MLB’s top 20 breakout players from the 2025 season

One of the most exciting aspects of the MLB season is watching players break out. The Mariners’ Cal Raleigh did so in a huge way this year, arguably putting together the greatest offensive season for any catcher in baseball history. It’s also great fun to watch pitchers go from supporting cast member to team ace like the Astros’ Hunter Brown, the Mariners’ Bryan Woo and the Phillies’ Cristopher Sánchez did this year. Then there are the rookies who take the league by storm, like the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz, who has quickly become one of the best power hitters in the game.

When I compile my annual list, my definition for a breakout candidate is simply a player who performed at a much higher level than his previous major-league track record, or a player who burst onto the scene and blew away the rookie field.

Here are 20 standouts who turned their potential into production in 2025 and made the biggest jumps among major-league players. If you think I missed any players, please present your case in the comments section below.

(Stats through Tuesday, Sept. 23)

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1. Cal Raleigh, C, Seattle Mariners

Raleigh is the perfect example of a breakout player. After back-to-back 30 home run seasons, it appeared that he had reached his ceiling as a power-hitting, Gold Glove catcher. But then he took his game to a whole new level this season, leading the league in both home runs and RBIs while putting up a career-best slash line.

Raleigh broke the record for most home runs by a catcher, then broke the record for most home runs by a switch hitter, surpassing Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, and then broke another Hall of Famer’s record when he passed Ken Griffey Jr. for most homers in a season by a Mariner.

Raleigh made his first All-Star game and now has a real chance to win his first MVP award. His strong season has led the Mariners to first place in the AL West and a potential trip to their first World Series.

2. Hunter Brown, RHP, Houston Astros

Brown was coming off a solid season in 2024, going 11-9 with a 3.49 ERA with 179 strikeouts over 170 innings pitched. He began the year as the Astros’ No. 2 starter behind southpaw Framber Valdez. That all changed this year when he became Houston’s ace, going 12-8 with a 2.30 ERA over 30 starts with 201 strikeouts over 180 1/3 innings. Perhaps most importantly, he’s been a healthy contributor all season while the rest of the Astros’ roster has been devastated by injuries.

He’ll likely finish in the top three in AL Cy Young voting this year.

3. Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays

Last year, Caminero batted .248 for the Rays with six homers and 18 RBIs over 43 games and 177 plate appearances in a season that was significantly impacted by a quad injury. He went to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic under manager Albert Pujols and dominated, playing well enough for Pujols to say that Caminero had the potential to develop into a Hall of Fame-caliber player. We all listen when Pujols speaks. In his first full season in the major leagues, Caminero has delivered an incredible season, banging out 28 doubles, 44 home runs and 108 RBIs. He’s only 22 years old and is already one of the top power hitters in the game.

4. Geraldo Perdomo, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks 

One of the most underrated players in baseball, Perdomo has had an amazing season, reaching base at a 39 percent clip with 31 doubles, five triples, 19 home runs and 26 stolen bases. Defensively, his excellent range to both sides and strong arm have led to three defensive runs saved. He also ranks in the 97th percentile in batting run value and 96th percentile in base running value, according to Statcast. He leads all shortstops in fWAR and going into Tuesday, he led all National League position players in bWAR (Shohei Ohtani is 0.3 bWAR behind Perdomo in position player WAR).

5. Cristopher Sánchez, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies 

In 2023, Sánchez went 3-5 with a 3.44 ERA over 18 starts and one relief appearance. I remember Phillies team president Dave Dombrowski telling me he thought Sánchez would develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter one day. Last year, Sánchez made 31 starts, going 11-9 with a 3.32 ERA, and was headed in that direction. However, this is the year that he has broken out and proved Dombrowski right, going 13-5 with a 2.57 ERA over 31 starts, carrying the rotation after the season-ending injury for Zack Wheeler, and putting himself in position to be their Game 1 starter this postseason.

6. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Chicago Cubs 

The Cubs traded shortstop Javier Báez to the Mets in 2021 and Crow-Armstrong was the headliner in their trade return. He made it to the big leagues in 2023, playing in only 13 games and going 0-for-14. Then last year he played in 123 games, hitting .237 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs. However, this year he showed his vast potential, making his first All-Star team. Though his production has tailed off in the second half of the season, he’s still put up some impressive numbers, belting 37 doubles, four triples and 29 home runs, while stealing 35 bases. He’s also played a Gold Glove-caliber center field, bringing value even when he’s slumped offensively, and he’s blossomed into a fan favorite on the North Side of Chicago. He’s one of the most exciting players in baseball because he can beat you with his speed, glove, power or hustle.

7. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics 

Kurtz was the fourth player taken in the 2024 draft out of Wake Forest and he has quickly proved the Athletics correct in their pre-draft assessment of him. After only 22 games in the minor leagues, Kurtz made his major-league debut in late April. A little more than a year removed from the draft, he’ll win AL Rookie of the Year honors. Kurtz has slashed an impressive .291/.383/.612 with 26 doubles, 33 homers and 81 RBIs. His bat speed is in the 98th percentile and his barrel percentage and overall batting run value is in the 97th percentile. He has hit a whopping .325 against fastballs.

8. Bryan Woo, RHP, Seattle Mariners 

Woo started his breakout last year when he made 22 starts with a 2.89 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 121 1/3 innings in a season limited early by right elbow inflammation and a hamstring strain. This year he’s performed like a star over a full season, going 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA over 30 starts with 198 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings and allowing just 137 hits. He became the ace of the Mariners staff this year and is presently ranked in the 100th percentile in fastball run value and 97th percentile in pitching run value. As long as his pectoral strain isn’t a major injury, I’m expecting him to be the Mariners’ Game 1 starter in the playoffs.

9. Riley Greene, RF, Detroit Tigers 

Five years ago I said that Greene would develop into a 30-home run, 100 RBI middle-of-the-order bat, and that version of Greene finally arrived this year. He made his second consecutive All-Star game and has achieved that 30-homer, 100-RBI milestone for the first time. Greene is in the 92nd percentile in bat speed and 96th percentile in barrel percentage. He’s hit for power against all types of pitches and his launch angle has gone from 6.8 in 2023 to 12.2 in 2024 to 15.5 this year.

10. Brice Turang, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers 

Turang won a Gold Glove last year, but posted nondescript numbers offensively. He should win his second Gold Glove, but it’s his bat that has separated him this season. He’s established career-highs in OPS, BA, OBP, SLG, homers, triples, doubles and walks while continuing to be one of the best base runners in the game. On a Brewers team that has been baseball’s best for the majority of the season, Turang has been their most valuable position player by bWAR.

11. Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs

Horton’s second half of the season has been so dominant that he had to make this list. The 24-year-old right-hander has gone 8-1 with a 1.02 ERA over his 12 second-half starts to catapult him into being a serious contender for NL Rookie of the Year, along with the Braves’ Drake Baldwin. On the season, Horton is 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA over 23 starts. His secondary pitches stifle opposing batters, as they are hitting just .176 against his sweeper, .115 against his changeup and .196 against his curveball. He was pulled from his start on Tuesday early with back stiffness and soreness in the rib cage area. The move was called precautionary and Horton is penciled in to be the Cubs’ Game 1 starter in the playoffs.

12. Maikel Garcia, 3B, Kansas City Royals

Garcia is no longer under-the-radar and has emerged as one of the best third basemen in the American League. He made his first All-Star game this year, and has amassed more than 5 bWAR while establishing career highs in nearly every offensive category. He has great bat-to-ball skills, making contact at a high rate, and he’s also improved his walk rate. In addition, he’s a versatile defender. Besides third base, he has played shortstop, second base, center field and right field this year, though his defense grades out best by far at third. His range at the hot corner is in the 98th percentile and his arm strength is in the 77th percentile.

13. Andy Pages, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Among Dodgers outfielders, Pages has been the most effective offensively, hitting .277 with 27 doubles, 25 home runs, 82 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. His biggest breakthrough offensively has been his improvement against breaking balls, which he hit just .190 against last year and this year improved by 100 points. All of his hard work on the breaking ball pitching machines has paid off. The former highly regarded prospect has played all three outfield positions for the Dodgers and has flashed his arm strength throughout the season. His fielding run value ranks in the 94th percentile, his range in the 96th percentile and arm strength in the 98th percentile.

14. Nick Pivetta, RHP, San Diego Padres

Pivetta has had a solid nine-year major-league career but this has been by far his best season. At age 32, he has posted a 13-5 record with a 2.87 ERA over 31 starts with 190 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings. After signing this offseason as a free agent, he has been the ace of the Padres’ staff and it looks like he will get the nod for Game 1 of the Padres’ first playoff series. He is presently in the 97th or better percentile in fastball run value, breaking run value and overall pitching run value. Some people questioned why Pivetta would turn down the Red Sox’s qualifying offer this offseason, but he not only found a long-term home with the Padres on a four-year, $55 million deal, he’s made San Diego look smart for signing him.

15. Trevor Rogers, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

Rogers is finally healthy and living up to his potential. After a disappointing start to his Orioles tenure following a deadline deal last July, Rogers has been one of the top starters in the American League this year when healthy, going 9-2 with a 1.35 ERA and a 2.43 FIP. He has yielded only 67 hits in 106 2/3 innings with 100 strikeouts since being limited by a knee injury early in the season. Rogers will not qualify for the ERA title because he will not reach the minimum innings requirement, but among pitchers with more than 100 innings in a season, he has the fifth-best ERA in the Live Ball era behind only Bob Gibson, Ted Abernathy, Red Munger and Bruce Sutter.

16. Hunter Goodman, C, Colorado Rockies

Goodman has had an incredible season for the Rockies, batting .279 with 30 home runs and 88 RBIs with an OPS+ of 121 and bWAR of 3.5 — a huge jump from last year when he batted just .190 with 13 home runs. When Goodman was drafted in the fourth round in 2021, everyone knew that the power would be there, as he belted 42 home runs during his career at the University of Memphis. The bigger question was: would he be able to catch, or would he end up at first base or the corner outfield? He proved he could catch this year, starting 100 games behind the plate and making the NL All-Star team. He still has a ways to go defensively as shown by his nine errors and only being able to throw out 16 percent of runners but his strong framing and blocking ability have made it clear his future main position will be at catcher.

17. Dillon Dingler, C, Detroit Tigers

Last year, the Tigers wondered if Dingler was going to hit after he batted just .167 in 27 games and 87 plate appearances in the big leagues. He’s quieted those fears this year, batting .276 with 20 doubles, 13 home runs and 57 RBIs. However, it’s his defense that has really stood out, as he has been elite at framing pitches and blocking balls while also being able to stop the running game.

18. Kyle Stowers, OF, Miami Marlins

Last year at the trade deadline, the Marlins dealt Rogers to the Orioles in a deal that brought back both Stowers and infielder Connor Norby. The trade has seemingly worked out for both sides, with Stowers and Rogers both having breakout seasons this year. Before he landed on the injured list in mid-August with an oblique strain, Stowers provided much-needed power to the Marlins’ lineup, belting 21 doubles and 25 home runs while slashing .288/.368/.544 and making his first All-Star team.

19. Andrew Abbott, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

Last year, Abbott had a decent season with a 3.72 ERA, but his FIP was 5.04. This year, he has found another level, posting a 2.80 ERA and 3.66 FIP and making 28 starts with a career-high 145 strikeouts in 161 innings. He’s also put up the best hit rate (7.99 H/9) of his career. His ability to mix pitches has really stood out, as he’s utilized his entire repertoire that includes a four-seamer, changeup, curveball, sweeper and cutter. The changeup is his best secondary pitch.

20. James Wood, LF, Washington Nationals

Wood is the Nationals’ next potential superstar, following in the footsteps of stars like Bryce Harper and Juan Soto. The 22-year-old made his first All-Star game this year — his first full season in the major leagues. He’s racked up the extra-base hits with 38 doubles and 28 home runs, while driving in 90 runs and stealing 15 bases. His power is foul pole to foul pole. He plays well under pressure and is only going to get better. For him to reach his full potential, he’ll need to improve his contact rate, however, as he leads the league in strikeouts. If he can cut down on the swing-and-miss some, he profiles as a future MVP candidate like Harper and Soto were at his age.

(Top photo of Cal Raleigh and Geraldo Perdomo: John Froschauer, Arianna Grainey / Imagn Images)