2025 Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 Third Baseman
Only three third basemen hit 30 home runs or more (Jose Ramirez – 39, Jake Burger – 31, and Eugenio Suarez – 30). Ramirez (114) was the only one to score over 100 runs, followed by Matt Chapman (98) and Suarez (90). Ramirez also led the way in stolen bases (41) and RBIs (118). Manny Machado (105) and Suarez (101) broke the 100-RBI mark, while Jazz Chisholm (40) and Maikel Garcia (37) ranked second and third in steals. Here are the top 12 third basemen from 2024 ranked by FPGscore:
The average top 12 third basemen (.262/82/23/83/14 over 559 at-bats) in 2024 ranked third in roster construction behind OF1 and SS. Jose Ramirez was worth $43.66 in auction dollars for a fantasy team using a 180/80 split between hitting and pitching. His FPGscore (12.04) was almost three times more valuable than the second-best third baseman (Manny Machado – 4.11).
Note: I wrote the 2025 top 15 third basemen rankings by NFBC ADP in early January. After completing all the players, I adjusted their ranks to match my feelings about the player pool.
1 – Jose Ramirez, CLE (ADP – 4.9)
Dear Jose Ramirez, I need to apologize for not respecting your talent over the past seven seasons. I body-shamed your profile for potential speed while considering you a left-handed version of Kirby Puckett. Your quest for more power came at the expense of batting average based on your rising fly-ball rate (48.2), and your weakness in contact batting average (.322 – under .325 over the past four seasons) lowered your ceiling in batting average. On a side note, I respectfully disagree with your May 2024 comment about being a better player than Barry Bonds. At age 31, the only stat you had better than him was fewer strikeouts (728 – 871). I know it was a different era, and you have less Juice in your bat.
Ramirez – .279 over 5,377 at-bats with 898 runs, 255 home runs, 864 RBIs, and 243 stolen bases while taking 600 walks.
Bonds – .288 over 5,537 at-bats with 1,121 runs, 334 home runs, 993 RBIs, and 380 stolen bases with 1,082 walks.
Your success last year in runs (114), home runs (39), RBIs (118), and stolen bases (41) led all third basemen, giving you the quadruple crown for his position.
Ramirez dominated left-handed pitching (.348/42/14/37/13 over 164 at-bats) in 2024. His best month came in May (.295 with 23 runs, 11 home runs, 33 RBIs, and four steals). He scored 70 runs and drove in 77 runs before the All-Star break over 369 at-bats. Ramirez finished with an elite RBI rate (21) but had fewer RBI chances (410) than in 2022 (438) and 2023 (452). Cleveland ranked 14th in runs scored (708), 46 more runs than they scored in 2023 (662 – 27th).
He remains challenging to strikeout (12.0%), but his walk rate (7.9) came in below his previous four seasons (10.0%). Ramirez ranked 105th out of 207 batters with 400 plate appearances in exit velocity (89.2 mph) and 122nd in hard-hit rate (39.7).
Fantasy Outlook: Over the past four seasons, Ramirez finished 5th (8.45), 5th (9.12), 21st (4.49), and 4th (12.04) in FPGscore for hitters. Based on his best three seasons over the last four years, he looks well worth his current ADP (4.9). I don’t respect Cleveland's supporting cast heading into 2025, suggesting regression in four categories for Ramirez. I saw a video over the past month where he looked trimmer, so he may be motivated to run more this year. I only see a .280/90/30/90/25 player with 600 at-bats, making him a late first-round pick in 15-team leagues.
2 – Jazz Chisholm, NYY (ADP – 25.4)
In his early fantasy career, Chisholm was a sexy target for some drafters, but he failed to reach expectations due to injuries. Last year, he set career-highs in at-bats (562), hits (144), home runs (24), RBIs (73), and stole bases (40). In mid-August, a left elbow injury led to a trip to the injured list and eight missed games.
