Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
|
5.
Elly De La Cruz
SS
There are two primary ways to win the stolen base category in 2025 fantasy baseball. You can wait and hodge-podge together a few guys to get there. Or you can draft Elly De La Cruz. The 22-year-old shortstop arrived in speedster fashion in 2024, racking up 67 stolen bases in 160 games. He also hit 25 home runs and scored 105 runs. Sure, his K% is in the sixth percentile at 31.3, and he isn't going to do much for your batting average. However, he can single-handedly deliver an SB win in weekly H2H leagues. Interestingly, ELDC hit more home runs away from Great American Ball Park (13 to 12), so there is room for growth with his power numbers if he unlocks that cheat code of a home stadium. Elly is a first-round draft pick with significant upside in 2025.
|
|
56.
Matt McLain
2B,SS
Matt McLain's 2024 season was unfortunately curtailed due to injury. After a promising 2023 rookie year with the Cincinnati Reds, where he posted a .290 batting average, 16 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases over 89 games, McLain faced health setbacks in 2024. He began the season on the injured list, recovering from a right oblique strain sustained in late August 2023. Despite efforts to return, including a brief rehab assignment in September 2023, he re-aggravated the injury and was shut down for the remainder of the season. In March 2024, McLain underwent shoulder surgery to repair a labrum tear and cartilage damage, sidelining him indefinitely. As of March 2025, McLain is actively participating in spring training, aiming to regain his form and secure his spot in the Reds' lineup for the upcoming season.
|
|
102.
Spencer Steer
1B,LF
Spencer Steer remained a valuable multi-position asset in fantasy baseball during 2024, though his batting average took a notable dip from .271 to .225. Despite the decline, the 26-year-old showcased power and speed, launching 20 home runs and swiping 25 bases-an increase of 10 steals from the previous season. Playing half his games in Cincinnati should help sustain his power output, and hitting in a solid lineup will support his counting stats. While some batting average rebound is possible, expecting him to return to .270 seems unrealistic; a more reasonable projection is around .240. His versatility adds appeal, but fantasy managers should be cautious not to overpay.
|
|
139.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand
1B
|
|
142.
TJ Friedl
LF,CF
|
|
143.
Tyler Stephenson
C
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.
|
|
192.
Jeimer Candelario
1B,3B
|
|
208.
Gavin Lux
2B,LF
|
|
220.
Austin Hays
LF
|
|
226.
Jake Fraley
LF,RF
|
|
265.
Noelvi Marte
3B
|
|
311.
Jose Trevino
C
|
|
468.
Connor Joe
1B,LF,RF
|
|
537.
Santiago Espinal
2B,3B,OF
|
|
557.
Will Benson
LF,CF,RF
|
|
596.
Austin Wynns
C
|
|
609.
Blake Dunn
LF,RF
|
|
611.
Jacob Hurtubise
LF
|
|
636.
Rece Hinds
RF
|
|
685.
Tyler Callihan
2B
|
|
763.
Levi Jordan
RF
|
