Misiorowski Tops 2027 Pitcher Class After Top Draft Picks Underperform

Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers stands as the primary target for fantasy baseball managers entering the 2027 season, according to a CBS Sports review published on October 28. The right-hander delivered the best statistical campaign of the year, posting a 1.80 earned run average, a 0.80 walks plus hits per inning pitched ratio, and 252 strikeouts across 174.1 innings. His performance marked a sharp reversal from his rookie year, when he recorded a 4.36 ERA. The review identifies Misiorowski as the best pitcher in Major League Baseball and advises managers to select him before any other arm in upcoming drafts.

The 2026 season proved difficult for the most expensive starting pitchers. Three starters selected in the first round of most drafts failed to meet expectations, with the best of the group reaching those marks only after undergoing elbow surgery mid-season. Among the top 24 starters by draft position, only eight finished the year within that same range. Data from the FanGraphs Player Rater indicates that the top 24 starters by average draft position combined for just $227 in value in 2026, a drop from the $259.1 minimum recorded in any year between 2021 and 2025.

The value gap widened in the middle of the draft board. Starters ranked 25th through 36th generated $155.6 in value, a figure that nearly matched the output of the top 12 starters, who earned $158.94. This mid-tier group outperformed the 13th through 24th starters, who totaled $67.83, in every season from 2022 through 2026. This trend aligns with the SP Dead Zone, a term previously used by the analyst to describe this specific range of draft picks.

Several pitchers drove the increased value in the mid-tier, including Cam Schlittler, Chase Burns, Sonny Gray, and Zack Wheeler. Schlittler of the New York Yankees earned an honorable mention with a 1.95 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 239 strikeouts. The review notes he is nearly certain to win the American League Cy Young award. While the analyst ranks him behind Misiorowski and Tarik Skubal, the gap is considered small. Other names in this tier included Spencer Strider, Emmett Sheehan, and Nick Lodolo, who were viewed as disappointments, while Tyler Glasnow, Brandon Woodruff, and Blake Snell did not pitch enough innings to justify their draft positions.

The 2026 pool also featured many talented but unproven arms, such as Nolan McLean, Eury Perez, Trey Yesavage, and Bubba Chandler. However, the review cautions that the 2027 class looks different. Kade Anderson made little impact in a brief debut, and uncertain roles for Didier Fuentes and Grant Taylor should keep their prices low. Andrew Painter, Jackson Jobe, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith are expected to generate hype but are likely to be drafted around the 200th pick. Jared Jones and Walbert Urena are identified as strong options, possessing longer track records than last year's group of young arms.

Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox was cited as the biggest bust of the 2026 season. His performance collapsed after six starts, though the review argues his early-round ranking was defensible given his potential. Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates also drew an honorable mention for negative reasons. While his 3.82 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 200 strikeouts were respectable, his ERA rose to 4.56 over the final four and a half months, and his strikeout rate dropped to 22% in August and September.

For the 2027 season, Drew Rasmussen of the Tampa Bay Rays is projected as a riser after managing a career-high workload. Jesus Luzardo of the Philadelphia Phillies also sees his value increase, as his 2025 expected statistics predicted his 2026 success. Zack Wheeler remains a riser after returning from thoracic outlet surgery and finishing the season with a 1.67 ERA over his final six starts. The group of decliners is led by Skenes and Crochet, joined by Blake Snell, Kyle Bradish, and George Kirby. Bradish recorded a 4.12 ERA before a hernia ended his season early.

Managers are advised to adjust their strategies based on these performance shifts. The data suggests that relying solely on the most famous names may no longer yield the best results, as the mid-tier continues to provide comparable value. The upcoming drafts will likely see Misiorowski and Schlittler as the consensus top choices, while the rest of the board remains subject to the variable performance of the previous year's elite group.