Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Jose Ramirez
CLE
While it may seem unbelievable, Jose Ramirez remains underrated. The 32-year-old third baseman seems to fly under the radar every year, and every year, he simply does what he's been doing pretty much since he came into the league. In 2024, he tied his career high in home runs at 39, drove in 118, scored 114, and stole 41 bases. His OBP took a small dip (.335), but his average settled exactly on his career number of .279. Still, it is guaranteed that in at least one league you're in, everyone will look past him anyway. Imagine ignoring the guy who came within one homer of being the first third baseman in history to post a 40/40 season. Coming out of the first round of your draft with Jose Ramirez is one of the safest plays you can make in 2025 fantasy.
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2.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
NYY
Jazz Chisholm finally delivered on his potential by staying healthy in 2024, playing 147 games between Miami and New York. The 26-year-old showcased his versatility, gaining third base eligibility while being a key contributor across multiple categories. Chisholm posted 24 home runs, 40 stolen bases, 74 runs scored, and 73 RBIs. If the Yankees bolster their lineup, his counting stats could climb in 2025. While his Statcast metrics remain unimpressive, his .256/.324/.436 slash line represents a reasonable expectation for fantasy managers. Focus on his power-speed combo, boosted by Yankee Stadium's short right field and his 82nd-percentile sprint speed, and cross your fingers for a full season of health.
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3.
Austin Riley
ATL
Austin Riley took a step back in 2024 after three years of stellar production. A right-hand fracture ended his season in August after appearing in only 110 games. He struggled in the games he did play, only hitting 19 home runs and slashing an uncharacteristic .256/.322/.461. Fantasy managers can essentially write off the year and trust that the 27-year-old will return to the slugging machine he was in 2021-2023. With a healthier lineup around him, his counting stats should get back to the 30/90/90 that is worth drafting in the third round.
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4.
Rafael Devers
BOS
Rafael Devers offers a level of consistency that only one other third baseman on the board can give, but at a Round 3 cost. In 2024, he hit 28 homers, scored 87 runs, and drove in 83. He slashed .272/.354/.516 while playing in 138 games. Devers dealt with shoulder issues, which probably caused the career-high 24.5% K rate, but his 11.1% walk rate was also the highest of his career. If the rest of the Red Sox lineup can stay healthy, Devers's counting stats should return closer to the 30/100/100 area in 2025. He's worth the pick.
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5.
Manny Machado
SD
Manny Machado continued to produce, even in his age-31 season, and provided fantasy managers with 152 games played for the third time in the last four years. He hit 29 homers, drove in 105, scored 77, and somehow got to 11 steals. His slash line of .275/.325/.472 remains aligned with his career numbers. The primary blemish on Machado's growing resume is that his walk rate has declined for four straight years, which should eventually impact his batting average more than we would like. However, you cannot argue with history, and Machado has hit 28 or more home runs every year since 2015 (save for 2020). As far as the hot corner goes, he remains squarely in Tier 1 heading into 2025.
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6.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
TOR
Vladimir Guerrero Jr was the top first baseman in 2024 fantasy baseball. If that surprises you, it shouldn't. The 25-year-old has demonstrated an elite ability to hit since he entered the league in 2019. Last year, in an ugly Toronto lineup, Vladdy hit 30 home runs, drove in 103, and scored 98 himself. He slashed an impressive .323/.396/.544. Some of those numbers may have resulted from an abnormally high .342 BABIP, but they're not outrageous compared to his career averages. The Blue Jays recently added some protection for Vladdy in the form of Anthony Santander, but the really good news for Vladdy is that he will be a highly coveted free agent after this season. Fantasy managers should jump all over the opportunity to take advantage of the young superstar.
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7.
Junior Caminero
TB
Junior Caminero arrived late in the season with the Tampa Bay Rays and recorded a .248 batting average, six home runs, 18 RBIs, and two stolen bases over 43 games. His .299 on-base percentage and .424 slugging percentage resulted in a .723 OPS, aligning closely with his expected metrics (.301 xwOBA). Caminero's power potential is evident, boasting an 11.8% barrel rate and an average exit velocity of 89.7 mph. His 22.5% strikeout rate is reasonable for a young power hitter, though his 6.9% walk rate suggests room for improvement in plate discipline. At just 21 years old, Caminero's combination of power and developing contact skills positions him as an exciting prospect for 2025 fantasy rosters.
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8.
