Each year hundreds of professional baseball players watch their dreams come true and get to appear in a major league baseball game. Keeping track of all of these debuts from a fantasy baseball perspective can be exhausting. This, combined with Martin’s American League version, provide insight into what fantasy managers can expect from each of the pitching prospects likely to make their debuts in 2025. Keep reading to check out 50 National League pitching prospects likely to pitch in the major leagues next season.
2025 Pitching Prospects to Debut: National League
Andrew Painter– RHP
After being selected in the first round back in 2021, Andrew Painter flew through the Phillies minor league system before suffering an elbow injury in Spring Training of 2023. Dynasty managers had to wait until the Arizona Fall League to see him return to the mound but he is well worth the wait. Painter’s fastball sits comfortably in the upper 90s and is a pitch he commands well. The slider is his best secondary offering, although his curveball also profiles as a plus pitch. The IVB on his fastball is the only concern in what is an otherwise near-perfect pitching profile. The Phillies are going to be extremely careful with Painter in his recovery from Tommy John Surgery but all signs point to him making his major league debut in the second half of 2025. He is a rare pitching prospect with ace upside making him a player worth targeting in redraft formats.
Mick Abel– RHP
Another former first-round pick by the Phillies, Mick Abel’s professional career has been nearly as consistent as Painter’s. Abel has always been viewed as a prospect with plus stuff, but his inability to consistently control it has become a major concern. Both Abel’s slider and curveball generated whiff rates north of 34% in Triple-A this past season, and his fastball plays up thanks to good extension and vertical break. Despite the good, Abel walked over 15% of batters in Triple-A last season and will not be an effective major league pitcher until he figures this out. The upside is there and his proximity makes it likely he debuts in 2025, but he is not somebody fantasy managers should expect to rely on this season.
Griff McGarry– RHP
High strikeout rates and no command have been the theme for Griff McGarry throughout his professional career. His fastball generates over 16″ of vertical break, his cutter generates whiffs at a ridiculous rate, and he has looked dominant in short spurts. However, McGarry owns a career walk rate of 17.3%. The Phillies moved McGarry to the bullpen full-time in 2024 hoping that would help his command issues, but his walk rate ballooned to 24% this past year. The upside is something like José Alvarado from the right side. Plus fastball/slider combination that has proven effective at the minor league level. However, walks will get him in trouble and could prevent him from ever reaching his full potential. McGarry was not added to the 40-man roster making it possible McGarry could get a fresh start with a new team and a shot at the major leagues in 2025.
Moisés Chace– RHP
Trading Gregory Soto for Moisés Chace at this year’s deadline could become one of Dave Dombrowski’s best moves. Chace, formerly a prospect out of Venezuela in Baltimore’s organization, was dominant in his time with the Phillies. Chace struck out 42.9% of batters in six starts between High-A and Double-A, posting a 3.81 ERA and a 2.48 FIP. His fastball sits around 96 on the gun with big-time, arm-side run. His delivery is smooth and near effortless, and then he has the ability to drop a slider that makes right-handed batters look silly. The part of Chace’s profile that really sticks out is the improvements to his command. Over his final eight starts, Chace walked just 8% of batters he faced. The Phillies saw enough to add him to their 40-man roster this past November making a 2025 debut possible. Chace is generating more helium in the dynasty community as the off-season moves along and could be a consensus top-100 prospect by the middle of next year.
Eiberson Castellano- RHP
Eiberson Castellano has been in the Phillies organization since 2021 and really started to come into his own last season. Although his windup is not as smooth or consistent as some of the pitchers mentioned about him, Castellano also has plus stuff that should land him in a major league rotation come 2025. His changeup and curveball combine to give him two plus secondary offerings while his fastball sits comfortably in the mid-90s. The Phillies did not select him onto their 40-man roster making him a name to watch in the Rule 5 Draft. From July 13th to August 25th, Castellano posted a 2.08 ERA across seven starts.
Mike Vasil– RHP
The Mets selected Mike Vasil in the eighth round back in the 2021 draft and have watched him progress through their system. A strong start to 2023 in Double-A put Vasil’s name on many dynasty radars but his value has taken a major fall since then. Vasil has struggled since his promotion to Triple-A in large part thanks to an underwhelming fastball. Vasil’s fastball averages just 93 mph leading to an increased reliance on both his sinker and cutter. With suspect command, Vasil has been susceptible to the long ball in recent seasons, but his proximity to the major leagues lands him on this list. He was left off the Mets’ 40-man Roster this off-season opening him up to other teams in the Rule 5 draft. He should not be viewed as more than a streaming option if he debuts in 2025.
