Last Updated on February 17, 2025 4:31 pm by André Lemos | Published: January 31, 2025

2024 saw a lot of players breakout and really provide value for fantasy managers. Some were rookies like Paul Skenes and others were vets that just decided they were really, really good like Seth Lugo. Others were former bullpen arms that found their footing as starters like Garrett Crochet and Ronel Blanco (among others).

Whatever their past, 2024 presented a new future for these dudes. The question that needs to be answered for the 2025 draft season is this:

Real or Mirage?

Paul Skenes

2024: 11-3, 1.96 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 33.1% strikeout rate, 6.2% walk rate

Analysis: The rookie season for one of the games top prospects could not have gone any better. The Pirates did not shut him down as he made 23 starts with 15 quality starts, so he went 6+ innings a lot. They did have some restrictions on him as he threw 133.0 innings in 23 starts (plus 27.1 in Triple-A, seven starts). This should give managers hope he can handle a starter’s workload as he averaged five innings per start combined between Triple-A and MLB (150 innings in 30 starts).

This really is the only concern with Skenes. The stuff is electric. The 1.96 ERA is supported by a 2.53 xERA, 2.44 FIP and 2.71 SIERA. He allowed a ton of ground balls and soft contact (whenever anyone was able to make contact as he had a 13.1% SwStr%). Don’t over think this one.

Verdict: Real. He should probably be one of the first starting pitchers drafted in 2025, if not the top one.

Garrett Crochet

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Paul Williamson

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