Fantasy baseball 2025: 10 best values in drafts right now
Fantasy baseball championships aren't won with your first-round pick. They aren't won with your second-round pick either. They aren't won anywhere in your first five rounds. Sure, you might get a great player in the fifth round that elevates to top-10 status, but that alone won't win you your fantasy season.
You need to find value to win your leagues. We're talking about the players that leak into the later rounds but return startable value. We're talking about the players you can grab in the middle rounds that have top-20 overall potential. We're talking about pitchers who will elevate their game and become aces. That's what this list is all about. Here is one player at every position you can draft way later than they should be going. Having several of these players on your roster will set you up for a solid fantasy season.
While you're here, make sure check out our top sleeper picks, all breakout team, and riskiest selections for 2025.
Best 2025 fantasy baseball value picks
*All ADP figures provided below courtesy of FantasyPros
C: Alejandro Kirk, TOR (ADP: 377)
With Danny Jansen gone, there isn't much competition for Kirk behind home plate. While Kirk has been underwhelming the past few years, he did start to show signs of returning to form in the back half of 2024, posting a .297 average in the final month of the season, all while recording his best launch angle since 2021 as well.
1B: Ryan Mountcastle, BAL (ADP: 237)
While the Camden Yards long left field certainly dampened Aaron Judge's power against Baltimore, it may have done more harm than good, as nobody had more home runs taken away due to the deep wall than Ryan Mountcastle (11). With the wall now being brought in, Mountcastle could set new career highs in home runs and RBI, and that is saying something for someone who hit 30 dingers in 2021.
2B: Zack Gelof, Athletics (ADP: 227)
Does Gelof strike out a lot? Absolutely. That's always going to be a problem, and the fact that his outside zone contact rate dropped by over 12 points between 2023 and 2024 shows no signs of Gelof altering that trend any time soon. However, Gelof is still a 20-20 candidate you can grab with the absolute last pick of your draft. That alone makes him worth considering.
3B: Matt Chapman, SF (ADP: 121)
Matt Chapman is a model of consistency. He's hit at least exactly 27 home runs in three of the last four seasons and has posted between 70 and 80 RBI in each of those seasons as well. While his batting average fluctuates a bit, you still mostly know what you're getting with Chapman, and that is someone who plays every day thanks to his stellar defense and ability to avoid injury while also ripping 20-plus home runs. That's a pretty safe floor for someone going as the 3B13.
SS: Tyler Fitzgerald, SF (ADP: 234)
Fitzgerald burst onto the scene when he started getting consistent playing time in July, racking up 13 home runs in just 43 games between July and August. However, he did cool off in the final month, only hitting a single dinger. That said, even if his power does take a step back, he's a terrific table-setter who hit .319 when leading off innings in 2024. He's also one of the fastest players in baseball, making him a very capable 20-20 candidate you can grab outside the first 200 picks.
OF: Jung Hoo Lee, SF (ADP: 261)
While the injury risk is undeniable, Lee's underlying metrics were just as undeniable. He makes contact with the ball, good contact at that, ranking second in MLB in contact rate behind only All-Star Steven Kwan before he went down. He's also incredibly patient at the plate, with solid speed, so if you're not in dire need of home runs from an outfield spot, he'd be a solid grab outside the top 200.
OF: Michael Conforto, LAD (ADP: 297)
With Conforto expected to be the Dodgers' primary left fielder, the former Giant and Met is being put in the middle of one of the most loaded lineups in baseball. Now, he moves from Oracle Park, which is notoriously tough on left-handed hitters to Dodger Stadium? He could very easily hit 30 bombs.
DH: Kyle Schwarber, PHI (ADP: 42)
Since joining Philadelphia, Schwarber has yet to record a season with fewer than 38 home runs and 94 RBI. Even when he batted under the Mendoza line in 2023, he still had 40 bombs and over 100 RBI. But that year, he got rather unlucky, recording a dubious .209 BABIP. That got bumped up to a much more sustainable .301 in 2024, meaning he's more likely to repeat his 2024 stat line than 2023, although either would be solid. Schwarber would be a decent pick in the third round, and you can grab him in the fifth.
SP: Joe Ryan, MIN (ADP: 113)
It's easy to forget just how good Joe Ryan was at the start of last season, posting a sub-3.00 ERA through the first two months. He was also showcasing remarkable control in that span, walking only one batter for every eight he struck out. However, as the season progressed, Ryan cooled off. It's unclear how much of the season Ryan was playing with discomfort in his shoulder. With that ailment now behind him, it wouldn't be shocking to see Ryan perform at a high level once again. Yet somehow, he's going outside the top 100 picks.
RP: Lucas Erceg, KC (ADP: 183)
Carlos Estevez is being viewed as the primary closer in Kansas City. However, Erceg was brought to the Royals last year as someone who could close games if needed. Regardless of Estevez's role, Erceg will get some save opportunities, but those opportunities could balloon if Estevez struggles in his new city. Furthermore, Estevez is already dealing with back tightness as the season draws nearer.
Erceg is the clear-cut next in line for the closer role, and he's proven capable of taking it on. At the very least, Erceg will provide solid innings as a reliever, having pitched 61.2 in 2024, with a chance at double-digit saves. For someone you don't even need to waste a draft pick on, that's solid production.
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