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Justin Steele 2025 Player Outlook: Looks To Return To Ace Status After Injury-Riddled 2024
15 mins agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele battled a few injuries during the 2024 campaign, including a hamstring strain in the opening month and elbow tendonitis late in the season. Fortunately, the southpaw was able to log a few starts late in the season, which suggested the elbow injury was not serious. Overall, across 134 ⅔ innings of work, the Chicago ace held a solid 3.07 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. His ratios were almost identical to his 2023 breakout campaign, where he finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting. During this season, in a much larger 173 ⅓ inning sample, the left-hander carried a 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. His underlying metrics also remained quite consistent over the past two summers. In 2024, he held an identical 24% K rate and lowered his hard-hit rate by three points and barrel rate by one point. In addition, he boasted a stellar 2.74 xERA last season, placing him in the 94th percentile among qualified pitchers. Given his stable metrics, fantasy managers should feel confident investing in Steele at his 128.89 ADP. In fact, the 29-year-old could be a nice value pick if he can return to his ace role in 2025 as he could easily outperform his ADP.
