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Wade's top 2025 starting pitcher fantasy baseball prospect sleepers to target in redraft leagues. These are elite pitching prospects for fantasy baseball drafts.
The 2024 MLB season saw an incredible batch of rookie pitchers dominate the league. Players like Paul Skenes, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga, Luis Gil, and Mason Miller were some of the game's best hurlers. Heading into 2025, it's shaping up to be another season of phenomenal young arms.
In Fantasy Baseball, having a solid pitching staff is critical. One of the best ways to gain an advantage over your opponents is to capitalize on pitching prospects. In this article, we'll break down those young pitchers most likely to impact the Fantasy Baseball landscape in 2025.
Players must still have their rookie eligibility intact to qualify for this list. If they're not listed as a "prospect," they didn't make the cut. That being said, let's get into it.
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Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 60 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 55
2024 A+, AA, AAA Stats (91 2/3 IP): 2.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 58 H, 96:45 K/BB
2025 Steamer Projections (146 IP): 4.58 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 147 H, 116:55 K/BB
Heading into 2025, Jackson Jobe is the undisputed best pitching prospect in baseball. He's projected to be an ace-like starter within the next few seasons. That may not happen in 2025, but he could definitely outperform his Steamer projections.
Jobe has an incredible repertoire, consisting of an elite slider, a superb fastball, and an excellent changeup and cutter. It should translate well in the big leagues, and Jobe should be a solid pitcher for the Tigers on a per-inning basis. Unlike many others on this list, Jobe is practically guaranteed a spot in his team's Opening Day rotation.
Like many others on this list, however, Jobe's biggest concern is seemingly his workload, as it's hard to imagine him eclipsing the 150-inning mark in 2025. Despite that, he'll almost certainly make up for a lack of quantity with an abundance of quality. Overall, Jobe's got what it takes to run away with the A.L. Rookie of the Year Award.
Jackson Jobe, 100mph Fastball...and 3,187 RPM Sweeper (19 inches of horizontal break). pic.twitter.com/OpsgPCq6NA
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 11, 2024
Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50
2024 Rk, AA, AAA Stats (36 2/3 IP): 1.96 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 24 H, 55:5 K/BB
2025 Steamer Projections (134 IP): 3.81 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 124 H, 135:42 K/BB
From one third-overall draft pick to another, Kumar Rocker made his long-awaited MLB debut at the end of last season. Making just three starts with the Rangers, he did well enough to keep the hype train chugging along into 2025. At six-foot-five, 245 lbs, Rocker is an intimidating presence on the mound, bound for success at the big-league level.
Rocker's pitch mix should result in plenty of punchouts. He's also shown an impressive amount of command, walking just 12 batters through 64 2/3 minor-league innings. Altogether, Rocker could emerge as one of baseball's most electric pitchers in 2025.
As for his workload, Rocker likely won't surpass 140-150 innings. Over the last two seasons, he's thrown just over 75 professional innings. The odds of him doubling that total in 2025 are incredibly low. Still, he should be an impactful fantasy asset. If he's still available in the later draft rounds, jump on the opportunity to add him.
Kumar Rocker has a 1 minute and 19 second highlight reel of his MLB debut showcasing seven strikeouts.
This is just fantastic.
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) September 13, 2024
Quinn Mathews, St. Louis Cardinals
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50
2024 A, A+, AA, AAA Stats (143 1/3 IP): 2.76 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 91 H, 202:49 K/BB
2025 Steamer Projections (83 IP): 4.01 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 80 H, 75:31 K/BB
Quinn Mathews stormed through the Cardinals' farm system in 2024. He might've had the best pitching season of any minor-league pitcher, finishing with the most total strikeouts. Ranked No. 4 among all left-handed pitching prospects, Mathews will likely make his MLB debut in 2025. If/when he does, you can expect a solid contributor to your fantasy team(s).
At six-foot-five, 188 lbs, Mathews is a crafty lefty with a fastball that sits in the mid-t0-low 90s. A major reason for his success comes from his remarkable changeup. Factor in a tight slider and looping curveball, and Mathews is certainly capable of racking up whiffs at the big-league level.
Mathews may not crack the Cards' Opening Day rotation. He'll likely start the season with Triple-A Memphis. However, keep in mind that the current St. Louis rotation isn't set in stone; there are plenty of ways for Mathews to reach the majors. Be sure to monitor his performance in Spring Training, along with his ADP. He could be a dark horse contender for N.L. Rookie of the Year.
Quinn Mathews MiLB percentiles, pitchers w/ 1500+ pitches thrown
ERA: 99th
FIP: 100th
WHIP: 100th
wOBA: 100th
K%: 100th
BB%: 75th
Whiff%: 99th
SwStr%: 99th
CallStr%: 90th
CSW%: 100thHe's just been promoted to his 4th affiliate of 2024. pic.twitter.com/mclWg6Wn1R
— Jacob (@JacobE_STL) August 28, 2024
Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 65
2025 Steamer Projections (102 IP): 4.46 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 99 H, 91:34 K/BB
Over the last few seasons, Andrew Painter has been one of baseball's most highly anticipated pitching prospects. However, a sprained elbow in 2023 Spring Training, followed by Tommy John surgery four months later has kept him out of baseball for two full years, ultimately delaying his MLB debut. Fortunately, we shouldn't have to wait much longer.
Painter was named MLB Pipeline's Pitching Prospect of the Year in 2022. Even after a two-year hiatus, he's still regarded as one of the game's top prospects (No. 32 overall, per MLB.com). Thanks to his outstanding four-pitch mix, Painter should be a top-of-the-line starter for years to come. Hopefully, his ascension to big-league prominence will kick off in 2025. If his performance in this year's Arizona Fall League is any indication, Painter will be a fantastic rookie starter; well above his subpar Steamer projections.
