Players to Keep an Eye On This MLB Season

With the Major League Baseball season underway, let’s take a look at some breakout stars you may not initially think of but should pay attention to in 2025.

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Bobby Witt Jr. 

Courtesy of FOX Sports

Kansas City Royals’ shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is one young star you’ll want to keep an eye out for this MLB season. In 2024, the 24-year-old finished second in the American League MVP race, just behind Yankees’ Aaron Judge and led the league in several categories. 

Witt led the American League in games played with 161 and won the batting title as he led all of MLB with 211 hits and a .332 batting average. He also had a 30/30 season (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases), was named an All Star, Silver Slugger and won a Gold Glove. 

Ahead of this season, the young talent was ranked No. 3 in all of baseball, according to MLB.

Witt could easily win an MVP in upcoming seasons if he continues to break out the way he has in his first three seasons in the majors, so I would keep an eye out for him. 

Paul Skenes

Courtesy of GQ

Starting pitcher Paul Skenes took baseball by storm in 2024 as he made his Major League debut and hit the ground running. Skenes is another young talent and the current No. 1 pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation. Last season, he won National League Rookie of the Year and started the All Star Game.

Skenes is just 22 years old, fresh off of a National Championship at Louisiana State University in 2023. Last season, Skenes was 11-3 with a sub-two ERA at 1.96, with 170 strikeouts and a .947 WHIP in 23 games pitched. 

Despite not being ranked ahead of the 2024 season, Skenes jumped to No. 15 in the 2025 rankings. He is projected to have 150 plus strikeouts, a 2.60 ERA and could win his first NL Cy Young this season.

Ketel Marte

Courtesy of The Seattle Times

Arizona Diamondbacks’ switch-hitting second baseman Ketel Marte may be one of the most underrated in the game. He is currently ranked No. 18 in the 2025 rankings, jumping all the way from No. 65 in 2024. 

Marte is ranked first among MLB second basemen. Last season, he was an All Star and Silver Slugger, hitting .292, with a .372 OBP, .932 OPS, and 36 home runs. Marte was also named National League Championship Series MVP and a major factor to the Diamondbacks’ world series run in ‘23. 

He is projected to put up similar numbers in 2025 and is exactly what the Diamondbacks need to prevail in the NL West and make a postseason run like they did in 2023. 

Jarren Duran

Courtesy of Bat Flips and Nerds

Boston Red Sox’s outfielder Jarren Duran is a key piece to getting them back into the postseason this October. Currently ranked No. 27 in all of Major League Baseball, Duran led the league in several categories last season.

2024 was Duran’s breakout season. He led all of the majors in plate appearances with 735, doubles with 48, triples with 14, and also stole 34 bases. Duran won All Star Game MVP last season after hitting a go-ahead two run home run for the American League. His defensive efforts have also greatly improved last season. 

Duran has been very open about his mental health recently, telling his story and looking to help those who are also struggling. He is an inspiration on and off the field and I would keep an eye out on him in the American League East this season.

These are just some of many incredible baseball players that are projected to have a great 2025 season. I will be keeping an eye on these four guys and you should too. 

Edited by Taylor N. Hall