Opening Day is in the books, and whether your team is 1-0 or 0-1, there is a lot of baseball left to play.
We asked a panel of baseball insiders to predict how the 2025 season will play out. Who will be the breakout teams and stars? Who will be the biggest names moved at the trade deadline? And which pitchers and hitters would they want up with their season on the line?
Here’s how 18 MLB executives and scouts answered those questions and more. (Respondents were given the option to skip questions, so not every answer has 18 votes.)
Who is most likely to …
Take down the Dodgers
Survey says: Braves 7, Phillies 5, Padres 4, Diamondbacks 1, Red Sox 1
We framed this question as which team is most likely to beat L.A. in a head-to-head postseason series. As you can tell by the voting, executives are pretty split on who can take out the Dodgers, but they’re nearly unanimous on when it could happen: before the Fall Classic. The National League simply looks stacked this season, and the NL teams above have talent and experience. In a short series, anything can happen. These teams are banking on it.
What they said:
“The Phillies have been knocking on the door, will add at deadline and have a good amount of star power with proven vets at the top of the rotation,” one NL executive said.
“A healthy Braves team can go toe-to-toe with the Dodgers,” an AL exec said. “The slower return of [Spencer] Strider and [Ronald] Acuna could work to their favor later on. If they’re peaking come October, watch out for the Braves.
“Give me Chris Sale in October,” one scout said.
“I know this is obvious, but the Padres nearly pulled it off last year. That reminds me, I would want the Dodgers in a five-game series. The shorter, the better,” another NL exec said.
The lone Red Sox voter made his case:
“If the Red Sox prospects/young guys like Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer are all part of the lineup come October, I’m going with the Red Sox.
Be 2025’s breakout team
Survey says: Red Sox 6, A’s 4, Twins 2, Blue Jays 2, Rangers 1, Nationals 1, Giants 1
The execs who chose the Red Sox were fairly confident in their picks while most who picked other teams admitted they were taking “fliers” on them. The A’s might be a surprising team to see here for casual fans but inside the game, they’re intriguing. The move to Sacramento could turn into a home-field advantage if they embrace it, according to one exec.
What they said:
“Boston is just primed for a breakout,” said one non AL East exec. “And think about that division now that the Yankees are starting injured, and Baltimore did little in the offseason. The Red Sox could do more than just breakout.”
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“Do people realize how much the A’s hit in the second half?” one NL scout said. “They have a couple of budding stars plus they added pitching. Why not them?”
“I’ll take a flier on the Nationals,” one NL exec said. “I know they’re in a tough division, but there’s a lot of talent there.”
“Love their starting pitching depth,” another NL exec said of the Giants. “Liked the [Willy] Adames signing, Jung Hoo Lee being healthy all year will certainly help, and they have more talented arms in the upper minors that could help down the stretch.”
“I realize the Rangers won the World Series a year ago, but no one is talking about them,” a rival AL exec said. “I like what they did this offseason.”
Win NL MVP, if not Ohtani
Survey says: Juan Soto 5, Mookie Betts 3, Kyle Tucker 2, Bryce Harper 2, Ronald Acuna Jr. 2, Jackson Chourio 1, Matt Olson 1, Fernando Tatis Jr. 1, Francisco Lindor 1
As the voting indicates, it’s a hard question to answer when the obvious choice — Ohtani — is taken out of the mix. The NL is filled with stars who can step in during awards week in November if somehow Ohtani has a down year or is injured. But remember, he’s due back on the mound at some point, giving him another edge against all other MVP contenders.
What they said:
“I know he doesn’t have the short porch anymore, but in any other year, Soto is your likely MVP last season in the AL,” one NL exec said. “If it’s not Shohei, then I’ll take Soto.”
“From a strategic standpoint, I like Betts,” one scout said. “If Ohtani is having a down year, that means another Dodger is probably having a great one. Betts is my choice.”
“Might be a long shot in a league of stars, but Kyle Tucker is entering his free agent year and was on his way to some MVP votes last year before he got hurt. I’ll go with him,” another NL exec said.
“I think people forget Matt Olson hit 50 home runs a couple of years ago,” an AL exec said. “He’s my choice.”
Win AL MVP
Survey says: Aaron Judge 4, Bobby Witt Jr. 4, Gunnar Henderson 1, Adley Rutschman 1, Alex Bregman 1, Jose Ramirez 1, Brent Rooker 1, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1, Corey Seager 1, Riley Greene 1, Julio Rodriguez 1
Is it surprising Judge or Witt didn’t get more votes? According to ESPN BET, they are the clear favorites. Interestingly, Yordan Alvarez — the fourth betting choice — didn’t receive a single vote in our poll. But many others did after Judge and Witt. If they falter, execs believe its wide open.
