2025 Top 100 MLB Players: #75 - #71

#75 - Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians

Steven Kwan continues to be one of baseball's elite defensive outfielders, earning his third consecutive Gold Glove Award in left field in 2024. The 27-year-old Cleveland Guardian made his first All-Star team last season while batting .292 with 14 home runs and 83 RBIs.

Kwan has established himself as one of the most challenging strikeout victims in baseball, using his exceptional bat-to-ball skills to frustrate pitchers. While he doesn't hit for tremendous power, his ability to get on base and his elite defense make him an incredibly valuable piece of Cleveland's lineup.

Originally a fifth-round selection from Oregon State University in 2018, Kwan quickly rose through the minor league ranks before making his MLB debut in 2022. His rookie campaign was memorable, as he became the first rookie since Dustin Pedroia in 2007 to record more walks than strikeouts, while also earning his first Gold Glove.

Kwan's Chinese and Japanese heritage makes him a unique representative in Major League Baseball, and he has expressed interest in potentially playing for Japan in future international competitions.

#74 - Luis Arraez, San Diego Padres

Luis Arraez achieved something in 2024 that no player in MLB history had ever accomplished - winning batting titles in three consecutive years with three different teams. The 28-year-old Venezuelan contact specialist captured the National League batting crown with a .314 average for the San Diego Padres, following titles with Minnesota in 2022 and Miami in 2023.

Nicknamed "La Regadera" (The Sprinkler), Arraez is widely considered the premier contact hitter of his generation. His ability to put the ball in play is remarkable - he struck out just once every 22.0 at-bats in 2024, the lowest rate recorded since Tony Gwynn's 1998 season.

Arraez's bat control is legendary, as he led MLB with a 26.5% line drive percentage and struck out just 4.3% of the time. Though not a power hitter, his incredible ability to hit for average has made him a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Twice Arraez has spoiled Triple Crown bids, beating out Aaron Judge in 2022 and Shohei Ohtani in 2024 for the batting title. The Padres acquired him from Miami in May 2024, and he continued his exceptional hitting with his new team despite undergoing thumb surgery after the season.

#73 - Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets

Brandon Nimmo has become a cornerstone for the New York Mets after signing an 8-year, $162 million contract in December 2022. The 32-year-old outfielder reached a significant milestone in 2024 when he hit his 100th career home run, becoming just the 16th player to hit at least 100 homers in a Mets uniform.

The Wyoming native, who overcame the challenge of coming from one of only three states without high school baseball, was the 13th overall pick in the 2011 MLB draft. Nimmo made his major league debut in 2016 and has developed into a reliable offensive producer. In 2024, he played 151 games for the Mets, hitting 23 home runs and driving in a career-high 90 RBIs.

Nimmo's versatility in the outfield has been valuable for the Mets, as he transitioned from center field to left field in 2024 to accommodate new acquisition Harrison Bader. Despite battling plantar fasciitis during the 2024 postseason, Nimmo hit his first career playoff home run in the National League Division Series.

Known for his patient approach at the plate and ability to get on base, Nimmo continues to be a fan favorite and respected veteran in the Mets organization.

#72 - Michael King, San Diego Padres

Michael King has transformed himself from a reliable reliever to a dominant starting pitcher since joining the San Diego Padres. The 29-year-old right-hander came to San Diego as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees in December 2023.

King's evolution as a starter began in 2023 with the Yankees, when injuries to their rotation gave him an opportunity to showcase his abilities. He posted a remarkable 1.88 ERA in eight starts that season, convincing the Yankees - and later the Padres - that his future was in a starting role.

The Rhode Island native has continued to impress in 2025, highlighted by his first career complete-game shutout against the Colorado Rockies on April 13. That performance capped a three-game sweep in which the Rockies were held scoreless, extending the Padres' franchise record of home wins to open a season to 10.

King's development has been aided by his impressive arsenal of pitches, including a slider he refined with the help of former teammate Corey Kluber. His command and versatility have made him an invaluable part of the Padres' rotation.

#71 - Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has quickly established himself as one of baseball's premier pitchers after signing a historic 12-year, $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023. The 26-year-old Japanese right-hander has already accomplished what no other player in history has done - winning an Olympic gold medal, the World Baseball Classic, and a World Series ring.

Before coming to MLB, Yamamoto dominated Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) with the Orix Buffaloes, winning an unprecedented three consecutive Triple Crowns from 2021-2023. He was also a three-time Pacific League MVP and Eiji Sawamura Award winner (Japan's equivalent of the Cy Young Award).

Yamamoto's MLB career got off to a rocky start when he allowed five runs in just one inning in his debut against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea. However, he quickly adjusted to Major League hitters, finishing his rookie season with a 7-2 record and 3.00 ERA in 18 starts, despite missing significant time with a rotator cuff strain.

The Dodgers ace showed his true potential in the 2024 World Series, delivering a masterful performance in Game 2 against the New York Yankees, allowing just one hit (a solo home run to Juan Soto) over 6⅓ innings to help Los Angeles capture the championship. Yamamoto's exceptional command and four-pitch mix, including a fastball that reaches 99 mph and a devastating splitter, have made him one of baseball's most exciting pitchers.

After winning the World Series in his rookie season, Yamamoto started Opening Day 2025 for the Dodgers in the MLB Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs, earning the win with five strong innings.