Every Dodgers Starting Pitcher Analyzed For 2025

To arrange my Prime 400 Beginning Pitchers for 2025 article, I totally evaluation each group’s rotation and write the blurbs you see in February. I normally don’t share these publicly till then, however I wished to provide one other profit to those that help us with PL Professional. Y’all are those who maintain the lights on for us. Y’all rock.

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Big due to Josh Mockensturm and group member Hanzo for creating these tables for all these gamers.

Anticipated Starters

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD, RHP)

I’m not smitten with Yamamoto coming into 2025. With the Dodgers probably returning to a six-man rotation and making an attempt once more to maintain all their pitchers wholesome for the playoffs, you shouldn’t count on greater than 150 frames from Yamamoto within the yr forward – and that’s with out a visit to the IL. The Dodgers will push again begins, restrict his innings right here and there, all of the stuff that makes his roster spot much less invaluable than his teammate Tyler Glasnow who all of us count on to hit the IL, however can have higher high quality throughout his innings and opens up his roster spot for an SP off the waiver wire when he’s not pitching. That’s large distinction and I wish to emphasize that vastly as a fantasy supervisor.

I additionally don’t love his expertise as a lot as I assumed I might. Yamamoto allowed 40% ICR on all three pitches towards RHB final yr, using his four-seamer as a low known as strike pitch and failing to benefit from its flat assault angle. Sure, throwing low makes it simpler to hit and regardless of my beliefs of Yamamoto making a shift this yr to focus the heater upstairs, I’ve my doubts.

The splitter is incredible towards RHB and a contact worse towards LHB (bizarre, proper?), however is reserved greater than half the time for two-strike counts, turning Yamamoto right into a four-seamer/curve for almost all of at-bats, and I want I preferred that curveball extra. Its massive drop is beautiful eye sweet and a 70% strike charge is incredible, although it will get hit typically and doesn’t have the dominance you need from a #2 pitch with low whiff charges. I just like the providing loads, I merely want his cutter would take over because the predominant weapon, permitting the curve as extra of a mix-up than the mandatory pitch.

This sounds very damaging. Yikes. Yamamoto isn’t a nasty pitcher by any means and is certain to assist all of your fantasy groups. The query I’m making an attempt to reply is How A lot? and it’s not sufficient for me to draft him contained in the Prime 20 arms. He’ll definitely have days the place his fastball and curve do sufficient to arrange a splitter in its remaining kind, although he’ll have restricted quantity and never pitch on the stage of a Glasnow, deGrom, or any of the Prime tier starters when he does.

Fast Take: Yamamoto will probably be restricted as a Dodger with good ratios and strikeouts for a profitable membership, although I’m involved along with his general quantity and the way giant of an affect he’ll make. As soon as all of the trusted quantity arms who product throughout the board are gone, then contemplate Yamamoto, however watch out reaching too far.

Blake Snell (LAD, LHP)

I don’t know what to do with you and I hate it. Snell was horrible throughout his first 5 begins of the yr, then went on one among his patented runs for a 1.23 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and 38% strikeout charge throughout fourteen video games and 80 IP. However he solely totaled 145 strikeouts on the season. That’s an excellent level. Snell hit 180 IP twice in his Cy Younger seasons and hasn’t hit 130 IP in some other yr. His model of pitching additionally walks a tightrope that requires one thing new to be tweaked for his success – first his changeup renaissance, then his fastball areas, then his curveball turning right into a 65% strike pitch out of nowhere final yr. It’s maddening and as a fantasy supervisor, I merely don’t wish to cope with it once more.

However Nick! That is the yr! He was SO GOOD final season and the Dodgers will use him completely to get probably the most out of him! Uhhhh, are we certain? This can be a really feel factor and his well being is his well being. Snell’s command was as unbelievable as I’ve ever seen it final yr throughout his wondrous stretch (nonetheless with a ~50% strike charge on his slider to LHB, to be honest) and I actually dislike chasing that really feel to increase for a full yr. He’s by no means finished that, counting on his second-half blitz of dominance to even out the struggles early. However sure, the four-seamer is silly good when it really works with precision upstairs and curves low towards LHB (BSB, in fact), with the changeup coming into the combination towards RHB with absurd SwStr marks as nicely. I simply want we knew we’d get that all the time and with none well being fears.

Fast Take: You don’t want Snell to win your league. His unreliability of each well being and rhythm makes him a starter I’d want to keep away from in drafts, favoring extra dependable arms who can realistically flirt with 180 frames and assist your group each week. That mentioned, should you want a house run play, Snell’s potential ceiling if he’s wholesome all season is among the many greatest in fantasy.