When it comes to upside, Painter should be considered right up there with Jackson Jobe. The biggest hurdle, however, is workload. After two straight years on the shelf, the Phillies are bound to be cautious with him, which will likely result in a rather strict innings limit. Regardless, when he's on the mound, you'll want him on your fantasy team.
Andrew Painter’s final stat line from the 2024 Arizona Fall League:
6 G | 15.2 IP | 10 H | 4 ER | 1 HR | 4 BB | 18 K | 2.30 ERA | 0.894 WHIPpic.twitter.com/s0UL7Aw0gt
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) November 13, 2024
Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50
2024 AA, AAA Stats (119 2/3 IP): 3.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 81 H, 148:41 K/BB
2025 Steamer Projections (92 IP): 4.53 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 92 H, 80:39 K/BB
Wouldn't it be nice if another top pitching prospect from the Pirates' organization made his MLB debut in 2025 and took over the baseball world? Bubba Chandler was amazing in 2024, finishing with one of the best years of any minor-league arm. It was definitely enough to earn consideration for the fifth spot in Pittsburgh's starting rotation.
A physically gifted pitcher (six-foot-two, 200 lbs), Chandler has a stupendous fastball, plus breaking balls, and a serviceable changeup. He's done well to limit walks throughout the minor leagues, a promising sign for any young hurler. The question isn't whether he's ready for the big leagues, it's whether there's any room for him to claim a starting role.
Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller are locks; they'll be 1-2-3 in the Buccos' rotation. Right now, Bailey Falter and Luis L. Ortiz are slotted to assume the bottom two spots. But with an impressive showing in Spring Training, Chandler could shake things up by forcing the Pirates' hand. For a team that's consistently fallen off as the season goes on, Chandler could be exactly what they need to get over the hump. If he earns a starting job, he's an intriguing fantasy option who should be added in almost every format.
Bases loaded, two outs, strikeout No. 10 on the line:
Bubba Chandler ended his 🔥 outing with the 98.8 MPH heat. pic.twitter.com/XzyPnFFhZv
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) September 11, 2024
Rhett Lowder, Cincinnati Reds
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 65
2024 MLB Stats (30 2/3 IP): 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 25 H, 22:14 K/BB
2025 Steamer Projections (155 IP): 4.75 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 166 H, 122:52 K/BB
Rhett Lowder made his MLB debut at the end of August, finishing the season with a sensational September. Before that, he'd been solid in 108 2/3 innings between High-A and Triple-A (3.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 113:24 K/BB). Set to crack Cincinnati's Opening Day starting rotation, Lowder will likely be one of the most reliable rookies in 2025.
With a sinking fastball in the mid-to-low 90s, a "pull-the-string"-type changeup in the mid-80s, and a thorough slider, Lowder certainly has a big-league repertoire. Based on his pitch mix and experience, Lowder will likely finish with the most innings of anyone on this list. And while his numbers may not end up the flashiest, his quantity of work will likely compensate for any dips in quality.
Overall, Lowder is the safest bet of any pitching prospect and a dependable fantasy option. In reality, an N.L. Rookie of the Year Award isn't beyond the realm of possibility. Lowder certainly has what it takes to benefit your fantasy team.
Rhett Lowder's 2Ks in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/dwpVF6xREv
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 21, 2024
Honorable Mentions
Noah Schultz, Chicago White Sox
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55
2024 A+, AA Stats (88 1/3 IP): 2.24 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 63 H, 115:24 K/BB
If it were more likely that he'd make his MLB debut in 2025, then Schultz would have absolutely made this list. He's one of the most promising young lefties in baseball, but he's been relegated to just four innings in almost every professional start (an attempt from the White Sox to preserve his health). If he does end up getting promoted in 2025, he's a must-add. But it seems like the chances of that happening are pretty slim. Still, he's talented enough to warrant mentioning.
These were the top 10 pitching prospects taken in my Patreon discord prospect mock draft. (None taken by me)
1. Andrew Painter (4)
2. Jackson Jobe (19)
3. Noah Schultz (20)
4. Bubba Chandler (24)
5. Chase Dollander (37)
6. Kumar Rocker (39)
7. Travis Sykora (41)
8. Thomas White…— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) November 6, 2024
Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers
MLB.com Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 70 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40
2024 A, A+, AA, AAA Stats (97 1/3 IP): 3.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 57 H, 127:60 K/BB
2025 Steamer Projections (102 IP): 4.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 94 H, 102:52 K/BB
The Brewers' top pitching prospect, Misiorowski projects to be a noteworthy strikeout artist. Through 170 1/3 professional innings, he's posted a 12.7 K/9, showcasing an eye-popping propensity to punch out batters. Based on pure stuff, he shouldn't have a problem racking up strikeouts for Milwaukee.
What might hold back Misiorowski, however, is a lack of command (notice his 40-grade control). With a 14.3% walk rate in 2024, he'll have to improve his location before he can truly impact your fantasy team(s). A bit of good news: Steamer projects that he'll lower his walk rake to 11.6% in 2025, which would be a tremendous improvement. Overall, Misiorowski will be a high-risk, high-reward pitcher in 2025.
Jacob Misiorowski has the best ...
- Fastball
- Curveball
- Sliderin the @Brewers farm system 🤯https://t.co/h7GmN33gpi pic.twitter.com/W0YU2yohpX
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) November 13, 2024
Unlike to Debut in 2025, but Worth Consideration
- Hagen Smith
- Ricky Tiedemann
- Robby Snelling
- Chase Dollander
- Carson Palmquist
- Braxton Ashcraft
- Travis Sykora
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