RADIO
Lauren analyzes top fantasy baseball prospects risers, fallers, sleepers and busts for 2025. Her MLB rookies report for Week 9 and recently promoted prospects.
Welcome to the newest edition of RotoBaller’s Rookie Report — your trusted source for tracking the progress of MLB’s most exciting up-and-comers. In this issue, we’re focusing on three players who’ve recently made the leap to the majors or retain rookie status heading into the 2025 season.
Last time, we took a closer look at Jordan Lawlar, Dalton Rushing, and Cade Horton — each showing glimpses of potential as they navigated the early challenges of professional baseball.
This week, the spotlight turns to Matt Shaw, Luke Keaschall, and Agustin Ramirez. We’ll examine each's performance and explore what their development could mean for their big-league teams moving forward.
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Matt Shaw, INF, Chicago Cubs
Major League Baseball's No. 18 and Cubs No. 1 prospect Matt Shaw made the big league roster out of spring training, but after a rough showing through his first 18 games, Chicago sent him down to Triple-A on April 15. The club reportedly demoted him to work on his batting stance and rebuild his confidence. The highly touted infielder was recalled on May 19 after posting a .969 OPS, six homers, and 14 RBI through 24 Triple-A contests.
Track Record:
Shaw was the 13th overall selection in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Cubs out of the University of Maryland after setting the school's home run record in 2022 (53) and earning Big Ten Conference Player of the Year. Shaw quickly climbed through Chicago's minor league ranks, impressing offensively at each level. He has nothing left to prove in the minors, with a .301/.388/.527 batting line along with 33 doubles, nine triples, 35 home runs, 113 RBI, and 51 stolen bases across 183 games. This is why the Cubs believed it to be a mechanical issue in his stance that they allowed him time to work on in the minors for over a month. Shaw seemingly passed the assignment with flying colors and is back for a second chance.
Outlook:
During his second stint with Chicago, Shaw has looked better, batting .455 with three doubles, two RBI, two stolen bases, and one 10-pitch strikeout over a three-game sample size. He's raised his average from .172 on April 14 to .217 on May 21. Shaw relayed to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball that toning down his leg kick has helped with his timing.
This is the Matt Shaw I know. 5 hits (three doubles) in his three games since returning to the Cubs. Also two bags and only one strike out.
Could provide a boost at the bottom of a lineup that didn't even need it. pic.twitter.com/RBZXaUkGrN
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) May 21, 2025
Granted, he wasn't facing great pitching against the Miami Marlins. While Marlins' starters were pretty solid in their three-game set, the Cubs beat up on Miami's bullpen. Chicago will face the Reds in Cincinnati next, where Shaw will oppose tougher starters in Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo. This will be a solid test for Shaw, as his performance will help his confidence and the Cubs' confidence.
Luke Keaschall, 1B/2B/OF, Minnesota Twins
The Twins can't seem to catch a break with their top prospects, can they? Keaschall was promoted from Triple-A on April 18 and was on the injured list by April 26 with a nondisplaced fracture of his right forearm after a hit-by-pitch. He was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on May 18. It was a shame for the 22-year-old, who was exciting to watch across his first seven MLB games.
Track Record:
Minnesota selected Keaschall out of Arizona State in the second round (49th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft. He and Shaw, both products of the 2023 draft class, followed a similar path in that they quickly journeyed through the minor leagues and made their big league debuts this season. Keaschall profiles similarly to Shaw in that he has a pure hit tool and possesses speed, making him a threat on the basepaths. Shaw's 55 power grades slightly better than Keaschall's 45, but Keaschall still hit 19 homers in the minors. Keaschall's scouting report explains that he recognizes spin well and is a solid two-strike hitter. This is exemplified through his .297/.415/.470 slash line with 90 walks, 116 strikeouts, and 38 stolen bases in 662 MiLB plate appearances.
Outlook:
In his brief major league stint, Keaschall totaled 10 bases, logging a 1.064 OPS and five stolen bases in 26 PAs. The rookie was a spark plug for Minnesota, which at that point had been struggling. The Twins have since embarked on a 13-game winning streak that has seen them rise to a 27-22 record.
Luke Keaschall has recorded 5 stolen bases through the first 5 MLB games he has appeared in.
That is tied for the most stolen bases since at least 1901 😱 pic.twitter.com/hdJ5chmqu7
— MLB (@MLB) April 24, 2025
Their starting rotation is perhaps one of the most underrated in the league, but the offense still leaves much to be desired. Keaschall was the perfect bat to add to their lineup, but they'll now be without him for the foreseeable future. While Keaschall didn't need surgery, the club still anticipates a July or August return.
Agustin Ramirez, C/1B, Miami Marlins
Ramirez is flying under the radar in Miami. He debuted on April 21 and has appeared in 25 games, primarily as the Marlins' catcher. Ramirez was initially signed by the New York Yankees in 2018 as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic and was traded to Miami at last season's deadline in the Jazz Chisholm Jr. deal. He's been a welcome addition to their lineup, considering catcher was arguably the weakest position offensively for them in 2024.
Track Record:
While production was slim from the Marlins' catcher's position at the MLB level in 2024, Ramirez was mashing the ball in the minors. He belted 25 homers and posted an .845 OPS in 126 games across Double-A and Triple-A. His breakout campaign saw him set new career highs in nearly every offensive statistical category, and that's why it only seemed a matter of time before Ramirez was with the big league club. He began the season in Triple-A, but seven doubles, three home runs, and 12 RBI were all the Marlins needed to see before promoting him.
Outlook:
The Yankees trading Ramirez to Miami was one of the best things that could've happened for his career. He was blocked by Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra in New York and was able to forge a much quicker path to the majors following the trade. So far, his compact, right-handed swing hasn't failed him yet, connecting on six homers and driving in nine runs, culminating in a .854 OPS. Thus far, his farthest home run traveled 424 feet (May 5 vs. Dodgers), while his hardest-hit homer had an exit velocity of 105.1 mph (April 27 vs. Seattle).
Agustin Ramirez is a legit dude pic.twitter.com/rFsRYvahjj
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) May 19, 2025
Ramirez makes consistent hard contact, but also will chase pitches out of the zone and has a slightly above-average groundball rate (44%). Like every prospect, there are flaws to his game, but his raw power is too good to deny. Ramirez is also working on improving his skills behind the dish, but his ability to call a game is sound, as he helped Max Meyer to a 14-K gem during his debut.
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