Hot MLB Prospects to Watch for Fantasy Baseball - Week 1 (2025)

April 3, 2025

Andersen looks at the top fantasy baseball prospects risers, sleepers for Week 1 of 2025. These MLB prospects may become strong waiver wire stashes or pickups.

Welcome back RotoBallers to the 2025 fantasy baseball season! The 2025 MLB season is underway, and Triple-A kicked off last week, too. There were plenty of big plays and impressive prospect performances throughout Minor League Baseball during last week's action.

It's imperative to monitor the top fantasy baseball prospects who have turned heads thus far. The players listed here are coming off dominant weeks and have significant long-term upside. Don't be surprised when these exact names are painting corners, mashing homers, and swiping bags at the big league level soon.

Savvy fantasy managers looking for an edge in their leagues should certainly keep an eye on these players over the long haul, as they may soon prove to be excellent additions.

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Rece Hinds, OF, Cincinnati Reds

Level: Triple-A

2025 stats: 3 G, .500/.500/1.250, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, 1 SB, 16.7% BB%, 16.7% K%, .333 BABIP, .605 wOBA, 253 wRC+

Hinds is a talented young outfielder on the verge of making the Reds' roster. Drafted out of high school back in 2019, Hinds has flashed moderate power and speed throughout his minor league career, peaking with 23 homers and 20 stolen bases during an impressive campaign at the Double-A level in 2023.

Last year, Hinds struggled through 99 Triple-A games but still earned a late-season promotion to the majors. He launched five homers through 51 plate appearances at the MLB level, pairing his power with a .261/.333/.717 slash line. Despite a strong end to the 2024 campaign, Hinds was sent back to Triple-A at the conclusion of Spring Training last week.

Hinds has a hit in his three games this season, going 4-for-8 with two homers, six RBI, two walks, two strikeouts, and a stolen base. If he continues to hit at an advanced level, he'll force the Reds' hand and earn a promotion to the majors soon.

Three-run home run by Rece Hinds.

He’s also 2-2. #RedsMiLB pic.twitter.com/3wkwalrqJ2

— Reds Daily (@RedsDaily4) March 28, 2025

J.T. Ginn, SP, Athletics

Level: Triple-A

2025 stats: 1 G, 1 GS, 1-0, 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.22 FIP, 14.4 K/9, 1.80 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9, 50% GB%, .167 BABIP

Ginn is a former second-round pick who spent his first minor league season with the Mets before being dealt to the Athletics in 2022. He progressed through the minors as a good-but-not-great starter with the A's before making his MLB debut last season. He impressed through eight games (six starts) with the A's, accumulating 7.68 K/9 and a 47.1 percent ground ball rate.

Ginn uses an above-average sinker to generate weak contact, and he pairs the offering with a solid slider that induces plenty of swings and misses. He adds depth to his repertoire with a changeup and cutter.

In his first start of the season at Triple-A last week, Ginn struck out eight batters over five scoreless innings. He also issued one walk and forced ground balls at a 50 percent clip. Although there wasn't enough room for Ginn to make the A's Opening Day roster, he should be promoted during the first half of the season.

RHP J.T. Ginn was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the week after notching 8 strikeouts while allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk in 5 scoreless innings to earn the win on opening night for @AviatorsLV.

— Bill Moriarity - A's Farm (@AthleticsFarm) March 31, 2025

Juan Brito, 2B, Cleveland Guardians

Level: Triple-A

2025 stats: 3 G, .417/.429/.667, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 0 SB, 7.1% BB%, 7.1% K%, .417 BABIP, .460 wOBA, 167 wRC+

Brito is a talented prospect who has shown offensive and defensive productivity — plus positional versatility — throughout his time in Cleveland's farm system. Originally signed out of the Dominican Republic, Brito has now spent parts of three seasons in Triple-A, and he's knocking at the door at the MLB level.

A switch-hitter, Brito has shown contact skills and good instincts from both sides of the plate. He routinely walks more than 10 percent of the time while keeping his strikeout rate at a moderate level. Defensively, Brito has experience at all four infield spots, and he also made 19 appearances in right field last year. He projects best up the middle, with second base being his likely long-term home.

Returning to Columbus to open the 2025 season, Brito made his presence felt right away. He went 5-for-12 in the Clippers' first series, adding three doubles, three RBI, one walk, and one strikeout. Already on the 40-man roster, Brito should be summoned to Cleveland soon.

The first hit of the @CLBClippers season goes to Juan Brito! pic.twitter.com/C8kqaX0sIx

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) March 28, 2025

Carlos Rodriguez, SP, Milwaukee Brewers

Level: Triple-A

2025 stats: 1 G, 1 GS, 1-0, 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2.13 FIP, 12.60 K/9, 1.80 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9%, .273 BABIP

Rodriguez was roughed up through his first three MLB starts last year, but outside of that blemish, he's put together an impressive professional career. He accumulated 11.08 K/9 with a 3.70 FIP in 2023, and he looked solid through 25 Triple-A appearances last year.

The 23-year-old right-hander sits in the mid-90s with his fastball but then can drop his velocity several ticks with a mid-70s curveball. He also adds some breaking action with a slider and cutter. However, Rodriguez's best pitch is his changeup. He can generate plenty of fade with his low-spin changeup, creating plenty of deception off his fastball (or any of his pitches).

Rodriguez broke camp with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate, but he's likely destined for a promotion soon. In his first outing of the season last week, he delivered five scoreless innings with just three hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts.

Hell of a first start for Carlos Rodriguez with the Sounds. 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R (unearned), 1 BB, 7 K, 81 pitches. Brewers may need his depth if he can show he’s ready for another crack at the Majors.

— Matt Carroll (@MKEMatt13) March 29, 2025

Kyle Teel, C, Chicago White Sox

Level: Triple-A

2025 stats: 3 G, .500/.571/1.083, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 4 R, 0 SB, 14.3% BB%, 14.3% K%, .500 BABIP, .676 wOBA, 296 wRC+

Teel was acquired from the Boston Red Sox during the offseason. He appears to be Chicago's franchise catcher of the future, but the club opted to send him to Triple-A at the start of the season.

Teel's offensive production and skills are unparalleled among catching prospects. He pairs solid discipline with a smooth, powerful swing that could generate plenty of power and hard contact to the pull side. His arm strength is his best quality on defense, and he can throw out base runners at a high clip.

In his first taste of action with the White Sox' Triple-A affiliate, Teel went 6-for-12 with a double, two homers, nine RBI, two walks, and two strikeouts. Chicago has no reason to rush Teel, but he continues to push closer to his MLB debut.

Congrats, DJ Base Monkey!

Kyle Teel batted .500 (6-12) with two home runs, nine RBI and four runs scored in three games. pic.twitter.com/5T0MjVr9t4

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 31, 2025

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