Five Rookies Who Could Make an Impact In 2025
As the #1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Paul Skenes burst onto the big league scene this year, and not only won the National League Rookie of the Year award, but finished third in the NL Cy Young voting. Meanwhile, Luis Gil captured the AL Rookie of the Year. It marked the first time that starting pitchers in their respective leagues took home the ROY since 1981 (Fernando Valenzuela and Dave Righetti).
Although Jackson Merrill finished runner-up to Skenes, he played a vital role, in the San Diego Padres’ postseason run.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there are five rookies, who could make quite a splash.
p/c: Brynn Anderson
Andrew Painter - Philadelphia Phillies: In the 2021 MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies chose Andrew Painter with the 13th overall pick.
Painter definitely has a projectable frame at 6’7, 215 pounds. He throws both his four-seam and two-seam fastballs in the upper-90’s. Painter’s top secondary pitch is a plus slider that sits low-80’s. He also mixes in an upper-70’s curveball, and his changeup is improving.
In July of 2023, Painter underwent Tommy John surgery. This resulted him missing all of the 2024 minor league season. However, he was back to full health, for the Arizona Fall League, where he recorded a 2.30 ERA, in six starts. He was named the AFL Pitcher of the Year.
The Phillies have a terrific, rotation, with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, and Cristopher Sánchez. If Painter can stay healthy, while performing to his potential, then the Phillies will most likely win the NL East again, and Painter would seemingly be the favorite for NL ROY.
Bubba Chandler - Pittsburgh Pirates: When the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Henry Davis first overall in 2021, he signed under slot. The Pirates were able to use the saved money towards a few prep players. One of which was Bubba Chandler.
A two-way player out of high school, Chandler has focused exclusively on pitching, and it’s fair to say he made the right decision.
The fastball for Chandler gets to 98 mph, with plenty of ride up in the zone. He mixes in a sharp slider, while his changeup has become a quality, third offering. All three, when located, can induce plenty of swing & miss.
Chandler began this year with AA Altoona, posting an ERA of 3.70. On August 8th, he was promoted to AAA Indianapolis, and pitched even better, with a 1.83 ERA over seven starts.
Now the Pirates’ top ranked prospect, Chandler should receive a call up to Pittsburgh at some point next season. The upside is there for him to become the #2 starter behind Paul Skenes.
p/c: Paul Sancya
Jackson Jobe - Detroit Tigers: As the third overall pick in 2021, Jackson Jobe got a little test of big league action this past season. He threw two scoreless outings.
During the Detroit Tigers’ unlikely postseason run, Jobe made a pair of relief outings, but allowed three runs in 1.2 innings.
The repertoire is really impressive from Jobe, with a mid-90’s fastball, with plenty of ride and vertical break, an extraordinary, mid-80’s slider, a low-90’s cutter that he added in 2023, and a good changeup, which can be tough on left-handed batters.
Jobe should get a chance to pitch in the Tigers’ rotation, in 2025, which could give them a dynamic, 1-2 punch, alongside reigning AL Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal.
Jacob Wilson - Sacramento Athletics: After an incredible, collegiate career at Grand Canyon University, Jacob Wilson was chosen sixth overall by the Oakland Athletics, in the 2023 draft.
The son of former big leaguer and defensive wizard, Jack Wilson, the younger Wilson showed off his outstanding, hitting skills, in 2024, across three levels of the minors, slashing a ridiculous, .433/.474/.668 line.
The Athletics called up Wilson on July 19th. In his MLB debut, he collected his first hit off former Los Angeles Angels starter, Griffin Canning. Shortly after, Wilson sustained a left hamstring strain. With 92 big league at-bats, he still qualifies as a rookie next year.
As the Athletics move to Sacramento, Wilson will be their shortstop of the future. It could be a productive 2025 for Wilson, as the A’s could have themselves a fun lineup, with the likes of Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, and Lawrence Butler.
Sutter Health Park in Sacramento is hitter-friendly, so it could allow Wilson, to add more offense. On the defensive side, Wilson has average range, but makes up for it, possessing steady hands, along with a strong arm.
p/c: Danielle Parhizkaran
Roman Anthony - Boston Red Sox: Selected 79th overall by the Boston Red Sox in 2022, Roman Anthony has quickly ascended thru their farm system.
In his pro debut in ‘22, Anthony hit .306, but slugged only .361.
The power production increased for Anthony during the 2023 season, as he posted a slugging percentage of .466 combined with Low A Salem, High A Greenville, and AA Portland.
Anthony returned to Portland at the beginning of this year. The solid approach continued, for the 20-year-old, slashing .269/.367/.489.
It was on August 12th that Anthony was given a promotion to AAA Worcester. Despite playing at a level much older than his age, Anthony somehow performed greatly, as put up a slash of .344/.463/.519. The approach at the plate was fantastic, as drew walks at an excellent, 18.9%.
Anthony will enter 2025 as the third best prospect in the minors, according to MLB Pipeline.
Even if Anthony doesn’t crack the Red Sox Opening Day roster, he should get a shot in the bigs early in the season. Most baseball publications project him as a strong, AL ROY candidate, in ‘25. For Anthony to be Boston’s top prospect currently is saying a lot, when you consider how stacked their outfield prospect depth is.