Alex Bregman
BOS
Alex Bregman landed in Boston as a free agent in the offseason, a park that may reduce his home run total, but he should punish the Green Monster plenty during the year. Last season, the 30-year-old was snakebit by a .264 BABIP and an absurdly low walk rate at 6.9%. (His career number is 13.4%.) Assuming both of these numbers bounce back in 2025, Bregman offers a stable floor in an excellent lineup. The chance that he could get 2B eligibility would catapult his value even further.
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9.
Jordan Westburg
BAL
Jordan Westburg returned for his second season in Baltimore and played 107 games, hitting 18 home runs and slashing .264/.312/.481. With the Orioles bringing in the left field fence, Westburg's right-handed power should see a boost in 2025. This is encouraging for fantasy managers, as the 26-year-old hit .303 at home. Westburg will most likely play third base in 2025 unless Jackson Holliday fails to take the leap at second. Either way, with second base this year's version of a wasteland, Westburg holds plenty of value for fantasy managers.
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10.
Mark Vientos
NYM
Mark Vientos did not start 2024 in New York, but by the time the season was over, he was in the big leagues and behind only Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor in team home runs. Vientos played 111 games, smacking 27 home runs, driving in 71, and scoring 58 runs. He slashed an impressive .266/.322/.516 and is in the 92nd percentile in barrel percentage at 14.1. Vientos is going to strike out more than we'd like (29.7% K rate), and his xBA was only .246. However, he now gets to bat behind both Lindor and Juan Soto, which should lead to many more RBI opportunities. Don't expect any stolen bases, but the 25-year-old is a perfectly serviceable third baseman on fantasy rosters.
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11.
Jake Burger
TEX
Jake Burger delivered a strong fantasy performance in 2024, hitting 29 home runs, driving in 76 runs, scoring 68 times, and adding one stolen base. His .250/.301/.460 slash line aligns closely with his career .251 batting average, suggesting sustainability. Burger's power is supported by a 12.3% Barrel Rate and a 91.3 mph average exit velocity, both indicative of his legitimate power. The Rangers' Globe Life Field is considered neutral regarding hitter friendliness, so it may not significantly impact Burger's counting stats next season. With eligibility at both third and first base, Burger's consistent power and improved plate discipline make him a valuable asset for fantasy rosters in 2025.
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12.
Matt Chapman
SF
Matt Chapman delivered a solid fantasy performance in 2024, hitting 27 home runs, driving in 78 runs, scoring 98 times, and adding 15 stolen bases. His .247/.328/.463 slash line aligns closely with his career .238 batting average. Chapman's power metrics are robust, evidenced by an average exit velocity of 93.2 mph and a 12.6% barrel rate, placing him in the 97th percentile for exit velocity. Notably, he reduced his strikeout rate to 24.4%, the lowest since his rookie season. At 31, Chapman's consistent power and defensive wizardry-highlighted by his fifth Gold Glove award in 2024-make him a valuable third baseman in fantasy leagues.
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13.
Alec Bohm
PHI
Alec Bohm delivered a solid fantasy performance in 2024, recording 15 home runs, 97 RBIs, 62 runs scored, and five stolen bases over 143 games. His .280/.332/.448 slash line marked a slight improvement over his career .277 batting average. Bohm's season began impressively, with a .370 batting average and four home runs in April. However, his production declined in the second half, partly due to a left hand injury that sidelined him for 14 games. Statcast metrics reveal a mixed profile: an average exit velocity of 90.4 mph and a 45.6% hard-hit rate suggest solid contact, but a 6.8% barrel rate indicates limited elite power. His 17.4% strikeout rate reflects good plate discipline, though his 4.9% walk rate remains below league average. He is a fine option for a CI spot, but be prepared for the peaks and valleys that come along with him.
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14.
Isaac Paredes
HOU
Isaac Paredes delivered a solid fantasy performance in 2024, hitting 19 home runs, driving in 80 runs, and scoring 64 times across 153 games split between the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs. His .238/.346/.393 slash line remained in line with 2023's numbers. Paredes's average exit velocity of 85 mph and a 27.1% hard-hit rate suggest some caution regarding drafting him for potential power. A 16.4% strikeout rate aligns with his career norms, but his 11.9% walk rate indicates a keen eye at the plate. The Astros' Minute Maid Park, with its short left-field porch, should complement Paredes' pull-heavy approach, potentially boosting his home run totals.
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15.
Eugenio Suarez
ARI
Eugenio Suarez delivered a strong fantasy performance in 2024, hitting 30 home runs, driving in 101 runs, scoring 90 times, and adding 2 stolen bases. His .256/.319/.469 slash line aligns closely with his career .248 batting average. Suarez's power is supported by an 11.3% Barrel Rate and a .469 SLG, though his 27.5% strikeout rate remains a concern. At 33, Suarez will probably offer solid overall stats, but fantasy managers will probably need to ride out extreme ups and downs throughout the season.
