The stakes couldn’t be higher when an MLB team’s success hinges on young hitters taking that big step forward. And 2025? It’s already serving up a buffet of breakout seasons from names you might not have had on your radar this spring.
We’ve heard plenty about Pete Crow-Armstrong and Spencer Torkelson — and rightfully so — but there’s a whole wave of emerging stars under 25 who are rewriting expectations and becoming real game-changers.
From power surges to improved plate discipline, these guys are stepping into the spotlight and turning potential into production.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the biggest breakout hitters (age 25 or younger) making waves across the Majors this season.
Victor Scott II, CF, Cardinals
Talk about a glow-up. Scott’s 2024 numbers were rough — a .179 average and just two homers — but 2025 has been a revelation. He’s hitting .289 with a .772 OPS and already has 11 steals to his name.
The craziest part? He’s doing this while pulling the ball less and hitting more fly balls. He’s also torching fastballs, especially four-seamers. If he keeps this up, he might be one of the league’s fastest, most electric players.
Jonathan Aranda, 1B, Rays
Aranda is no longer waiting in the wings. He’s here. With a .317 average and a .971 OPS, he’s become a force in the Rays’ lineup. His hard-hit metrics are elite — second in all of baseball behind only Ohtani — and he’s punishing right-handed pitchers.
This isn’t just a hot start; it’s a coming-out party. Aranda is changing the narrative in Tampa Bay, one swing at a time.
Zach Neto, SS, Angels
Neto may have missed the first few weeks due to shoulder surgery, but he wasted no time making noise. With four home runs and seven stolen bases in just 17 games, he’s already showcasing that blend of power and speed we saw in 2024 — and maybe more.
His swing looks clean, and his speed is intact. If the Statcast metrics indicate anything, Neto could be on a rocket ride to shortstop stardom.
Hunter Goodman, C/DH, Rockies
Goodman’s calling card has always been power; now he’s pairing it with a real approach. He’s hitting .271 with five home runs and walking more than twice as often as he did last year.
Colorado needed someone to rise offensively, and Goodman’s been that guy. With Coors Field as his backdrop and his swing tuned up, he might just turn into one of the most feared young catchers in the game.
Brice Turang, 2B, Brewers
Turang looks like a different hitter this year. He’s driving the ball harder, hitting .318, and bringing speed and sneaky power to the lineup.
His barrel and hard-hit rates have skyrocketed compared to last season, and he’s added eight steals to boot. Milwaukee’s offense needed a lift, and Turang stepped in with authority.
Andy Pages, CF, Dodgers
Let’s rewind to April 23 — Pages was batting at a dismal .183. Now? He’s up to an .838 OPS after a blistering stretch where he hit .412 over 12 games. That’s the kind of surge that changes a season.
He’s already surpassed last year’s WAR total, and with the Dodgers dealing with outfield injuries, Pages is proving he’s not just a stopgap — he’s a future fixture.
Kyle Manzardo, DH, Guardians
Manzardo isn’t putting up a gaudy average, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. With eight homers and a .798 OPS, he’s shown major growth in his second MLB season.
His walk rate has doubled, and he’s become a steady DH presence after Cleveland moved on from Josh Naylor. Manzardo’s power is legit, and if he trims the strikeouts a bit, he could elevate his game even more.
Logan O’Hoppe, C, Angels
Few catchers can match O’Hoppe’s thunder right now. His nine home runs and .869 OPS are both near the top for his position, and he’s barreling the ball nearly 20% of the time, up significantly from last year.
Strikeouts remain an issue, but the contact he is making? It’s explosive. He’s one of the brightest spots in Anaheim with Mike Trout out, and he’s only getting started.
Maikel Garcia, 3B, Royals
Garcia’s leap from .231 to .323 isn’t just an improvement — it’s a transformation. His OPS has jumped nearly 300 points, and he’s gone from a light-hitting leadoff man to a legit run producer.
He’s added speed, power, and versatility, playing multiple positions while batting like a middle-of-the-order threat. Kansas City needed someone to step up, and Garcia took that baton and sprinted with it.
Geraldo Perdomo, SS, D-backs
You might think Perdomo’s been around forever, but he’s still just 25 and getting better. His plate discipline (more walks than strikeouts) is stellar, and he’s sporting career highs in every major offensive category.
He’s not just surviving in that potent Arizona lineup — he’s thriving. If he can avoid his usual post-May swoon, Perdomo could quietly become one of the steadiest shortstops in the league.
These Rising Stars Are Breaking Out This Year
The Major League Baseball youth movement is alive and thriving in 2025, and these 10 hitters are proving that potential isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the blueprint. Whether it’s power, patience, or pure speed, each player has found a way to elevate their game and help carry their team forward.
Of course, not all breakouts last the full 162, but if these trends hold, we could be watching the foundation of baseball’s next generation of stars.
