Preseason Prep – February 26, 2025
Fantasy Relevance for the Dodgers deeper rotation choices?
Baseball followers know that the Dodgers loaded up on beginning pitching within the offseason including 2-time Cy Younger award winner Blake Snell, Phenom Roki Sasaki and re-signing the legendary Clayton Kershaw. With Shohei Ohtani anticipated to take the mound this yr and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow returning it is an electrical high 5. That being stated accidents at all times occur and the Dodgers have sufficient depth the place their backup beginning pitching choices might be known as upon. Lets take a fast take a look at among the choices.
Bobby Miller did not report an out whereas permitting 3 baserunners earlier than being hit within the head with a line drive in Thursday’s Spring Opener. Miller insists he shall be fantastic and must be throwing quickly.The 25-year-old pitched usually final yr however not successfully as he pitched to a 8.52 ERA over 13 begins. Regardless of having a 4-seamer that avengers 97.8 mph that’s really down a bit from his 2023 debut when it touched 99. Opposing hitter teed off on it final yr, slugging .663 vs it. Miller has struggled with walks all through his minor league profession as nicely. He has 2 minor league choices remaining as nicely so might be an choice to shuttle up and down if Sasaki or Ohtani aren’t obtainable to open the season.
Tony Gonsolin struck out 2 in a scoreless spring debut final week. It was a pleasant begin for the Veteran after lacking all of 2024 resulting from Tommy John Surgical procedure. Gonsolin was a fantasy baseball hero in 2022 going 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA and a miniscule .8 HR/9. His 2023 earlier than his surgical procedure was marred by accidents as he wasn’t fairly as sharp as he turned in a 4.98 ERA and allowed 8 extra HR in 27 much less innings. He in all probability does not have essentially the most electrical stuff to be an enormous bullpen arm however might need the within monitor to the fifth spot within the rotation to open the season for LA.
Landon Knack is another choice; he allowed 1 ER in 1 inning following Gonsolin in final week’s Spring sport. Knack was extraordinarily efficient final yr for the World Champs as he appeared in 15 video games, together with 12 begins and pitched to a 3.65 ERA with a 1.10 whip and 9 Ok/9. Knack is a former second spherical decide who presents a strong 5 pitch combine. He’s already 27 years outdated however has restricted mileage on his arm and like Miller has 2 MiLB choices and might be a high possibility for a callup.
Dustin Could tossed a scoreless first inning in Sunday’s spring sport. It has been virtually 2 years since Could has made an look resulting from Tommy John Surgical procedure in addition to one other freak medical emergency final yr. Could had been strong from 2019-2023 for the Dodgers pitching to a 3.10 ERA over 46 video games together with 34 begins whereas limiting dwelling runs (0.9 HR/9) with an honest Ok charge (8.2 Ok/9). Could hit 95 on this spring sport and it is doable with some early accidents to the Dodgers bullpen he could also be transformed to a RP to assist on the market. It is a storyline price watching this Spring as his stuff might play nicely in each the rotation and a pen position.
Fast Spring Begin: Zac Veen (OF-Rockies)
Veen has gone 4-10 with 2 doubles, a house run, 4 RBIs and three stolen bases to open his Spring Coaching. The 23 yr outdated superior to AAA to finish final season and regardless of a .221 common he popped 6 dwelling runs and stole 6 baggage in 21 video games to finish the season. There’s in all probability a case to be made that Veen might push his option to a spot out of the spring, however the Rockies are at present projected to begin Nolan Jones, Brenton Doyle and Jordan Beck within the OF and more than likely need him taking part in each day. The Rockies have a number of different outfield prospects who really rank a bit greater but when Jordan Beck struggles as he did final yr Veen might make a push in the end. The facility/pace combo might play nicely at Coors Subject however it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if he continues to stroll above 10% and might maintain his Ok charge underneath 30% as he will get extra appears to be like towards extra superior pitching.
