X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Key Hitter Fantasy Baseball Prospects to Know for 2025 Drafts

Kristian Campbell - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Prospects

Jarod's top hitter fantasy baseball prospects and draft sleepers for 2025. He discusses key MLB prospects, rookies and call-ups to target for fantasy baseball.

Not all fantasy baseball drafts are created equal -- some leagues may have eight teams, some 12, and some maybe 16 or more. Perhaps there are a few bench spots or there could be numerous bench spots to fill.

For managers in those larger leagues or leagues that have a plethora of bench spots, you'll have to sift deeper into the player pool in order to fill out your rosters. Make sure not to overlook prospects who, although have yet to debut, could be making impacts early in the season.

For this list, we're focused on prospect hitters who reside near or outside the top 250 picks in 2025 fantasy baseball drafts based on their current ADP. You can also check out my earlier article Top Hitter Fantasy Baseball Prospects for 2025 for some earlier-round targets, and be sure to bookmark our 2025 fantasy baseball prospects rankings for redraft leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Kristian Campbell, 2B/SS/OF, Boston Red Sox

Current ADP: 295
MLB Prospect Rank: No. 10 overall
2024 AAA stats:
19 G, 70 AB, .286-4-17-17-4, .404 wOBA, 139 wRC+

Peruse the Boston Red Sox's preseason top 30 in 2024, and you would not have found Kristian Campbell's name among the players listed after playing just 14 games at High-A by the end of 2023.

However, after cruising from High-A to Double-A and finally to Triple-A by the end of 2024, Campbell not only put his name up among the top Boston prospects, the Sox's 2023 fourth-round draft pick rocketed himself to the top 10 in all of baseball.

On the back of a sensational .330-20-77-94-24 line with a .447 wOBA and 180 wRC+ in 115 games (430 AB) across all three levels, the Georgia Tech product won MLB Pipeline Hitting Prospect of the Year and MiLB Breakout Player of the Year honors, as well as the Double-A Eastern League MVP for the production during his time there.

So, is he ready for the Show? Well, with only 70 at-bats at Triple-A, the sample size is small, but Campbell had an 81.8% Contact% and 88.8% Z-Contact% during that time. So, he makes contact at a better-than-average rate (76.8% was MLB average in '24), and better-than-average contact on pitches in the zone.

Not only that, the right-handed hitter recorded a 46.2% Hard-Hit%. Why is that important? Simply put -- the harder you hit the ball, the better chance you have to get a hit.

Sure, we can't expect those same numbers as soon as he gets to the big leagues, but if he can keep it up to start 2025 (assuming he starts at Triple-A), then it should reinforce that he can hit those pitchers and would be ready to test his mettle against the best that baseball has to offer.

What does have a chance to translate to the majors is his keen eye, notching a 14.6% career BB% in the minors (601 PA). Additionally, he's no zero in the stolen base department after recording 27 thefts in those plate appearances.

Recently acquired Alex Bregman could transition to second base, and if he does that would block Campbell's path to playing time at that position. However, Campbell played some shortstop, third base, and outfield last season, adding to his versatility, so his path to playing time doesn't necessarily have to go through 2B.

Recent rumblings have also said that Campbell could break camp as the starter at second base, with Bregman remaining at third base, which would move Rafael Devers to DH, so it's still possible Campbell could play his primary position, too.

The youngster is still going pretty low in most drafts and maybe not drafted at all in standard 12-team leagues. But if it looks like he'll make the club out of spring training, he could be a big-time fantasy contributor from the outset. If not, look for him to one of the earlier prospect call-ups of 2025.

 

Matt Shaw, 2B/3B/SS/DH, Chicago Cubs

Current ADP: 256
MLB Prospect Rank: No. 22 Overall
2024 AAA stats:
35 G, 152 PA, .298-7-21-18-6, .409 wOBA, 142 wRC+

The Chicago Cubs took infielder Matt Shaw with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. In his first taste of pro ball, the youngster breezed through High-A and Double-A, slashing .349/.384/.597 with seven homers, 13 steals, a .431 wOBA, and a 163 wRC+ in 159 plate appearances.

The 2024 season was more of the same, turning into an all-out audition for the Show. The University of Maryland product not only put up good counting stats and even improved some of them at the Triple-A level, but he also showed a more patient approach at the plate.

The former first-rounder's batting average went from .279 at Double-A to .298 at Triple-A, putting together a .284-21-71-78-31 stat line overall with a .394 wOBA and 146 wRC+.

Shaw has always struck out at a less-than-average rate, posting an 18.2% K% in 2024, but saw his walk rate increase dramatically year-over-year, from below average (5.3% BB%) in '23 to above average (11.9% BB%) in '24.

The 31 bags he stole in 2024 show that he has some speed as well, which would certainly be a plus for fantasy if he ends up at third base, a position that is generally devoid in that category.

With the Cubs set up in the middle with a pair of Gold Glovers in Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner, Shaw's path to playing time is the hot corner.

