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Our MLB team at RotoBaller HQ continues to pump out fantasy baseball rankings to get you prepared for drafts. Today we review starting pitching and have you covered with our team's updated dynasty fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings to guide fantasy baseball managers in dynasty leagues.
Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes was sensational in rookie season, posting an (11-3) record with a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 170 strikeouts across 133 innings last season. He leads the way as our MLB's top starting pitcher overall, followed by Tarik Skubal, Logan Gilbert, Garret Crochet, and Cole Ragans. In this article we'll rank the top 100 pitchers, so you can see where the rest rank below.
The starting rankings below are specifically designed for dynasty leagues. Whether you're building for the future or trying to win it all this year, RotoBaller has you covered with our dynasty fantasy baseball articles, which are updated all year round by our dynasty league experts, Eric Cross and Chris Clegg. Bookmark their constantly-updated dynasty fantasy baseball rankings as well for the top 200+ players.
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Starting Pitcher Fantasy Baseball News and Injuries
- Roki Sasaki Could Make Spring Debut On Saturday
- Dylan Cease To Make Cactus League Debut On Saturday
- Chase Dollander Could Make Opening Day Roster
- Daniel Espino Extends Throwing Distance
- Andrew Abbott Throws Side Session On Wednesday
- Jordan Montgomery Set To Throw Another Bullpen On Friday
- Taj Bradley Working On New Pitch
- Max Meyer Tops Out At 97 MPH In Grapefruit League Debut
- Brayan Bello To Throw Bullpen On Friday
- Jared Jones Debuts New Pitch In Spring Game
SP Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Rankings (February)
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2025 Fantasy Baseball Outlooks For Starting Pitchers
Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes earned 2024 NL Rookie of the Year honors through a flamethrower that he commands with precision. He struck out 45 with a 0.99 ERA/0.91 WHIP in 27 ⅓ IP at Triple-A to begin his 2024 campaign, which prompted a mid-May promotion.
His MLB debut flashed the upside but still resulted in three runs over four innings. Then he set the tone with six innings of no-hit ball alongside 11 strikeouts on his way to becoming the fifth rookie to start an All-Star game. Five of his six pitches had a PutAway rate of over 21 percent and an expected batting average of .201 or worse, per Statcast.
The fastball that touches triple digits grabs headlines, but anyone trying to cheat gets beaten by the sinker, curveball, sweeper, slider, or changeup. And the 52 percent groundball rate meant most contact yielded was low damage.
Pittsburgh still won't offer plus run support or an elite bullpen for gaudy win totals, but if he's anywhere near the 1.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP of last year then our RotoBaller rank and ADP around pick No. 13 will still leave most happy. ATC projections sit around a league-leading 220 strikeouts in 175 innings with 12 wins and a 2.68 ERA/1.04 WHIP as of late January.
-- Nick Mariano - RotoBaller
Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans proved in 2024 that his 2023 breakout was not a fluke. The 27-year-old had an excellent first full season, going (11-9) with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and a 29.3% strikeout rate in 186 1/3 innings pitched over 32 starts.
None of his pitches had a swinging-strike rate below 9.0%. His changeup and slider were particularly devastating, with 26.5% and 14.8% swing-strike rates. Ragans also took a step forward with his walk issues, limiting free passes to a career-low 8.8%.
The first-time All-Star is currently being drafted at about pick 48 overall, making him the 12th starting pitcher off the board. Ragans may have slightly more WHIP risk than the starters going immediately ahead of him, but he doesn't offer any more injury risk than the likes of Chris Sale and Jacob deGrom.
The tier of fantasy aces is not as clear as it has been in previous seasons, but Ragans belongs there. His actual rank will likely come down to fantasy manager preference, but his current ADP is right in line.
-- Connelly Doan - RotoBaller
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal blew past even the loftiest expectations last year to claim the 2024 AL Cy Young award thanks to sustained health over 192 innings. His 228 strikeouts led baseball, while his 18 wins were tied for first as well, with 22 quality starts trailing only Zack Wheeler.
The incredible form showed over 80 frames in 2023, carried over with nearly identical peripherals that did not see the southpaw fade as the workload built. His minuscule 4.5 percent walk rate in '23 rose only to 4.6 percent in '24 (sixth-best among qualified SP) as Skubal upped his first-strike rate from 62.6 percent to 68.7 percent.
He attacked from the jump, and batters could not fight back. Incredibly, this did not change much the second time he saw a hitter either. With 279 batters faced, Skubal allowed a .192 average with an 87:10 K:BB the first time through the order and a .199 average with an 84:13 K:BB the second time through.
The 28-year-old even had a 20:2 K:BB over 19 postseason innings as well, so really he logged 211 IP. That may cause some to balk at an early second-round ADP entering 2025, with ATC projecting 184 innings compared to 195-200 for several others, but our early RotoBaller rank within the top 20 reflects our comfort buying in on the ace.
-- Nick Mariano - RotoBaller
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