Keibert Ruiz (C-WSH) has enjoyed a productive spring in which he's hit .269 with 3 homers and 8 RBI across 29 PA. He underwhelmed in 2024 on the heels of a 2023 in which he seemed to turn a corner with a .260 average, 18 homers, 67 RBI, and 55 run scored across 562 PA. As a 25 year-old in 2024, Ruiz batted just .229 with 13 dingers, 57 RBI, and 46 runs scored, with his wRC+ dipping to just 71 after it came in at 94 in 2023. This regression happened as Ruiz raised his contact rate to 88.5% (from 87%) while his zone contact rate climbed to 94% (from 93%) and his swinging-strike rate dipped from 6.5% to just 6%. The problem was that he also chased pitches outside the zone more often (o-swing% up to 39% from 37.5%) while he also made more contact when doing so (o-contact% up to 80% from 76.5%). The result was not good, as Ruiz's already subpar quality of contact (31.5% hard-hit rate, 6% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 87.5 mph in 2023 per Statcast) worsened to a 25.5% hard-hit rate, 3% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 85.5 mph. An average launch angle of 19.8 meant a lot of weak flyballs (46%). With a current ADP of 274 and as the 18th catcher on average off the board in fantasy drafts, there's little appeal here. One would be better served to take a flier on Gabriel Moreno or Ivan Herrera, although a Drake Baldwin or Agustin Ramirez might offer more upside.
Agustin Ramirez (C-MIA) is an interesting player for fantasy in 2025 and beyond as he seems likely to make his MLB debut with little blocking him in Miami. The Marlins acquired Ramirez from the Yankees last summer as part of the Jazz Chisholm deal, but his bat is admittedly ahead of his fielding developmentally; that may be what keeps him in the minors for further refining while, uh (checks notes), Nick Fortes serves as the team's primary backstop. As a 22 year old last season, Ramirez batted .267 with 25 homers, 93 RBI, 80 stolen bases, and 22(!) steals across 548 almost split evenly between the Double-A and Triple-A levels. In doing so, he showed a solid approach at the dish as he fanned at an 18.5% clip against an 11% walk rate. Although his hit tool grades as slightly below average, he registered a 77.5% contact rate in the high minors lat year to go with an acceptable 10.5% swinging-strike rate and 25.5% chase rate. In 162 PA with the Marlins to wrap up the campaign, Ramirez logged a 43% hard-hit rate and average exit velo of 89 mph, per Statcast. His current ADP is just inside the top 500, so there's probably no reason to draft him in most leagues unless word comes down that he'll make the Opening Day roster and receive regular playing time. But make sure he's on your watch list.
Spencer Steer (1B/OF-CIN) appears likely to begin the upcoming season on the IL as he recovers from a shoulder injury; he did recently resume swinging a bat, but he remains without a timeline to returning to game action. The 27 year-old's ADP has therefore dropped a bit in fantasy drafts as his overall ADP is now 116 and #14 at 1B. Steer is coming off an underwhelming 2024 campaign in which he regressed slightly from 2023, registering a .225 average, 20 homers, 92 RBI, 74 run scored, and 24 steals across 656 PA. Sure, the additional steals were nice, but the dip in his wRC+ from 117 in 2023 to a subpar 96 last season says a lot. While his swinging-strike rate remained steady at 9.5%, his contact rate did climb slightly to 79% while he logged a solid 89.5% zone contact rate. Steer's Statcast profile was a mixed bag as his hard-hit rate was up to 40% (from 37%) but his barrel rate dipped slightly from 6.7% to 6.4% and his average exit velocity dipped from 88.5 mph to 88 mph. His average launch angle did tick upward from 15.3 to 17.4, but the shift was almost solely from liners (down to 18.5% from 19.5%) to flyballs (up to 44.5% from 43%) as he groundball rate stayed around 37.5%. The metrics indicate that he's likely a 20-20 or 20-15 candidate over a full season, but that is in question for 2025 as we know that shoulder injuries can be tricky. Watch the news and invest in Steer only at a discount.
