Meet The 9 Breakout MLB Hitters Of 2025
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In a series of MLB predictions and preview posts, BA’s editorial staff goes on record with their bold—and not so bold—thoughts about what’s to come in the 2025 season.
We begin with the question: Who will be the biggest breakout hitter of the 2025 season?
Our prognosticators this year are Ben Badler, Jesús Cano, Mark Chiarelli, Carlos Collazo, J.J. Cooper, Matt Eddy, Josh Norris, Geoff Pontes and Dylan White.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs
Ben Badler: Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is an elite defender at a premium position. We know that’s not changing. He also hit just .237/.286/.384 last year in his first full major league season. Coming into his age-23 campaign, there’s a lot more offensive potential for him to tap into, and if he can unlock it this year, he will be one of the most valuable center fielders in the game.
Lawrence Butler, OF, Athletics
Jesús Cano: Lawrence Butler was arguably one of the hottest hitters in the second half of the past season, but because he played on the A’s you didn’t hear much about him. After getting sent down to Triple-A in May, Butler worked on his mechanics and the results showed. He slashed .302/.346/.597 (.943 OPS) with 20 home runs, 49 RBIs in his final 73 games. At just 24, he just signed a seven-year, $65.5 million extension. Don’t be surprised if he gets an all-star selection in his hometown of Atlanta.
Michael Toglia, 1B, Rockies
Mark Chiarelli: Michael Toglia quietly hit 25 homers last year, and I think there’s more in the tank. Toglia hits the ball very hard when he makes contact. His 50% hard-hit percentage ranked 10th among hitters 26 years old or younger with 200+ appearances last year, and his 17.3% barrel percentage was in the 98th percentile of all major league hitters. But making contact isn’t a given for Toglia considering he struck out nearly a third of the time.
Still, he made better swing decisions once he settled in midway through the season and has always taken plenty of walks. Toglia also hit 17 of his 25 homers on the road, so he hasn’t even fully tapped into Coors Field. Long-levered switch-hitters sometimes take longer to marinate in the big leagues. Toglia’s never going to hit for high averages, but he has plenty of runway to continue to hone in his approach and swing plane in a rebuilding Rockies lineup.
Kristian Campbell, 2B, Red Sox
J.J. Cooper: Kristian Campbell is one of the top prospects in baseball, but it’s still notable any time a rookie makes an immediate impact. Campbell should be a 3+ WAR player this year and be a fixture for Boston for years to come.
Juan Brito, 2B, Guardians
Carlos Collazo: Juan Brito gets overlooked in a deep system of Cleveland prospects, but he’s a well-rounded hitter who has been an above-average hitter throughout his minor league career. He slashed .256/.365/.443 with 21 home runs and 40 doubles in Triple-A in 2024. Now that Andres Gimenez is playing for Toronto, there’s a path to playing time for him at second base before presumed second baseman of the future Travis Bazzana takes over.
James Wood, OF, Nationals
Matt Eddy: If we consider Jackson Chourio and his 20-20 season as a 20-year-old to be sufficiently broken out, then I’ll go with Nationals left fielder James Wood. The 6-foot-7 lefthanded hitter led all Triple-A prospects with a 176 wRC+ last season and then flashed exciting signs in the second half as one of just a half-dozen 21-and-under big league regulars. While Wood’s strikeout rate spiked against MLB pitchers, his hard-hit rate, chase rate and walk rate all looked good to go. Twenty-five homers and a .350 OBP are in play for Wood this season as a 22-year-old.
Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays
Josh Norris: Junior Caminero had an outstanding winter in the Dominican Republic and is still just 21 years old. He might take some lumps early, but his elite impact will help him vault into the upper tier of the sport.
Victor Robles, OF, Mariners
Geoff Pontes: After being left for dead by the Nationals when he was released on June 1, 2024, Victor Robles signed on with the Mariners three days later and found himself rejuvenated. He joined the Mariners everyday lineup almost immediately and produced a .328/.393/.467 batting line over 77 games. As the season progressed, Robles found himself hitting more hard, airborne contact in the form of line drives and fly balls.
Adjustments to his bat path showed in his improved launch angles, which had become increasingly flat in recent years. Robles barrel rate of 6.8% post release was the highest of his career to date. His hard hit rate of 29%+ was a noticeable jump from his career average up to that point. Blessed with speed and solid defensive abilities, Robles earned a two-year extension leading up to the 2025 season. With ample opportunity and real tangible changes to his swing, I believe Robles could be 2025’s breakout hitter.
Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals
Dylan White: Lars Nootbaar has quietly put up a 116 wRC+ in nearly 1400 career plate appearances. Heading into his age-27 season, he should be firmly entrenched in the top half of the Cardinal batting lineup where he can put his perennially red Statcast lollipops to good use. It’s not the flashiest profile, but a 4-WAR season is within reach.
