The Rookie Class That Defined 2025: MLB Network’s Top 25 First-Year Standouts
Baseball rookies news. The 2025 Major League Baseball season will be remembered as one of the most impactful rookie campaigns in recent history. Across the league, first-year players didn’t simply contribute — they reshaped pennant races, altered postseason outcomes, and delivered moments that will live on in baseball lore.
From historic power displays and dominant pitching performances to improbable postseason heroes and long-awaited prospect breakthroughs, rookies provided nearly every imaginable storyline. Whether it was raw velocity touching triple digits, advanced plate discipline uncommon for players in their early 20s, or feel-good underdog narratives, the 2025 rookie class delivered an unforgettable blend of skill and spectacle.
MLB Network’s ranking of the 25 best rookies of the 2025 season highlights just how deep and diverse this group was. What follows is an expanded breakdown of each player’s season, impact, and lasting significance.
1) Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
There are great rookie seasons — and then there are seasons that redefine what’s possible for a first-year player. Nick Kurtz didn’t just exceed expectations in 2025; he obliterated historical benchmarks.
Among all rookie hitters who logged at least 400 plate appearances, Kurtz produced the highest OPS+ in MLB history, finishing with a staggering 173 mark. That alone would place him in elite company, but his dominance extended far beyond advanced metrics. His .619 slugging percentage and 1.002 OPS were topped only by Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, both of whom were established MVP-level superstars.
Kurtz’s defining moment came on July 25 in Houston, when he delivered one of the most jaw-dropping single-game performances baseball has ever seen. The 22-year-old launched four home runs, amassed 19 total bases, and tied longstanding MLB records in the process. That game instantly became part of baseball folklore.
Winning American League Rookie of the Year felt almost like a formality. By season’s end, Kurtz had already cemented himself as one of the premier power hitters in the sport — rookie or otherwise.
2) Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics
If Kurtz represented raw power, Jacob Wilson embodied precision, consistency, and elite contact skills. The Athletics’ middle infielder showcased a style of hitting that feels increasingly rare in today’s strikeout-heavy era.
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Wilson led all rookies with 151 hits and posted a .311 batting average, tying Bo Bichette and trailing only Judge among qualified hitters league-wide. His ability to put the ball in play was extraordinary — his 7.5% strikeout rate ranked second-lowest in all of Major League Baseball.
His excellence earned him a starting nod at shortstop in the All-Star Game, making him the first fan-elected rookie shortstop to start the Midsummer Classic. While he doesn’t overwhelm with power, Wilson’s bat-to-ball mastery, defensive steadiness, and composure under pressure made him indispensable from Day 1.
Together, Kurtz and Wilson formed one of the most effective rookie duos in recent memory — two completely different skill sets producing equally elite results.
3) Cade Horton, SP, Cubs
In a season riddled with pitching injuries, the Chicago Cubs desperately needed stability. They found it in Cade Horton.
Horton emerged as the anchor of the rotation, posting a 2.67 ERA across 23 appearances (22 starts). Armed with a high-90s fastball and three plus secondary pitches, he looked every bit like a frontline starter. His dominance intensified after the All-Star break, when he recorded a microscopic 1.03 ERA over 12 starts, the best mark in baseball among pitchers with at least 60 innings.
Even more impressive: Horton outpaced highly touted peers, including Paul Skenes, whose own stellar second half still fell nearly a full run behind Horton’s ERA.
For the Cubs, Horton didn’t just survive the grind of a rookie season — he thrived under pressure and established himself as a long-term rotation cornerstone.
4) Drake Baldwin, C, Braves
The Atlanta Braves endured a frustrating and injury-marred season, but Drake Baldwin gave the franchise a reason for optimism.
When veteran catcher Sean Murphy suffered a cracked rib during Spring Training, Baldwin seized the unexpected opportunity. The rookie delivered on both sides of the ball, leading all National League rookies with 3.1 fWAR while hitting 19 home runs and posting an .810 OPS.
Baldwin’s performance earned him the NL Rookie of the Year Award, capturing 21 of 30 first-place votes. In doing so, he became the first catcher to win the honor since Buster Posey in 2010 — and just the 11th catcher ever to claim the award since its inception in 1947.
For a position known for its physical demands and developmental challenges, Baldwin’s rookie season was nothing short of remarkable.
5) Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox
Though Roman Anthony appeared in only 71 games, his impact was impossible to ignore. The 21-year-old outfielder slashed .292/.396/.463, good for a 140 OPS+, and finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting despite his limited sample.