Brandon Sproat– RHP
Based on pure stuff, Brandon Sproat was worthy of a first-round pick in the 2023 draft. Concerns over how well Sproat could control his pure stuff pushed him into the second round where the Mets were thrilled to take him. Sproat did not make his professional debut until 2024 but was dominant for most of the season. He posted a 1.07 ERA in High-A, followed by a 2.45 ERA in Double-A before finally being pushed all the way to Triple-A in his debut season. Sproat’s numbers declined sharply following his promotion to Triple-A, but fantasy managers should still be encouraged by his 2024 season. Sproat’s fastball sits in the upper 90s. His changeup profiles as a plus offering against lefties and developing more consistency with his slider will be the key next step in his development. There is a strong chance we see Sproat in 2025 and he has more upside than any pitcher in New York’s system. Although he lacks “ace” upside, he could turn into a reliable fantasy asset very quickly.
Blade Tidwell– RHP
For 37.1 innings to start 2024, it looked as though Blade Tidwell solved his control issues. The former second-round pick battled shoulder injuries early in his professional career and could not seem to find the strike zone consistently in 2023. Tidwell was dominant to start 2024 in Double-A, but the control issues returned upon his promotion to Triple-A. Control continues to be really the only knock on an otherwise very solid pitching prospect. Tidwell throws seven different pitches, and both his sweeper and slider generated whiff rates north of 30% in Triple-A last season. Tidwell’s numbers were a bit worse against lefties than righties, but he has a solid changeup that should help avoid any serious split concerns. Tidwell’s future value boils down to his ability to throw strikes. Part of a crowded Triple-A rotation, fantasy managers could see him make his major league debut in 2025.
Dom Hamel- RHP
Dom Hamel is the fourth pitcher from the Mets who saw his strikeout numbers take a steep step back following his promotion to Triple-A. Hamel spent the entirety of 2024 pitching in Triple-A finishing the season with a 6.79 ERA. Although his four-seam fastball generates 18″ of vertical break, there is not much else that is exciting in his profile. He is primarily a two-pitch pitcher with the other offering being a sweeper that he lacks a consistent feel for. Hamel is likely destined for a bullpen role but could make his major league debut in 2025.
Jonah Tong- RHP
One of the more prominent pop-up pitching prospects of 2024 was Jonah Tong. Tong was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft but pitched less than 20 innings in 2023. Fresh headed into 2024, Tong pitched 113 innings at three different levels finishing the year with a 3.03 ERA and a 34.2% strikeout rate. Tong does it primarily with his fastball. Coming straight over the top, Tong’s four-seamer generates an elite level of vertical break resulting in opposing batters swinging under the pitch. Oh, and it sits in the upper 90s. With a plus-plus fastball and curveball, Tong is also working on developing his slider to take his arsenal to the next level. Tong is another pitcher on this list who is not on the 40-man roster, but he has the kind of potential to leapfrog many of the pitchers currently ahead of him on the depth chart. He will be an intriguing fantasy option if the Mets call on him in 2025.
Nolan McLean– RHP
Originally viewed as a potential two-way player, the Mets have transitioned Nolan McLean to the mound full-time. Even without the two-way potential, McLean still finds himself on plenty of minor-league highlights thanks to a filthy slider. This slider makes opposing batters look silly and pairs nicely with his fastball. The question is how will his development trajectory change now that he is focusing solely on pitching? McLean has a plus-breaking ball and a solid fastball but lacks a true third offering to keep left-handed batters off balance. A promotion to the major leagues in 2025 is a stretch, but there is a tiny tiny tiny tiny bit of Spencer Strider in his profile if the Mets can unlock it.
