Image credit: Sandy Alcantara (Photo By Patrick Mcdermott Getty Images)
As part of a series of predictions and previews for the MLB, the editorial team at BA shares their confident—and not so confident—expectations for the upcoming 2025 season.
The first question they tackle is: Who is likely to have a resurgence in 2025?
This year, the predictions come from Ben Badler, Jesús Cano, Mark Chiarelli, Carlos Collazo, J.J. Cooper, Matt Eddy, Josh Norris, Geoff Pontes, and Dylan White.
Evan Carter, OF, Rangers
Ben Badler: Last season was disappointing for Rangers outfielder Evan Carter, whose performance dipped to .188/.272/.361 due to a back injury. At 22, he remains one of the most promising young talents in baseball. If he recovers fully and plays pain-free in 2025, I predict he could achieve a WAR of over 4.
Sandy Alcántara, RHP, Marlins
Jesús Cano: It’s been three years since Sandy Alcántara won the NL Cy Young Award. His 2023 season saw significant decline, likely influenced by the ulnar collateral ligament issues that necessitated Tommy John surgery in October. Even coming close to his 2022 performance would be a major win for him and could make him a sought-after asset by the trade deadline.
Geoff Pontes: With full innings this spring and an opening day assignment, Alcantara looks ready for a comeback in 2025. His fastball velocity and command have noticeably improved. While he may not rack up strikeouts like some elite pitchers, he excels at managing games and going deep into innings.
Jesús Luzardo, LHP, Phillies
Mark Chiarelli: The Phillies made a significant investment in Jesús Luzardo by trading a Top 100 Prospect (Starlyn Caba) for him this offseason. Although stability has been an issue for him, injury setbacks in 2024 likely contributed to a decline in his fastball velocity. When healthy, Luzardo possesses some of the finest swing-and-miss capabilities among left-handed starters, and joining the Phillies could enhance his value as the team pursues postseason success.
Matt McLain, SS, Reds
Carlos Collazo: A left shoulder surgery sidelined Matt McLain for the entirety of the 2024 season, but he is expected to return strong in 2025. In his age-25 season, I have high hopes for him to achieve a 4-win season, leveraging his exceptional hitting skills, speed, and defensive capabilities as a middle infielder.
Adolis Garcia, OF, Rangers
Matt Eddy: Several rising stars are expected to perform better in 2025, including Michael Harris II, Julio Rodriguez, Austin Riley, and Adley Rutschman. However, I’m focusing on the veteran Adolis Garcia, who did not seem to perform at his peak in 2024 due to a knee injury that likely impacted his batting performance. Although it’s a tall order for a 32-year-old to return to form this season, it’s crucial for Texas’s playoff aspirations.
Jacob deGrom, RHP, Rangers
Dylan White: I’m selecting Jacob deGrom. He has been arguably the top pitcher per inning, but consistency in innings pitched has been a challenge; 2019 was the last year he exceeded 100 innings. I believe he will hit that mark in 2025 and become a 3+ WAR pitcher as a result.
Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles
J.J. Cooper: I find it hard to believe that the performance Adley Rutschman delivered in the latter part of the 2024 season reflects what we’ll see in 2025. Throughout the majority of his MLB career, Rutschman has been among the elite catchers and I expect him to return to that level of output this season.
