2025 MLB rookies in fantasy baseball are already heating up as the season hits its stride. This year’s rookie class is reshaping depth charts and fantasy rosters alike, making a major impact in redraft and dynasty formats. While some newcomers are thriving, others are reminding us how quickly hot starts can cool. Let’s break down the 2025 MLB rookie fantasy baseball scene into the good, the bad, and the ugly as we ease into June.
Fantasy Outlook: Must roster in all formats; speed and contact skills
Chase Meidroth kicked off his season at AAA Charlotte, as the White Sox tried journeyman Jacob Amaya out at shortstop. Amaya has managed an .097 average to date this season, so it was clear to anyone watching, the Sox needed to make a move to bolster the lineup.
Enter Meidroth, the 23-year-old middle infielder, has delivered with a .274 average along with eight stolen bases to cement himself at the top of this Chicago lineup. Meidroth has shown excellent patience at the dish, leading to a 12.1% K rate to go along with his 11.4% walk rate.
Once he’s on, he has also proven troublesome for opposing pitchers, as he has stolen eight bases in nine attempts. Through just 140 plate appearances, Meidroth’s 1.2 WAR puts him on the short list for AL Rookie of the Year.
Chase Meidroth is a must-roster in 12-team leagues, or any team needing a boost to their average, runs and stolen bases.
Fantasy Outlook: Avoid for now take a wait and see approach, needs to improve K Rate.
Cam Smith is another player who made his club’s opening day roster. There’s nothing flashy about Smith, but his .260 average, and positive Offensive and Defensive WAR numbers (0.5 and 0.6 ,respectively) have earned him an everyday role with the Astros. Smith has appeared in 45 of his club’s 59 games to date.
Smith has shown that he belongs in the Majors, but fantasy owners must be wary of fool’s gold. Smith’s 27.6% K-rate is well above the league average of 21.9%, and his three home runs on the season don’t point to a power over contact profile. Smith also sports a below-average 42.7% hard hit rate.
Steer clear of Cam Smith in anything but the deepest dynasty league formats.
Fantasy Outlook: Cut ties in all redraft leagues, open up a much-needed roster spot
Entering 2025, no prospect saw a sharper rise through the rankings than Boston Red Sox Kristian Campbell. Campbell made the most of his Spring Training, as he broke camp with the big club. That momentum followed him to Boston, as he emerged as an early Rookie of the Year candidate. Campbell dominated big league pitching with a .301 average and 4 home runs through March and April.
Then, as is likely the case, veteran pitchers caught up to the emerging star. Since May 1st, Campbell has hit just .134 while striking out in 31% of his plate appearances. The young star shows promise, but perhaps a brief stint at Triple-A would serve him well to build his confidence back up.
Kristian Campbell needs to be released in all redraft leagues, but his potential is too high to bail in dynasty formats.
Fantasy Outlook: Must Roster in all formats; consistent threat to reach base and score
Jake Mangum took the AL by storm, as he raced out to a hot start. Mangum is swinging the bat like a seasoned veteran with a .329 average and eight stolen bases in only 23 games.
These numbers are abbreviated due to an injury that forced him to miss a little over a month. Now that Mangum is back on the field, he has wasted no time getting back on track. The emerging star has two hits in his last eight at bats along with a home run.
The Tampa Bay Rays are built to make noise this year, and they’re counting on Mangum to be a centerpiece of their plans. Mangum takes a smart approach at the plate, rarely chasing a bad pitch, and keeps the ball on the ground to utilize his speed on the bases. His 9.9% strikeout rate and ability to play all three outfield positions are a spark plug for this Rays team.
Roster Jake Mangum, find a way to trade for him if you must. Mangum lacks power, but gives you elite average, stolen bases, and run scoring opportunities.
Fantasy Outlook: Stash now as he’ll be back in the majors sooner or later
When Mangum went down in late April, the Rays were forced to call on the next man up. Chandler Simpson emerged to fill the void. While Simpson was able to jump in and immediately make an impact with his speed (At the time of his demotion, Simpson’s 19 stolen bases were third in baseball), his fielding left much to be desired.
While his 1.000 fielding percentage tells one story, the advanced defensive metrics were simply too much to overcome. His defensive runs saved above average were a negative five in just 35 career games, putting him on pace for a -21 over a full season. With a crowded outfield, and no way to get Simpson consistent at bats. He was demoted earlier this week.
Simpson will be back in the majors soon, as his bat (.285 average) and legs have shown he has the stuff. With a little seasoning in the outfield, expect the speedster to deliver a long career.
Stash Chandler Simpson. He will do many of the things that Mangum is doing, and with his demotion, he can be had easily off the waiver wire.
Fantasy Outlook: Sell yesterday, if he finds his way back, it should be in 2026.
Max Muncy’s first taste of Major League pitching has been anything but promising. The Athletics decided to give the young infielder an opportunity to break camp and serve as their opening day second baseman.
After just 71 plate appearances, the team pulled the plug on their plan, decided to demote their sixth-ranked prospect while promoting MLB’s 14th-ranked prospect Nick Kurtz.
It wasn’t just the need to get Kurtz to The Show that cost Muncy his spot. The infielder’s .176 average, 29.6% K-Rate, and 25.5% hard hit rate left very little to be desired. When a player struggles offensively, they must be electric in the field to hold down a spot. Muncy failed here as well, proving to be a jack of all trades and master of none. His -0.4 dWAR exacerbated his struggles at the dish, and a demotion was essential.
If you’ve been paying attention this season, you’ve likely moved on from Muncy. If not, now’s the time to act.
Baseball is a grind, and so are rookie seasons. The ups and downs of 2025 MLB rookies in fantasy baseball are part of what makes it so thrilling to follow week to week. Today’s breakout could be tomorrow’s benchwarmer, and vice versa. Stay patient, stay alert, and stash wisely. Check back weekly as we track the risers, fallers, and fantasy impact of MLB’s newest class.
Have a rookie you want profiled next week? Drop a comment below or tag us @StadiumRant!
If you enjoyed this, check out Nick Hotaling’s story on future call-up Ronny Mauricio Here:
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