With spring coaching rolling, each crew has new gamers getting acclimated to their new setting.
Forward of the common season, Yardbarker MLB writers determine one new face on each NL crew who may make a serious affect in 2025. (2024 regular-season information are in parentheses.)
NL East
ATLANTA BRAVES (89-73) | LF Jurickson Profar | After a profession yr wherein he was named an All-Star for the Padres, Profar can attain new heights with the Braves. He’ll possible be the popular left fielder over Jarred Kelenic, who batted simply .231 in 2024.
MIAMI MARLINS (62-100) | 1B Matt Mervis | He’s most likely essentially the most vital addition to The Fish, who weren’t lively this offseason. A former Cubs prospect, he’ll carry stability to first base and certain obtain common enjoying time that may support his improvement.
NEW YORK METS (89-73) | RF Juan Soto | This goes with out saying, proper? Soto, who blasted 41 homers final season for the Yankees, is likely one of the finest gamers in Main League Baseball and may rework a crew together with his offensive prowess — if the beginning rotation avoids falling aside earlier than Opening Day.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (95-67) | Left-hander Jesus Luzardo | In his spring coaching debut Friday, Luzardo hit 96-98 mph on his fastball and appeared like he hadn’t missed a beat after an injury-plagued 2024. He makes the beginning rotation even stronger.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (71-91) | 1B Nathaniel Lowe | A 2023 World Sequence champion with the Texas Rangers, Lowe brings one thing the Nats sorely lack: postseason expertise. He’s additionally a former Gold Glover at first base and a Silver Slugger. — Lauren Amour
NL West
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (89-73) | Proper-hander Corbin Burnes | A powerful rotation bought even higher this offseason when the crew signed Burnes to a six-year, $210M deal. The 2021 Cy Younger Award winner will probably be a key issue as Arizona tries to maintain up with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres within the NL West arms race.
COLORADO ROCKIES (61-101) | 2B Thairo Estrada | The Rockies jettisoned Gold Glove winner Brendan Rodgers and opened a spot at second base for Estrada, who struggled with accidents and manufacturing on the plate final season. With the San Francisco Giants, he produced an OPS+ of 102 or greater (100 is taken into account league common) within the three seasons earlier than 2024. The Rockies are banking on a return to that degree in 2025.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (98-64) | Left-hander Blake Snell | It’s arduous to choose from a star-studded lineup, however touchdown a former Cy Younger Award winner who gained the dignity whereas with L.A.’s most heated rival (San Diego) is a plus for the defending world champions. Snell’s 11.2 strikeouts per 9 innings is an all-time mark for an MLB starter as he enters his tenth season.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (93-69) | Proper-hander Nick Pivetta | The Padres have been quiet within the offseason till mid-February, once they signed Pivetta to a four-year, $55M deal. After spending the previous 5 seasons with the Boston Pink Sox, Pivetta is a key piece of what could possibly be a deep and proficient rotation.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (80-82) | Proper-hander Justin Verlander | Getting into his twentieth MLB season, the three-time Cy Younger Award winner will probably be part of a three-headed veteran monster on the high of the rotation, becoming a member of Robbie Ray and Logan Webb. Coming off a season with the Astros wherein he made simply 17 begins due to harm and posted a 5.38 ERA, Verlander is motivated to redeem himself. — Kevin Henry
NL Central
CHICAGO CUBS (83-79) | OF Kyle Tucker | The Cubs put collectively a large commerce bundle to accumulate the three-time All-Star outfielder, sending 2024 All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes, third baseman and No. 59 prospect Cam Smith and right-hander Hayden Wesneski to the Astros. After ending second within the NL Central final season, the Cubs have taken the boldest step towards bettering amongst division groups.
CINCINNATI REDS (77-85) | 2B Gavin Lux | Revamping its infield, Cincinnati traded for the 27-year-old second baseman to fill the void left by Jonathan India, who was traded to the Kansas Metropolis Royals in November. Lux is coming off a season with the Dodgers wherein he posted a .251/.320/.383 slash line, hit 10 house runs and recorded 50 RBI in 139 video games.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (93-69) | Left-hander Nestor Cortes | After buying and selling two-time NL Reliever of the Yr Devin Williams to the New York Yankees, the Brewers acquired Cortes as a key return within the deal. Coming off a season with a 3.77 ERA, Cortes, 30, is anticipated to step into the No. 2 spot within the beginning rotation.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (76-86) | 1B Spencer Horwitz | First base has been a revolving door for the Pirates, who head into their sixth straight season with a unique participant beginning on the place. However Pittsburgh seems to have discovered a long-term answer in Horwitz, who comes with six years of crew management. Though he’s anticipated to primarily play first base, Horwitz has the flexibility to play second base, too.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (83-79) | Hitting coach Brant Brown | The Cardinals remain the only team to not make any roster additions during the offseason. Although no new players will be on the diamond, the Cardinals hired Brown — a MLB player from 1996-2000 and bench coach with the Seattle Mariners in 2024 — as their new hitting coach. — Taylor Bretl
