2025 Fantasy Baseball: Spencer Arrighetti Profile, Preview, Predictions
Down the stretch of 2024, Spencer Arrighetti found his rhythm on the mound, leading to multiple double-digit strikeout games. However, his overall body of work last season was a liability to fantasy teams in terms of ERA (4.53) and WHIP (1.407).
Spencer Arrighetti's 9th and 10th Ks. pic.twitter.com/MalBS0ZQFi
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 10, 2024
SP – Spencer Arrighetti, HOU (ADP – 207.9)
The Astros drafted Arrighetti in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft after improving in college (7-6 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts over 83.2 innings). His walk rate (4.4) was an issue over four seasons in the minors, leading to a 4.37 ERA, 1.334 WHIP, and 325 strikeouts over 253.1 innings. Despite struggles at AAA (4.35 ERA, 1.369 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts over 72.1 innings), Houston called him up after two starts (two runs, 14 baserunners, and 10 strikeouts over 8.1 innings) in 2024.
Major league batters had their way with him over his first 15 outings (4-7 with a 6.13 ERA, 1.652 WHIP, and 10 home runs over 69.0 innings with 80 strikeouts). Arrighetti transformed into a valuable fantasy asset over his final 14 games (3.08 ERA, 1.184 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts over 76.0 innings), but he did battle home runs (11). Over this span, his walk rate (3.1) was much better than his previous resume (5.1 walks per nine over his first 69.0 innings with the Astros).
His average fastball (94.2) beat the league average. Arrighetti mixed in a curveball, cutter, slider, and changeup. Three pitches had winning value against left-handed batters (CB – .180 BAA, CT – .125 BAA, and a show-me slider – .111 BAA), but they drilled his changeup (.395 BAA) with success vs. his four-seamer (.281 BAA and .512 SLG). He had more success with his slider (.146 BAA) against righties, along with his curveball (.132 BAA).
Fantasy Outlook: This draft season, the fantasy market will be drawn to his growth over the second half of 2024, highlighted by four double-digit strikeout games (10, 12, 13, and 11). His success starts with getting ahead in the count, allowing him to take advantage of his swing-and-miss curveball and slider (87 combined K’s last year).
I understand the temptation, but there will be many down days and bad innings when Arrighetti battles walks and home runs. If his fastball improves this spring, the top of the strike zone will be easier to control with high heat. I see WHIP risk while understanding that he will be better in 2025.
Other Starting PItching Options
Top 5 Starting Pitchers | Starting Pitchers 6-10 | Starting Pitchers 11-15 | Starting Pitchers 16-20 | Starting Pitchers 21-25 | Starting Pitchers 26-30 | Starting Pitchers 31-35 | Starting Pitchers 36-40 | Starting Pitchers 41-45 | Starting Pitchers 46-50 | Starting Pitchers 51-55 | Starting Pitchers 56-60 | Starting Pitchers 61-65 | Starting Pitchers 66-70 | Starting Pitchers 71-75
With 20+ years of experience in the high-stakes fantasy market, I aim to research and compete at the highest level in baseball and football each season. I've contributed as a writer/analyst for Sports Draft Daily, ScoutPro, Scout Fantasy, Fulltime Fantasy, FFToolbox, and Sports Illustrated Fantasy. I'm honored to be in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship Hall of Fame. My drafting philosophy is risk-averse yet open to betting on potential game-changers. I approach player selection with a neutral perspective, acknowledging that fantasy sports are inherently unpredictable due to injuries, performance dips, and managerial decisions. My work focuses on these main areas: - Season-long fantasy baseball and football - BestBall Baseball and Football Events - Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): DraftKings, FanDuel, and Underdog - Long Shot Player Prop Parlays for NFL I participate in various leagues and contests, including NFBC, NFFC, RTSports, FFPC, DraftKings, Underdog Fantasy, FanDuel, and FFWC, with the goal of leveraging my extensive experience and research for success in each game format. A fantasy follower can expect in-depth profiles of NFL and MLB players, along with season-long and weekly projections for each fantasy football season. In addition, I have many strategy articles to help develop fantasy players' learning curves.