His strikeout rate (24.5) was career-best while ranking close to the league average with his walk rate (8.5). Chisholm had regression in his average hit rate (1.701) and contact batting average (.351). Both outcomes were still favorable, supporting a higher batting average with repeated success controlling the strike zone and more power potential. His exit velocity (89.7 mph) and hard-hit rate (40.8) were lower than his seasons with the Marlins, most likely due to a rise in his groundball rate (48.9). He posted a four-year low in his HR/FB rate (16.9 – 19.3 in his career).
Chisholm had his best stats in July (16 runs, seven home runs, 19 RBIs, and nine steals) despite hitting .230 over 100 at-bats. The early view of the Yankees lineup has him batting second in their lineup. With New York, he hit .273 over 176 at-bats with 28 runs, 11 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases, putting him on pace for an 88/34/72/56 season if repeated over 550 at-bats.
Fantasy Outlook: There is no dismissing the ceiling of Chisholm in power and speed, but does his previous injury risk outweigh his 2025 draft value? That is a question each drafter must answer. Winning in fantasy baseball requires drafting multiple impact players with difference-maker talent. Chisholm checks this box. I like his third base qualification this year while understanding that 10 games at second base is a likely outcome, potentially early in the year. Up: a 30/50 season with help in runs and RBIs. His batting average has yet to be an asset.
3 – Austin Riley, ATL (ADP – 34.2)
Riley was part of the Braves' offensive demise in 2024. He had an empty power swing over his first 167 at-bats (.228/24/3/18) while missing two weeks in May with a left side issue (inflammation). Over his next 258 at-bats, his bat returned to form, leading to a .275 batting average with 39 runs, 16 home runs, and 38 RBIs. Unfortunately, he missed the final six weeks of the season with a broken left hand after getting hit by a pitch.
His approach (strikeout rate – 25.2 and walk rate – 7.9) regressed slightly, along with a pullback in his contact batting average (.355 – .386 in 2023) and average hit rate (1.798). He finished 2024 with an elite exit velocity (93.3 – 10th) and hard-hit rate (53.4 – 12th) while seeing an uptick in his fly-ball rate (43.0 – 40.2 in 2023). Riley’s struggles in power over the first third of 2024 led to a sharp decline in his HR/FB rate (14.3 – 19.4 in 2023 and 19.5 in his career).
Before last season, Riley had over 400 RBI chances from 2021 to 2023 (435, 414, and 443). He was on pace for only 395 RBI opportunities in 2024. His RBI rate has ranked below the best-run producers over the past three years (13.8, 14.9, and 14.9). Riley had the best results in this area in 2021 (17.0% RBI rate).
Fantasy Outlook: With Ronald Acuna in the lineup, the Braves should regain their lost momentum in runs scored (704 – 14th ~ 243 runs fewer than 2023), giving Riley another chance to shine in runs, home runs, and RBIs. He has a 40+ home run swing with the approach to add some value to fantasy teams in batting average. The higher outputs in stolen bases lower his overall value compared to early four-category players with plus speed. I expect a bounce-back season, and Riley is on my radar if I pick at the back end of drafts and he makes it to the 3/4 turn.
4 – Rafael Devers, BOS (ADP – 39.7)
It’s been six years since Devers posted his best season (.311/129/32/115/8 over 647 at-bats). He had 201 hits in 2019 with a league-high 54 doubles, and 44.8% of his hits went for extra bases.
Over the past four seasons, Devers averaged 90 runs, 32 home runs, 96 RBIs, and four steals. His best stats have come in odd years over this span. Last year, he missed 24 games with a left knee and shoulder issue. Devers was superb from May through July (.307/59/21/62/2 over 293 at-bats). Unfortunately, his shoulder injury led to a poor end to the season (.205 with 18 runs, four home runs, 14 RBIs, and one stolen bases over 161 at-bats). He lost his way vs. left-handed pitching (.240/27/4/230 over 204 at-bats).
