As the 2025 fantasy baseball draft season approaches, identifying potential sleeper pitchers can drastically enhance your roster. This article analyzes four starting pitchers—Eduardo Rodriguez, Jesus Luzardo, Jeffrey Springs, and Sandy Alcantara—who possess significant upside relative to their current average draft positions (ADP).

Eduardo Rodriguez, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, has a low ADP of 533 but boasts a career 4.08 ERA and was signed to a lucrative contract, suggesting potential rebound value. Jesus Luzardo, a former top prospect with the Philadelphia Phillies, is another intriguing option, currently sitting at an ADP of 392 despite past success and health challenges.

Jeffrey Springs, recently with the Athletics, presents a risk-reward scenario as he comes off Tommy John surgery, but his past performance indicates he could be a valuable asset. Lastly, Sandy Alcantara, who won the Cy Young in 2022, is being undervalued at an ADP of 166 after recovering from surgery. Each of these pitchers offers a chance for fantasy managers to gain an edge in 2025 drafts.

As the MLB off-season unfolds, projections from ZiPS and Steamer are being analyzed at Arizona Diamondbacks On SI, focusing on the performance expectations for each member of the team. The site aims to provide a comprehensive overview of players by averaging projections and assessing individual contributions based on rate statistics and playing time.

The evaluation extends beyond the 26-man roster typically utilized on Opening Day, encompassing the entire 40-man roster and including promising minor-leaguers and prospects that may impact the Diamondbacks' 162-game season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have made a bold move by signing ace right-hander Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract, marking a significant investment for a team not typically known for big spending. Owner Ken Kendrick expressed confidence in the team's championship potential, noting that this investment reflects their commitment to competitiveness in the challenging NL West.

Despite missing the postseason last year, the D-backs aim to enhance their roster, bolstered by the addition of Burnes, who looks to solidify an already strong starting rotation. His decision to join Arizona stemmed from both baseball opportunities and personal ties to the region.

Corbin Burnes has signed a monumental six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which is the largest in the franchise's history. The deal, finalized on Monday, includes significant deferred payments totaling $64 million that will be distributed from 2031 to 2036. Burnes will receive a $10 million signing bonus shortly after the contract's approval, alongside salaries of $30 million in 2025 and 2026, and $35 million for the subsequent four years.

The contract also features a unique opt-out clause after the 2026 season, allowing Burnes to reassess his situation. If he chooses to stay, the deferred payments will begin at $10 million in 2031 and increase to $11 million in subsequent years. Furthermore, he has a no-trade clause through March 2027, with the ability to designate 14 teams he cannot be traded to thereafter.

In addition to his impressive financial terms, the contract offers performance bonuses for awards such as the Cy Young Award and All-Star selections, as well as perks like premium season tickets and a hotel suite during road trips. Burnes joins a promising Diamondbacks rotation alongside Zac Gallen and Eduardo Rodríguez, having previously excelled with the Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have made a significant move by signing top free-agent pitcher Corbin Burnes to a six-year contract worth $210 million, with an opt-out clause after the 2026 season. Burnes, who had a standout year with the Baltimore Orioles after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers, pitched 194 ⅓ innings with a 2.92 ERA and recorded 181 strikeouts, earning a fifth-place finish in the AL Cy Young voting.

Despite his impressive performance, there are signs of a potential decline in Burnes' game. His strikeout rate has dropped for four consecutive years, and he struggled with his cutter, which is crucial to his success. While Burnes maintains excellent command and remains a high-quality pitcher, concerns about his declining strikeout rate may lead teams to reconsider long-term commitments.

Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner, joins a strong Diamondbacks rotation that features Zac Gallen, Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, and Brandon Pfaadt. The Diamondbacks, who finished with an 89-73 record last season, are looking to build on their success after winning the National League pennant in 2023.