Skip Navigation to Main Content

Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes

Fernando Tatis Jr. Note
Fernando Tatis Jr. photo 9. Fernando Tatis Jr. RF
Fernando Tatis Jr. dealt with injuries during the 2024 season but remained highly productive when on the field. Over 102 games, he delivered 21 home runs, 64 runs scored, 49 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. His Statcast metrics remain elite, ranking in the 99th percentile for hard-hit rate and in the 97th percentile for both average exit velocity and expected batting average. While his days of swiping 25+ bases may be behind him, Tatis continues to provide excellent power and strong ratios. If the Padres bolster their lineup through free agency, his counting stats could see a notable boost.
10 weeks ago
Jackson Merrill Note
Jackson Merrill photo 23. Jackson Merrill CF
Jackson Merrill made a significant impact for the Padres in 2024. The 21-year-old transitioned seamlessly from Double-A to the majors, delivering an impressive season. He tallied 24 home runs, 77 runs scored, 90 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases, all while maintaining a .292/.326/.500 slash line. These stats are supported by elite underlying metrics, including a .308 xBA (98th percentile), .547 xSLG (96th percentile), and .376 xwOBA (94th percentile). While Merrill's 4.9% walk rate and tendency to chase pitches leave room for improvement, his production more than compensates. Fantasy managers can confidently target him as a strong OF2 option, with 2025 projections aligning closely with his standout 2024 season, making him worth a third-round pick in upcoming drafts.
10 weeks ago
Manny Machado Note
Manny Machado photo 31. Manny Machado 3B,DH
Manny Machado continued to produce, even in his age-31 season, and provided fantasy managers with 152 games played for the third time in the last four years. He hit 29 homers, drove in 105, scored 77, and somehow got to 11 steals. His slash line of .275/.325/.472 remains aligned with his career numbers. The primary blemish on Machado's growing resume is that his walk rate has declined for four straight years, which should eventually impact his batting average more than we would like. However, you cannot argue with history, and Machado has hit 28 or more home runs every year since 2015 (save for 2020). As far as the hot corner goes, he remains squarely in Tier 1 heading into 2025.
10 weeks ago
Dylan Cease Note
Dylan Cease photo 39. Dylan Cease SP
Dylan Cease escaped from the White Sox in time to deliver a steady season as the Padres' ace. The 28-year-old struck out 224 batters in 189 1/3 innings on his way to a 3.47 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He is in the 92nd percentile in Whiff% (32.4) and maintained a 29.4 K%. He set a new career-low walk rate at 8.5%, impressive for a pitcher who has struggled with free passes for much of his career. Cease will provide fantasy managers with a steady stream of strikeouts and 30+ starts. Just don't expect a return of his 2022 numbers anytime soon.
10 weeks ago
Michael King Note
Michael King photo 55. Michael King SP
Astute managers grabbed Michael King late in 2024 drafts, and he rewarded them handsomely. After five years with the Yankees, pitching in every imaginable scenario, the Padres nabbed him in the Juan Soto deal and made him a starter. He started 30 games, pitched 173 2/3 innings, struck out 201 batters, and held down a 2.95 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. King is masterful at inducing weak contact, sitting in the 99th percentile in average exit velocity and 97th percentile in hard-hit percentage. The only thing of note is that his xERA was 3.54, suggesting he had some luck in 2024 that kept his sub-3 ERA intact. Other than that, though, King is primed to reach SP1 status in 2025 and should be targeted in most leagues.
10 weeks ago
Robert Suarez Note
Robert Suarez photo 132. Robert Suarez RP
Robert Suarez emerged as a premier fantasy closer in 2024, securing 36 saves (4th in MLB) with a 2.77 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 65 innings. A significant improvement in control was evident, as he reduced his walk rate by three percentage points compared to previous seasons. Suarez's pitch selection evolved notably; he leaned heavily on his four-seam fastball, increasing its usage to 71%, while completely phasing out his slider. This adjustment coincided with an uptick in velocity, with his fastball averaging 99.1 mph, up from 97.7 mph in 2023. However, his strikeout rate dipped to 22.9% from 31.9% in 2022, and his 8.17 K/9 was below the league average for closers. At 34, maintaining elite velocity and effectiveness could be challenging. Nonetheless, Suarez's role as the Padres' closer and his recent performance make him a valuable asset for fantasy teams seeking saves in 2025.
10 weeks ago
Xander Bogaerts Note
Xander Bogaerts photo 144. Xander Bogaerts 2B,SS
Xander Bogaerts continued his struggles in 2024, appearing in only 111 games after switching from shortstop to second base. The 32-year-old hit 11 home runs and stole 13 bases while slashing .264/.307/.381. Bogaerts has seen his power sapped since arriving in San Diego, and there is some question whether or not the power will return, especially as his age creeps up. There was some hope toward the end of the season as Bogaerts hit .292 in the second half. If his health can hold up to more than 111 games, he does offer a solid batting average, but the guy we knew in Boston may be gone at this point.
