Michael King

Astute managers grabbed Michael King late in 2024 drafts, and he rewarded them handsomely. After five years with the Yankees, pitching in every imaginable scenario, the Padres nabbed him in the Juan Soto deal and made him a starter. He started 30 games, pitched 173 2/3 innings, struck out 201 batters, and held down a 2.95 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. King is masterful at inducing weak contact, sitting in the 99th percentile in average exit velocity and 97th percentile in hard-hit percentage. The only thing of note is that his xERA was 3.54, suggesting he had some luck in 2024 that kept his sub-3 ERA intact. Other than that, though, King is primed to reach SP1 status in 2025 and should be targeted in most leagues.

Michael King shines in Padres victory over Dodgers

Michael King delivered a stellar performance in Tuesday's 4-2 win against the Dodgers.

Fantasy Impact

He threw 95 pitches over five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out three. This outing underscores King's reliability as a starter this season, marked by a strong 2.85 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP across 30 starts. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (10.4 K/9) and a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.19) continues to make him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues. King's consistent performance, highlighted by his control and efficiency, should keep him high on fantasy radars as a dependable starting option.