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Welcome RotoBallers to our 2025 fantasy baseball auction draft values article, targeting pitchers with an average auction value (AAV) of under $10. In the auction draft format, fantasy baseball managers are not bound by the rules and structure of the snake draft. The ability to put your money towards the players you prefer feels liberating.
The freedom of roster construction in an auction league (salary-cap league) comes with the added challenge of being financially responsible. You won't be able to fill your roster with superstars -- but if you bid shrewdly on draft values and fantasy baseball sleepers under $10, you'll find that you've paved a smoother road to the fantasy baseball championships.
In this article, we will target the pitchers with average auction values of less than $10 and that should offer the most value. Be sure to also check out more of RotoBaller's articles about fantasy baseball auction leagues.
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Jared Jones, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
$9 AAV (Average Auction Value)
A certain Pirates rookie starting pitcher got most of the fanfare and acclaim in 2024, but his rotation mate Jared Jones had an impressive season as well. In 22 starts, Jones held a 4.14 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 3.78 xFIP, 1.19 WHIP, 26.2 percent strikeout rate, and 7.7 percent walk rate.
While his run-prevention skills clearly need to improve, the rookie still got by off the strength of his incredible stuff. On pure swing-and-miss stuff, Jones ranked among the league's best, with a 15.6 percent SwStr%, 30.2 percent whiff rate, 30.7 percent CSW%, and 30.4 percent chase rate.
He mainly works off a fastball (49 percent usage) and slider (35 percent usage) combo. The fastball is elite, with a 56.5 percent zone rate, 13.6 percent SwStr%, and 102 fastball Stuff+ grade. The slider is also impressive, with a 20.7 percent SwStr% and 37.3 percent whiff rate.
However, his curveball (nine percent usage) and changeup (seven percent usage) need improvement before Jones makes the big leap to stardom. While he was hit hard in general (abysmal 44.5 percent hard-hit rate), hitters managed a .508 wOBA on his curveball and a .388 wOBA on his changeup.
The 23-year-old's pitch mix struggles may make the 2025 season tough for him, but he'll undoubtedly offer enough value in the strikeout department to warrant investment in fantasy baseball. RotoBaller recommends $10 for Jared Jones. Take the uber-talented rookie while he's cheap.
Jared Jones, Nasty 96mph Two Seamer...and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/UXziEdSq1Y
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 2, 2025
Kenley Jansen, RP, Los Angeles Angels
$7 AAV (Average Auction Value)
One of the best closers of our generation, Kenley Jansen is nearing the late years of his career. While you can’t expect him to turn back the clock with a toiling Los Angeles Angels squad, he’s well worth an investment this season.
He had a decent year as the closer for the Boston Red Sox, holding a 3.29 ERA, 3.00 FIP, 1.06 WHIP, 28.4 percent strikeout rate, and 9.2 percent walk rate with 27 saves through 54 appearances.
There is due to be some regression, with his primary pitch – a cutter with 84.9 percent usage – holding a .279 wOBA and .298 xwOBA. Additionally, don't expect him to rack up many saves on a team that failed to reach 70 wins in 2024.
However, as the clear closing option for the Angels, he's one of few pitchers available that can guarantee you a sizable amount of saves in 2025. ATC projects 20 saves with four holds across 53 appearances in 2025.
RotoBaller recommends an auction value of $11 for the 37-year-old. Saves always come at a premium, but $7 isn’t much for a closer with Jansen’s track record.
Reynaldo Lopez, SP, Atlanta Braves
$7 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Reynaldo Lopez had an unexpectedly fantastic 2024. In his first year as a starter, he held a 1.99 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, 27.3 percent strikeout rate, and 7.7 percent walk rate through 135 2/3 innings. With a line like that, an average auction value of just $7 seems strange.
Of course, there's little chance Reynaldo Lopez comes close to replicating his 2024 season -- an 87 percent left-on-base rate, 3.94 xERA, 7.5 percent HR/FB ratio, and 42.2 percent hard-hit rate all make that very clear on their own. But luck aside, the 31-year-old showed some bankable improvements as a starter.
Despite the general perception of dumb luck, Lopez's arsenal -- primarily composed of a fastball (55 percent usage), slider (29 percent usage), and curveball (12 percent usage) -- was incredibly effective and well-managed, with a 29.9 percent CSW%, 27.5 percent whiff rate, 30.5 percent chase rate, and 13.5 percent SwStr% overall in 2024.
He managed his zone-pounding fastball (71.3 percent strike rate), slider (21.5 percent SwStr%), and curveball (16.3 percent SwStr%, .216 xwOBA) to incredible success in 2024. Withholding his unusual good luck, Lopez has a good shot at repeating his high strikeout rate and giving fantasy players serviceable run-prevention.
ATC projects a good 2025 for the 31-year-old, with a 3.56 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 1.20 WHIP, 25.7 percent strikeout rate, and an eight percent walk rate in 156 innings. RotoBaller recommends $8 for the starting pitcher. At a $7 AAV, Lopez is a fantastic value pick to fill in your rotation in fantasy baseball.
Reynaldo Lopez's 2Ks in the 4th. pic.twitter.com/FmqZGhRONI
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 25, 2024
Nick Pivetta, SP, San Diego Padres
$6 AAV (Average Auction Value)
While the market for Nick Pivetta went cold this off-season, he picked up a solid four-year, $55 million deal with the Padres in February. While this kind of situation in free agency scares off many fantasy baseball players, Pivetta is still a fantastic option going into 2025.
He had another decent year in 2024, with a 4.14 ERA, 4.07 FIP, 3.50 xFIP, 1.13 WHIP, 28.9 percent strikeout rate, and 6.1 percent walk rate in 145 2/3 innings. Pivetta had delivered roughly similar performances in his three other full seasons with the Boston Red Sox in hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
The issue with Pivetta has always been home runs, as he held a 15.1 percent HR/FB ratio, which was a slight improvement over his solid 2023 season. However, considering the consistency he displayed as both a starter and bullpen swingman in Boston, there should be less concern about his performance in pitcher-friendly Petco Park.
ATC projects another good year for the 32-year-old, with a 3.99 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 1.19 WHIP, 27.7 percent strikeout rate, and 7.5 percent walk rate in 149 innings. RotoBaller recommends a cheap $6 for Pivetta, making him a good pick at cost.
Taj Bradley, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
$5 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Taj Bradley, a former top-50 prospect, had a disappointing rookie debut in 2023, with a 5.59 ERA, 4.79 FIP, and 1.39 WHIP in 104 2/3 innings. The talent was clear then, with a 28 percent strikeout rate and 3.82 SIERA shining amid an inconsistent season.
He settled down a bit in 2024, with a 4.11 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 1.22 WHIP, 26.6 percent strikeout rate, and an 8.1 percent walk rate through 25 starts. His impressive stuff still held in 2024, with a 13.9 percent SwStr% and 116 Stuff+ grade putting him among the better arms in the league.
The primary concern is limiting hard contact, with Bradley surrendering a 10.2 percent barrel rate and 42.9 percent hard-hit rate, leading to a 15.1 percent HR/FB ratio and a few blow-out starts.
While there's no panacea to Bradley's pitching problems, there's no better place than Tampa Bay for a talented starter like Bradley to smooth out the kinks and deliver a solid season with a decent workload.
ATC projects a 3.96 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 25.8 percent strikeout rate, and 7.7 percent walk rate through 160 innings. RotoBaller recommends $6 for the third-year starter, making him a good value at his $5 AAV.
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