As the 2025 baseball season approaches, fantasy managers must navigate a crowded first base landscape. Focusing on late-round sleepers, players like Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros and Ryan Mountcastle of the Baltimore Orioles offer enticing potential. Paredes, traded from the Chicago Cubs, could thrive in Houston's hitter-friendly park, boosting his power numbers significantly. Meanwhile, Mountcastle's prospects have improved due to favorable changes at Camden Yards, hinting at a resurgence in his power game.

Similarly, Christian Encarnacion-Strand of the Cincinnati Reds presents a risk-reward scenario after an injury-riddled season, while Michael Toglia from the Colorado Rockies wields impressive power stats but comes with a hefty strikeout risk. Jonathan Aranda of the Tampa Bay Rays is also gaining traction as a late-round pickup, leveraging his minor league success to crack the major league lineup.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada is experimenting with lineup configurations this spring, particularly with his top four hitters: Jose Altuve, Isaac Paredes, Yordan Alvarez, and Christian Walker. This arrangement could maximize the effectiveness of this revamped lineup, with Paredes potentially hitting second due to his high walk rate, which complements Alvarez's hitting capability. Espada emphasizes the importance of creating scoring opportunities for his power hitters by having effective table-setters.

Alvarez, who thrived in both the second and third batting spots last season, is a focal point in these discussions. His ability to produce runs in scoring situations is crucial, especially with Altuve's history of performing well in similar scenarios. The Astros aim to balance their lineup, considering both left-handed and right-handed matchups, as they anticipate a more strategic approach to hitting order this season.

The Houston Astros are putting a renewed focus on infield defense as they prepare for the upcoming season. After ranking 19th in defensive metrics last year, the addition of Gold Glove winner Christian Walker to first base aims to address the team’s struggles, particularly with a -14 runs saved at the position. Manager Joe Espada acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that defense remains a key strength of the organization.

This spring, the Astros are experimenting with Jose Altuve in left field, allowing Mauricio Dubón to potentially take over at second base. Dubón, a utility player who won a Gold Glove, had a solid defensive season last year, and Espada hopes that Walker’s addition will elevate the entire right side of the infield. The Astros believe improved metrics are essential, especially with pitchers like Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown leading the rotation, both of whom favor groundball pitching.

The third base position in fantasy baseball is notably intriguing this season, with only José Ramírez being drafted within the top three rounds. Rafael Devers, Manny Machado, Austin Riley, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. follow closely, shaping a competitive landscape. Players like Eugenio Suárez, Isaac Paredes, and Mark Vientos emerge as undervalued assets, while Chisholm's injury history raises concerns about his fourth-round ADP. Suárez's power surge in the latter half of last season makes him a compelling late-round option. Paredes’ move to the Astros boosts his potential, especially in a favorable hitting environment. Vientos showcases significant upside with his power numbers, making him a worthy target in points leagues. Conversely, Chisholm's inconsistent health record suggests a cautionary approach.

As the 2025 fantasy baseball season approaches, identifying value picks in best ball leagues becomes crucial. Notably, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners stands out as a prime target, having posted impressive numbers including a strong barrel rate and the potential for another 30-home run season at a discounted ADP of 82. Similarly, Eugenio Suárez, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, excels in best ball formats, finishing as one of the top third basemen based on his second-half surge, making him an enticing pick at ADP 132.

Jonathan India, recently traded to the Kansas City Royals, represents a buy-low opportunity at ADP 181 thanks to his projected lead-off role, which could boost his run production. Isaac Paredes, now a member of the Houston Astros, has shown great potential for power, particularly in the hitter-friendly environment of Minute Maid Park, making him a worthy gamble at ADP 216. Lastly, Ryan McMahon, despite his consistent performance, is surprisingly undervalued at ADP 234, particularly with favorable scoring in best ball formats.