Every year as teams replenish their farm systems, prospect evaluators are looking for the next big thing. Everyone now knows about guys like Kristian Campbell and Bubba Chandler after Breakout 2024 campaigns in the minors. This is the lifeblood of prospect ecosystems and dynasty fantasy baseball teams alike. The development and production of young players especially those under less of a microscope is how sustainable championship teams are built in both fantasy and real life. In this article the FantraxHQ team highlights the breakout prospects we believe could make huge jumps in 2025.
Since everyone has a different definition of just what makes up a “Breakout,” here are our rules:
- Prospect cannot be currently ranked higher than #50 on the Top 100.
- Prospect cannot have formerly been ranked as a Top #50 Prospect.
- 2024 draftees were considered since they have played a full season.
- Players were separated into Top 100 & Non-Top 100.
- Top 100 prospects we viewed as players that could make big leaps up the list.
- Non-Top 100 prospects were guys we considered that could be on the Top 100 by the middle or end of 2025.
- Players having already had a Kristian Campbell like ascension were not considered.
2025 Breakout Fantasy Baseball Prospects
Players Not on the Top 100
Luis Merejo, 1B/OF, Cleveland Guardians
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 18
Wes Hughes: At just 18 during the 2024 season Merejo’s physical maturity is well beyond his years. He displays an all-fields approach, being able to drive the ball to the opposite gap. He got better this season once he earned a promotion to Low-A Lynchburg. There are some mechanical timing and rhythm mechanisms he will have to clean up, but once he does the power will show up in a big way. He finished 2024 with a .263/.400/.439 slash with 7 HRs and 20 doubles and Merejo looked to be heating up as the season came to close.
Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
BATS: Left
Throws: Left
Age: 21
Wes Hughes: The A’s reportedly ranked Nick Kurtz above names like Caglianone or Condon on their 2024 draft board. He validated their decision by showcasing both bat-to-ball skills and power in his minor league debut. With 65 Power and 40 Hit grades, Kurtz silenced doubters by hitting .400 with 4 home runs in Low-A while walking more than striking out. His approach and skillset suggest he could move quickly through the A’s system. While Caglianone or Condon might have higher ceilings, Kurtz offers a safer profile with fewer risks.
Moisés Chace, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 21
Wes Hughes: Chace certainly has a knack for the strikeout and he has gotten better at every level he has touched. The secondary stuff is pure swing-and-miss stuff to go with a mid-90s fastball. 124Ks in 80.1 Innings in 2024 across two levels is only a glimpse at this potential. If he can refine his command in 2025 he will have a huge year. As athletic as he is, the command should continue to improve and provide him a chance to stick as a starter.
Tommy White, 3B, Athletics
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 21
Wes Hughes: Tommy ‘Tanks’ earned his nickname by hitting three home runs in his collegiate debut at NC State. While questions remain about his defensive position at the next level, his ability to hit is undeniable. White has excelled everywhere, from Clearwater High to IMG—where he took Andrew Painter deep on a 97 mph fastball. At NC State, he broke the NCAA freshman home run record and later led the nation with 105 RBIs at LSU. His defensive limitations might impact prospect rankings, but for fantasy purposes, he’s Billy Butler reincarnated. White’s bat is his calling card, and there’s always room for an elite hitter in the lineup.
Aidan Smith, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 20
Wes Hughes: The prize of the Randy Arozarena trade, Aidan Smith is a well-rounded player with no glaring weaknesses. While his bat-to-ball skills need improvement, his ability to adjust mid-swing and natural tilt lets him reach tough pitches. With a slender, athletic frame, Smith’s standout skill is speed, as shown by his 41 stolen bases in 2024. He’s beginning to tap into his pull-side power, showing progress in getting the bat head to those pitches. Smith has the potential to become a versatile fantasy contributor at the professional level.
Zyhir Hope, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
BATS: Left
Throws: Left
Age: 20
Wes Hughes: The trade that sent Michael Busch to the Cubs, bringing Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope to LA, might prove costly. Hope, reportedly a bigger deal breaker than Ferris, showcased excellent defense, plus speed, and immense raw power in the Arizona Fall League. This potential five-tool player could quickly rise into the Dodgers’ top 2-3 prospects and the Top 100 by early 2025. Despite missing three months with a shoulder injury, Hope hit 9 home runs and stole 9 bases in just over 250 plate appearances. With his plate discipline, bat-to-ball skills, and power, every tool is in place for Hope to break out in 2025.
Eric Bitonti, 3B/1B, Milwaukee Brewers
BATS: Left
Throws: Right
Age: 19
Wes Hughes: Close your eyes, and you might see shades of Christian Yelich in Eric Bitonti’s game. The 6’4″, 215-pound outfielder shows similarities in swing and approach, with more power at the same age. While Yelich had a more advanced hit tool at 19, Bitonti’s talent is undeniable. Among players 19 or younger, he ranked ninth in home runs with 16, despite 100 fewer plate appearances than others in the 20-HR range. Bitonti led CPX-to-Low-A jumpers with a .949 OPS and 148 wRC+. His size and swing path generate leverage, projecting plus power and future home run potential.
Jesús Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers
BATS: Switch
Throws: Right
Age: 18
Wes Hughes: Every year, a young star emerges from the DSL late in the season, and in 2024, that was Jesús Made. The #22-ranked international prospect from the 2024 signing class quickly rose to Baseball America’s #1 Brewers prospect in their latest re-rank. The smooth shortstop is a switch hitter with power from both sides and an advanced approach for his age. While Leo De Vries gets more headlines, Made’s DSL performance was outstanding: a 1.103 OPS, .331 average, more walks than strikeouts, and impressive pop. There’s every reason to believe Made could be just as impactful as De Vries in the future.
Demetrio Crisantes, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 20
Wes Hughes: Demetrio Crisantes is one of my favorite breakout prospects of 2025, making everything look effortless on the field. Whether at the plate or in the field, his actions are cool, calm, and collected. Crisantes showcased an elite hit tool with an all-fields approach, hitting .341 with 7 home runs and 30 steals in 440 plate appearances. While his frame doesn’t suggest big power, his bat speed and smooth stroke could lead to more pop as he matures. He ranked second behind Eric Bitonti in OPS and wRC+ between players jumping from CPX to Low-A. Among all minor leaguers age 19 or younger, Crisantes ranked fourth in wRC+ behind Michael Arroyo, Laz Montes, and Bryce Eldridge.
Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 21
Wes Hughes: Overshadowed by Christian Scott and Brandon Sproat in 2024, the Mets #8 prospect held his own while jumping 3 levels. Ending the season in AA Tong showed a fastball that touches 97 mph and has good carry and life through the zone gathering tons of swing and miss. His secondary breaking ball and changeup still need work but flash incredible swing and miss stuff. If he can hold the walks at bay this is a diamond in the rough for the Met’s 2022 7th rounder.
Charlee Soto, Minnesota Twins
BATS: Switch | Throws: Right | Age: 19 | Pos: RHP
Wes Hughes: The unique combination of age, size, athleticism, and pure stuff just doesn’t show up in a single package like it does for Soto. The former shortstop-turned-starter touches 98-100 mph regularly with a splitter and other fringy to average secondary offerings. He pitched all of 2024 at Low-A Fort Myers after just turning 18 and proved his stuff could dominate. The knock-on Soto is his command where he walked 4.01/9, but pitchers this athletic normally figure it out as they mature. The ceiling for Soto is a top-end #2 or back-end #1 and the floor is an elite closer.
Anderson Brito, RHP, Houston Astros
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 19
Wes Hughes: Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the Astros turned an unknown international prospect into a potential stud. Brito looks like the next gem from Houston’s pitching factory, featuring a 96-98 mph fastball and a low-80s slider with heavy horizontal movement. While not physically imposing, he posted an impressive 13.8 K/9, 3.18 FIP, and 1.51 ERA across three levels, finishing at Low-A at age 19. Brito shows advanced pitching instincts for his age, and his first full season suggests he deserves a shot as a starter moving forward.
Emil Morales, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 18
Wes Hughes: Jesús Made grabbed attention from scouts and DSL-focused “gurus,” but Emil Morales outperformed him in nearly every category. The Dodgers prospect is praised for his work ethic and baseball IQ. As a teen, Morales led the DSL in homers, SLG, and OPS while adding 12 steals. More physically mature than Made, Morales is a lanky shortstop who might shift positions as he fills out. His plus bat speed projects power for a future at third base, offering tantalizing fantasy upside regardless of his position.
