Bryan Woo's 2025 Season Shattered Expectations, Proving He's a Genuine Fantasy Baseball Ace for 2026!
Remember when Bryan Woo was mostly known for his injury concerns? Well, forget that! In 2025, Woo completely flipped the script, delivering ace-level production over a full season and cementing himself as one of fantasy baseball's most exciting pitching revelations. With pinpoint command, the ability to pitch deep into games, and a continuously improving strikeout profile, Woo has transitioned from a high-risk, high-reward prospect to a dependable frontline starter.
SP9 – Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners (NFBC ADP – 43)
The Seattle Mariners entered last season with a quartet of promising young pitchers. Among them, Bryan Woo carried the most significant injury risk, largely due to his 2024 performance. However, he defied those doubts by making a remarkable 30 starts, achieving results befitting a top-tier ace. In fact, he posted the fourth-best fantasy points per game (FPG) score of 6.94 among all pitchers.
Woo's sophomore year with the Mariners was initially marked by two extended stints on the injured list. He kicked off 2024 with a right elbow issue, delaying his season debut until May 10th. Despite this, his stuff was electric in his first eight outings, boasting a 3-1 record, a stellar 1.77 ERA, a minuscule 0.689 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts in just 42.2 innings.
Later in the summer, a hamstring injury kept him sidelined for another 17 days. Even with these setbacks, Woo finished strong, performing admirably over his final 14 starts. During this period, he went 6-2 with a 3.46 ERA, a 1.004 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts across 80.2 innings. Home runs became a bit of a challenge during this stretch, with 12 long balls allowed, particularly struggling in four games where he surrendered 19 runs, 34 baserunners, and seven home runs in 20.1 innings, striking out 15 batters. Three of those games with a high number of home runs occurred within his last six starts.
Last season, Woo replicated his success with a strong 2.94 ERA and a 0.927 WHIP. He also managed to increase his strikeout rate to 9.5 while maintaining his exceptional command, allowing just 1.7 walks per nine innings. Batters hit a mere .200 against him, a slight improvement from .211 in 2024. His 15 wins placed him fifth in the majors. Woo's consistency was astounding; he allowed two runs or fewer in two-thirds of his 30 starts and pitched at least six innings in 27 games. At home, he was particularly dominant, going 10-2 with a 2.44 ERA, a 0.801 WHIP, and a remarkable 100 strikeouts in 88.2 innings.
His average fastball velocity of 95.6 mph was his highest with Seattle. Woo showcased an impressive arsenal, featuring a potent four-seamer that held opponents to a .153 batting average against (BAA) and generated 95 strikeouts. His plus slider was equally effective, limiting hitters to a .184 BAA and producing 63 strikeouts. His changeup proved to be a valuable asset, with a .235 BAA, and his sinker offered a neutral-looking pitch with a .257 BAA.
Bryan Woo 2026 Fantasy Baseball Outlook
Fantasy Outlook: Aside from a minor pectoral issue late in the season that caused him to miss just two starts, Woo successfully shed his injury-prone label in 2025, at least in the eyes of fantasy managers. His remarkable efficiency allows him to pitch deeper into games, naturally increasing his opportunities for wins (he had a 46.2% win rate over the past two seasons). All signs point towards another outstanding season, though it's wise not to completely forget about his past right elbow issues from 2024 – the 'dark passenger' that once threatened his career.
But here's where it gets controversial... While Woo's 2025 performance was undeniably elite, some might argue that his late-season struggles with home runs and a few blow-up starts indicate potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by more experienced hitters. Do you think Woo's injury history will continue to be a factor, or has he truly put that behind him for good? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Top 5 Fantasy Baseball Pitchers According To ADP
Curious about how Woo stacks up against the competition? Here are the top five pitchers based on Average Draft Position (ADP) from our friends at the NFBC:
- Tarik Skubal
- Paul Skenes
- Garrett Crochet
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Christopher Sanchez
And this is the part most people miss... While Woo's ADP of 43 suggests he's highly regarded, he's still being drafted behind some pitchers who haven't demonstrated the same level of sustained dominance or overcome significant injury concerns. Is Bryan Woo undervalued at his current ADP, or is there still a lingering question mark that justifies him being drafted later than some of his peers? We'd love to hear your take!
