Anyone can have an off-season for any number of years. But what if that bad season was actually the start of a viable trend? Today, let’s take a look at some hitters who have struggled in 2025 and try to reason about whether they would be good investments in fantasy baseball for the new season.
Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers
In 2025, Betts had the worst season of his career, recording lows in all three slash categories and stealing just eight bases. His fantasy value is bolstered by durability (he played 150 games) and circumstance (he scored 95 points and drove in 82 runs, driven by capable teammates). His bat velocity has dropped significantly in recent years, and his metrics, which were hit hard last season, have fallen into trouble territory.
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Player improvement isn’t always linear, but player decline is almost always linear. Betts still has the mentality and approach of a winning player, but as he enters his age-33 season, his days of MVP contention may be behind him. I need him to get to the fourth round before I get tempted.
Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pirates
After four years of consistent fantasy production, Reynolds has declined for much of 2025, with his OPS+ dropping to 99 and his power and steals also dropping significantly. Shoulder injuries also played a role – although Reynolds played through the injury, he was permanently out of the running game for the final four months. His bat was more up to career standards in the second half (.276/.364/.453), and the Pirates improved their 2026 lineup. Reynolds’ Yahoo ADP is 181.7, which feels like a solid value.
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Salvador Perez, center, Royals
Although Perez maintained his power statistics last year, his average dropped to .236 and his OBP dropped to .284, which are concerning trends in his age-35 season. But Perez had bad luck — his batting statistics suggested he should have maintained a .269 average and .534 slugging percentage (88 points higher than he actually was).
The Royals gave Perez plenty of time at DH and occasional starts at first base, so he wouldn’t be burdened with catching the ball all the time. Perez should also enjoy the arrival (and drop) of the Kansas City fence and the upgraded roster around him. I know it’s not easy to bet on a catcher this age, but Perez is a target with a 95.9 Yahoo ADP.
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Willie Adams, SS, Giants
Adams picked the perfect time for his career — he’s ranked as the 15th-best fantasy hitter in 2024, coinciding with his free-agent journey. San Francisco’s lackluster numbers last season were predictable, a combination of the size of the stadium and the pressure of a massive contract.
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But Adames seemed to adjust to his new surroundings by the middle of the year, hitting 21 home runs since July 1 and stealing eight bases in the past two months. Adams’ hitting ability and the spaciousness of the home field will always make batting average an issue, but you can cash in with an affordable ADP of 105.1.
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Gleyber Torres, 2B, Tigers
Torres seems to have settled into the useful but boring parts of his career — respectable average, a few homers, the occasional steal. But last year’s shipments may have been unlucky when it comes to parts. Torres improved his walk rate and lowered his strikeout rate, earning a .462 slugging percentage based on contact quality, but his baseball card back had a .387 slugging percentage. With any luck, we might see a 23-26 home run season.
The Tigers would be wise to keep Torres, and his sharp eye should keep him at No. 2 in the lineup all year. Yahoo Rooms offers him a cheap ticket at 183.4 ADP.
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Yordan Alvarez, OF, Astros
Last year, Alvarez suffered hand and ankle injuries that limited him to just two months of the season, and when he was able to play, he didn’t get much enjoyment (a career-low 121 OPS+ with just six home runs). The previous year, Alvarez was plagued by hand, arm and oblique injuries and performed well enough to finish ninth in MVP voting despite playing in 147 games.
Alvarez has the wink of an angel but the body of an old man, and Houston’s roster no longer has the generous float of its glory days. Alvarez still has a top-40 pick and is not in my draft plans.
Luis Robert Jr., OF, Mets
Robert has had two poor seasons, with a series of injuries keeping him out for about a third of the time. But his on-base percentage did go up significantly last year, and at least he hit 14 homers and 33 steals in just 110 games. While a .223/.297/.364 slash line looks depressing, he had some unlucky results, with a 23-run average and an unfortunate 62-run slugging percentage. He’s on a better team, he’s still only 28 years old, and his ADP is a reasonable 152.0.
Robert is not a circled target on my board, but I’ll keep an open mind when his spot becomes available.
