Fantasy baseball position rankings: Infielders

The 2025 Major League Baseball season is already underway with the Tokyo Series now over, which means fantasy drafts are completed.

Many need help on who to select and we got you with ranking the top three players at every position in the infield coming into the season.

Catchers:

No. 1: William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers backstop not only led his position in both scoring formats in 2024, but finished 28th in fantasy points and 44th overall. He will continue his success into the 2025 season.

No. 2: Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles

Even though his spring training bears closer watching than usual, he's a prime-age 27 after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 amateur draft.

Rutschman remains a fantasy building block and a sound early-round pick regardless of last year's struggles.

No. 3: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

Smith fell off in the final five months of last season but the quality and quantity of contact remained solid for the position, keeping Smith among the first backstops off the board.

In an offense loaded with MVP’s, look for Smith to have a bounce back season fantasy wise.

First Baseman:

No. 1: Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers

Freeman has scored 400-plus fantasy points in eight of his 14 full MLB seasons, matching Mike Trout for the most by any player during that time span.

Coming off a World Series MVP Freddie Freeman is sitting nicely in this lineup batting behind two former MVPs in Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts.

Be prepared for a lot of production from the veteran first basemen.

No. 2: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies

Across just the past 10 seasons, Harper has five seasons of 30-plus homers, six of at least a .280 batting average, and five with at least a .900 OPS. The only other player who can make that same claim during that time span is Mike Trout.

With the Phillies poised to make another run this season, Harper will be a vocal point in this offense. Batting in the middle of the order, there will be plenty of opportunities for Harper to produce.

No. 3: Vlad Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

It was his third 30-HR campaign and the fourth year in a row with at least 94 RBI.

With Guerrero Jr. being one of the league's premiere 1st basemen since he came into the league in 2019, don’t be surprised if Guerrero Jr. finishes in the mvp conversation.

Second Baseman:

No. 1: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

In 2024, Marte set personal bests with his 36 home runs and 95 RBI, fully supported by huge spikes in contact quality.

Consider taking Marte, a top-25 performer fantasy points in the opening rounds of any draft as he is clearly the top option at second base.

No. 2: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

Altuve has always made the most of his talents and continues to take advantage of the Crawford Boxes in Houston, slugging more than 100 points higher at home versus on the road last season.

Even though Altuve could be playing the outfield, he can still provide well-round production with his greatest contributions at this stage coming in runs and batting average.

No. 3: Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves

Albies is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger, but injuries have kept him under 100 games played in two of the past three seasons.

Ozzie is still among one of the best two baggers in the league with good pop from both sides of the plate. Look for Albies to be one of the first second basemen off the board.

Third Baseman:

No. 1: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

One of the safest picks you can make this year is none other than Jose Ramirez. Coming off a season where he set a career high in home runs and stolen bases all arrows are pointing up for Ramirez.

No. 2: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox

He's the only hitter who can claim at least 30 doubles, 25 homers and a .500 slugging percentage in each of the past four seasons.

With a new look to the Red Sox’s lineup Rafael Devers may see more rbi opportunities and with his raw power and solid contact it could spring load a good year for the third basemen.

No. 3: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves

Riley entered 2024 as one of the most consistent hitters in baseball with three straight 30-homer, 90-RBI seasons and an .878 OPS during that span.

Austin Riley possesses one of the league's best pop from a potent position and if it wasn’t for a season cut short it would have been displayed last year as well. With Riley coming back healthy, be prepared for a huge bounce back year.

Shortstop:

No. 1: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Witt had an unbelievable 2024 season that might have garnered him an MVP award if not for Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.

Witt is one of the game's few true five-category superstars, his combination of solid contact and extra-base ability affording him the chance to challenge for the fantasy points leaderboard.

The Royals shortstop is obviously set for another ridiculous season. Draft him high.

No. 2: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets

Frankie has managed at least 31 home runs, 91 RBI, 29 stolen bases and 107 runs scored in both of the last two seasons and showed decidedly improved raw power metrics.

Lindor is a top-25 overall pick who could deliver first-round fantasy production.

No. 3: Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds

Elly is one of the game's most fun young talents in the league with his ability to hit for power and run the bases at an elite level.

He managed only the seventh season of at least 25 home runs and 60 stolen bases in history a season ago and is poised for a breakout 2025.

If De La Cruz can cut down on the strikeouts, he could be a top shortstop in 2025.

Austin Moran is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acm6506@psu.edu.

Peyton Waddell is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email prw5142@psu.edu.