Brandon Lowe (2B-TB) could be a great value pick in 2025 fantasy drafts as his current ADP is about 201 overall while he's usually about the 18th 2B off the board. He's not a spring chicken at age 30 and he's surpassed 500 PA only once in his career since reaching the majors in 2018, but he's been productive when healthy. In 2024, for instance, Lowe posted a .244 average to go with 21 homers, 58 RBI, and 56 runs scored across 425 PA while chipping in 5 steals. His wRC+ came in at 123 on the year and it's never been less than 103. Sure, he'll strike out his fair share (26.5%), but his 69.5% contact rate and 80.5% zone contact rate last season were both above his career averages (68.5% and 78.5%, respectively). Most encouragingly, he generally punished the baseball when he did make contact, registering a 44.5% hard-hit rate, 12.5% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90 mph per Statcast, with an average launch angle of 14.5 translating to plenty of liners (21.5%) and flyballs (42%). With the Rays playing half of their games at hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field, one is optimistic about Lowe's production if he can stay on the field.
Anthony Volpe (SS-NYY) is coming off a disappointing 2024 campaign in which he posted a .243 average to go with 12 homers, 60 RBI, 90 run scored, and 28 steals across 689 PA, with a subpar wRC+ of 86. While his 79% contact rate (73.5%), 10% swinging-strike rate (12.5%), and 22.5% strikeout rate (27.5%) were all significantly improved from his rookie campaign in 2023, Volpe's Statcast profile suffered greatly with his hard-hit rate dipping to 35% (was 42.5%), his barrel rate plummeting from 9% to 4%, and his average exit velocity declining from 88.5 mph to 87.5. Meanwhile, his launch angle fell from 14.2 to 8.4, leading to a spike in grounders (up to 50% from 41%) while his flyball rate suffered (falling from 37% to 28.5%). This partly stemmed from Volpe raising his outside zone contact rate from 49.5% in 2023 to 62% last season. With a current ADP of 138 overall and 14 at his position, Volpe could be a solid last starting SS drafted in a league since he's quite capable of putting together a .240/15/25 campaign. While more is possible as he'll turn just 24 this season, it should not be expected. He's a lottery ticket with an ADP of 133 and 14 at SS.
Max Muncy (3B-LAD) is coming back for 2025 even though he thought his ailing body might have been telling him to retire as he struggled through injuries last season. In his age-33 season, he was still an above-average producer when able to play as he posted a .232 average (his highest since 2021) to go with 15 homers, 48 RBI, and 47 runs scored while his 135 wRC+ was well above average. As usual, Muncy fanned a good bit (26.5%) while drawing lots of walks (15.5%). While his Statcast profile was solid with a 43.5% hard-hit rate, 11% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 90 mph, those numbers were all among his lowest since breaking out with the Dodgers in 2018. His 26.6 launch angle and 54% flyball rate were, meanwhile, the highest of his career while his 12% swinging-strike rate was a career high and his 70.5% contact rate was a career low. There's a chance that he has one or two more 30-homer campaigns in him and it's likely that the injury issues likely accounted for at least part of the above figures. His current overall ADP of 191 and 18 at the hot corner makes him a solid buy as a CI or UTIL in fantasy so long as one can stomach a low average; the pop should be there.
Brenton Doyle (OF-COL) put together a strong 2024 that has his ADP at 69 overall and #24 at the OF position entering the 2025 campaign. Rockies management has indicated that he'll bat leadoff, which further boosts his value. In his age-26 sophomore campaign, Doyle registered a .260 average to go with 23 dingers, 72 RBI, 82 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases across 603 PA. But his wRC+ came in at a below-average 97 as his average was merely decent and he didn't draw many walks (7.5%) while fanning a decent bit (25.5%). While his 14% swinging-strike rate and 73% contact rate weren't impressive, they were significantly improved from his rookie campaign in 2023 (17.5% and 66.5%, respectively) while he especially improved his zone contact rate (up to 86.5% from just 79%). He also improve his quality of contact a bit as his 41% hard-hit rate (35% in 2023), 10.5% barrel rate (8.5%), and 89 mph average exit velo (88.5) were all up while his launch angle ticked up slightly from 11.7 to 13.1, entailing higher liner (up to 20% from 18.5%) and flyball (up to 39% from 34.5%) rates. Especially as he enters his prime in his age-27 season, Doyle seems likely to produce at least another .250/20/25 season with 150+ combined runs and RBI, although more is possible.
