Elite left-handed starting pitchers and prospects have a significant advantage because most players face right-handed pitching more often. This may seem obvious, but it’s an essential factor to consider. One strategy is to look for teams that haven’t faced a quality left-handed starter in five games or more; this can lead to profitable investment opportunities. Tarik Skubal has been on this list since his rookie year. However, he is now 28 years old. Here are my top five left-handed starting pitchers aged 27 or younger as we approach the 2025 season, which should be helpful in both fantasy leagues and real-life betting.


No. 1 Cole Ragans (Kansas City Royals) AGE: 27 | 2024: 11-9 ERA: 3.14 WHIP: 1.14


Cole Ragans burst onto the baseball scene in 2023 and has already achieved "ACE" status. In just 96 innings pitched, the 27-year-old left-hander struck out 113 batters and maintained a 3.47 ERA, 3.19 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP. Last season, Ragans struck out 223 batters in 186.1 innings, allowing a 35.4% hard-hit rate (76th percentile). Although he can throw a fastball at speeds of 95-97 MPH, his changeup has caught the scouts' attention, making him one to put on your radar in fantasy and real-life baseball. This pitch has an impressive 47.8% whiff rate while opposing batters hit just .183 against it. Ragans throws a cutter that averages 91-92 MPH and has been described as "nasty." The rising star now has five pitches at his disposal, including a knuckle-curve, which he threw a career-high 10% last season, holding hitters to a .140 batting average with an impressive 35.2% whiff rate. The Kansas City Royals should outperform their 81.5 PECOTA win projection in 2025, so don't hesitate to draft Ragans earlier than his average draft position. That win projection is 11 wins higher than PECOTA'S 2024 outlook.


No. 2   Garrett Crochet     (Boston Red Sox)     AGE: 25     | 2024: 6-12 ERA: 3.58 WHIP: 1.07


Garrett Crochet has an outstanding combination of fastball and cutter, which is further enhanced by his sweeper and changeup. His four-seam fastball is thrown with remarkable velocity, averaging 97.2 mph and sometimes reaching speeds of 100-102 mph. This pitch results in a high swing-and-miss rate of 31.4% and limits opposing hitters to a low batting average of .199. His Cutter averages 91.5 mph, which is considered "borderline unfair" for its velocity. The pitch features a heavy sink and sweeping cutting action, resulting in a whiff rate of 33.4%. Crochet utilizes this sweeping pitch effectively, throwing it just under 10% of the time. As a result, batters are held to a .228 average with a whiff rate of 42.4%. He threw his changeup only 6% of the time, but this should increase since he held batters to a .184 average. Crochet's tall frame and lower arm angle have drawn comparisons to Chris Sale. His delivery enables him to generate exceptional velocity and movement on his pitches. He had an impressive strikeout rate of 12.9 K/9, and his expected earned run average (xERA) of 2.85, along with an expected batting average (xBA) of .204, are promising indicators now that he's playing for a much more talented team. The potential for success is limitless, and I'm excited to see him pitch in Boston this season.


No. 3 MacKenzie Gore (Washington Nationals) AGE: 25 | 2024: 10-12 ERA: 3.90 WHIP: 1.42


MacKenzie Gore has demonstrated substantial growth and potential as a front-of-the-rotation starter, making him a strong candidate for a breakout season. In each of his first three seasons, Gore has improved his win total, increased his innings pitched, and raised his strikeout numbers, all while reducing his ERA since his rookie year with the Padres in 2022. He has recorded 404 strikeouts in 372.2 career innings. Gore primarily relies on a four-seam fastball, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. His elite athleticism enables him to repeat his complex delivery with a high leg kick. Gore's fastball velocity averaged 96 MPH last season, placing him in the 89th percentile for extension. His pitch repertoire creates deception because the spin direction of his pitches is quite similar, making it difficult for batters to identify them as they leave his hand. With these capabilities, Gore has the potential to make a significant contribution to your fantasy team in 2025.


No. 4  Nick Lodolo      (Cincinnati Reds)       AGE: 27      | 2024: 9-6 ERA: 4.76 WHIP 1.20


Nick Lodolo, the 7th overall pick in the 2019 draft, has faced injury challenges in the past; however, at 6'6" and 218 pounds, he proves to be a promising prospect. He tallied 122 strikeouts in a career-high 115.1 innings last season and has 300 K's in 253 career innings. While the Reds' outlook may not be promising based on PECOTA projections, which forecast 74.8 wins, Nick's xERA of 3.72 and xBA of .226 indicate he was unlucky last season. His career statistics of 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings, 3.06 walks per nine innings, and a 45.4% ground-ball rate make him a suitable fit for Great American Ballpark. Nick relies on a four-pitch mix that includes a sinker, four-seamer, curveball, and changeup, all of which are above average. His curveball has been particularly effective against opposing hitters, holding them to a batting average of just .217 and achieving an impressive whiff rate of 42.9%. Overall, Nick Lodolo is considered a late-round sleeper with a high upside possibility, but he needs to stay healthy to realize that potential.


No. 5 Quinn Mathews (St. Louis Cardinals) AGE: 24 | 2024 Minor Leagues: 8-5 ERA: 2.76 WHIP: 0.98


His enhanced "stuff" and excellent execution make him a top prospect in the Cardinals' system. MLB Pipeline ranks him as their No. 3 prospect and No. 77 overall. Mathews was awarded Baseball America's Minor League Pitcher of the Year after achieving 202 strikeouts, the highest among all minor leaguers, in 143.1 innings pitched. Mathews is a 6-foot-5 pitcher with a lean build and simple mechanics. His delivery features a full overhead windup and a drop-and-drive motion, which enhances the effectiveness of his fastball. He demonstrates excellent command and control, consistently pounding the strike zone. All four of his pitches—fastball, changeup, slider, and curveball—are dynamic. Mathews' changeup is highly effective and nearly elite. It induces many swings and misses, with opposing hitters recording a 55.4% whiff rate against it. He is anticipated to compete for a spot in the rotation this spring. If he doesn't make the team out of camp, I expect him to be called up by May 1st. I recommend drafting him in the late rounds of your fantasy league.


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