Drew Rasmussen

Everyone seems to be forgetting the Rays are moving back into their spacious, pitcher-friendly ballpark in 2026 and ranking Drew Rasmussen way too low. He gave up more than 1.0 HR/9 for the first time in his career, but allowed twice as many at home in George Steinbrenner Field, which he won't have to deal with this season. His strikeout rate is middle of the road at 21.7%, but his walk rate is an impressive 6.3%, offering a WHIP below 1.10 every year of his career. He started 31 games last season, and even though his xERA (3.43) was higher than his actual (2.76), his ERA and FIP numbers from the previous two years, when he got to pitch at Tropicana Field, were stellar. It's worth it to target all of the Rays pitchers, but Rasmussen leads the way and would make a solid SP3 or SP4 on any fantasy pitching staff.

Drew Rasmussen named opening day starter for Rays

Drew Rasmussen has been named the Tampa Bay opening day starting pitcher against the St. Louis Cardinals according to Marc Topkin.

Fantasy Impact

Rasmussen is rewarded after a stellar 2025 campaign leading a shorthanded Tampa Bay rotation, posting a 1.02 WHIP and 2.76 ERA to go along with 127 strikeouts over 31 starts (10-5). The right-hander will look to replicate his success while avoiding injuries that he was plagued by for much of the 2023 and 2024 seasons.