Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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3.
Aaron Judge
LF,CF,RF
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.
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26.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
3B,CF
Jazz Chisholm finally delivered on his potential by staying healthy in 2024, playing 147 games between Miami and New York. The 26-year-old showcased his versatility, gaining third base eligibility while being a key contributor across multiple categories. Chisholm posted 24 home runs, 40 stolen bases, 74 runs scored, and 73 RBIs. If the Yankees bolster their lineup, his counting stats could climb in 2025. While his Statcast metrics remain unimpressive, his .256/.324/.436 slash line represents a reasonable expectation for fantasy managers. Focus on his power-speed combo, boosted by Yankee Stadium's short right field and his 82nd-percentile sprint speed, and cross your fingers for a full season of health.
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55.
Devin Williams
RP
Devin Williams had a truncated 2024 season due to back fractures, but he returned to form after resuming closer duties. He racked up 14 saves while only blowing one of them and struck out 38 batters in 21 2/3 innings for a ridiculous 43.2% strikeout rate. He will always walk more people than we'd like for fantasy purposes, but it's the trade-off for one of the top strikeout artists in the closer role. Now in the Bronx, Williams will be the ninth-inning guy for the Yankees with all the job security in the world.
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84.
Cody Bellinger
1B,CF,RF
Cody Bellinger experienced the expected regression in 2024 following his stellar 2023 campaign. The 29-year-old outfielder finished with 18 home runs, 78 RBIs, 72 runs scored, and nine stolen bases while slashing .266/.325/.426. Injuries limited him to 130 games, impacting his overall production. Despite the dip in numbers, he opted into his player option to stay with the Cubs and was promptly traded to the Yankees, which could offer a boost to his home run total. The biggest concern is whether he reverts to his 2021-2022 form, when he struggled significantly. Viewing him as an OF3/OF4 in fantasy drafts is reasonable, but there's still the risk that he falls below replacement level.
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88.
Max Fried
SP
Max Fried delivered a solid fantasy performance in 2024, recording 11 wins against 10 losses over 29 starts, with a 3.25 ERA, 166 strikeouts, and a 1.16 WHIP across 174.1 innings. His underlying metrics support his effectiveness; he induced a 58.8% ground ball rate (leading the National League), held opponents to an average exit velocity of 86.3 mph (second-lowest in the NL), and allowed a hard-hit percentage of 26.1%. His Statcast data further reinforces his performance, with an average exit velocity of 86.3 mph, a hard-hit rate of 34.6%, and a barrel rate of 5%. He signed his eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees. While the ballpark is a bit of a downgrade, Fried's consistent performance and ability to induce weak contact make him a solid option for fantasy managers seeking reliability and upside in the 2025 season.
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131.
Anthony Volpe
SS
Anthony Volpe's 2024 season showcased his development as a dynamic player for the New York Yankees. Over 160 games, he posted a .243 batting average with 12 home runs, 60 RBIs, 90 runs scored, and an impressive 28 stolen bases. On the downside, his .293 on-base percentage and .364 slugging percentage resulted in a .657 OPS. Heading into his third year, Volpe's fantasy value is tied to improved plate discipline and speed. Fantasy managers should avoid having him as their SS1, but he can fill a MI spot if he falls in the draft.
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132.
Carlos Rodon
SP
Carlos Rodon rebounded impressively in 2024, delivering a strong fantasy season with 16 wins, a 3.96 ERA, and 195 strikeouts over 175 innings pitched. This performance marked a significant improvement from his injury-plagued 2023 season, where he struggled with a 6.85 ERA over 14 starts. Rodon's 1.59 HR/9 rate in 2024 raises some concerns and 2025 projections suggest some overall regression is in store. He is a decent SP3 or SP4 but nothing to get excited about.
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135.
Jasson Dominguez
LF,CF
Jasson Dominguez may feel like a longtime prospect, but he's still just 21 years old and has dominated Triple-A pitching whenever he's been there. With the potential to deliver consistent 20/20 production, he offers plenty of fantasy upside heading into 2025. The Yankees' offense struggled in 2024, creating a clear opportunity for Dominguez to carve out a role. While his talent is undeniable, it's wise to expect some rookie growing pains along the way.
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149.
Paul Goldschmidt
1B
Paul Goldschmidt experienced a challenging 2024 season, posting a .245/.302/.414 slash line with 22 home runs, 65 RBIs, 70 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases over 154 games. These numbers marked a decline from his career averages of a .289 batting average and a .384 on-base percentage. A significant factor in Goldschmidt's downturn was his increased strikeout rate, which rose to a career-high 26.5% in 2024, up from 23.4% in 2023. Concurrently, his walk rate dropped to a career-low 7.2%, contributing to a diminished on-base percentage. Despite these struggles, Goldschmidt maintained a hard-hit rate of 40%, ranking 15th among qualified hitters, and an average exit velocity of 91.2 mph. At 37 years old, Goldschmidt's ability to rebound in 2025 is questionable, though the change to Yankee Stadium is definitely a positive.
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196.
Austin Wells
C
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225.
Clarke Schmidt
SP
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299.
Luis Gil
SP
Luis Gil seemingly came out of nowhere and took home the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year award. Fantasy managers who snagged him off waivers early were rewarded with a 0.70 ERA in May. He had a terrible June (6.45 ERA) but bounced back in July with a 3.33, and that is where the fantasy fun ended. The Yankees began managing his workload, and his 4.36 xFIP suggests there is plenty of regression on tap in 2025. Gil has a rotation spot locked up in New York, and if he can improve his 12.1% walk rate, he could return some value. Just don't draft him because he won the Roy award, and expect his intensely good May to be the norm.
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325.
Giancarlo Stanton
RF
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331.
Luke Weaver
RP
Luke Weaver emerged as a pivotal asset for the Yankees' bullpen in 2024, transitioning seamlessly into the closer role during the season's final month. Over 62 appearances, he posted a 7-3 record with a 2.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP, striking out 103 batters across 84 innings, and securing four saves. The closer role is Devin Williams's to lose, but Weaver will be waiting in the wings should he falter.
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405.
Will Warren
SP
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515.
Fernando Cruz
SP,RP
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518.
Ian Hamilton
RP
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554.
Marcus Stroman
SP
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576.
Mark Leiter Jr.
RP
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606.
Allan Winans
SP
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614.
Ben Rice
1B
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675.
Jake Cousins
RP
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696.
Alex Jackson
C
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790.
Everson Pereira
LF
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793.
Clayton Beeter
RP
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831.
Oswaldo Cabrera
1B,2B,3B
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893.
Ryan Yarbrough
SP,RP
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906.
Chase Hampton
SP
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920.
DJ LeMahieu
1B,3B
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928.
Jonathan Loaisiga
RP
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930.
J.C. Escarra
C,1B,3B
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946.
Carlos Carrasco
SP
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968.
Oswald Peraza
3B
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1041.
Brent Headrick
RP
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1082.
Scott Effross
RP
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1131.
Trent Grisham
CF
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1138.
Tyler Stuart
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1173.
JT Brubaker
SP
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1211.
Yoendrys Gomez
RP
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1287.
Cam Schlittler
SP
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1320.
Yerry De Los Santos
RP
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1322.
Rob Zastryzny
SP,RP
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1350.
Colten Brewer
RP
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1355.
Brandon Leibrandt
RP
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1368.
Geoff Hartlieb
RP
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1412.
Tim Hill
RP
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1448.
Tyler Matzek
RP
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1473.
Michael Arias
RP
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1591.
Duke Ellis
CF
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1646.
Jorbit Vivas
2B
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1654.
Braden Shewmake
2B,3B,SS
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