Top 5 Starting Pitchers to Draft in Fantasy Baseball for 2025
Lock in your fantasy baseball rotation with these elite starters. From Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to rookie phenom Paul Skenes, these pitchers are must-draft options.
With fantasy baseball managers already mapping out their draft strategies, now is the time to take a really close look at what starting pitchers are on the table.
SPs play one of the biggest roles in fantasy, and getting an ace or two can make all the difference in your lineup. Whether you're looking for dominant strikeout artists, ERA leaders, or workhorses who can put up big innings and even complete games, these 5 pitchers are the best of the best heading into 2025 and all will likely go in the first or second round.
| Rank | Player | Team | Wins | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarik Skubal | Tigers | 18 | 2.39 | 228 |
| 2 | Paul Skenes | Pirates | 11 | 1.96 | 170 |
| 3 | Zack Wheeler | Phillies | 16 | 2.57 | 224 |
| 4 | Logan Gilbert | Mariners | 9 | 3.23 | 220 |
| 5 | Shohei Ohtani | Dodgers | - | - | - |
1. Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers)
There’s no surprise with this one as Skubal was the best pitcher in the American League last season. He won the AL Cy Young Award unanimously and it’s easy to see why.
He led the league with 18 wins, an insane 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts over 31 starts. This was good enough to secure the AL pitching Triple Crown.
His dominance was undeniable. His command gave him the ability to limit walks which made him even more impressive — he had fewer than 9 walks in his first 6 starts while striking out over 40 batters.
Skubal also made the All-Star team and pitched a perfect inning in the game. Against the elite batters of the NL, this just further proves his elite status.
At just 28 years old, he’s well in his prime and should be one of the first pitchers off the board in most fantasy drafts.
If you need an ace, and we all do, Skubal is the best pick of the draft.
2. Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Skenes was just a rookie in 2024, but he pitched like a seasoned veteran. The world watched as he took the mound for the first time in Pittsburgh and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
He finished the year with a solid 11-3 record, a 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts over 23 starts — and he didn’t even pitch a full season as he got called up a month and a half into the season.
Of course, his dominance earned him NL Rookie of the Year and a third-place finish in the Cy Young voting which is simply an incredible achievement for a first-year pitcher.
Skenes also became the first rookie in years to start the All-Star Game for the National League. His stuff is absolutely electric, and his command is well beyond his years. Even if you’re not a fan of the Pirates, it’s still fun watching what this young phenom can do from the mound.
If you’re looking for a young pitcher with elite upside, Skenes is the perfect fantasy pick. His only question mark is innings — he made just 23 starts last year, so Pittsburgh may limit his workload a bit as they continue to develop him.
Still, his talent makes him a must-draft SP.
3. Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies)
Wheeler has been one of baseball’s most consistent aces since 2013, and 2024 was no different.
He went 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA, 224 strikeouts, and a 0.96 WHIP in 200 innings. He ranked in the top 3 in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, proving his dominance on the bump.
What makes Wheeler even more valuable in fantasy is his durability. Sure, he’s getting older, but keep in mind that he made 32 starts, giving fantasy managers plenty of innings and strikeouts.
At 34, he’s still pitching at an elite level and that surprises us. On top of that, the Phillies’ strong lineup will give him plenty of run support which translates to more wins.
If you’re looking for a reliable, premier starter, Wheeler is a quick pick you won’t want to pass up.
4. Logan Gilbert (Seattle Mariners)
Gilbert’s win-loss record of 9-12 didn’t reflect just how dominant he was in 2024. The bats simply weren’t getting the job done in Seattle.
He posted a decent 3.23 ERA with 220 strikeouts and an incredible 0.89 WHIP over 208.2 innings. He also led all pitchers in innings pitched, just underscoring the fact that he’s a true workhorse.
His 220 strikeouts ranked 6th in the league and just 8 behind the MLB leader. Despite not getting much run support from the Mariners, he was one of the most valuable pitchers in terms of strikeouts and WHIP — both of which are important in head-to-head and rotisserie leagues.
If you want an innings-eater who will give you tons of strikeouts and a low ERA on top of that, Gilbert is an underrated but strong fantasy option.
5. Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Ohtani didn’t pitch in 2024 due to elbow surgery, but he’s set to return to the mound in 2025 and fantasy managers are itching to see what he can do.
Over the past few weeks, he threw a bullpen session with fastball velocities between 92-94 mph. However, the Dodgers expect him to start pitching in games around May which means he won’t pitch a full season, but he’ll still be an impact arm. This is where he could be a gamble.
Fantasy projections for 2025 estimate he’ll throw around 118 innings with 138 strikeouts, 9 wins, and a 3.46 ERA. Of course, those are just computer estimates, but those numbers suggest to us that he’ll be valuable, even in limited action.
Ohtani is a unique fantasy player because of his two-way ability. Even if he only pitches half a season, his hitting numbers alone make him a top-tier fantasy pick. If your league allows daily lineup changes, his flexibility is a huge advantage.
Get Your Fantasy Baseball Rotation Ready
Starting pitching is always one of the most critical parts of fantasy baseball, and these 5 pitchers should be at the top of your draft board.
Skubal is the No. 1 choice after winning the AL Cy Young and notching a Triple Crown. Skenes has elite potential after an incredible rookie year, though, we’re not so sure he’ll hit the 200 inning mark. Wheeler remains a dominant workhorse and won’t disappoint, while Gilbert provides durability and strikeouts. Ohtani, even in a somewhat shortened season, is still one of the most exciting fantasy options on both sides of the ball.
Spring training kicks off later today with the Cubs and Dodgers and we’ll start to see some of these starting pitchers in action. Get your draft board ready and good luck in the draft!
