Nick Pivetta DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta tossed 2 2/3 shutout frames in his spring training debut on Tuesday. Pivetta signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Padres in February and was slightly behind schedule to start camp. However, the 32-year-old looked sharp in his first taste of game action as he tallied four punchouts and allowed just one base runner (via a free pass). Last season, Pivetta logged 145 2/3 innings with a 4.14 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP with the Boston Red Sox. He tallied an impressive 172 strikeouts and held a strong 6.1 percent walk rate. He also generated a 3.51 xERA with a .221 xBA, suggesting he should see significant positive regression during the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers should view Pivetta as an intriguing option in the later rounds when looking to boost their strikeout totals.

The Toronto Blue Jays are among the many teams that are interested in free-agent right-hander Nick Pivetta, who is a Canadian native. Pivetta declined a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox, so any team willing to sign him in free agency will have to give up draft-pick compensation to Boston. Despite never having an ERA under 4.00 in eight major-league seasons, Pivetta has a strong market this offseason as a free agent. The 31-year-old had a 4.14 ERA (4.07 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP and a 172:36 K:BB in 145 2/3 innings over 27 outings (26 starts) for Boston in 2024. Strikeouts are the main draw with Pivetta after having over a 30% strikeout rate the last two seasons. When he does allow contact, though, it's typically hard, and home runs have been an issue. A move out of the American League East would probably be a plus for his fantasy value in 2025.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Cincinnati Reds have checked in on free-agent starting pitcher Nick Pivetta. Sherman also noted that the Reds tried to acquire lefty Garrett Crochet, who was eventually traded to the Boston Red Sox earlier on Wednesday. Last season, Pivetta posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 145 2/3 innings of work. He generated an excellent 28.9% strikeout rate and showed great command with a 6.1% walk rate. However, he generated ground balls at a weak 33.4% rate and allowed hard contact at a high 38.9% mark. The Reds have already been active this offseason, acquiring starting pitching, as they've traded for Brady Singer and re-signed Nick Martinez, and adding a high-upside strikeout option in Pivetta would further strengthen this relatively weak rotation.