Anthony’s combination of plate discipline and power stood out immediately. His 60.3% hard-hit rate led all hitters with at least 100 batted-ball events, and his on-base skills evoked comparisons to legendary Red Sox greats — his OPS+ was the highest by a Boston 21-year-old since Ted Williams in 1940.
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Recognizing his star potential, Boston wasted no time, signing Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million extension less than two months after his MLB debut. Few rookies have inspired that level of organizational confidence so quickly.
6) Trey Yesavage, SP, Blue Jays
No rookie pitcher had a more dramatic arc in 2025 than Trey Yesavage.
He began the year in Single-A Dunedin. He ended it as a postseason legend.
Yesavage became a household name in October, most notably striking out 12 batters in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers — the most ever by a rookie in a Fall Classic game. Earlier in the postseason, he also fanned 11 Yankees in an ALDS start, making him responsible for two of the seven postseason games in MLB history where a rookie struck out at least 11 hitters.
Featuring an extreme over-the-top delivery and a devastating splitter, Yesavage made just three regular-season starts, yet logged five postseason starts, a nearly unprecedented feat. His poise and dominance helped carry Toronto to the brink of a championship.
7) Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox
Baseball rookies news. Raw power is rarely associated with shortstops, but Colson Montgomery shattered that stereotype in 2025.
After a difficult early stretch that prompted the White Sox to send him back to their Camelback Ranch complex for a mechanical reset, Montgomery returned transformed. Every one of his 21 home runs came after the All-Star break, and only four hitters in all of baseball — Kyle Schwarber, Shohei Ohtani, Cal Raleigh, and Junior Caminero — hit more homers in the season’s second half.
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His .529 slugging percentage ranked among the league’s best for players with at least 250 plate appearances, and he paired that offensive firepower with strong defense, recording +7 Outs Above Average at shortstop. Montgomery didn’t just establish himself as a big-league regular — he became a pillar of Chicago’s rebuild.
8) Caleb Durbin, 3B, Brewers
The Brewers’ franchise-record 97-win season wasn’t driven by star power alone. It was fueled by players like Caleb Durbin.
Acquired in the deal that sent All-Star closer Devin Williams to the Yankees, Durbin began the year in the Minors but quickly forced his way into Milwaukee’s lineup. At just 5-foot-7, Durbin defied expectations, starting 119 games at third base while contributing across the board.
He finished with a 101 OPS+, hit 11 home runs, stole 18 bases, and played steady defense. While his numbers won’t dominate highlight reels, Durbin’s versatility and consistency embodied the Brewers’ team-first approach.
9) Noah Cameron, SP, Royals
Opportunity knocked — and Noah Cameron answered emphatically.
Called up in late April to replace injured ace Cole Ragans, Cameron nearly authored history in his debut, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning. That was merely a preview of what followed.
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Across 24 starts, Cameron posted a 2.99 ERA, relying not on velocity but on elite command and a devastating curveball. He became just the third rookie in Royals history to record a sub-3.00 ERA with at least 20 starts, joining rare company in the franchise’s pitching lore.
10) Jakob Marsee, OF, Marlins
Arriving late didn’t stop Jakob Marsee from making a major impression.
Marsee debuted on August 1 and immediately made history, reaching base four times in his first career game — something no Marlins player had ever done before. Over just 55 games, he slashed .292/.363/.478, good for a 132 OPS+, and finished eighth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
His August performance earned him NL Rookie of the Month, highlighted by a seven-RBI game that tied the franchise’s single-game record. Despite the limited sample, Marsee proved he belongs at the Major League level.
11) Luke Keaschall, 2B, Twins
In an otherwise disappointing season for Minnesota, Luke Keaschall provided rare optimism.
Though injuries limited him to 49 games, Keaschall was outstanding when healthy, hitting .302/.382/.445 with a 128 OPS+. He added 14 stolen bases and 18 extra-base hits, displaying the well-rounded skill set that made him a second-round pick in 2023.
His career began with an 11-game hitting streak, falling just short of the Twins’ all-time rookie record — a sign of how quickly he adapted to the big leagues.
12) Jacob Misiorowski, SP, Brewers
Few rookies electrified fans like Jacob Misiorowski.
Nicknamed “The Miz,” the flamethrower arrived with elite velocity, averaging 99.3 mph on his fastball and 94.1 mph on his slider. He opened his career with an 11-inning hitless streak, the longest ever by a starting pitcher to begin a career in the Modern Era.
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While his 4.36 ERA showed some rookie growing pains, underlying metrics — including a 3.62 FIP and 11.9 K/9 — painted a far more optimistic picture. He shined brightest in October, posting a 1.50 postseason ERA, reinforcing his massive upside.