Tyler Glasnow (LAD, RHP)

Right here’s a rank that’s certain to be totally different by the top of draft season. If Glasnow is pitching within the spring with out a setback, I’ll have him…greater. Unsure precisely the place but, nevertheless it’ll be greater and sure flirting with the highest tier. Glasnow’s manufacturing per begin is nearly as good because it will get and I’m extra in favor of taking an IL quantity arm than a nebulous “we’re going to look at his innings” quantity arm, aka Yamamoto, McClanahan, Alcantara, and so forth. Why? As a result of the alternative SP you’ll get when Glasnow is on the IL is worth you don’t get when the Rays are skipping McClanahan’s begins or limiting how deep he can go into video games. That’s an enormous distinction.

If Glasnow is delayed out of camp, it is going to be as a result of elbow sprain that ended his 2024 season and I’d be apprehensive as a result of A) His timeline will proceed to get pushed again and B) He’ll hit the IL once more after return. Sadly, the bump I give Strider for being on the IL in April (one other roster spot so as to add gamers at an important time!) doesn’t apply the identical means given the upper threat of re-injury with Glasnow, and I’d have Glasnow below Strider at that time.

ANYWAY, the abilities are easy. Glasnow has 7.5 ft of extension (99th percentile) that grants him absurd success on his four-seamer/slider/curve combo with a heater that sits 96+. It’s unbelievable and calls for all of the strikeouts with few hits, even when the heater doesn’t get the whiffs you’d count on (however the slider makes up for it). All of it comes all the way down to spring well being and planning for the in-season IL journey.

Fast Take: Glasnow is a polarizing draft decide who I’m extra inclined to draft with the understanding that “High quality is High quality”. Nevertheless, if Glasnow is delayed within the spring, count on this rating to fall beneath Strider’s, and should you’re drafting earlier than then, bake in an honest quantity of chance of that taking place. Good luck guessing this one.

Roki Sasaki (LAD, RHP)

Sasaki’s rating is probably going shifting as soon as we get extra info throughout spring coaching and it doesn’t really feel proper pinning him down in early February BUT HERE WE ARE. I’m nonetheless hazy on the standard of innings Sasaki brings to the desk + the plan for the season forward. The Dodgers’ objective is to make sure he’s wholesome for the postseason, which might counsel they might wish to maintain him round 140 innings or so, however how would they do this? Eric Samulski made an excellent level – he has minor league choices. We may see Sasaki begin the season within the minors as an “prolonged spring coaching”, forcing those that drafted Sasaki to waste a roster spot for everything of April. Or the Dodgers may really feel that their six-man rotation is sufficient relaxation to permit him throw for the complete yr.

These apprehensive in regards to the story of Sasaki getting really useful for TJS in earlier years and electing to not get it, I might put these fears apart. If Sasaki wanted it, he would have gotten it, waited two years, and signed with the Dodgers post-surgery for an entire lot more cash. We should always assume he’s wholesome and feeling nice.

The talent set is electrical. I ponder if the current studies of his extension growing to seven ft are appropriate, which might nullify many of the results of the decrease velocity, and I can’t wait to see if he’s the 30% strikeout arm he’s been made out to be. My present expectation is for Sasaki to be considerably restricted early within the yr and carry an explosive strikeout charge with frequent indicators of a younger Japanese starter getting acclimated to the brand new residence.

I’ve slotted Sasaki subsequent to Woo because of this – I’d love each if I believed they might toss over 170 innings this season. Woo’s innings are clearer and can include an IL stint if he’s injured, however Sasaki’s efficiency ceiling is greater, giving him the slight nod in these early ranks. I can’t wait till he performs within the spring.

Fast Take: We’re nonetheless at the hours of darkness in regards to the Dodgers’ plan with Sasaki for the yr, making me hesitant to chase him in drafts till understanding extra. We should always count on elite strikeout capability, however I’m favoring the recognized over the shiny new toy till we get a watch on him within the spring with some correct information.

Shohei Ohtani (LAD, RHP)

I’m having a lot hassle rating Ohtani as an SP. Right here’s the difficulty: If he’s a two-way participant in your league, this doesn’t matter. He ought to go 1-1 in your drafts. If he’s two separate gamers, then Ohtani might be lacking over a month and may sit in your bench with out an IL designation, relying in your league. That turns Ohtani into the equal of a stud SP prospect stash, which is beautiful…if you draft them late. As well as, when Ohtani reveals up, he’s certain to be restricted closely throughout his begins. Hopefully it’s early within the yr after which ramps up within the second half, however you might not be getting high quality per begin till the summer time. That’s tough.

