The big bats and live arms poised to dictate the 2025 MLB season

The 2025 Major League Baseball season is here, kicking off a six-month regular season into the postseason. These are the stars to watch.

The 2025 Major League Baseball season is here, kicking off a six-month regular season running from Opening Day through the dog days of summer and into the postseason.

Such a long season affords any number of storylines to follow. Here are 10 players who could become the most interesting to watch:

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers at the MLB Tokyo Series game against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18.Masterpress / Getty ImagesJust because it’s obvious doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Coming off history’s first 50-homer, 50 stolen bases season (officially, the count ended at a ridiculous 54-59), Ohtani is expected to complete his recovery from Tommy John surgery and return to the pitcher’s mound at some point this summer. On paper, the Dodgers’ starting pitching is already considered among the league’s best; add Ohtani, and are they a shoo-in for a second consecutive World Series berth?

Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds.Jamie Squire / Getty ImagesHis unique combination of speed and power and his ability to minimize his weaknesses with each passing season makes the 6-foot-5 De La Cruz one of the most electric players to watch on any given day. This year, his challenge is not only to improve upon his 25 home runs and majors-leading 67 steals but also to reduce his league-leading 218 strikeouts. Remember: He’s only 23.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws batting practice during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla., on Feb. 21.Junfu Han / USA Today NetworkThe left-hander last season became just the eighth player since 2000 to win pitching’s Triple Crown by leading the American League with 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts. Skubal’s ERA has dropped and his win-loss percentage has risen every year of his five-season career, which raises the question of how much better he will be this year, when he has the opportunity to become the first AL pitcher to win consecutive Cy Young Awards since Pedro Martinez 25 years ago.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/mlb/big-bats-live-arms-poised-dictate-2025-mlb-season-rcna198105

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