The 2025 fantasy baseball season is kicking off with an eye on young pitchers who possess elite potential, particularly those with impressive Stuff+ ratings. The Stuff+ metric, developed by Eno Sarris, gauges the effectiveness of a pitch based on its velocity, movement, and spin rates. This year, several pitchers are emerging as breakout candidates, including Aaron Civale of the Milwaukee Brewers, whose curveball and slider show promise but are underutilized in his arsenal. Taj Bradley from the Tampa Bay Rays is also a name to watch; despite inconsistency, he displayed moments of brilliance in 2024, lowering his ERA significantly. Ryan Pepiot, another promising player from the Rays, is considered for his solid second-half performance, while Luis Gil of the New York Yankees raises some skepticism due to persistent control issues despite his potential. Lastly, Spencer Schwellenbach of the Atlanta Braves is attracting attention for his standout metrics, making him a top sleeper pick.

The Toolshed Podcast episode 376 brings a focus on promising pitchers to target for fantasy baseball in 2025, featuring insights from hosts Eric Cross and Chris Clegg along with guest Michael Simione. Key players discussed include Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros, who has showcased commendable skills in the minors and majors, Grayson Rodriguez from the Baltimore Orioles, celebrated for his high strikeout rates, and Ryan Pepiot of the Tampa Bay Rays, known for his effective pitching style and potential to excel further. This episode is essential for dynasty league participants looking to bolster their pitching lineups for the future.

The 2025 fantasy baseball season is shaping up to be an exciting one, especially with emerging players like Taylor Ward and Ryan Pepiot making headlines as potential sleeper picks. Ward, hitting for the Los Angeles Angels, may not be the flashiest choice, but his consistent performance in the past season suggests he could exceed his ADP of 187, with projections of 25 home runs and 78 RBIs. Meanwhile, Pepiot of the Tampa Bay Rays showcased promising skills with a 3.60 ERA last year, making him a valuable selection at his ADP of 195.

Shane Baz, also from the Rays, is looking to bounce back after injury, while Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks finished strong last season. Not to be overlooked, Nick Castellanos continues to be a low-risk option for fantasy managers, consistently outperforming his ADP. Lastly, Randy Arozarena's 20-20 potential makes him a major sleeper despite a rough previous season. These players represent fantastic late-round picks for this year's fantasy drafts.

The Tampa Bay Rays are close to finalizing a trade that will send left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs to the Oakland Athletics. In return, the Rays will receive right-handed pitchers Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, along with first baseman Will Simpson, plus a compensation A round draft pick.

Springs, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a solid four-year tenure with the Rays, posting an impressive 2.63 ERA. This trade marks a significant move for both teams as the Athletics look to bolster their rotation while the Rays continue to manage their pitching depth.

Ryan Pepiot has secured a pre-arbitration bonus in 2024 after joining the Tampa Bay Rays, making him one of 101 players to benefit from the league's bonus pool. The $50 million pool rewards players with less than three years of MLB service time based on performance metrics.

Pepiot received a $236,000 bonus, ranking 98th among recipients. He had a solid season with the Rays, posting an 8-8 record and a 3.60 ERA, contributing to the team's rotation after his trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers.