Jan 30, 2025, 7:50 PM ET

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray is consistently underrated. Over the last three seasons (470 IP), Gray sports a 3.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 19.5% strikeout minus walk rate (K-BB%)—all are top 22 or better among qualified starters in that time. 2024 was the best of the bunch, as Gray missed more bats (30.3% strikeout, career-high 13.4% swinging strike rates) and posted a personal-best walk rate (5.8%). The resulting 3.03 SIERA was bettered only by Cy Young winners Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal among qualifiers. Gray regularly throws six pitches, with three types of fastballs, a changeup that induces whiffs and grounders from lefties, and one of MLB's best sweepers (24.5% SwStr%). He pitches in a large home park that buttresses his uncanny ability to limit the long ball (.77 HR/9 since 2022). Gray did end the season on the injured list with right forearm tendinitis—and doesn't have a spotless career health record—but an October report indicated he was feeling well and on track for a healthy offseason. Remember, Gray has averaged 28 starts per season over the last three years. ATC projects Gray with 168 innings, a 3.46 ERA, and a 1.15 WHIP in 2025. The veteran right-hander is currently being selected 115th overall in NFBC drafts and is ranked 103rd overall in the latest RotoBaller rankings, making him a value in upcoming drafts. Buy the dip!--Michael Cecchini - RotoBaller