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5 most underrated baseball players of MLB 2025

5 most underrated baseball players of MLB 2025

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 29, 2025, 01:08 IST

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Major League Baseball has many talented players. Some players like Jose Ramirez consistently perform well but are underrated. Lawrence Butler received a contract extension. Christian Walker is known for his defense. Jarren Duran excels in multiple areas. Kyle Tucker outperformed Juan Soto in key stats. These players contribute significantly to their teams. Their consistent performance might earn them recognition.

5 most underrated baseball players of MLB 2025

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Amid all the whiz-bang attention grabbed by stars like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in the high-octane world of Major League Baseball, several players put together a sustained excellence that doesn't receive their due. So, as we move through the 2025 season, let’s take a look at five such underrated players who are providing meaningful production for their teams.

José Ramírez, the perennial underappreciated star

A six-time All-Star who has placed in the top 10 of M.V.P. voting seven times, José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians somehow still flies under the radar. And in 2024, he came close to becoming the first player in history to reach 40-40-40: 41 stolen bases, 39 home runs, and 39 doubles. He’s reliable day in and day out and provides leadership as well as stability to a team that still isn’t over the top, but he is one of the better players the league nearly always forgets about.

Emerging talents making their mark in Major League Baseball

Several young players are stepping up and proving their worth in the 2025 season:

Lawrence Butler, Oakland Athletics: Still just 24, Butler seemed to show what he was all about after the All-Star break in 2024, hitting 17 of his 22 dingers after July and slugging .938 OPS in 66 games. His play was rewarded with a seven-year, $65.5 million extension, an early indication from the team that they believe in his long-term contributions.

Christian Walker, Houston Astros: Walker has power, but he’s known for his defense at first base, with some gold glove hardware and an average of 29 homers per 162 games. Yet, somehow, he’s still one of baseball’s most underrecognized figures, especially after his three-year, $60 million deal with the Astros.

Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox: Duran did a little bit of everything in 2024 — and for his career — leading Gamecocks in hits (191), doubles (48), triples (14), and runs (111). He was key in Boston but often a sidelight beside bigger names around the league.

Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs: Since being dealt by the Astros, Tucker has been a steady force on offense. He outhit Juan Soto in slugging percentage and OPS in 2024 despite appearing in fewer games. That performance level is elite, and he doesn’t always get the credit he deserves.

Also Read: MLB Report: Kansas City Royals eye Josh Hammond and Mason Neville in bold 2025 MLB Draft movePlayers like these, who truly represent the incredibly deep level of talent in MLB, performers who might not get the same acclaim as the marquee stars, but who are consistent, high-quality performers, just like the guys who were out there. And as the season wears on, their relentless quality might result in them earning the recognition they’ve always worked towards.

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About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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