This week, our Hitter Profiles take a deeper dive into some under-the-radar prospects who should be on fantasy managers’ radars heading into the 2025 season. For our purposes, we’re focusing on players who have yet to debut at the major league level. Of course, the big names—Kristian Campbell, Coby Mayo, and Roman Anthony—are getting plenty of attention. But we’re here to spotlight the lesser-known players who could make an impact in redraft leagues. These are the late-round heroes you’re looking for while everyone else is swooning over the top-tier prospects. Hitting the lottery on one of these guys might just plug that early-season injury hole or give your bench a much-needed boost. We all love prospecting, so let’s kick off our Hitter Profiles with the hope of big returns in the 2025 fantasy baseball season.
Drake Baldwin (C – Atlanta Braves)
Baldwin enters his age-24 season after being selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2022 draft out of Missouri State. He’ll be in big league camp this spring, competing for a roster spot with Chadwick Tromp and Curt Casali. No disrespect to those guys, but there’s little standing in Baldwin’s way when it comes to breaking camp with Atlanta. The bigger challenge will be carving out playing time, whether behind the plate (where Sean Murphy had his struggles in 2024) or at DH, where Marcell Ozuna remains entrenched. But in fantasy baseball, it’s often wise to bet on skills and let playing time work itself out. A half-season’s worth of at-bats in Atlanta isn’t out of the question.
So, should we care? Absolutely. In 2024, across Double-A and Triple-A, Baldwin played 124 games, slashing .276 with 16 homers and 88 RBIs. He was one of just three players in the minors to hit .275+ with 15+ homers, a strikeout rate under 20%, and a walk rate over 10%—all while reaching Triple-A before turning 23. The others? Matt Shaw and Kristian Campbell. Thanks to Triple-A Statcast data, we also have a glimpse into Baldwin’s quality of contact. Among Triple-A hitters with at least 150 plate appearances, Baldwin ranked second in exit velocity (trailing only Junior Caminero) and fifth in expected batting average. There’s a lot to like about what he’s doing in the minors, and once he gets the playing time he deserves, he profiles as a high-floor, high-ceiling option.
Cooper Bowman (UTIL – Cincinnati Reds)
Bowman was selected by the Reds with the seventh pick in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, and it’s easy to see why. He played center field, second base, third base, and shortstop last season—versatility that should help him stick on Cincinnati’s roster. At the plate, Bowman slashed .262 with 12 homers, 83 runs, 70 RBIs, and an eye-popping 43 stolen bases (on 49 attempts). His approach was equally strong, with an 11% walk rate and a 21% strikeout rate, signaling a disciplined hitter who can contribute across multiple categories.
Looking at Cincinnati’s depth chart, Bowman should have a strong chance to break camp with the Reds due to his versatility and the team’s thin bench. Beating out someone like Santiago Espinal isn’t a momentous task, and with several platoon bats in the lineup, it’s easy to envision Bowman getting at-bats throughout the season. All it takes is a hot start in spring training for Bowman to carve out a meaningful role—one that could turn into an everyday gig in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball. He’s a deep sleeper to keep an eye on this spring.
Alan Roden (OF – Toronto Blue Jays)
The Blue Jays named Alan Roden their 2024 Minor League Player of the Year, and for good reason. The former third-round pick out of Creighton is a true five-tool player with plus skills across the board. Last season, Roden slashed .293 with 16 homers, 72 runs, 76 RBIs, and 14 steals (on 15 attempts) in 125 games. If we use the same statistical filters from Baldwin’s profile—.275+ average, 15+ homers, a K% under 20%, and a BB% over 10%—but expand the age to 24, Roden is the only other prospect who fits the bill and has not yet debuted in the majors.
Statcast data further confirms his strong plate skills, with Roden ranking in the top 10th percentile in approach and wOBA among Triple-A hitters. But what really makes Roden intriguing is his opportunity. He has been invited to big league camp, and there’s an outfield spot waiting to be claimed. As it stands, only Myles Straw stands in his way, with Daulton Varsho recovering from injury. Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins recently singled out Roden as the prospect he’s most excited to see this spring:
“I’ll single out and put some pressure on Alan Roden—he’s done so much to put himself in a position to move through the system quickly. The way he goes about his job—the contact rates, the shape of his offense, the fact that it’s both sides of the ball and base running, stealing bases, plays defense at a solid level—very physical with upside through power. He’s an exciting piece, and hopefully, I haven’t put too much pressure on him.”
That’s some high praise from the front office, and with a real shot at an everyday role in 2025, Roden needs to be on more fantasy radars.
