MLB fantasy: 10 must-have hitters

Not all hitters are made equal when it comes to fantasy baseball. Understanding what data indicate future success is far more important than how someone performed last year.

With that in mind, here are 10 hitters primed to have big seasons that you should draft:

ADP rankings are from FantasyPros as of March 6.

Mookie Betts, Dodgers - 2B, SS, OF (ADP: 10)

A theme of this list is targeting great hitters in good lineups, and Betts fits both criteria. He wasn't quite his usual self in 2024, hitting just 19 home runs in 116 games while battling injuries. Now that he's healthy, he should hit 30 homers, score 100 times, and drive in 80 runs with great ratios sandwiched between Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in a loaded Dodgers lineup. Take advantage of the slight ADP discount with Betts coming off a down season and select him with your first-round pick - assuming, of course, you can't get either of the reigning MVPs.

Ketel Marte, D-Backs - 2B (ADP: 25)

Marte is the league's best second baseman and a great early-round pick. His career-high 36 home runs last year don't seem to be a fluke: He ranked in the 96th percentile or better for expected slugging, average exit velocity, and hard-hit percentage. Marte smokes the baseball atop a Diamondbacks lineup that led MLB in runs scored in 2024 and could be even better in 2025. He'll have plenty of opportunities to do damage and contribute in every offensive category, even if he can't repeat his MVP-level production from a year ago.

James Wood, Nationals - OF (ADP: 55)

Wood seriously impressed as a rookie throughout his first 79 MLB games, hitting nine home runs and stealing 14 bases in roughly half a season. The 22-year-old hit the ball extremely hard while demonstrating a level of plate discipline beyond his years, walking 39 times in his 336 plate appearances. His high strikeout rate isn't as concerning as it might seem: His whiff rate (29.6%) on pitches in the strike zone was far worse than his chase rate (21%) on those outside of it. That's uncommon for a young hitter, and it should improve as he gets more comfortable against big-league pitching.

Mark Vientos, Mets - 3B (ADP: 82)

Vientos broke out in a big way during his first full season with the New York Mets. The young third baseman hit 27 home runs with 71 RBIs in 2024 while posting a convincing .837 OPS (135 OPS+) and ranking in the 92nd percentile in barrel rate. He managed to put up that kind of production while striking out 29.7% of the time. As if he didn't have enough RBI opportunities hitting after Francisco Lindor, he'll now also have an on-base machine named Juan Soto setting the table for him. A 30-home run, 100-RBI campaign is well within reach for Vientos in 2025.

Seiya Suzuki, Cubs - OF (ADP: 86)

Suzuki remains a criminally underrated hitter who does everything well. He's posted an OPS+ of 130 or better two years in a row with at least 20 home runs and 70 RBIs. Suzuki also swiped 16 bases in 2024. His career slash line stands at .278/.354/.470 through his first three MLB seasons, and the underlying metrics rate his quality of contact highly. The Cubs' lineup should also be plenty productive this year with Kyle Tucker offsetting the loss of Cody Bellinger. Suzuki just keeps getting better and should live up to, if not exceed, his draft position.

Alex Bregman, Red Sox - 3B (ADP: 111)

Bregman was somewhat of a fantasy disappointment last year. His 26 home runs look a bit misleading as he didn't hit the ball hard very often. However, he did maintain excellent strike zone awareness and bat-to-ball skills. His near-40% pull rate should play well in Fenway Park, where he can pepper balls off the Green Monster. His production could creep back up to his usual All-Star standards in 2025, especially if he winds up hitting between Jarren Duran and Rafael Devers in Boston's lineup.

Jake Burger, Rangers - 1B, 3B (ADP: 118)

Burger is a streaky hitter, but there were times during the 2024 season when he was sizzling hot. His power is legit: He crushes the ball using his 86th-percentile bat speed. Burger finished the year with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs despite having little help in a terrible Marlins lineup. A baffling 21 of those round-trippers were solo shots, but that shouldn't be the case with Marcus Semien and Corey Seager hitting ahead of him. The slugger could easily surpass his previous career high of 80 RBIs and flirt with 35 home runs if he stays healthy and hits well.

Shea Langeliers, Athletics - C (ADP: 135)

It's hard to find consistent production from catchers in fantasy baseball, especially if you miss out on the big names. The good news is Langeliers is a sneaky later-round target. His 29 home runs ranked second among all catchers in 2024, and his 80 RBIs were more than Adley Rutschman and Will Smith. He's not going to hit for a high average, but his excellent bat speed, barrel rate, and average exit velocity stats suggest his power is replicable. The Athletics' lineup also has the potential to be a bit more competitive with the likes of Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker, meaning Langeliers could be in for a big season.

Isaac Paredes, Astros - 1B, 3B (ADP: 186)

The only player-ballpark fit on this list better than Bregman and Fenway might be Paredes and Daikin Park. Paredes struggled mightily in the second half of 2024 after a midseason trade to the Chicago Cubs but should perform much better this season. His whole game is pulling fly balls to left field, and there's no better place to do that than in Houston with the Crawford Boxes. The 31 home runs he hit in 2023 with the Rays feel like a starting point for what he can accomplish this year. The Astros should also still field a strong offense despite losing Bregman and Tucker.

Kerry Carpenter, Tigers - OF (ADP: 191)

They don't call him "Kerry Barrels" for no reason - Carpenter squares up the baseball like nobody's business. He hit 18 home runs with a .587 slugging percentage in just 296 plate appearances last year. His underlying metrics were equally as impressive, headlined by a ridiculous 17.7% barrel rate and .379 xwOBA. The only reason Carpenter's ADP is so low is he usually sits against left-handed pitchers as part of a platoon role. Don't let that scare you away - his production is good enough to offset the occasional rest day.