Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

Woodruff returned to the mound in 2025 and was highly effective on a per-inning basis, posting a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and an elite 32.3% strikeout rate across 64.2 innings. His 5.4% walk rate was a career best, and opponents managed just a .188 batting average with a .573 OPS against him, reinforcing that his bat-missing ability remains intact. However, the sample size again tells the story — he has been oft injured in recent seasons, logging just 12 starts in 2025 after making only 11 in 2023. The 2026 projections reflect that duality: strong ratios and a healthy strikeout total on a per-start basis, but with workload expectations tempered relative to his 2021 ace peak (179.1 IP, 2.56 ERA). When active, Woodruff still profiles as a high-end SP2 with SP1-level efficiency, yet durability risk keeps him from being drafted in that tier. Fantasy managers should bake in missed time and pair him with safer innings volume rather than relying on him as a staff anchor.

Misiorowski's 2025 debut showcased frontline bat-missing ability, as he posted a 31.9% strikeout rate and 11.9 K/9 across 66 innings — both well above league average — while holding hitters to a .213 average and .671 OPS. His 3.62 FIP undercut a 4.36 ERA, suggesting his underlying performance was stronger than the surface stats, though a 4.2 BB/9 and 11.4% walk rate highlight the volatility. The batted-ball profile (37.7% HardHit, 2.9% HR rate) supports the idea that his stuff can limit damage when he's in the zone. Looking ahead to 2026, projections point to a workload jump and continued strikeout upside, but fantasy managers should expect ratio swings tied to command consistency. He profiles as a high-ceiling SP3/SP4 in standard leagues — one who can anchor strikeouts but may require roster insulation in WHIP.