Devers still ranked high in exit velocity (93.2 mph – 11th) and hard-hit rate (52.6). His HR/FB rate (19.9) was a three-year high, but he had a regression in his fly-ball rate (36.7). Devers took the most walks (11.2%) of his career while losing ground in his strikeout rate (24.5 – 21.2 in his career).
Fantasy Outlook: There is another gear in Devers’ bat that the fantasy community hasn’t seen yet. His contact batting average (.373) and average hit rate (1.895) paint a high average bat with 40 home run upside, and he will accumulate more runs and RBIs as the Red Sox offense improves. Devers ranked 27th in FPGscore (2.21) for hitters. He comes off the board as the 29th batter in early January. On a path to another 90/30/90 season with some help in batting average. Any steals are a bonus.
5 – Manny Machado, SD (ADP – 39.7)
Machado came into last season with concern about his return to the starting lineup after having right elbow surgery the previous October. He ended up being a discount in fantasy drafts after returning for game action on opening day.
In April, he hit .250 with 16 runs, four home runs, and 16 RBIs, followed by a dull May (.230/9/1/13/3). Machado regained his form over the final four months (.294/52/24/76/8 over 377 at-bats). He finished the year with elite RBI chances (456), but the back of the Padres lineup struggled to drive him in (37% run rate – lowest over the past five seasons).
His strikeout rate (19.3) has been the league average every year in the majors, but it was higher than his career average (17.3%) last season. He finished with a step back in his walk rate (7.0). Machado had a rebound in his exit velocity (92.5 mph) and his hard-hit rate (48.8). He lost some loft off his swing, leading to his lowest fly-ball rate (38.1) since 2014.
Over the past six seasons, Machado has had more than 600 plate appearances every year except his strike-shortened season in 2020.
Fantasy Outlook: Despite finishing 20th in FPGscore (4.41) for hitters, he is discounted in 2025 based on his current ADP (39.7 – 30th batters). Machado is a professional bat with a long history of success. The Padres finished eighth in run scored (760). A career season by Fernando Tatis will set the stage for another productive year in four categories.
6 – Junior Caminero, TB (ADP – 101.7)
The Guardians signed Caminero out of the Dominican Republic at age 15 in 2019. Tampa acquired him in a trade in 2021. Over four seasons in the minors, he hit .307 with 185 runs, 67 home runs, 217 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases over 1,079 at-bats. In 2023, his bat played well at High-A (.356/30/11/32/2) over 146 at-bats while thriving as well at AA (.309/55/20/62/3 over 314 at-bats).
Tampa gave him 34 at-bats of experience in the majors at age 19, leading to one home run and seven RBIs. His progression to the Rays suggested an early starting job in the majors in 2024. Unfortunately, Caminero suffered a quad issue in late March after not making Tampa’s opening-day roster.
Over his first 34 games at AAA, he hit .261 with 19 runs, eight home runs, 24 RBIs, and one stolen base over 138 at-bats. His quad issue reemerged on May 29th, leading to six weeks on the injured list. Tampa gave him another 19 games with the Durham Bulls (.304/14/5/10 over 70 at-bats) before calling him up in mid-August. Caminero finished with 165 at-bats with the Rays (.248/15/6/18/2).
His strikeout rate (21.5) was league average while showing more upside in the minors (18.4%). He projects to have an above-average walk rate (8.8 in the minors and 6.1 in his limited time with Tampa). In his professional career, Caminero has had a groundball-favoring swing path (50.3% in the majors – 51.9% at AAA). His HR/FB rate in 2023 (12.5%) and 2024 (12.2%) with the Rays was well below his potential and previous success in the minors. He didn’t have an edge in his exit velocity (89.7 mph) while showing more upside in his hard-hit rate (45.7) last season.
