Fantasy Baseball SP Rankings, Dollar Values 2023: Top players, sleepers at starting pitcher

One of the most fun facets of fantasy baseball is the fact that a host of different starting pitching strategies can succeed if executed correctly. With the times a-changing in the MLB — pitch clocks, pickoff rules, defensive shift governance — the most important thing on draft day continues to be picking the right pitchers. In our 2023 SP rankings and projected dollar values, we'll go over your strategic options, rank the top 100 SP-eligible players, and discuss the studs and sleepers who could help take your team the distance this season. 

The first decision you must make is whether you'll go after volume pitchers or ratio pitchers? Gone are the days in which dozens of pitchers threw 200-plus innings. In fact, only 11 players reached 200 innings in 2022. If you can land an elite pitcher who combines volume and ratio, like Corbin Burnes or Gerrit Cole, in the second round (or Sandy Alcantara or Aaron Nola in the third), you should strongly consider it. 

Further down the pool, we're targeting Alek Manoah, Triston McKenzie, Framber Valdez, and Joe Musgrove in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth rounds. If you can come away with one stud starter by the end of the third — and two more of these mid-tier upside SPs by the end of the eighth — your fantasy rotation is looking incredible without taking too much away from your offense. From there, targeting the right sleepers and breakout candidates further down your SP depth chart could push you over the top. 

2023 FANTASY RANKINGS & DOLLAR VALUES:
Cs | 1Bs | 2Bs | 3Bs | SSs | OFs | RPs | Top 300

Nick Ledolo in the 11th round and Joe Ryan in the 13th strike us as examples of great value picks. Both were very solid last season, and both sit well before their early ADPs on our draft boards. We'd also be willing to take a 12th or 13th-round flyer on Freddy Peralta, who has battled injuries with Milwaukee but looks dominant whenever he actually gets on the mound. And don't forget about Edward Cabrera's incredible changeup in pitcher-friendly LoanDepot Park (formerly known as Marlins Park). He could be a sonic boom for your squad if he stays off the IL this season, so he's well worth a deep dart throw. 

2023 FANTASY SLEEPERS & VALUES:
Cs | 1Bs | 2Bs | 3Bs | SSs | OFs | SPs | RPs

Determine before your draft when you want to target each SP, and how many starters you ideally want to select before a certain round. Also consider if you'll be prioritizing saves, fading saves a bit, or just punting them altogether. Many pitchers have RP eligibility and you would obviously want to target them in punt-save builds so you could drive up your counting stats like wins and strikeouts. If your league includes home runs allowed, this strategy could come back to bite you unless your guys maintain solid ratios. 

Be sure to check back in with us throughout the preseason as our rankings will be fluid and our sleepers columns throughout the spring will be invaluable to your pre-draft prep. For now, enjoy our initial SP rankings, and good luck strategizing!

Fantasy Baseball SP Rankings 2023: Top players, sleepers at starting pitcher

Position eligibility based on Yahoo's default settings

Fantasy Baseball SP Projected Dollar Values

Dollar values courtesy of Fantasy Pros and based on a 12-team mixed league with a $260 budget (70 percent allocated for hitting)

All other players valued at $0