Jesus Sanchez (OF-MIA) put together his strongest season to date as a 26 year-old in 2024 and has seen his draft stock jump over the last month as he now has an ADP of 67 in the OF and 258 overall. So, it's a bit concerning that he was removed from Thursday's spring training game with a left side issue; the move has been described as precautionary, but those can be tricky. A .252 average, 18 homers, 64 RBI, 60 runs scored, and 16 steals across 537 PA - with an exactly average wRC+ of 100 - might not be amazing, but Sanchez registered a career-best Statcast profile that included a 51% hard-hit rate, 12% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 92.5 mph, although an average launch angle of 7.7 limited the power output as he finished the campaign with a 50.5% groundball rate To be sure, his contact rate wasn't stellar at 71.5% and his swinging-strike rate was high at 15% - leading to a 26% strikeout rate - but Sanchez tended to punish the ball when he got the bat on it. He's most likely not a superstar in the making, but is Sanchez an interesting 4th OF in fantasy? Yes, as a .250-20-10 season is very possible and an even higher homer total is possible if he's able to get a bit more lift with his swing.
Victor Robles (OF-SEA) seems to be back to fantasy relevance after enjoying a resurgence following a trade to the Mariners last season. In 295 PA in his age-27 campaign, Robles compiled a .307 average to go with 4 homers, 28 RBI, 44 runs scored, and a career-high 34 stolen bases, with a well above-average wRC+ of 141. While Robles didn't make much loud contact as Statcast shows a 28.5% hard-hit rate, 6% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 86.5 mph - all a touch above his career average - he did a great job of squaring up liners (24%) while his 40.5% groundball rate is a good figure given his wheels. A .300+ average should not be expected, but there's enough contact ability and speed here to make .260+ quite feasible, and his ability to swipe bags - as he stole 34 bases in 36 tries last season - is his biggest selling point. He should chip in 8-10 homers as well while a likely position at or near the top of the Mariners lineup should ensure a nice runs scored total; expect 140+ combined runs and RBI over the course of a full season. Robles's current ADP is about 211 overall and 55 at his position, which is a reasonable price for a #3-4 fantasy OF (which he is). Just keep an eye on that injury news.
Rhett Lowder (SP-CIN) was underwhelming in his big-league debut as a 22 year-old last season, but he should be better in 2025. Across just 30.2 IP in the majors last season, the righty posted a sparkling 1.17 ERA, but that came with a 6.5 K/9, 4.1 BB/9, and 4.73 xFIP as he did not miss many bats (8.5% swinging-strike rate). The good news is that he was quite good in Triple-A before his late-season promotion, compiling a 3.64 ERA, 9.4 K/9, 2 BB/9, and 2.92 xFIP over 108.2 IP; his 12.5% swinging-strike rate at that level suggests that there's a bit more swing-and-miss coming at the MLB level. A 2023 first-round draft pick, Lowder is armed with a sinker and four-seamer that sit at about 92-93 mph while he mixes in an 85-mph slider (27.5% usage) and 86-mph change (19.5%). Lowder's ADP is currently sitting at 382 overall and he's the 117th SP on average drafted in fantasy, so he's a lottery ticket at this point. This is especially the case since he's working his way back from elbow soreness and appears likely to begin the season on the IL or in Triple-A.
George Kirby (SP-SEA) will begin the season on the IL as he is dealing with right (throwing) shoulder inflammation and has been shut down from throwing. He is currently without a firm timeline to return, but he's expected to resume strengthening activities within a few days after he recently received an injection. The 27 year-old is coming off a third straight quality season as he registered a 3.53 ERA, 8.4 K/9, 1.1 BB/9, and 3.58 xFIP over a career-high 191 IP. Kirby missed bats at a career-best 11.5% rate even as his control remained elite. His Statcast profile, too, remained healthy as he allowed hard contact at a 36% rate to go with an 8% barrel rate and average exit velo of 89 mph. Although he throws hard (96 mph average heater and sinker) and possesses a plus slider to go with a curve and splitter, Kirby seems unlikely to develop into a true fantasy ace who registers, say, a 10 K/9. His price tag in fantasy drafts has slipped as a result of the injury news, as he's now the 16th SP off the board on average with an ADP of 59 overall; those figures were 12 and 49, respectively, at about the time that news broke. Shoulder issues can be tricky, too, so as much as there is to like in his elite control profile, it's tough to recommend drafting him at the going rate. He's a solid #2 SP for fantasy when healthy, and he's not although the recent news indicates that he shouldn't miss an extended period.