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What they said:
“I mean Judge might already have three in a row if not for an injury — and Ohtani,” said one AL exec. “He’s my pick until further notice.”
“Witt is the best overall player in the league — and maybe the game,” another AL executive said.
“Kind of like my thinking on Kyle Tucker, it’s Vlad’s free agent year,” an NL exec said. “We know he’s capable.”
“Brent Rooker is my sleeper pick,” an AL exec said. “Massive power.”
Become a superstar in 2025
Survey says: Roki Sasaki 5, Jackson Chourio 2, Jackson Merrill 2, Wyatt Langford 1, Matt Wallner 1, Jackson Holliday 1
Sasaki was an easy pick by several executives, while others went with players with MLB experience. Wallner slugged six home runs this spring and has a 5% career home run rate for the Twins, but he hasn’t had a true breakout season. Meanwhile, Langford finished seventh in AL Rookie of the Year voting, and Holliday was the No. 1 prospect in the sport at this time a year ago.
What they said:
“That splitter [of Sasaki’s] is going to confuse a lot of hitters,” one AL scout said.
“There are no sure thing breakout candidates in our game, but at least until they see him a few times, I’d give the nod to Sasaki,” an NL executive said.
“After Skenes, I thought [Langford] was the most polished player in his draft class,” another NL exec said. “It hasn’t surprised me that he has developed quickly into an impact big leaguer. He’s going to be fun to watch.”
“He hits the ball hard — though contact is an issue — he does make good swing decisions,” said the NL exec who chose Wallner.
The pitcher you’d most want to give the ball to in a must-win game
Survey says: Paul Skenes 8, Zack Wheeler 3, Spencer Strider 2, Tarik Skubal 2, Chris Sale 2
Skenes getting the nod over more established aces here is either totally believable or pretty wild considering he has all of 23 career games on his résumé — and none in the postseason. But it speaks to his stuff and maturity, at least according to one executive who voted for him. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the other choices, including both of last year’s Cy Young winners in Skubal and Sale.
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What they said:
“I’m only picking Skenes because he doesn’t look or act anything like a 22-year-old pitcher,” one NL exec said. “Even without the experience, I’d take him for one game.”
“Skenes, and it wasn’t a hard pick,” an AL exec said.
“Wheeler keeps you in every game,” a non-Skenes voter said.
“Skubal just oozes confidence when on the mound,” one AL scout said. “I’ll take him for one game.”
The hitter you’d most want at the plate with your season on the line
Survey says: Shohei Ohtani 11, Jose Ramirez 2, Bryce Harper 2, Mookie Betts 1, Juan Soto, 1, Steven Kwan 1
Perhaps we should have eliminated Ohtani from the voting as we did for the MVP award, but it’s clear that execs see the same thing we do: A generational hitter who can rise to the occasion. “Ohtani, who else?” was the summation of most voters’ thoughts. So perhaps the question to execs who didn’t vote for him should have been, ‘why not Ohtani?’ A few make their case.
What they said:
“I’m not betting against Bryce in a big spot,” a non-Ohtani voter said. “I want him up there.”
“Ramirez just seems to come through whenever you need it, from either side of the plate,” one NL exec said.
Be traded by the deadline
Survey says: Sandy Alcantara 9, Luis Robert Jr. 5, Ryan Helsley 3, Nolan Arenado 1
Not surprisingly, all eyes will be on the Marlins making another blockbuster trade this summer (if not before). Even an executive who chose Robert did so assuming Alcantara will also be traded. Another executive thought more closers and relievers would be on this list if we asked closer to the deadline. While those names will emerge during the season, these players are the most likely to be traded, according to those who actually help make deals.
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What they said:
“Let’s face it, if not for the injury, Alcantara probably would have been traded by now,” one AL exec said.
“If Luis Robert is healthy, he’ll be moved,” an NL exec said.
“I think the Cardinals will do really well at the deadline for Helsley,” another NL exec said. “They were smart to wait, unless he has a bad first half.”
Use the challenge system the most if it was instituted this regular season
Survey says: Juan Soto 5, J.T Realmuto 1, Cal Raleigh 1, Willson Contreras 1, Kyle Schwarber 1, Max Scherzer 1, the Yankees 1
Not every executive explained their answer, so it’s unclear which votes were an admiration for the player’s eye at the plate or more because they are seen as a player who complains the most about ball/strike calls — and that includes the vote for the entire Yankees team.
What they said:
“Soto knows the strike zone as well as anyone, and I think he would use it a lot because of that,” one AL exec said.
“I’m going with a catcher because they hit and defend, so my pick is Realmuto,” one NL scout said.
“Catchers have twice the chance to challenge, and it looks like Cal Raleigh is really good at it, so I’ll go with him,” another scout said.