Fantasy Outlook: Caminero draws the “next young stud profile” in the early draft season based on his early ADP (101.1). The 60th-ranked hitter last season by FPGscore (0.58) was Alex Bregman (.260/79/26/75/3 over 581 at-bats). A fantasy drafter has to decide if Caminero can beat those stats in 2025. Based on talent and ceiling, he is the right kind of swing for a fantasy team. With a few more fly balls and an improved launch angle, Caminero has the tools to be a perennial 30-home run hitter with an edge in batting average. I’ve been burnt by investing in Tampa prospects in the past, but I also hit a home run in my rookie season in the NFBC when I drafted Miguel Cabrera in round 6. Don’t be shy, as his bat should be in top form in March, leading to a rise in his price point.
7 – Alex Bregman, FA (ADP – 142.6)
Bregman’s best asset over the past couple of seasons was his approach (strikeout rate – 11.9 and walk rate – 13.0). Last year, he posted his lowest walk rate (6.9) since his rookie campaign in 2016. His contact batting average (.305) has been in a tight range over the past three seasons (.301, .305, and .305), giving him no chance of batting higher than .300. Bregman finished with a career-low in his RBI rate (13.1 – 16.4 in his career).
Over the final four months of last season, he hit .284 with 61 runs, 19 home runs, 49 RBIs, and one steal. His season started with empty stats in April (.216/5//1/10/1 over 102 at-bats) that echoed for weeks from the great southwest. Bregman struggled against lefties (.221/13/6/16/1 over 113 at-bats).
Despite his down season, he finished with a five-year high in his exit velocity (89.1) and a new top in his hard-hit rate (40.1). His fly-ball rate (45.3) has been home run-inducing over the past three years, with only baby steps up the chain with his HR/FB rate over the past four seasons (9.8, 10.0, 10.1, and 11.5).
Fantasy Outlook: Bregman is a free agent commanding a hefty contract that he may have deserved based on his success in 2018 and 2019. His recent path now paints him as a neutral hitter with an 85/25/90 skill set. Due to his unknown 2025 home, Bregman has about three rounds valued priced into his early January ADP (142.6) in the high-stakes market.
8 – Alec Bohm, PHI (ADP – 186.2)
Over the past two seasons, Bohm developed into a clutch player based on his RBI rate (2023 – 19% and 2024 – 20%), even with his power not coming along for the ride. His average hit rate (1.600) improved for the third consecutive season while showing growth in his exit velocity (90.5 mph) and hard-hit rate (45.1). He hit more groundballs (46.0%) in 2024, leading to a regression in his HR/FB rate (9.6 – 12.6 in 2023). Bohm pulled the ball more (36.1%), a sign that he may have been trying to hit more home runs.
His strikeout rate (14.2) was a career-low, with no change in his career walk rate (6.5). With more balls in play each year, his contact batting average (.331) consistently decreased since arriving in Philadelphia. Bohm had most of his at-bats (407) batting fourth for the Phillies, but the back of their lineup struggled to drive him in (32% run rate).
Hidden in his final stat line was a productive first 317 at-bats (.300/38/10/68/4). He missed 16 games in late August and early September with a left-hand injury, compounding a disappointing end to the year (.253 with 24 runs, five home runs, 29 RBIs, and one steal).
Fantasy Outlook: Bohm is the type of hitter that has tripped me up over the past two seasons. His size (6’5” and 220 lbs.) and flash in 2019 in the minors (.305/76/21/80/6 over 476 at-bats) suggested more home runs. He finished last season ranked 64th in FPGscore (0.39) for hitters, creating a buying opportunity for the right team structure. Bohm is improving but must add more power to be a more attractive fantasy option. Call me interested, as he could come fast with a little more pop in his swing. His starting point in 2025 should be a .280/80/20/80/5 season.
