Jack Leiter, the Texas Rangers rookie pitcher, demonstrated remarkable growth in his first start of the 2025 season. After a challenging debut season, Leiter showcased his offseason improvements by pitching five innings of one-run ball, striking out four opponents, and securing a win against the Reds. This performance marked a significant confidence boost for the young player, who emphasized the importance of preparation in his success.

Leiter also reflected on the excitement of his first Opening Day in the major leagues, sharing humorous anecdotes, including a mishap with a fly ball. His collaboration with catcher Jonah Heim not only proved effective but also highlighted Heim's leadership and game-calling skills. Looking ahead, Leiter relishes his rookie duties, including carrying equipment and preparing for the camaraderie that comes with being a rookie.

The Texas Rangers faced a challenging game against the Cincinnati Reds, ending in a disastrous 14-3 loss. Starting pitcher Kumar Rocker struggled significantly in his season debut, allowing a pair of early runs and failing to find his rhythm, ultimately being pulled after just three innings. This performance followed a string of high-pitch counts for the Rangers' rotation, with Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom notably leading in pitches thrown. The bullpen, already taxed from prior games, was unable to recover, leading to manager Bruce Bochy resorting to Ezequiel Duran to pitch the eighth inning. Despite the loss, Bochy remains optimistic for the team's next game, hoping to address their ninth-inning woes as the season progresses.

The baseball season is heating up, and this week’s Players to Watch includes key names like Rafael Devers and Dylan Crews, both of whom are struggling early in the season. Devers, despite being fully healthy, has not recorded a hit, setting a record with 12 strikeouts in his first 16 at-bats. Meanwhile, Crews shares a similar fate, with a risk of demotion if his performance does not improve. In contrast, Keibert Ruiz of the Nationals is thriving with impressive stats and offers significant fantasy potential. Josh Smith steps in for the injured Josh Jung and could be a valuable short-term option for managers. As pitchers, Jackson Jobe and Casey Mize are ready for their first starts of the season, showcasing promising skills after injuries. Keep an eye on these players for your fantasy lineup this week!

Streaming pitchers early in the season can provide crucial fantasy points, and a few options stand out for Week 1. Kumar Rocker of the Texas Rangers is a top choice, boasting impressive strikeout potential despite some walk issues. Grant Holmes from the Atlanta Braves is also notable, especially for his favorable home matchup against Miami, while the Chicago Cubs’ Ben Brown is a fresh face with high K/9 rates, making him a solid streamer. David Peterson from the Mets and Kris Bubic from the Royals provide additional options, although their matchups are more challenging.

On the hitter side, the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds emerge as teams to target for streaming players. The Twins face weaker pitching matchups, making left-handed hitters like Matt Wallner and Ryan Jeffers intriguing adds. The Reds also have favorable conditions and matchups, especially for hitters like T.J. Friedl and Jeimer Candelario.

Roman Anthony emerges as the top fantasy prospect in the minors, showcasing tremendous potential with impressive early stats for the Boston Red Sox. His two home runs and high on-base percentage signal that he could be a quick call-up if an opening arises. Meanwhile, Jordan Lawlar, while struggling at Triple-A, has all-around skills that could force the Arizona Diamondbacks to reconsider their infield setup.

Rhett Lowder's elbow injury raises concerns despite his first-round pedigree, while Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles shows flashes of power, hinting at future fantasy value once he finds stability. Cole Young's situation with the Seattle Mariners might provide quicker access to the majors, although his early season numbers don’t reflect his potential. Additionally, several other players like Nick Kurtz and Dalton Rushing also highlight the depth of upcoming talent, adding layers of intrigue for fantasy managers.