From Nick Kurtz to Roman Anthony, discover the top MLB rookies who made their mark in the 2025 season across both leagues.
Key Takeaways
- Nick Kurtz won AL Rookie of the Year with 36 home runs and a 1.002 OPS, becoming one of seven rookies to post a 1.000+ OPS.
- Drake Baldwin won NL Rookie of the Year with 19 home runs and a 126 OPS+ as a catcher.
- Roman Anthony was the youngest player in rankings at age 21, slashing .292/.396/.463.
- Jacob Wilson hit .311 with 13 home runs and 486 at-bats for the Athletics.
- Cade Horton and Noah Cameron led a strong rookie pitching class.
Top 10 MLB Rookies Ranking
The 2025 MLB rookie class delivered exceptional talent across both leagues. Here are the top 10 rookies based on performance, impact, and voting for Rookie of the Year honors.
1. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Oakland Athletics
The fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft won American League Rookie of the Year with a historic season. Kurtz smashed 36 home runs and posted a 1.002 OPS (290/.383/.619), becoming one of only seven rookies ever to post a 1.000+ OPS in a season with at least 450 plate appearances. His four-homer game in Houston was one of the greatest individual performances by a rookie in history.
Season Stats: .290 AVG, .383 OBP, .619 SLG, 36 HR, 63 BB, 151 SO, 2 SB, 170 wRC+
2. Roman Anthony, OF, Boston Red Sox
The youngest player in our rankings at age 21, Anthony slashed .292/.396/.463 with 8 home runs and 40 walks in 71 games before an oblique injury. He became the third-youngest player in AL/NL history to homer and draw four walks in the same game, matching Ted Williams as the only Red Sox players to reach base 82 times in their first 50 contests.
Season Stats: .292 AVG, .396 OBP, .463 SLG, 8 HR, 40 BB, 84 SO, 4 SB, 140 wRC+
3. Jacob Wilson, SS, Oakland Athletics
Wilson hit .311 with 13 home runs and 486 at-bats, providing Oakland with a second star rookie alongside Kurtz. He was an AL Rookie of the Year finalist and showed excellent contact skills with just 39 strikeouts in 486 at-bats.
Season Stats: .311 AVG, .355 OBP, .444 SLG, 13 HR, 27 BB, 39 SO, 5 SB, 121 wRC+
4. Drake Baldwin, C, Atlanta Braves
Baldwin won National League Rookie of the Year with 19 home runs and a 126 OPS+ in 85 games behind the plate. His production was no mirage — he makes quality contact consistently and became one of nine rookie catchers to post a 126+ OPS+ in a season with at least 400 plate appearances.
Season Stats: .274 AVG, .341 OBP, .469 SLG, 19 HR, 38 BB, 68 SO, 0 SB, 125 wRC+
5. Cade Horton, RHP, Chicago Cubs
Horton was one of the most electric rookie arms in baseball, flashing ace potential. He allowed two or fewer runs in most starts after the All-Star break and showed the stuff of a future frontline starter.
Season Stats: 3.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 145 SO, 130 IP
6. Noah Cameron, LHP, Kansas City Royals
Cameron provided Kansas City with steady starting pitching, emerging as a reliable rotation piece. His control and pitchability made him an effective rookie starter.
Season Stats: 3.78 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 118 SO, 142 IP
7. Colson Montgomery, DH, Chicago White Sox
Montgomery struggled at Triple-A before coming to Chicago and swatting 21 home runs in 71 games. Among rookies who played at least that much, he ranked ninth in homers per game and first among rookie shortstops in home run percentage.
Season Stats: .239 AVG, .311 OBP, .529 SLG, 21 HR, 25 BB, 83 SO, 0 SB, 129 wRC+
8. Luke Keaschall, 2B, Minnesota Twins
Keaschall hit .302 with a .382 OBP in 182 games, providing Minnesota with excellent contact skills and on-base ability. He was a key part of Minnesota's second-half surge.
Season Stats: .302 AVG, .382 OBP, .445 SLG, 4 HR, 19 BB, 29 SO, 14 SB, 134 wRC+
9. Isaac Collins, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
A 28-year-old who was available in the 2022 Rule 5 draft, Collins slashed .270/.368/.421 with 8 home runs and 15 steals through 109 games. His 12.3% walk rate trailed only Kurtz and Anthony among qualified rookies.
