Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep-February 22, 2025
Across the League
Mets Beginning Rotation
Tylor Megill is reportedly forward of different Mets pitchers. He’s scheduled for 3 innings of dwell batting observe. The Mets are going with a six-man rotation to begin the yr. They’ve competitors in camp for the rotation even with not too long ago signed Frankie Montas on the shelf for 6-8 weeks. The ultimate spot will come right down to Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, and Tylor Megill. The Mets rotation is stuffed with damage dangers (Senga, Peterson, Canning, Blackburn, Montas, and Megill) alongside danger with Clay Holmes shifting from the bullpen to the rotation so all seven could possibly be viable at sure factors this season. Griffin Canning is coming off his first full season within the massive leagues. He posted a 5.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 9% Ok:BB in 171.2 IP. His expertise eroded with below-average strikeouts (18%) which corresponded with the worst Stuff+ (89) of his profession. Drafting Canning is a guess on the Mets getting essentially the most out of his profile as a result of there is not something pointing towards a turnaround. Paul Blackburn is coming off surgical procedure on his again for a spinal fluid leak. He’s behind the opposite pitchers however throwing in camp. He had a 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 12% Ok:BB in 75.1 IP between the Athletics and Mets. Blackburn does not supply upside due to his middling ratios and lack of strikeouts (19%). Tylor Megill is the furthest alongside in camp and affords essentially the most upside. It does include a spotty damage historical past although. Megill had a 4.07 (3.81 SIERA), 1.31 WHIP, and 18% Ok:BB. He affords the very best stuff and upside given his capacity to overlook bats. The draw back is that he has crossed 100 IP simply as soon as in his profession. Late in drafts, it’s value betting on the upside of Megill over Canning and Blackburn in redraft leagues.
Pirates Rotation
Andrew Heaney signed a 1-year, $5M cope with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The cash means that it is going to be in a aid position as a substitute of an opportunity to begin however the Pirates rotation (Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller, and Bailey Falter) has an open competitors for the ultimate spot. Andrew Heaney and Johan Oviedo are going to battle for the ultimate spot popping out of spring. Heaney had a 4.28 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 17% Ok:BB. He has been a league-average starter for almost all of his profession. Heaney has at all times executed properly when it comes to Ok:BB% which has led to SIERA’s higher than his ERA. The most important distinction between his ERA and SIERA has come from his house run points (1.54 HR/9). The advantage of shifting to PNC Park is that it’s a very favorable park for left-handed starters. He’s value a deep mixed-league choose. Johan Oviedo is coming off Tommy John surgical procedure. The final time we noticed him in 2023 he posted a 4.31 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 10% Ok:BB in 177.2 IP. He’s much like Heaney in that he does not miss many bats (20% Ok) however has a floor ball lean (45% GB). It may all be a moot level as a result of they’ve Bubba Chandler ready within the wings. Chandler is likely one of the prime pitching prospects within the minors. He has stuff that’s arguably higher than Jared Jones. Chandler has an electrical fastball that performs properly on the prime of the zone. He additionally has a plus changeup that’s going to permit him to get hitters from either side of the plate out. Chandler posted a 3.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 22% Ok:BB throughout Double-A and Triple-A. The Pirates will probably preserve Chandler down to begin the yr however he needs to be up shortly much like Paul Skenes final yr.
Josh Jung-Rangers-3B
Josh Jung (wrist) is with out restrictions to begin spring coaching. Jung performed in simply 46 video games final yr. He hit .264 with 7 HR, 19 R, 16 RBI, and 4 SB. It was a restricted pattern however he lower his strikeout price from 29% to 26%. The draw back is that it is not supported by his swing choices (38% O-swing and 15% SwStr). He nonetheless hit the ball onerous (10% Barrels and 40% Hardhit). He’s projected for a .240-.250 AVG with 25 HR. He will not transfer the needle in stolen bases however he additionally will not be a zero (5-10 SB). Jung affords a boring profile however the danger is low contemplating the associated fee (#205 NFBC) because the seventeenth 3B off the board.
Josh Hader-Astros-RP
Josh Hader spent the offseason engaged on his mechanics to enhance his efficiency and to cease tipping his pitches. Hader is coming off a down yr (3.80 ERA and 0.96 WHIP throughout 71 IP). His ERA might have been the best of his profession however his expertise had been nonetheless nice (38% Ok, 9% BB, and a pair of.38 SIERA). He additionally saved 34 video games for the Astros who traded away former nearer Ryan Pressly. Hader nonetheless has above-average velocity (96.1 mph) with a wipeout slider. He could be penciled in for 30+ saves in a wholesome season contemplating his saves totals the previous 4 seasons have been very constant (34, 36, 33, and 34). He’s being drafted because the third nearer off the board behind Emmanuel Clase and Devin Williams. The Astros nonetheless determine to be an excellent staff regardless of shedding OF Kyle Tucker, 3B Alex Bregman, and SP Justin Verlander.
