Pitcher Leaderboard Enjoyable
After two articles specializing in hitter archetypes, we’ll look at some of the enjoyable pitcher profiles for which to scour leaderboards. Right now, we’re on the hunt for superb strikeout pitchers. Regrettably, their resumes aren’t fully clear. These eleven pitchers will ship a boatload of strikeouts to dynasty groups however must tweak some issues to enhance their management. Every pitcher meets the guiding constraints of a 30% strikeout charge and a ten% stroll charge for his or her latest profession or in a earlier season.
The record is sorted by the long run worth of every participant as listed on the FanGraphs Board. And here’s a secret you might not know. Simply between me and also you, proper? FanGraphs now has NCAA stats on a 2021 – 2025 leaderboard. Shhh! Let’s dive in!
Trey Yesavage
Trey Yesavage had a ten% stroll charge for his NCAA profession however had been steadily bettering the stroll charge over his three years at East Carolina. Yesavage is a bodily presence on the bump with a clean over-the-top supply that has a mean launch peak of 6’8″. He options three pitches with an above-average grade, with the fastball sitting 93-95 mph. His excessive three-quarters arm angle emphasizes downward movement, which performs up the diving motion of his famend splitfinger. This enables him to pinpoint pitches in different spots of the zone as a result of the batter will look low and is probably not accustomed to growing their assault angle to catch as much as the pitch.
Yesavage was drafted because the twentieth choose of the primary spherical by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2024. It’s unclear why he didn’t get any minor league motion, however there isn’t any damage to report. In school, he developed an incredible repute for punchouts, with eight video games of double-digit strikeouts in 2024. Yesavage shows the total starter arsenal as a 21-year-old with three common pitches, one above-average pitch, and above-average command.
Yesavage works out of a semi-elongated stretch and quickens the tempo to house when runners are on. The stretch is notable as he could also be making an attempt to generate extra torque by barely orienting his physique in direction of the third base batter field. When he makes it to his first minor league cease, possible Single-A Dunedin, we’ll need to see much more fluidity along with his supply whereas sustaining command of his high three pitches. There may be possible no extra bodily development, however there could possibly be a tick or two enhance in velocity. Even when there isn’t velocity development, Yesavage ought to attain larger ranges with larger command of his arsenal.
Throughout his freshman 12 months as a reliever, Yesavage had poorer numbers, strolling over 15% of batters he confronted. His stroll charge decreased to a barely excessive 8.9% in his third 12 months however was outweighed by a ridiculous 40.4% strikeout charge. His mechanics have improved as seen by the lowered variety of wild pitches and his stinginess with house runs.
Yesavage has many constructive attributes in his favor. His stamina was on full show throughout his ultimate school season as he labored 93 innings and ten video games of over 100 pitches. For 2025, he ought to be capable of ramp as much as 130+ innings pitched. As well as, he has already improved his stroll charge, so you have to be enthusiastic about grabbing Yesavage within the first or second spherical of your 2025 FYPD. We’ll get an opportunity to scout Yesavafge as he’s a outstanding arm listed for the Blue Jays’ Spring Breakout recreation roster on March 15.
George Klassen
Fingers crossed, the Angels’ pitching improvement staff can protect the very best qualities of George Klassen and his robust three-pitch arsenal. Klassen makes use of a three-quarters arm angle with long-arm deception to play up his fastball velocity that sits at 95-98 mph and might contact 100 mph.
Klassen was the twenty ninth choose of the sixth spherical for the Phillies within the 2023 draft. He was traded to the Angels in July 2024 within the Carlos Estévez deal. The Angels instantly promoted him to Double-A Rocket Metropolis after one recreation at Single-A. His management evaded him throughout his time with the Trash Pandas, the place he completed with 28 strikeouts towards 22 walks over 28.2 innings.
Klassen wants extra management over his breaking pitches earlier than he will be known as as much as the main leagues. He nonetheless will get whiffs, however there are a lot of highlights of him unintentionally burying the curveball into the bottom. He can generally be a straightforward take by hitters, as seen by 15 wild pitches every in 2023 and 2024. But, so long as he can find the fastball, the curveball will work simply high-quality. Take a look at the sequence of his ultimate 2024 recreation, the place he struck out 12 batters, totally on sliders.
