After two weeks of rankings the place I lumped gamers ranked 400-301 into one group after which gamers 300-201 right into a second group, that is the week through which I escape the rankings into teams of 25. For this week, which means gamers ranked 200-176.
The general breakdown of this group tends to be somewhat older in comparison with these ranked greater. Eleven gamers are between the ages of 30-34, 11 are within the 25-29 age vary and three gamers are 24 or youthful.
As for the place breakdown, there are two relievers, two beginning pitchers, one catcher, two third basemen, one shortstop and one DH. 9 gamers are outfielders, both at one outfield place or a number of, whereas one other 5 are “utility” gamers, which for this goal means they will play a minimum of one infield and one outfield place.
I posted this final week, however I believe it’s good to repeat my thought course of a minimum of yet one more time in case you’re new to my rankings. Right here is an easy breakdown of how I put these collectively.
- I don’t merely go by a participant’s upside. If I did that, this might mainly be an inventory of the most effective younger gamers to the oldest, which is fairly boring. And if I did add gamers based mostly solely on upside, I’ll have a dropping crew yr after yr. I like younger gamers with upside, however I additionally need confirmed gamers who will produce for a minimum of the subsequent three years to ensure that me to win now. I combine within the older identified commodities with the younger gamers with upside, trusting my intestine as a lot because the numbers or anticipated numbers of a participant.
- I like hitters greater than pitchers. A robust lineup has at all times been my key to successful my leagues as hitters are within the lineup day by day. Relating to the place that I rank the bottom as a complete, that group is the catchers. Solely 10 catchers performed in additional than 130 video games final season, solely six catchers reached 20 homers and solely 4 catchers had greater than 80 RBI. Except you land one of many high 5 or 6 catchers, ignore them till later in your draft or public sale or nonetheless you construct your groups.
- Whereas I like my hitters, I don’t ignore pitchers. However pitchers, as a complete, are extra inconsistent than hitters. You want good pitchers, as one or two dangerous outings in every week can kill you. So the highest pitchers can be ranked the place they need to be ranked. However I’ve at all times been capable of finding strong pitchers off the waiver wire throughout the season or flip a prospect or two for some top-end pitching. In case your league has 40-man rosters, then having a number of younger pitchers with upside is definitely attainable. However in leagues with 25-man rosters, you must steadiness “upside” with confirmed expertise.
- Relating to rating pitchers, you’re going to see solely the highest relievers pop up in my rankings and none of them are going to interrupt into my Prime 100. Relievers are essentially the most inconsistent group in fantasy baseball and I’ve ALWAYS been capable of survive by getting two high closers after which add low-level closers or strong setup males (for leagues with holds) after which whoever I snag in free company when a better loses his job.
Now you recognize my biases. I do know you’ve yours.
And a reminder – if a high prospect hasn’t reached the majors but, they received’t be in these rankings. Itch is doing his regular excellent job of overlaying the prospects.
With that mentioned, let’s get began.
200-196
*Age as of April 1, 2025
**Minimal 10 video games performed at every place listed. If lower than 10, then place most performed
***Till the Athletics are literally in Las Vegas, gamers on the crew can be listed as OAK
****2024 Rank is the place I ranked gamers forward of the 2024 season.
RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | POSITION | AGE | 2024 RANK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
200 | Bryan Abreu | HOU | RP | 27 | 197 |
199 | Walker Buehler | BOS | SP | 29 | 107 |
198 | Noelvi Marte | CIN | 3B | 23 | 71 |
197 | Brandon Marsh | PHI | LF/CF | 27 | 264 |
196 | Christian Yelich | MIL | LF | 33 | 140 |
Nearer Capacity
Bryan Abreu has been one of many high setup males in baseball the previous two years. After recording 24 holds and 5 saves with a 1.75 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 2023, the large right-hander led baseball with 38 holds with a 3.10 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. In 78.1 innings of labor he struck out 103 hitters.
With Josh Hader signed for an additional 4 years with the Astros, Abreu will solely choose up a couple of saves right here and there. However he’ll accumulate numerous holds and enable you in each different pitching class.
New Dwelling, Higher Outcomes?
