RADIO
Andy's fantasy baseball draft targets, values, sleepers (C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS) for 2025 infielders. These hitters are ADP values and poised for breakout seasons.
In this piece, I will identify some of my top fantasy baseball draft targets at each infield position (catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, and third base) and why you should highlight them on your draft board.
In my analysis I will explain why each player is a strong choice at their current ADP, provided by the NFBC. At the end of the piece, I will include my other top targets at each infield position based on current ADP.
Be sure to follow @RotoBallerMLB for more league-winning offseason content, and message me @A_SMITH_FS with questions on how to navigate the current ADP market. Let's dive in.
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J.T. Realmuto, C, Philadelphia Phillies
ADP: ~130
If you choose to wait to draft your catcher, highlight J.T. Realmuto on your draft board. Realmuto has been a consensus top catcher for most of his career due to his ability to contribute to all five standard categories. However, last season, he logged just 99 games due to meniscus surgery and is now viewed as a low-end starting catcher.
During his limited playing time, Realmuto held an overall .266/.322/.429 line with just 14 home runs and two stolen bases. However, the backstop saw his production soar after he returned from his injury.
During his final 41 games (August 1 - September 29), the 33-year-old posted a stellar .279/.339/.490 slash line with seven home runs.
Under the hood, he generated a .459 xSLG, 46.6 percent hard-hit rate, and a 36.6 percent LA sweet-spot percent, which were all well above the average marks.
While he may not have double-digit stolen base upside as he has had most of his career, Realmuto should be poised for a bounce back given his strong play at the end of the season.
Batting in the heart of the potent Phillies lineup, Realmuto carries four-category upside with the potential to add speed, having a full offseason recovering from his meniscus surgery.
Being selected as the No. 10 catcher in NFBC leagues, Realmuto is one of the top current values in ADP.
Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, New York Yankees
ADP: ~110
After posting a stellar .307/.356/.525 line with 26 home runs and 20 stolen bases in his first season as a Chicago Cub, Cody Bellinger took a slight step back in 2024 as he hit just 18 home runs with a .266/.325/.426 line. He also swiped just nine bases.
However, fantasy managers should "buy the dip" and take the former MVP at a massive discount.
Bellinger was shipped to the Yankees in the offseason, who play in one of the most favorable parks for left-handed bats. According to Statcast, left-handed hitters have hit the third-most home runs at Yankee Stadium over the past three campaigns.
If Bellinger played the 2024 season there, he would have gone deep 24 times, which was right in line with the 26 long balls he tallied in 2023.
Given the 35 percent fly-ball rate he generated last season (the highest of his career), draft Bellinger with confidence, as he should see prime RBI opportunities batting behind Aaron Judge, Austin Wells, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. He also carries outfield eligibility, which only adds to his value in deeper formats.
Brandon Lowe, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
ADP: ~234
Brandon Lowe is a screaming value in drafts as either a starting middle infielder or a high-upside backup second baseman. Lowe enjoyed a breakout season in 2021 when he launched 39 home runs with 99 RBI and 97 runs. He held a .247/.340/.523 slash line that season.
However, since then, Lowe has never played more than 110 games in each season and, as a result, has never come close to that power output. Last season, Lowe went deep 21 times and posted a .244/.311/.472 line across 107 contests. However, over a 162-game sample, he would have launched 32 home runs.
Beneath the hood, Lowe made significant improvements that suggest he could carry elite power upside during the 2025 season. In 2024, the 30-year-old generated a 12.4 percent barrel rate, a 31.6 percent fly-ball rate, and a .485 xSLG, his highest marks since his 2021 breakout campaign.
In addition, the Rays will call George M. Steinbrenner Field home this season, which has the exact dimensions of Yankee Stadium, one of the most favorable parks for left-handed hitters.
Lowe can lead the position in home runs if he can stay healthy.
🚀 Second base sleeper alert! 🚀 #RaysUp
Brandon Lowe could go BOOM in 2025 with a power surge at Steinbrenner Field. 💣
12.4% barrels, 44.7% HH, highest FB% since ‘21 breakout. @ATCProjections says 22 HR
Are you IN or OUT at 239 ADP (@TheReal_NFC )?#FantasyBaseball pic.twitter.com/4NH0aeQTjc— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) January 29, 2025
Corey Seager, SS, Texas Rangers
ADP: ~45
Shortstop is a top-heavy position in 2025 with several first-round picks, such as Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson. However, if you choose to "wait" on the position, target Corey Seager in the fourth round.
Seager is one of the best pure hitters in the sport. However, he has serious injury concerns.
Across 123 games last season, Seger posted a stellar .278/.253/.512 line with 30 home runs. He generated an incredible .390 xwOBA, .289 xBA, and a .561 xSLG, placing him in the 97th percentile in each statistic.
He also generated a stellar 50.7 percent hard-hit and 15.2 percent barrel rates, all above the average marks.
Seager has hit at least 30 HRs in each of his past three seasons and has only played more than 125 games in one of them. This past season, Seager underwent sports hernia surgery late in the season.
The former two-time World Series MVP also tallied 74 RBI and 68 runs batting in a disappointing Rangers lineup last summer. With Wyatt Langford entering his second season and bringing in Joc Pederson and Jake Burger, their lineup should take a significant step forward.
Even though Seager provides you with no speed production, he is an MVP-caliber bat that can produce elite production in the other four standard categories. If you target speed early in your draft (Corbin Carroll, Jackson Chourio), Seager is a near-perfect complement.
Jordan Westburg, 2B/3B, Baltimore Orioles
ADP: ~90
One of my favorite targets in drafts this season is Jordan Westburg of the Baltimore Orioles. On most platforms, Westburg is eligible at second and third base, making him a very valuable player.
After logging just 67 starts in 2023, Westburg was given a full-time role in 2024. He made 107 starts (missed time with a broken hand) and performed quite well, holding a .264/.312/.481 line with 18 home runs and six stolen bases. He tallied 57 runs and 63 RBI.
He generated an elite .281 xBA and a .491 xSLG, which suggests he should see significant positive regression in 2025.
This regression could be significant, as the left field wall in Camden Yards is being moved in, which greatly hindered Westburg's power output last season.
In addition, despite only swiping six bags, the infielder placed in the 91st percentile in spring speed, which could open the door for a surge in stolen bases in 2025.
Westburg has five-category upside batting in one of the best lineups in baseball. Given his elite power and speed metrics, he has 20/20 upside and can tally 160+ R+RBI.
I can't stop drafting #Birdland Jordan Westburg. 💥
90th %ile xBA/xSLG, .264/.314/.481, 18 HRs (more to come w/ Camden Yards tweaks)
80th %ile barrel/hard-hit rates
92nd %ile sprint speed 🚀🔥
FIRE ME UP (93.6 ADP @TheReal_NFC )#FantasyBaseball pic.twitter.com/5Ht2BAY9QC— Andy Smith (@A_Smith_FS) January 27, 2025
Other Infielders To Target
- Catchers - Willson Contreras STL, Austin Wells NYY
- First Base - Matt Olson ATL, Triston Casas BOS
- Second Base - Jose Altuve HOU, Nico Hoerner CHC, Kristian Campbell BOS
- Shortstop - Bobby Witt Jr. KC, Trea Turner PHI, Masyn Winn STL
- Third Base - Austin Riley ATL, Junior Caminero TB, Isaac Paredes HOU
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