Jakob Junis DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, the Cleveland Guardians have signed right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. McDaniel noted that Junis could work as both a starter and a reliever for the Guardians. Last season, Junis logged 67 innings with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. During the season, he appeared in 24 games and started six of them. He held a 2.69 ERA with a strong 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command of his pitches with a 3.2 percent walk rate. However, he generated a modest 3.80 xERA, which suggests he will likely face some regression during the 2025 campaign. During spring training, fantasy managers should expect Junis to compete for the final spot in the rotation.

According to James Fox of FutureSox, the Chicago White Sox are showing interest in free-agent right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis. The 32-year-old has been deployed as both a reliever and starter throughout his big-league career. Last season, Junis spent time with both the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. Across 67 frames, the 32-year-old held a solid 2.69 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command with a stellar 3.2% walk rate but struggled to generate whiffs as he held an underwhelming 20.2% strikeout rate. In addition, he posted a poor 42.4% hard-hit rate and 38.7% ground-ball rate, which suggests he could be due for some regression during the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status, as he could be a viable low-end starting pitcher in AL/NL-only formats if he can sign a 2025 contract.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jakob Junis (personal) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field due to personal reasons and is now expected to start on Wednesday. Right-hander Carson Spiers will make a spot start on Tuesday in Cleveland as a result. Junis will now have an extra day of rest before facing the Guardians on the road in the final week of the 2024 regular season. The 32-year-old has been great all year, but especially of late, allowing only three earned runs on eight hits while walking just one and fanning 15 over 19 2/3 innings in his last four starts against the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. Junis has only thrown 62 innings in 2024 due to injury, but he's posted a nice 2.61 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 23 outings (five starts) when healthy.