Robby Snelling– LHP
The Marlins overhauled their farm system this past year trading away just about every notable veteran on their roster. One of the prize returns was Robby Snelling from the Padres. Snelling was dominant as a 19-year-old in the lower levels of the minor leagues for San Diego in 2023 but scuffled out of the gates in 2024. Following a midseason trade to Miami, Snelling really hit his stride. In eight starts, Snelling posted a 3.64 ERA and a 2.92 FIP. The Marlins even saw enough to send him to Triple-A despite not even being 21 years old yet. While Snelling has plenty of upside and prospect helium, I have concerns over his pitch arsenal. He relies too heavily on his fastball and lacks a true secondary offering that he can rely on consistently. On a rebuilding team, Snelling may get a chance to debut in 2025, but that does not necessarily mean he is ready for fantasy managers to rely on him.
Thomas White– LHP
Thomas White making his major league debut in 2025 is a stretch. However, there is no denying White’s dominance on the mound in 2024. The 6’5″ left-hander was excellent in his first full season of professional baseball. White finished the season with a 2.81 ERA while making notable improvements to his command as the season moved along. After walking 10.9% of batters through his first 10 starts, White walked just 7.8% across his final 11. White relies heavily on his plus fastball which sits in the mid-90s and generates good rising action. His slurve is just down right filthy and is borderline unfair for left-handed batters to deal with. White is a clear top-100 prospect and could force the Marlins’ hand with a strong start to 2025. While a 2025 debut is unlikely, White would certainly be fantasy-relevant if one were to happen.
Drue Hackenberg– RHP
The Braves consistently churn out prospects, and Drue Hackenberg is yet another example of that. While all focus was on Owen Murphy, Hurston Waldrep, and Spencer Schwellenbach, Hackenberg flew completely under the radar. After starting the year in High-A, Hackenberg made it all the way up to Triple-A, finishing the year with a 3.07 ERA in 129 innings. The start that really put him on the map was a 16-strikeout performance on July 21. Looking at his stuff, nothing is overpowering. His fastball sits in the mid to low 90s. Hackenberg’s extension is below average and the spin rates are mediocre. His curve is the best offering in his arsenal. What Hackenberg is great at is preventing home runs and eating innings. This makes him valuable to the Braves and valuable in certain fantasy formats such as Ottoneu. However, for most fantasy managers, Hackenberg profiles as a streaming option once in the major leagues.
Lucas Braun– RHP
The Braves took Lucas Braun in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of Cal State Northridge. Braun was inconsistent throughout his time in college and became more known for his command than stuff. This combined with his ability to eat innings was on display throughout his first full professional season in 2024. Between High-A and Double-A, Braun pitched over 140 innings walking less than eight percent of the batters he faced. Braun mixes in four different pitches with the slider being the best of the bunch. Nothing in Braun’s profile jumps out for fantasy managers to get overly excited about but at 23 years old, he could be in line for a few spot starts in 2025.
J.R. Ritche- RHP
The Braves are unlikely to be aggressive enough to promote JR Ritchie to the major leagues in 2025, but he has the kind of stuff to land on fantasy manager’s radars. Ritchie was the 35th overall pick in 2022 and had some of the best stuff amongst high school pitchers in that draft class. His fastball has great late life on it at the top of the zone sitting in the mid-90s. His changeup dives down and away to left-handed batters, and his slider also profiles as a plus offering. Ritchie looked primed to be a breakout pitching prospect in 2023 but suffered an elbow injury limiting him to just 13.1 innings. His return to the mound in 2024 was inconsistent. His 2.90 ERA on the season is pretty, but his 4.19 FIP paints a different picture. With a fully healthy off-season this year, Ritchie could be primed to explode in 2025. If this happens, there is no doubt he will find himself in Atlanta before the end of the regular season.
Andry Lara– RHP
The Nationals signed Andry Lara with high expectations out of Venezuela back in 2019. For the first few years of his professional career, Lara struggled to find his footing. He failed to post an ERA below 4.50 in each of his first three seasons and had completely fallen off of dynasty radars heading into 2024. Of course, Lara had the best season of his career in 2024. Lara looked great in High-A, but saw his numbers regress after a promotion to Double-A. The issue is that Lara’s fastball never developed quite like many hoped. He struggles to maintain velocity deep into games and does not have a true pitch to attack lefties with. Lara was added to the 40-man roster by Washington and could be in line to make his major league debut in 2025.