Earlier than being injured in 2022, Walker Buehler was probably the greatest pitchers in baseball. From 2018 by his final begin in 2022, Buehler had a 2.95 ERA and 1.021 WHIP whereas hanging out 9.7 hitters per 9 innings. After lacking all of 2023, Buehler returned this previous season and made 16 begins for the Dodgers, going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA and 1.553 WHIP. His strikeout charge was method beneath his profession common whereas his stroll charge was method above.
Nevertheless, Buehler gave a glimpse of his previous self within the postseason when he posted a 3.60 ERA in 4 video games, together with three begins, overlaying 15 innings of labor. He gave up six earned runs – all in opposition to San Diego within the NLDS. Over his remaining 10 innings of the postseason, he allowed zero runs on 5 hits and 4 walks whereas fanning 13.
Which Model Will We Get?
Noelvi Marte has been a high 100 prospect for years coming into the 2024 season, and expectation had been excessive for him as he slashed .316/.366/.456 with three homers, 15 RBI and 6 steals in 35 video games in 2023. However Marte didn’t reside as much as these expectations in 2024. First, he needed to serve an 80-game suspension after he examined constructive for a banned substance. When he returned to the sphere in late June, he by no means bought going on the plate. In 66 video games he slashed .210/.248/.301 with 4 dwelling runs, 18 RBI and 9 steals.
The late begin to his 2024 season might have been a giant think about his struggles. Marte’s minor league numbers recommend he ought to hit for the next common, however I don’t count on him to be a .300 hitter. Marte has proven some pop, however I don’t see him hitting 20 homers, a minimum of not this yr. His actual worth as a 3rd baseman could be the steals he’ll rack up as he has 15 steals in 101 profession video games.
Separate Profession Paths
Brandon Marsh will not be an ideal participant, however he’s the kind of participant who will assist your outfield depth and probably not harm you when within the beginning lineup. During the last three seasons between the Angels and Phillies, Marsh has hit 11, 12 and 16 homers and pushed in 52, 60 and 60 runs. Throughout that very same time span he has stolen 10, 10 and 19 bases. He’ll produce mainly the identical numbers this yr with a slash line near .250/.330/.420. Not nice, however quite a bit higher than many outfielders on the market.
Christian Yelich was having an ideal yr in 2024 as he was slashing .315/.406/.504 with 11 homers, 42 RBI and 21 steals by his first 73 video games. However Yelich, who can be 33 on Opening Day, suffered a again harm – an issue he has handled for years and missed the remainder of the season. After having surgical procedure in August, Yelich expects to be absolutely wholesome at first of the spring coaching. However that doesn’t imply it’s best to count on him to select up the place he left off in 2024.
Earlier than his resurgence in 2024, Yelich’s common season from 2021-23 was a .260/.362/.404 hitter with 14 homers, 61 RBI and 19 steals in 138 video games. His OPS+ of 112 reveals he has been an above common hitter, however his MVP days are method behind him and there are many youthful outfielders who can produce higher numbers.
195-191
RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | POSITION | AGE | 2024 RANK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
195 | Willi Castro | MIN | 2B/3B/SS/LF/CF | 27 | NR |
194 | Jhoan Duran | MIN | RP | 27 | 178 |
193 | Bryan De La Cruz | ATL | LF/RF | 28 | 233 |
192 | Brendan Donovan | STL | LF/2B | 28 | 267 |
191 | Carlos Rodon | NYY | SP | 31 | 293 |
Low-Value Velocity and Versatility
In case you are searching for steals from strong utility gamers, then Willi Castro is a strong candidate. He reached double-digits steals in 2024, swiping 14 baggage, although that may be a drop from 33 in 2023. However what actually provides Castro worth is the actual fact he can play almost anyplace on the sphere as he qualifies at second and third base, shortstop, left area and heart area. You shouldn’t be utilizing him as a starter, however in leagues with 25-man rosters, Castro affords excellent worth.
A Strong Nearer, However Nonetheless a Reliever
Should you want a better, you are able to do quite a bit worse than having Jhoan Duran in your roster. Since debuting with the Twins in 2022, Duran’s ERA has gone from 1.86 to 2.45 to three.64. His strikeout share went from 12.1% in 2023 to 10.9% final season, however his stroll share fell from 3.61 to 2.48. Mainly, Duran is only a typical reliever – a participant whose numbers range enormously from yr to yr.
