The Evolution of Fantasy Draft Strategies
Every fantasy draft of every season has a unique meta, and the landscape of Yahoo Fantasy Baseball is shifting significantly for the 2025 season. Gone are the days when running backs dominated the first round in football, and the same evolution is happening in baseball. Pitchers, who once commanded top picks, are now being pushed to the later rounds. This shift is driven by two primary factors: the high risk of injuries and the diminishing return on investment. Last season, only four starting pitchers managed to clear the 200-inning mark, and none of them even approached 210 innings. This is a stark contrast to the history of professional baseball, where pitchers used to shoulder much heavier workloads. The increased focus on pitcher health and the reluctance of teams to push their starters to the limit means that no pitcher is likely to reach the 250-inning threshold in 2025. As a result, the fantasy community is gradually realizing that the excessive risk and lack of upside associated with pitchers make them less viable in the early rounds. — Andy Behrens
The Closer Conundrum
The closer position, long a source of stress and anxiety for fantasy managers, is undergoing a significant transformation. Currently, there are 10 relief pitchers in the top 100 on Yahoo’s Average Draft Position (ADP) board, which is a clear indication that drafters are getting smarter. They understand that the save market is highly volatile and that unexpected sources of saves will always emerge, even in the most shrewdly managed leagues. One popular strategy this spring is the "Hero RP" approach, where managers spend one top 100 pick on a closer they feel confident about, then build the rest of their bullpen on a budget. This strategy leverages the waiver wire to fill in gaps and allows managers to avoid the high risk of overpaying for multiple closers. However, it’s crucial to have a solid grasp of the waiver wire and a keen eye for undervalued talent. The closer position is no longer the high-stress, must-have spot it once was, but it still requires careful planning and execution. — Scott Pianowski
Injuries and Their Impact on ADP
As draft season kicks into high gear, injury updates will play a pivotal role in shaping the Average Draft Position (ADP) of many players. Ronald Acuña Jr., who topped the draft boards last year, is now projected to be outside the top 25 due to his ACL surgery and an uncertain timeline for his return. Fantasy managers are generally expecting him to miss about a month, but the ADP of Acuña Jr. could swing dramatically with more concrete information. Similarly, Spencer Strider, whose ADP currently stands at 139.3, could see a significant boost if he demonstrates readiness in spring trainingbullpens. Tyler Glasnow, who was shut down last season due to arm issues, is another player whose ADP will fluctuate based on his health reports. While rest is said to have healed him, any positive news will spike his value, and any setbacks will send managers scrambling.
Félix Bautista, despite not pitching since 2023, is a name to watch. His MLB-high 46.4 K% and MLB-low 2.06 SIERA are tantalizing stats, and his ADP of 80.8 is likely to rise or fall based on his spring velocity reports. Roki Sasaki, now with the Dodgers, has tremendous upside but his arm health remains a question mark. Christian Yelich, who was performing at a star level before back issues required surgery, is expected to be ready for spring training, but his status is still a mystery. Matt McLain and Shane McClanahan, both absent since 2023, will also see their ADP shift as more information becomes available. These injury updates will create significant movement on draft boards, and managers should stay informed to make the best picks. — Dalton Del Don
The Rise of Rookies in 2025
The 2025 fantasy draft season is poised to be a banner year for rookies, as several promising talents are expected to make immediate impacts. Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, is currently available past pick 100 but is likely to surge in value once he starts dominating batters in Spring Training. Matt Shaw, with his exciting combination of power and speed, will rise up draft boards if he secures the hot-corner job with the Cubs in March. Caleb Durbin, known for his elite contact skills, will transition from a fantasy afterthought to an exciting sleeper candidate when the Brewers decide to include him in their lineup. The buzz surrounding Jasson Dominguez, the potential leadoff hitter for the Yankees, will only grow as managers become more aware of his potential.
On the pitching front, Bubba Chandler and Jackson Jobe are strong candidates to win rotation spots and become middle-round picks. Quinn Mathews, who is expected to crack the Cardinals’ rotation, will be a late-round sleeper worth considering. Kumar Rocker, with his impressive spring training performance, is likely to push past most rookie starters except Sasaki. Standard Yahoo leagues, with their small benches and plentiful waiver wires, provide an excellent environment for drafting these youngsters at a discount. Wise managers will take calculated risks on rookies in March, knowing they can pivot to more established veterans in April if necessary. — Fred Zinkie
Waiver Wire Mastery and Depth
One of the key trends in the 2025 fantasy season is the emphasis on waiver wire management and depth. The reduced presence of pitchers in the early rounds means that managers have more resources to allocate to other positions, enhancing their overall team strength. The smaller benches in standard Yahoo leagues and the abundance of talent available on the waiver wire make it feasible to draft a few high-potential rookies and then adjust the roster as needed. This strategy requires a deep understanding of player performance, injury updates, and the ability to spot undervalued talent. Managers who can effectively navigate the waiver wire will have a significant advantage, as they can quickly remedy any weaknesses that emerge during the season. The dynamic nature of the waiver wire ensures that the fantasy landscape remains fluid, offering opportunities for managers to outmaneuver their competitors. — Fred Zinkie
Balancing Risk and Reward
The 2025 fantasy season will challenge managers to balance risk and reward more effectively than ever. While the shift away from drafting pitchers in the early rounds is a sensible move given the high injury rates, it also means that managers must be more strategic about their picks in other positions. The "Hero RP" approach is one such strategy, where managers draft a single reliable closer and then focus on finding saves through the waiver wire. This method reduces the financial burden of overpaying for multiple closers while still ensuring a steady stream of saves. Additionally, the rise of rookies presents a unique opportunity to draft high-potential players at a discount. However, managers must be prepared for the volatility that comes with rookie picks, as their performance can vary widely. The key to success in 2025 will be a balanced roster, where managers can leverage the waiver wire to maximize their team’s performance and adapt to the uncertainties of the season. — Fred Zinkie
