The Cincinnati Reds concluded their 2025 spring training with an emphatic 13-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, showcasing their strong offensive capabilities. Key contributor Elly De La Cruz finished the spring with a remarkable .409 batting average, complemented by four home runs and significant base-stealing prowess. Nick Lodolo, the Reds' No. 2 starter, delivered a dominant performance against the Guardians, completing six innings while striking out seven and yielding only three hits. Manager Terry Francona expressed satisfaction with the team's preparation going into the regular season.

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.

The 2025 MLB season is shaping up to feature several starting pitchers poised for breakout performances, especially those being drafted outside the top 175. Among the promising candidates is Shane Baz of the Tampa Bay Rays, whose impressive finish to the 2024 season—culminating in a 2.09 ERA over his final seven starts—has fans hopeful for his health and consistent success this year. Taj Bradley, also of the Rays, showed flashes of brilliance with a 0.82 ERA during a nine-start stretch last season and is now equipped with an improved pitching arsenal.

Meanwhile, Spencer Arrighetti of the Houston Astros has demonstrated potential with a strong finish to his rookie year, achieving a notable 3.04 ERA in his last 13 starts. Nick Lodolo of the Cincinnati Reds, despite past injuries, claims to be in the best shape of his career, while Jackson Jobe of the Detroit Tigers stands out with his minor league success, boasting a 2.36 ERA and a .178 opposing batting average. These pitchers could provide significant value in fantasy drafts this season.

Fantasy baseball enthusiasts should be on the lookout for sleeper picks in the National League Central as we approach draft season. Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs, despite a recent elbow injury, remains a strong candidate, having posted impressive numbers last year. His speed and on-base skills make him a valuable target, especially with Kyle Tucker joining the lineup.

Ivan Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals is also gaining traction as Willson Contreras transitions to first base, opening up opportunities for Herrera behind the plate. His high batting average and low strikeout rate position him well as a solid No. 2 catcher.

The Cincinnati Reds' Nick Lodolo presents a potential breakout candidate with his improved metrics, while Garrett Mitchell from the Brewers boasts elite speed and solid hitting stats from the previous season. Lastly, Jared Jones of the Pirates is showing promise as he develops his pitches, making him a potential late-round steal.