Top Fantasy Baseball Rookies to Watch in 2025

While the pipeline of top-tier fantasy baseball prospects entering the league in 2025 might not be as overflowing as it has been in recent years, there’s still a compelling group of rookies poised to make a significant impact. The depth of this rookie class may be questioned, but a select few present tantalizing potential, fueled by the prospect of immediate and substantial playing time. In the world of fantasy baseball, opportunity reigns supreme. These are the players we anticipate will not only break camp with their respective clubs but will also carve out prominent roles early in the season, translating to valuable fantasy production.

The Cream of the Crop: Impactful Rookies for 2025

1. Dylan Crews, OF, Washington Nationals: Crews, the second overall pick in the 2023 draft, offers a tantalizing blend of tools and potential that places him atop this list. He received a taste of the big leagues late last season, providing a glimpse of what he can offer. While his initial numbers – a .219/.288/.353 slash line with 3 home runs in 119 at-bats – weren’t eye-popping, they don’t tell the whole story. Beneath the surface, Crews exhibited a remarkable ability to square up pitches consistently, demonstrating raw power and athleticism. He possesses a rare combination of five tools graded as above-average or better, most notably his double-plus speed. His exit velocities are comparable to some of the game’s premier sluggers, indicating serious power potential. However, much of his contact currently results in line drives. With adjustments and refinement, converting those line drives into more elevated hits could unlock elite power numbers, making him a potential fantasy superstar. He is the most intriguing rookie because he has the most tools.

2. Jasson Dominguez, OF, New York Yankees: "The Martian," as he is often called, offers an exciting blend of power, speed, and switch-hitting ability. Dominguez’s 2023 debut generated considerable buzz, but an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery sidelined him for a significant portion of the 2024 season. When healthy, Dominguez, still only 22, displayed immense potential in the upper minors, earning another late-season look with the Yankees. As a switch-hitter, he demonstrates impressive power, particularly from the left side of the plate, combined with a solid hit tool. Beyond his hitting prowess, Dominguez is a plus runner, making him a valuable asset in the stolen base category. If he can return fully healthy from surgery and secure a consistent role in the Yankees’ outfield, Dominguez has the potential to be a multi-category fantasy contributor.

3. Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs: The trade sending Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros as part of the Kyle Tucker deal opened a clear path for Shaw to assume the starting third base role for the Cubs. While an oblique injury might delay his Opening Day availability, Shaw, 23, is widely expected to be the Cubs’ primary third baseman for the foreseeable future. Considered a high-floor prospect, Shaw possesses a well-rounded skillset with tools graded as average to above-average across the board. He exhibits excellent plate discipline, working counts effectively and drawing walks. On the basepaths, his plus instincts enhance his above-average running speed. Shaw’s all-around abilities and opportunity to play every day make him a solid fantasy option.

4. Roki Sasaki, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Sasaki is a high risk high reward pick. The biggest international free agent signing of the offseason, Sasaki arrives in Los Angeles with immense hype and expectations. However, unlike many established Far East imports, Sasaki, 23, is not considered a completely finished product. He possesses a formidable arsenal, headlined by a fastball that consistently reaches the high 90s with exceptional movement. His splitter is considered his best pitch, while his vertical slider flashes plus potential, and he complements these offerings with an average curveball. Impressively, he also demonstrates plus command, enhancing the effectiveness of his pitches. While there may be an adjustment period as he adapts to the major leagues, Sasaki’s pure talent and the Dodgers’ track record of developing pitching talent make him a high-upside fantasy option.

5. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates: Drafted as a two-way talent with a decorated high school resume, Chandler has focused exclusively on pitching and is flourishing. At 22, he boasts a double-plus fastball that consistently clocks in the high 90s. His changeup has developed into a potentially plus offering, showing significant improvement in overall command. He also throws a sharp, late-biting slider with significant whiff potential, along with a get-over curveball used to steal strikes. Chandler’s impressive repertoire and potential for further development make him a promising pitching prospect to monitor closely.

