Under the Radar, Over the Fence: 6 Breakouts Defining the Season

From rookies like Jacob Wilson to late bloomers like Kris Bubic, we break down six of the biggest breakout players shaping the 2025 MLB season — and what’s making them thrive. Edition #254

The Sports Summit is back, and this time, we’re stepping onto the diamond.

If you’ve followed this series before, you know the drill: every quarter, I team up with some of the sharpest minds in sports media to tackle one big conversation. Smart takes, fresh perspectives, and the kind of back-and-forth that makes sports fun.

Last time, it was a debate with Vinh Cao over the Conn Smythe Trophy, and if you missed that, you’ll want to head here. But today, it’s all about baseball’s biggest breakout players.

Which names are turning heads?

To help me break it all down, I’m joined by BallPark Buzz, one of my favorite voices in the Red Sox world and someone who brings insight, stats, and storytelling in equal measure. If you follow baseball, you’ve probably seen his work. If you haven’t, you're in for a treat.

Let’s talk breakouts. Let’s talk baseball. Let’s go. Welcome on, BallPark!

BallPark Buzz:

Thanks for reaching out and sharing your platform with me. There really isn’t much I’d rather do than talk baseball. This great game is something that has had a drastic impact in my life from such an early age and it’s why I spend hours writing about it in my free time.

My newsletter is heavily geared towards Red Sox baseball because that is my wheelhouse however I am constantly looking at stats around the league. I also watch a ton of baseball and am excited to talk about some of the players on this list!

Smayan:

When we’re talking about breakout players, there are a couple of guys that are considered, but someone who’s a no-doubt for me would be Jacob Wilson.

This season, he’s batting .349 with an OPS of .883. He has 102 hits, 15 doubles, and 9 home runs, with 40 RBIs. He’s also crossed the plate 40 times, with that many runs this season. He’s second in hits and batting average. Currently, Wilson is on pace for 220 hits, which would be the most ever in a single season if Ichiro didn’t exist¹. Wilson also won rookie of the month in May, and has been on a tear after a 4-game stretch where he didn’t get a base hit.

We have to realize that Aaron Judge is having a hell of a season, and the fact that Wilson is currently the only 3 hits behind him is absolutely nuts. You can’t take this season for granted at all, which is why I have him listed as a breakout player.

This performance we’re seeing from Jacob Wilson is absolutely sustainable as the rest of the season goes along. He’s a rookie, meaning that he’s obviously going to go through some rough stretches here and there, but if he’s done this through 74 games, I’m sure he can keep it up well enough as the rest of the season progresses. This isn’t luck. This isn’t against bad pitchers. This includes teams like the Dodgers, Phillies, Mets, Padres, and even the Yankees. Jacob’s got this.

What do you think about this, BallPark, and who’s your first pick?

BallPark Buzz:

It’s tough to imagine a better start for a rookie. I keep waiting for him to fall off as pitchers adjust to him but it hasn’t happened. His hit tool is elite.

My first pick is Pete Crow-Armstrong. The scouting report on PCA when he came up was elite defense, elite speed, but will the bat play. Last season, PCA hit .237 with 10 home runs in 123 games. This season, we’ve seen the incredible defense and the blazing fast speed but the bat may be one of the most surprising developments in all of baseball. In a little over half of the games compared to last season, PCA has more home runs (21) and RBI (61) than last season and he’s raised his batting average almost 40 points (.269).

The Chicago Cubs are off to a terrific start as they have the second most wins in the National League. PCA has been a huge reason why the Cubs are surprising people as he has become a legitimate MVP threat. Only Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh have a higher fWAR than PCA (3.9). PCA looks like a genius turning down a low value contract extension prior to the season as his value has sky rocketed this season.

Smayan:

Aah, that was going to be my next guy. Way to steal it from me 😂. Great pick.

My next pick would be Andy Pages on the Los Angeles Dodgers. He debuted with the Dodgers in 2024 and didn’t do badly as a rookie, with a .248 average, 13 home runs, and exactly 100 hits. This year, though, he’s stepped it up big time. He has an average of .292, 16 home runs, 82 hits, and 52 RBIs through 75 games this season. He’s top 20 in home runs, hits, average, slugging, total bases, and RBIs in the National League.

