In fantasy baseball, late-season surges can be both frustrating and promising. This article examines three pitchers who excelled in September, making them potential draft targets for 2025.

Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks rebounded from injury to post solid September stats, while Nick Martinez of the Cincinnati Reds transitioned from reliever to starter, impressing with a strong finish. Luke Weaver of the New York Yankees thrived as a closer, showcasing his potential for the upcoming season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a critical postseason, having struggled to adapt to opposing pitchers' strategies in recent playoffs. Despite their strong regular-season performance, they faltered against the Arizona Diamondbacks last year, particularly against Merrill Kelly, who changed his approach effectively. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the need for better in-game adjustments.

As they prepare for the San Diego Padres, the Dodgers aim to overcome their past postseason shortcomings. Their lineup, featuring players like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, is touted as one of their best, but they must avoid being outmaneuvered by the Padres' pitching plans.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are making significant changes to their coaching staff after narrowly missing the playoffs. The team announced that pitching coach Brent Strom, assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson, and bullpen coach Mike Fetters will not return for the next season.

Despite having the highest-scoring offense in baseball, the Diamondbacks struggled with their pitching, which had a high ERA of 4.62. The team faced numerous injuries to key pitchers, contributing to their disappointing finish.

The Arizona Diamondbacks concluded their season with an 89-73 record but fell short of the playoffs, losing tiebreakers to the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. Following this disappointment, the team made significant changes to their coaching staff, parting ways with pitching coach Brent Strom, assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson, and bullpen coach Mike Fetters.

Despite a strong offensive showing, leading MLB in runs scored, the D-Backs' pitching struggled, finishing with a 4.62 ERA and allowing 788 runs. General manager Mike Hazen acknowledged that injuries to key pitchers impacted performance, while team owner Ken Kendrick expressed regret over signing Jordan Montgomery, who had a career-worst season.

The 2024 season for the Arizona Diamondbacks ended with a third-place finish in the NL West, missing the playoffs despite a record offensive output. The team scored 886 runs, led by Ketel Marte, Joc Pederson, and Eugenio Suárez, but struggled with a pitching staff that ranked 27th in ERA.

Heading into the offseason, the D-backs face significant decisions, particularly regarding free agents and their pitching rotation. With a mix of established players and promising prospects like Jordan Lawlar and Druw Jones, the outlook for 2025 remains cautiously optimistic.