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16.
Royce Lewis
MIN
Royce Lewis is the starting third baseman for Team Imagine If They'd Stay Healthy. He started Opening Day and went 2/2 with a double, home run, and pulled hamstring. Fifty-eight missed games later, he returned and tore up opposing pitching for 23 games before returning to the IL with an adductor strain. From there, he became a below-average hitter, forcing many fantasy managers to decide whether to hold or drop him. The allure of what he could do is too much for most. Chances are good Lewis will move to second base in 2025, which could reduce the wear and tear on him in the field. The power and speed are there (if he's allowed to attempt steals), but you MUST bake in missed time when you draft him. If the price drops far enough (say 9th or 10th round), he is an easy player to risk rostering, but it's hard to justify a cost much higher than that at this point.
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17.
Nolan Arenado
STL
Nolan Arenado experienced a decline in his offensive production during the 2024 season, hitting 16 home runs, driving in 71 runs, and scoring 70 times over 152 games. His .272/.325/.394 slash line marked a downturn from his career averages, with his slugging percentage notably dropping below .400 for the first time since his rookie year. Advanced metrics further highlighted this regression; his average exit velocity decreased to 86.3 mph, and his barrel rate plummeted to 3.2%, both career lows. Projections suggest a modest rebound, with anticipated improvements in home runs and RBIs. However, at 34 years old, Arenado's age and recent performance trends may temper expectations, making him a more cautious consideration for fantasy rosters.
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18.
Luis Rengifo
LAA
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19.
Josh Jung
TEX
Josh Jung's 2024 season was significantly impacted by injuries, limiting him to just 46 games. During this period, he posted a .264/.298/.421 slash line, with 7 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases over 178 at-bats. As he enters the 2025 season fully healthy, there's optimism that Jung can return to his 2023 All-Star form and fill your CI slot with some bonus 20-HR power.
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20.
Max Muncy
LAD
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21.
Maikel Garcia
KC
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22.
Matt Shaw
CHC
Matt Shaw should be the starting third baseman for the Cubs as soon as Opening Day, though the acquisition of Justin Turner may delay his arrival. However, there is everything to love about Shaw in fantasy. The 23-year-old hit 21 home runs and stole 31 bases across both Double-A and Triple-A last season. He has also maintained a high OBP at every level of the minors and demonstrated a strong hard-hit percentage across. Shaw is the type of prospect where expectations for a high floor right away seem reasonable. He is an excellent late round pick (currently going in the 23rd round).
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23.
Ryan McMahon
COL
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24.
Willi Castro
MIN
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25.
Connor Norby
MIA
Connor Norby landed in Miami in one of the most perplexing trades of the season, and he demonstrated his potential power once he was there. Norby hit nine home runs and collected 20 RBI in only 36 games. However, he struck out at a 33.3% clip, which is what will most likely continue to suppress his batting average going forward. Norby's barrel rate will offer fantasy managers plenty of power, but it will come with some growing pains and more effect on your ratios than you may want. His cost is low enough, though, to take the chance in 2025.
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26.
Christopher Morel
TB
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27.
Brendan Donovan
STL
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28.
Jeimer Candelario
CIN
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29.
Joey Ortiz
MIL
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30.
Ke'Bryan Hayes
PIT
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31.
Cam Smith
HOU
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32.
Matt Vierling
DET
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33.
Jose Caballero
TB
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34.
Jose Miranda
MIN
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35.
Noelvi Marte
CIN
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36.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
PIT
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37.
Dylan Moore
SEA
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38.
Josh Smith
TEX
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39.
Coby Mayo
BAL
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40.
Ernie Clement
TOR
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41.
Miguel Vargas
CWS
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42.
Brett Baty
NYM
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43.
Brooks Lee
MIN
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44.
Jonah Bride
MIN
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45.
Deyvison De Los Santos
MIA
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46.
Caleb Durbin
MIL
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47.
Jordan Lawlar
ARI
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48.
Paul DeJong
WSH
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49.
Jace Jung
DET
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50.
Jorge Polanco
SEA
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51.
Jose Tena
WSH
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52.
Curtis Mead
TB
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53.
Lenyn Sosa
CWS
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54.
Yoan Moncada
LAA
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55.
Gio Urshela
ATH
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56.
Jon Berti
CHC
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57.
Mauricio Dubon
HOU
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58.
Josh Rojas
CWS
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59.
Jacob Wilson
FA
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60.
Oswaldo Cabrera
NYY
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61.
Amed Rosario
WSH
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62.
