These Young MLB Shortstops Are Breaking Out In 2025
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Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, and Trea Turner debuted in 2015. A decade later, the trio remains productive. But now over 30, they’re beginning to give way to a new wave of shortstops. Here are four players, all 25 years old or younger, who appear to have taken the next step in 2025.
Jacob Wilson, Athletics, Age: 23
The American League Rookie of the Year frontrunner is one of the most unique players to analyze, both visually and in the numbers. At the plate, Wilson embraces his chaotic, jerky movements to spray base hits across the diamond.
Among qualified hitters, only Luis Arráez strikes out less or makes more contact. Wilson ranks third-lowest in swinging strike rate, with Steven Kwan sandwiched between him and Arráez.
Unsurprisingly, those three also have the lowest average bat speeds in the league, as each emphasizes control through the zone. Wilson’s stance is the seventh-most open, according to Statcast’s new metrics. His squared-up rate ranks third, and his swing length is the second shortest.
All of it adds up to a distinctive and highly effective profile. Wilson’s combination of elite bat control, contact skills, and unorthodox mechanics has propelled him to the top of nearly every major offensive category in the American League:
- fWAR (2.5)
- Home runs (seven)
- RBI (30)
- Runs scored (30)
- Batting average (.348)
- On-base percentage (.391)
Zach Neto, Angels, Age: 24
Over his last 171 games, Neto has hit .266/.327/.492 with 32 home runs, 34 stolen bases, 95 runs, and 91 RBIs. It’s an arbitrary endpoint, but it underscores just how productive he’s been over a significant sample.
This run marks a clear developmental win for the Angels. Fantasy players have benefited too, thanks to Neto’s ability to contribute across the board.
Last season, he reached 23 home runs with help from a high barrel-to-homer rate. In 2025, the quality of contact has taken a more sustainable step forward.
Two forces are driving the improvement: Neto is swinging more selectively and hitting the ball harder and more consistently. That lines up with his continued growth as a professional hitter. A first-round pick in 2022, he played just 48 games in the minors before debuting in 2023. Now with more experience, he’s getting to his A-swing more often.
Notably, he currently ranks eighth among qualified hitters in xSLG, a sign that his power is becoming a real asset. The next steps are to refine his K/BB profile and improve his defense.
CJ Abrams, Nationals, Age: 24
Speaking of slugging more than expected, Abrams’ barrel rate has taken another step forward this season.
The initial jump from 2022 to 2023 was critical. He needed to add strength so he wouldn’t keep getting the bat knocked out of his hands. The pop he showed across 2023 and 2024 was encouraging, but reaching a new level this year is pushing his ceiling even higher.
That’s especially important because Abrams hasn’t provided much value with the glove. Since the start of 2023, no shortstop has a lower Outs Above Average, and the gap isn’t small. Given where Washington is in its competitive cycle, there’s no urgency to move him off shortstop, but it’s fair to wonder if that conversation is coming.
Other encouraging signs in his development include a better chase rate, more consistent pull-side lift and fewer negative outcomes on the bases. He’s running less overall, which is worth watching for fantasy purposes, but the overall trend points to a more well-rounded offensive player.
Geraldo Perdomo, Diamondbacks, Age: 25
By fWAR, only Bobby Witt Jr. has been more valuable than Perdomo among shortstops this season, which is a surprising development given Perdomo’s modest prospect pedigree compared to the other names in this piece.
While Neto and Abrams offer impact through batted-ball authority and speed, Perdomo’s value comes from strong defense paired with exceptional plate discipline.
He has an elite squared up rate with standout strikeout and walk rates. Only two other qualified hitters provide such a unique blend:
- Perdomo: 14 BB%, 11 K%
- Mookie Betts: 11 BB%, 9 K%
- Gleyber Torres: 13 BB%, 11 K%
While dynasty managers continue to wait on Jordan Lawlar’s arrival, Arizona quietly extended Perdomo through 2029 with a club option for 2030. If the option is exercised, the deal would guarantee $57 million over five years starting in 2026, a reasonable rate given his production and age.
Perdomo’s lack of standout hard-hit data caps the ceiling somewhat, which makes the timing of the deal logical for both sides. But with defensive gains in 2025 and better plate skills, he now looks capable of holding down the everyday shortstop job longer than many expected just a year or two ago.
