As the 2025 MLB season kicks off, several prominent players are experiencing sluggish starts, sparking debates among fantasy owners about whether to drop, hold, or sell. Slow starts happen, but patience often pays off. Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox is 0-for-16 with 12 strikeouts, raising concerns over his shoulder issues from last year. Still, his past performance suggests a turnaround is expected.

Bailey Ober of the Minnesota Twins struggled in his opener against the Cardinals, giving up eight runs. However, past evidence shows he bounces back well from poor starts. Masyn Winn of the St. Louis Cardinals is also concerning, starting the season hitless. Fantasy owners might want to sell him cheap based on his current form. David Bednar of the Pirates has been shaky, and it may be wise to consider dropping him if his performance doesn't improve soon. Lastly, Luis Arraez of the Padres is hitless in his first 13 at-bats, but his track record suggests that patience is key.

San Diego Padres' Luis Arraez, fresh off a third consecutive batting title, is underwhelmingly predicted for the 2025 season by MLB insider Eric Karabell. Despite a remarkable .345 on-base percentage as the Padres' leadoff hitter, doubts linger regarding his ability to maintain a .300 batting average due to declining walk rates. However, Arraez claims full health following a thumb injury that hampered him last season, expressing optimism about his potential impact this year. Padres manager Mike Shildt praised Arraez’s resilience while the organization values his presence, considering a complete season at first base to bolster their playoff aspirations.

Luis Arraez, the three-time batting champion, has made a strong start in his spring training with the San Diego Padres, hitting two singles in just four pitches during his Cactus League debut. Despite winning the batting title last year, Arraez faced a decline in his on-base percentage. This season, he aims to improve his walk rate, which was notably low last year. He has expressed his frustrations with umpires' strike calls, stating they often favor pitchers and hinder batters' opportunities to walk.

Arraez is now healthy, recovering from a torn thumb ligament that affected his performance last season. He confidently mentioned that he feels no pain in his thumb, indicating a fresh readiness to challenge pitchers more effectively. Padres manager Mike Shildt praised Arraez's resilience in playing through injuries last year and suggested that his improved health could pose a significant challenge to opposing pitchers this season.

Fantasy baseball managers can approach the second base position with flexibility, often waiting until later in drafts to secure a reliable option. The latest rankings highlight Mookie Betts as the sole second baseman in the top 25, underscoring the depth and variability available in this position. Players like Luis Arraez stand out for their low strikeout rates, enhancing their value in points leagues that penalize strikeouts.

This season's H2H points rankings, curated by MLB experts, also emphasize the strategic differences in points leagues, where players who walk more and strike out less gain an edge. The rankings feature prominent players such as Jose Altuve and Marcus Semien, indicating their continued significance in the fantasy landscape.

The Cleveland Guardians have maintained a strong roster despite the departure of some former All-Stars, primarily through the talent of Steven Kwan. Ranked as the eighth-best left fielder by MLB Network, Kwan posted a .292/.368/.425 slash line in the 2024 season, alongside a career-high 14 home runs. His performance, however, was somewhat impacted by a back injury in the latter half of the season. Kwan’s playoff performance reaffirmed his elite bat-to-ball skills.

Defensively, Kwan has proven himself exceptional, winning a Gold Glove in each of his first three seasons. His metrics place him in the 85th percentile for outs above average and the 99th percentile for arm value. Given Kwan's consistency and all-around abilities, his lower ranking compared to names like Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich raises eyebrows. He was noted as having been the second-best hitter at one point last season, trailing only Aaron Judge, and is still the second-best contact hitter behind Luis Arraez. The eighth-place ranking may serve as motivation for Kwan as he heads into the 2025 season, aiming to prove he is among the best in the league.