Zach McKinstry
DET
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63.
Donovan Solano
SEA
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64.
Enrique Hernandez
LAD
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65.
Oliver Dunn
MIL
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66.
Brandon Drury
FA
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67.
Orelvis Martinez
TOR
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68.
Gabriel Arias
CLE
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69.
Abraham Toro
BOS
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70.
Ramon Urias
BAL
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71.
Leury Garcia
FA
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72.
Graham Pauley
MIA
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73.
Kyle Farmer
COL
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74.
Cavan Biggio
KC
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75.
Jared Triolo
PIT
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76.
Nick Senzel
LAD
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77.
Addison Barger
TOR
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78.
Chase Meidroth
CWS
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79.
Brice Matthews
HOU
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80.
Edmundo Sosa
PHI
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81.
J.C. Escarra
NYY
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82.
DJ LeMahieu
NYY
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83.
Emmanuel Rivera
BAL
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84.
Brock Wilken
MIL
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85.
Jesus Made
MIL
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86.
Elehuris Montero
FA
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87.
Luis Urias
ATH
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88.
Nate Eaton
BOS
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89.
Max Schuemann
ATH
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90.
Otto Kemp
PHI
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91.
Andre Lipcius
CWS
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92.
Jose Fermin
STL
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93.
Vinny Capra
CWS
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94.
Juan Brito
CLE
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95.
Gage Workman
DET
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96.
Andy Ibanez
DET
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97.
Bobby Dalbec
MIL
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98.
Carlos Vargas
FA
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99.
Trey Lipscomb
WSH
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100.
Casey Schmitt
SF
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101.
Jared Young
NYM
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102.
Vidal Brujan
CHC
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103.
Miguel Rojas
LAD
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104.
Jose Iglesias
SD
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105.
Sebastian Walcott
TEX
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106.
Ryan Johnson
HOU
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107.
Kody Clemens
MIN
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108.
Eric Wagaman
MIA
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109.
Chris Taylor
FA
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110.
Ezequiel Duran
TEX
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111.
Eguy Rosario
SD
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112.
Adam Frazier
PIT
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113.
Shay Whitcomb
HOU
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114.
Oswald Peraza
NYY
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115.
Santiago Espinal
CIN
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116.
Daniel Schneemann
CLE
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117.
Aaron Schunk
COL
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118.
Darell Hernaiz
ATH
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119.
Blaze Alexander
ARI
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120.
Brady House
WSH
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121.
Romy Gonzalez
BOS
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122.
Ildemaro Vargas
ARI
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123.
Whit Merrifield
FA
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124.
J.D. Davis
LAA
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125.
Charlie Condon
COL
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126.
Bryan Ramos
CWS
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127.
Anthony Rendon
LAA
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128.
Nick Loftin
KC
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129.
Miles Mastrobuoni
SEA
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130.
Andruw Monasterio
MIL
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131.
Aledmys Diaz
FA
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132.
Tyler Wade
SD
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133.
Luis Guillorme
FA
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134.
Joey Wendle
FA
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135.
Nick Maton
CWS
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136.
Jorbit Vivas
NYY
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137.
Osleivis Basabe
SF
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138.
Dustin Harris
TEX
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139.
Jordan Diaz
FA
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140.
Adam Kennedy
FA
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141.
Nick Sogard
BOS
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142.
Christian Cairo
CLE
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143.
Matt Duffy
FA
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144.
Danny Mendick
FA
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145.
Brett Harris
ATH
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146.
Zach Remillard
FA
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147.
Braden Shewmake
NYY
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148.
Miguel Sano
FA
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149.
Luis Vazquez
BAL
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150.
Jace Peterson
FA
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151.
Grae Kessinger
FA
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152.
Yunior Severino
MIN
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153.
Jonathan Ornelas
TEX
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154.
Patrick Wisdom
FA
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155.
Logan Davidson
ATH
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156.
David Bote
LAD
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157.
Vimael Machin
BAL
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158.
Mike Brosseau
SD
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159.
CJ Alexander
ATH
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160.
Luke Ritter
NYM
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161.
Charles Leblanc
ATL
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162.
Nick Madrigal
NYM
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163.
Jonathon Long
CHC
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164.
Luis De Los Santos
NYM
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165.
Tristan Gray
CWS
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166.
Armando Alvarez
MIN
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167.
Eduardo Escobar
FA
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168.
Jean Segura
FA
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169.
Tyler Nevin
FA
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170.
Mike Moustakas
FA
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171.
Harold Castro
KC
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172.
Brian Anderson
FA
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173.
Alejo Lopez
ATH
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174.
Ben Cowles
CHC
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