Taj Bradley (SP-TB) should be a nice value pick at his current ADP of 199 and as the #59 SP, on average, off the board in fantasy drafts. In his age-23 season, the righty registered a 4.11 ERA, 10 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, and 3.62 xFIP across 138 IP. He showed improvement in several key areas as he lowered his walk rate (from 3.4), raised his swinging-strike rate (up to a healthy 12.5% from 11.5%), and limited the opposition to a 75% contact rate (down from 77.5%). Moreover, their quality of contact wasn't as good as it was in 2024 as Statcast shows that they logged a 41.5% hard-hit rate (down from 46.5%) and 10% barrel rate (down from 10.5%) against him. Although the longball remained an issue, his HR/FB did decline from 19% to 15% while his HR/9 shrunk from 1.98 to 1.43. There's #2-3 SP talent here for a very reasonable price on draft day, although one has to note the park downgrade from Tropicana to Steinbrenner.
MacKenzie Gore (SP-WSH) put together his strongest MLB season to date in 2024 as he registered a 3.90 ERA, 9.8 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and 3.87 xFIP over 166.1 IP. As a 25 year-old, the southpaw raised his average fastball velocity a full tick to 96 mph even as he trimmed his walk rate, reigned in the homers (HR/9 was down from 1.8 to 0.8 while his HR/FB fell from 18% to 9%), and continued to miss bats. In fact, Gore's 12.5% swinging-strike rate was a career high. Statcast shows improvement across the board as the opposition's 38% hard-hit rate, 7% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 88 mph were all the lowest that Gore has allowed in the majors to date. WIth an ADP of 212 overall and as the 64th SP on average taken in fantasy drafts, there's #2 SP upside here if the lefty can carry over last year's gains while continuing to trim the walk rate. He's expected to pitch on Opening Day for the Nationals (against the Phillies) and recently blanked the admittedly starter-light Astros lineup (5.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K).
Zach Eflin (SP-BAL) offers nice value at his current ADP of 182 and as the 55th SP, on average, selected in fantasy drafts. As a 30 year-old last season the righty compiled a 3.59 ERA, 7.3 K/9, 1.3 BB/9, and 3.81 xFIP Across 165.1 IP with the Rays and Orioles. While the strikeout rate isn't impressive, he's posted significantly higher rates in the past, including a 9.4 mark in 2023; his swinging-strike rate did dip from 11% in 2023 to 9.5% last season. His walk rate was, however, par for the course. The opposition registered an 81% contact rate against Eflin as he lived inside the zone, but the good news is that their Statcast metrics against him weren't good as he limited them to a 36% hard-hit rate, 7.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 88 mph. One thing to consider for 2025 will be the changes made to the LF wall and dimensions at Camden Yards this season, which will benefit hitters. Regardless, Eflin has established himself as a solid mid-rotation arm for fantasy and should be drafted as such.
Cristopher Sanchez (SP-PHI) has reportedly added a bit of velocity to his heater during spring training and the results have been impressive so far as he's posted a 2.31 ERA, 13.1 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, and 1.80 xFIP through 11.2 IP in spring training; his 20% swinging-strike rate and 62% contact rate to some degree reflect the competition, but he's also done some work. The 28 year-old lefty is coming off of a solid if unspectacular 2024 campaign in which he recorded a 3.32 ERA, 7.6 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, and 3.19 xFIP across 181.2 IP. Everything was great except the low strikeout rate, of course, and he seems to be working to elevate that for the upcoming season. Sanchez's swinging-strike rate wasn't bad at all at 11.5% while the opposition's contact rate was slightly below average at 78% and he got them to chase outside the zone at a 35.5% clip. His Statcast metrics were also rock solid last season with a 34.5% hard-hit rate, 5.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 87.5 mph. Especially if he's able to fan a few more batters this season, his price in fantasy drafts he'll be a steal with an ADP of 165 and as the 51st SP off the board on average.
