As we approach the 2025 MLB season, it’s an opportune moment to acknowledge the top talent within Major League Baseball. This year, instead of our traditional Top 100 players, we’ve divided the rankings into two separate lists of 25 to highlight the standout athletes of 2025. Today, I will focus on the leading 25 position players, while Christian Otteman will present the 25 best pitchers shortly. It’s important to remember that these rankings are not focused on fantasy performance – defensive capabilities and player positions are significant factors.
Before diving into the list, I’d like to clarify the evaluation process. My approach heavily relied on fWAR, averaging the 2025 projections from five different sources. I also incorporated what I believe are the most important offensive metrics alongside some PLV statistics from 2024. The findings were both intriguing and occasionally unexpected.
The list below is organized in descending order. For each player, I’ve included projected statistics for significant offensive categories, thanks to Pitcher List. Additionally, I’ve provided figures from Fangraph’s Depth Charts, including defensive ratings and WAR. Let’s get started!
Top 25 Position Players
25. Elly De La Cruz – Cincinnati Reds, Shortstop
The 23-year-old De La Cruz is a thrilling young talent in MLB. Leading with 67 stolen bases last season, he has the potential for 40 home runs. Although his defensive skills at shortstop aren’t elite, he performs adequately and generates impressive offensive output. If he can reduce his strikeout percentage, he’s likely to become a consistent MVP contender.
24. Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels, Outfielder
Poor Mike Trout has struggled with injuries throughout the 2020s, overshadowing his remarkable career. When healthy, he remains an extraordinary player, but he has averaged just 66.5 games over the last four years. If he can manage to play 140 games this year, fans will be reminded of his exceptional hitting ability.
23. Rafael Devers – Boston Red Sox, Third Baseman
Devers is making headlines for being hesitant to switch positions after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman. While his defensive skills aren’t outstanding, the Red Sox gave him a lucrative contract for his offensive abilities. Returning from a shoulder injury, Devers has been a dominant force for Boston since joining as a rookie at 20. The Red Sox must keep him satisfied to ensure he stays in the lineup.
22. Cal Raleigh – Seattle Mariners, Catcher
If you don’t follow Seattle closely, you may not realize Raleigh’s impressive 2024 season included winning his first Gold Glove and leading American League catchers in various defensive metrics. Offensively, he hit 34 home runs and drove in 100 runs. Though his batting average was low, his high walk rate kept his on-base percentage respectable, making him one of the top catchers in the game.
21. Freddie Freeman – Los Angeles Dodgers, First Baseman
Freeman had a rollercoaster 2024, navigating personal challenges and triumphs, including his remarkable World Series performance. He maintained an offensive prowess throughout, hitting for average and driving in runs. Approaching 36, Freeman shows no signs of slowing down, continuously proving his worth on the field.