9 – Mark Vientos, NYM (ADP – 92.2)
Over seven seasons in the minors, Vientos hit .277 with 280 runs, 98 home runs, and 355 RBIs over 1,866 at-bats. His bat played well over parts of four years at AAA (.289/134/49/156 over 762 at-bats). His walk rate (9.3) was an asset in the minors, but he had some weakness in his strikeout rate (24.6). He had a contact batting average higher than .400 over the past four seasons. In addition, Vientos had strength in his average hit rate (1.806).
He looked overmatched at the plate (strikeout rate – 30.3 and walk rate – 5.5) over his first two seasons with the Mets. Vientos had an uptick in power (.230 with 12 runs, six home runs, and 11 RBIs over 87 at-bats) in September of 2023, hinting at more upside the following year.
New York started him out at AAA last season, leading to a .284 batting average over 116 at-bats with 21 runs, six home runs, and 30 RBIs. The Mets called him up twice by mid-May. Vientos started to earn every day at-bats on May 28th, making him an excellent waiver wire pickup over the final four months (.258/51/24/63 over 364 at-bats). On the downside, his strikeout rate (29.7) was a liability while having a below-par walk rate (7.3).
Vientos finished with a high contact batting average (.396), which offset some batting average risk. His average hit rate (1.936) supports 35+ home runs if given 550 at-bats. He finished with an elite HR/FB rate (26.5), along with strength in his exit velocity (91.2 mph) and hard-hit rate (46.6).
Fantasy Outlook: His success last year in home runs drives his fantasy value this year. Vientos showed a better approach in the minors, suggesting improvement in his bat in 2025. He’s dead in the water in steals, and his runs can’t be impactful until moving higher in the batting order. Think of him as 2024 Eugenio Suarez, with better potential in his approach and less loft on his swing. Next step: 35 home runs with 75 runs and 85 RBIs.
10 – Royce Lewis, MIN (ADP – 128.5)
The Twins selected Lewis first overall in the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft. His bat showed growth in 2018 between A and High A (.292 with 83 runs, 14 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases over 483 at-bats). After a down season in 2019, he had limited playing time over the following four years due to two torn ACLs in his right knee.
Lewis returned to game action in 2023 on May 11th in the minors. After a hot start over 39 at-bats (13-for-39 with 10 runs, four home runs, 11 RBIs, and four steals), Minnesota called him up to the majors. His bat held form over his first 95 at-bats (.326/11/4/15/1), but an oblique injury pushed him to the sidelines for six weeks. The fantasy market witnessed a difference-maker run by Lewis over his next 38 games (.285 with 31 runs, 15 home runs, 42 RBIs, and five stolen bases over 144 at-bats). Unfortunately, a hamstring injury led to him missing the final 10 games of the regular season.
Last year, Lewis was a sexy upside player in the high-stakes market. One game (2-for-2 with a solo home run) into the season, he suffered a quad injury, leading to 66 days out of action. A hot month later (.276/17/9/17 over 87 at-bats), the Twins lost him for another 3+ weeks with a groin issue. Lewis played in another 53 games but was no longer an impact player (.207 with 22 runs, six home runs, and 29 RBIs over 203 at-bats).
His approach (strikeout rate – 22.8 and walk rate – 8.6) was about league average. Lewis has strength in his average hit rate (1.941) while having a sharp decline in his contact batting average (.312 – .414 in 2023). He finished with regression in his exit velocity (87.1 mph – 90.2 in 2023) and hard-hit rate (37.7 – 41.4 in 2023), painting a less intriguing bat. Lewis brings a high-volume fly-ball rate (45.9) with a reasonable floor in his HR/FB rate (15.7).
Fantasy Outlook: His bat is valuable to the Twins, and the best way to keep him on the field may be a DH role with minimal running. I feel for Lewis due to the high number of injuries. He has a season of major league experience (.268/81/33/104/6 over 549 at-bats), showcasing his potential. It’s about staying healthy for him and risk tolerance for anyone drafting Lewis. His ADP (128.5) is much more favorable in 2025.
