X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

3 Impressive Fantasy Baseball Breakout Pitchers - Jameson Taillon, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Ryan Weathers

Jameson Taillon - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers, Pitcher Rankings

Zach looks at 3 starting pitcher fantasy baseball breakouts, sleepers off to hot starts in 2025. Are Jameson Taillon, Tomoyuki Sugano, Ryan Weathers for real?

Almost every fantasy baseball team in the world is looking for starting pitching help at this point in the season. Even if the need isn't urgent at this point, one key injury or slip-up can quickly send fantasy managers browsing the waiver wire in search of solutions. As the season goes on, though, plenty of pitchers emerge as potential options, and some have staying power, while others quickly fade into non-options. Determining who is for real and who is a mirage is sometimes tricky, but it's also what sets apart league-winning managers.

In this post, we'll do a deep dive on three pitchers who have stepped up and could be potential fantasy fits, depending on your team's needs. We'll look at Jameson Taillon of the Chicago Cubs, Tomoyuki Sugano of the Baltimore Orioles, and Ryan Weathers of the Miami Marlins.

Should fantasy managers run to the waiver wire to add these breakout pitchers? Or is their breakout a fake-out? Let's dive in!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs

2025 Stats: 11 G, 63 IP, 3.86 ERA, 5.12 FIP, 1.05 WHIP, 20.2% K%

30% Rostered

Taillon isn't a newcomer to fantasy baseball since he's in his ninth season in the majors, but he has been more effective this year than many people expected. The Cubs have needed him to step up with Justin Steele (elbow) out for the year and Shota Imanaga (hamstring) and Javier Assad (oblique) also on the injured list.

Taillon has five quality starts in his last six appearances and has gone 3-2 in those outings with a 3.22 ERA, 5.57 FIP, and 27 strikeouts in 36 innings. In his last start on Monday, he went 6 1/3 innings at home against the Rockies, giving up four hits and a run while matching his season-high with seven strikeouts.

His strikeout numbers have been fairly consistent, with some favorable matchups helping him post those solid recent outings. He isn't an ace with dominant strikeout stuff, but he's a very solid and reliable innings eater. Usually, Taillon keeps his walks under control and has been able to limit damage.

He has leaned a little more on his fastball this season than in the past, and the pitch has had a little more horizontal movement, increasing its effectiveness.

Taillon's advanced metrics suggest that some regression could be on the way, as his FIP is significantly higher than his ERA, and he has an above-average 84.4% LOB%.

Verdict: As he has been over the last three years, Taillon is a solid depth piece to add to your rotation who can chip in wins and a decent ERA and WHIP. He isn't a high-strikeout pitcher, but he has a good shot to get wins while the Cubs' offense is flying so high.

As the weather gets warmer in Wrigley and the wind shifts to more games blowing out, his numbers will likely increase a little, but he's proven that he is a solid depth option that can be a fringe option in mixed leagues, contributing solid numbers in favorable matchups.

He isn't a flashy, high-upside pickup, but he's a servicable grab if your rotation is stretched thin due to injuries or you need to make up for early-week struggles by posting plenty of innings later in the week.

 

Tomoyuki Sugano, Baltimore Orioles

2025 Stats: 11 G, 64 IP, 3.23 ERA, 4.77 FIP, 1.06 WHIP, 13.7% K%

35% Rostered

Sugano is another solid option that has posted a few strong starts in a row. He isn't as well-established as Taillon since this is his first season in Major League Baseball. However, the 35-year-old still pitches like a veteran option after seven years in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan.

In his first 11 starts, Sugano is 4-3 with a 3.23 ERA and 4.77 FIP. He has given up under three earned runs or fewer in 10 of those 11 starts and two earned runs or fewer in four of his last six. While he has good stuff overall, he hasn't racked up a ton of strikeouts, averaging just 4.92 K/9 on the season.

Like Taillon, Sugano could be due for a little bit of regression as the weather gets warmer since he gives up so much contact. He has only a 36.4% hard-hit rate against, but has given up a 10% barrel rate. His LOB% is just about league average, but his xERA is 4.49 compared to his ERA of 3.23, which means his quality of contact allowed could result in more runs in the future.

Last year in Japan, he went 15-3 in 24 starts with a 1.67 ERA and 2.16 FIP, but the competition is much stiffer now that he's come to Major League Baseball. Sugano wasn't a huge source of strikeouts even in Japan, though, so he isn't likely to suddenly start stacking up strikeouts.

Verdict: Similarly to Taillon, Sugano can be a depth piece who can pick up quality starts in favorable matchups. His lack of strikeouts and hard contact against makes him hard to trust long-term, though. He can be a fringe option in mixed leagues or a solid back-end of your rotation contributor of innings and quality starts.

