Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep-March 8, 2025
Across the League
Colson Montgomery-White Sox-SS
The White Sox are projected to be one of many worst lineups in baseball in 2025. On a macro degree this isn’t supreme for fantasy manufacturing however what it does supply is taking part in time for younger gamers. The White Sox are going to provide SS Colson Montgomery each alternative to determine it out on the main league degree. He hit .214 with 18 HR, 66 R, 63 RBI, and eight SB in 130 GP at Triple-A final 12 months. He confirmed a superb eye on the plate (12% BB) however struggled with contact (29% Okay). Montgomery had not proven a strikeout charge that top outdoors of a small 14-game pattern in his first style of Double-A. In 294 PA in 2023 cut up between Excessive-A and Double-A he struck out 19% of the time. It is very important issue within the automated strike zone at Triple-A which may have had an impact on him. Montgomery hits the ball exhausting (113.8 mph maxEV) which goes to translate into energy and he will probably be a non-zero stolen base risk (5-10 SB). This is sufficient to take a shot on him late in deep combined leagues as a result of his ground is a low AVG with an influence bat and the ceiling contains his strike charge returning to the low 20% vary which might assist increase his AVG.
Nolan Gorman-Cardinals-2B
Nolan Gorman hit .203 with 19 HR, 42 R, 50 RBI, and 6 SB in 402 PA. The Cardinals have talked in the course of the offseason about giving their younger guys common taking part in time to be able to see what they bought. The powerful half is that they’ve a crowded roster that is not conducive to Gorman taking part in daily until they commerce 3B Nolan Arenado. They’ve Arenado beginning at 3B, Mason Wynn at SS, Willson Contreras at 1B, after which a battle between 2B Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman. Donovan also can play the outfield however that’s crowded as effectively (Nootbaar, Scott III, Siani, Walker, Burleson, and Donovan). It is going to seemingly come all the way down to how comfy they really feel with Lars Nootbaar taking part in CF as a result of that may permit Burleson to DH and Donovan to play LF leaving 2B open for Gorman. Gorman is a flawed participant who has actual energy (.213 ISO, 16% Barrels, and 112.3 mph maxEV) but additionally struggles with making contact (34% Okay). This profile would usually counsel a platoon bat however he has held his personal in opposition to LHP (10% BB, 34% Okay, .707 OPS, and 98 wRC+) in comparison with RHP (10% BB, 34% Okay, .743 ISO, and 105 wRC+). Drafting Gorman requires having a plan to make up the common as a result of he will probably be an asset within the energy division however drag your AVG as a result of his excessive strikeout charge.
Christopher Morel-Rays-OF
Christopher Morel was traded from the Cubs to the Rays on the finish of final season. Sometimes gamers traded to the Rays get a bump as a result of there may be religion that the Rays know what they’re doing and have a plan for that participant. The Rays seemingly noticed a participant that has positional flexibility (INF and OF) albeit he is not a superb infielder. He additionally hits the ball exhausting (profession 13% Barrels, 43% Hardhit, and 113.6 mph maxEV). Morel was affected by a low BABIP (.233) in comparison with .320 and .303 the earlier two seasons. He has a manageable strikeout charge (26% Okay) to go together with the ability upside. If his luck improves he may very well be a .230-.240 hitter with 25+ HR and 5-10 SB. This makes him a pleasant upside play later in drafts as a result of the Rays are going to provide him common at-bats.
Guardians RF Scenario
Guardians high hitting prospect OF Chase DeLauter had core muscle surgical procedure which goes to place him out 8-12 weeks. The hope coming into the 12 months was that DeLauter would keep wholesome after taking part in 39 video games in 2024 and take management of proper area. His harm opens up a contest for proper area. Jhonkensy Noel, Tyler Freeman, and Johnathan Rodriguez are battling for enjoying time. They every supply a distinct skillset and fantasy outlook. Tyler Freeman is the prototypical Guardians hitter. He would not hit for energy (3% Barrels and 45% GB) however does a superb job controlling the strike zone (7% BB and 14% Okay). He hit .209 with 7 HR, 48 R, 32 RBI, and 11 SB in 383 PA. He suffered from a low BABIP (.227) which is why he hit .209 regardless of a low strikeout charge (14% Okay). He would not supply a lot by way of fantasy as a result of he has below-average energy and counting stats. Freeman additionally doesn’t steal sufficient bases to make the remainder of his profile work. Jhonskey Noel is the alternative of Freeman. He hits for a low common as a result of a 32% strikeout charge however he makes exhausting contact (15% Barrels and .268 ISO). He is a authentic 30+ HR bat with common at-bats however that would include a sub .220 AVG which the Guardians haven’t tolerated traditionally. Johnathan Rodriguez presents essentially the most upside of the three. He hit .301 with 29 HR, 84 R, 94 RBI, and eight SB in 508 PA at Triple-A. He confirmed robust plate expertise for an influence hitter (12% BB and 25% Okay) to go together with elite exhausting hit information (55% Hardhit and 116.8 mph maxEV). It is going to be necessary to keep watch over this battle as we get nearer to the season as a result of if Rodriguez wins the job he presents a ceiling that’s exhausting to seek out late in mixed-league drafts.
Jose Soriano-Angels-SP
Jose Soriano had a breakout 2023 season. He posted a 3.42 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 11% Okay:BB. Soriano has a plus fastball that averaged 98.8 mph and a 97.7 mph sinker that led to a 59% floor ball charge. This is the reason regardless of a decrease strikeout charge (21% Okay) Soriano has been in a position to succeed. He pairs an elite floor ball charge with sufficient strikeouts to take care of above-average ratios. Within the second half, he raised his strikeout charge to 23% which resulted in a 3.39 xFIP which makes him a pleasant sleeper heading into 2025. A small enchancment in his secondary pitches may translate into extra strikeouts which might result in an above-average profile. Even when he would not enhance his secondaries, his ground is excessive sufficient to be drafted in combined leagues and his ceiling is far greater.
Xavier Edwards-Marlins-SS
Xavier Edwards is predicted to be the Marlins leadoff hitter. He hit .303 with 1 HR, 39 R, 26 RBI, and 31 SB in 70 GP. He displayed above-average plate expertise (11% BB and 17% Okay) which bought him on base at an elite clip (.397 OBP). This allowed him to steal 31 bases in 70 GP. The pace is legit and he was extremely profitable stealing bases (89% success charge). He had 164 stolen base alternatives in 2024 which if doubled for 140 GP would have been within the high ten within the league. Regression goes to occur primarily within the BABIP division (.398 BABIP) which goes to result in a decrease AVG however he ought to nonetheless have a plus batting common. Edwards has the potential to steal 50+ bases over the course of a full season however he’s going to be below-average within the different three classes (HR, R, and RBI). Drafting Edwards requires a plan to make up the ability as a result of it could be shocking to see him hit greater than 5 HR, with it seemingly nearer to 1. Drafting somebody like Aaron Decide or Shohei Ohtani within the first spherical makes it a bit bit extra palatable.
Joey Ortiz-Brewers-SS
Joey Ortiz is slated to start the 12 months because the Brewers’ on a regular basis beginning shortstop. Ortiz hit .239 with 11 HR, 58 R, 60 RBI, and 11 SB in 142 GP. He confirmed plus plate expertise (11% BB and 20% Okay). His common was low in comparison with his strikeout charge (20percentK), batted ball profile (49% GB), and BABIP (.283). Ortiz is prone to regress in a constructive method however his strategy (11% BB and 27% O-swing) would not permit him to place as many balls in play which supplies him fewer possibilities to get hits. Ortiz hits the ball exhausting 111.5 mph maxEV) which exhibits his energy potential if he makes a slight launch angle change. He performs adequate protection that he’s going to play daily which supplies him a pleasant ground (2024 season) and there may be room for development in 2025.
Josh Bell-Nationals-1B
Josh Bell signed a one-year take care of the Nationals this offseason. He’s anticipated to be their on a regular basis DH. He hit .249 with 19 HR, 62 R, 71 RBI, and 0 SB. Bell continues to supply below-average manufacturing regardless of robust underlying expertise. He has good plate expertise (20% Okay and 9% BB) and hits the ball exhausting (8% Barrels, 40% Hardhit, and 111.2 mph maxEV). The disconnect between his expertise and manufacturing is the results of his floor ball charge. Bell struggles to raise the ball (50% profession floor ball charge). Regardless of being a change hitter this drawback has been a problem from either side of the plate. It limits his upside and leaves him as a league-average hitter with no pace which is why he’s going outdoors the top-15 first baseman.
Hunter Greene-Reds-SP
Hunter Greene has been named the Reds Opening Day starter. Greene is coming off a breakout 2024 season (2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 18% Okay:BB). It was the primary time he was in a position to throw over 150 IP (150.1 IP) in his main league profession. He additionally took a significant step ahead by way of manufacturing. He used his elite stuff to get strikeouts (28% Okay) and restrict dwelling runs (0.72 HR/9) which was his greatest difficulty up to now. It would not assist that his dwelling park is likely one of the greatest within the league for energy however he has the stuff to beat it. The introduction of his splitter did simply sufficient to maintain hitters off his fastball. Beforehand, he was fastball up within the zone and slider down which turned a predictable sample. The specter of a pitch that appears like a fastball however finally ends up down was sufficient to maintain hitters from hammering his fastball. Batters hit .264 in opposition to his fastball in 2023 and that dropped to .184 in 2024. Inexperienced is probably going going to point out regression in 2025 however he has the pure stuff to be an above-average starter. Nevertheless, his dwelling park limits his upside.
Lawrence Butler-Athletics-OF
Lawrence Butler signed a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension with the Athletics. Butler is coming off a breakout 2024 season through which he hit .262 with 22 HR, 63 R, 57 RBI, and 18 SB in 451 PA. He confirmed robust plate expertise (8% BB and 24% Okay) and hit the ball exhausting (11% Barrels, 47% Hardhit, and 113.1 mph maxEV). Butler hits sufficient fly balls (37% FB) to achieve success and he does a superb job of going pullside or up the center (32% Pull and 40% Heart). He is bought the potential to go 25 HR/20 SB with a good AVG (.250). The Athletics offense also needs to enhance by shifting out of the Coliseum which can hopefully result in extra counting stats. Butler has the upside to be one of many high fantasy gamers this season as a result of his energy/pace potential.
Shane Baz-Rays-SP
Shane Baz gave up 6 ER over 3 IP with 4 BB and 0 Okay in his most up-to-date spring begin. It’s simply spring coaching however it could be good to see Baz having a robust spring. He returned from harm final 12 months and posted a 3.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 13% Okay:BB over 79.1 IP. His ratios seemed nice however the underlying expertise had been regarding. His strikeout charge was 22% which was effectively beneath the 26% he posted in 27 IP in 2022 and all through his minor league profession. He additionally had a 4.33 SIERA final 12 months which is a sign of his true expertise based mostly on his expertise. His fastball sat 95.6 mph which is down from the 97 mph he confirmed when he first debuted. Baz’s strikeout numbers being down is the results of his slider disappearing. He nonetheless threw the pitch nevertheless it was not the putout pitch it had been beforehand. Baz goes to want to seek out that pitch to make good on his prospect pedigree. If not, we are going to see a season nearer to his SIERA this season.
Crimson Sox Outfield Scenario
Wilyer Abreu’s possibilities of being prepared for the beginning of the season is in query. He has not appeared in a spring recreation but as a result of a gastrointestinal virus. Abreu has misplaced weight because of the difficulty and has not been in a position to swing a bat. He has solely been monitoring pitches throughout bullpens. Abreu is an attention-grabbing fantasy choice for 2025. He hit. 253 with 15 HR, 59 R, 58 RBI, and eight SB in 447 PA. Over a full season he has 25 HR/10 SB upside. He hits the ball exhausting (11% Barrels, 50% Hardhit, and 114.4 mph maxEV). Abreu does battle with strikeouts (28% Okay) which leads to the decrease batting common. He additionally hits a excessive share of fly balls (47% FB) which leads to a decrease BABIP and AVG. If Abreu misses time to start out the 12 months the Crimson Sox are prone to go together with a mix of Rob Refsnyder, David Hamilton, and Nick Sogard. It’s potential additionally they experiment with Masataka Yoshida within the outfield relying on how the Rafael Devers scenario performs out. If he has to DH then Yoshida goes to need to play outfield. Yoshida has been a productive main league hitter (profession .285 AVG with 25 HR and 10 SB in 1001 PA). He has proven the flexibility to make contact (13% Okay) and hit the ball exhausting sufficient (6% Barrels, 39% Hardhit, and 112.3 mph maxEV). The Crimson Sox have been very hesitant to play him within the outfield. Rob Refsynder goes to get essentially the most taking part in time however he’s nonetheless not fantasy-relevant outdoors of day by day strikes leagues. He hit .283 with 11 HR, 32 R, 40 RBI, and a pair of SB in 307 PA. He primarily confronted LHP through which he hit .302 with 8 HR, 14 R, 23 RBI, and 1 SB. His success was backed up by his high quality of contact metrics (10% Barrels, 43% Hardhit, and 111.5 mph maxEV). With that being stated he had a profession 12 months on the age of 33 which makes it exhausting to purchase into him being something aside from a small-side platoon batter.
