The New York Yankees kicked off their Grapefruit League campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. Marcus Stroman, who recently stated he would not pitch out of the bullpen, made the starting appearance, allowing two hits in his single inning of work. Top prospects Jasson Dominguez and Oswald Peraza demonstrated potential, with Dominguez scoring a run and contributing with a ground out.

Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt made notable debuts, with Goldschmidt driving in a run with a double. Clarke Schmidt showed positive signs of recovery from injury, while JT Brubaker faced challenges after being hit by a comebacker. The team's pitching prospects also suffered setbacks as Chase Hampton underwent Tommy John surgery.

Chase Hampton, a promising pitching prospect for the New York Yankees, has suffered a flexor injury in his right elbow for the second consecutive year, raising concerns about potential Tommy John surgery. Manager Aaron Boone reported that the injury occurred during a bullpen session. Hampton had previously shown promise, being the Yankees' sixth overall prospect and second among pitchers last year after a solid performance in the minors.

Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt, expected to be the fifth starter, is dealing with a minor back issue but is not expected to miss substantial time. Marcus Stroman is set to make his spring training debut after recovering from a recent slump. Yankees' rotation likely includes big names such as Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón. The club aims to maintain a competitive edge despite these early season setbacks.

Excitement is brewing as the New York Yankees prepare for the upcoming season with their pitching staff. The return of ace Gerrit Cole, who opted to stay with the team, is a significant win for the Yankees. Alongside him, Max Fried's recent signing adds a formidable presence at the top of the rotation, making the Yankees' pitching arsenal one of the most potent in Major League Baseball.

However, the pressure now shifts to Carlos Rodón. After a lackluster debut season marred by injuries and a high ERA, Rodón rebounded in 2024 with a respectable 3.96 ERA and 16 wins. With Fried joining the rotation, Rodón's role will likely shift to a mid-rotation spot, which could alleviate some pressure. Yet, the stakes are high as Rodón needs to perform in crucial playoff matchups against opposing teams' third and fourth starters.

A focus on pitching for fantasy drafts reveals promising talent among several pitchers. Hunter Greene of the Cincinnati Reds has showcased remarkable improvement, particularly with his four-seam fastball, which significantly increased in effectiveness. Despite injury concerns, he possesses the potential to become a top-tier fantasy pitcher if he secures a full season of starts.

Cristopher Sanchez from the Philadelphia Phillies has emerged as a sleeper choice, combining elite groundball rates with low walk percentages. While his strikeout rate dipped, a newly developed pitch could enhance his value. Clarke Schmidt from the New York Yankees, despite facing injuries, has demonstrated potential with a versatile pitching arsenal, making him a candidate for bounce-back success.

Nick Lodolo, also from the Reds, is a high-risk, high-reward option, while Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks represents a solid veteran pick at a late draft position, despite recent injury setbacks.

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.