Jacob deGrom: A Healthier Ace Undervalued
Jacob deGrom, the star starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers, is being significantly undervalued in current Yahoo Fantasy Baseball drafts. Despite his age and a history of arm troubles, including a second Tommy John surgery in June 2023, deGrom’s recent performance is still dominant. After returning late last season, he showcased a 29.5 K-BB% and a 33.1% CSW, which would have been league-leading figures. Even in a small sample, these numbers are incredibly promising, indicating that deGrom’s arm health has likely improved through his first normal offseason in years. Since 2018, deGrom has maintained an impressive 2.07 ERA, a 0.87 WHIP, and a 30.5 K-BB%, all of which are the best in MLB. If deGrom can stay healthy and pitch around 175 innings, he has a strong chance to win the Cy Young Award. Currently, his ADP (Average Draft Position) of SP12 is a steal, given his potential to perform at an SP3 level.
Spencer Schwellenbach: Rising Star with Strong Support
Spencer Schwellenbach, a promising young starter for the Atlanta Braves, is another pitcher being undervalued. Drafted in the second round, Schwellenbach has shone brightly since his return from Tommy John surgery in 2022. Last year, he saw a significant increase in innings and was particularly dominant in the second half, posting a 2.73 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 23.3 K-BB% that would have ranked fifth overall. Schwellenbach’s versatile pitching arsenal, which includes six different pitches, and his top-tier Chase% and BB% make him a formidable opponent. The Braves’ home park and strong lineup will likely provide him with even more support than he received last year. With an ADP of SP24, Schwellenbach is a sleeper pick who could easily rise to a top-15 starter in 2025.
Grayson Rodriguez: Overlooked Potential Ace
Grayson Rodriguez, the Baltimore Orioles’ young ace, is another example of a pitcher being drafted too low. Despite missing the final two months of last season due to a right lat strain, Rodriguez has fully recovered and is ready for the 2025 campaign. Over the last four years, he has demonstrated one of the best K-BB% (31.9) in the minors. His major league debut last year was impressive, with a 19.1 K-BB% that would have placed him in the top 15 among qualified starters and a 29.6% CSW that was among the top 10. His fastball miss rate was the fifth-highest in the league, and while batters had an unlucky .373 BABIP against it, Rodriguez has been working on optimizing his pitches. At an ADP of SP31, Rodriguez is a fantastic value pick who could become a true ace in 2025.
Joe Ryan: Minnesotan Mettle
Joe Ryan, the Minnesota Twins’ starting pitcher, is currently being overlooked in drafts despite his exceptional performance. Before suffering a shoulder strain in early August that sidelined him for the rest of last season, Ryan was having a dominant year. He would have finished with a WHIP under 1.00, a SIERA of 3.28, and a K-BB% of 23.0, all of which would have ranked in the top five. Despite his tendency to allow homers, Ryan’s overall metrics and projected improvements make him a significant asset. THE BAT projects him to finish top 10 in K-BB% and WHIP among all starters in 2025. Ryan’s ADP of 124.1 is a full 30 picks lower than in the NFBC (National Fantasy Baseball Championship), making him a high-reward, low-risk selection for fantasy managers.
Jared Jones: Rookie Resilience
Jared Jones, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ young starter, is another undervalued asset in Yahoo drafts. His rookie season was highly impressive, with a 18.5 K-BB% that would have ranked top 20 among qualified starters and a 29.2% CSW that was among the top 10. While his performance faded slightly in the second half, his peripherals remained strong. Jones benefits from pitching in PNC Park, one of the best parks for suppressing homers, and he was especially unlucky on the road last year, posting a 5.81 ERA despite a 3.47 xFIP and a 17.5 HR/FB% that is expected to regress. He has been working on adding a two-seam fastball during the offseason to provide a reliable third pitch. With an ADP of SP45, Jones has the potential to significantly exceed expectations and offer massive upside.
Ryan Walker: Reliever with Closer Potential
Ryan Walker, the San Francisco Giants’ closer, is being undervalued in Yahoo drafts despite his dominant performance last season. Walker didn’t have a long track record as a closer, but he dominated both before and after taking over the ninth-inning duties. Manager Bob Melvin has already named him the closer for the 2025 season, and Walker’s advanced metrics are incredibly strong. He finished top 10 among relievers in SIERA (2.45), WHIP (0.85), K-BB% (26.3), and CSW (33.5%). His slider, which had the most horizontal break in baseball, is a potent weapon against left-handed batters. Oracle Park, one of the best pitcher-friendly stadiums, further enhances his value. Walker’s ADP of 105.1 is a steal, and he should be targeted higher in drafts.
Max Fried: Questionable Value
On the other side of the coin, Max Fried, the New York Yankees’ new addition, is being drafted too high. Despite his solid performance and a new massive contract, Fried is being drafted as a borderline elite pitcher, which may be an overvaluation. Moving from Atlanta to Yankee Stadium comes with significant park factors to consider. Yankee Stadium has historically increased home runs by 19% and walks by 10% over the past three seasons, while Atlanta’s Turner Field was more favorable for strikeouts. Last year, Fried’s 15.3 K-BB% was only 32nd among 58 qualified starters, and his CSW was average. At an ADP of SP21, fantasy managers might be paying a premium for a pitcher who is more likely to perform at an SP31 level in the new environment.
