Dynasty Baseball: Acquire These Pitchers Before the Dynasty Market Catches Up

Dynasty managers make one big mistake with pitching prospects.

Managers chase the next fantasy ace while ignoring the value hidden in future No. 2 and No. 3 starters.

Every year, managers spend countless hours searching for the next Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, or Spencer Strider. The problem is that true SP1s are incredibly rare. By the time a pitching prospect looks like a future ace, the acquisition cost has usually skyrocketed.

Meanwhile, the market routinely overlooks pitchers who project as quality SP2s, SP3s, and even high-end SP4s.

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Dynasty Baseball: Acquire These Pitchers Now Before the Dynasty Market Catches Up

That’s where the real dynasty value often exists.

Fantasy managers frequently dismiss prospects because they don’t possess elite velocity, a triple-plus pitch, or ace-level scouting reports. Yet many of these pitchers eventually develop into productive fantasy starters who provide years of value while costing a fraction of the acquisition price.

Consider the difference between acquiring a future SP1 and a future SP3. The SP1 may cost multiple premium prospects, major league contributors, or an early first-round pick. The future SP3 often costs a roster spot, a late-round draft selection, or a throw-in piece in a trade.

Even if only a portion of those SP2 and SP3 bets hit, the return on investment can be enormous.

Successful dynasty managers understand that building a pitching staff isn’t just about finding aces. It’s about accumulating value. A rotation built around one ace and several quality SP2-SP4 starters often outperforms a roster that constantly chases the next frontline arm but misses on most of those high-risk bets.

That’s why the pitchers featured in this article are so intriguing. Most are not universally projected as future fantasy aces. Instead, they possess the traits dynasty managers should target before the market adjusts: improving stuff, developmental momentum, strong organizations, and realistic paths to becoming valuable major league starters.

Sometimes the biggest dynasty win isn’t finding the next SP1.

It’s acquiring tomorrow’s SP3 before everyone realizes he’s worth much more than today’s price. So, here we go!

1. Karson Milbrandt, RHP, Miami Marlins

Kason Milbrandt is not a household name yet among Marlins’ fans, but he should be.

Milbrandt is often overshadowed by Thomas White and Robby Snelling, but he quietly possesses the ingredients dynasty managers should target: starter durability, improving stuff, and a realistic path to climbing prospect rankings. While not yet viewed as a consensus Top-100 prospect, he continues to earn praise from evaluators and could make a substantial jump with continued upper-level success.

Why he’s a buy low:

• Overshadowed by bigger names in the Marlins system.
• Not yet a consensus Top-100 prospect.
• Strong combination of stuff, command, and starter traits.
• Marlins have an excellent track record of developing pitchers.

Scouting Snapshot:

• 95–97 mph fastball with life and carry.
• Plus slider and quality curveball.
• Developing changeup.
• Athletic delivery and durable starter’s frame.
• Misses bats at an elite rate.

Fantasy upside: SP3/SP4 with room for more if the strikeout rates continue to climb.

2. Christian Oppor, LHP, Chicago White Sox

Oppor may be the most overlooked pitcher in a system loaded with pitching talent.

Because Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith receive most of the attention, Oppor often gets lost in the shuffle. However, evaluators continue to rank him among the organization’s best arms thanks to his athleticism, projection, and improving arsenal.

Why he’s a buy low:

• Buried behind Schultz and Smith.
• Athletic left-hander with significant projection.
• Not yet a household dynasty name.
• Could make a Top-100 jump with a healthy breakout season.

Scouting Snapshot:

• Mid-to-upper-90s fastball with life and angle.
• Swing-and-miss slider that flashes plus.
• Developing changeup with improving feel.
• Athletic delivery and starter traits.
• Better strike throwing and overall command.

Fantasy upside: SP2/SP3 ceiling if the command and secondary pitches continue developing.

3. Alex Clemmey, LHP, Washington Nationals

This is the ultimate upside play.

Clemmey has some of the best raw stuff in the Nationals system, but command issues have created a discount in dynasty leagues. That’s often where the biggest profit opportunities exist. If the strike-throwing improves even slightly, his value could rise dramatically.

