10. Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves: Sale’s last three seasons in Boston were a nightmare as he couldn’t shrug off the injury bug. He joined Atlanta, via trade, before the 2024 season, regaining his past form and winning the 2024 NL Cy Young Award. After making 31 starts from 2021-2023, Sale finished 2024 with 29 GS finishing with a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177.2 IP. Chris Sale always comes with injury risk, but his elite strikeout potential is worth the risk. The southpaw had a rejuvenated 2024 season, but as he turns 36 in March, the question is how much does he have left in the tank?
9. Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox
From the start of the 2024 season until June, Crochet was the most dominant pitcher in MLB. In July, the White Sox started to monitor Crochet’s workload, and rightfully so. Tommy John surgery caused the flame-throwing lefty to miss the entire 2022 season. He made 13 relief appearances in 2023, last season saw Crochet unleash his arsenal making 32 starts and finishing with a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 209 strikeouts in 146 IP. He enters this season as a member of the Red Sox and will take another step in his second season starting. Fantasy baseball players should expect Garrett Crochet to finish top-5 in strikeouts.
8. Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks
After spending his first six seasons in the National League, Burns pitched 2025 in the AL East. As expected, his WHIP and hits surrendered increased while seeing a career-low 8.4 K/9. Burnes had a strong 2024 season, albeit with regression in a few areas. He enters 2025 with Arizona and lineups that roster Burnes should expect another top-10 quality season.
7. Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres
Cease has been electric since his first full season in 2021. He enters 2025 with four straight seasons with 200+ strikeouts. Before 2024, the one knock on Dylan Cease was walks surrendered. He cut down on free passes and finished with a career-best 3.4 K/BB. Cease’s ADP sees him drafted at the end of the third round, and this is value for a front-line starter who will be among the league leaders in strikeouts.
6. Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
Cole’s 2024 season was disappointing as an elbow injury limited the Yankees ace to 17 starts. There were hiccups along the way as he walked an unusually high number of batters. However, this was to be expected as he never pitched during Spring Training. Fast-forward to this season and Cole has no limitations entering Spring Training. Assuming his elbow issues are a thing of the past, Cole should have another season as a top-10 starting pitcher anchoring fantasy teams.
5. Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners
Gilbert has progressed each year during his first four seasons in the Majors. 2024 saw him reach 200+ IP and 200+ strikeouts for the first time in his career. His current ADP sees him taken as the fifth starting pitcher, and this is a steal for anyone who can grab Gilbert on the first-round/second-round turn in fantasy baseball drafts.
4. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani assumed a full DH role in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. He will be back on the mound in 2025, and fantasy baseball players should be ecstatic for his return. Through his five seasons pitching with the Angels, Ohtani posted a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 608 strikeouts in 481.2 IP. He’s a surefire number one starter but has only made more than 23 starts once. In 2022, Ohtani made 28 starts finishing with a 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 219 strikeouts in 166 IP. Should he come close to replicating 2022, fantasy owners are getting a CY Young-caliber starter.
3. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates’ NL Rookie of the Year showed all baseball fans why he’s a generational talent. Over 23 starts, Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 170 strikeouts in 133 IP. If qualified, his 11.5 K/9 would have led MLB. What makes Paul Skenes special is his front-line starter build and mentality. He generates great power, through his lower half, which should aid in career longevity. He puts in off-season work, and his dominant mentality gives him the edge regardless of the count. He will take another leap in year two and he can easily finish the season as the MLB strikeout leader.
2. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
Wheeler has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers since his 2020 arrival in Philadelphia. In three of the last four seasons, Zack Wheeler has 200+ strikeouts, an ERA below 3.00, and WHIP under 1.08 in four straight seasons. He will turn 35 in May but shows no signs of slowing down. Fantasy baseball players that select Wheeler should be excited for a rotation anchor that will again have 200+ strikeouts and WHIP below 1.10.
1. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
The 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner takes the top spot in 2025. Skubal fared well in his first 20+ start season after undergoing flexor tendon surgery in August 2023. He made 31 starts going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 IP. There is always a risk with a pitcher who’s undergone multiple surgeries, but Skubal is a top starting arm in fantasy baseball. Skubal should be pegged for another 200+ strikeout season.