Cole Ragans DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans has signed a new extension with the organization on Friday. The southpaw has reached a three-year, $13.25 million contract extension with the Royals. This deal will cover the upcoming 2025 campaign and two seasons of arbitration eligibility. At first glance, this seems like a steal for the Royals considering Ragans is one of the best left-handed starters in the MLB right now. However, the 2024 campaign was also Ragans first year with over 100 innings pitched, so this extension does give him some financial security in case of an injury or possible regression. Although, the 27-year-old appears to only be getting better after his fantastic 2024 campaign. Ragans posted a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 223/67 K/BB ratio across 32 starts. The Royals are hopeful that Ragans can be their ace for the foreseeable future.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf) is lined up to start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Veteran right-hander Michael Wacha will get the opener in Game 1 on Saturday. Ragans was forced from his outing in Game 1 of the Wild-Card series versus the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday due to left-calf cramping, but he still managed to throw six shutout innings in the victory and will be able to make his next start in the Division Series. Ragans was the Royals' ace in 2024, going 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 223 strikeouts in 186 1/3 innings over his 32 starts. The 26-year-old southpaw faced the Yankees just once in 2024, picking up a quality start by allowing two earned runs with three walks and seven strikeouts in six innings pitched for a no-decision back on Sept. 11 in the Bronx. Ragans will be facing one of baseball's best offenses, but he has the stuff to shut them down if he's on.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf) was pulled from his start early on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Game 1 of the wild-card series with left-calf cramps. Ragans said his leg cramped up with two batters left in his final inning and could have gone back out. He will be ready to go in the ALDS against the New York Yankees if the Royals advance past the Orioles this week. Before departing, Ragans threw six shutout innings with four hits allowed, no walks and eight strikeouts to pick up the victory in the eventual 1-0 win. The 26-year-old southpaw was on his game on Tuesday and will now hope to pitch again versus the Yankees at some point next week. The former 30th overall pick of the Texas Rangers in 2016 was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and went 11-9 during 32 regular-season starts (186 1/3 innings) with a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a career-high 223 strikeouts as KC's ace.