Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

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.

Emmanuel Clase fell just short of leading MLB in saves for the third year in a row. He still closed 47 games for the Guardians, setting the team's single-season record. Clase threw 74 1/3 innings with a microscopic 0.61 ERA and 0.66 WHIP. Clase offers a devastating combo of cutter/slider that keeps opposing batters off balance and unable to make good contact. He also doesn't walk people. However, he doesn't strike many out (K% of 24.4), but the trade-off is well worth it to have the top closer on a good team. Clase is RP1 in 2025, and it's not close.

Tanner Bibee was one of the most anticipated starting pitchers coming into 2024, and he delivered a fantastic season. He started 31 games, pitching 173 2/3 innings and striking out 187 batters on his way to a 3.47 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. That being said, some concerning underlying numbers make him a bit risky in 2025. Bibee gave up 1.14 HR/9, and his fastball proved to be extremely hittable. Opposing batters slugged .476 off the pitch with an xBA of .283. A four-seamer with those numbers can spell trouble, particularly against teams that face him more often. Bibee should have good win equity in 2025, but he is much better seen as an SP3 than the ace of your fantasy staff.