Across the League:
Garrett Mitchell (OF- Brewers)
Mitchell has had some preseason fantasy hype centered round him as he’s anticipated to be the Brewers opening day heart fielder and turned in a .255/.342/.469 line with 8 HR and 11 SB in 69 video games final yr. Whereas he has performed sparingly over the previous 3 seasons there are a couple of glowing positives that stand out. His dash pace ranked within the high 5% of the league final yr and has been good at drawing walks Probably the most attention-grabbing factor about Mitchell is to see the place he ends power-wise. Mitchell hit 17 dwelling runs throughout 653 minor league PAs however had 13 HR throughout simply 365 MLB PAs. Typically you might want to take statistics with this few at bats with a grain of salt, however Mitchell had a decrease FB charge (22%) but a better HR/FB charge (29.6%) when in comparison with most of his partial MLB/MILB seasons.vMitchell has the power to get on base sufficient the place he ought to swipe at the very least 20 baggage however I’d mood his Energy expectations till we see a bit of extra out of him this yr.
Sean Burke (SP- White Sox)
Burke was incredible in his cup of espresso with the White Sox final yr going 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 19 innings. He principally includes a 4-seamer that hit 95, a slider and a curveball final yr along with his slider producing a 43.3% whiff charge and being his predominant putaway pitch. The 6’6 proper hander did have his struggles at AAA in each 2023 (7.61 ERA / 6.63 BB/9) and 2024 (4.62 ERA / 5.02 BB/9) so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see which Burke seems to open the season as he ought to slot into the rotation. One factor to search for. Burke makes use of his changeup underneath 10% of the time and an uptick in that pitch utilization might assist him maintain batters off stability much more.
Ronel Blanco (SP- Astros)
Blanco made his first begin of the spring and allowed 3 ER on 5 hits over 1.1 innings. Blanco burst onto the scene in 2024 accumulating 13 wins and a 2.80 ERA over 167 innings which included a no-hitter throughout his first begin of the season. He had been pitching within the Houston farm system since 2016 with various levels of success and was a key contributor all season. With a 4.15 fip it’s doable was the beneficiary of a little bit of luck final season; his league main 83.6% left on base charge and a .220 babip ( the bottom amongst qualifying beginning pitchers tells us some regression could also be on the horizon. Both method ought to nonetheless chew innings this yr – I’m betting he’ll end with an ERA near 4 than 3 this yr.
Ben Rice (1B-Yankees)
Rice led off and went 2-3 with a run and RBI. Even with Austin Wells locked in behind the plate the Yankees are making an effort to get Rice at bats behind the dish and he seems to be the first backup catcher. The opposite attention-grabbing be aware right here is with the Giancarlo Stanton damage Rice’s probabilities to each make the roster and get taking part in appear to have elevated as he might simply slot into the DH position. His .171/.264/.369 line final yr in his debut is unpleasant however his babip was a really low .186. Rice drew walks at an 11% clip and his profession .399 minor league OBP is of be aware. I like Rice to contribute this yr for the Yankees; from a fantasy perspective he’ll begin the season with 1B eligibility solely. If he is ready to get eligible at catcher he might present a little bit of pop from a place missing it.
Joey Bart (C-Pirates)
Bart put collectively a pleasant 80 sport stretch for the Pirates final yr slashing .265/.337/.462 with 13 HR and 45 RBIs. This marked his finest effort on the main league stage since being taken second total by the Giants in 2018. As good as this line I actually wish to see if he can maintain that success over a full season. He must be given each alternative to catch and probably DH so if he can replicate final years success he might be a excessive finish fantasy catcher. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how former high prospects Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez issue into this equation as nicely.
Deyvison De Los Santos (1B-Marlins)
The slugging Marlins prospect acquired the beginning at 1B and went 0 for two Tuesday. De Los Santos slugged 40 dwelling runs throughout AA and AAA for MIA/ARI final yr whereas additionally hitting .294. It’s price noting that his batting common severely tailed off between AA and AAA as he hit .372 to open with ARI in AA, adopted by a .289 and .240 averages with ARI and MIA, respectively at AAA. His uncooked energy is among the many finest within the minor leagues and I feel so long as his Ok charge does not climb greater then the excessive 20percents he’s going to be an incredible supply of fantasy dwelling runs – principally possible within the second half of 2025 going ahead.