Jarlin Susana– RHP
If you remember one name from the Nationals portion of this list, let it be Jarlin Susana. Susan was part of the Juan Soto trade a few years ago and could turn into the best piece of that trade. Known as a fireballer with no command, Susana has continued developing and learning how to harness his stuff. His fastball still sits right around 100 mph and his slider is ridiculous. The part that really sticks out is Susana walking only 8.6% of batters across his last 13 starts. Susana has the chance to post video-game-like strikeout numbers and if these control gains stick in 2025, he will be on the fast track to the major leagues.
Brad Lord- RHP
Although not on the 40-man roster, Brad Lord could be first in line to make his major league debut for the Nationals in 2025. Now 24, Lord was an 18th-round pick back in 2022 and has moved quickly through Washington’s system. He finished the season in Triple-A where he posted a 3.93 ERA across 55 innings pitched. Lord is a true sinker-baller who throws a breaking ball less than 20% of the time. For fantasy managers, there is not a lot to dive into here. His proximity lands him on this list, not his fantasy potential.
Tyler Stuart– RHP
Tyler Stuart joined the Nationals organization at the midpoint of last season and continued to pitch well en route to a late-season promotion to Triple-A. Stuart was originally drafted by the Mets back in 2022 and has pitched well throughout his short professional career. Like Lord, Stuart relies heavily on his sinker but also mixes in a slider and changeup with good frequency. His slider is especially effective at generating strikeouts and gives him a much higher ceiling than Lord. With ceiling comes fantasy intrigue. Stuart has shown off solid control throughout his professional career and could be a solid back-end pitcher for Washington. His fantasy value is nothing like Susana’s, but do not be surprised to see Stuart targeted on waiver wires at some point in 2025.
Cade Horton– RHP
Entering 2024, Cade Horton was one of the game’s top pitching prospects. Following a dominant debut season in 2023, many expected Horton to make his major league debut last season. A hot start in Double-A led to a promotion to Triple-A where the wheels fell off. Horton’s fastball velocity tanked and he struggled mightly prior to being shut down following his start on May 29th. Now in December, Horton it remains unclear if Horton has even begun throwing again and could face inning restrictions in 2025. Horton features three plus breaking balls and prior to his injury, his fastball at least profiled to be an average pitch. There is plenty of upside here, but his 2025 outlook remains murky. He is a name to know, but should not be targeted in drafts without positive news on his shoulder.
Brandon Birdsell– RHP
Brandon Birdsell could be that one pitching prospect nobody is talking about that becomes fantasy-relevant in 2025. Birdsell was a fifth-round pick back in 2022 and has moved quickly through Chicago’s system. Already in Triple-A, Birdsell saw his stuff take a step up last season and saw a spike in his strikeout rate following his promotion to Triple-A. Birdsell’s four-seam fastball sits in the mid-90s and generates over 2400 RPMs of spin. He relies on both his curveball and slider to generate strikeouts (both of which grade out as plus offerings according to PLV). His delivery is a bit unorthodox and his short arm action prevents him from getting much extension. Birdsell is not a pitching prospect fantasy managers need to worry about on draft day, but he is certainly one that is worth keeping tabs on.
Jacob Misiorowski– RHP
Will the Brewers be able to help Jacob Misiorowski harness the elite stuff in his arsenal? That is the biggest question for the former second-round pick who shows up on minor league highlights constantly throughout the baseball season. Behind a 98 mph fastball and a whirly wipeout slider, Misiorowski has run high strikeout rates throughout his professional career. He has consistently run strikeout rates above 30% and earned a promotion up to Triple-A to finish last season. The issue for Misiorowski is walks. He has walked more than 13% of batters each season since being drafted and even found himself pitching out of the bullpen to end last year. There is significant relief risk in his profile although he also has as much upside as any pitching prospect in baseball. Misiorowski is not yet on the 40-man roster but should debut next season. He represents a high-upside, high-volatility option for fantasy and dynasty managers.
