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Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes

Shohei Ohtani Note
Shohei Ohtani photo 1. Shohei Ohtani LAD
Shohei Ohtani silenced any skeptics questioning his value after he was ruled out as a pitcher for 2024. The 30-year-old phenom delivered an unforgettable season, making a strong case as the top fantasy asset for managers who used him in their UTIL slot. Ohtani introduced the unprecedented 50/50 club, racking up 134 runs scored, 130 RBIs, and an extraordinary slash line of .311/.391/1.039. His .336 ISO and 9.1 WAR further highlighted his dominance. As a key piece of the Dodgers' lineup, he played a pivotal role in their championship run, earning his first World Series title. Expected to resume pitching in 2025, Ohtani offers an added bonus to his already unmatched fantasy value. Drafting him at 1.1 is a no-brainer, as his upside is unparalleled barring any unexpected injury.
7 weeks ago
Aaron Judge Note
Aaron Judge photo 2. Aaron Judge NYY
Aaron Judge roared back to form in 2024, reclaiming his spot as one of fantasy baseball's most dominant hitters. He topped MLB with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs while posting a phenomenal .322/.458/.701 slash line. Judge also showed improved plate discipline, reduced strikeouts, and remained healthy through 704 plate appearances. Along the way, he scored 122 runs and even chipped in 10 stolen bases. While Juan Soto's presence in the Yankees lineup provided some support, Judge's production should remain elite even without him in 2025. At 32 years old, durability is a minor concern, but the Yankees have effectively managed his workload by balancing his time between the outfield and designated hitter. Leading the league with an 11.2 WAR, Judge is a lock to dominate four of the five offensive categories in standard 5x5 leagues, making him a no-doubt top-three pick in drafts.
7 weeks ago
Jose Ramirez Note
Jose Ramirez photo 3. 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.
7 weeks ago
Yordan Alvarez Note
Yordan Alvarez photo 4. Yordan Alvarez HOU
Yordan Alvarez set a career-high by playing in 147 games this season. He showcased his power with 35 home runs, complemented by 88 runs scored, 86 RBIs, and a career-best six stolen bases. Alvarez posted an impressive .308/.392/.567 slash line, ranking within the Top 7 across several key offensive categories in all of baseball. While his walk rate dipped from 13.9% to 10.9%, his strikeout rate also improved, reflecting a continued ability to make selective, quality swings. Although stolen bases won't be a significant part of his game, Alvarez remains a reliable contributor in four key categories, cementing his status as a strong first-round option heading into 2025.
7 weeks ago
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Note
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. photo 5. 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.
3 weeks ago
Ketel Marte Note
Ketel Marte photo 6. Ketel Marte ARI
Ketel Marte went off in 2024, setting new career highs in home runs (36) and RBIs (95). He added 93 runs and seven stolen bases while slashing .292/.372/.560, rewarding fantasy managers who took him on draft day and catapulting him into the 2B1 position heading into 2025. Marte missed some time last season with an ankle injury and has only played in 150 or more games twice in his career, so there is some injury risk baked in. However, at age 31, he seems primed for another monster season and is one of only two second basemen capable of a 30/100/100 season. Draft him with confidence.
7 weeks ago
Manny Machado Note
Manny Machado photo 7. 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.
6 weeks ago
Kyle Schwarber Note
Kyle Schwarber photo 8. Kyle Schwarber PHI
Kyle Schwarber delivered another stellar season, showcasing his trademark consistency by blasting 38 home runs, crossing the plate 110 times, and driving in 104 runs. In 2024, he added a .248 batting average to his résumé, stole five bases, and kept his strikeout total under 200 for the first time since 2021-a season in which he played just 113 games. At 31 years old, Schwarber's skill set remains well-suited for maintaining his production. Batting in the heart of a potent Phillies lineup, he's primed to keep racking up numbers. With free agency looming after 2025, he could also bring an extra edge to his performance. Just be prepared to balance out his impact on your team's batting average while enjoying the power surge.
6 weeks ago
William Contreras Note
William Contreras photo 9. 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.
6 weeks ago
Brent Rooker Note
Brent Rooker photo 10. Brent Rooker ATH
Brent Rooker delivered a standout fantasy season in 2024, launching 39 home runs, driving in 112 runs, scoring 82 times, and even adding 11 stolen bases. His impressive .293/.365/.562 slash line, however, is unlikely to hold up in 2025, as it significantly outpaces his career .243 batting average. The good news is that Rooker's power is legitimate, supported by a .570 xSLG and a 97th percentile Barrel Rate (16.6%). While his 28.8% strikeout rate showed improvement, it still raises concerns, particularly since players at 30 years old rarely sustain such progress. The Athletics' move to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento-a park that favors hitters-could enhance Rooker's counting stats next season. Though he'll start 2025 with only DH eligibility, his potential for 40 home runs places him among an elite group of power hitters, making him a worthwhile addition to fantasy rosters.