That path got clearer when the Cubs traded last year's third base acquisition, Isaac Paredes, to the Astros in December. Cubs President Jed Hoyer made that affirmation recently when he stated that Shaw would indeed have an opportunity to win the job come spring.

Right now, the 5-foot-9 prospect is the only real option at third base. Alex Bregman is off the table now after being acquired by the Red Sox. The Cubs signed veteran Justin Turner, but at 40 years old, he doesn't have much left in the tank and probably has more value as a leader and mentor than anything he can offer on offense or defense.

Shaw isn't on the 40-man roster, so the spot needs to be freed up too. But the ADP has surged as the season draws closer.

Regardless of how it pans out, Shaw looks like he'll be manning third for the Cubbies and could easily be a 20/20 player with the proper playing time. He appears primed to outproduce a current NFBC ADP of 256.

 

Dalton Rushing, C/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Current ADP: 310
MLB Prospect Rank: No. 39 overall
2024 AAA stats:
37 G, 169 PA, .273-9-26-25-2, .399 wOBA, 128 wRC+

For managers looking for some power out of the catcher position late in drafts, Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Dalton Rushing could fit the bill.

Between Double-A and Triple-A last season, the 23-year-old belted 26 home runs in 420 at-bats while slashing .271/.384/.512 with a .401 wOBA and 142 wRC+.

His strikeout rate of 24.4% was a tad high in 2023 at High-A, which is not uncommon for power hitters, but the former 40th-overall draft pick was able to improve upon that considerably in 2024, striking out at 20.5%.

His calling card may be his keen eye, though, as the left-handed hitter boasts a 15.5% career walk rate in the minors, which was just as good at Triple-A last season (15.4%). That's something that should translate to the majors whenever he debuts.

That's where it gets a little cloudy, as his main position is catcher, but the Dodgers already have Will Smith signed long-term. It's possible he's a better hitter than backup catcher Austin Barnes, but the veteran is surely more equipped to handle a major league pitching staff.

The Dodgers had Rushing play some outfield last season, which would make him more versatile, but the team has already brought back Teoscar Hernandez and signed Michael Conforto at the corner outfield spots where Rushing would presumably play.

So it will probably take an injury or prolonged underperformance to get Rushing up to the majors -- or perhaps he's moved in a trade at some point. But once he's there, a potential outfielder with positional eligibility at catcher who can hit for power and get on base makes for an intriguing fantasy asset.

At a current ADP of 310, the Louisville product won't cost much and could be a worthy bench stash in hopes of an early-season call-up in deeper leagues.

 

Honorable Mentions

More fantasy baseball prospects going later in drafts:



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Shane McClanahan

Begins "Throwing-Like" Activities
Patrik Laine

Remains Day-To-Day
Gabriel Vilardi

On Track To Return Wednesday
Brandon Hagel

Ruled Out For Game 5
Marcus Johansson

Returns To Action Tuesday
Cole Ragans

Won't Start On Wednesday
Dylan Moore

Placed On 10-Day Injured List With Hip Inflammation
Jonas Siegenthaler

Considered A Game-Time Decision Tuesday
Brett Pesce

A Game-Time Call Tuesday
Yordan Alvarez

Back In Tuesday's Lineup
Frederik Andersen

Unavailable Tuesday
Aaron Nesmith

Upgraded To Available
Las Vegas Raiders

Jack Bech A Strong Candidate To Be An Immediate Starter
Las Vegas Raiders

Zamir White Competing For Depth Role
New York Jets

Mason Taylor To Immediately Be Atop Jets Tight End Depth Chart
Bennedict Mathurin

Cleared For Game 5
Buffalo Bills

Dalton Kincaid Setting Up As Post-Hype Sleeper In 2025?
Denver Broncos

Dre Greenlaw Expected To Be Ready For Training Camp
Seattle Seahawks

Sam Darnold To Take Over 90% Of The Snaps
Tennessee Titans

Titans In No Rush To Trade Will Levis
Daulton Varsho

Reinstated From Injured List And Starting On Tuesday
Minnesota Vikings

J.J. McCarthy Says He Knows He's Ready To Start For Vikings
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Picking Up Fifth-Year Option On Dax Hill
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Apply Unrestricted Free-Agent Tender To J.K. Dobbins
Seattle Seahawks

Jaren Hall Cut Loose By Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Compare Josh Simmons To Christian Darrisaw, Rashawn Slater
Denver Broncos

Pat Bryant Compared To Michael Thomas
Denver Broncos

RJ Harvey Could Do It All For Broncos
Carolina Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan Likely To Man The X Spot For Panthers
Green Bay Packers

Packers, Jaire Alexander Continue To Discuss Potential Reunion
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Discussed George Pickens With Steelers
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs To Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis
Washington Commanders

Matt Gays Signs One-Year Deal With Commanders
San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle Signs Four-Year Extension With 49ers
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Records Third Consecutive Double-Double
Brandin Podziemski

Hits Six Treys During 26-Point Performance
Jimmy Butler III

Leads Warriors In Scoring Monday Night
Jarrett Allen

Has Double-Double, Six Steals In Blowout Win
Brandon Boston Jr.

