Hope springs everlasting for many baseball followers throughout spring coaching.
Yardbarker MLB writers, nevertheless, are right here to ship downers: Nationwide League gamers who’re due for a regression this season. (2024 information for every workforce are in parentheses.)
NL East
ATLANTA BRAVES (89-73) | DH Marcell Ozuna | A 39-homer, 104-RBI marketing campaign in 2024 noticed Ozuna named an All-Star for the third time in his profession. However as he enters his age-34 season in 2025, how for much longer can his energy be relied on?
MIAMI MARLINS (62-100) | Infielder Xavier Edwards | It’s slim pickings on the Marlins for regression candidates. Edwards had a .328 batting common final season, however his .398 BABIP (batting common on balls in play) suggests he skilled luck final season and the BA in all probability is not sustainable.
NEW YORK METS (89-73) | 3B Mark Vientos | Few anticipated Vientos to launch 27 homers final season, however he shortly turned a drive within the lineup. If his breakout yr was a flash within the pan, former high prospect Brett Baty may problem him at third base.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (95-67) | LHP Matt Strahm | Strahm has had two wonderful seasons with the Phillies (2.69 ERA) and is a workhorse of their bullpen. Nevertheless, he has struggled throughout spring coaching and a shoulder damage threatens his standing for Opening Day.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (71-91) | RHP Kyle Finnegan | The Nats re-signed their All-Star nearer Feb. 27 after he posted a profession excessive in saves (38) final season and was named an All-Star. At 33, he might have reached his peak. That mentioned, for now, the nearer’s function remains to be his to lose. — Lauren Amour
NL West
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (89-73) | 2B Ketel Marte | The 31-year-old had the very best statistical season of his 10-year MLB profession final season, so staying at that torrid tempo could also be troublesome. Marte posted 5.8 offensive bWAR in 2024, properly above his 162-game profession common of 4.4, indicating the Diamondbacks might even see a slight dip from him this season.
COLORADO ROCKIES (61-101) | CF Brenton Doyle | A two-time Gold Glove winner, Doyle made large strides on the plate final season, together with slashing his strikeout share from 35 p.c in 2023 to 25.4 p.c in 2024. With Doyle more likely to slide into the leadoff function in Denver this season, will his plate disciple and manufacturing keep at a excessive degree?
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (98-64) | DH Shohei Ohtani | It could appear sacrilegious to debate the reigning Nationwide League MVP as a candidate for regression in 2025, however his record-setting season of 54 homers and 59 stolen bases goes to be arduous to high. Ohtani could also be MLB’s model of Superman, however a possible return to the mound on this season could also be sufficient to gradual his offensive momentum.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (93-69) | CF Jackson Merrill | The 21-year-old surpassed each expectation of him as he took over middle area for the Padres. After posting 24 homers and 90 RBI on his technique to an OPS+ of 127 as a rookie, Merrill might take a step again.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (80-82) | 3B Matt Chapman | The 31-year-old defied expectations final season, posting 7.1 bWAR in his first season with the Giants. That marked the primary time since 2019 he had surpassed 7.0 bWAR in a season (a stretch through which he hadn’t topped 4.4 in a season), which means a downturn could also be coming. — Kevin Henry
NL Central
CHICAGO CUBS (83-79) | RHP Ryan Pressly | Pressly, 36, is heading into his thirteenth yr within the majors and coming off a season in Houston through which he confirmed indicators of age. His strikeouts per 9 innings, a statistic that was as much as 12.1 simply two seasons in the past, was in single digits (9.2) for the primary time since 2017.
CINCINNATI REDS (77-85) | RHP Alexis Diaz | Diaz entered 2024 seeking to bounce again from a droop after a stellar rookie season (1.84 ERA and a 32.7 p.c strikeout price), however his performance declined further. His ERA ballooned to three.99, with strikeouts dropping to 22.7 p.c and walks climbing to 12.8 p.c.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (93-69) | OF Blake Perkins | Coming off a season as a finalist for the Gold Glove Award, Perkins suffered a shin fracture in follow and is predicted to be out till Might. Already in a crowded outfield room (Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell), he may fall into the shadows of the core.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (76-86) | LHP Bailey Falter | In 2024, he posted a 4.43 ERA in 142.1 innings and simply 97 strikeouts. Towards the top of 2024, he regressed, posting a 5.70 ERA over his last nine outings.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (83-79) | RHP Erick Fedde | After a midseason commerce to the Cardinals, the 32-year-old struggled to duplicate his kind from the White Sox (9-9 in 31 begins). With St. Louis, he went 2-5 in 10 begins and declined in practically all statistical classes. — Taylor Bretl
