Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Bobby Witt Jr.
SS
Bobby Witt Jr is the poster child for "five-category fantasy asset." In 2024, the 24-year-old smacked 32 home runs, scored 125, knocked in 109, and stole 31 bases. On top of this, he slashed .332/.389/.588 and now has an argument to be the top overall pick in 2025. He reduced his K% from 17.4 to 15.0 and raised his BB% from 5.8 to 8.0. The only blemish on his Statcast page is a high chase rate (32.1%), but with 100th percentile sprint speed (30.5) and sitting above the 90th percentile in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, avgEV, and barrel percentage, we can let it go. Shortstop is a deep position, but Witt stands alone at the top of the heap.
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37.
Cole Ragans
SP
Cole Ragans was a hot entity heading into the 2024 fantasy season, and he delivered on expectations. He pitched 186 1/3 innings, struck out 223 batters, and ended with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. His xERA and xFIP mostly backed up these numbers, and his 29.3% K rate landed him in the 88th percentile of the league. He walked a few more batters than fantasy managers would have liked (8.8 BB%) and seemed to run out of steam near the end of the season. However, he has plenty of upside heading into 2025 and can hold down a fantasy rotation's SP1 spot.
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103.
Salvador Perez
C,1B,DH
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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116.
Vinnie Pasquantino
1B,DH
Vinnie Pasquantino took a good-sized leap in his first full season in the majors. Even though his season was cut short due to a thumb injury, Italian Breakfast still hit 19 home runs and drove in 97 while slashing .262/.315/.446. While his walk rate took a small step down, his strikeout rate (12.8%) and whiff rate (14.5%) remain in the 96th percentile in the league. Pasquantino should remain in the lineup behind Bobby Witt Jr and Salvador Perez, making him a fantastic target for counting stats. If you wait on first basemen, nabbing Pasquantino in the 10th round can give you the return you're looking for.
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153.
Seth Lugo
SP
Seth Lugo delivered an impressive 2024 season for the Kansas City Royals, posting a 16-9 record with a 3.00 ERA over 206.2 innings pitched, and recording 181 strikeouts against 48 walks. His performance earned him a spot on the American League All-Star team and a second-place finish in the AL Cy Young Award voting. At 35 years old, Lugo's durability and consistency were key assets for the Royals' rotation. While his 2024 performance was stellar, fantasy managers should monitor his workload and age-related factors when considering him for the 2025 season.
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204.
Jonathan India
2B,3B,LF
Jonathan India delivered a solid fantasy performance in 2024, recording 15 home runs, 58 RBIs, 84 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. His .248/.357/.392 slash line aligns closely with his career numbers. India's power metrics, including a .412 xSLG and a 7.7% Barrel Rate, indicate potential for increased power output. Notably, he improved his plate discipline, achieving a career-high 12.6% walk rate and reducing his strikeout rate to 19.6%, both career bests. Following an offseason trade to the Kansas City Royals, India is expected to be a key contributor in their lineup and an excellent late-round option at 2B for those who wait.
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213.
Carlos Estevez
RP
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220.
Lucas Erceg
RP
Lucas Erceg landed with the Royals after a midseason trade from the A's, and he promptly took command of the ninth inning in Kansas City. In sum, the 29-year-old former infielder tossed 61 2/3 innings, striking out 72 batters, and saving 14 games. He ended the season with a 3.36 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Erceg has a fastball that sits in the 98th percentile at 98.6 mph, leading to a 97th percentile average exit velocity at 85.9. He has the stuff to close games for the Royals in 2025 and could be a sleeper closer for those willing to bet he will enter the season in the role. A potential 30-save guy you can draft in the 10th round is a decent pick.
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235.
Maikel Garcia
2B,3B,CF
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256.
Michael Wacha
SP
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347.
Michael Massey
2B
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365.
Kris Bubic
SP,RP
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397.
MJ Melendez
LF,RF
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399.
Freddy Fermin
C,DH
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503.
Hunter Renfroe
RF
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525.
Hunter Harvey
RP
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545.
Kyle Isbel
CF
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634.
Michael Lorenzen
SP
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637.
John Schreiber
RP
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648.
Gavin Cross
RF
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659.
Nick Pratto
1B
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668.
Cavan Biggio
1B,2B,OF
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732.
Jac Caglianone
1B
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743.
Mark Canha
1B,LF,DH
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779.
Noah Cameron
SP
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871.
Joey Wiemer
LF
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922.
Alec Marsh
SP
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993.
Dairon Blanco
LF,RF
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1017.
Angel Zerpa
RP
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1035.
Kyle Wright
SP
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1046.
James McArthur
RP
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1081.
Daniel Lynch
RP
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1133.
Evan Sisk
RP
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1201.
Sam Long
RP
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1279.
Chandler Champlain
SP
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1285.
Steven Cruz
RP
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1334.
Taylor Clarke
RP
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1346.
Jonathan Bowlan
SP
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1392.
Eric Cerantola
RP
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1416.
Junior Fernandez
RP
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1421.
Austin Cox
RP
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1432.
Luinder Avila
SP
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1484.
Chris Stratton
RP
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1551.
Brian O'Keefe
C
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1556.
Luca Tresh
C
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1561.
Nick Loftin
2B,CI
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1565.
Drew Waters
LF,RF
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1572.
Nelson Velazquez
OF,DH
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1587.
Nick Gordon
LF
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1621.
Tyler Gentry
RF
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