Ten MLB Prospects That Could Pop Off For Fantasy Teams in 2025
It’s only a week into February, but the smell of pine tar, freshly cut grass, and crackerjacks is in the air.
When we last saw action on the diamond, Freddie Freeman was hitting walk-off grand slams, the Yankees were blowing 5-0 leads, and the Dodgers were securing their second ring in five years.
Fast forward to today, and a new crop of prospects are set to battle for major league roster spots in spring training.
With fantasy drafts fast approaching and player markets starting to take shape, it’s a perfect time to take stock of this years rookie class.
While not every prospect can pop off like J-Rod or Paul Skenes, these ten youngsters have the potential to make a big impact for fantasy teams in 2025.
Roki Sasaki (P)
2024 Stats (Japan): 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 129 K in 111.0 IP
The hype train for Roki Sasaki is roaring full steam ahead. With a 2.10 ERA in four seasons of Japanese ball, a heater that reaches triple digits on the radar gun, and a devastating splitter reminiscent of Dice-K’s gyroball, the newly minted Los Angeles Dodger is the total package.
Sasaki’s electric stuff has not gone unnoticed on the fantasy landscape, as he’s being selected inside the top 100 picks in drafts. Other starters being drafted around his ADP of 85 include stud hurlers such as Shota Imanaga, Bryce Miller and Bailey Ober.
Despite the threat of an innings cap from the Dodgers, it’s hard to pass up on a guy with the sky-high potential of the 23-year-old fireballer.
Dylan Crews (OF)
2024 Stats (AA/AAA): .270 AVG, 13 HR, 68 RBI, 12 SB in 449 PA
Despite posting an underwhelming .641 OPS in a cup of coffee with the Nats in 2024, Dylan Crews is a hot commodity in fantasy drafts. In 2023, the speedy outfielder hit a blazing .426 average for the LSU Tigers, winning the Golden Spikes Award and getting taken 2nd overall by Washington.
Crews projects to slot into the 2-hole for a surprising robust Nationals lineup. He’s being taken at an ADP of 130 in drafts, around other outfielders like Ian Happ, Randy Arozarena, and Steven Kwan.
With an upside of 30 HR/30 SB, Crews is a tantalizing figure for fantasy managers with tons of risk and reward in his profile.
Jasson Dominguez (OF)
2024 Stats (A/AA/AAA): .314 AVG, 11 HR, 35 RBI, 16 SB in 250 PA
He’s nicknamed The Martian for a reason. Armed with prodigious power, lightning-quick bat speed, and an NFL physique, Dominguez has been on the radar of baseball fans since signing with the Yankees as a 16-year-old.
Dominguez has a lot going for him entering 2025: a spot in the high-octane Yankees lineup, a short porch in right at Yankee Stadium, and a clean bill of health after dealing with injuries in 2024.
Positioned just below the Crews tier at an ADP of 145 on draft boards, Dominguez could be the ideal five-tool player for fantasy managers looking to juice up homers and steals.
Matt Shaw (3B)
2024 Stats (AA/AAA): .284 AVG, 21 HR, 71 RBI, 31 SB in 523 PA
Shaw was prolific in 2024, emerging as one of the best power-speed threats in the minors. Drawing comparisons to Dustin Pedroia due to his size, hustle, and proclivity for ass hacks, Shaw projects as the Cubs go-to guy at the hot corner.
Shaw’s rapid ascension to Wrigley Field has Cubs fans excited, with visions of a young Kris Bryant. With an ADP of 209, Shaw is affordable in the draft market.
Roman Anthony (OF)
2024 Stats (AA/AAA): .291 AVG, 18 HR, 65 RBI, 21 SB in 540 PA
The crown jewel of Boston’s ‘Big Three’ prospects, Roman Anthony is a potential superstar in the making. At just 20 years old, Anthony has shown that he’s ready for a call to the bigs after slugging his way to a .982 OPS for the AAA Worcester Red Sox.
The downside to drafting the sweet-swinging Anthony in fantasy is playing time. With a glut of outfielders blocking his path to everyday at-bats in 2025, Anthony could start the year in the minors.
The uncertainty is reflected in Anthony’s draft price, as he’s relegated to the later rounds of drafts (ADP of 276), though he could be a major riser.
Kristian Campbell (2B)
2024 Stats (A/AA/AAA): .330 AVG, 20 HR, 77 RBI, 24 SB in 517 PA
Campbell put up video game numbers in 2024, topping the Minors in wRC+. As a result, the Chattanooga native rocketed through the Red Sox system from A-ball to AAA.
Like his teammate Roman Anthony, Campbell is not guaranteed a spot in the bigs to open the season. However, with the likes of Vaughan Grissom and David Hamilton soaking up playing time at second base, it won’t be long before Campbell is manning the keystone at Fenway.
Going at an ADP of 284 in drafts, Campbell is a worthy stash.
Jackson Jobe (P)
2024 Stats (AA/AAA): 2.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 96 K in 91.2 IP
Jackson Jobe lit up the radar gun last year at spring training, touching 102 mph. He followed up that impressive showing with a 2.36 ERA season across two levels, though he missed some time with a hamstring strain.
Jobe backs up his explosive heater with a filthy sweeper. Despite his nasty repertoire, Jobe looks to be the odd man out in the Tigers rotation, though he should be pitching alongside Tarik Skubal and Co sooner rather than later.
Jobe goes off boards at an ADP of 279, making him another another strong stash candidate for drafters.
Jordan Lawlar (SS)
2024 Stats (AAA): .318 AVG, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 6 SB in 104 PA
Just a couple seasons ago, Lawlar was torching minor league pitching and becoming a must-stash player in fantasy. Between injuries and struggles at the dish when called up by the D-Backs, the shortstop’s hype has dimmed significantly.
Lawlar is basically free in fantasy circles, being selected near of the end of 12-team drafts (ADP of 347). With a 20 HR/36 SB minor league season on his resume in 2023, Lawlar is an excellent sleeper to take a flyer on.
Andrew Painter (P)
*Missed all of 2023 and 2024*
If we circle back two seasons, you might recall Andrew Painter shooting up draft boards after dominating spring training outings for the Phillies. After hurting his elbow and eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery, we’ve come full circle, with Painter ready to get back on the mound.
With a dynamic four-pitch arsenal at his deposal, Painter oozes ace potential. For the time being, the towering six-foot-seven righty might be better suited to dynasty leagues, as the Phillies could choose to bring him along slowly this year.
With an ADP of 346, Painter is an ideal late-round addition to fantasy lineups.
Kumar Rocker (P)
2024 Stats (AA/AAA): 1.96 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 55 K in 36.2 IP
One look at Rocker’s 2019 masterpiece in the NCAA Super Regionals and you’ll be bought in. If that wasn’t enough, check out his epic slider (which he used to record all 19 strikeouts in that 2019 outing).
As with Jackson Jobe and Andrew Painter, the young Texas Ranger is buried on the depth chart with his big league club going into spring training. That said, Jacob DeGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, or Jon Gray are all injury risks, and Rocker is next in line on the bump.
Rocker is coming off the board at an ADP of 285, putting him in a similar range to Jobe. Either righty would be a solid way to round out your fantasy rotation.