In a dramatic shift just a few months into the 2025 MLB season, Mookie Betts has dropped out of the top tier of fantasy baseball prospects, while Aaron Judge has surged to dominate the redraft rankings. This change highlights how quickly player evaluations can evolve based on recent performance and underlying metrics, reshaping fantasy strategies as the season progresses.

During a recent episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, experts Scott White, Frank Stampfl, and the host revisited their picks for the first two rounds of the draft for the remainder of the season. Although most preseason first-round selections maintained their status, Betts, who entered the year as the average 11th pick, notably failed to crack the top 24. His fall is significant, marking a sharp departure from his long-standing reputation as a reliable high draft choice in fantasy baseball.

The Decline in Mookie Betts’ Performance Metrics

Betts’ early-season struggles in 2025 have been visible in both traditional stats and advanced metrics. After an initial hot streak last year masked signs of decline, he now faces a notable downturn in several critical areas—slowing speed, reduced bat speed, and the poorest quality of contact metrics recorded in his career. At 32 years old, this may signal that Betts is entering the declining phase of his playing career. Although a rebound from his current sub-.700 OPS form remains possible, there is growing skepticism about his ability to be a game-changing fantasy asset again this season.

Who Commanded the Top Fantasy Baseball Picks Instead?

As Betts fell behind, other players solidified or improved their positions in the revised rankings. Scott White’s selections for the first two rounds, discussed in detail on the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, reflect a strong consensus on the elite options still available. Below are the expert’s updated choices for the top 24 picks, reflecting current production, upside, and consistency through the 2025 season so far.

Updated First Two Rounds of the 2025 Fantasy Baseball Redraft

1. Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees – Since the start of last season, Judge has been nearly unstoppable, batting .335 with an on-base percentage of .459 and slugging .714. He’s on track to hit over 55 home runs this year, making him the clear No. 1 pick for the remainder of 2025 and likely beyond.

2. Shohei Ohtani, DH, Los Angeles Dodgers – Ohtani has slowed slightly compared to his stellar 2024, mainly due to limited base-stealing attempts since returning to pitching. Still, his overall offensive production keeps him firmly in the second spot, though some might argue his dual-threat value could slip if his running game does not pick up.

3. Ronald Acuna Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves – Acuna started 2025 blazing hot but has cooled off in recent weeks, going without a steal in his last 16 games. Should he regain his speed, maintaining 30-plus stolen bases, he could challenge Judge for the top spot, but his exact landing place remains uncertain.

4. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals – Witt offers a strong combination of power and speed, being the only player among the top three picks pacing for over 40 stolen bases. However, his hitting ranks slightly below the very top, placing him near the fifth spot.

5. Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Guardians – Consistently productive, Ramirez continues to be overlooked despite his ongoing threat both at the plate and on the bases. He is on pace to set a career high in stolen bases and remains a solid all-around asset.

6. Kyle Tucker, OF, Chicago Cubs – Tucker’s progression flattened a bit in 2025, but underlying stats suggest some underperformance compared to his expected slugging numbers. He still projects to finish with a respectable tally of home runs and steals.

7. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Cincinnati Reds – De La Cruz remains a highly volatile but promising young talent. His hitting has improved, though base-stealing aggressiveness has diminished. If he can revitalize his speed in the second half, he may vault into top-five contention for 2026.

8. Tarik Skubal, SP, Detroit Tigers – Skubal leads the majors in numerous pitching categories since 2024, including wins, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP. He stands out as clearly the top pitching option here.

9. Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks – After returning from a fractured wrist, Carroll has faced some struggles, reflected in a high strikeout rate and low batting average. While the sample size is limited, these concerns have pushed him down the rankings slightly.

10. Juan Soto, OF, New York Mets – Despite a slow start, Soto maintains a strong .262/.396/.509 slash line, projecting a 39-home run and 19-steal pace. He is also underperforming his expected weighted on-base average, indicating potential for improvement.

11. James Wood, OF, Washington Nationals – Wood has advanced faster than expected, generating powerful exit velocities and improving contact rates. His pace for over 40 homers and 20 stolen bases makes him an intriguing sleeper.