Season Stats: .270 AVG, .368 OBP, .421 SLG, 8 HR, 38 BB, 62 SO, 15 SB, 115 wRC+
10. Daylen Lile, OF, Washington Nationals
Lile hit .299 with 9 home runs and 8 steals in 321 at-bats, providing Washington with solid outfield production and showing promise as a future regular.
Rookie of the Year Races
The 2025 MLB season featured competitive races for both American League and National League Rookie of the Year:
AL Rookie of the Year: Nick Kurtz
Kurtz won AL Rookie of the Year in a landslide, with his historic power production and 1.002 OPS making him the clear choice. He became the first rookie to hit four homers in one game and go 6-for-6 in the same contest.
NL Rookie of the Year: Drake Baldwin
Baldwin won NL Rookie of the Year with his excellent production as a catcher. His 126 OPS+ ranked fourth among players with at least 50 games at catcher, and his quality contact skills suggest sustained success.
Finalists
Roman Anthony and Jacob Wilson joined Kurtz as AL finalists, while Cade Horton and Jacob Misiorowski joined Baldwin as NL finalists.
2025 MLB All-Rookie Team
Baseball America announced the 2025 MLB All-Rookie Team, recognizing the top first-year performers:
All-Rookie Hitters
- C: Drake Baldwin (Atlanta)
- 1B: Nick Kurtz (Oakland)
- 2B: Luke Keaschall (Minnesota)
- 3B: Matt Shaw (Chicago Cubs)
- SS: Jacob Wilson (Oakland)
- OF: Roman Anthony (Boston), Daylen Lile (Washington), Jakob Marsee (Miami)
- DH: Colson Montgomery (Chicago White Sox)
All-Rookie Pitchers
- SP: Noah Cameron (Kansas City), Cade Horton (Chicago Cubs), Hurston Waldrep (Atlanta)
- RP: Cam Schlittler (New York Yankees)
Rookies Who Made Playoff Impact
Several rookies played crucial roles in their teams' playoff pushes:
Atlanta Braves
Drake Baldwin provided Atlanta with excellent production from the catcher position, helping the Braves win nine in a row and secure a playoff berth. His NL Rookie of the Year season was crucial for Atlanta's success.
Minnesota Twins
Luke Keaschall emerged as a key contributor during Minnesota's second-half surge. His .302 average and .382 OBP provided the Twins with consistent on-base ability.
Boston Red Sox
Roman Anthony's historic start before his injury provided Boston with a glimpse of their future star. His performance matched Ted Williams in Red Sox rookie history.
Investment Outlook for Rookie Cards
For sports card investors, the 2025 MLB rookie class offers several opportunities:
Nick Kurtz
As AL Rookie of the Year with historic power production, Kurtz's cards have strong long-term potential. His 1.002 OPS as a rookie is rare and suggests sustained star-level production.
Roman Anthony
Playing in Boston boosts Anthony's card value due to the Red Sox' massive fan base. At age 21, he's the youngest in the rankings with the highest long-term ceiling.
Drake Baldwin
As NL Rookie of the Year and a catcher, Baldwin's cards have strong potential. Catcher cards typically have lower ceilings but offer steady value, especially for ROY winners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the AL Rookie of the Year in 2025?
Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics won the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year award. The fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft hit 36 home runs and posted a 1.002 OPS, becoming one of only seven rookies ever to post a 1.000+ OPS in a season with at least 450 plate appearances.
Who won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2025?
Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves won the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year award. Baldwin hit 19 home runs with a 126 OPS+ in 85 games behind the plate, becoming one of nine rookie catchers to post a 126+ OPS+ in a season with at least 400 plate appearances.
Which MLB rookie led in home runs in 2025?
Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics led all MLB rookies with 36 home runs in the 2025 season. His power production was historic, including a four-homer game where he went 6-for-6.
Which MLB rookie had the highest OPS in 2025?
Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics had the highest OPS among MLB rookies in 2025 with a 1.002 OPS (290/.383/.619). He was one of only seven rookies ever to post a 1.000+ OPS in a season with at least 450 plate appearances.
How many Oakland Athletics rookies made the All-Rookie Team?
The Oakland Athletics had two players on the 2025 MLB All-Rookie Team: first baseman Nick Kurtz (AL Rookie of the Year) and shortstop Jacob Wilson. This showcased Oakland's successful rebuild through the draft.
Which MLB rookie was the youngest in 2025?
Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox was the youngest player in the 2025 rookie rankings at age 21. He slashed .292/.396/.463 with 8 home runs before an oblique injury, becoming the third-youngest player in AL/NL history to homer and draw four walks in the same game.
