The fantasy baseball season is heating up, making best ball formats a perfect avenue for both seasoned drafters and newcomers. Best ball leagues require no management post-draft, allowing players to draft multiple teams and focus on guaranteed plate appearances and innings without worrying about waivers. With varied scoring formats across platforms like Fantrax, understanding player ADPs is crucial for spotting value picks.

This year, notable pitchers such as Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates stand out as potential breakout stars. Pfaadt, despite a rocky finish to his 2024 season, showed great control and strikeout potential, while Jones possesses elite velocity and a promising pitch mix. Other pitchers like Gavin Williams from the Cleveland Guardians and Justin Steele from the Chicago Cubs also warrant attention for their solid ERAs and ability to induce weak contact.

As the draft season approaches, these players are among the best targets for those looking to optimize their best ball strategies.

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.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged victorious in the pursuit of Roki Sasaki, the highly touted 23-year-old Japanese right-hander, who made his decision public through Instagram. The world champion Dodgers, expected to be the frontrunners, successfully claimed Sasaki during the international signing period, which started recently. Despite interest from the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, Sasaki chose the Dodgers, leaving teams like the Chicago Cubs disappointed.

Cubs president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, expressed his letdown, stating they invested significant effort in the recruitment process, likening the situation to the prior experience with Shohei Ohtani. Hoyer maintained that although they did not secure Sasaki, the Cubs still have a strong track record with Japanese players, hinting at future recruitment possibilities.

The Chicago Cubs are making significant moves this offseason after finishing the last two seasons with an 83-79 record, positioning them in second place in the National League Central. The team has added notable players Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea to enhance their pitching depth while trading Cody Bellinger to alleviate their payroll burden. However, the most impactful change was acquiring superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros. The trade, involving inconsistent third baseman Isaac Paredes, reliever Hayden Wesneski, and prospect Cam Smith, has sparked excitement among fans and players alike.

Pitcher Justin Steele expressed his enthusiasm on the 'North Side Territory' podcast, highlighting Tucker's impressive skills both at the plate and in the field. Steele noted their past matchups in the minor leagues, recalling Tucker's potential as a future star. Although their MLB confrontations have been limited to three plate appearances, Tucker has made an impact with a double and an RBI against Steele. With three All-Star selections, a Silver Slugger, and a Gold Glove to his name, Tucker is ready to take a leading role with the Cubs, despite uncertainty about his long-term stay. As the 2025 season approaches, the Cubs' prospects look brighter with Kyle Tucker in the lineup.

The Chicago Cubs' rotation has been bolstered by the steady performance of left-hander Justin Steele throughout the 2024 season. Despite a minor injury early on, Steele managed to make 24 starts, pitching 134 and two-thirds innings with an impressive 3.07 ERA, while striking out 135 hitters. As he enters arbitration for the first time, the Cubs and Steele have reached a deal worth $6.55 million, which is seen as a team-friendly agreement.

Steele's consistency over the past three years has been remarkable, and after being named an All-Star in 2023, his stats included a 3.06 ERA and 176 strikeouts over 173 and one-third innings. The Cubs are optimistic about his future, particularly as they aim to compete in the National League Central in 2025. Extending Steele on a long-term deal is a priority for Chicago to prevent any potential frustration from the talented pitcher as he approaches free agency in 2028.