Klassen’s 2024 season ended on that top notice, however his brief tenure with the Angels isn’t a great omen for trimming the excessive stroll charge. He completed 2024 with a 35.2% strikeout charge and a 12.0% stroll charge however walked three or extra batters in six of his final eight begins. If the Angels can enhance his poor command, Klassen will zoom up on draft boards. On the energy of his three above-average pitches, I drafted him within the ultimate 12 months of a five-year dynasty league, hoping the Angels proceed their early promotion methods for his or her high prospects. Klassen will probably be a enjoyable watch on the Angels’ March fifteenth Spring Breakout recreation.
Moisés Chace
Moisés Chace has no subject finding the fastball. It’s the offspeed pitches which were a problem for him. The rate is simple, and the supply is clean with a shorter arm motion that retains his strategy angle low. The slider is the marginally higher secondary pitch, however the changeup does its job of holding hitters from timing up the fastball.
Initially signed by the Orioles out of Venezuela in 2019, Chace was traded to the Phillies in a 2024 deal that concerned Gregory Soto. The Phillies began him in Excessive Single-A for 2 video games earlier than he pitched 4 video games in Double-A. Along with his new staff, Chace put up 48 strikeouts towards 10 walks over 28.1 innings pitched.
In his 13-strikeout recreation on August 31, he relied on the fastball early earlier than turning to the breaking and offspeed stuff the second and third time by way of the order.
To this point, his tenure with Philadelphia has been large as he has posted an 8.9% stroll charge towards a 42.9% strikeout charge over 28.1 innings pitched with hitters solely managing a .200 common towards him. For Chace to succeed in his full potential, he must proceed to cut back these free passes. In his 2025 spring coaching debut, his velocity was right down to 94 mph over a small pattern of ten pitches. I hope he reveals higher on the Phillies’ March 14th Spring Breakout recreation.
Chayce McDermott
Chayce McDermott has had poor stroll charges for his total profession. Nonetheless, the long run is vivid if McDermott can grasp command of his huge five-pitch arsenal.
McDermott was chosen as a fourth-round compensatory choose within the 2021 draft by the Astros. The Orioles obtained him in a 2022 deal involving Trey Mancini, the place they began him in Excessive Single-A after which Double-A. After one other 12 months and a half within the minor leagues, Baltimore promoted him for his debut in July 2024.
He threw 5 completely different pitches in his debut at Miami. The slider grades out robust on the Stuff+ mannequin at 116. The fastball has barely extra rise than the typical main league fastball sitting 93-95 mph. His curveball is an efficient pitch that has a tad extra drop than common. His changeup runs pretty far-off on the arm facet however was lacking the sting for many of this recreation and have become a straightforward take. He was nibbling everywhere in the shadows of the zone, typically lacking with the slider or sweeper. Regardless of the so-so consequence in his debut, he did submit a 60% ground-ball charge and will have gotten out of his roughest inning earlier with higher defensive alignment. He didn’t get one other probability to show himself as he was despatched down after the sport.
With over 400 profession innings to this point, I wish to see extra polish on the command of his arsenal. But, there are good indicators for McDermott’s future with the 2 ending breaking pitches, a mid-90s fastball with rise, and a creating changeup. On the unfavourable facet, McDermott will possible begin the 2025 season on the injured record with a lat damage that has prevented him from a traditional throwing development this spring.
Jurrangelo Cijntje
Jurrangelo Cijntje is a pure lefty who has proven extra promise as a right-handed pitcher. Reviewing Cijntje (pronounced “saint-cha”) is akin to analyzing two pitchers because the arsenal is kind of completely different out of every hand. From the suitable facet, Cijntje will get the four-seam fastball as much as 95-97 mph with a pleasant zip. The shorter arm motion performs up a bit deception that enables him to combine in a mean slider and changeup. From the left facet, he pairs a beautiful sweeper with a fastball that sits 91-94 mph.
Cijntje was chosen by the Seattle Mariners within the 2024 draft because the fifteenth choose of the primary spherical. He has but to make a minor league look so we’re eagerly awaiting how Seattle makes use of their dual-handed pitcher. It’s unsure how lengthy the Mariners will permit him to switch-pitch, however the advantages of doing so may lengthen his stint in a person recreation or for the week as he can unfold the pitch rely out amongst each arms.
The collection of Cijntje is a slight cheat code, as he has already improved the stroll charge over the 12 months. But, he should display that means within the minor leagues from each arms. We’ll hopefully get our first view of Cijntje on the Mariners’ Spring Breakout recreation on March 14.
Gage Leap
Essentially the most fast motion noticeable about Gage Leap’s supply is the hitch in his arm motion. Leap retains his elbow tucked earlier than pushing off the mound and launching the ball to the plate nearly like he’s tossing a javelin. Unsurprisingly, he had Tommy John surgical procedure in 2023 throughout a shortened freshman season. He transferred over to LSU and pitched very properly. Though he additionally improved his stroll charge to fall below 10% for his two-year profession, he had 5 wild pitches and 9 HBP throughout the 2024 season.
