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MacKenzie Gore 2025 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Solid Back-End Rotation Piece, But Inflated Career WHIP Warrants Caution
2 mins agoWashington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore set career marks in innings pitched (166 1/3), wins (10), strikeouts (181), ERA (3.90), and SwStr% (12.5) last season. After allowing 27 home runs on the back of a gaudy 18.2 percent HR/FB% in 2023, the southpaw was able to cut that in half, reducing it to 9.0 percent in 2024, which contributed to the drop in ERA. There was no change in pitch mix from year to year, but there were some changes in usage and obvious fluctuations in the speeds of his pitches. Notably, the four-seamer added one mph and the slider saw an increase of 2.5 mph, while the changeup decreased by 0.5 mph. It didn't help his WHIP, though, as it remained at a poor 1.42 (career 1.42 WHIP also). The 6-foot-2 lefty's FIP, xFIP, and SIERA reinforce last season's ERA, and if he can figure out how to get left-handed hitters out (.282/.257 BA reverse splits) then he could take a step forward in 2025. Unfortunately, the Nationals' offense will limit his win potential and RotoBaller sees his NFBC ADP of 207 as too costly, ranking the former third-overall draft pick at 228 overall.