Top 100 Prospects
Brayden Taylor, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
BATS: Left
Throws: Right
Age: 22
Wes Hughes: Consider this blind comparison: Player A slashed .256/.353/.469 with 20 HRs, 33 SBs, and 144 Ks at AA. Player B posted .250/.365/.493 with 20 HRs, 29 SBs, and 141 Ks between A+ and AA. Player A is Carson Williams, the #4 prospect in baseball and a fellow Rays teammate. Player B is Brayden Taylor, ranked #60 among MLB prospects. While Williams, a year younger, offers elite defense, does that justify a 50+ spot difference in rankings? Offensively, Taylor matches Williams, and their overall profiles are strikingly similar. Projected to play 2B, 3B, or OF in MLB, Taylor’s well-rounded skill set is tantalizing and seemingly undervalued, despite his Top 100 status.
Sal Stewart, 3B/2B, Cincinnati Reds
BATS: Left
Throws: Right
Age: 21
Wes Hughes: Sal Stewart, drafted after Cam Collier in 2022, has seemingly surpassed him in both prospect status and production. Stewart is beginning to utilize his strong lower half to generate power and is learning to drive the ball to the opposite field. His profile and frame suggest increased power in his upcoming age-21 season, a trend that began in 2024. While he may lack the agility to remain at second base, he could settle into a corner position. His batting skills have rarely been in question, and he carries significant momentum into 2025.
Cam Smith, 3B, Houston Astros
BATS: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 22
Wes Hughes: The FSU product might have had the best debut from the 2024 draft than any other player, Christian Moore aside. Cam Smith slashed .313/.396/.609 while accruing 16 extra-base hits in the short stint. He has the looks of a future 35 HR corner bat with plus defense and a good strikeout rate. After an offseason trade to Houston for Kyle Tucker, Cam slots in as the Astros’ #1 Prospect. Isaac Paredes is slated to be the primary 3B, but I don’t think his path to opportunity changes. The Astros will find him at-bats when he is ready which could be sooner rather than later.
Jaison Chourio, OF, Cleveland Guardians
BATS: Switch
Throws: Right
Age: 19
Wes Hughes: Jaison Chourio might lack the raw power of his brother at the same age, but his all-around tools are impressive. His standout traits include excellent plate discipline and low strikeout rates, walking 86 times while striking out just 69 in 2024. At Low-A Lynchburg, he hit .270, showcasing his advanced approach. With room to grow physically, the switch-hitter could develop more power, complementing his already strong skill set. His ceiling projects as a .370+ OBP player with 20 home runs and 40+ steals.
Jackson Ferris, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
BATS: Left
Throws: Left
Age: 20
Wes Hughes: Jackson Ferris’ move from the Cubs to the Dodgers is exciting, given the Dodgers’ exceptional track record in pitcher development especially for lefties. His deceptive delivery enhances his 93-94 mph fastball, making all his pitches play up. Since being drafted out of IMG, Ferris has improved his slider and curveball while refining his delivery, resulting in better walk and strikeout rates. His floor is a reliable #4 starter or elite high-leverage reliever, while his ceiling is a top-end #2 or fringe ace.
Felnin Celesten, SS, Seattle Mariners
BATS: Switch
Throws: Right
Age: 19
Wes Hughes: Felnin Celesten is another standout in Seattle’s recent run of development success, despite his 2024 season being cut short by a hamate injury. Before the setback, he led many Complex League stats, hitting .352 with three home runs and four triples while showing solid defense and a strong arm. Ranked as the #2 international prospect in 2023 behind Ethan Salas, scouts touted the switch-hitter’s loud tools as the highest ceiling of any international shortstop prospect in a decade. Even at 19, Celesten has the potential to jump multiple levels in 2025 with a full, healthy season.
Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves
BATS: Left
Throws: Left
Age: 18
Wes Hughes: Cam Caminiti, the premier prep arm in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, boasts a mid-to-upper 90s fastball complemented by plus slider and curveball offerings. Praised for his maturity and makeup, the lanky left-hander, cousin of Ken Caminiti, also shows promise with a developing changeup and exhibits average to above-average command. Joining an organization renowned for exceptional pitcher development, Caminiti’s trajectory appears highly promising.
2025 Breakout Picks
Hitter: Wes Hughes and Demetrio Crisantes
Pitcher: Wes Hughes and Anderson Brito
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
