March heralds the arrival of spring training and the official start of MLB draft season. With injuries plaguing players daily, fantasy baseball enthusiasts must adapt quickly. Jeff Zimmerman, co-author of the award-winning book 'The Process,' shares insights on navigating the changing landscape of player metrics and strategies for successful fantasy team management.

Zimmerman highlights the increasing importance of advanced metrics like Stuff Plus, which assesses the physical characteristics of pitches. These metrics significantly correlate with future performance, especially in terms of limiting soft contact and home runs. However, traditional statistics such as strikeout and walk rates remain vital indicators for pitcher evaluation.

In addition to metrics, the impact of new ballpark configurations on player production is a hot topic. For instance, the Orioles' alterations to Camden Yards could boost hitters, particularly Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle. As teams like the Athletics move to different venues, managers and analysts must recalibrate expectations accordingly. Zimmerman also discusses injury grades and how historical performance, alongside spring training innings pitched, influences player evaluations.

The debate rages on as fantasy enthusiasts ponder whether William Contreras or Adley Rutschman will emerge as the top catcher for the 2025 MLB season. The Locked on Fantasy Baseball podcast dives deep into player rankings, providing insights into the catcher position trends.

Contreras, currently with the Milwaukee Brewers, has established himself as a formidable option, showcasing impressive stats since his transition from Atlanta. Rutschman, on the other hand, offers significant upside but has faced challenges that may affect his draft price.

Further discussions reveal varying opinions on key players like Salvador Perez, Yainer Diaz, and Cal Raleigh, with hosts emphasizing a late-round strategy for catcher selection to maximize value across other positions. The episode also highlights emerging talents like Austin Wells and intriguing options like Ivan Herrera, who could surprise in the upcoming season.

As the baseball season approaches, detailed evaluations of catcher prospects for 2025 provide critical insight for fantasy league enthusiasts. The discussion highlights the evolution of the catcher position, notably with William Contreras emerging as a definitive top option, boasting impressive statistics including a noteworthy fantasy points total the previous season. Contreras’s standing has prompted varied drafting strategies across leagues, particularly between one-catcher and two-catcher formats.

Adley Rutschman is also analyzed as a potential bounce-back candidate, particularly after an injury-plagued season that hampered his performance metrics significantly. There is optimism regarding his recovery, suggesting he could still provide substantial value in drafts. Other catchers like J.T. Realmuto, while still productive, are facing scrutiny due to age and potential declines in performance.

Additionally, prospects such as Shay Langeliers and Cal Raleigh are discussed, with the latter emerging as a significant power threat at the position. Sleepers like Iván Herrera from the Cardinals attract attention due to their potential upside in a favorable lineup. The podcast encapsulates various strategic approaches to drafting catchers, emphasizing the importance of value and production potential in a position often characterized by volatility.

For your 2025 fantasy baseball team, maximizing every pick is crucial. This episode highlights players to avoid based on their current average draft position (ADP). Host Dominic Martino discusses overpriced players, starting with C.J. Abrams of the Washington Nationals, whose current ADP of pick 54 is deemed excessive given his limited production and high strikeout rates. Adley Rutschman, the catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, is also flagged as a player to avoid at pick 64, as his draft position doesn't align with his disappointing 2024 performance.

Moving on, Chris Sale is criticized for his injury history, making his price tag at pick 34 risky. Similarly, O'Neal Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates is labeled as overpriced at pick 43 due to concerns about his team's overall offensive support. Other notable mentions include Adolis García and Bryce Miller, both of whom present risks at their respective draft positions.