6. Kristian Campbell, 2B, Boston Red Sox: Initially drafted as a contact-oriented college prospect, Campbell experienced a significant transformation last spring, unlocking exceptional bat speed through a swing change. This adjustment turned a fringe projection into a potential All-Star caliber contributor. Campbell, 22, excelled across three minor league levels, slashing .330/.439/.558. Remarkably, his underlying data improved as he advanced through the minor league system. His speed adds another dimension to his game, with 20-steal potential.

7. Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox: Considered the top position prospect in baseball by some, Anthony had a slow start to full-season ball but has since dominated minor league pitching. The 20-year-old showcases a plus hit tool and developing double-plus power. Although his present power is rated as average, the potential for big-time power is evident. An average runner, Anthony also has the potential for double-digit stolen base production. Anthony’s combination of hit tool, power potential, and speed makes him a high-upside prospect.

8. Christian Moore, 2B, Los Angeles Angels: Selected eighth overall by the Angels in the 2024 draft, Moore quickly ascended through the system, even flirting with a late-season big league call-up after an impressive collegiate and professional debut. At his best, Moore, 22, showcases an above-average power bat with the potential to maintain a respectable batting average. However, questions about his swing decisions, particularly against fastballs up in the zone and breaking pitches away, might limit his overall hit tool.

9. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Detroit Tigers: Jobe made his major league debut last season, appearing in the final week as a reliever. While his overall upside might exceed Chandler’s, his immediate opportunity for innings in 2025 isn’t as clear. Jobe, 22, possesses a deep arsenal, with four pitches projected as plus offerings, along with above-average control. His high-90s fastball is electric, and his low-80s sweeper is potentially elite.

10. Deyvison De Los Santos, 1B, Miami Marlins: Acquired from Arizona in the A.J. Puk trade last July, De Los Santos is a power-hitting phenom. He blasted 40 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A last season, leading the entire minor league system. De Los Santos, 21, is an aggressively inclined hitter. Power is the driving force of his profile, although likely accompanied by a lower batting average and on-base percentage.

11. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks: Lawlar’s professional career has been plagued by injuries. After debuting in the major leagues in 2023, he only played 23 minor league games in 2024. When healthy, Lawlar, 22, displays exceptional speed, a plus hit tool, and potentially above-average power, a combination that elevates his profile.

12. Jacob Wilson, SS, Oakland Athletics: Wilson, a career .401 hitter in the minor leagues, struggled during a late-season call-up last season. The son of former MLB All-Star Jack Wilson, Jacob, 22, is a contact-over-power prospect. He is a spray hitter who relies on a high contact rate to fuel his batting average, making him a more valuable asset in batting average-dependent formats.

13. Will Wagner, UT, Toronto Blue Jays: Wagner debuted in the majors last season after being acquired from Houston in the Yusei Kikuchi deal. The son of Hall of Fame pitcher Billy Wagner, Will, 26, is an on-base machine. However, he lacks the necessary power skills to be a significant offensive force outside of on-base percentage formats.

14. Agustin Ramirez, C, Miami Marlins: Ramirez, acquired in the Jazz Chisholm trade with New York last July, is an offensively skilled catcher on the verge of a big-league debut. Ramirez, 23, slashed .267/.358/.447 across the upper minor league levels last season. He makes sound swing decisions, which will likely keep him afloat upon his MLB debut this season.

15. Rhett Lowder, RHP, Cincinnati Reds: On the surface, Lowder’s debut was impressive. However, underlying metrics suggest his 1.17 ERA in 30 ⅔ innings might be misleading. Lowder, 23, has dealt with an elbow issue during spring training. When healthy, he effectively mixes three above-average pitches with plus command to keep hitters off-balance.

Conclusion:

The 2025 rookie class may not be the deepest, but it offers a compelling mix of talent, potential, and opportunity. From high-profile prospects like Dylan Crews and Jasson Dominguez to intriguing arms like Roki Sasaki and Bubba Chandler, these players have the potential to become valuable fantasy assets. Keep a close eye on their progress during spring training and the early part of the season to identify those who will emerge as impact performers.