He’s currently on pace for 175 hits, 111 RBIs, 34 HR, and 307 total bases.

What we’re seeing from Pages is not what we’re seeing from Jacob Wilson or Pete Crow-Armstrong, but he’s awesomely doing his thing. He’s one of the bigger reasons why the Dodgers are 48-31 this season. I do believe that Andy Pages will continue his production as the year goes on. Just like I said with Jacob Wilson, I do believe there’ll be some ups and downs, but on a talented Dodgers roster with talented coaches, if he does fall, he’ll come back up faster than other young players on other squads, especially because he’s been through sorts of regression before.

What do you think about this, BallPark, and who’s your second pick?

BallPark Buzz:

The rich get richer. I’m not sure how the Dodgers do it but they always seem to find these guys. Leave it to the Dodgers to develop a non Top 100 prospect into a star in year 2.

My next pick is Kris Bubic of the Kansas City Royals. Bubic has been around for a while now as this is his 6th season in the league but he is finally putting things together. The Royals starter is a former 1st round pick back in 2018. It’s taken Bubic time to figure things out because at first it did not work out for him as a starter. Bubic moved to the bullpen last season and figured things out pitching to a 2.67 ERA in 27 games. This season Bubic returned to the rotation and he has not only been the Royals best starter but he is tied for 6th among all starters in fWAR (2.7).

In 14 starts, Bubic has a 2.12 ERA. When Bubic was a starter when he first came up, he struggled with walks averaging around 4.5 BB/9. This season, Bubic is only walking 2.86 per 9 innings. Bubic has also been able to limit hard contact as he is only allowing 0.32 HR/9, which is the best in the league. The ability to limit baserunners and keep the ball in the yard has led to Bubic having a season that will surely land him in the All-Star game. Bubic is a great example of how sometimes, players need time to tinker and tweak things to figure out what works to get big league hitters out.

Smayan:

The Royals should be in the thick of the race, but with the division these guys are in being one of the most, if not the most, competitive in the league, Bubic has done very well to keep these guys afloat this year. He, by far, has one of the lowest ERAs for the Royals, and ranks #6 in the league.

My final pick is going to be James Wood. You know, the left fielder for the Nationals who was in the Soto trade. Yeah, he’s here, and he’s absolutely raking. He has 21 home runs, an average of .279, an OPS of .934, 82 hits, and 57 RBIs. He’s also 12th in 95+ MPH balls, and 11th in Brls/BBE%. He’s projected to hit 43 home runs, 168 hits, 117 RBIs, and 336 total bases.

The Nationals aren’t a very competitive team this year (although for some reason are 3rd in the division), but they have an extremely bright future with this guy leading the way. Imagine what could happen with a complete team if they can win 30 games in this hopeless season. Crazy, huh?

James Wood is another guy who I believe will keep up the performance as the season goes on, and honestly, performance-wise, I think he’ll stay where he is right now as we end the season.

Who’s your final pick?

BallPark Buzz:

It’s hard to make a trade for Juan Soto look like a good trade but James Wood is doing that for the Nationals.

My final pick is Hunter Goodman. Not a lot of good things have come out of Colorado this season but Goodman is one of them. Last season, Goodman appeared in 70 games. He showed his power as he hit 13 home runs but he only hit .185 with a 61 wRC+. This season, Goodman has played in 74 games and has beaten his home run total from last season (14) and his hitting .284. His 119 wRC+ ranks fourth among all qualified catchers.

For someone who was not a top prospect in the Colorado system (never in the top 10), this is a big win for their player development department. One thing Hunter Goodman does extremely well is hit the baseball hard. He has the 11th best max exit velocity in the game (116.2 mph) and he ranks 26th in average exit velocity (92.4 mph). These are the types of developments the Colorado Rockies desperately need to get out of the basement of the NL West. Goodman could become one of the guys the Rockies build around since he is only 25 years-old or he could be an intriguing trade asset because he has 4 more years of team control after 2025.

Smayan:

Awesome pick. You convinced me on this one.

Thanks for coming on BallPark, and a huge thanks to all of you guys reading this piece. The final piece comes out sometime this week, so be sure to check it out! It’s a bit of a surprise. If you liked the piece, be sure to support us by subscribing to BallPark Buzz and Sports Square!

1. Ichiro had 262 hits in 2004.