Hitter Profiles: Reading Between The Lines

We are a full three days into the regular season and rolling into our first hitter profiles of the 2025 campaign. While it’s still very early, any reaction to actual performance should be taken with a significant grain of salt. Managers have invested heavily in their high-round picks, and even with slow starts, it’s important to give those players a chance to earn their keep. On the flip side, these early free-agent days are often when savvy owners make moves by cutting the last player on the bench for a flier showing increased skill or playing time. This week, we’re jumping around the league over the first few days of the season to dissect lineup choices and how they impact the value of our hitters. Spring training often gives us a glimpse of managerial preferences, but once the regular season starts, we get a true feel for where a player will hit in the lineup. Buckle up for this quick-hitter version of hitter profiles as we circle the bases like the Yankees facing Nestor Cortes.

Leading Off

Hitting at the top of the order is a valuable opportunity for a fantasy hitter. While it may come at the cost of knocking in a few runs, the penalty for the leadoff spot isn’t what it once was due to the league-wide designated hitter rule. Leading off provides additional at-bats and opportunities to steal bases, boosting fantasy value. Let’s dive into a few players impacted by this role in the early going:

• Austin Wells led off on Opening Day in an unconventional move by the Yankees against the Milwaukee Brewers. Wells became the first Yankees catcher to hit a leadoff home run on Opening Day. He did not lead off a single game in 2024 and was back in the lineup hitting sixth behind Anthony Volpe on Saturday, adding to the Yankees’ welcome-back party for Nestor Cortes with the fourth homer of the first inning in the Bronx. Either way, Wells looks like he will be an integral part of the Yankees’ lineup and has looked very comfortable at the plate for a guy who was the twelfth catcher off the board.
• Lars Nootbaar has led off for the Cardinals in the first two games of the season, something he did not do once in 2024. This is welcome news for Nootbaar’s outlook, as his patient plate approach should give him more at-bats, opportunities on base, and a slight uptick in runs scored and stolen bases. With the Cardinals’ lineup being a bit of a question mark early in 2025, increased opportunities for one of our favorite breakout candidates is promising.
• Kyle Schwarber was the Phillies’ leadoff hitter for the entirety of the 2024 season. However, on Opening Day this season, he was slotted into the cleanup position before returning to the leadoff spot in the second game. This spring, most of his at-bats came at the top of the lineup, but he also had a few appearances in the fourth spot. For a 40-homer bat, sitting in the middle of a strong Phillies lineup would be a welcome change to pad his run-production stats while not losing too many at-bats. The best bet is that we will see him primarily in the leadoff spot, but this is an interesting early development that could have his arrow pointing up.

Power Alley

Hitting in the middle of the lineup is often the best spot for a hitter, as it maximizes run-producing opportunities and signifies trust from the team. Stronger lineup protection forces the opposition to pitch in the zone to avoid free passes. A handful of players are seeing their first opportunities in the heart of the order, and we should be excited about their season long prospects:

• Gavin Lux was acquired by the Reds for a competitive balance draft pick and a fringe prospect this offseason. For the Dodgers last season, Lux batted in the cleanup spot only once. However, the Reds have been impressed by his spring performance, where he hit .300 with a pair of homers and three steals. This is intriguing for a change-of-scenery player who could benefit from increased run-producing opportunities behind Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz.
• Spencer Torkelson seemed to be falling out of favor with the Tigers this offseason, with the first base job going to Colt Keith. A blistering spring with five homers and a wRC+ of 172 forced the Tigers to give him opportunities. Early returns suggest his confidence at the plate is carrying over to the regular season. Considering that he was slipping into the bottom third of the lineup at the end of 2024, hitting in the heart of the order is a boost to both his confidence and counting stats.
• Jackson Merrill started in the fifth spot on Opening Day and moved to cleanup for Game 2. Last season, he spent most of his rookie year in the bottom third of the lineup, limiting his run-production opportunities. His breakout 2024 campaign suggested he was ready for more, and seeing him get a shot in the cleanup spot is great news. More plate appearances and run-producing chances indicate another big season ahead for Merrill.
• Tommy Edman hit second during the Japan Series but has been in the middle of the order since returning stateside. He has already shown off his power with two early homers. Generally hitting in the bottom third last season, his new role in the Dodgers’ powerful lineup is a vote of confidence from Dave Roberts and a boost to his fantasy production. For a player traditionally light on RBIs, this is an exciting development.

Ninth Hole Potential

The ninth spot can serve as a second leadoff role, a hiding place for a weak hitter, or a proving ground for future talent. Hitters in the middle of the lineup often face more off-speed pitches, while bottom-of-the-order hitters tend to see more fastballs which may provide opportunities for value. Here are a few intriguing names who have opened the season at the bottom of their team’s lineups:

• Jackson Holliday hit ninth on Opening Day for the Orioles. After a challenging 2024 season, his spring performance was much more encouraging. Holliday has already responded with his first homer of the season, suggesting a much better start in 2025. There’s still growth needed, but his top prospect pedigree is starting to shine through.
• Masyn Winn was primarily the Cardinals’ leadoff hitter in the second half of last season. However, in 2025, he has been hitting at the bottom of the lineup after a dreadful spring in which he collected only four hits in 50 at-bats. If the Cardinals’ confidence in him is wavering, fantasy owners should take note, as a prolonged stay at the bottom of the order would significantly impact his production.
• Jacob Wilson has started the 2025 season in the nine-hole after a brief stint in the majors in 2024. Wilson may be one of the purest hitters in the league, with an elite contact rate illustrated by his 2024 minor league contact rate exceeded 99%, and he posted a 100% rate in the majors compared to the league-wide average of 82%. While not the most exciting profile, his strong average and potential for low double-digit power make him a cheaper, potentially more valuable version of Luis Arraez. It will be interesting to see how long Wilson remains at the bottom of the Athletics’ lineup.

The early days of the season always present opportunities to identify trends and potential breakout players. Keep an eye on lineup decisions and stay ahead of your competition by making timely adjustments. Fantasy championships aren’t won in April, but smart moves now can set you up for success later.