Ceddanne Rafaela (OF/SS – Pink Sox)
It’s reported that the Pink Sox Middle Fielder retooled his swing within the offseason. A wonderful defender, Rafaela break up his time at SS and the OF final yr however is predicted to be the first CF this season. Take spring stats with a grain of salt, however Rafaela has seemed good by the primary few video games of the spring so maybe there’s something there. Final yr he put up good counting stats (15 HR, 19 steals, 75 RBIs) however he was caught stealing 10 occasions and drew simply 15 walks towards 151 strikeouts. In my view there may be quite a lot of potential right here if he can get that OBP of .274 up. He’s projected to hit close to the underside of the lineup and will have to get off to a fast begin with Prime Prospect Roman Anthony knocking on the door. Since he opens the season with each SS and OF eligibility I like him as a late spherical flyer in redraft leagues as your high “days off” bench piece.
Zack Gelof (2B – Athletics)
If you happen to take a look at floor stats alone Gelof’s 17 HR/25 SB season in 2024 appears to be like fairly good. Sadly that is about the one positives from final season as he led all certified hitters with a 34.6% Ok charge. He had some hype coming into final season as he was capable of hit .267 with a .337 OBP and 14 HR and 14 SB in simply 67 video games in 2023. His Ok charge rose and his stroll charge plummeted and his anticipated triple slash line was really under his precise one – which means he was fairly fortunate to complete with a .211/.267/.362 line. Gelof continuously struck out 25% of the time or extra within the minors however paired that with a robust stroll charge – one thing he has not achieved on the MLB stage but. He has acquired to get his strikeouts underneath management in what might be a make it or break it season. If you happen to can abdomen a decrease slash line in your fantasy group there may be 20/20 or extra attraction right here from a HR/SB perspective – however he has gone 0-6 with 5 Ks over his first few spring video games.
Victor Scott (OF – Cardinals)
Scott tripled and homered in Tuesday’s spring contest. You’ll hear me say it rather a lot this spring – take the spring stats with a grain of salt however a robust spring might be a serious confidence enhance for the younger outfielder. Scott garnered Prime-100 Prospect standing a yr in the past after he hit .323 with 44 steals at AA. Final yr was by all accounts a step backwards as he hit .210 in AAA and hit .179 in 53 video games with a 27.1% Ok charge for the Cardinals. The Ok charge was practically double any charge he put up within the minors previous to 2024. Scott actually struggled towards breaking pitches final yr with a .100 batting common towards and 47.8% whiff charge. Most of his underlying batted ball stats are center of the pack or a bit worse so it is doable an adjustment interval was what the 24 yr outdated wanted. If he finally ends up successful the job because the beginning heart fielder there may be worth right here particularly in dynasty leagues.
Dylan Crews (OF-Nationals)
Crews led off Tuesday and went 1-2 with a stroll, 2 runs and a stolen base. Crews has had a great begin to the spring and is trying to construct up on his 31 sport stint in September final yr that noticed him hit .219 with 12 stolen bases. Crews has plus grades throughout the board and even when his bat takes a bit of time to stay as much as his lofty hit instrument he’s already making an impression on the bases. He acquired on base at a .342 clip throughout AA and AAA final yr and may occupy a high spot within the Nationals lineup as they begin to advance their greater finish bats to the present. His ADP is diverse throughout platforms between 130-180 total and at a minimal must be a wonderful supply of stolen bases and runs scored in 2025.
Quinn Matthews (SP – Cardinals)
Matthews struck out 3 over 2 scoreless innings in his spring debut Tuesday. The lefty checked in at forty fifth on MLBs high 100 Prospects for 2025 and acquired off to an incredible begin this yr. Matthews dominated the decrease minors final yr breezing his option to AAA by the tip of the season. It was right here the place he was challenged for the primary time as his ERA ballooned to six.48 over 4 begins and he issued 14 walks in 16 innings in comparison with 15 in 52 innings at AA; it is doable he ran out of gasoline after throwing 125 innings in his first yr if professional ball. With a 5 pitch arsenal Matthews is not too far off from the majors. The Cardinals have a veteran heavy pitching employees and Matthew is certainly one of a number of thrilling prospects that might be fantasy related within the second half in the event that they make some trades, which they’ve been rumored to do.