Recovering From Ankle Surgery
Kelly Olynyk

Undergoes Heel Procedure
Aaron Nesmith

Probable For Tuesday's Action
Nathan MacKinnon

Has Two Points In Losing Effort
Martin Necas

Records Two Assists In Game 5 Loss
Mikko Rantanen

Tallies Three Points In Monday's Win
Wyatt Johnston

Leads Stars To Game 5 Victory
Sergei Bobrovsky

Returns To Winning Ways
Anton Lundell

Earns Two Points Monday
Ryan Gerard

Going For A Texas Trifecta Of Sorts
Brandon Hagel

Departs Loss Early
Joe Highsmith

Hoping To Make More Putts In Texas
Eric Cole

Expecting Big Things In Texas
Brian Campbell

May Go Under The Radar At CJ Cup
Riley Greene

Homers Twice On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

Exits Monday's Win Early
Los Angeles Chargers

Tre Harris Expected To Fill X Role For Chargers
Jimmy Butler III

Officially Active For Game 4
Isaiah Stewart

Uncertain For Game 5
Michael Porter Jr.

Expected To Play In Game 5
Brandon Nimmo

Has Career Game
Russell Westbrook

Questionable For Tuesday Night
Tyler Glasnow

Going On The Injured List
Jaylen Brown

Back On The Injury Report
Jrue Holiday

Out Again On Tuesday Night
Bennedict Mathurin

Questionable For Game 5
Damian Lillard

May Not Play Next Season
Luis Arraez

Expected To Return On Tuesday
Johnathan Kovacevic

To Remain Out Tuesday
Brenden Dillon

Unavailable Tuesday
Luke Hughes

Not Ready To Return For Game 5
Darius Garland

Remains Out On Monday
Ross Colton

Remains Out On Monday
Oskar Bäck

Oskar Back Returns To Stars Lineup Monday
Miro Heiskanen

To Miss Game 5
Jordan Westburg

Placed On Injured List
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go For Game 4
William Byron

Ends With A Strong Top-Five Finish At Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Bad Luck Continues With Talladega Crash
Kyle Larson

Has A Career-Best Performance At Talladega
Ian Machado Garry

Gets Back On Track With UFC Kansas City Win
Brad Keselowski

Talladega Run Ends Early After Crashing
Carlos Prates

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Zhang Mingyang

Still Undefeated In The UFC
Anthony Smith

Retires After UFC Kansas City Loss
Giga Chikadze

Takes Unanimous Decision Loss
Giga Chikadze

Takes Unanimous-Decision Loss
David Onama

Extends Win Streak At UFC Kansas City
Michel Pereira

Drops Decision At UFC Kansas City
Abus Magomedov

Extends His Win Streak
Nicolas Dalby

Gets Finished For The First Time
Randy Brown

Gets Back In The Win Column
Ikram Aliskerov

Gets First-Round TKO Finish At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Gets TKO'd At UFC Kansas City
Chase Elliott

Recovers from Speeding Penalty to Finish Fifth
Joey Logano

Finishes Last at Talladega After Disqualification for Missing Spoiler Brace
Ryan Preece

Loses Talladega Race First in Photo Finish Then in Post-Race Inspection
NASCAR

Poor Toyota Strategy Arguably Cost Bubba Wallace Winning Chances at Talladega
Christopher Bell

Unhurt After Hard Contact with Inside Retaining Wall
Joe Ryan

Posts Stellar Outing
Jaylen Brown

Available For Game 4
Nick Lodolo

Throws Seven Scoreless Innings
Tyler Glasnow

Removed Early On Sunday
Darius Garland

Questionable For Game 4
Jaden Ivey

Making Progress
Tarik Skubal

Racks Up 11 Strikeouts
Luke Weaver

In Line To Get The Bulk Of Save Opportunities Moving Forward
Devin Williams

Removed From Closer Role
Chase Elliott

Is One OF The Top Overall DFS Picks Of The Week
Joey Logano

Could Joey Logano Finish A Race With A Top Finish At Talladega?
NASCAR

DFS Players Should Like Bubba Wallace For Talladega This Week
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Players Roster Christopher Bell At Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Is Austin Cindric Worth Rostering For Talladega DFS Lineups?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Is A Solid, Safe, DFS Choice For Talladega Lineups
Austin Dillon

Is Austin Dillon A Viable DFS Play At Talladega This Week?
Josh Berry

Qualifies Too High At Talladega To Be Worth Rostering In DFS
Michael McDowell

Should DFS Players Take A Shot On Michael McDowell At Talladega?
Noah Gragson

Could Be A Sneaky DFS Play For Talladega
Denny Hamlin

Probably Qualified Too Well for DFS Consideration
Kyle Larson

Increasingly Undervalued Due to His Crashing, but Still a Great DFS Option
Austin Hays

Smacks Two Homers On Saturday
Jorge Polanco

Goes Deep Twice On Saturday
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hits Four Homers On Saturday
Framber Valdez

Tosses Complete Game In A Loss To The Royals
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF