As the 2024 MLB season fades into the rearview mirror, fantasy baseball enthusiasts are already shifting their focus to the tantalizing possibilities of the 2025 campaign. With a fresh crop of prospects on the rise and established stars looking to cement their legacies, the fantasy landscape is ripe with potential. Recently, some of the sharpest minds in the industry gathered in Phoenix for the annual First Pitch Arizona conference, where they shared their insights and observations about the players poised to make the biggest impact in the coming year.
The Next Fantasy Ace: Garrett Crochet
One name that kept surfacing in discussions was Garrett Crochet, the electric southpaw who burst onto the scene in 2024. Crochet’s seamless transition from the bullpen to the rotation turned heads, as he not only maintained his velocity but actually saw an uptick in his four-seamer’s average speed. Couple that with the addition of a devastating sweeper and an increased reliance on his sinker, and Crochet has all the makings of a pitcher ready to ascend to the next level.
Crochet has the ingredients to be a fantasy ace in 2025. His arsenal is dynamic, and he’s shown the ability to adapt and evolve. Don’t be surprised if he takes another big step forward.
– Industry expert at First Pitch Arizona
Breakout Candidates to Watch
While Crochet stole the spotlight on the pitching side, several potential breakout hitters also garnered attention. Garrett Mitchell of the Brewers showcased an enticing blend of power and speed down the stretch in 2024, while the Guardians’ Gavin Williams flashed elite raw tools that could translate to fantasy stardom with just a bit more refinement. But the player generating the most buzz was the Red Sox’s Triston Casas, a slugging first baseman with a keen eye and immense raw power.
- Garrett Mitchell (OF, Brewers): .276/.353/.645, 6 HR, 7 SB in final 30 games
- Gavin Williams (SP, Guardians): Electric fastball, plus curveball
- Triston Casas (1B, Red Sox): Elite plate discipline and raw power
Arizona Fall League Standouts
The Arizona Fall League provided a platform for several prospects to boost their stocks heading into 2025. Yankees farmhand Caleb Durbin continued to wreak havoc on the basepaths while exhibiting advanced plate discipline, putting himself in prime position to benefit from a potential Gleyber Torres departure. Cardinals second base prospect Thomas Saggese, meanwhile, looked to put a forgettable MLB debut behind him with a scorching hot stint in the desert.
Shohei Ohtani Injury Fallout
Perhaps the most impactful news to emerge from the conference was the revelation that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani had undergone surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. While the full extent of the injury’s impact remains to be seen, it’s thrown his status as the consensus No. 1 fantasy pick into question. Managers in daily leagues may still favor Ohtani’s unparalleled dual-threat abilities, but those in weekly formats or with strict roster requirements may opt for a safer option like Bobby Witt Jr. or Gunnar Henderson.
Brent Rooker: Sleeper to Slugger?
One player generating a surprising amount of helium in early 2025 drafts is Athletics masher Brent Rooker. The hulking DH pummeled pitching away from the cavernous Oakland Coliseum in 2024, slugging 138 points higher on batted balls he classified as “barrels.” With a move to the more hitter-friendly confines of Sutter Health Park in the cards, Rooker could be poised for a full-on power breakout. Don’t be shocked if he’s among the league leaders in homers when all is said and done.
Red Sox Rookies Ready to Roll
Boston’s youth movement looks primed to pay big dividends in 2025, with two prospects in particular generating substantial buzz in the early going. Outfielder Roman Anthony and utility man Kristian Campbell both cracked the top 10 in early rookie drafts, a testament to their immense potential. While the Red Sox roster looks crowded on paper, the talent these two bring to the table could force the issue sooner than later.
As the hot stove begins to percolate, fantasy managers find themselves confronted with a bevy of new names and faces to consider. By staying attuned to the insights of industry insiders and tracking the development of key prospects, shrewd owners can position themselves to reap the benefits of baseball’s next wave of stars. Though the landscape is sure to shift as spring training draws near, these early glimpses into the 2025 player pool provide a tantalizing preview of the excitement that awaits.