He doesn't have as long a track record as Taillon, so he isn't as proven. Of the two, Taillon is a slightly better option, in my opinion, partly because he's in a better place to pick up wins. The Orioles' offense hasn't done Sugano any favors with their early-season struggles. Still, since he has shown the ability to turn in solid outings in favorable matchups, he can be used as a streamer to help ERA and WHIP as long as you can live with his low strikeout rate.

 

Ryan Weathers, Miami Marlins

2025 Stats: 3 G, 15 2/3 IP, 1.15 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 0.89 WHIP, 24.6% K%

26% Rostered

Of the three pitchers, the option with the least established track record is Weathers, but he also has the highest ceiling due to his strikeout potential. The 25-year-old lefty is also much younger than the other options on this list, and potentially has more room to grow for the future in dynasty formats.

Weathers started the season on the injured list due to a strained left forearm that he suffered in spring training. He was expected to be a big part of the Marlins' rotation after a breakthrough season last year. In 2024, he posted a 3.63 ERA, 4.11 FIP, and 1.18 WHIP while picking up 80 strikeouts in 86 2/3 innings.

He was sharp in his three rehab outings, compiling a 1.69 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts over 10 2/3 innings. He made his season debut against the Cubs, going five innings and earning a victory by allowing just one run on two hits and picking up five strikeouts. He faced the Cubs again in his second outing and again went five innings with one run allowed, but this time had four strikeouts.

His most recent outing came last Monday against the Padres, when he went 5 2/3 innings in his longest outing of the season and didn't give up any earned runs. He allowed three hits and three walks, while posting a season-high six strikeouts.

While he's still just ramping up to be fully stretched out and work deep in games, he has a very high ceiling based on his success last season and in limited work this year. He has shown excellent velocity on his fastball and has a 1.15 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 15 2/3innings.

His next start is scheduled for Sunday at home against the Giants, and if he's still on the waiver wire in your leagues, he's a great pickup ahead of that outing.

Verdict: Weathers isn't as safe of an innings-eater as Taillon or even Sugano, but I like his ceiling so much more. He has much more strikeout potential and will only get better as he gets up to full strength after his late start. There may be more bumps in the road for Weathers than the other veterans in this post, but he ultimately can be a bigger help to your rotation.

Weathers is one of the top widely available pickups in standard leagues, and he makes sense both short-term and long-term. He can give your starting pitching a good boost across the board with good upside and a pretty solid floor based on his work in the majors over the last two years.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Robert Rochell

Agrees on One-Year Deal With Cowboys
Seth Green

Signs With Saints
Sam Darnold

Knows he Must Prove Himself Again
C.J. Mosley

Hangs Up his Cleats
Rashee Rice

to be Full-Go at Training Camp
Corbin Carroll

Injures Hand on Wednesday, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Michael King

Likely Out Through All-Star Break
Tyrese Haliburton

Officially Questionable for Game 6
Bucky Irving

Not Resting on Laurels Ahead of Second Season
Denver Broncos

Mario Goodrich Signs with Denver
Maverick McNealy

May Need To Be Avoided at TPC River Highlands
MLB

Brewers-Cubs Postponed on Wednesday
Shedeur Sanders

Issued Citation for Excessive Speeding
MLB

Cardinals-White Sox Postponed on Wednesday
Wyndham Clark

Avoid Wyndham Clark at the Travelers Championship
Rickie Fowler

a Very Risky Option at TPC River Highlands
Russell Henley

Has Elite Value at TPC River Highlands
Ben Griffin

Once Again a Solid Option for Travelers Championship
Jason Day

an Intriguing Option at TPC River Highlands
MLB

Pirates-Tigers Postponed on Wednesday
PGA

Sungjae Im Still Totally Useless For DFS Ahead of Travelers Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Looking to Bounce Back After Messy U.S. Open
Ryan Fox

Looks to Continue Hot Run at TPC River Highlands
Jordan Spieth

Makes a Strong Case at Travelers Championship
Tyjae Spears

Has Impressed this Offseason
Cam Skattebo

Agrees to Terms on Rookie Deal
Beaux Collins

Working with Giants Starters
Marquise Brown

Feels 100% Healthy
Damon Arnette

Texans Signing Damon Arnette
Jaire Alexander

Inks One-Year Deal with Ravens
Jared Wiley

Wearing Knee Brace at Minicamp
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks to Continue Momentum Into Travelers Championship
Anders Carlson