The southpaw was initially drafted by the Padres in 2021, however he harm his elbow throughout the identical 12 months. The Athletics then took him within the 2024 draft as a Aggressive Stability Spherical B choose. Leap didn’t see any minor league motion in 2024, however has been throwing in aid throughout spring coaching.
Leap makes use of a three-quarter arm angle from the left facet. His curveball seems to be his cash pitch as he makes use of it on back-to-back throws in addition to initially or end of an at-bat. The fastball sits within the low 90s and appeared to idiot sufficient school hitters to get them from sitting on the curveball.
With the 73rd general choose, the Oakland Athletics chosen LHP Gage Leap. FB as much as 97 with trip and run by way of the zone. SL and CB are distinct in form, although he has extra of a really feel for the SL – which can be the higher of the 2. Intriguing CH. pic.twitter.com/O9T5TZ1PEc
— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) July 15, 2024
Except a brand new supply is utilized within the minor leagues, Leap is a participant that’s onerous to advocate for long-term dynasty plans as there may be an elevated damage concern. Regardless of the pessimistic tone, Leap has demonstrated a capability to throw deep into video games with 5 turns of 6 or extra innings at LSU. The head was a 14-strikeout complete-game masterpiece towards Missouri that speaks to the excessive level he may attain.
Jack Leiter
People could have prospect fatigue on Jack Leiter, however he has by no means actually had time to shine within the main leagues. Leiter grades out as having two above-average pitches and one common cutter. Throughout his minor league tenure, he featured late-breaking sliders and curveballs. Leiter has displayed pinpoint management whereas taking part in alongside the shadows of the zone. He pairs these breaking pitches with a mid-90s four-seam fastball with zip however minimal motion.
The fastball could possibly be a problem if it has no motion and isn’t blended properly with breaking pitches. An space to observe is whether or not or not he can get the fastball up excessive since most of his breaking pitches hit the bottom third of the zone. His fastball has common rise, however visually, it seems straight as an arrow and catches means an excessive amount of of the center of the plate.
Leiter was chosen because the second choose of the 2021 draft by the Texas Rangers. The highly-touted Vanderbilt righty was dropped into Double-A the place he didn’t meet the hype. He bought his first cup of espresso in early 2024 however as soon as once more didn’t rise to the event as a starter by giving up a number of runs in each look.
Leiter has had a robust begin to 2025, with solely two runs allowed over 8.2 innings pitched on one stroll towards eight strikeouts. The rate is up on all of his pitches, with the four-seam fastball averaging 96.4 mph and touching 99.6 mph. With extra expertise below his belt and an enormous arsenal, this can be a good time to purchase the dip on Leiter.
Emiliano Teodo
Emiliano Teodo has a handy guide a rough, over-the-top supply that maximizes energy each pitch. His identify has at all times been talked about as a better or reliever candidate for the Rangers. Then again, Teodo had a stretch in Double-A the place he pitched 5 or extra innings for 10 out of 12 begins, so he’s being given loads of room to develop into the starter function.
Teodo was acquired as a global free agent in 2020 by the Rangers. He excelled within the Rookie League and is steadily rising level-by-level every year. Though he’s gaining some steam as a better possibility in a Texas bullpen with no declared nearer, he’ll possible be promoted to Triple-A to begin 2025.
Teodo has a improbable three-pitch combine. His fastball touches 102 and sits within the higher 90s. The excessive arm angle performs up the diving motion on the slider. His changeup is extraordinarily efficient for getting hitters to swing and miss as they gear up for the fastball. On condition that he exerts large effort on every pitch from his smaller body, he will probably be frequently linked to reliever standing till he demonstrates endurance at larger ranges.
His prospect familiarity grew when Teodo dominated as a reliever within the 2023 Arizona Fall League. He was named Reliever of the 12 months after posting 11.0 shutout innings on a 0.55 WHIP with three walks and 19 strikeouts. I’m shopping for into the profile as both a middle-of-the-rotation starter or a dominant reliever, as I drafted him within the fifth spherical of a latest first-year participant draft. Be looking out for his dominant stuff on the Rangers’ March 15 Spring Breakout recreation.