I do imagine you will be getting high quality in some unspecified time in the future along with his excessive velocity, incredible sliders, and putaway splitter. It’s only a drawback of tolerating it as a supervisor and quantifying what it’s like as a fantasy supervisor in season. Let me put it this fashion: If Ohtani had been within the rotation on Day 1 with the expectation of 140 IP (and no IL stint), I’d have him someplace across the 20s (it’s a mixture of greater quantity however barely decrease high quality guys + Shane McClanahan, who’s in an identical state of affairs). I’ve him roughly 15-20 picks decrease than that as I positioned him proper on the level the place I can say “you’re going to get stable locked in worth with the upper ranked arms, and never as assured with the arms beneath”. Take that as you’ll and monitor no matter information we get about him this spring.

Fast Take: He’s certain to be nice when he begins, however enduring the primary month or two of the season with Ohtani probably in your bench (and never on the IL!) is irritating, to say the least. Know your self as a supervisor and draft accordingly. He’s a Prime 10 SP stud on a per-start foundation when let unfastened in full.

On The Fringe

Bobby Miller (LAD, RHP)

Bobby Hundo. After we hyped you a lot final yr, you at the moment are an afterthought. There’s only one spot on this rotation earlier than Ohtani returns, however even then the Dodgers are anticipated to broaden to a six-man. I see this as Miller’s to lose. Let’s be trustworthy, if Miller enters camp and is the dope man we noticed in 2023, how may the Dodgers presumably go along with Could or Gonsolin as an alternative?

Miller is an outstanding flier in 12-teamers. Is he within the rotation? No? Drop him earlier than the season begins. He’s within the rotation? Congrats, you probably obtained a Prime 30 SP nicely exterior the Prime 30 SP picks. Come on Nick, he wasn’t wherever close to Prime 30 final yr! Proper, and if he pitches like that, he’s not making the rotation. Ohhhh.

Don’t overlook, it is a man with 100 mph potential that flirts with plus on all the things. The refinement + general well being is what’s lacking and a cultured Miller is an absolute stud. Take the shot.

Fast Take: Neglect about 2024. If Miller earns a spot within the rotation, it means he’s pitching higher and more healthy than final season, opening the door for the Prime 30 SP stud we anticipated him to be final yr. That is actually his third season, y’all. His profession isn’t out of the blue over.

Dustin Could (LAD, RHP)

He’s again! FINALLY! And y’all higher listen. If Could will get the gig, I completely adore him for this yr. He throws tremendous laborious sinkers with absurd horizontal break that fully wreck RHB. As they need to, jutting inside viciously and returning silly low ICR marks at 97+ mph. He’s made to go 6+ frames with ease primarily based on that sinker alone, however he’s additionally flexed strikeout upside on the again of a 93 mph cutter and 86 mph curveball. So long as he’s truly wholesome now put up TJS and esophagus surgical procedure (yep), this season ought to mark the start of him moving into rhythm to be a legit arm within the majors.

Positive, I do want he had slightly extra whiffability and a changeup to go below the sinker for LHB, however give it time. The inspiration is simply too good. I’m anticipating the Dodgers to go along with Could or Miller out of camp and whoever it’s, I need them on my groups.

Fast Take: If Could will get the SP #5 job out of camp, I’m grabbing him in every single place I can. His 97+ mph sinker was a destroyer of bats and he was simply starting to realize the potential whiffability in his 93 mph cutter and 86 mph curve. It’s all there, he simply wants innings.

Tony Gonsolin (LAD, RHP)

Alright Gonsolin, we had a little bit of factor means again when earlier than you bought TJS and I swear, should you take this rotation spot as an alternative of Could or Miller, THE FEUD WILL RETURN. I’m curious if Gonsolin will showcase one thing new this time round or if it’ll nonetheless be an entire lot of splitters with a slider that may work tremendous nicely at instances. What in regards to the four-seamer? It exists at 92/93 mph. I’m nonetheless involved the splitter will fade and the four-seamer will look bare over the plate, however let’s see what he’s obtained within the spring. If it occurs to be Gonsolin within the rotation, there’s worth available. Wins are cool, y’all.

Fast Take: I count on Could or Miller to get the fifth spot within the Dodgers rotation, but when Gonsolin finds a approach to get common begins, he could possibly be a Toby merely for Wins. He’ll must have his splitter of outdated or no less than the perfect model of his slider if he hopes to outlive, although. That fastball has by no means been good.

Names To Know

Landon Knack (LAD, RHP)

Knack is four-seamer/slider with the previous as a good-not-great fastball and the latter as an excellent all-around slider that we want had extra whiffs towards RHB. And nothing else. The Dodgers are filled with choices this yr and I don’t suppose they’ll flip to Knack a lot in any respect, however he could possibly be a sneaky Win play as his one-two punch has been ok to go 5+ innings beforehand. That’s all he’s, although.