4 weeks ago
Marcell Ozuna Note
Marcell Ozuna photo 11. Marcell Ozuna ATL
Marcell Ozuna returned to the Braves' lineup in 2024 and delivered nearly identical results to his 2023 campaign. He crushed 39 home runs, drove in 104 runs, and crossed the plate 96 times. Unlike Kyle Schwarber, Ozuna paired his power with a .302 batting average, making him a valuable four-category contributor. However, that lofty average was fueled by an unsustainable .359 BABIP, suggesting he's likely to revert closer to his career mark of .272. Still, with Atlanta's offense at full strength and Ozuna playing in a contract year, he remains a worthy staple in your utility slot.
7 days ago
Wyatt Langford Note
Wyatt Langford photo 12. Wyatt Langford TEX
Wyatt Langford entered the 2024 season as one of the most anticipated rookies, and his debut campaign was a rollercoaster ride. He finished on a high note, posting a .300 batting average in September while launching eight of his 16 home runs and collecting 20 RBI and 25 runs during the month. Langford appears to have navigated the typical challenges of a rookie season, potentially setting himself up to avoid the notorious "sophomore slump." Fantasy managers can reasonably expect a 20/20 season (he tallied 16 homers and 19 steals in 2024), with the potential for improved counting stats if the Texas lineup remains healthy. He's a reliable OF2/OF3 option with plenty of upside for fantasy rosters.
5 weeks ago
Adley Rutschman Note
Adley Rutschman photo 13. 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.
5 weeks ago
Anthony Santander Note
Anthony Santander photo 14. Anthony Santander TOR
Anthony Santander had an impressive 2024 season in his contract year, establishing career highs in games played (155), home runs (44), RBIs (102), and runs scored (91). His slash line of .235/.308/.506, combined with a notable reduction in his strikeout rate from 23.2% to 19.4%, highlighted his growth as a hitter. Now 30 years old, Santander heads to Canada on a deal with the Blue Jays and a questionable lineup around him, though Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will certainly provide RBI opportunities. Santander offers a rare combination of significant power and relatively low strikeout rates (career K% of 20.0), but questions remain about whether he can maintain his production after securing a long-term contract. While he's a reliable mid-round pick, early-round investment carries some risk, as regression could be on the horizon.
4 weeks ago
Bryan Reynolds Note
Bryan Reynolds photo 15. Bryan Reynolds PIT
Bryan Reynolds remains one of the most dependable options in fantasy baseball, delivering another steady season in 2024. He posted 24 home runs, 88 RBIs, 73 runs, and 10 steals while improving his batting average to .275 after hovering in the .260s the previous two years. Reynolds is the type of player who quietly excels-consistent, reliable, and unfazed by the ups and downs. At 29, he may not bring much flash, but for an OF3, reliability often outweighs excitement. Few players offer a steadier floor than Reynolds.
7 days ago
Seiya Suzuki Note
Seiya Suzuki photo 16. Seiya Suzuki CHC
Seiya Suzuki battled injuries in 2024, which disrupted an otherwise strong season. The 30-year-old outfielder posted 21 home runs, 74 runs scored, 73 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases while delivering a valuable .283/.366/.482 slash line for fantasy managers. One concern is a rise in strikeout rate from 22.3% to 27.4%, but his HardHit% and wOBA continued to improve for a third straight year. Given his consistent production, Suzuki remains a solid mid-round target as an OF3 in fantasy drafts.
7 days ago
Royce Lewis Note
Royce Lewis photo 17. 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.
6 weeks ago
Riley Greene Note
Riley Greene photo 18. Riley Greene DET
Riley Greene was a popular sleeper pick last season, and he backed up the hype with a strong performance. The 23-year-old outfielder launched 24 home runs, tallied 82 runs, and drove in 74 RBIs. While his batting average dipped slightly from .288 to .267, his overall slash line of .267/.347/.Four hundred fifty-seven remained solid. Notably, Greene continued to refine his approach at the plate, lowering his strikeout rate for the third consecutive season while boosting his walk rate from 8.4% to 11.0%. He may not be the flashiest name, but that works to your advantage-his value often exceeds his draft price. If you can land him as your OF4, your outfield depth will be in excellent shape.
7 days ago
Salvador Perez Note
Salvador Perez photo 19. Salvador Perez KC
Cody Bellinger Note
Cody Bellinger photo 20. Cody Bellinger NYY
Vinnie Pasquantino Note
Vinnie Pasquantino photo 21. Vinnie Pasquantino KC
Yainer Diaz Note
Yainer Diaz photo 22. 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.
1 week ago
Christian Yelich Note
Christian Yelich photo 23. Christian Yelich MIL
Willson Contreras Note
Willson Contreras photo 24. Willson Contreras STL
Jake Burger Note
Jake Burger photo 25. Jake Burger TEX
Adolis Garcia Note
Adolis Garcia photo 26. Adolis Garcia TEX
Adolis García followed up his stellar 2023 campaign with a noticeable decline in production. His home run total dipped from 39 to 25, and his runs and RBIs took a hit as well, in part due to injuries within the Texas lineup. Looking ahead to 2025, projections suggest he'll post around 30 homers, 75 runs, and 90 RBIs-solid numbers for a third outfielder in fantasy. At this point, his 39-homer, 108-run, 107-RBI season appears to be the exception rather than the norm.