Logan Henderson– RHP
Entering 2024, Logan Henderson had never pitched above Low-A and was already 22 years old. There was not much fanfare for the Brewers’ pitcher but he he dominated High-A, pitched well in Double-A, and ultimately made his way all the way to Triple-A last season. Henderson is an old-fashioned control-over-stuff pitcher who relies heavily on his fastball/changeup combination. His fastball has below-average velocity, spin, and he does not generate much extension. What Henderson does have is good break on the pitch that allows it to play up against opposing batters. His changeup generates nearly 18″ of run away from lefties. However, Henderson’s fastball still profiles as average at best and he has struggled to limit the long-ball throughout his professional career. He is now on the 40-man roster and is likely first in line for a rotation spot in 2025. The upside is limited here but fantasy managers should expect to see him
Coleman Crow– RHP
The Brewers mark Coleman Crow’s third professional organization but will be only the second he pitches for. Crow was first traded to the Mets after suffering an elbow injury in 2023 and then was shipped to the Brewers during his rehab process. The former 28th-round pick in 2019 seemed to be putting together a breakout season in 2023 prior to undergoing surgery. Crow does not have the best fastball but he pairs a unique arm angle with strong spin rates to generate strikeouts. His curveball is his money pitch and has a chance to turn into an elite offering. There is plenty of unknown for Crow considering we have not seen him on a professional mound since the early parts of 2023. However, there is upside here and at 23 years old there is a chance he performs well enough to make a few major league starts in 2025.
Chad Patrick– RHP
At 26 years old and on his third organization, Chad Patrick is not going to turn many heads if he makes his major league debut next season. However, it is notable that Patrick went 14-1 last year with a 2.90 ERA in Triple-A. Patrick throws some sort of fastball variation nearly 80% of the time although his cutter operates as his go-to strikeout pitch. Patrick generated whiff rates north of 33% on both his cutter and four-seam fastball last season and has a good feel for both pitches. Although he is unlikely to ever become a dominant major league pitcher, it would not be surprising to see him pair together a few strong spots for Milwaukee at some point in 2025. He was added to the 40-man roster this past November making a debut extremely likely.
Chase Petty– RHP
Chase Petty’s dynasty value has been a roller coaster of a ride. Petty was a highly sought-after pitching prospect coming out of high school that landed with the Twins in the first round. He was later traded to the Reds in the Tyler Mahle deal. Petty’s velocity at a young age stood out along with his big slider, but his profile changed drastically with the Reds. Petty turned from a “stuff” prospect to a “control” prospect as his fastball velocity settled into the low 90s and he posted excellent walk rates. After video surfaced of Petty training to increase his velocity last off-season, his helium once again rose although his strikeout rate remained pedestrian throughout 2024. At this point, it is difficult to project anything other than what Petty has consistently shown us. He is going to post strong walk rates but may never live up to the ceiling many believed he had. With low strikeout rates and a home run problem in Great American Ball Park, Petty should be viewed as a streaming option once promoted in 2025.
Chase Burns– RHP
Last year, the Reds took Rhett Lowder in the first round and he finished the season pitching in Cincinnati. In 2024, they took Chase Burns second overall and it is fair to assume he has a chance to finish the season at the major league level. Burns was the highest pitcher taken in the draft out of Wake Forest after spending his first two collegiate seasons with Tennessee. Burns sits in the high 90s with his fastball and has hit triple digits on numerous occasions. Despite the velocity, many worry about the metrics of the pitch and his new home park being in Cincinnati does him no favors. Hmmm, remember how people had concerns over Paul Skenes‘ fastball? Despite concerns, Burns has tremendous upside. His slider is a plus-plus offering and his curveball and changeup are both nothing to scoff at. He has front-end upside and could move quickly through Cincinnati’s system. He is not a target on draft day but is a prospect to keep a close eye on.
Quinn Matthews- LHP
Quinn Matthews took the Cardinals’ organization by storm in 2024. After making his professional debut in Low-A, Matthews wound up finishing the season in Triple-A. He posted a 2.76 ERA across 143.1 innings finishing with a 35.4% strikeout rate. The key to Matthews’ quick success was a spike in his fastball velocity up into the mid-90s. This new velocity paired with over 17″ of vertical break gives Matthews one of the best left-handed fastballs in all of minor league baseball. His slider is effective against both righties and lefties and his changeup has good movement and deception. His windup is reminiscent of Cole Hamels with just a bit more violence. He struggled with walks in Triple-A, but that is likely a result of fatigue after a long debut season. Expect to see Matthews in St. Louis in 2025. He is certainly going to be fantasy relevant once promoted.
