Holding the 1.07 slot in a fantasy baseball points league draft changes the objective. At this point in the first round, securing a foundational ace becomes a viable and often optimal strategy. That is why Paul Skenes is the selection here.
Paul Skenes’ Case at the 1.07 Draft Slot
Skenes followed up his Rookie of the Year season with a dominant 2025 campaign that earned him a unanimous Cy Young Award at just 23 years old. Across his first 320 2/3 big-league innings, he has produced a 1.96 ERA and a 5.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB), establishing himself as one of the most overpowering arms in baseball.
His profile centers around a power fastball that regularly reaches the upper 90s, but what separates him is the depth of his secondary arsenal. The sweeper, splitter, and changeup allow him to change speeds and generate swing-and-miss throughout the strike zone rather than relying solely on velocity.
In points formats, Skenes offers the type of strikeout upside that can rival elite hitters on a per-start basis. When he works deep into games, the scoring output becomes matchup-altering. Strikeouts, innings, and efficiency drive pitcher value in this format, and Skenes consistently provides all three. That combination creates both a strong weekly floor and a true ace-level ceiling.
Selecting Skenes at this slot immediately establishes a roster identity built around pitching dominance. Because he anchors strikeouts and ratio stability, the next phase of roster construction can shift toward accumulating reliable offensive volume in the following rounds. Locking in a high-end starter early prevents chasing pitching later and allows the draft to flow more naturally.
Team context did impact his traditional win-loss record in 2025, as the Pittsburgh Pirates finished at the bottom of the National League Central and he became the first starting pitcher to win the Cy Young with a record of .500 or worse. That detail carries less weight in points leagues than in traditional formats, though run support and bullpen stability still influence start-to-start outcomes. PNC Park remains favorable for run prevention, strengthening his floor entering 2026.
Looking ahead, Skenes projects as one of the highest-scoring pitchers in points leagues. His strikeout totals create consistent weekly production, his ratios remain elite, and continued workload growth only strengthens the outlook if health cooperates.
At draft slot 1.07, the goal is to secure a foundational advantage. Skenes delivers ace-level strikeout volume, ratio dominance, and per-start scoring upside, making him a clear and defensible selection in that position.
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