The All-Star break has come and gone, marking the time to sharpen fantasy baseball strategies as teams push towards the finish line. While recent weeks have been quiet regarding prospect call-ups, a plethora of talent exists in Triple-A, with several players poised to impact lineups as we enter the final stretch of the season. This week, the focus is on elite prospects ideal for redraft leagues in 2025.

Top prospects like Andrew Painter and Spencer Jones are making headlines with outstanding performances. Jones, in particular, is on fire, having hit 10 home runs in just 16 Triple-A games while showcasing a remarkable .426 batting average. Meanwhile, Brandon Sproat has transformed his game, boasting a 0.00 ERA over his last four starts. Each of these players offers significant fantasy potential, whether via immediate call-up or impactful performances in the future.

Week 17 of the 2025 Fantasy Baseball season brings an exciting set of waiver wire pickups for points leagues. With several players available in over 50% of leagues, these free-agents offer potential to transform your roster. Romy Gonzalez, listed at just 12% on ESPN, has excelled against lefties, slashing .389 against them and coming off a hot streak. Nolan Schanuel of the Angels, surprisingly low at 17%, ranks high among first basemen and faces a favorable schedule. Ernie Clement continues to build momentum facing lefties, and Gavin Sheets also remains a strong option against right-handers.

Second base offers Romy Gonzalez and Otto Lopez, the latter also showing promise against righties. While Jeff McNeil and Jonathan India are worth considering, both have had inconsistent performances. The third base position is slightly weaker this week, with Ernie Clement leading the charge. In the outfield, Chandler Simpson is showing great form with an average above .300 at home, while Tyler Freeman can be a sneaky addition due to favorable matchups in Coors Field. These insights will help you navigate the waiver wire effectively as we approach the final stretch of the season!

Cameron LaViolette, Texas A&M's all-time home run leader, was selected 27th overall by the Cleveland Guardians in the 2025 MLB Draft. Despite a challenging final season, his performance in the SEC Tournament solidified his legacy as an Aggie legend. With records in home runs and walks, LaViolette’s talent is undeniable, showing potential for a promising career ahead.

Entering the draft ranked as the 27th prospect in 2022, LaViolette's impressive stats include a .305 average and 29 homers in his sophomore season. Selected by the Guardians, he likely starts his professional journey in the minors before climbing the ranks. This value pick for Cleveland could pay dividends if he addresses his consistency at the plate.

As the 2025 MLB season progresses, players like Ozzie Albies and Bryan Reynolds are struggling to meet expectations, leaving fantasy managers anxious about their roster decisions. Albies has seen a significant decrease in power with a mere .225 batting average and only six home runs, while Reynolds is on track for his worst season since 2020, hitting .229 with eight homers. Both players have red flags, but there are signs of potential recovery. Jasson Dominguez and Roman Anthony, two young talents, also face challenges but show promise with high hard-hit rates and potential for growth.

Albies’ declining hard-hit rate and BABIP, coupled with his lower position in the batting order, suggest limited upside. Reynolds, on the other hand, has displayed strong underlying metrics despite his slump, making him a buy-low candidate for savvy fantasy managers. Likewise, Dominguez’s power potential remains untapped, while Anthony’s recent call-up may yield benefits as he adjusts. Navigating this crucial midpoint in the season could redefine rosters across fantasy leagues.

The Texas Rangers will face a pivotal test with ace Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list due to right posterior elbow inflammation, following his exit with triceps tightness. Though Eovaldi expressed readiness to pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rangers opted for caution, emphasizing a long-term strategy over immediate needs. The team's rotation, featuring Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle, Jack Leiter, and Patrick Corbin, boasts a league-leading 2.80 ERA. This rotation has been crucial to keeping the Rangers competitive in the AL West, as they've won 21 of 24 games when scoring four or more runs.

With Eovaldi expected to return by June 13, the Rangers are optimistic about managing his health. Meanwhile, Kumar Rocker, recovering from a shoulder impingement, aims to contribute positively after a recent no-hit performance in the minors. Manager Bruce Bochy is balancing pitch counts for deGrom and maintaining rotation depth, highlighting the importance of a healthy and effective pitching staff throughout the season.