Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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7.
Gunnar Henderson
SS
Gunnar Henderson made the most of his second full season in the majors. He hit 37 home runs, scored 118 runs, drove in 92, and stole 21 bases. Perhaps most impressively, his batting average jumped to .281 from .255 the year before. He sits in the 97th percentile of hard-hit rate (53.9%), and the rest of his batting profile suggests more of 2024 to come. He dropped his K% from 25.6 to 22.1 and raised his walk rate to 10.8 from 9.0, which is exactly the type of growth you hope to see in a player's second year. Still just 23 years old, Henderson is a first-round talent whose Steamer projections align with what we saw last season. Even though the shortstop position is deep, Gunnar is in that top-5 echelon and worth the high investment.
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48.
Adley Rutschman
C,DH
Adley Rutschman took a step back in 2024 compared to his stellar 2023 season. The 26-year-old appeared in 148 games, serving as the designated hitter in 45 of them, and slashed a disappointing .250/.318/.391. He hit 19 home runs, driving in 79 and scoring 68. His numbers in the second half of the year were abysmal, as he batted only .207 with only three home runs. Of most concern was his 100-point drop in OPS. Rutschman is being taken as the second catcher off the board, as there is hope that he can return closer to his 2023 numbers; however, his Statcast page suggests 2024 wasn't a terrible outlier of a season. There may be similar talent later in the draft.
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52.
Jordan Westburg
2B,3B
Jordan Westburg returned for his second season in Baltimore and played 107 games, hitting 18 home runs and slashing .264/.312/.481. With the Orioles bringing in the left field fence, Westburg's right-handed power should see a boost in 2025. This is encouraging for fantasy managers, as the 26-year-old hit .303 at home. Westburg will most likely play third base in 2025 unless Jackson Holliday fails to take the leap at second. Either way, with second base this year's version of a wasteland, Westburg holds plenty of value for fantasy managers.
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89.
Colton Cowser
LF,CF,RF
Colton Cowser's rookie campaign showcased more power than many expected, as he belted 24 home runs and swiped nine bases while posting a .242/.321/.447 slash line. His 30.7% strikeout rate and 9.3% walk rate highlight areas for improvement, but hitting in a strong Baltimore lineup could help him build on last season's 77 runs and 69 RBIs. At 24 years old, Cowser still has untapped potential and should remain a valuable fantasy option in 2025.
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106.
Tyler O'Neill
LF,RF
Tyler O'Neill offers a clear tradeoff: elite power with plenty of strikeouts. In 2024, he showcased his home run potential by launching 31 long balls over 113 games for the Red Sox while tallying 61 RBIs, 74 runs, and a .241/.336/.511 slash line. His production was reminiscent of his breakout 2021 season. Now with Baltimore and its strong lineup, he has a strong chance to deliver similar results in 2025.
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115.
Cedric Mullins II
CF
Cedric Mullins regained his speed in 2024, boosting his stolen base total from 19 to 32 while staying on the field for 147 games. He also provided some power, hitting 18 home runs, which aligns with his expected 2025 production. While the Orioles have a deep lineup, Mullins remains a viable option in deeper formats.
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124.
Jackson Holliday
2B
Jackson Holliday's 2024 rookie season with the Orioles showcased both his potential and areas for growth. In 60 games, he posted a .189 batting average, hitting 5 home runs, driving in 23 runs, scoring 28 times, and adding 4 stolen bases. His .255 on-base percentage and .311 slugging percentage resulted in a .566 OPS, both of which should improve in his sophomore season. He hit the ball hard with a 45.1 hard hit rate, but he will need better plate discipline (33.2% strikeout rate). At 21 years old, Holliday has plenty of upside while batting at the bottom of a good lineup.
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134.
Ryan Mountcastle
1B
Ryan Mountcastle posted a .271/.308/.425 slash line, contributing 13 home runs, 30 doubles, 63 RBIs, and 54 runs scored in 124 games. Advanced metrics highlight Mountcastle's solid contact quality. He recorded an average exit velocity of 90.8 mph and a hard-hit rate of 45.2%. Mountcastle's strikeout rate remained a concern, as he fanned 114 times in 473 at-bats, resulting in a 24.1% strikeout rate. Mountcastle's consistent batting average and improved contact metrics suggest potential for increased power production, especially if he can adjust his launch angle. Addressing his strikeout rate will be crucial for maximizing his offensive contributions.
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202.
Ryan O'Hearn
1B,LF,RF,DH
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209.
Heston Kjerstad
LF,RF
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248.
Coby Mayo
3B
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309.
Gary Sanchez
C,DH
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359.
Ramon Urias
3B
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369.
Ramon Laureano
LF,CF,RF
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413.
Samuel Basallo
C,1B
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463.
Dylan Carlson
LF,CF,RF
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471.
Jorge Mateo
2B
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503.
Dylan Beavers
CF,RF
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539.
David Banuelos
C
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548.
Nick Gordon
2B,LF,CF
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583.
Emmanuel Rivera
1B,3B
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590.
Enrique Bradfield Jr.
LF,CF
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606.
Daz Cameron
LF,CF,RF
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690.
Livan Soto
IF,2B
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698.
Luis Vazquez
3B,SS
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