Tink Hence– RHP
There has been buzz around Tink Hence since his dominant professional debut back in 2021. The former 63rd overall pick has long been viewed as a prospect with significant upside but one who has struggled to stay healthy. Hence has never cleared 100 innings in a season before leading to some relief risk. At the core of it all, Hence has a plus fastball and changeup and mixes in a slider that generates inconsistent results but has shown flashes of being a plus offering. The Cardinals added Hence to the 40-man roster making his path to the major leagues in 2025 easier. He is a prospect with fantasy appeal if he can stay healthy next season.
Sem Robberse– LHP
Originally a Blue Jays prospect from the Netherlands, Robberse has been around professional baseball since 2019. He worked his way up to Triple-A with the Cardinals last season and is part of the team’s 40-man roster. Robberse’s best pitch is his slider which is primarily effective to lefties. His fastball sits in the low-90s and profiles to be a below-average pitch. His righty/lefty splits last season were drastic making it likely his future home is in the bullpen. Lefty relievers are always valuable for major league clubs and Robberse’s ability to provide length could turn him into a valuable real-life asset for the Cardinals. For fantasy managers, there is not much to get excited about here.
Tekoah Roby– RHP
Despite plus stuff, Tekoah Roby has never been able to settle into any sort of rhythm in professional baseball. Roby features a fastball that sits comfortably around 95 mph while adding in a big 12-6 curveball that is a plus offering. His slider and changeup both profile to be at least average offerings giving him a solid base to get excited about. Unfortunately, injuries have become a consistent theme in Roby’s career. After pitching only 58.1 innings in 2023, Roby was limited to 38.1 innings in 2024. The Cardinals added Roby to their 40-man roster as well but he will need to prove he can stay healthy before earning a promotion to the major leagues. There is plus stuff here with Roby but also significant durability and relief risk.
Cooper Hjerpe– LHP
The team’s first-round pick from 2022 has put up solid strikeout numbers early on in his professional career. Hjerpe has a delivery that is similar to that of Chris Sale. A low release point, plenty of extension, and lots of deception. This helps his fastball play up more than the low-90s velocity suggests that it should. Hjerpe also has a plus slider that is lethal against left-handed batters. The concern comes with his command. Hjerpe has walked more than 13% of batters in each of his first two seasons. These walk rates add some relief risk to his profile and make him a longshot to debut in 2025. If he is a debut candidate, but is more of a longshot and certainly is behind all of the names listed above him from the Cardinals.
Connor Thomas– LHP
Connor Thomas was taken back in the 2019 draft out of Georgia Tech. After bouncing between the rotation and bullpen, Thomas moved strictly to the bullpen to end 2024. Thomas keeps batters guessing throwing five different offerings with the slider being the best of the bunch. Interestingly, Thomas posted significant reverse splits last year with lefties batting over .300 and righties hitting just .246. He does not profile to be a fantasy-relevant reliever but is on the 40-man roster and should make his major league debut next season.
Bubba Chandler– RHP
Bubba Chandler is on the short list of pitchers in this article that warrant attention on draft day. Chandler has some of the best stuff in all of minor league baseball. His fastball sits in the upper 90s with 16.7″ of vertical break. His slider gives him a plus-breaking pitch to attack righties with and is his go-to strikeout pitch. Chandler even has a plus offering to attack lefties with his changeup. Plus-plus stuff with command that has improved drastically since he started focusing full-time on pitching in 2023. Chandler is going to form a formidable 1-2 punch with Paul Skenes as early as 2025 and should be on all fantasy manager’s radars heading into the season.
Braxton Ashcraft– RHP
Braxton Ashcraft was a second-round pick back in 2018 and has worked his way slowly through Pittsburgh’s system. Ashcraft built on an excellent end to 2023 by putting up dominant numbers to start 2024 in Double-A. Ashcraft is primarily a two-pitch pitcher relying heavily on his fastball to get strikes and his slider to finish batters off. He also utilizes a plus curveball that keeps batters off his slider and is useful to attack lefties. Despite his size, Ashcraft’s delivery is smooth and he repeats it well helping him maintain plus control of his stuff. Ashcraft is flying under the radar but could be a significant piece to Pittsburgh’s rotation puzzle in 2025. He is already on the 40-man roster and worth keeping tabs on.