Why he’s a buy low:

• Left-handed starter with premium stuff.
• Fastball-slider combination has plus-plus potential.
• Command concerns are suppressing current value.
• Young enough for a major developmental leap.

Scouting Snapshot:

• Mid-to-upper-90s fastball with premium velocity.
• Plus slider capable of missing bats consistently.
• Developing changeup rounds out a starter’s mix.
• Long, projectable frame with remaining physical upside.
• Generates strikeouts at a high rate.

Fantasy upside: SP2/SP3 with strikeout-heavy production.

4. David Davalillo, RHP, Texas Rangers

Davalillo may be the safest bet on this list to gain value over the next 12 months.

He dominated across multiple levels, earned 40-man roster protection, and possesses an elite command profile built around a devastating splitter. Despite the performance, many dynasty managers still haven’t adjusted their valuations.

Why he’s a buy low:

• Elite strikeout-to-walk profile.
• Excellent splitter generates whiffs.
• Close to the majors.
• Still cheaper than similarly ranked pitching prospects.

Scouting Snapshot:

• Low-90s fastball that plays above its velocity.
• Advanced splitter serves as primary out pitch.
• Slider and curveball provide multiple looks.
• Excellent strike throwing and pitchability.
• Mature feel for sequencing and game planning.

Fantasy upside: SP3 with strong ratio and strikeout potential.

5. Jack Wenninger, RHP, New York Mets

The purest “rankings haven’t caught up yet” candidate.

Most dynasty managers focus on Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong when discussing Mets pitching prospects. Wenninger quietly continues developing while receiving very little national attention. That’s often the exact profile that produces the biggest ranking jumps.

Why he’s a buy low:

• Almost no mainstream dynasty hype.
• Continues to rank well internally.
• Upper-level experience.
• Could jump significantly with a strong Triple-A season.

Scouting Snapshot:

• Mid-to-upper-90s fastball with riding life.
• Splitter is a legitimate bat-missing weapon.
• Slider adds a quality third look.
• Durable frame built for a starter’s workload.
• Consistently attacks the strike zone.

Fantasy upside: SP4 with upside for more.

6. Humberto Cruz, RHP, San Diego Padres

Cruz is one of my favorite Padres pitching prospects.

He doesn’t receive nearly the same attention as Kash Mayfield or Kruz Schoolcraft, but evaluators continue to praise his combination of athleticism, strike-throwing ability, and projectable arsenal. Several prospect outlets have him sitting just outside the upper tier of Padres prospects despite possessing starter traits and plenty of physical projection.

Why he’s a buy low:

• Not a Top 100 prospect.
• Buried behind bigger names in the system.
• Still young enough to add velocity and sharpen his secondaries.
• Could jump multiple tiers with one strong full-season campaign.

Scouting Snapshot:

• Fastball velocity continues to trend upward.
• Sharp breaking ball with above-average potential.
• Developing changeup with encouraging projection.
• Athletic delivery and clean arm action.
• Projectable frame with room for added strength.

Fantasy upside: Mid-rotation starter with strikeout potential.

Final Ranking

1. Karson Milbrandt (Marlins) — Best overall blend of upside and affordability.
2. Christian Oppor (White Sox) — Best chance to become a major breakout prospect.
3. Alex Clemmey (Nationals) — Highest ceiling relative to current cost.
4. David Davalillo (Rangers) — Safest value appreciation play.
5. Jack Wenninger (Mets) — Best deep-league dynasty target.
6. Humberto Cruz (Padres) – Best dynasty value bang for your buck.

If I were building a dynasty portfolio today, these are the six pitchers I’d prioritize as speculative acquisitions before the broader fantasy community fully catches up.

The fantasy community loves chasing future aces, but dynasty championships are often built through a series of smaller wins rather than one massive hit.

These guys aren’t the most famous arms in the minors, but each possesses the combination of talent, opportunity, and developmental momentum that could lead to a significant rise in value.

By the time a prospect becomes everyone’s breakout candidate, the discount is usually gone.

The goal is to get there first.

What are you waiting for?

Go get ’em!