Michael Grove (LAD, RHP)

Grove has had random moments as an opener or restricted starter over the previous couple of years and he’ll probably be used as a flex play for the Dodgers this yr. Fle–Don’t you carry that different sport in right here. Sadly for Grove, he breaks the Huascar Rule with an excellent slider and nothing else to help it. This isn’t the sneaky Dodger you must concentrate on.

Clayton Kershaw (LAD, LHP)

Sure, Kershaw hasn’t retired but. No, I don’t suppose he’ll be all that nice when he returns. It was powerful to look at final yr and there’s an opportunity at some level he returns and offers us one or two video games of max juice simply to name it quits after. I don’t know, he’s not the Kershaw of outdated with out the identical slider or heater and we shouldn’t belief it for fantasy. However limitless IL? Positive, have a ball.

Emmet Sheehan (LAD, RHP)

I used to be jazzed for Sheehan this time final yr and sadly he was delayed out of camp with an arm damage that was TJS in Could. It does counsel a doable return to the rotation by the summer time or later, although the Dodgers have set themselves as much as have a lot of choices by that point of yr. You’d suppose Sheehan would head to the minors to be an possibility for 2026…proper? I wouldn’t maintain my breath right here.

Kyle Harm (LAD, RHP)

Don’t make the joke. Kyle underwent TJS in July and may miss the season. Don’t do it. I assume he’s…DON’T…not somebody we must always chase. Phew. As a result of he’s Harm. COME ON NICK.

River Ryan (LAD, RHP)

I used to be PUMPED for Ryan when he first arrived (no, I didn’t notice he had a deadzone fastball, MY BAD) and he underwent TJS in August final yr. I assume I’ll simply go hearken to my favourite Springsteen album now. Sigh.

Gavin Stone (LAD, RHP)

Stone underwent TJS in October and we hope he’ll return for opening day 2026. Dang, I assumed he was only a stone’s throw away from being nice. Nah, he was a Stone’s throw from getting harm, clearly. Poor fella.

Related Prospects

Because of MLB.com and Eric Logenhagen’s work at FanGraphs for a lot of insights into these prospects. I additionally used our PLV Minor League Participant App for added information I couldn’t discover elsewhere.

Nick Frasso (LAD, RHP)

Watch Video

Frasso missed all of 2024 with shoulder and hip surgical procedure and y’all shouldn’t count on him in 2025 with the Dodgers’ cornucopia of arms to make them as wholesome as doable for his or her inevitable playoff run. He had stable extension and a vigorous 95+ mph heater with a legit changeup and breaker to get out RHB, which makes him an arm to notice for 2026 – particularly if he appears wholesome throughout his Triple-A season of restoration.

Justin Wrobleski (LAD, LHP)

Watch Video

We noticed Wrobleski and his 5.3 ft extension (two ft lower than the elites ummmmmmmm) shock along with his four-seamer, holding each LHB and RHB to a shocking sub 30% ICR, although the remainder of his arsenal was missing. He did showcase a stable cutter 10% of the time to RHB, however this was largely the low extension four-seamer recreation with considerably deadzone motion and…I discover that basically laborious to financial institution on. Is it as a result of it was comparatively flat and at 95 mph? However he had sub 50% hiLoc%…I don’t fairly get it. Perhaps we didn’t see his greatest slider with its two-plane motion and there’s extra to unlock throughout further alternatives sooner or later, however I’m not all too enthusiastic about it for now.

Ben Casparius (LAD, RHP)

Watch Video

Prince Casparius displayed a 95 mph fastball with cut-action that caught to the highest of the zone persistently towards RHB and LHB alike and a stable slider beneath. I ponder if that fastball can dwell up there successfully with a poor assault angle and mediocre vert (and sub six ft extension, blegh), however its minimize motion does make me intrigued to stunt LHB. Perhaps there’s a sinker to assist towards RHB sooner or later (or perhaps the four-seamer is nice sufficient with that velo?)

Justin Jarvis (LAD, RHP)

Watch Video

Jarvis is a Non Roster Invitee for the Dodgers after electing free company following six years throughout a number of minor league methods. He has stable vert at 93 mph with a changeup and curve + a slider with a number of shapes. I’m skeptical it provides as much as a correct fantasy starter, however we might even see him in camp as he fights to take a job akin to Michael Grove on the squad.

Jackson Ferris (LAD, LHP)

Watch Video

He’s a southpaw at 94 mph who struggled as soon as he made it to Double-A, however flexed a pair of double-digit strikeout video games in Single-A earlier in 2024. The curve and slider are the massive ticket objects that could possibly be main weapons, nevertheless it’s a wait and see how he develops in Double-A and Triple-A. I doubt we’ll see him this yr and I ponder if he’ll bounce again successfully after his tough time put up promotion.