10 weeks ago
Nick Pivetta Note
Nick Pivetta photo 173. Nick Pivetta SP
Luis Arraez Note
Luis Arraez photo 183. Luis Arraez 1B,2B,DH
Luis Arraez continued his exceptional contact-hitting prowess in 2024, achieving a .314 batting average-the highest in the National League-and totaling 200 hits, including 32 doubles, three triples, and four home runs. He also contributed 46 RBIs, scored 83 runs, and stole nine bases over 150 games. Arráez's success stems from his elite bat-to-ball skills, reflected in his MLB-leading 4.3% strikeout rate and a 26.5% line drive percentage. However, his limited power (.392 slugging percentage) will always limit his fantasy value. He is best paired with a low-average slugger from an early round in order to find complementary pieces.
10 weeks ago
Jake Cronenworth Note
Jake Cronenworth photo 264. Jake Cronenworth 1B,2B
Jake Cronenworth maintained his consistent performance in the 2024 season, appearing in 155 games for the San Diego Padres. He posted a .241/.324/.390 slash line, hitting 17 home runs, driving in 83 runs, scoring 72 times, and stealing five bases. At 31 years old, Cronenworth's skill set is well-established. His versatility across multiple infield positions enhances his value, but the stats themselves remain average.
10 weeks ago
Yu Darvish Note
Yu Darvish photo 278. Yu Darvish SP
Jason Adam Note
Jason Adam photo 328. Jason Adam RP
Jeremiah Estrada Note
Jeremiah Estrada photo 395. Jeremiah Estrada RP
Yuki Matsui Note
Yuki Matsui photo 541. Yuki Matsui RP
Adrian Morejon Note
Adrian Morejon photo 553. Adrian Morejon RP
Joe Musgrove Note
Joe Musgrove photo 554. Joe Musgrove SP
Gavin Sheets Note
Gavin Sheets photo 561. Gavin Sheets 1B,RF,DH
Kyle Hart Note
Kyle Hart photo 573. Kyle Hart SP
Elias Diaz Note
Elias Diaz photo 614. Elias Diaz C
Tirso Ornelas Note
Tirso Ornelas photo 635. Tirso Ornelas LF
Bryan Hoeing Note
Bryan Hoeing photo 647. Bryan Hoeing RP
Luis Campusano Note
Luis Campusano photo 649. Luis Campusano C
Brandon Lockridge Note
Brandon Lockridge photo 788. Brandon Lockridge LF,CF
Stephen Kolek Note
Stephen Kolek photo 854. Stephen Kolek RP
Wandy Peralta Note
Wandy Peralta photo 964. Wandy Peralta RP
Matt Waldron Note
Matt Waldron photo 974. Matt Waldron SP
Jose Iglesias Note
Jose Iglesias photo 988. Jose Iglesias 2B,3B
Randy Vasquez Note
Randy Vasquez photo 998. Randy Vasquez SP
Jason Heyward Note
Jason Heyward photo 1019. Jason Heyward LF,RF
Ron Marinaccio Note
Ron Marinaccio photo 1071. Ron Marinaccio RP
Omar Cruz Note
Omar Cruz photo 1167. Omar Cruz RP
Jhony Brito Note
Jhony Brito photo 1183. Jhony Brito RP
Alek Jacob Note
Alek Jacob photo 1188. Alek Jacob RP
Austin Davis Note
Austin Davis photo 1223. Austin Davis RP
Eguy Rosario Note
Eguy Rosario photo 1240. Eguy Rosario 3B
Francis Pena Note
Francis Pena photo 1277. Francis Pena RP
Luis Patino Note
Luis Patino photo 1297. Luis Patino RP
J.B. Wendelken Note
J.B. Wendelken photo 1331. J.B. Wendelken RP
Logan Gillaspie Note
Logan Gillaspie photo 1342. Logan Gillaspie RP
Sean Reynolds Note
Sean Reynolds photo 1370. Sean Reynolds RP
Ryan Bergert Note
Ryan Bergert photo 1380. Ryan Bergert SP
Austin Krob Note
Austin Krob photo 1383. Austin Krob SP
Martin Maldonado Note
Martin Maldonado photo 1523. Martin Maldonado C
Tyler Wade Note
Tyler Wade photo 1576. Tyler Wade 3B,MI,CF
Mason McCoy Note
Mason McCoy photo 1607. Mason McCoy SS
Oscar Gonzalez Note
Oscar Gonzalez photo 1611. Oscar Gonzalez LF,RF
Bryce Johnson Note
Bryce Johnson photo 1649. Bryce Johnson RF
Mike Brosseau Note
Mike Brosseau photo 1655. Mike Brosseau 3B
Trenton Brooks Note
Trenton Brooks photo 1672. Trenton Brooks 1B