However his 2024 StatCast numbers present he’s nonetheless a high nearer. His fastball velocity ranked within the a centesimal percentile, his xERA and Whiff% ranked within the 93rd percentile whereas his Okay% ranked within the 88th percentile. I don’t depend on ERA when relievers. I like a excessive strikeout share and saves, and Duran will strike out numerous hitters and earn numerous saves.
Final Likelihood
I’ve truly moved Bryan De La Cruz up within the rankings in comparison with final yr. That’s as a result of whereas that is his final likelihood to be a beginning outfielder within the majors, I believe the Braves will convey out the most effective in him. He’ll see numerous time in proper area whereas Rondald Acuna Jr. recovers from his knee harm. When Acuna returns, De La Cruz can slide over to left area, the place Jerred Kelenic is at the moment slated to start out however has executed nothing to say the job robotically. De La Cruz hit 19 homers in 2023 and 21 final yr as he cut up time between Miami and Pittsburgh. If he will get 500 or so at-bats, he ought to attain that dwelling run whole once more.
Strong, However Not Spectacular
Brendan Donovan is sweet for 15 homers and 65 to 75 RBI, which is strong manufacturing. However there are tons of left fielders and second basemen who produce those self same numbers. He is a superb depth participant and in deep leagues he received’t harm you if he’s a starter, particularly at second base. However he can be 28 subsequent yr and are probably is at his ceiling. What provides Donovan further worth is the actual fact he may slot in as a left fielder along with second base.
Simply an Common Starter
Since debuting in 2015 as a Chicago White Sox starter, Carlos Rodon has mainly been a median pitcher. He has had solely two actually good seasons – in 2021 when he completed fifth within the Cy Younger voting with the White Sox and in 2022 when he completed sixth within the Cy Younger voting as a member of the Giants. In these two seasons he was a mixed 27-13 with a 2.67 ERA and 0.998 WHIP with 422 strikeouts in 310.2 innings of labor for a 12.22 Okay/9 charge.
The remainder of his profession has been common. Take away these two seasons and Rodon has posted a 4.32 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and a 9.1 Okay/9 charge. I do know Rodon has battled accidents, however take away two years and he’s nothing greater than a median pitcher. Good because the fifth or six starter in your roster, however not ok to depend on to steer your employees.
190-186
RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | POSITION | AGE | 2024 RANK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
190 | Logan O’Hoppe | LAA | C | 25 | 143 |
189 | Connor Norby | MIA | 3B/2B | 24 | NR |
188 | Michael Toglia | COL | 1B/RF | 26 | NR |
187 | Adolis Garcia | TEX | RF | 32 | 52 |
186 | Cedric Mullins | BAL | CF | 30 | 136 |
Strong and Regular
Logan O’Hoppe got here onto the scene for the Angles in 2023 when he appeared in 51 video games and hit 14 dwelling runs and slugged .500. As an encore in 2024, he hit 20 homers, drove in 56 and slugged .409 in 136 video games. He isn’t going to supply a excessive batting common and OBP, but when I get 20 or extra dwelling runs from my catcher, I’m a cheerful man. The explanation why he fell in my general rankings is because of gamers not ranked final yr leaping forward of him in addition to some youthful place gamers and pitchers. Don’t take a drop within the rankings as a sign that O’Hoppe isn’t a high 10 catcher. He’s.
Considerably Leaping on the Norby / Toglia Bandwagon
Connor Norby is a participant I actually like, and I could also be rating him too low. He has nice energy potential with a profession SLG of .494 within the minors. In his 45 video games within the majors with Baltimore and Miami, he has 9 homers and a .438 SLG. However what holds me again from utterly leaping onto the Norby bandwagon is there may be numerous swing and miss in his sport. His profession strikeout charge within the minors was 23% and to date within the majors it’s 33%.
