Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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7.
Kyle Tucker
RF
Kyle Tucker's 2024 was a lost year due to a leg fracture that limited him to only 78 games. He still managed 23 home runs and 11 stolen bases in only 277 at-bats, and he ended the season with more walks (56) than strikeouts (54). An offseason trade landed Tucker in Chicago to play his contract year with the Cubs. Wrigley Field is middle-of-the-pack when it comes to ballpark factors for lefties with extreme pull tendencies, but Tucker is such a solid all-around hitter that the difference should be negligible compared to Minute Maid Park. Assuming his leg is completely healed, the 27-year-old will be out for a massive payday in 2025, and there is every reason to take him in the first round to anchor your outfield.
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64.
Shota Imanaga
SP
Shota Imanaga arrived at MLB and upstaged his fellow countryman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, mostly by staying healthy. Imanaga started 29 games for the Cubs, pitching 173 1/3 innings and racking up 174 strikeouts while maintaining a 2.91 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. He also kicked in a 15-3 record to boost his fantasy impact. His 25.1% strikeout rate and microscopic 4.0% walk rate furthered his case as Chicago's ace. The biggest red flag for Imanaga this season is that his 2.91 ERA was a mirage, thanks to an unsustainable 80.2% LOB percentage. His xERA was 3.46, and that should be closer to the expectation going forward. Imanaga is a high-end SP2 on draft day.
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86.
Seiya Suzuki
LF,RF
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.
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115.
Justin Steele
SP
Justin Steele's 2024 season was marked by both impressive performances and injury setbacks. He posted a 5-5 record with a 3.07 ERA over 24 starts, striking out 135 batters in 134.2 innings, and maintaining a WHIP of 1.10. His advanced metrics were equally strong, with an average exit velocity of 86.9 mph and a hard-hit rate of 33.2%, both improvements from the previous season. Notably, Steele's strikeout rate increased to 33.3%, a significant uptick from his 24.6% rate in 2023, while his walk rate remained stable at 5.6%. However, injuries impacted Steele's availability. He began the season on the injured list due to a left hamstring strain and later dealt with left elbow tendinitis, limiting his innings. If he can maintain his health, Steele has the tools to build on his success and provide valuable innings for Chicago and fantasy teams.
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119.
Ian Happ
LF
Ian Happ has settled into a reliable role for fantasy managers. He's a steady source of 20+ home runs and double-digit steals while maintaining a high walk rate that helps him score around 90 runs. Though his strikeout rate spiked in 2024, the strength of the Cubs' lineup still makes him a solid OF3 option in fantasy leagues.
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134.
Pete Crow-Armstrong
CF
Top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong finally got an extended opportunity in Chicago, showcasing his speed and power with 10 home runs and 27 stolen bases. His .237 batting average left room for improvement, but his minor league track record suggests he can take a step forward in his second full season. While his xwOBA (.281) and Statcast metrics indicate he won't be an on-base standout, his elite 99th-percentile speed makes him a viable OF3 option for fantasy managers.
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155.
Dansby Swanson
SS
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185.
Nico Hoerner
2B,SS
Nico Hoerner delivered a solid fantasy season in 2024, recording seven home runs, 48 RBIs, 86 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases over 151 games. His .273/.335/.373 slash line aligns closely with his career .278 batting average, suggesting a sustainable performance. While Hoerner's power metrics, such as a 1.2% Barrel Rate and an average exit velocity of 85.7 mph, indicate limited home run potential, his elite contact skills are evident in his 12.1% strikeout rate, ranking eighth-lowest among qualified hitters. An October surgery to repair a flexor tendon in his right forearm may impact his availability for the start of the 2025 season. Fantasy managers should monitor his recovery closely, as his speed and contact skills make him a valuable second baseman when healthy.
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214.
Ryan Pressly
RP
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223.
Michael Busch
1B
Michael Busch stepped into Chicago and became the everyday first baseman. He hit 21 bombs with 65 RBI and 73 runs scored. He had a respectable .775 OPS, and the biggest concern about him is that he may find himself in a platoon if his numbers versus lefties struggle. However, the playing time should be there in general, and the Cubs have a decent lineup ahead of him to boost his RBI numbers. Looking forward, Busch is in a good position to take another step forward in 2025 and is a good late-draft power option.
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231.
Matt Shaw
2B,3B,SS
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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317.
Porter Hodge
RP
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319.
Matthew Boyd
SP
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338.
Jameson Taillon
SP
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383.
Miguel Amaya
C
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384.
Ben Brown
SP,RP
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476.
Jon Berti
3B
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532.
Justin Turner
1B
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540.
Kenta Maeda
SP,RP
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559.
Ryan Brasier
SP,RP
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584.
Tyson Miller
RP
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630.
Luke Little
RP
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660.
Nate Pearson
RP
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695.
Eli Morgan
RP
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705.
Caleb Thielbar
RP
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764.
Reese McGuire
C
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813.
Carson Kelly
C
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874.
Colin Rea
SP,RP
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885.
Javier Assad
SP
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905.
Chris Flexen
SP,RP
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934.
James Triantos
2B
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1041.
Keegan Thompson
RP
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1055.
Cade Horton
SP
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1119.
Daniel Palencia
RP
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1127.
Jordan Wicks
SP
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1141.
Michael Fulmer
RP
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1152.
Moises Ballesteros
C
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1154.
Vidal Brujan
2B,3B,SS,CF
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1185.
Ethan Roberts
RP
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1187.
Genesis Cabrera
RP
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1210.
Kevin Alcantara
RF
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1219.
Jack Neely
RP
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1235.
Owen Caissie
CF
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1288.
Tom Cosgrove
RP
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1304.
Phil Bickford
RP
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1338.
Gavin Hollowell
RP
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1366.
Ben Heller
RP
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1420.
Brandon Hughes
RP
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1483.
Brad Keller
RP
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1520.
Jake Woodford
SP,RP
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1661.
Jonathon Long
1B,3B
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