As fantasy baseball draft season heats up, identifying undervalued mid-round starting pitchers is crucial for building a competitive roster. Targeting players like Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who showcased a strong strikeout rate but struggled in the second half of the season, can offer potential upside at a reasonable ADP. Hunter Greene of the Cincinnati Reds could be a key addition too, having posted impressive numbers last season but with injury concerns that could affect his availability. Justin Steele and Grayson Rodriguez also stand out, with their promising metrics and potential for breakout seasons.

Spencer Schwellenbach of the Atlanta Braves is another intriguing option, having shown resilience as a rookie in the previous season. Drafting him could yield great returns given his strong ratios and low ADP. As fantasy managers consider these pitchers, balancing risk with the potential for high reward becomes paramount in the mid-rounds.

As the 2025 MLB season approaches, fantasy baseball managers should consider pivoting their approach to drafting starting pitchers. Traditional metrics such as ERA can be misleading, as outside factors often influence a pitcher's performance. Instead, focus on skills like K-BB% and CSW, alongside favorable conditions such as run support and park factors.

Big-name pitchers like Jacob deGrom, who has struggled with injuries but posted a stellar 29.5 K-BB% when healthy, present both risk and reward. Newer talents like Spencer Schwellenbach of the Atlanta Braves are shining, with a promising second-half showing last season. Others like Brandon Pfaadt and Nick Lodolo offer sleeper potential despite prior inconsistencies. As fewer pitchers are expected to hit 200 innings, strategizing around this evolving landscape will be key for fantasy success.

The 2024 MLB season saw impressive rookie performances, especially in September, highlighting future fantasy baseball prospects. Among the notable players, Otto Lopez of the Miami Marlins demonstrated significant improvement, closing the season with a .344 batting average, three home runs, and 14 RBIs during the final month. His defensive capabilities were also well-regarded, ranking third in Outs Above Average. Similarly, Spencer Schwellenbach from the Atlanta Braves finished with a strong 3.35 ERA and 127 strikeouts, showcasing dominance with a 2.25 ERA across six September starts.

Rhett Lowder of the Cincinnati Reds made a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster after an impressive September with a 1.01 ERA and multiple scoreless outings. Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers, initially struggling, rebounded impressively by hitting .300 with eight home runs in September, indicating a promising upward trajectory. As the 2025 season approaches, these rookies present intriguing options for fantasy drafts, with potential sleeper candidates arising from their strong finishes.

The 2024 MLB season saw impressive rookie performances, especially in September, highlighting future fantasy baseball prospects. Among the notable players, Otto Lopez of the Miami Marlins demonstrated significant improvement, closing the season with a .344 batting average, three home runs, and 14 RBIs during the final month. His defensive capabilities were also well-regarded, ranking third in Outs Above Average. Similarly, Spencer Schwellenbach from the Atlanta Braves finished with a strong 3.35 ERA and 127 strikeouts, showcasing dominance with a 2.25 ERA across six September starts.

Rhett Lowder of the Cincinnati Reds made a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster after an impressive September with a 1.01 ERA and multiple scoreless outings. Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers, initially struggling, rebounded impressively by hitting .300 with eight home runs in September, indicating a promising upward trajectory. As the 2025 season approaches, these rookies present intriguing options for fantasy drafts, with potential sleeper candidates arising from their strong finishes.

Several pitchers are attracting attention as potential value picks for the upcoming MLB season. Spencer Schwellenbach of the Atlanta Braves, despite being ranked as the SP29, has shown top-15 starter potential with a remarkable second-half performance. Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks has a lower ERA than his SIERA suggests, indicating possible positive regression. Meanwhile, Nick Lodolo of the Cincinnati Reds has a high strikeout rate and exhibits top-20 upside, even with injury concerns. Clarke Schmidt of the New York Yankees is undervalued at SP65 but boasts impressive metrics that suggest he could outperform expectations. Lastly, Spencer Arrighetti of the Houston Astros, currently sitting at SP72, has also shown significant potential and could be a strong sleeper choice.