The Yahoo Fantasy Baseball Dream Team: A Deep Dive into the 2025 Mock Draft
The Yahoo Fantasy Baseball crew has assembled their very first mock draft for the 2025 season, offering a glimpse into the strategies and preferences of some of the most respected minds in the fantasy baseball community. Andy Behrens, Scott Pianowski, Fred Zinkie, and Dalton Del Don each bring their unique insights to the table, ensuring that this mock draft is both informative and highly entertaining. From powerhouse hitters to up-and-coming stars, the picks reveal a mix of tried-and-true veterans and promising young talent. Let’s take a closer look at the top 12 selections and what they mean for your 2025 fantasy lineup.
The Unmatched Utility of Shohei Ohtani
At the top of the draft, Andy Behrens selected Shohei Ohtani as the utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani has consistently defied expectations, combining elite hitting and pitching skills that make him a fantasy goldmine. Despite previous warnings against drafting a utility player too early, Ohtani’s ceiling is so high that positional concerns are almost irrelevant. His ability to contribute in multiple categories, whether on the mound or at the plate, makes him the ultimate fantasy asset. Ohtani’s unique talent and consistency are undeniable, making him a no-brainer for the first pick.
The Rising Star: Bobby Witt Jr.
Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals was the second pick, also chosen by Andy Behrens. At just 24 years old, Witt Jr. has already established himself as a premium shortstop with a well-rounded skill set. He finished among the category leaders in every significant stat last season, making him a virtual lock to produce 30 home runs, 30 steals, and a .300 batting average. His youth and position scarcity add to his value, making him a cornerstone for any fantasy team. Witt Jr.’s consistency and potential for growth make him a safe and reliable choice in the early rounds.
The Powerhouse Hitter: Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees took the third pick, again selected by Andy Behrens. Judge’s 58-home run performance in the most recent season was impressive, but it wasn’t even his single-season career high. His weapons-grade power is complemented by a high on-base percentage (.406 OBP), making him a formidable force in the batter’s box. Judge’s ability to hit for both power and average, combined with his reliability, makes him a top-three pick in almost any draft. His status as one of the best hitters in the game is well-deserved and well-recognized.
The All-Around Talent: Gunnar Henderson
Scott Pianowski chose Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles as the fourth pick. Henderson, at just 23 years old, has already demonstrated his dominance in all five categories. His Baseball Savant page is a testament to his well-rounded skills, showing a balanced offensive profile with a knack for hitting for both power and average. Henderson’s performance last season was nothing short of stellar, and his potential for further growth is immense. Pianowski sees him as a perfect player and a perfect fantasy pick, making him a strong choice for the early rounds.
The Breakout Star: Elly De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds was the fifth pick, also chosen by Scott Pianowski. De La Cruz showed significant improvement across the board in his last season, with more walks, fewer strikeouts, and a better overall slash line. He led the majors in both steals and stolen base attempts, making him a dynamic baserunning threat. Entering his age-23 season, De La Cruz plays in a hitter-friendly park, which could further enhance his production. Pianowski sees him as a player with moon-shot potential, making him a high-risk, high-reward pick early in the draft.
The Five-Category Monster: José Ramírez
José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians was the sixth pick, again chosen by Scott Pianowski. Ramírez is a five-category monster at the notoriously thin third base position, making him a valuable asset in any fantasy lineup. He continued to produce at a high level in his age-31 season, showing no signs of slowing down. While his running ability may eventually decline, it hasn’t been an issue yet. Ramírez’s consistency and all-around skill set make him a strong first-round pick, providing a solid foundation for any team.
The Contract Year Wonder: Kyle Tucker
Fred Zinkie selected Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs as the seventh pick. Tucker has already demonstrated his speed with 30 steals and showed significant improvement in his power skills last season. Heading into a contract year, Tucker has the motivation to perform at his best, making him a player with considerable upside. Zinkie sees enough potential in Tucker to consider him as early as the fourth pick, highlighting his ability to contribute in multiple categories and his potential for a breakout year.
The Elite Table-Setter: Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the eighth pick, chosen by Fred Zinkie. Betts is a table-setter with an elite batting eye, playing for one of the best teams in baseball. He is a virtual lock to be among the league leaders in runs and RBIs, making him a valuable asset in any fantasy lineup. While he experienced a power dip in the 2024 season, his overall skill set and the support of a strong team make him a top-10 player. Zinkie believes that a return to form is likely, making Betts a safe and reliable pick.
The Risky High-Return Pick: Corbin Carroll
Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks was the ninth pick, chosen by Fred Zinkie. Carroll is the riskiest pick of the first round, with his inconsistent performance and a recent power stroke recovery in the second half of 2024. However, he is already among baseball’s best base stealers, and his potential for growth is significant. Zinkie sees Carroll as a high-risk, high-reward player, making him a compelling choice for those willing to take a chance on his upside.
The Move Across New York: Juan Soto
Dalton Del Don selected Juan Soto of the New York Mets as the tenth pick. Soto’s move to the Mets comes with a downgrade in home parks, but he actually produced more outside of Yankee Stadium last season. Soto’s status as one of the best hitters in baseball remains unchanged, and his ability to hit for both power and average makes him a valuable asset. Del Don sees Soto as a top-tier player, making him a strong pick even with the change in venue.
The Young Star on the Rise: Julio Rodríguez
Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners was the eleventh pick, chosen by Dalton Del Don. Injuries and perennial slow starts have contributed to Rodríguez’s disappointing 2024 season, and playing in MLB’s best pitcher’s park adds to his challenges. However, Rodríguez is just one season removed from a 30/30 performance at 22 years old, indicating significant upside. Del Don sees Rodríguez as a player with enormous potential, making him a valuable pick for those willing to take a chance on his future success.
The Return of Power: Fernando Tatís Jr.
Fernando Tatís Jr. of the San Diego Padres was the twelfth pick, chosen by Dalton Del Don. Tatís Jr.’s power has been affected by shoulder surgery, but it started to return in the final two months of an injury-plagued 2024 season. At 26 years old, Tatís Jr. still has plenty of time to reclaim his place as one of baseball’s premier power hitters. Del Don sees him as a player with significant upside, making him a strong pick for those looking for a high-reward player with a track record of success.
Conclusion: Building the Perfect 2025 Fantasy Team
The 2025 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball mock draft offers a compelling mix of established stars and emerging talent, providing a blueprint for building a strong and balanced team. From the unmatched utility of Shohei Ohtani to the rising star of Bobby Witt Jr., the picks highlight the importance of versatility, consistency, and potential. As the draft progresses, the choices become more nuanced, balancing risk and reward to maximize overall team performance. Whether you’re a seasoned fantasy veteran or a newcomer, this mock draft provides valuable insights and strategies to help you dominate the 2025 season.
