2025 Player Outlook

Fitzgerald burst onto the scene from relative prospect obscurity to post a splendid .280/.334/.497 line in 341 plate appearances, but there are reasons for skepticism. First, he struck out 31.7 percent of the time and carried a below average 78.9 percent zone-contact rate. Fitzgerald also carried a .380 BABIP and a 16.7 percent HR/FB rate, and both numbers are nearly certain to regress. For context, the league average BABIP is around .300 and the league average HR/FB rate is closer to 10 percent. Fitzgerald is a threat on the basepaths and should begin the season as an everyday player, so he does carry some fantasy appeal. But to expect production anywhere near last season's levels is likely a mistake.