pitching, it is price writing about. He has thrown a number of bullpen periods this month and is reportedly hitting the low-to-mid 90’s. He is a methods off of his pre-surgery arsenal, however the indicators are trending according to projections for a return to the mound in early Could. Ohtani had one of many biggest offensive performances in main league historical past final yr in a season the place there was no consideration of him pitching. Now it isn’t as if he hasn’t been an elite hitter whereas additionally pitching, nevertheless it’s troublesome to think about he can come near the 50/50 totals he put up in 2024. In most leagues the place fantasy managers should resolve whether or not to deploy him as a hitter or pitcher on a weekly foundation, his worth is generally based mostly on his offense. It is unlikely there will likely be per week to make use of him as a pitcher, however in each day leagues, his worth goes by way of the roof when he returns to pitching. What to anticipate as a pitcher is difficult to say. He has been spectacular all through his pitching profession, however he’s coming off his second Tommy John surgical procedure and he’s going to be over 600 days faraway from his final time pitching in a serious league recreation. Will probably be necessary to proceed to watch his rehab over the following a number of months.
Jordan Lawlar, SS (ARI)
What to make of Jordan Lawlar after the Diamondbacks prolonged Geraldo Perdomo. The Diamondbacks’ prime prospect does not have a spot within the lineup. Perdomo provides much more real-life worth than fantasy worth and the DBacks place plenty of emphasis on his presence with the membership. In the meantime, Ketel Marte is entrenched at second base and Eugenio Suarez is within the remaining yr of his contract, prone to preserve his spot at third base. Lawlar might be athletic sufficient to play within the outfield, however he has by no means gotten expertise there and the fact is Arizona has an abundance of gamers (Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Corbin Carroll, Jake McCarthy, Pavin Smith, Randal Grichuk and Alek Thomas) competing for these positions, too. There’s merely nowhere for Lawlar to play. He’ll flip 23 in July however did not get plenty of expertise final yr on account of a chronic hamstring harm. He has been extraordinarily productive when he is performed within the minor leagues, though it is doable the Diamondbacks are wanting him to have a extra wholesome run at AAA in 2025 since he has beforehand solely performed 28 video games on the minors’ highest degree. Nonetheless, it is laborious to think about he’ll spend the whole season in Reno. Anticipate him to make an look within the large leagues in some unspecified time in the future, however due to the uncertainty and the dearth of dedication from the franchise, it is laborious to belief him in redraft leagues.
Rafael Devers, 3B (BOS)
Ongoing shoulder issues might be the reply to the Crimson Sox’ greatest quandary proper now. Devers handled shoulder points in 2024, though he nonetheless managed to play 138 video games and hit .272 with 28 dwelling runs. The 28 yr previous franchise cornerstone is reportedly nonetheless coping with lingering results from the shoulder accidents and that would drive him to DH, which might be the most effective situation for the workforce after Boston signed Alex Bregman. Devers has mentioned he does not need to be the everlasting designated hitter, however the lineup appears to be like greatest with Devers at DH, Bregman at third and a mix of David Hamitlon, Vaughn Grissom or highly-touted prospect Kristian Campbell battling for taking part in time at 2nd. If Devers in the end convinces Crimson Sox brass that he’s wholesome sufficient to be the on a regular basis third baseman, Bregman will play 2nd whereas Grissom and Campbell are going to be held down, both at AAA-Worcester or on the bench. As for Devers, the shoulder points value him some taking part in time however did not in the end affect his manufacturing. He continues to crush the ball and really posted a career-low chase charge, a terrific signal for a participant who used to swing an excessive amount of out of the zone. Do not learn an excessive amount of into preseason storylines about him being annoyed or defiant. This stuff are likely to work themselves out, particularly for gamers making $29 million per yr.
Yariel Rodriguez, SP (TOR)
The Blue Jays signed Max Scherzer earlier this month, which successfully crammed out their five-man rotation, a rotation that now has a mean age of 34 years previous. Pretty much as good as Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Scherzer have been of their careers, there may be loads of uncertainty round their skill to remain wholesome and pitch each fifth day. The identical might be mentioned for Bowden Francis who solely has 13 profession begins. Jose Berrios is admittedly the one comparatively dependable and constant starter on the roster. If any of these pitchers misses time and stumbles on the mound, the doubtless substitute is Yariel Rodriguez. Rodriguez is slated to start out the season within the bullpen, however Toronto is considerably dedicated to the well-traveled pitcher after signing him to a four-year take care of a fifth-year choice previous to the 2024 season. He made 21 begins for the Blue Jays as a rookie and struggled to restrict walks or go deep into video games. He completed with an ugly 1-8 report and a 4.47 ERA. Nevertheless, there are some encouraging indicators on the outside. To begin with, he allowed solely three earned runs in 20.1 innings with 33 strikeouts at AAA-Buffalo. He struck out practically a batter per inning with the Blue Jays and restricted laborious contact. The truth is, in his remaining 5 begins, he allowed a measly 85.2 common exit velocity to opposing hitters. His ERA was 3.38 in September. He could have discovered one thing later within the season by decreasing using his four-seam fastball, relying extra on his sinker and slider. His skill to select up a strikeout when wanted and induce weak contact are good indicators for his long-term development. The Jays may use his position within the bullpen as one technique to restrict his innings, however there’s little motive to imagine he’ll stay there. He will get one other alternative to start out, and there’s a first rate fantasy ceiling there.