After showing in 31 video games for the Rockies in 2022 after which 45 in 2023, Michael Toglia performed in 116 video games in 2024 and delivered 25 homers and 55 RBI. His 5.5% dwelling charge was good, however not his 33% profession strikeout charge. I’m not a fan of the strikeouts, however his energy potential and talent to play two positions has me liking Toglia – simply not loving him.
Not Getting Youthful
Adolis Garcia has energy, as evidenced by his common of 30.5 homers per season since 2021. However his 2023 season, through which he hit 39 homers and drove in 107 runs, is probably going a profession yr. In his different seasons he has hit 31, 27 and 25 homers and pushed in 90, 101, and 85 runs. If he hits 25 homers and drives in 90 runs, that may be a strong season and certain starter for a lot of fantasy groups. However he doesn’t hit for a excessive common or have a powerful OBP and he has a excessive strikeout charge. He can be 33 subsequent season, so I believe his window of being a high offensive participant is behind him.
Cedric Mullins was a must have heart fielder throughout and after the 2021 season when he hit 30 homers, drove in 91 runs and stole 30 bases whereas slashing .291/.360/.518. However Mullins hasn’t been come near matching that season since. During the last three years his greatest dwelling run whole is eighteen (2024) and most runs he has pushed in is 89 (2022). The one space the place Mullins nonetheless thrives is stealing bases as he had 32 final season and has reached 30 in three of the final 4 years. However exterior of the steals, Mullins is a median to barely above common participant.
185-181
RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | POSITION | AGE | 2024 RANK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
185 | Randy Arozarena | SEA | LF | 30 | 34 |
184 | Jorge Soler | LAA | RF | 33 | 149 |
183 | Giancarlo Stanton | NYY | DH | 35 | 218 |
182 | Luke Raley | SEA | LF/RF/1B | 30 | 266 |
181 | Eugenio Suarez | ARI | 3B | 33 | 247 |
A Trio of Outfielders
Randy Arozarena has been an excellent participant throughout his profession, however he has by no means been nice – and that’s OK. Not each participant is nice, and never each participant is even superb. Relating to Arozarena, he has been very constant within the dwelling run division, hitting 20, 20, 23 and 20 dingers the final 4 seasons. Throughout that very same time span he has pushed in 69, 89, 83 and 60 runs. So depend on him to hit 20 homers and drive in 70 to 80 runs. Relating to steals, he has topped 20 each season since 2021 and had a profession excessive 32 in 2022. So pencil him in for 22-25 steals. General, these are numbers of an excellent outfielder.
Jorge Soler can be taking part in for his fourth crew since 2023 when he takes the sphere for the Angels in 2025 after taking part in for Miami, San Francisco and Atlanta the previous two seasons. Soler can hit homers, he’ll drive in runs, and he can have a beneath common slash line exterior of his SLG and he’ll strike out. He isn’t a long-term answer to your dynasty crew, however he needs to be strong for a minimum of the subsequent two years and supply depth in proper area if that’s what you want.
Established energy
Giancarlo Stanton had 27 homers and 72 RBI whereas slugging .475 for the Yankees in 2024 whereas taking part in in 114 video games. That’s nice manufacturing, however Stanton is mainly a one-trick pony. All he actually brings to the desk is homers, hitting 24 in 2023, 31 in 2022 and 35 in 2021 (the final time he performed in additional than 114 video games in a season). However since that 2021 season he has hit .211, .191 and .233. I like his energy, however that’s about it.
Versatile Participant
As I’ve mentioned typically, having a flexible participant in your roster is a big assist, particularly in leagues with 25-man rosters. That’s the reason Luke Raley has worth over different gamers who produce the identical numbers he does. Raley goes to hit shut to twenty homers and drive in 55 to 60 runs and steal round 10 bases. Quite a lot of gamers can try this. However numerous gamers don’t play left area, proper area and first base. And relying in your league guidelines, he can slot in as a middle fielder in addition to he performed 9 video games there final season.
Want a Slugging Third Baseman?
Eugenio Suarez slugged 30 homers and drove in 101 runs in his first season in Arizona. His profession 162-game common is 30 homers and 92 RBI with a .248/.331/.457 slash line. Sure, he’s 33 years previous and he mainly helps solely within the homer/RBI classes. And it’s possible you’ll favor to attempt to construct round a youthful third baseman if doable. However if you’re wanting solely two or three years forward or filling a gap at third whereas ready for a 3rd base prospect to develop, then take Suarez as he’ll proceed to hit dwelling runs and drive in runs for the Diamondbacks.
