The landscape of MLB fantasy baseball often requires a different approach than other sports like football. In this realm, assembling a robust roster is vital, especially relying on mid-to-late-round pitchers with high ceilings. Names like Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants and Cristopher Sanchez from the Philadelphia Phillies stand out as potential steals in drafts. Ray, with a solid history of strikeouts and a favorable park factor, is set for a rebound. Sanchez showcases an impressive velocity increase and strikeout potential. Then there's Yusei Kikuchi, who excelled with the Houston Astros and is expected to replicate that success with the Angels. Other notable mentionables include Brandon Pfaadt, Spencer Arrighetti, MacKenzie Gore, and Gavin Williams, all of whom have demonstrated significant upside and could emerge as key contributors this season.

Cristopher Sánchez showcased impressive velocity and control during his Grapefruit League outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, clocking in at 98.4 mph. He allowed just one run and two hits over three innings, averaging 97 mph on his sinker. Sánchez's changeup was noted as particularly effective, while manager Rob Thomson praised the development of his new slider. Despite the Phillies' loss to the Pirates, Sánchez’s performance strengthens his outlook for the 2025 season with a solid 2.35 ERA and 12 strikeouts in spring training.

Cristopher Sánchez impressed during his spring debut with the Philadelphia Phillies, tossing two scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out three batters, including former Phillies prospect Curtis Mead. His fastball reached an impressive 97-99 mph, significantly higher than last season's average of 94.5 mph. Sánchez attributed this improvement to offseason conditioning and tweaks to his slider, which now boasts more horizontal movement.

In the game, Edmundo Sosa led the scoring for the Phillies, while utility prospect Otto Kemp showcased his versatility at first base. Phillies manager Rob Thomson praised Kemp's maturity and balanced approach at the plate, deeming him a pleasant surprise in the lineup. The team will play the Blue Jays next in their spring training schedule.

The Philadelphia Phillies were set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates' star rookie, Paul Skenes, but rain canceled the highly anticipated match-up. Last season, Skenes had an impressive debut, posting a 1.96 ERA over 133 innings, and his absence means the Phillies will need to wait until the regular season to see him on the mound. Notably, a solid batting lineup including Trea Turner and Bryce Harper was ready to take on Skenes, indicating the significance of this matchup.

In his absence, Cristopher Sánchez will now face the Tampa Bay Rays, while other key pitchers, including Zack Wheeler and Jesús Luzardo, will make their spring debuts against the Yankees and Red Sox, respectively. Concerns about injuries linger, particularly with Johan Rojas, who is being cautious with a shoulder issue but is expected to return soon.

As fantasy baseball managers gear up for their 2025 drafts, evaluating starting pitchers is crucial, particularly those whose K-BB% have dropped significantly. Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays saw a notable decline of 9.9% in his K-BB%, raising concerns despite a strong ERA. Similarly, Zach Eflin's K-BB% fell by 6.9%, but his command remains elite, suggesting he might still be a reliable fantasy option. Cristopher Sánchez’s K-BB% decreased by 5.6%, yet he showed promise with a strong finish to the season. Understanding these trends can guide managers in making savvy draft decisions.