Approaching your fantasy baseball draft requires a careful evaluation of starting pitchers, particularly focusing on their underlying metrics such as whiff and strikeout percentages. Healthy pitchers who can avoid 'stressful' pitches tend to perform better, contributing to their teams deeper into games, thereby accumulating more points and strikeouts while minimizing earned run averages. Targeting pitchers with strong K/9 ratios and favorable profiles is essential, especially given the persistent injury risks in recent years.

Among notable targets, Nick Lodolo of the Cincinnati Reds offers a promising profile with a robust career K/9 of 10.67. After a limited 2023 season due to injuries, he’s bounced back in spring training, showing signs of his potential with a 1.88 ERA in 24 innings. Likewise, Jesus Luzardo, now with the Philadelphia Phillies, boasts elite strikeout potential despite a rough previous season, while Justin Steele from the Cubs, despite injury setbacks, continues to demonstrate impressive metrics. Finally, Spencer Schwellenbach, the Atlanta Braves' rising star, finished his rookie year with a commendable 3.35 ERA, making him a worthy late draft pick.

In the world of fantasy baseball, rookies can be hit or miss based on their draft position. Three high-upside prospects, Dylan Crews, Jasson Dominguez, and Kristian Campbell, are generating buzz for the 2025 season. Crews, the fourth-best prospect per MLB Pipeline, is expected to make a significant impact for the Washington Nationals after a strong minor league season with a .270 average, 13 homers, and 25 stolen bases. Dominguez looks to seize an everyday role for the Yankees, bringing above-average power and speed from his successful minor league run. Lastly, Campbell is making waves as one of the top second base prospects, with a .330 average and 24 steals in 2024, potentially earning him a starting spot with the Boston Red Sox.

The Texas Rangers fell 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners despite strong performances from Jacob deGrom and Corey Seager. The notable upside for the Rangers was their bullpen, which has shown remarkable consistency in spring training, with a collective ERA of 0.600 over 15 innings. Luke Jackson, Chris Martin, and Robert Garcia have proven to be a reliable leverage trio, which could be pivotal as the season approaches.

Seager, who has picked up steam lately, hit a home run and showcased his improved plate discipline with five walks in the past week. Conversely, Ezequiel Duran's struggles continued, casting doubt on his spot on the roster. Alejandro Osuna, a standout performer this spring, is likely to remain in the organization as a potential trade asset or injury replacement. The Rangers are looking to refine their roster as the regular season nears.

Joey Bart has seen a notable shift in his performance since joining the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing flashes of potential that may make him a valuable pick in upcoming drafts. After being released by the San Francisco Giants, Bart's stats improved, especially against left-handed pitching, though he still has a significant strikeout rate of 25.9%. Despite a promising start with three home runs in his first seven games, injuries have clouded his consistency.

Moving forward, Bart's projected stats over 450 at-bats are favorable, predicting 23 home runs and 85 RBIs. However, he faces potential competition from teammates Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez, both of whom are talented young catchers capable of taking over his role. Given this backdrop, Bart presents a risk-reward scenario for fantasy managers—he offers power but his job security is uncertain.

Brandon Nimmo shows optimism regarding his recovery from plantar fasciitis, despite the challenges it presents. Following an injection last season, he has been proactive with physical therapy to prepare for Opening Day. Nimmo, who faced the issue since last May and aggravated it during the postseason, is now in a jogging phase, hoping to transition to sprinting soon. He acknowledged that his case stems from overuse but is focusing on preventative measures to avoid future issues. Last season, despite a second-half slump, he recorded impressive statistics, including a career-high 90 RBIs.

Another Mets player looking to improve is catcher Francisco Alvarez. After a mixed season where his home runs dropped from 25 to 11, he is prioritizing better plate discipline. Alvarez, who dealt with a thumb injury that sidelined him for eight weeks, believes his struggles aren't solely due to that injury. Young talent Luisangel Acuña also has a bright future, following a promising debut that has the Mets excited about his potential role in 2025.