180-176
RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | POSITION | AGE | 2024 RANK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
180 | Taylor Ward | LAA | LF | 31 | 250 |
179 | Jhonkensy Noel | CLE | RF | 23 | NR |
178 | Dansby Swanson | CHC | SS | 31 | 128 |
177 | Jake Burger | TEX | 1B/3B | 28 | 139 |
176 | JJ Bleday | OAK | CF | 27 | NR |
Simply Keep Wholesome
When Taylor Ward is wholesome, he’s a strong left fielder to have in your crew. In 2022 and 2024 he performed in 135 and 156 video games. His numbers these two seasons had been 23 and 25 homers and 65 and 75 RBI. The issue is these are the one two seasons through which Ward has topped 97 video games performed since debuting in 2018. He wasn’t injured in all of these different seasons – his lack of taking part in time was additionally because of the Angels being the Angels. However assuming Ward performs near 150 video games, he needs to be good for 25 homers and 75 RBI as soon as once more.
Energy Potential Is Actual
Jhonkensy Noel performed in solely 67 video games final season for Cleveland, however his energy potential ought to have you ever focusing on Noel. He had a 6.6% dwelling run charge, resulting in 13 dingers. He does have some warts he has to deal with. His slash line of .218/.288/.486 wasn’t nice, and neither was his 31.8% strikeout charge. However the energy merely can’t be ignored. He hit 19 homers in 70 minor league video games in 2021, adopted by 32 homers in 134 video games in 2022. In 2023 he smashed 27 dingers in 138 video games earlier than destroying minor league pitching with 18 homers in 65 video games final season earlier than being promoted to Cleveland.
Simply One other Shortstop
Dansby Swanson is a strong shortstop, and lots of main league groups would like to have him on their crew because of his protection and management he brings within the clubhouse. However in dynasty baseball, fielding and management don’t imply squat. And due to that, Swanson is a shortstop you wouldn’t thoughts having, however there are others you recognize you need extra. Amongst shortstops who certified final season, Swanson ranked 14th in homers (16), thirteenth in RBI (66), twelfth in steals (19) and eleventh in runs scored. Relating to his slash line, he ranked 19 in common (.242), fifteenth in OBP (.312) and seventeenth in SLG (.390). That makes him a fairly common hitter at shortstop and at 31, he’s shifting away from his prime years.
Burger With a Aspect of Fries
There are two methods to have a look at Jake Burger – both groups wish to do away with him or groups like his expertise in order that they commerce for him. I’m within the camp that they commerce FOR him due to what he can do on the plate. Now a member of the Texas Rangers, the final two seasons with the White Sox and Rays noticed Burger hit 34 and 29 homers and drive in 80 and 76 runs. On the plate his slash line was .250/.309/.518 in 2023 and .250/.301/.460 final season. That’s fairly constant manufacturing and he ought to put up the identical numbers for the Rangers this season and seasons to return whereas having the ability to play first and third base.
Up-and-Coming Middle Fielder
JJ Bleday was the fourth general choice within the 2019 Draft by the Miami Marlins and is a former high 100 prospect. He by no means absolutely reached his potential with the Marlins and was traded to the Athletics, a commerce that has work out effectively for the A’s. Bleday’s first season in Oakland horrid (.165/.310/.355, 10 homers, 27 RBI in 82 video games), however given an opportunity to play day by day in 2024 allowed Bleday to loosen up and simply play ball. He completed the yr with 20 homers and 60 RBI whereas slashing .243/.324/.437. All of these numbers ought to enhance and he needs to be sneaky good in 2025 and past.
Come Again Subsequent Week
Thanks for studying. Make sure that to return subsequent week when the gamers 175-151 are ranked within the Prime 400 Dynasty Gamers for 2025.
Earlier Prime 400 Dynasty Gamers for 2025 Rankings:
Prime 400 Dynasty Gamers for 2025: 400-301
Prime 400 Dynasty Gamers for 2025: 300-201