Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
William Contreras
MIL
It was only a matter of time before William Contreras became the top catcher in fantasy baseball, and his usage is one big reason why. The 27-year-old appeared in 155 games, catching 120 while serving as DH in 35. It is hard to find that level of consistency at the backstop position, but his numbers also stand alone. He hit 23 home runs, scored 99 runs, drove in 92, and stole nine bases. Perhaps his best trait compared to his peers is that he is an asset to your ratio numbers. He slashed .281/.365/.466 in 2024, which is not an aberration compared to his career. Aside from having to use an early pick on him, there isn't much downside to the younger Contreras.
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2.
Adley Rutschman
BAL
Adley Rutschman took a step back in 2024 compared to his stellar 2023 season. The 26-year-old appeared in 148 games, serving as the designated hitter in 45 of them, and slashed a disappointing .250/.318/.391. He hit 19 home runs, driving in 79 and scoring 68. His numbers in the second half of the year were abysmal, as he batted only .207 with only three home runs. Of most concern was his 100-point drop in OPS. Rutschman is being taken as the second catcher off the board, as there is hope that he can return closer to his 2023 numbers; however, his Statcast page suggests 2024 wasn't a terrible outlier of a season. There may be similar talent later in the draft.
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3.
Salvador Perez
KC
Salvador Perez continued to be a reliable fantasy player in 2024, delivering 27 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 58 runs scored over 158 games. His .271/.330/.456 slash line marked an improvement in on-base percentage compared to his career .303 OBP, thanks to a career-high 44 walks. Perez's power remains legitimate, with a 12.2% barrel rate and an average exit velocity of 91.1 mph, aligning with his career norms. Given his consistent power production and improved plate discipline, Perez remains a valuable option for fantasy managers seeking stability at the catcher position.
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4.
Yainer Diaz
HOU
Yainer Diaz became the Astros' starting catcher in 2024, which put a dent in his power numbers given the physical responsibilities of playing the position more regularly. In 148 games, he hit 16 homers with 84 RBI and 70 runs while slashing .299/.325/.441. For some, the catcher position in fantasy is about finding someone who isn't going to hurt you, and Diaz offers that, particularly in batting average. His xBA was the exact same as his actual, and he has a career average of .291. It's possible that the 26-year-old could cross the 20-homer mark in 2025, but you should draft him for his average and RBI potential.
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5.
Cal Raleigh
SEA
Cal Raleigh holds down most of the power at the catcher position on his own. He hit 34 home runs last season and has 91 over the past three years, far and away the most among backstops. He is a batting average liability (.220), and his .312 OBP leaves much to be desired. However, he collected 100 RBI, scored 73 runs, and even stole six bases. If you can find a way to offset his ratios, Raleigh offers plenty of upside in 2025 at the most difficult position to fill.
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6.
Willson Contreras
STL
Willson Contreras had a truncated but productive 2024 season for the Cardinals, posting a .262 batting average with 15 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 48 runs scored over 84 games. His .380 on-base percentage and .468 slugging percentage contributed to an impressive .848 OPS. A fractured left forearm sustained on May 7 limited his playing time, but his .370 wOBA and .365 xwOBA continue to make him an excellent fantasy catcher.
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7.
Will Smith
LAD
Will Smith delivered a decent fantasy performance in 2024, playing in 128 games and posting a .248/.327/.433 slash line with 20 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 77 runs scored. While his batting average dipped below his career mark of .258, his power remained consistent, supported by a 10.8% barrel rate and a .334 expected wOBA (xwOBA). While his strikeout rate and walk rate both went in the wrong direction, Smith fits in the "Draft the Dodgers" philosophy and is still a top-catching option.
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8.
Shea Langeliers
ATH
Shea Langeliers showcased significant power during the 2024 season, hitting 29 home runs and driving in 80 runs over 137 games. His .224/.288/.450 slash line reflects a modest improvement from his previous seasons, though his batting average remains below league average. Notably, Langeliers' power appears sustainable, as evidenced by a .456 xSLG and a 12.8% Barrel Rate, placing him in the 87th percentile. He also reduced his strikeout rate to 27.2%, down from 29.2% in 2023, indicating progress in plate discipline. As the Athletics transition to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, a venue that could favor hitters-Langeliers' power numbers, could see an uptick in 2025. His eligibility at catcher enhances his fantasy value, making him a compelling option for those seeking power at the position.
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9.
J.T. Realmuto
PHI
J.T. Realmuto's 2024 season saw a slight decline in offensive production, as he posted a .266/.322/.429 slash line with 14 home runs, 47 RBIs, 50 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases over 380 at-bats. His average exit velocity was 89.2 mph, with a hard-hit rate of 46.6% and a barrel rate of 10.4%. At 33, it's uncertain if he can rebound to his previous elite form. Despite the downturn, Realmuto's track record and defensive prowess keep him relevant in fantasy baseball, but managers should temper expectations and monitor his performance closely in the upcoming season.
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10.
Logan O'Hoppe
LAA
Logan O'Hoppe delivered a solid fantasy season in 2024, hitting 20 home runs, driving in 56 runs, scoring 64 times, and adding two stolen bases, with a .244/.303/.409 slash line. O'Hoppe's power appears sustainable, supported by a 12% barrel rate and a 90.4 mph average exit velocity, both of which are above league average. However, his 29.7% strikeout rate is a concern. At 25 years old, there's room for improvement in plate discipline. If he can reduce his strikeouts, O'Hoppe has the potential to increase his batting average and become a more valuable fantasy player, but at the catching position, he is a Top 10 choice.
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11.