11 – Nolan Arenado, STL (ADP – 227.7)
After three steady but helpful seasons with the Cardinals, Arenado lost his power stroke last season, leading to a sharp decline in his average hit rate (1.452 – 1.842 over his first 11 years). His exit velocity (86.3 mph) was well below his career average (89.0) while ranking 184th in hard-hit rate (31.6) for batters with at least 400 plate appearances. He barreled only 16 balls, compared to 108 combined over the previous three seasons. Arenado lost his fly-ball swing path (39.1%) over the past two years, with a low-ranking HR/FB rate (8.3 – 14.4 in his career).
He battled a back injury in February, followed by four other minor issues (hand, elbow, forearm, and shoulder). His only month of value came in August (.303/15/4/18/1 over 109 at-bats), but Arenado did play better at home (.307 over 33 runs, eight home runs, and 40 RBIs over 277 at-bats).
His strikeout rate (14.5) almost matched his career average while seeing more weakness in his walk rate (6.9) over the past two seasons. Arenado had 50 fewer RBI chances (376) than his previous three seasons (435, 426, and 429). His lost run and RBI production resulted from him not driving himself in via a home run.
Fantasy Outlook: The quandary a drafter faces in 2025 is writing off Arenado’s bust season and trusting his return to his previous three years with St. Louis; the other option is to run and hide and avoid him at all costs. A 70/25/80 season would price Arenado as a sixth offensive piece to a fantasy team compared to the 134th-ranked hitter in the early draft season in the NFBC. The Cardinals will pay him $21 million this year, ensuring he’ll have every opportunity to regain his lost power stroke. A keen eye in March should help sway his draft value. His good outweighs his bad in his career, so take the at-bats, and his power should come along for the ride.
12 – Matt Chapman, SF (ADP – 137.0)
After stealing 11 bases over 23 attempts over his first seven years in the majors, Chapman turned into a speed demon (15-for-17 in stolen bases) in 2024. His added value in the steals category led to him finishing 32nd in FPGscore (2.76) for hitters.
His strikeout rate (24.4) was his best since 2019 (21.9 – 29.9% over his previous four years). He had a favorable walk rate (9.9) for his career. Chapman struggled with runners on bases over the past three seasons (RBI rate – 12.2, 9.6, and 13.6). His average hit rate (1.873) supports 30+ home runs with 550 at-bats, helped by his fly-ball rate (45.3 – 46.4 in his career). On the downside, Chapman has always had a high infield fly-ball rate (15.9), creating many easy outs and lowering his potential in batting average. His HR/FB rate (14.2) hasn’t approached his success in 2019 (19.0%) and 2020 (22.2%) with the A’s. Chapman ranked 12th in exit velocity (93.2 – mph) and 29th in hard-hit rate (48.3).
Last year, he had quiet home run and RBI production over the first four months (4/14, 4/13, 3/12, and 4/9) while grading better in runs (63). Chapman upped his power out over his final 173 at-bats (.260/25/12/30/3) while missing four games in September (paternity leave).
Fantasy Outlook: The Giants gave him 379 of his 573 at-bats (66.1%) hitting third and fourth in the batting order. Buying Chapman’s added value in stolen bases could be a trap. Over the past five seasons, he hit .232 while averaging 83 runs, 26 home runs, and 73 RBIs if given 550 at-bats. Pretty much low average power, with a glass ceiling for someone expecting a much better season in 2025.
13 – Isaac Paredes, HOU (ADP – 199.5)
In 2023, the Rays found a player with a higher ceiling than initially expected. Paredes set a career-high in runs (71), home runs (31), and RBIs (98). He only had 23 barrels, so his home run total (31) was driven by launch angle (22.2%). He profiles as a dead pull hitter.