Jets Release Anders Carlson
Malik Nabers

Will be Ready for Training Camp
TreVeyon Henderson

Unclear if TreVeyon Henderson is a Future Bell-Cow Back
Hideki Matsuyama

Searching for Consistency at Travelers Championship
Justin Thomas

Looks to Bounce Back at Travelers Championship
Travis Hunter

More Comfortable on Defense?
Adam Scott

Looks to Rebound After Disappointing U.S. Open Finish
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Another Strong Performance at Travelers
Shane Lowry

a High-Upside Play at Travelers
Tommy Fleetwood

Looks to Rebound at Travelers
Corey Conners

Withdraws from Travelers with Wrist Injury
Keegan Bradley

in Solid Form Ahead of Travelers Championship
Gary Woodland

Hit-or-Miss at the Travelers
Sepp Straka

Expected to Contend at Travelers Championship
Tyrese Haliburton

to Be a Game-Time Call Thursday
Roman Josi

Expects to Return for 2025-26 Campaign
Sam Bennett

Wins Conn Smythe Trophy
Matthew Tkachuk

Reveals Multiple Injuries
Aleksander Barkov

Posts Two Assists in Cup-Clinching Win
Carter Verhaeghe

Collects Hat Trick of Assists in Tuesday's Win
Sam Reinhart

Scores Four Goals in Cup-Clincher
Cal Raleigh

Homers, Drives in Six on Tuesday
Andy Pages

Homers Twice in Win Over Padres
Cam Smith

Launches Two Home Runs in Victory
Salvador Perez

Homers Twice, Plates Four Tuesday
Michael Toglia

Homers Twice, Plates Three Tuesday
Javier Báez

Javier Baez Collects Three Hits, Homers Twice Tuesday
Las Vegas Raiders

Jeremy Chinn Will Continue to Play Multiple Roles With Raiders
Christian Wilkins

Absent at Minicamp
Rafael Devers

Expected to Play First Base in San Francisco
Will Warren

Strikes Out 11 in Quality Start
Max Scherzer

Could Rejoin Blue Jays Next Week
John Klingberg

Rejoins Oilers Lineup Tuesday
Tylor Megill

Placed on 15-Day Injured List, Out 4-5 Weeks With Elbow Sprain
Kasperi Kapanen

Returns to Oilers Lineup for Game 6
Stuart Skinner

Back in Oilers Crease Tuesday
Gabriel Moreno

Scratched on Tuesday With Sore Hand
Jurickson Profar

Starting Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Will Vest

Likely to Avoid Injured List
Rafael Devers

Expected to Make Giants Debut on Tuesday
Chet Holmgren

Has Tough Shooting Night in Game 5 Against Pacers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Outstanding at Both Ends Monday
Jalen Williams

Erupts for 40 Points in Game 5 Win
Pascal Siakam

Has Best Game of Finals Monday
Tyrese Haliburton

Determined to Battle Through Calf Injury
LeBron James

Progressing Well From Knee Injury
Lucas Giolito

Strikes Out Season-High 10 in Monday's Win
Logan Gilbert

Fans 10 in Return on Monday
Stephen Curry

"Not Even Close" to Retirement
Jonathan Kuminga

Linked to Bulls, Heat
Kevin Durant

Has "No Desire" to be Traded to Minnesota
Jarace Walker

Remains Sidelined for Game 5
Kamaru Usman

Gets Back In The Win Column
Joaquin Buckley

Winning Streak Comes To An End
Miranda Maverick

Drops Decision At UFC Atlanta
Rose Namajunas

Wins Decision At UFC Atlanta
Andre Petroski

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Edmen Shahbazyan

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Raoni Barcelos

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Chase Elliott

Ends Mexico City with A Great Finish of Third
Christopher Bell

has A Strong Runner-Up Performance At Mexico City
Chase Briscoe

Wild Day Ends with A Top-10 Finish
Michael McDowell

Leaves Mexico City with A Top-Five Finish
Cody Garbrandt

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Cody Brundage

Defeated After Accidental Clash Of Heads
Cody Brundage

Mansur Abdul-Malik Defeats Cody Brundage By Technical Decision
Oumar Sy

Suffers His First Loss
Alonzo Menifield

Scores Upset Win
Alex Bowman

Delivers Bravura Performance After Michigan Injury
Tyler Reddick

Inexplicably Mediocre on his Once-Best Track Type
John Hunter Nemechek

Canny Strategy Gives John Hunter Nemechek Best Career Road-Course Finish
Cole Custer

Earns Best Finish Since Cup-Series Comeback at Mexico City
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

on the Move to Memphis
Cole Anthony

Dealt to the Grizzlies
Desmond Bane

Traded to Orlando
Steven Adams

Rockets Agree to Three-Year Contract Extension
Ty Dillon

Is a Respectable Cap Flexiblity-Focused DFS Option For Mexico City
Corey Perry

Produces 10th Postseason Goal
Connor McDavid

Scores First Finals Goal
John Hunter Nemechek

Is John Hunter Nemechek Worth Rostering In Mexico City DFS Lineups?
Sam Bennett

Nets Another Road Goal in Game 5 Win
Eetu Luostarinen

Earns Two Points Saturday
Brad Marchand

Pots Two Goals in Game 5 Victory
Sergei Bobrovsky

Ties NHL Record with 10th Road Win
Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in the Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front-Row Start
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong of a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014
Erik Jones

Mexico City Will Likely be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports' Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Worst Track Type
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF