MLB Player Breakouts 2025

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

03/03/2025

With spring training games in full swing, we are now less than four weeks away from the start of the MLB regular season. With that comes the anticipation of what players could be set to be the breakout stars of the new season, from key players looking to return to their previous elite form to young rising talents looking to make a name for themselves. So, let's highlight four players who could have breakout campaigns in the 2025 MLB season.

The first player to watch is set to return to the diamond for the Cincinnati Reds after a year absence due to injury. Matt McLain, 25 years old, was a 2021 first-round pick by the Reds that made his big-league debut in May of 2023. He had an outstanding rookie season that saw him finish 5th in NL Rookie of the Year voting. McLain hit .290 with 43 extra-base hits, 50 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and scored 65 runs. However, due to a right oblique strain, his rookie season ended in late August. Then he missed all last season due to left shoulder surgery, so it now has been close to a year and a half since he last played in a major league game. Now that he is fully healthy, he is looking to regain his rising star form this coming season in Cincy. If he can return to half the dynamic player, he was pre-shoulder surgery he will end up forming one of the more exciting infield duos in the National League alongside Elly De La Cruz. He may take some time to get back into the rhythm of facing big-league pitching but patience by the Reds I believe will pay off in the long run with this player.

The next player is looking to solidify himself as the answer at the first base position out west in Anaheim for the Los Angeles Angels. Nolan Schanuel at 23-years-old is coming off a very promising first full season at the big-league level last year. He hit .250 with 32 extra-base hits and 54 RBI in 147 games during his rookie campaign. Now going into his second full season as an everyday MLB player the Angels hope he takes another jump and becomes a fixture for them at first. Schanuel proved to be a very good defender with a .994 fielding percentage in 144 games played in the field last season so they should not need to worry about his glove. The major thing the Angels will look for him to improve is his strikeout-to-walk ratio – which was 103-68. Plus, if he can tap further into his power potential and up his home run total from 13 to 20 or more then he will become the consistent middle-of-the-order bat the Angels need him to grow into. In a year where it is unlikely the Angels are set to compete for a playoff spot the continued development of Schanuel is a major priority.

The third player to keep an eye on currently plays for the Athletics. As an outfielder, Lawrence Butler looks poised for a breakout season after a dynamic finish to his 2024 campaign. With all the turmoil around the Athletics Exodus from Oakland, the fans who still look to support the club need someone to rally around. Perhaps Butler can be one of these players as he presents a homegrown player who has a chance to reach stardom in his 2nd full big-league season. The now 24-year-old former 6th-round pick played in 125 games in 2024 with 48 extra-base hits, 57 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and hitting .262. For Butler it was all about the elite 2nd half of the season he posted in 2024 that generated buzz. In 61 games Butler posted a .300 average with a .345 OBP while tallying 32 extra base hits, 32 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. Across the board, it all began to click for the A's outfielder who hit just .211 with a .280 OBP in the first half of the year. The growth he showed in plate discipline was the key in cutting his strikeout rate from over 29% down to 19% in the final 61 games of 2024. He also tapped into his power potential while being a very solid defender with upside. Now in a year full of questions for the A's, Butler seems to be poised to be one of the primary answers to how they can move forward back toward a winning product. If Butler can establish himself as a legit 20 HR-20 SB All-Star outfielder in his 2nd full MLB season this will be a major success for the A's who need some positive developments.

The final player to highlight currently calls the Miami Marlins organization home. Otto Lopez who had just 10 at-bats through his first two MLB seasons took full advantage of his first true opportunity after being claimed off waivers by the Marlins on April 4th, 2024, from San Francisco. Lopez then made his debut on April 15th and solidified himself as an everyday player for a young Marlins club looking for difference-makers. Lopez in 2024 played in 117 games posting a stat line of a .270 batting average, 30 extra base hits, and 20 stolen bases in 403 at-bats. On top of these numbers, he showcased versatility as a defender starting at least one game at five different positions. He spent most of his time at second base where he provided elite defense, while also playing shortstop, third base, centerfield, and left field. Doing all this while making just 8 errors all season. Lopez ended up grading out as one of the best individual defenders in the MLB last year so his impact with the glove alone sets him up to be a valuable piece. Now he will have to show further growth as a hitter working to improve his 2:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Plus, if he can add more contact and gap power to his game his speed attribute will shine through even more on the basepaths as well. Lopez certainly showed to be an intriguing player for Miami to move into the coming season with. Now the 26-year-old hopes to further secure his spot in the long-term plans of the Marlins as he will compete with a host of other young players to form the next winning core for Miami.

Whether it's coming back from injury or further cementing their position in their club's plans this quartet of players all are looking to have huge 2025 seasons. Those like McLain and Lopez, arere looking to win spots in crowded infield competitions for their teams. While Butler and Schanuel seem like locks to be opening-day fixtures and are now looking to become cornerstones. This quartet will be fun to watch as they look to show to be the young stars early returns have presented.