Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, who won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2024 after posting a 1.96 ERA in 133 innings pitched, said he wants to attack the strike zone more in his sophomore season. Skenes was significantly below Braves lefty Chris Sale and Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal, the NL and AL Cy Young winners, respectively, in first-strike percentage at 62.1%. He ranked 71st in overall strike percentage (66.1%) among pitchers with more than 1,000 pitches thrown. Despite not having pitched in a full season at the major-league level yet, the former LSU star is already one of the best pitchers in baseball and is currently ranked as the No. 3 overall fantasy hurler, behind only Shohei Ohtani and Skubal. Pounding the zone more often will only make Skenes more tough, as no hitter in baseball wants to get behind in the count early to a pitcher with his nasty arsenal.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Ryder Ryan to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. Ryder logged 20 2/3 innings with the Pirates last season and posted a 5.66 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He struck out 17 batters and posted a high 9.7% walk rate. Through 41 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis, Ryan posted a 4.61 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP with a 15:34 BB:K ratio. Across 200 1/3 career frames at the Triple-A level, the North Carolina product holds a 4.31 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Ryan to compete for a spot in the bullpen during spring training but will likely open the campaign at Triple-A given his lack of big league experience and success.

According to MLB.com, the San Diego Padres have signed second baseman Niko Goodrum to a minor-league deal. Goodrum made only 13 appearances in the major leagues last summer, split between Tampa Bay and Los Angeles. Across this brief stint, the infielder posted a .103/.188/.103 line. Through 60 games at the Triple-A level, the 32-year-old posted a .284/.374/.460 line with eight doubles, seven home runs, and seven stolen bases. Goodrum's most productive seasons in the majors were during 2018 and 2019 where he posted a cumulative .247/.318/.427 line. Fantasy managers should expect the veteran to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he will likely open the summer at the Triple-A level, given his lack of big league production in recent years.

According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton (knee) is expected to be ready for spring training. Stratton underwent a season-ending knee operation to repair a ruptured patella tendon but recently posted a video of himself throwing off a mound on his personal social media. Stratton inked a minor-league deal earlier this offseason with the Pirates, but seeing his current status, he will likely contribute in the major league bullpen through most of the 2025 season. Last summer, the 28-year-old logged 37 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.58 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He showed strong command with a 4.4% walk rate and generated a solid 3.29 xERA, which suggests he could be in store for some positive regression in 2025. He will likely return to a high-leverage role this upcoming season.

According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, the Colorado Rockies have signed right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. The 28-year-old spent time with the White Sox and Pirates during the 2024 season and held a 7.97 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP across 35 innings of work. In 2023, he held a similar 6.23 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP through 47 2/3 innings of work with St. Louis. This was a sharp decline from the career-best 2.23 ERA and 1.12 WHIP he posted during the 2022 season. Through 407 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, he has held a 4.00 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. With the Rockies inviting several top pitching prospects to spring training, such as Chase Dollander and Sean Sullivan, Woodford will likely compete for a spot in the back end of the starting rotation if the young arms struggle in their first taste of the majors.