Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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18.
Pablo Lopez
SP
For much of 2024, Pablo Lopez struggled while his underlying metrics all suggested he was getting snakebit left and right. He pitched 185 1/3 innings, striking out 198 batters on his way to a 4.08 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. His xERA, though, was 3.67. While this isn't an ace-like number, it is perfectly in line with the two years before. Fantasy managers can count on Lopez to take the ball every fifth day, as he's started exactly 32 games since 2022. He set a career-high in wins at 15, though that can't be counted on in 2025. Basically, Lopez is who you want as your SP2 or SP3, and you can wait to get him til the sixth round or so.
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38.
Bailey Ober
SP
Bailey Ober delivered a solid performance for the Twins in 2024, posting a 12-9 record with a 3.98 ERA over 178.2 innings pitched. He tallied 191 strikeouts against just 43 walks resulted in a 1.00 WHIP, which was a career best. Ober's advanced metrics further underscore his improvement; he maintained an average exit velocity of 87.5 mph and a hard-hit rate of 34.3%, both improvements over previous seasons. Notably, his expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) stood at .279, indicating that his actual performance aligns closely with underlying metrics. While his 8.3% barrel rate suggests occasional susceptibility to hard contact, Ober's consistent ability to limit baserunners and generate strikeouts positions him as a solid SP3 in 2025.
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40.
Joe Ryan
SP
Joe Ryan delivered a decent fantasy season in 2024, posting a 7-7 record with a 3.60 ERA over 23 starts, striking out 147 batters in 135 innings, and maintaining an impressive 0.99 WHIP. Ryan's 5.1% walk rate reflects excellent control, contributing to his strong WHIP. However, his 1.3 HR/9 rate indicates a susceptibility to the long ball, which could impact his ERA if not addressed. Despite a shoulder strain that ended his 2024 season prematurely, Ryan is expected to be fully healthy for 2025. Given his strong strikeout potential and control, Ryan remains a valuable pitcher in fantasy leagues, though monitoring his home run rate and health will be crucial for the upcoming season.
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41.
Jhoan Duran
RP
Jhoan Duran's 2024 season with the Minnesota Twins saw him appear in 58 games, recording a 6-9 win-loss record, a 3.64 ERA, and 23 saves over 54.1 innings pitched. While his strikeout rate declined to 28.9% from previous seasons, his walk rate remained stable at 6.6%. Notably, his average fastball velocity decreased from 101.8 mph in 2023 to 100.3 mph in 2024. Despite these changes, Duran's ability to induce ground balls remained strong, with a 60.9% ground ball rate. His xwOBA increased to .297, suggesting that opposing hitters made more effective contact compared to previous seasons. As Duran enters his age-27 season, maintaining his elite velocity and refining his secondary pitches will be crucial for reclaiming his dominant form and continuing to be a valuable asset in high-leverage situations.
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115.
David Festa
SP
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131.
Griffin Jax
RP
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200.
Zebby Matthews
SP
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218.
Cole Sands
RP
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253.
Danny Coulombe
RP
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257.
Simeon Woods Richardson
SP
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282.
Louis Varland
SP,RP
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284.
Brock Stewart
RP
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289.
Chris Paddack
SP
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329.
Jorge Alcala
RP
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334.
Justin Topa
RP
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436.
Michael Tonkin
RP
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523.
Andrew Morris
SP
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585.
Eiberson Castellano
SP,RP
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593.
Kody Funderburk
RP
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640.
Anthony Misiewicz
RP
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655.
Huascar Ynoa
SP,RP
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675.
Cory Lewis
SP
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688.
Marco Raya
SP
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696.
Matt Canterino
SP
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707.
Scott Blewett
RP
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766.
Alex Speas
RP
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779.
Randy Dobnak
SP,RP
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791.
Travis Adams
SP
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927.
Darren McCaughan
SP,RP
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