Yoniel Curet
Yoniel Curet has developed right into a dependable innings eater, assuming he can restrict the free passes. He confronted twenty or extra batters in 16 of his 26 begins in 2024. Though fantasy people typically notice ratio enhancements for Curet’s promotion to Double-A for strikeout charge, stroll charge, and WHIP, they might not see some hidden downsides from the sport log. In three of his 5 Double-A begins, he walked three or extra batters. In his first Double-A begin, he gave up two house runs and hit a batter regardless of zero walks. The sport logs present that there’s something about his management that varies from recreation to recreation and could also be extra uncovered as soon as he strikes as much as Triple-A.
Signed as a global free agent in 2019, Curet needed to wait till 2021 to make his minor league debut within the Dominican Summer time League. Tampa Bay has slowly introduced him as much as Double-A with a couple of appearances in spring coaching.
Curet shows a straightforward supply from a decrease three-quarters arm angle. The fastball sits within the mid-90s with a pleasant zip. The breaking ball is his cash pitch, however he additionally has a ending slider.
Hyped to see Yoniel Curet pitch tomorrow❗️ pic.twitter.com/bDg0MhlE9A
— Jake (@TBRaysCentral) February 25, 2025
There are two distinguishing options of his supply. Curet makes use of a yo-yo pullback when ending his pitches. This snap movement may result in over-exertion because it necessitates unneeded motion. He also needs to work to get rid of a glove faucet on pitches, which may tip his pitches or unnecessarily complicate his supply.
Cam Schlittler
Cam Schlittler is a tall righty with a clean supply. At 6’6”, Schlittler makes use of a excessive three-quarter arm angle to fall into his follow-through every pitch. He has constructed up a strong three-pitch arsenal whereas creating one other two pitches. His function for 2025 will probably be to construct up innings and keep command for longer durations.
The Yankees chosen Schlittler with the twenty fourth choose of the seventh spherical in 2022. In 2024, they jumped him by way of three ranges as a starter the complete means. He bought his first style of the massive leagues in spring coaching and can possible return to Triple-A to begin 2025.
Schlitter’s finest pitch is the curveball, which has an enormous drop. He featured the pitch in spring coaching as a stability to the mid-90s four-seam fastball. The curveball is a setup and a ending pitch. The slider has first rate glove-side run. He appears to place numerous religion in his cutter, as he throws it typically when behind within the rely. Schlittler will possible work to develop a changeup to maintain hitters from timing up his fastball and as a backup if he loses really feel for his different pitches.
Cam Schlittler is without doubt one of the #Yankees high pitching prospects, and he regarded NASTY in his two scoreless innings of labor 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QS9IP1kOiA
— Hearth Yankees (@FiresideYankees) February 23, 2025
One concern is that his curveball arm motion seems extra violent than his different pitches and has been described by scouts as a “ripping” motion. If he throws his finest pitch extra typically, he could also be destined for elbow points or shorter stints as a reliever. Let’s see how Schlittler takes care of enterprise on the Yankees’ March fifteenth Spring Breakout recreation.
Cade Smith
Cade Smith has a tremendous slider that basically pops upon watching movie. He can throw it to all elements of the zone, which frustrates opposing hitters. The slider has a big late break to the glove facet. Moreover, Smith simply repeats his decrease launch level for all pitches. The decrease launch level performs up the induced vertical break of his 92-94 mph four-seam fastball. The curveball is an appropriate breaking pitch.
Smith was chosen by the Yankees within the sixth spherical because the twenty eighth choose in 2023. Smith was the principle Mississippi State starter for his final two years however did miss a month on account of an undisclosed damage in his ultimate season. Sadly, he completed the 2024 season on the 60-day injured record with one other undisclosed damage.
Smith seems on the mound like a extra polished pitcher, so it’s anticipated that extra development will come along with his command over time. In 2024, video games fell off for him when he misplaced management of the fastball. Regardless of the command loss, he has demonstrated the power to throw deep into video games with two outings every of seven innings and 6 innings pitched.
Cade Smith has the third-best Okay% in Single-A (38.8%) and struck out 11 batters over six shutout frames final evening.
FULL BREAKDOWN: https://t.co/NnBSSK0rjq pic.twitter.com/amOUDciyFz
— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) Could 3, 2024
General, Smith has displayed the total vary of outcomes throughout his minor league profession. The shortage of a fastball velocity and command are regarding indicators that he may grow to be a reliever, however we’ll give him another season at Double-A to see progress. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if Smith makes an look on the Yankees’ March fifteenth Spring Breakout recreation after ending the season on the injured record.
Pictures by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire and master1305/Freepik | Featured Picture by Ethan Kaplan (@djfreddie10.bsky.social on Blue Sky and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)
