Hyeseong Kim 2B/OF LAD
In addition to Korean import Kim, the Dodgers also have Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández, and Chris Taylor as players who could play the infield and outfield. Per Roberts, Kim is expected to get reps at second base, third base and center field this spring. Kim is known for his bat-to-ball skills and is making adjustments to his bat path with hitting coach Aaron Bates. Draft for potentially strong BA floor, runs scored and the possibility of quick transition to MLB hitting aided by great coaching and the best lineup (deferred) money can buy. Might not be THE answer at 2B for your team, but should be AN answer, especially in NL Only leagues. Monitor the depth chart in LAD and draft accordingly.
Eloy Jiménez DH TAM
Jimenez lost 25 pounds over the offseason, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports, though no word on if he's shed the weight of expectation that he get instantly injured. Jimenez played only 89 games per season since 2021. He hit the IL just four times less than he went deep in 2024, once with a left adductor strain and again with a left hamstring strain, revealed with a meager.238/.289/.336 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 98 games. Jiménez exit velocity remained real at 92 MPH on average, and his Hard Hit was an ample 49%. He is only 28 years old, and he swatted 31 homers as a rookie in 2019, had an .891 OPS in 2020 and 141 OPS+ in '22. Draft late, if lucky be a lady...the skills to hit are likely somewhere inside that injured frame: "It's still there. I always believe in me," Jiménez said, "You guys are going to see." Love is blind, indeed.
Jose Altuve 2B (OF?) HOU
The can still bangs for Altuve at age 34, who may play both second base and left field this spring, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. HOU Manager Espada shared that Altuve had been working out in left field even though Bregman left to the Red Sox. Espada said that he's made no permanent decisions on where Altuve will play this season. Regardless of his position, Altuve will hit the ball, not strike out much (17%) and rarely walk (7%). You know the drill. Draft for BA, solid counting numbers with a high floor across the board for all categories.
Kevin Gausman SP TOR
Gausman's gaunt frame features added heft in 2025: "I've never really pitched an entire season at over 200 pounds," Gausman said. "I usually always lose a good amount of weight during the season, so that's why I try to gain as much as I can, knowing I'll lose some of it." Speaking of losing it, Gausman's 2024 showed a drop in both ERA (3.83) and strikeout rate (21.4 percent) versus 2022-23 (3.25 ERA, 29.7 K%). He could slip in drafts, which makes him a nice bounceback SP pick in the middle rounds.
Evan Carter OF TEX
(Sung to Depeche Mode "Personal Jesus")
Evan's own personal diagnosis
Managers steer clear of this player
If you're Someone who cares
Evan's own personal diagnosis
Managers steer clear of this player
Draft Someone else there
Draft an unknown
And you're on your own
Broken bone
Evan won't let you know
Pick up a reliever
Evan's Carter's a deceiver
Evan won't hear your prayers, for managers who care. Here's what he says about his flesh and bones (major back injury): "It's personal to me and we're going to keep it that way. I can't change it. It's a part of me now, but we've got a plan." His elite chase rate of 18% should hold up, especially if he can't swing due to his personal diagnosis. Stash away in dynasty but if you're hoping for the 2023 playoff phenom, wait to see what the actual back problem is before you reach out and touch faith.
Junior Caminero 3B TAM
Caminero made a brief cameo down the stretch in 2023, and injuries in Triple-A last year limited him to 43 games with Tampa Bay. He's shown flashes of his elite ability at the plate, launching seven homers and driving in 25 runs with a 100 OPS+ in 50 games. His bat speed is a near-elite 77 MPH, he barreled at 12% and hard hit 46% in his age 20-21 season. Caminero reported to camp on Sunday and arrived with what Cash called "a little bit of a changed physique," the result of offseason conditioning. He's a nice idea at 3B, but youth and injuries say don't reach too far for Junior.