12. Zack Wheeler, SP, Philadelphia Phillies – Wheeler, despite approaching retirement age, continues to improve with a career-high strikeout rate and excellent control. His consistent ace-level numbers make him a toss-up with Skubal for the top pitching spot.

13. Fernando Tatis Jr., OF, San Diego Padres – Tatis’ ongoing underperformance compared to expected stats is concerning, but his natural power and speed potential maintain his ranking in the mid-first round.

14. Cal Raleigh, C, Seattle Mariners – Raleigh has been a major fantasy contributor in 2025, though his current ranking might undervalue his impact despite an unlikely 40-home run pace.

15. Ketel Marte, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks – Marte ranks impressively high despite lacking stolen bases, highlighting his value as a four-category hitter with strong power numbers for his position.

16. Trea Turner, SS, Philadelphia Phillies – Turner’s power production is limited for a player drafted this highly, but his return to elite base-stealing prowess compensates for that weakness.

17. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Chicago Cubs – Crow-Armstrong’s breakout season has been unexpected, leading to high rankings despite uncertainties around his unconventional hitting approach.

18. Francisco Lindor, SS, New York Mets – Lindor’s rankings have dipped due to a toe injury that has affected his power and speed, but recent signs of recovery could boost his value moving forward.

19. Paul Skenes, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates – Skenes’ 2.01 ERA and 0.93 WHIP belies the Pirates’ struggles, who have limited his wins despite stellar individual performances.

20. Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners – Rodriguez has faced a slow power start to 2025 but is expected to rebound in the second half, as he often improves after sluggish beginnings.

21. Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles – Henderson’s power production has lagged slightly, though his underlying metrics and youth suggest a strong second-half surge is likely.

22. Manny Machado, 3B, San Diego Padres – Machado displays hall–of-fame caliber consistency, with his best expected weighted on-base average ever through the break, bolstered by strong plate discipline.

23. Garrett Crochet, SP, Boston Red Sox – Crochet is pushing uncharted territory with an unprecedented workload but continues to maintain elite ratios, earning him a spot in the early rounds.

24. Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies – Schwarber’s impressive power numbers and added stolen base ability secure his place among the top picks, even if his future value may decline as he returns exclusively to DH duties.

Second-Half Sleeper Picks and Fantasy Strategies

Along with redrafting top players, expert analysis also focused on identifying sleepers for the second half of the season. Recommendations for stashing emerging talents at each position aim to give fantasy managers an edge as rosters adjust and the playoff race tightens. Targeting players on the rise or those with favorable second-half schedules can balance rosters impacted by declines like Betts’ or injuries like Lindor’s.

Implications of Betts’ Decline and Judge’s Rise in Fantasy Baseball

The fall of Mookie Betts in fantasy rankings underscores how volatile player value can be within a short timeframe, especially as age and performance trends intersect. His drop from a consistent top-24 pick to off the radar reveals the importance of closely monitoring underlying metrics rather than relying solely on reputation or past success.

Conversely, Aaron Judge’s dominance affirms the value of sustained elite performance and multi-category contributions in fantasy baseball. His ongoing production solidifies him as the safest top pick for the rest of 2025 and beyond, influencing draft strategy and roster construction league-wide.

As the season moves forward, fantasy managers will need to continually reassess player outlooks amid evolving metrics and health status. The detailed redraft offers a valuable snapshot of where balance sits between emerging stars, established veterans, and players in decline, guiding decisions that could define championship runs.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Mookie Betts a millionaire?

A. His net worth is approximately $70 million, demonstrating wise financial decisions. Over time, Betts has established himself as a top player in Major League Baseball.

Q. Who attacked Mookie Betts?

A. NEW YORK — Two fans caused a disruption involving Mookie Betts during the World Series Game 4 at Yankee Stadium. These fans, named Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen, have been banned indefinitely from all Major League Baseball stadiums and facilities. They were removed from Game 4 and also had their Game 5 tickets canceled.

Q. Who is Mookie Betts best friend?

A. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman truly embody the essence of what it means to be best friends.

Q. What happened to the guy that grabbed Mookie Betts?

A. Speaking publicly for the first time since Major League Baseball banned him indefinitely, Austin Capobianco expressed remorse about the incident during Game 4 at Yankee Stadium. He mentioned to The Athletic, “I’m considered a hero among Yankees fans.”