Are Nick Pivetta, Jacob Wilson, and Kyle Stowers the Real Deal?

CHICAGO, IL — As Major League Baseball (MLB) teams hit the one-third mark of the season, players like Nick Pivetta, Jacob Wilson, and Kyle Stowers are drawing attention for their unexpected hot starts. Fantasy baseball owners are now weighing opportunities to pick up these players or to trade based on their stabilizing statistics.

Pivetta, a 32-year-old pitcher and veteran in his ninth MLB season, is making headlines in his first year with the San Diego Padres. His performance has notably improved, with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP in 2025, after previously holding a 4.76 ERA and 1.32 WHIP throughout his career. While this raises questions about whether these improvements are sustainable or simply early season noise, his recent metrics show an uptick in strikeouts and a reduction in walks.

Before 2023, Pivetta relied heavily on a slider and changeup, but he has since transitioned to a cutter and sweeper. The sweeper has proven successful with a .142 wOBA against right-handed batters this season, contributing to his success. However, experts caution that his impressive ERA may be more a product of good fortune, given his career-low home run rate and high barrel percentage.

On the other hand, Wilson, a 23-year-old shortstop for the Oakland Athletics, is demonstrating significant potential as a rookie. Highly regarded for his contact skills, Wilson displayed a remarkable improvement in his power metrics this season, posting a .350 batting average and a 154 wRC+. While some analysts predict a decline in his slugging numbers, others believe he can sustain high averages due to his low strikeout rates and hitter-friendly conditions.

Finally, Stowers, now 27, has shown notable progress since moving to the Miami Marlins from the Baltimore Orioles. After struggling early in his career, he has come back strong this season with a .316/.387/.556 slash line, indicating a deeper improvement in his plate discipline and power metrics. His high barrel percentage and hard-hit rates suggest his recent performance is legitimate, making him a valuable asset for fantasy teams.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Pivetta, Wilson, and Stowers to see if their current successes can be sustained or if they will return to their earlier forms.