His power stroke (16 home runs and 55 RBIs) remained intact over his 363 at-bats with Tampa, but Parades lost more ground in batting average (.245). A trade to the Cubs in late July led to below-replacement value stats (.223/23/3/25/1 over 179 at-bats). The Astros signed him to a one-year deal ($6.6 million) in early January.
Paredes only had 20 barrels last season, with a fading exit velocity (85.0 mph) and hard-hit rate (27.1). His average hit rate (1.651) came in well below the previous two years (2.118 and 1.951) while ranking poorly in his contact batting average (.291) while in the majors. He has a fly-ball swing path (45.8%), but many turn into infield flies (18.8% in his career). His HR/FB rate (9.4) last year was well below the previous two seasons (16.5% and 16.9%). Paredes has had a favorable approach (strikeout rate – 16.4 and walk rate – 11.9) in his career.
Fantasy Outlook: My first instinct on his outlook, before running through his profile, was to buy him in 2025. Like many other drafters, his success in power and RBIs in 2023 jumped off the page, and Paredes looked more comfortable at the plate last year. His first step is improving timing at the plate and stop diving under the ball. Torn, but with an open mind if the ball jumps off the bat in spring training.
14 – Eugenio Suarez, ARZ (ADP – 179.9)
Suarez played his way into the free-agent pool in many leagues over the first three months of last season (.196/29/6/32/2 over 276 at-bats). Over this stretch, he whiffed 29.2% of the time. Somehow, pitchers had a much more challenging time getting him out over his final 295 at-bats (.312 with 61 runs, 24 home runs, and 69 RBIs) while lowering the damage with his strikeout rate (25.8).
His contact batting average (.370) was slightly higher than in 2022 (.369) and 2023 (.362). Saurez had a rebound in his average hit rate (1.836), but it came in below his levels from 2020 to 2022 (2.325, 2.160, and 1.945). He continues to be a fly-ball hitter (43.6%) with a pull (51.7%) swing path. His HR/FB rate (16.9) has been below his career average (18.1) five times over the past seven years. Saurez ranked well below the best hitters in the game in exit velocity (89.1 – 111th) and hard-hit rate (42.4 – 85th).
For the year, his strikeout rate (27.5) was a six-year low. He took the fewest walks (7.7%) of his career. The Diamondbacks gave him 558 of his 573 at-bats hitting 5th through 7th in the batting order. Suarez outperformed expectations in his run rate (46 – 33% in 2023). He came to the plate with 433 runners on base.
Fantasy Outlook: His Jekyll and Hyde season may become a total disaster in 2025. He opened up his swing for power last season. Saurez should have expected regression in his strikeout rate, and he still has a sub-.200 batting average on his recent five-year resume. Saurez becomes a free agent in 2026, putting him in a contract season. Let’s go: .225 with 65 runs, 25 home runs, and 75 RBIs if he keeps a starting job.
15 – Matt Shaw, CHC (ADP – 206.7)
After success over three seasons (.320/172/53/166/37 over 693 at-bats) at Maryland, the Cubs selected Shaw 13th overall in the 2023 MLB June Amateur Draft. Chicago gave him 38 games over three levels in the minors in 2023, leading to a .357 batting average with 27 runs, eight home runs, 28 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. Last year, he split time between AA (.279/60/14/50/25 over 312 at-bats) and AAA (.298/18/7/21/6 over 131 at-bats).
His average hit rate (1.720) in the minors is close to a 30-home-run hitter with 550 at-bats. Shaw had a favorable approach (strikeout rate – 17.3 and walk rate – 10.2), inviting a quick move up the batting order for the Cubs once his bat shows life in the majors.
Fantasy Outlook: With only 131 at-bats of experience at AAA, Shaw may need some time to find his stride with Chicago. He has an excellent chance of making the majors out of spring training, and his foundation skill set points to a 25/30 player early in his career. Speed at third base tends to be an advantage, highlighted by the success of Jose Ramirez in his career. Shaw has a David Wright feel while being a half-season away from hitting his stride.