Austin Wells
NYY
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12.
Gabriel Moreno
ARI
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13.
Tyler Stephenson
CIN
Tyler Stephenson rebounded in 2024, delivering a decent fantasy season with 19 home runs, 66 RBIs, 69 runs scored, and a .258/.338/.444 slash line over 138 games. This performance marked a significant improvement from his injury-plagued 2022 and a down year in 2023. Stephenson led all National League catchers with 127 games behind the plate, starting 112, and his 1,001 innings caught were the most by a Reds catcher since 1993. At 28, Stephenson is entering his prime, and with the Reds' offense showing potential, he could see an uptick in counting stats. His dual eligibility at catcher and first base enhances his fantasy appeal for 2025.
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14.
Ivan Herrera
STL
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15.
Keibert Ruiz
WSH
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16.
Ryan Jeffers
MIN
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17.
Connor Wong
BOS
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18.
Francisco Alvarez
NYM
Francisco Alvarez's 2024 season with the New York Mets was marked by both challenges and resilience. Despite a mid-season thumb injury that sidelined him for seven weeks, Álvarez managed to play in 100 games, posting a .237 batting average with 11 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 39 runs scored. Alvarez's average exit velocity stood at 88.8 mph, with a hard-hit rate of 42% and a barrel rate of 6.7%. He has a lot of upside at a difficult position to fill, but fantasy managers will have to brace for his low batting average.
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19.
Alejandro Kirk
TOR
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20.
Joey Bart
PIT
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21.
Bo Naylor
CLE
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22.
Sean Murphy
ATL
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23.
Patrick Bailey
SF
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24.
Jonah Heim
TEX
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25.
Danny Jansen
TB
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26.
Hunter Goodman
COL
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27.
Travis d'Arnaud
LAA
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28.
Freddy Fermin
KC
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29.
Miguel Amaya
CHC
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30.
Mitch Garver
SEA
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31.
Luis Campusano
SD
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32.
Kyle Higashioka
TEX
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33.
Jake Rogers
DET
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34.
Drake Baldwin
ATL
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35.
Elias Diaz
SD
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36.
Endy Rodriguez
PIT
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37.
Henry Davis
PIT
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38.
David Fry
CLE
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39.
Adrian Del Castillo
ARI
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40.
Dalton Rushing
LAD
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41.
Kyle Teel
CWS
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42.
Christian Vazquez
MIN
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43.
Jacob Stallings
COL
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44.
Gary Sanchez
BAL
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45.
Nick Fortes
MIA
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46.
Agustin Ramirez
MIA
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47.
Jose Trevino
CIN
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48.
Edgar Quero
CWS
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49.
Tom Murphy
SF
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50.
Pedro Pages
STL
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51.
Carson Kelly
CHC
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52.
Luis Torrens
NYM
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53.
Blake Sabol
BOS
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54.
Korey Lee
CWS
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55.
Samuel Basallo
BAL
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56.
Drew Romo
COL
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57.
J.C. Escarra
NYY
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58.
Victor Caratini
HOU
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59.
Yasmani Grandal
FA
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60.
Dillon Dingler
DET
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61.
Ben Rortvedt
TB
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62.
Eric Haase
MIL
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63.
Carlos Narvaez
BOS
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64.
Jose Herrera
ARI
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65.
Yan Gomes
FA
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66.
Kyle McCann
ATH
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67.
Alex Jackson
NYY
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68.
Hunter Feduccia
LAD
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69.
Moises Ballesteros
CHC
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70.
Jeferson Quero
MIL
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71.
Jhonny Pereda
ATH
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72.
Jason Delay
PIT
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73.
Reese McGuire
CHC
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74.
Liam Hicks
MIA
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75.
James McCann
ATL
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76.
Rene Pinto
ARI
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77.
Garrett Stubbs
PHI
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78.
Riley Adams
WSH
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79.
Sam Huff
SF
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80.
Austin Hedges
CLE
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81.
Rafael Marchan
PHI
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82.
Austin Barnes
LAD
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83.
Christian Bethancourt
TOR
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84.
Chadwick Tromp
ATL
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85.
Andrew Knizner
WSH
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86.
Martin Maldonado
SD
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87.
Jimmy Crooks III
STL
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88.
Carter Jensen
KC
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89.
Diego Cartaya
MIN
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90.
Tyler Heineman
TOR
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91.
Matt Thaiss
CWS
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92.
Ethan Salas
SD
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93.
Joe Hudson
HOU
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94.
Drew Millas
WSH
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95.
Cesar Salazar
HOU
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96.
Tomas Nido
DET
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97.
Luke Maile
FA
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98.
Austin Wynns
CIN
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99.
Curt Casali
FA
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100.
Logan Driscoll
TB
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101.
Seby Zavala
BOS
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102.
Hayden Senger
NYM
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103.
Omar Narvaez
FA
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104.
Max Stassi
SF
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105.
Jakson Reetz
NYM
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106.
Brett Sullivan
SD
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107.
Ali Sanchez
TOR
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108.
Joe Mack
MIA
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109.
Chuckie Robinson
LAA
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110.
Brian O'Keefe
KC
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111.
Blake Hunt
SEA
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112.
Jair Camargo
MIN
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113.
Tucker Barnhart
TEX
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114.
Brian Serven
DET
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115.
Luca Tresh
KC
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116.
Dom Nunez
CLE
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117.
David Banuelos
BAL
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118.
Aramis Garcia
ARI
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119.
Sandy Leon
ATL
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120.
Chad Wallach
TEX
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121.
Cesar Salazar
FA
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122.
Phil Clarke
TOR
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