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- Apr 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after striking out Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (12) (not pictured) during the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

MLB Starting Pitchers Who Are Making Waves in 2025

Originally posted on Total Apex Fantasy Sports
By Mitch Pritchard | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 3:43 PM ET

The baseball season has just begun, but it is never too early to take a look at the top Starting Pitchers. Here is a breakdown of the top 10 overall, the next 10 to keep an eye on, and the 10 that are worth a spot on your roster for MLB redraft. With fantasy baseball fully kicked off and in the thick of things early on, let’s take a look at who’s been hot or cold pitching-wise in 2025.

Top 10 MLB SPs

Tarik Skubal (Tigers): Southpaw was 18-4 last season with a 2.39 ERA. He is 2-2 so far, but his ERA is still under 3.00.
Paul Skenes (Pirates): The 22-year-old was a first-round pick in 2023. He was 11-3 last season with a 1.96 ERA.
Corbin Burnes (Diamondbacks): He was 15-9 last season with a 2.92 ERA, but is off to a rough start this season at 0-1 with a 3.28 ERA.
Zack Wheeler (Phillies): The veteran right-hander was 16-7 last season with a 2.57 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 4.07 ERA to start this season.
Chris Sale (Braves): Southpaw was 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA last season. This season, he is suffering from a cursed Braves team that can’t seem to get anything done. He is 0-2 with a 6.63 ERA.
Logan Webb (Giants): Right-hander was 13-10 last season, but is the opposite of Sale. He is benefiting from a Giants team that can do no wrong in the early going. He is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA.
Robbie Ray (Giants): Veteran southpaw is also benefiting from the Giants’ start at 3-0 with a 2.92 ERA.
Spencer Strider (Braves): Right-hander is back after elbow surgery last year. He should be a big boost for the struggling Braves.
Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks): The Arizona pitcher was 14-6 last season, but is off to a rocky start at 1-2 with a 4.64 ERA.
Blake Snell (Dodgers): The right-hander is on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. Los Angeles is in no rush to bring him back.

Starting Pitchers on the Brink

Logan Gilbert (Mariners): He was only 9-12 last season, but has a huge upside. He is 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA so far.
Luis Castillo (Mariners): Veteran is always solid, but is also off to a tough start at 1-2 with a 4.22 ERA.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers): The 26-year-old pitcher is in his second season pitching in MLB and is off to a solid 2-1 start with a 1.23 ERA.
Dylan Cease (Padres): Right-hander is off to a tough start with a 1-1 record and a 6.64 ERA.
Tyler Glasnow (Dodgers): He is growing into one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. However, he is only 1-0 with a 4.85 ERA to start the season.
Joe Ryan (Twins): The 28-year-old is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA. He was 7-7 last season with 147 strikeouts.
Garrett Crochet (Red Sox): After a tough 6-12 record last season, he is off to a 2-1 record with a 1.38 ERA for a very good Boston team.
Justin Verlander (Giants): He is 42 and off to a 0-1 start with a 6.75 ERA, but he is still Justin Verlander.
Pablo Lopez (Twins): He was off to a solid start until a hamstring strain sidelined him for a few weeks.
Kodai Senga (Mets): Right-hander only had one win in an injury-plagued season in 2024, but he is reaching his potential this season at 2-1 with a 1.06 ERA.

Who are these Guys?

Apr 15, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. All players wore #42 for Jackie Robinson Day. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Note: These pitchers aren’t really new. Most were just not drafted high, but are off to a great start.

Max Fried ( Yankees): The southpaw fell back somewhat with the Braves last season, but is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in the Bronx.
Hunter Greene (Reds): The 25-year-old was 9-5 with a 2.75 ERA last season. He is off to a 2-1 start with a 0.98 ERA this season.
Michael King (Padres): Right-hander is off to a 3-0 start with a 2.42 ERA for a team that should win all season.
Tyler Mahle (Rangers): He only started three games last year as a pitcher for Texas, but the 30-year-old is 3-0 with a 0.92 ERA this season.
Sonny Gray (Cardinals): He may be 35, but he is pitching like someone much younger. He is 3-0 with a 3.13 ERA.
Jesus Luzardo (Phillies): The often-injured southpaw toiled as the ace of the Marlins for three years, but now is off to a solid 2-0 start with a 2.31 ERA for a contender.
Shane Baz (Rays): The 25-year-old, right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA to start the season.
Shota Imanaga (Cubs): The 31-year-old southpaw was 15-3 last season with a 2.91 ERA and is well on his way to another solid season. He is 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA.
Hunter Brown ( Astros): He was only 11-9 last season, but struck out 179 in 170 innings. He is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA and has struck out 22 in 24 innings.
Cole Ragans (Royals): The southpaw is 1-0 with a 2.28 ERA and has struck out a whopping 34 in 23 innings. Last season, he struck out 223 in 186 innings.

The sleeper pitcher is the best player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers . Shoulder issues have kept him off the mound for more than a year, but Los Angeles expects him back sometime this year. A sleeper pitcher who is actually pitching is southpaw Jeffrey Springs of the A’s. He is 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Fantasy Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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