Statcast data has revolutionized MLB analytics, providing insights into player performance through Expected Stats, which gauge actual performance against expected outcomes based on metrics like launch angle and exit velocity. This is crucial for fantasy baseball managers to identify players who have been either fortunate or unfortunate in their outcomes. For the upcoming 2025 season, the analysis highlights several players whose metrics suggest they may be undervalued or poised for a bounce back.

José Ramírez, for instance, had a significant gap between his expected batting average and actual performance, hinting at potential adjustments needed for 2025. Juan Soto's Statcast data reveals he might have underperformed last season, making him a prime target in round one. Meanwhile, Marcell Ozuna’s metrics suggest he could provide immense value as he has consistently posted high expected outcomes. Similarly, Michael Harris II and Ezequiel Tovar were identified as players who might exceed their draft positions based on their underlying data.

Matt Olson, first baseman for the Atlanta Braves, is poised for a strong performance in the upcoming 2025 MLB season, with predictions of 40 home runs. This projection, while below his impressive 2023 total of 54, indicates his status as a key player in a revamping Braves lineup. Despite a less productive 2024 season affected by injuries within the team, Olson's potential to exceed last year's 29 home runs and 98 RBIs stands strong with a healthy roster that includes stars like Austin Riley and Ronald Acuña Jr.

The expectations for Olson are high; a season with nearly 30 home runs and close to 100 RBIs is viewed as disappointing. Nonetheless, reaching the 40-home run milestone would be significant for Olson, marking his second occurrence. He previously achieved 39 home runs in 2021 while playing for the Oakland Athletics. In the competitive Braves lineup, Olson’s contributions will be pivotal as the team seeks to reclaim its offensive dominance in the league.

Drafting for fantasy baseball success is an intricate dance between category specialists and overall balanced players. Marcell Ozuna, hitting 40 home runs in 2023, and Josh Naylor, a powerful RBI contributor now with Arizona, are prime examples of players whose abilities can skew your fantasy stats in one direction. However, selecting them necessitates careful additional picks to maintain balance.

For those aiming for stolen bases, Xavier Edwards of the Marlins is a breakout candidate, while Yainer Díaz from the Astros offers batting average prowess. On the pitching front, Logan Webb of the Giants has shown durability and effectiveness, leading in innings pitched over recent seasons. Meanwhile, Hunter Greene is an under-the-radar strikeout machine. These players present rich opportunities for savvy managers to exploit value in their drafts.

Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves has made a significant leap in MLB Network's Top 100 Players, rising from No. 83 to No. 47 heading into the 2025 season. His standout performance last season included an impressive .302 batting average with 39 home runs and 104 RBIs, cementing his status as the Braves' top offensive player, and earning him an All-Star nod.

Despite a late-season slump, where he recorded only two home runs in September, Ozuna's overall contributions kept him in contention for awards such as the Silver Slugger, which he was a finalist for. His ranking reflects not only his individual success but also his competitive position amongst elite players like Shohei Ohtani.

Ozuna is joined on the Top 100 list by teammates Michael Harris II and Jurickson Profar, adding to the Braves' representation in this esteemed ranking.

Major League Baseball history is filled with trades that haunt teams for years, and several deals from the past six years stand out as particularly regrettable. Notable trades between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023, resulted in teams losing players who could still be under their control in 2025. Not included are trades that involved players who had already become free agents or were on the verge of free agency.

The Chicago Cubs’ decision to send Dylan Cease and Eloy Jiménez to the Chicago White Sox for Jose Quintana exemplifies a painful trade. While Quintana was expected to be a top pitcher, he failed to deliver, while Cease has developed into a Cy Young contender.

Another disastrous trade involved the St. Louis Cardinals dealing Sandy Alcántara and Zac Gallen to the Miami Marlins for Marcell Ozuna. Alcántara has become an elite pitcher, making this trade particularly stinging for the Cardinals, especially in light of their recent struggles.