While all players seek to begin the season positively, those who had lackluster previous seasons feel a heightened sense of urgency in the early days.
The notable players mentioned below have quickly made a turnaround, suggesting that last year’s disappointing performances might just have been an anomaly rather than a trend.
Here are eight players with strong rebound potential who have started the 2025 season on a positive note.
All statistics mentioned are current as of Tuesday.
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Cardinals
Arenado was not expected to remain with the Cardinals, who spent the offseason trying to trade him. However, complications, including his full no-trade clause, left him in St. Louis by Spring Training. Despite this awkward situation, Arenado’s performance remains strong. He has a 126 OPS+ this season — a rise from last year’s 102 — and has shown improvement in extra-base hits and walks while decreasing his strikeouts. With impressive defensive skills, he has achieved 0.9 WAR (per FanGraphs), ranking fourth among third basemen.
Arenado was not expected to remain with the Cardinals, who spent the offseason trying to trade him. However, complications, including his full no-trade clause, left him in St. Louis by Spring Training. Despite this awkward situation, Arenado’s performance remains strong. He has a 126 OPS+ this season — a rise from last year’s 102 — and has shown improvement in extra-base hits and walks while decreasing his strikeouts. With impressive defensive skills, he has achieved 0.9 WAR (per FanGraphs), ranking fourth among third basemen.
Chris Bassitt, SP, Blue Jays
While Bassitt faced his first challenge of the season against the Astros recently, he still boasts a remarkable 1.88 ERA over 28 2/3 innings across five games. This is a positive start after a subpar 2024 season (98 ERA+). Notably, he has achieved a career-best 28.6% strikeout rate alongside a 5.0% walk rate, marking a shift for a pitcher typically recognized as a reliable mid-rotation starter rather than an ace.
While Bassitt faced his first challenge of the season against the Astros recently, he still boasts a remarkable 1.88 ERA over 28 2/3 innings across five games. This is a positive start after a subpar 2024 season (98 ERA+). Notably, he has achieved a career-best 28.6% strikeout rate alongside a 5.0% walk rate, marking a shift for a pitcher typically recognized as a reliable mid-rotation starter rather than an ace.
Adolis García, OF, Rangers
After a standout year in 2023 that led to a World Series title for the Rangers, García had a disappointing 2024, with just 25 homers and a negative WAR. However, in 2025, he seems to be regaining his form, even though his stats appear lackluster at .228/.295/.456. Key power metrics show substantial improvement, which, coupled with a reduced strikeout rate, suggests he may soon find his stride.
After a standout year in 2023 that led to a World Series title for the Rangers, García had a disappointing 2024, with just 25 homers and a negative WAR. However, in 2025, he seems to be regaining his form, even though his stats appear lackluster at .228/.295/.456. Key power metrics show substantial improvement, which, coupled with a reduced strikeout rate, suggests he may soon find his stride.
Kevin Gausman, SP, Blue Jays
Gausman had a mediocre 2024, finishing with a 106 ERA+ and a notable drop in strikeout rate. However, he has turned things around in 2025, posting a 3.16 ERA and a 3.48 xERA over five starts, while his strikeout rate has recently climbed back to 29.3%. Although it remains uncertain whether he will completely regain his former ace status, his current trajectory is encouraging.
Gausman had a mediocre 2024, finishing with a 106 ERA+ and a notable drop in strikeout rate. However, he has turned things around in 2025, posting a 3.16 ERA and a 3.48 xERA over five starts, while his strikeout rate has recently climbed back to 29.3%. Although it remains uncertain whether he will completely regain his former ace status, his current trajectory is encouraging.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Yankees
Following a decline in performance since winning the NL MVP in 2022, Goldschmidt’s signing with the Yankees on a one-year contract has proven beneficial. He has quickly established himself as a consistent hitter with a .371/.424/.461 slash line over the first 24 games, effectively addressing a significant gap in the Yankees’ lineup.
Following a decline in performance since winning the NL MVP in 2022, Goldschmidt’s signing with the Yankees on a one-year contract has proven beneficial. He has quickly established himself as a consistent hitter with a .371/.424/.461 slash line over the first 24 games, effectively addressing a significant gap in the Yankees’ lineup.
