Cole Ragans

ActiveIL

Kansas City Royals · Pitcher

Age 286' 4" · 190 lbsThrows Left

FBaseball Overview

Coming off a 2024 All-Star season, Ragans enters 2026 as a mid-rotation starter for Kansas City who offers strikeout upside with 45 K through early-season action, though his ERA and WHIP have remained elevated above fantasy benchmarks. The 28-year-old's recent track record shows volatility in both wins and ERA, as his 4.84 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 35 innings suggest he remains a risky fantasy asset despite decent strikeout production. Managers should view Ragans as a streaming option or depth piece rather than a reliable weekly starter until he demonstrates better command and consistency to lower his ERA toward the 4.20 range. His All-Star pedigree hints at potential for a strong second-half turnaround, making him worth monitoring for league acquisitions if his metrics improve.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2022	Texas Rangers	9	9	0	3	4.95	1.48	27	40.0	16
2023	2 teams▼	29	12	7	5	3.47	1.16	113	96.0	41
2024	Kansas City Royals	32	32	11	9	3.14	1.14	223	186.1	67
2025	Kansas City Royals	13	13	3	3	4.67	1.18	98	61.2	20
2026	Kansas City Royals	8	8	1	4	4.84	1.42	45	35.1	23
Career	Totals	91	74	22	24	3.76	1.21	506	419.1	167

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2016	AZL Rangers	4	2	0	0	4.70	2.22	9	7.2	6
2017	Spokane Indians	13	13	3	2	3.61	1.48	87	57.1	35
2021	2 teams▼	19	17	4	3	4.35	1.33	87	80.2	34
2022	2 teams▼	18	18	8	5	3.04	1.12	113	94.2	31
2023	2 teams▼	7	7	2	1	4.13	1.38	37	28.1	16
2025	2 teams▼	3	3	0	1	4.35	1.26	20	10.1	3
2026	Omaha Storm Chasers	1	1	0	0	2.08	0.92	3	4.1	1
Career	Totals	65	61	17	12	3.72	1.31	356	283.1	126

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo94.9 mph

Avg Spin2474 rpm

Whiff %31.7%

K %29.8%

BB %15.2%

Hard Hit %39.8%

Barrel %15.7%

xERA5.04

xBA Against0.218

xSLG Against0.452

BA Against0.213

SLG Against0.488

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2022

Texas Rangers

4.95

1.48

40.0

2023

2 teams▼

3.47

1.16

113

96.0

2024

Kansas City Royals

3.14

1.14

223

186.1

2025

Kansas City Royals

4.67

1.18

61.2

2026

Kansas City Royals

4.84

1.42

35.1

Career

Totals

3.76

1.21

506

419.1

167

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2016

AZL Rangers

4.70

2.22

7.2

2017

Spokane Indians

3.61

1.48

57.1

2021

2 teams▼

4.35

1.33

80.2

2022

2 teams▼

3.04

1.12

113

94.2

2023

2 teams▼

4.13

1.38

28.1

2025

2 teams▼

4.35

1.26

10.1

2026

Omaha Storm Chasers

2.08

0.92

4.1

Career

Totals

3.72

1.31

356

283.1

126