Thomas Harrington– RHP
Although Thomas Harrington does not have the same kind of upside as the first two players for the Pirates, he is also banging on the door of the major leagues. Harrington has always taken the form more of a “crafty-lefty” but from the right side. He relies heavily on a deep arsenal of pitches all of which he locates with above average command. His changeup is his best offering and is part of the reason he was able to post a 2.67 ERA across 117 innings last season. Although he lacks the strikeout upside fantasy managers desire, he has a chance to be a solid major league pitcher for the Pirates as early as this season.
Anthony Solometo– LHP
The 37th overall pick from 2022 has generated some attention in the dynasty community thanks in large part to his funk delivery. His low arm angle combined with full arm extension in his wind-up is extremely deceptive. Despite this, Solometo has struggled to post impactful numbers. The strikeouts have been disappointing and he walked 13% of batters he faced in Double-A last season. With his unique delivery, he has a chance to become a dominant left-handed reliever and held lefty batters to a .198/.298/.321 slash last season. Unfortunately, righties slashed .286/.399/.451 limiting his upside and potential as a starter.
Chase Dollander– RHP
If not for being drafted by the Rockies, Chase Dollander would rank amongst the best pitching prospects in baseball. Dollander put up elite strikeout numbers throughout his collegiate career and did not slow down in his debut season. Between High-A and Double-A, Dollander struck out over 33% of the batters he faced and finished with an ERA of 2.59. Dollander’s arsenal is top tier with a plus fastball/slider combination and a changeup that keeps lefties off balance. His fastball has excellent arm-side run and he can dot a curveball back door to lefties with ease. Colorado’s major league rotation is thin and Dollander could easily find himself pitching in the major leagues in 2025. Coors Field is a concern but Dollander has the stuff to potentially overcome it.
Sean Sullivan- LHP
Right now, it seems like the Rockies hit on more than just Dollander in the 2023 draft. They took Sean Sullivan in the second round out of Wake Forest and watched him dominate professional hitters in his debut season. He posted a 2.16 ERA in 81 innings for High-A before posting a 1.97 ERA in Double-A to finish the season. Sullivan has plus command and the ability to fill up the strike zone with ease. On top of that, his fastball added velocity, sitting around 94 in most games and generating ridiculous movement at the top of the zone. His arm angle and delivery help this pitch play up even further, and he adds a slider that is unhittable for left-handed batters. He may not have the same stuff that Dollander has, but he makes up for it with better control. Do not be surprised if Sullivan follows Dollander to the major leagues next season.
Carson Palmquist– LHP
Dollander and Sullivan represent the exciting options for Colorado, but Carson Palmquist is the most likely to debut first. Now 24, Palmquist finished the 2024 season in Triple-A after putting up strong numbers in Double-A. From a stuff standpoint, there is not much to get excited about. His fastball is below average yet is thrown more than 45% of the time. Good extension is his best attribute but there is not much to love from a fantasy perspective. He is likely first in line for a chance at the major league rotation next season but is not somebody that needs to be on fantasy radars.
Jackson Ferris– LHP
Jackson Ferris signed with the Cubs for just over $3 million after being the 47th overall pick back in the 2022 draft. Ferris put up solid numbers in his first professional season with Chicago but his fantasy stock really took off after a trade to Los Angeles. Standing at 6’4″, Ferris is an intimidating presence on the mound from the left-side. His fastball has added velocity in the past two years now sitting 94-96 consistently. His money pitch is his big sweeping slider that is especially effective against lefties. Ferris has the highest upside of any Dodgers’ pitching prospect and fantasy managers should be confident in the organization to get the most out of him. Still just 20, a debut in 2025 is unlikely, but he has the upside that fantasy managers need to pay attention to if he does earn a promotion.
Nick Frasso– RHP
Nick Frasso underwent surgery for a Labrum injury that cost him the entirety of 2024. The expectation is that Frasso will be healthy and ready for the start of 2025 putting him in line to make his major league debut. Seeing how Frasso’s velocity stands will be a big key to determining his 2025 value. Prior to the injury, Frasso’s fastball sat in the upper 90s and was a near-elite offering thanks to movement, carry, extension, and spin. Ultimately, stuff has never been a concern. Durability is the issue. Frasso has never thrown more than 93 innings in a season and has dealt with injuries throughout his professional career. These durability issues could push Frasso into a bullpen role long-term and limit his fantasy value.
