At 42, Justin Verlander continues to amaze, impressing teammates with his dedication and performance during spring training with the San Francisco Giants. His meticulous preparation has raised expectations for the entire pitching staff, evidenced by the team's strong Cactus League record. Verlander's experience is invaluable, as he mentors younger pitchers while striving for 300 career wins—a feat not achieved since Randy Johnson. With a fastball averaging 94 mph, Verlander looks to reclaim his spot as one of baseball's elite pitchers this season.

Statcast has revolutionized how players are evaluated in MLB, with Expected Stats helping fantasy baseball managers identify players' actual skills beyond traditional metrics. For the 2025 draft, several players stand out based on their Expected Stats from 2024. Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates leads with superior metrics over Tarik Skubal, while Blake Snell of the Los Angeles Dodgers boasts the lowest xERA. Mason Miller showcases elite skill levels that could elevate him to top closer status. Logan Webb's reliability is now in question after poor expected metrics last year. Lastly, Justin Verlander, though aging, remains relevant with a significant gap between xERA and actual ERA.

Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants is redefining expectations for starting pitchers, demonstrating exceptional durability and performance. Last season, he pitched over 200 innings, becoming a rarity in today’s game where such feats are increasingly uncommon. His manager, Bob Melvin, notes Webb’s unique ability to maintain high pitch counts while still being effective, highlighting how he prioritizes early contact to keep his pitch counts low. Webb aims to continue this trend, aspiring to reach 220 innings and also make some playoff appearances.

Since debuting in 2019, Webb has consistently led MLB in innings pitched, showcasing not just endurance but also effectiveness with a 3.47 ERA last season. His peers, including Oakland’s Luis Severino, recognize him as a model for what pitchers should strive for, emphasizing the significance of quality innings over raw strikeout numbers. Webb's approach, shaped by his time under Giants legends, combines maintaining health with a relentless work ethic. This blend of past and present makes him a notable figure as the game evolves.

This draft season emphasizes the importance of timing when selecting starting pitchers. A consensus suggests that grabbing one of the top three pitchers early could be beneficial; however, waiting until the fourth or fifth round can lead to a more balanced team. Evaluating the starting pitcher landscape is crucial as some players are undervalued while others are overvalued based on their Average Draft Positions (ADPs).

Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays is deemed undervalued at an ADP of 154.1; despite a subpar previous season impacted by a shoulder injury, he has a track record of consistent performance. Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers, with an ADP of 103.7, is another undervalued asset due to his strikeout potential and solid performance. On the contrary, Tyler Glasnow, despite his elite skills, is labeled as overvalued due to his injury history and a high ADP of 94.7. Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants is a hidden gem with an ADP of 92.3, offering durability and solid ERA. Jacob deGrom, on the other hand, is viewed as a risky pick at an ADP of 50.1 due to his recent injury struggles.