7 days ago
Yandy Diaz Note
Yandy Diaz photo 27. Yandy Diaz TB
Luis Arraez Note
Luis Arraez photo 28. Luis Arraez SD
Kerry Carpenter Note
Kerry Carpenter photo 29. Kerry Carpenter DET
George Springer Note
George Springer photo 30. George Springer TOR
Jorge Soler Note
Jorge Soler photo 31. Jorge Soler LAA
Jorge Soler signed a three-year deal with the Angels in the offseason where he will continue doing what he does: Hitting between 20-30 home runs and going 75/75 in the other counting stats.
1 week ago
Alec Burleson Note
Alec Burleson photo 32. Alec Burleson STL
Brandon Lowe Note
Brandon Lowe photo 33. Brandon Lowe TB
Rhys Hoskins Note
Rhys Hoskins photo 34. Rhys Hoskins MIL
Joc Pederson Note
Joc Pederson photo 35. Joc Pederson TEX
Andrew Vaughn Note
Andrew Vaughn photo 36. Andrew Vaughn CWS
Giancarlo Stanton Note
Giancarlo Stanton photo 37. Giancarlo Stanton NYY
Ryan Jeffers Note
Ryan Jeffers photo 38. Ryan Jeffers MIN
Christopher Morel Note
Christopher Morel photo 39. Christopher Morel TB
Josh Bell Note
Josh Bell photo 40. Josh Bell WSH
Masataka Yoshida Note
Masataka Yoshida photo 41. Masataka Yoshida BOS
Jeimer Candelario Note
Jeimer Candelario photo 42. Jeimer Candelario CIN
Kyle Manzardo Note
Kyle Manzardo photo 43. Kyle Manzardo CLE
Michael Conforto Note
Michael Conforto photo 44. Michael Conforto LAD
Eloy Jimenez Note
Eloy Jimenez photo 45. Eloy Jimenez TB
Ryan O'Hearn Note
Ryan O'Hearn photo 46. Ryan O'Hearn BAL
J.D. Martinez Note
J.D. Martinez photo 47. J.D. Martinez FA
Jose Miranda Note
Jose Miranda photo 48. Jose Miranda MIN
Trevor Larnach Note
Trevor Larnach photo 49. Trevor Larnach MIN
Andrew McCutchen Note
Andrew McCutchen photo 50. Andrew McCutchen PIT
Tyler Black Note
Tyler Black photo 51. Tyler Black MIL
Freddy Fermin Note
Freddy Fermin photo 52. Freddy Fermin KC
Jesse Winker Note
Jesse Winker photo 53. Jesse Winker NYM
Bryan De La Cruz Note
Bryan De La Cruz photo 54. Bryan De La Cruz ATL
David Fry Note
David Fry photo 55. David Fry CLE
Mitch Garver Note
Mitch Garver photo 56. Mitch Garver SEA
Justin Turner Note
Justin Turner photo 57. Justin Turner FA
Nelson Velazquez Note
Nelson Velazquez photo 58. Nelson Velazquez KC
Mike Tauchman Note
Mike Tauchman photo 59. Mike Tauchman CWS
Gary Sanchez Note
Gary Sanchez photo 60. Gary Sanchez BAL
Amed Rosario Note
Amed Rosario photo 61. Amed Rosario WSH
Randal Grichuk Note
Randal Grichuk photo 62. Randal Grichuk ARI
Mitch Haniger Note
Mitch Haniger photo 63. Mitch Haniger SEA
Mark Canha Note
Mark Canha photo 64. Mark Canha FA
Donovan Solano Note
Donovan Solano photo 65. Donovan Solano SEA
Matt Mervis Note
Matt Mervis photo 66. Matt Mervis MIA
Gavin Sheets Note
Gavin Sheets photo 67. Gavin Sheets SD
Stone Garrett Note
Stone Garrett photo 68. Stone Garrett WSH
Justyn-Henry Malloy Note
Justyn-Henry Malloy photo 69. Justyn-Henry Malloy DET
Robbie Grossman Note
Robbie Grossman photo 70. Robbie Grossman FA
Travis Jankowski Note
Travis Jankowski photo 71. Travis Jankowski FA
Matt Carpenter Note
Matt Carpenter photo 72. Matt Carpenter FA
Daniel Vogelbach Note
Daniel Vogelbach photo 73. Daniel Vogelbach FA
Luken Baker Note
Luken Baker photo 74. Luken Baker STL
Andres Chaparro Note
Andres Chaparro photo 75. Andres Chaparro WSH
DJ Stewart Note
DJ Stewart photo 76. DJ Stewart PIT
Niko Kavadas Note
Niko Kavadas photo 77. Niko Kavadas LAA
Dustin Harris Note
Dustin Harris photo 78. Dustin Harris TEX
Justin Foscue Note
Justin Foscue photo 79. Justin Foscue TEX
Joey Meneses Note
Joey Meneses photo 80. Joey Meneses NYM
Willie Calhoun Note
Willie Calhoun photo 81. Willie Calhoun FA