Tommy Pham, OF (PIT)
Pham was a late offseason signing by the Pirates, however do not assume which means he will not be an necessary a part of the roster. The truth is, there is a robust chance he’ll play on daily basis whereas hitting on the prime of the lineup. Pittsburgh will signify Pham’s eighth workforce because the begin of the 2022 season. He is 37 years previous and never the 20/20 risk he as soon as was, however he nonetheless managed to place up significant fantasy numbers as not too long ago as 2023. He nonetheless makes good contact, hits the ball laborious and runs nicely. He’ll presumably hit in entrance of Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz. It isn’t precisely Murderers Row, but when he will get on base as normal, he ought to steal some bases and rating some runs. The Fantistics Draft Software program tasks Pham for a .258 common with 16 dwelling runs and 7 stolen bases.
Luis Robert Jr., OF (CHW)
Robert is a free agent on the finish of this season and might be poised for a large contract at 28 years previous. Though he’s coming off a really disappointing season, he’s solely two years faraway from a spectacular 38-homer, 20-steal marketing campaign in 2023. Robert has demonstrated a capability to hit for a excessive common, hit for energy and steal bases. When wholesome he sometimes posts elite barrel charges. He strikes out means an excessive amount of and generally will get too flyball centered, however the expertise is extraordinary. In all chance, the White Sox commerce him in some unspecified time in the future over the following 5 months. He ought to find yourself on a contender, in a significantly better workforce context than what he’s at present coping with. It is laborious to discover a participant able to going 30/30 within the sixth or seventh spherical, however the negativity round Robert following the down season is palpable. In a contract yr, certain for a greater surrounding forged, it is worthwhile taking an opportunity on the expertise.
Jurickson Profar, OF (ATL)
On the one hand, I like the sneakiness of drafting Profar late in drafts. Then again, let’s not overlook that Ronald Acuna Jr. will finally return from the injured record and supplant Profar on the prime of the lineup. Nevertheless, till Acuna comes again, Profar is prone to hit within the 1 or 2 spot within the lineup, forward of the likes of Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna. You are going to be hard-pressed to seek out higher run producers in the midst of a lineup. Profar is coming off the most effective season of his profession with a career-high .280 batting common, career-high 24 dwelling runs and tied for a profession excessive in stolen bases with 10. He has at all times been capable of get on base, and that’s the reason the Braves will doubtless place him forward of the massive boppers. He posted enormous features in high quality of contact in 2024 and if he can proceed these in Atlanta, it is doable he posts one other 20+-homer season. He might be had late within the drafts and may present an enormous fantasy increase so long as he will get alternatives.
Tyler Stephenson, C (CIN)
Stephenson was an underrated catcher heading into the 2024 season, and he delivered for affected person fantasy managers by hitting .258 with 19 dwelling runs. But, for some motive, he’s nonetheless being drafted as a borderline No. 1 catcher. In lots of situations, you may get him as your No. 2. It is laborious to know why: Stephenson is coming off his second-straight season with not less than 450 at bats; he posted profession highs in hard-hit charge and ISO, all whereas decreasing his strikeouts. He will get on base at a stable .338 clip, hits in an exceptional ballpark amongst a superb supporting forged and has little or no competitors for taking part in time. Different catchers drafted forward of Stephenson that I worth decrease embrace JT Realmuto, Shea Langeliers and Logan O’Hoppe.
Nolan Jones, OF (COL)
It is all too frequent in fantasy circles to shortly transfer on from gamers that burn us. Following a 20/20 season in solely 367 at-bats in his first yr as an enormous leaguer, lots of people have been very excessive on Nolan Jones heading into 2024. Accidents and underperformance shortly zapped the keenness for the left-handed slugger. Nevertheless, what occurred as a part of his sophomore hunch is just not essentially indicative of what is going to occur in 2025. Jones battled a again harm final yr, and that doubtless contributed to a two-degree drop in launch angle and practically 10% decline in barrel charge. He is 26 years previous and has demonstrated nice energy and good velocity. He performs in Colorado and may play on daily basis (he hit .314 with seven dwelling runs in opposition to lefties in 2023). Do not let one unhealthy season distract you from the younger slugger’s upside.
Chris Paddack, SP (MIN)
Paddack has solely thrown 115.2 innings during the last three seasons. He has solely as soon as topped 110 innings in a season. That was his rookie yr, however the oft-injured starter is reportedly wholesome getting into spring coaching so maybe that is the yr Paddack delivers on the promise that helped him rise by way of the Padres group as one of many prime pitching prospects. Now with the Twins, Paddack seems to have a job within the rotation, though well being stays the most important query mark. He began 17 video games in 2024 however solely reached six innings 4 occasions. His final begin was in mid-July earlier than a forearm pressure successfully ended his season. Projections, nonetheless, are comparatively bullish. Fantistics tasks him for 150 innings with a 4.27 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 10 wins. Most prognosticators have him someplace within the low-4’s for ERA and about 8.5 Ok/9. It is solely an AL-only or deep mixed-league play, however Paddack may ship a stable return on funding.
Nathaniel Lowe, 1B (WSH)
Lowe’s transfer from Texas to Washington would seem like a downgrade for fantasy functions, nevertheless it may develop into a lift to his numbers. Globe Life Subject is a greater dwelling run hitting surroundings for left-handed hitters, however Nationals Park is definitely a greater all-around stadium for lefties, particularly those who aren’t pull heavy, like Lowe. Lowe has a straightaway, line drive-centric strategy. He makes wonderful contact, and though his energy numbers have dipped over the previous two seasons, he has demonstrated a capability to hit the ball out of the park. In keeping with MASN Sports activities, Lowe has set a purpose of hitting extra dwelling runs this yr, and so long as he does not go overboard with that strategy, he may ship 20+ homers together with persistently robust ratios. Lowe is prone to hit behind the Nats’ proficient younger trio of CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews and James Wooden and will see extra time round Luis Garcia Jr. and Keibert Ruiz. It isn’t probably the most prolific state of affairs, but when these younger gamers ship on their promise, it’s going to solely profit the veteran.
