- Thu Feb 27, 2025 5:30 am
#7020
Corbin Burnes has been a hot topic in fantasy baseball circles, and for good reason. With his current ADP placing him among the top 40 overall players, many are left scratching their heads. Is he truly worth that high of a draft pick, or is he one of the most overrated pitchers heading into 2025?
Let’s break it down. Burnes finished the second half of last season with a 3.69 ERA and an 8.4 K/9 rate over 75 2/3 innings. Those numbers don’t scream elite, especially when you compare them to other pitchers who are being drafted later. For instance, MacKenzie Gore and Edward Cabrera posted similar or even better stats, yet they’re not getting the same love from drafters.
What’s even more concerning is Burnes’ reliance on his cutter, which has seen a significant drop in effectiveness. His batting average against that pitch jumped to .251, and his overall WHIFF% and PutAway% have declined. With a curveball that’s only slightly above average and a fastball that’s losing its edge, it begs the question: how much longer can he maintain his status as a top-tier starter?
Here’s where I want to hear from you. Are you willing to take the plunge on Burnes in the early rounds, or do you see him as a player to avoid? What’s your strategy when it comes to drafting pitchers who have shown signs of decline?
And let’s not stop there. Who are some of the pitchers you’d rather have over Burnes, and why? Is there a bold prediction you’d make about his performance this season?
Let’s get the conversation rolling!
Let’s break it down. Burnes finished the second half of last season with a 3.69 ERA and an 8.4 K/9 rate over 75 2/3 innings. Those numbers don’t scream elite, especially when you compare them to other pitchers who are being drafted later. For instance, MacKenzie Gore and Edward Cabrera posted similar or even better stats, yet they’re not getting the same love from drafters.
What’s even more concerning is Burnes’ reliance on his cutter, which has seen a significant drop in effectiveness. His batting average against that pitch jumped to .251, and his overall WHIFF% and PutAway% have declined. With a curveball that’s only slightly above average and a fastball that’s losing its edge, it begs the question: how much longer can he maintain his status as a top-tier starter?
Here’s where I want to hear from you. Are you willing to take the plunge on Burnes in the early rounds, or do you see him as a player to avoid? What’s your strategy when it comes to drafting pitchers who have shown signs of decline?
And let’s not stop there. Who are some of the pitchers you’d rather have over Burnes, and why? Is there a bold prediction you’d make about his performance this season?
Let’s get the conversation rolling!
- By Anonymous