Rafael Devers-Crimson Sox-3B
Rafael Devers just isn’t working with the remainder of the Crimson Sox staff as he builds up power in his shoulders. Devers handled accidents to each his shoulders final season. He nonetheless performed in 138 video games and eclipsed the 600 PA mark. He hit .272 with 28 HR, 87 R, 83 RBI, and three SB. He combines good plate expertise (25% Ok and 11% BB) with elite high quality of contact (13% Barrels and 52% Hardhit). He’s reportedly set to hitch his teammates subsequent week so we’ll study extra about his well being when that occurs. It’s not an excellent signal that he’s nonetheless rehabbing coming into spring coaching however it’s onerous to make a definitive judgment on his 2025 outlook with out realizing his well being standing and we’ll study that after he begins taking part in in spring video games. The drama about his place does not matter for fantasy as a result of he’s an elite producer when wholesome.
Cardinals Outfield Scenario
The Cardinals have a log jam within the outfield. They’ve Alec Burleson, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, Jordan Walker, Victor Scott II, and Michael Siani. Burleson and Donovan can play within the infield and appear to be set within the lineup after having robust seasons in 2024. Alec Burleson hit .269 with 21 HR, 71 R, 78 RBI, and 9 SB in 595 PA. He confirmed spectacular expertise by with the ability to make contact (13% Ok) and hit the ball onerous (7% Barrels and 41% Hardhit) there may be room for development within the energy division if he hits just a few extra fly balls and improves in opposition to LHP (.195 AVG, .514 OPS, and 47 wRC+). Brendan Donovan is a glue man for the Cardinals taking part in a number of positions and being strong throughout the board (.278 AVG with 14 HR, 65 R, 73 RBI, and 5 SB). He’s extra helpful the deeper the league is due to his place flexibility and strong skillset. The Cardinals are dedicated to Jordan Walker getting common at-bats this yr. He’s reportedly in an excellent place mentally and mechanically with the Cardinals’ teaching adjustments. Jordan Walker struggled in 2024 with a .201 AVG, 5 HR, 16 R, 20 RBI, and 1 SB. His strikeout price ballooned to twenty-eight% resulting from a extra aggressive method (6% BB). It appeared that the sport acquired too fast for him and he struggled with making changes. He nonetheless has the potential to be a five-category contributor and is an attention-grabbing post-hype choose. Lars Nootbaar may need essentially the most fantasy-friendly profile however has struggled to remain wholesome. He has performed in 108, 117, and 109 GP every of the previous three seasons. He has above-average plate expertise (20% Ok and 13% BB) with an above-average high quality of contact (10% Barrels and 50% Hardhit). Add within the potential for double-digit stolen bases and he has five-category potential if he’s on the appropriate aspect of BABIP luck. This makes Nootbaar a possible worth at choose #264 in NFBC drafts. Burleson is the most costly (#228) adopted by Donovan (#244) with Walker being the most affordable (#272).
Ian Happ-Cubs-OF
Ian Happ has been a productive major-league hitter. His manufacturing from a fantasy perspective has come in several sizes and shapes. He has hit for common with decrease energy numbers with out stolen bases. In more moderen seasons he has hit for a decrease common however extra energy and stolen bases. In 2024, he hit .243 with 25 HR, 89 R, 86 RBI, and 13 SB. He has strong plate expertise (26% Ok and 12% BB) mixed with above-average high quality of contact (12% Barrels and 45% Hardhit) that helps his energy numbers. Dreaming on a five-category season goes to require Happ to be extra aggressive on the plate. His selectivity (12% BB and 27% O-swing) retains his energy numbers up however does not enable sufficient balls in play to hit for the next common along with his strikeout price (26%).
Yusei Kikuchi-Angels-SP
Yusei Kikuchi signing with the Angels has been seen as a unfavorable. That is as a lot about Kikcuhi as it’s in regards to the Angels group. They haven’t executed an excellent job creating expertise in recent times, particularly on the pitching aspect of issues. He’s additionally leaving one of many higher organizations for getting essentially the most out of their pitchers. Kikuchi had a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 22% Ok:BB in 175.2 IP. He was particularly dominant within the second half with a 3.49 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 25% Ok:BB. This got here from upping his slider utilization from 17% with the Blue Jays to 37% with the Astros. He primarily ditched his curveball in favor of the slider whereas additionally barely backing off his fastball utilization. It’s unlikely that he forgot this shifting from Houston to Los Angeles so Kikuchi affords a pleasant worth for many who will not be shopping for into the Angels narrative.
