John King

Active

Miami Marlins · Pitcher

Age 316' 2" · 215 lbsThrows Left

FBaseball Overview

At 31 years old, King offers intriguing early-season value as a depth starter or spot streamer for the Marlins, coming off a strong beginning to 2026 with a 2.00 ERA and 0.72 WHIP through 36 innings. His strikeout rate remains consistent (28 K in both 2025 and 2026), providing steady production in that category, though his win total of 6 suggests he's benefiting from team run support that may not prove sustainable throughout the season. The dramatic improvement in ERA and WHIP from last year's 4.66/1.63 indicates better command and health, but at his age and given Miami's modest roster, there's legitimate concern about whether this pace holds over a full season of work. King represents a moderate upside play with some downside risk—useful in deeper leagues or as a speculative addition if you're chasing strikeouts and ERA, but not a cornerstone starting pitcher option.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2020	Texas Rangers	6	0	1	0	0	6.10	1.65	9	10.1	4
2021	Texas Rangers	27	0	7	5	0	3.52	1.15	40	46.0	12
2022	Texas Rangers	39	0	1	4	0	4.03	1.46	30	51.1	14
2023	2 teams▼	35	0	2	1	0	3.62	1.47	20	37.1	10
2024	St. Louis Cardinals	56	0	3	3	0	2.85	1.20	38	60.0	14
2025	St. Louis Cardinals	51	0	2	1	0	4.66	1.63	28	48.1	14
2026	Miami Marlins	39	1	6	2	1	2.31	0.72	30	39.0	9
Career	Totals	253	1	22	16	1	3.60	1.30	195	292.1	77

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

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2018	2 teams▼	2	2	0	0	0	5.79	1.93	3	4.2	1
2019	2 teams▼	19	19	3	6	0	2.40	1.06	91	97.1	13
2021	Round Rock Express	2	0	0	0	0	0.00	1.00	2	2.0	1
2022	Round Rock Express	14	0	2	1	0	7.27	1.56	18	17.1	7
2023	Round Rock Express	12	3	2	2	1	3.32	1.57	13	21.2	6
2024	Memphis Redbirds	6	0	1	0	2	3.38	1.13	5	5.1	0
2025	2 teams▼	4	0	0	1	0	4.91	1.64	4	3.2	1
Career	Totals	59	24	8	10	3	3.26	1.23	136	152	29

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 Velo90.4 mph

Avg Spin2340 rpm

Whiff %23.8%

K %20.8%

BB %6.3%

Hard Hit %37.0%

Barrel %9.0%

xERA3.26

xBA Against0.21

xSLG Against0.363

BA Against0.146

SLG Against0.262

GB%46.5%

FB%22.8%

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.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2020

Texas Rangers

6.10

1.65

10.1

2021

Texas Rangers

3.52

1.15

46.0

2022

Texas Rangers

4.03

1.46

51.1

2023

2 teams▼

3.62

1.47

37.1

2024

St. Louis Cardinals

2.85

1.20

60.0

2025

St. Louis Cardinals

4.66

1.63

48.1

2026

Miami Marlins

2.31

0.72

39.0

Career

Totals

253

3.60

1.30

195

292.1

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2018

2 teams▼

5.79

1.93

4.2

2019

2 teams▼

2.40

1.06

97.1

2021

Round Rock Express

0.00

1.00

2.0

2022

Round Rock Express

7.27

1.56

17.1

2023

Round Rock Express

3.32

1.57

21.2

2024

Memphis Redbirds

3.38

1.13

5.1

2025

2 teams▼

4.91

1.64

3.2

Career

Totals

3.26

1.23

136

152