Royals' Cole Ragans should be a pitcher on every fantasy owner's list

During the 2024 season, Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans had a career year. He made 32 starts, compiling an 11-9 record with a 3.14 ERA and 223 strikeouts on 186.1 innings of work. 

He would be an All-Star for the first time in his career, but the 2025 season was not too kind to him. During the start of the season, he would experience a groin issue that would land him on the IL. 

And then after being reinstated, he would later experience a left rotator cuff strain, which then placed him on the 60-day IL.

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Royals' Cole Ragans should be a pitcher on every fantasy owner's list

The 2025 season had not gone as planned for Cole Ragans, but there is some hope for the 2026 season. He has come into camp healthy and has pitched well. 

He will be someone that the Royals count on this year, and they need him to be at his best. ESPN's Tristan H. Cockcroft tags him as a must-have fantasy pick this year. 

"Another example of injuries ruining a 2025 campaign, Ragans missed three months due to a rotator cuff strain, which typically would be a no-go in my book the following year. But the lefty with filthy stuff rebounded in a massive way upon his late-season return, fanning 18 out of 35 batters over his final two regular-season starts. Ragans' 11-mph contrast between his fastball and changeup, plus his 40%-whiff-rate slider, represents one of the game's deepest pitching repertoires."

Ragans has all the makings to rebound and return as the ace of the Royals' staff. He may not be someone on everybody's radar, but he should be. Don't be the one to pass up on him, because he could be the difference between you making or missing your playoffs.

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