13) Isaac Collins, OF, Brewers
After years of perseverance, Isaac Collins finally broke through.
Originally drafted in the ninth round in 2019, Collins hit .263/.368/.411 with a 118 OPS+, ranking third on Milwaukee behind Brice Turang and Christian Yelich among qualified hitters.
Known for his disciplined approach, Collins posted a chase rate in the 98th percentile and added value defensively with +4 Outs Above Average in left field. His strong season earned him a December trade to the Royals.
14) Shane Smith, SP, White Sox
The White Sox took a chance on Shane Smith by selecting him first overall in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. That gamble paid off beyond anyone’s expectations.
Smith not only stuck on the roster — he became an All-Star, joining Dan Uggla as the only players to make the All-Star Game the year after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Smith finished with a 3.81 ERA over 29 starts, giving Chicago much-needed stability.
15) Daylen Lile, OF, Nationals
Few rookies closed the season hotter than Daylen Lile.
In September, Lile slashed .391/.440/.772, earning both NL Player of the Month and NL Rookie of the Month honors. He became the first player since Willie Mays to record at least seven triples and six home runs in a single calendar month.
Over 91 games, Lile hit .299 with a 137 OPS+ and 11 triples, tying the Nationals’ single-season franchise record.
16) Jack Leiter, SP, Rangers
After uneven early seasons, Jack Leiter took a major step forward in 2025.
The former No. 2 overall pick made 29 starts, posting a 3.86 ERA and 2.3 fWAR, third among rookie pitchers. His fastball still averaged 97 mph, but improvements to his arsenal — including a new changeup and two-seamer — helped him navigate lineups more effectively.
17) Cam Schlittler, SP, Yankees
Few postseason performances resonated like that of Cam Schlittler.
After a stellar regular season (2.96 ERA in 14 starts), Schlittler delivered a historic outing in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against Boston. He became the first pitcher in postseason history to throw at least eight scoreless innings with 12+ strikeouts and zero walks, instantly etching his name into Yankees–Red Sox lore.
18) Agustín Ramírez, C, Marlins
Agustín Ramírez rewrote the Marlins’ rookie record book.
He finished with 21 home runs, 55 extra-base hits, and 16 stolen bases, becoming the first Miami rookie ever to reach 30 doubles, 20 homers, and 10 steals in a season. He also became the second-fastest Marlins player to reach 15 career home runs, trailing only Giancarlo Stanton.
19) Carlos Narváez, C, Red Sox
Originally Boston’s backup catcher, Carlos Narváez quickly seized the starting role.
He ranked in the 96th percentile defensively with +12 Fielding Run Value, trailing only Patrick Bailey and Alejandro Kirk at the position. Offensively, he added 15 home runs with a league-average bat.
20) Nolan McLean, SP, Mets
Debuting in mid-August, Nolan McLean arrived at a critical moment.
Inserted into a struggling Mets rotation, McLean delivered a 2.06 ERA and 10.7 K/9 over eight starts, showcasing elite pitch shape and advanced feel. He gave New York exactly what it needed down the stretch.
21) Kyle Teel, C, White Sox
Acquired in the Garrett Crochet trade, Kyle Teel wasted little time proving his value.
Teel finished with a 121 OPS+, ranking sixth among primary catchers with 250+ plate appearances, and posted a .273/.375/.411 line after debuting in June.
22) Chase Burns, SP, Reds
Fast-tracked to the Majors, Chase Burns brought elite velocity.
Though his 4.57 ERA suggests inconsistency, Burns averaged 98.7 mph on his fastball and struck out hitters at a 13.9 K/9 rate — third best among pitchers with at least 40 innings.
23) Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays
Speed was Chandler Simpson’s calling card — and it translated immediately.
After stealing 100 bases in the Minors, Simpson swiped 44 bags in the Majors, tying for second most in MLB. He hit .295 with a 9.8% strikeout rate, pairing elite speed with elite contact.
24) Jacob Lopez, SP, Athletics
Often overlooked, Jacob Lopez emerged as a rotation fixture.
Despite averaging just 90.7 mph, the lefty struck out 113 batters in 92⅔ innings, posting a 28.3% strikeout rate and a 4.08 ERA across 21 games.
25) Roki Sasaki, SP/RP, Dodgers
The final entry might be the most compelling story of all.
After struggling early and spending months on the injured list, Roki Sasaki reinvented himself in September. Transitioning to the bullpen, he regained velocity, refined his mechanics, and became the Dodgers’ most trusted postseason reliever.
In October, Sasaki allowed one run in 10⅔ innings, playing a crucial role in Los Angeles’ World Series championship — a stunning transformation that capped an unforgettable rookie season.
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