Closing Time in Milwaukee (Post-Airbender)
Trevor Megill RP MIL has the inside track on Closer duties in Brew City. He was 18-for-20 in save chances with a 2.05 ERA. Despite two trips to the injured list, Megill excelled, with ERA (2.72), appearances (48), innings (46 1/3) and adjusted ERA (155). His strikeout stuff is real: 30% Whiff Rate, 33% Chase Rate and damn near 100% Top Velocity on his fastball. The Brewers are prone to odd stuff, so don't expect him to get 30 Saves, but 10-15 is solid probability, if health holds. Bryan Hudson RP MIL was peak Andrew Miller in limited time for 2024, highlighted by .198 XBA, 27% K Rate and elite extension on his 6 foot 8 frame. If he returns to form, he's great Holds material and could even sniff some Saves if Megill moves on or falters. If Hudson is healthy, he's worth the late-late pick for his ratios and hit suppressing stuff. Nick Mears RP MIL remains a relief option in Cream City as the brass swooned for him last trade deadline due to a crimson explosion of red on his StatCast page, 29% K Rate and suppressed 33% Hard Hit rate. He lingers in the Holds/Save picture for the Crew as the front office value him and may want to spike his value for 2025 trade deadline or simply ride a hot streak, should he find one. Late flier in NL Only.
Injury Returns
Christian Yelich OF/DH MIL Brewers manager Pat Murphy said he doesn't expect Yelich (back) to be 100 percent at the start of spring training, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Yelich finally faced the inevitable microdiscectomy in August of 2024. He will be brought along slowly in camp. Yelich was great in 2024 prior to the injury with Hard Hit 47% and 92 MPH average exit velocity leading to .315/.406/.504 with 11 home runs and 21 steals in less than half a season. Monitor his progress, but even if he's looking great, Yelich is likely to miss big chunks of games in 2025 as his body continues to break down. Draft if you're ready to have a replacement ready at OF/UT and don't expect 2024 pre-surgical procedure numbers.
Mike Trout OF LAA is 33 and sliding to RF for 2025. He's played 266 of 648 possible regular season games the last few years. Trout's eaten at the all you can eat injury buffett: calf strain, back inflammation, hamate, and a torn meniscus. If he can get healthy, he never hits the ball soft, always showing elite power and pop. His peripherals are HOF (16% Barrel and 53% Hard Hit Rate in 2023) and if he can limit his time on IL, he'll strike for 30 HR. Trout's worth reaching for if your league sleeps on him. Sandy Alcántara SP MIA will be the Marlins' Opening Day starter Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. The Marlins are sure to limit him in his first action back from Tommy John. Alcantara (elbow) threw his first live BP on Feb 11, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports. Alcantara has a lot to prove as 2022's dominance was a long time and a major surgery ago. He was hit fairly hard in 2023 41% Hard Hit with 89 MPH Average Exit Velocity. It may be best to treat him as a #3-4 SP in drafts. Shane McClanahan SP TAM McClanahan will start Opening Day, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. McClanahan missed all of the 2024 season while recovering from a Tommy John procedure in August 2023, the second of his career. McClanahan said that he won't have any sort of restrictions during spring training, but it's chancey to believe he'll immediately return to his 34% Whiff and 32% Chase rate of 2023, which was a season in which his 2022 elite numbers across the board diminished demonstrably. Draft with caution but optimism...not too early, not too late...I know, it's convoluted...he's a #3 SP with #1 upside. Kodai Senga SP NYM said Tuesday that he's felt fully healthy since the beginning of January, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. Senga made just four appearances in 2024 between the regular season and playoffs due to shoulder and calf problems. He spent the first half of the offseason rehabbing but has gone through his normal throwing progression since then and won't have any restrictions at the start of camp. The 32-year-old had a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts in the 2023 regular season and could be in line for a big bounce-back season in 2025 if he can stay off the injured list. Ronald Acuña Jr. OF ATL Acuna (knee) said he's planning to "take it easy" on the basepaths, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Acuna said that he's running at "90 to 95 percent" and said his surgically repaired left knee feels much more stable than his right knee did following a prior ACL surgery. Proceed with caution, as Atlanta will surely do. Even in limited ABs, he's a top 5 player on the planet. Draft early but with an eye on 120 games played, give or take, with 20 SB as floor.
