MLB fantasy: 10 must-have pitchers

Great pitching is essential for fantasy success. Here are 10 must-have hurlers to keep an eye out for on draft day who could help win a league title.

Average draft positions are from FantasyPros as of March 7.

Paul Skenes, Pirates - SP (ADP: 13)

Skenes might be the most hyped fantasy pitcher ever after his smashing success in 2024, which included winning NL Rookie of the Year, finishing third in NL Cy Young voting, and starting the All-Star Game. How can he top that? Well, the 22-year-old has been working on adding a cutter and running two-seam fastball to his arsenal. The right-hander is also set to pitch in his first full season. So, expect more wins, strikeouts, and quality starts after he logged 133 innings last year following his mid-May debut.

Garrett Crochet, Red Sox - SP (ADP: 36)

Crochet is another young pitcher with monster upside. The 25-year-old enters the season with no workload restrictions following 146 innings last season in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. This means the All-Star left-hander will be a serious threat to lead the majors in strikeouts after posting a 12.9 K/9 in 2024. A trade to the Red Sox from the putrid White Sox should also keep Crochet right in the middle of a heated playoff race for the whole campaign.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers - SP (ADP: 58)

It's easy to forget about Yamamoto in a rotation that'll also feature Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki. However, there's a reason why the Dodgers gave the 26-year-old right-hander a $325-million contract last winter. He authored a 3.00 ERA with 1.11 WHIP and 105 strikeouts over just 90 innings last year after missing significant time due to a shoulder injury. However, he's healthy now, has proven in Japan that he can carry a big workload, and should have less pressure on him with so many other star pitchers.

Michael King, Padres - SP (ADP: 59)

King established himself as one of the NL's best hurlers in his first season as a full-time starter. The 29-year-old went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 201 strikeouts over a career-high 173 2/3 innings - a massive jump from the 104 2/3 innings he logged with the Yankees in 2023. The right-hander has a 2026 mutual option but will surely be motivated to test free agency next winter if he has another big year.

Devin Williams, Yankees - RP (ADP: 61)

Williams will get plenty of attention now that he's with the Yankees after being an under-the-radar star with the Brewers. The right-hander owns a 1.70 ERA with 68 saves and an eye-popping 14.6 K/9 over 228 appearances since 2020. It's hard to imagine that the 30-year-old can put up even better numbers, but he's set to face many hitters who've never seen him before while closing for a World Series contender during a walk year. So, his stock might never be higher as a sure thing in a volatile fantasy position.

Mason Miller, Athletics - RP (ADP: 72)

Miller could find himself as the top fantasy reliever at the end of the season if he continues his development on the heels of a big 2024 breakout campaign. The 26-year-old flamethrower finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting, posting a 2.49 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 28 saves, and 104 strikeouts across 65 innings. He should be in line for more save opportunities in 2025 on an Athletics club that looks like it's finally turned the page on a prolonged rebuild.

Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles - SP (ADP: 105)

Rodriguez's breakout season was delayed by a year after being limited to 116 2/3 innings because of a lat/teres strain. Yet he still went 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA and 10 K/9. The 25-year-old right-hander will now be leaned on as the staff ace with Corbin Burnes' departure and Kyle Bradish's recovery from Tommy John surgery. Rodriguez's fastball velocity, chase percentage, whiff percentage, and strikeout percentage suggest he's got the tools to be a dominant starter. However, his injury status is worth monitoring this spring as he's already slated to start the season on the injured list with a triceps issue.

Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks - SP (ADP: 112)

There are 33 pitchers ranked higher than Gallen this year after the right-hander had an ADP of 36 prior to the 2024 campaign. The 29-year-old was limited to 148 innings (28 starts) due to injuries last season but went a combined 29-13 with a 3.04 ERA and 412 strikeouts over 394 innings to finish as an NL Cy Young finalist in 2023 and fifth in voting for the award in 2022. He's very good when healthy and is primed for a big season with free agency looming next winter.

Shane McClanahan, Rays - SP (ADP: 125)

McClanahan could be one of the steals of the draft if he returns to the form that saw him become a strong AL Cy Young contender. The 27-year-old also enters the 2025 season without any restrictions after recovering from Tommy John surgery, which is key for his fantasy value. The left-hander owns a career 33-16 record with a 3.02 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, and 36 quality starts.

Tanner Scott, Dodgers - RP (ADP: 163)

Scott is going to have the first shot at running with the closing job for MLB's best team after inking a four-year, $72-million contract. The 30-year-old could share save opportunities with Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, and Evan Phillips throughout the season. Yet the Dodgers may make a run at the all-time single-season wins record, which means the All-Star left-hander should easily blow by his career-high 22 saves from last season or provide plenty of holds for leagues that value high-leverage relievers.