Jared Karros– RHP
Jared Karros‘ dad is a former major leaguer, his younger brother is a third baseman turning heads in Colorado’s organization, and he himself could be in line to make his major league debut in 2025. Standing 6’7″ on the mound and with a wind up that features a step straight back, it almost feels as if Karros has the impression of flying right at the hitter. This helps his 93 mph fastball play up more than the velocity suggests. He has a strong curveball and was dominant in High-A prior to his promotion to Double-A. The Dodgers always seem to find gems late in drafts. Karros, a former 16th-round pick could turn into another solid pick. His fantasy upside is not as high as others on this list, but do not be surprised if the Dodgers’ find a useful role for him as early as 2025.
Yu-Min Lin– LHP
Injuries limited Yu-Min Lin to less than 100 innings last season, but he was still able to make a brief appearance at Triple-A to end the season. Lin was signed out of Taiwan back in 2021 and posted gaudy strikeout numbers in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Since being promoted through Arizona’s system, Lin’s strikeout numbers have fallen primarily due to the lack of a strong fastball. Lin’s four-seamer sits right around 90 mph and does not have the kind of movement that allows the pitch to play up. Instead, Lin relies heavily on his changeup with a willingness to throw it in any count. Changeup first pitchers do not have high success rates at the major league level casting doubt over Lin’s future value. He is not on the 40-man roster but has a strong chance to make his major league debut next season. He could be a spot-start streaming option for fantasy but is unlikely to find consistent success.
Omar Cruz– RHP
The Padres do not have a lot in terms of options for their major league pitching staff in 2025. Cruz was taken in the minor league portion of the Rule-5 draft from Pittsburgh last season and was added to the 40-man roster this off-season. The team has already started to transition Cruz to the bullpen where he will likely be long-term. He is primarily a fastball/changeup pitcher and does not have the upside to turn into a high-leverage arm. He is a likely candidate to debut in 2025 but does not need to be on fantasy radars entering the season.
Francis Pena- RHP
The relief pitcher that has the kind of stuff to turn into a high-leverage arm is Francis Pena. Pena was signed out of the Dominican Republic back in 2022 and has worked his way quickly through San Diego’s system. Pena pitched across three different levels last season finishing with a 2.43 ERA. With good extension, Pena’s already plus stuff plays up even further. He uses a cutter as his primary breaking pitch similar to how José Alvarado does and the pitch generated a whiff rate north of 35% in a small Triple-A sample. His fastball also sits in the mid to upper 90s with good late life. San Diego’s bullpen projects to be crowded in 2205, but Pena could carve out a significant role for himself if he pitches well to start next season.
Carson Whisenhunt– LHP
Carson Whisenhunt was so dominant in 2023 that many thought it was a foregone conclusion that he would make his major league debut in 2024. Unfortunately, Whisenhunt struggled with his command in Triple-A and posted a 5.42 ERA across 104 innings. Whisenhunt possesses one of the best changeups in all of minor league baseball. The pitch generates more than 14″ of arm-side run and is certainly a plus offering. Whisenhunt has also posted strong strikeout rates throughout his professional career, and pitching in the PCL is no easy feat. Whisenhunt should find himself pitching in San Francisco at some point in 2025 and has the strikeout upside to become a fantasy-relevant asset.
Jack Choate– LHP
A tall lanky left-handed pitcher, Jack Choate worked his way up to Double-A last season. All of Choate’s offerings play up thanks to his unique arm angle and the deception that plays along with it. Choate likes to work his fastball up with arm-side run, but mediocre velocity could get him in trouble against tougher competition. Choate’s best offering is his changeup that dives away from right-handed batters and is a pitch he locates well. Although he lacks elite fantasy upside, Choate turns 24 in April and could make his Major League debut next season.
Carson Ragsdale– RHP
Carson Ragsdale was drafted in the fourth round by the Phillies back in 2019 but was traded before he ever pitched for the organization. He has since worked his way to Triple-A in San Francisco’s organization and is now 26 years old. Ragsdale relies heavily on his fastball and curveball, throwing those two pitches over 80% of the time. His four-seam has good vertical break but Ragsdale struggles to command it consistently, leading to high home run rates. His curveball profiles close to average. Now on the 40-man roster, Ragsdale will likely find himself pitching in San Francisco at some point in 2025. He is unlikely to become a relevant fantasy asset.
Photos by Icon Sports Wire and Wikipedia | Adapted by Carlos Leano