15 MLB Rookies Having Standout Seasons So Far In 2025
Image credit: Jacob Wilson (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Two months into the 2025 MLB season, our rookie sample size continues to grow. Not every rookie makes an immediate impact, but enough time has passed to start determining who’s real, who’s fading, and who’s quietly figuring it out? Below are 15 rookie seasons worth knowing about, some for what they’ve done and others for what they’re setting up to do.
Note that recent callups such as Jac Caglianone and Roman Anthony were omitted due to so few plate appearances.
Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics
Wilson is hitting .366 and ranks second in MLB in hits, behind only Aaron Judge. His elite plate discipline and bat control draw comparisons to Luis Arraez and Steven Kwan but with more underlying impact. Despite underwhelming hard-hit numbers, Wilson ranks in the 100th percentile for squared-up rate, allowing him to overcome the batted-ball concerns. He leads all rookies with 3.2 fWAR, more than double third place, and has emerged as the clear AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
Carlos Narváez, C, Red Sox
Narváez is second only to Wilson in rookie fWAR. Known for his defense, he has turned heads with a strong stretch at the plate after being acquired in a trade with the rival Yankees over the winter. His 8% barrel-per-PA rate is respectable, but pulling fly balls over 20% of the time adds extra value, especially at Fenway Park. With Boston’s lineup crowded by young talent, it remains to be seen if Narváez can finish the year as the team’s top rookie contributor.
Kristian Campbell, 2B, Red Sox
Campbell’s rookie year has cooled after a rough May. His strikeout rate spiked last month, and a rising groundball rate has limited his offensive ceiling. He’s shown signs of life in June, but the profile remains contact-dependent as he adjusts to the best pitching he’s ever seen. Defensively, it’s been a struggle. His -7 OAA at second base is among the worst at the position. He still has growth ahead on both sides of the ball.
Shane Smith, RHP, White Sox
Smith has been a Rule 5 success for the White Sox. His ERA outpaces his estimators, but he’s once again suppressing home runs at an extreme rate, something he consistently did in the minors. His changeup is the standout, generating a 35% whiff rate and ranking in the top five in slugging percentage allowed. The pitch has helped him survive while relying on the command of an otherwise below-average fastball. He packages it together with a wide enough arsenal to keep hitters off balance.
Ben Casparius, RHP, Dodgers
It’s unlikely that we’ve seen the final version of Casparius. The transition from relieving to starting would be enough of a catalyst on its own, but he’ll also benefit from the Dodgers’ player development resources. The 26-year-old already throws four pitches regularly, so any changes could be more tweaks than an overhaul. He hasn’t yet experienced significant issues with lefties, but glancing at his repertoire’s movement profiles, one can’t help but wonder how a changeup or sinker could further unlock his starting potential.
Cade Horton, RHP, Cubs
Horton hasn’t overwhelmed, but he’s held his own. The 23-year-old has gone at least five innings in five straight starts while keeping walks in check. He’s utilizing four pitches over 10% of the time, though he’s primarily leaning on his four-seamer. The strikeouts haven’t followed, as his 19% K-rate leaves room for growth. Still, for a young arm with limited college innings, the Cubs have to be encouraged by where Horton is developmentally.
Cam Smith, OF, Astros
Smith ranks seventh among rookies in plate appearances, despite inconsistent playing time. He reached base at a .388 clip in May, though much of that was BABIP-driven. The underlying tools are strong. Elite bat speed and an 8.5% barrel rate stand out, especially for someone who entered the year with just five games played above A-ball. Like with Kristian Campbell, the next step for Smith is to cut down on strikeouts and grounders to unlock the full potential of the profile.
Chase Meidroth, SS, White Sox
Meidroth has quietly impressed since joining the White Sox. Acquired from the Red Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade, he’s showing elite plate skills with low chase and whiff rates, plus solid range at shortstop. Like Jacob Wilson, the bat speed is lacking, but he’s consistently squaring up the baseball. Power will likely remain limited, but there’s sneaky value in fantasy baseball OBP formats, with speed and a potential runs-scored boost if the lineup ever improves.
Matt Shaw, 3B, Cubs
It’s hard to discuss Shaw’s first year in the majors without referencing his Triple-A reset. The before/after splits are stark:
Unlike Wilson and Meidroth, however, Shaw doesn’t stand out in the same way when it comes to contact ability. Still, his combination of patience, defense and baserunning make him a perfect fit for the 2025 Cubs.
Will Warren, RHP, Yankees
Warren remains a volatile option in the Yankees’ rotation. A recent seven-run outing at Dodger Stadium highlighted the inconsistency, but the raw stuff is there. While his sweeper, changeup and sinker get the most attention, Warren’s four-seamer leads his pitch mix in run value. The addition of a curveball has helped him take a step forward, and both his ERA estimators and stuff metrics suggest room for growth. He’s not a finished product, but the foundation is strong.
Drake Baldwin, C, Braves
Baldwin is the latest in a long line of promising Braves catchers. Following in the developmental path of William Contreras and Shea Langeliers while coming up alongside Sean Murphy, he is making a case to be the franchise’s long-term option behind the plate. The batted-ball metrics have been strong, and his strikeout rate held up well until a recent spike. Some inconsistency in power is likely, but if he stabilizes the K%, Baldwin has a chance to make a real impact in his debut season. He’s also impressed defensively.
Hyeseong Kim, 2B/SS/CF, Dodgers
Kim has been one of this season’s more intriguing rookies. He’s not playing every day, but the Dodgers are finding ways to get him at-bats across multiple positions. A near-.500 BABIP has inflated the early results, though his ability to square up the ball gives him some margin for regression. He’s also 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts. If an everyday role opens up, Kim could quickly become a fantasy factor.
Jasson Domínguez, OF, Yankees
It’s easy to forget how much hype surrounded The Martian back in 2020. Now 300 plate appearances into his MLB career, the tools remain evident, but the full breakout hasn’t arrived. He’s made some progress at the plate, notably lowering his groundball rate from last year, but offensive growth will take time. The bigger concern for now is playing time, as poor defensive metrics and a crowded Yankees outfield have clouded his path.
Marcelo Mayer, 3B, Red Sox
Mayer doesn’t have the volume yet, but he’s making his presence felt. He recently homered twice at Fenway and looks the part of a big league contributor, even if the numbers are still stabilizing and he isn’t getting at-bats against lefthanders. Mayer brought his strikeout rate under 20% in Double-A last year, but it’s back up to 27% through his first 50 MLB plate appearances. Like many young hitters, his development hinges on making contact while hitting the ball with authority. It’s a combo to track as Mayer’s summer unfolds.
Mason Montgomery, LHP, Rays
Montgomery’s stuff ranks among the best of any reliever this season. The results haven’t followed yet, with his ERA sitting north of 5.00, but the underlying pitch quality is exceptional. He’s working with a two-pitch mix, and his command of the slider has been inconsistent. This is still a relatively new role for Montgomery, who transitioned to the bullpen late last year. The raw skills point to future closer upside.
