Revisiting Preseason Fantasy Baseball Rankings for Infielders | Who has Exceeded Expectations or been a Bust?

Every MLB team has over 34 games played. In the grand scheme of a 162-game season, it doesn't seem like much, but it's over 20% of the schedule.

I wanted to check back on my preseason rankings to see what players have delivered, and who has underwhelmed, to this point of the season. We'll check out infielders in this article, then look at pitchers, designated hitters and outfielders in the other story.

I'll link to my preseason redraft rankings at each position, and then compare things against the top-scoring fantasy players at ESPN.

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Catchers

William Contreras was my top-ranked catcher for 2025. He's third in fantasy points right now, so while he's underperforming, it's only by a little bit. He should be in the mix for the top fantasy spot by the end of the season.

Yainer Diaz was my No. 2 fantasy catcher. He currently ranks 18th at the position, so he's not only underperformed, but has been a draft bust so far. There's time to turn things around, but Diaz is off to a bad start in 2025.

Adley Rutschman was my No. 3 catcher - he currently ranks 10th. It's a continuation of a down 2024 season, but I think his stock will rise as the season moves along.

Cal Raleigh was my No. 4 catcher. I was too low on him, as he's the top-scoring catcher right now. He should be in the running for the top spot by the end of the season too.

Salvador Perez was my No. 5 fantasy catcher. He currently ranks 14th at the position. It helps that he's also eligible at first base, but Perez has definitely been a draft bust so far.

Will Smith was my No. 6 catcher and ranks seventh now. I had Shea Langeliers ranked seventh - he's fourth at the position right now.

Willson Contreras was my No. 8 catcher - he checks in ninth, but his first base eligibility makes him a bit more valuable. I had Logan O'Hoppe ninth and he currently sits 11th. 

Francisco Alvarez was my No. 10 fantasy catcher. He's barely a top-50 catcher right now, but he also missed a big chunk of the season. He has some heavy lifting to do if he wants to finish inside the top 10 by the end of the season.

First Basemen

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was my No. 1 fantasy first baseman for 2025. He ranks 14th at the position so far, and has been a pretty big draft bust. I still think he'll be among the position's leaders by the end of the season.

Freddie Freeman was my No. 2 1B. He's battled injuries but currently sits fifth. If Freeman stays healthy, he's got a chance to finish near the top end of fantasy 1B.

Bryce Harper ranked third for me and is currently sixth. He's underwhelmed a bit so far, but is a strong week from being right where I ranked him.

Matt Olson was my No. 4 fantasy first baseman and currently sits eighth. He's a lot like Harper in that he's underwhelmed a bit, but isn't far off from being an elite option at the position.

Josh Naylor ranked fifth for me and is sitting second. He's been great to start the season, and has a great chance to finish as a top-five fantasy first baseman.

The No. 1 fantasy 1B now is Pete Alonso, who I ranked sixth. He's impressed me this season. He's head and shoulders above every other player at the position right now.

I had Christian Walker ranked seventh - he's not even in the top-40 first basemen, so to say he's been a bust is an understatement. Luis Arraez was eighth for me - he currently sits 12th.

Vinnie Pasquantino was my No. 9 guy. He sits 20th for now, but really hasn't heated up yet, so a better standing could be in his future. I had Yandy Diaz 10th, and that's exactly where he is right now.

Second Basemen

Ketel Marte was my top fantasy second baseman coming into 2025. He's only played in a handful of games, so he's not even inside the top 50 at the position yet. He's got a lot of work to do to be one of the league's top options at the position, but a couple big months could get him there.

I had Ozzie Albies ranked second, and he's sixth so far. He's a hot week from being one of the top-ranked players at the position, so I'd only call him a touch underwhelming so far.

Marcus Semien was my No. 3 fantasy 2B - he's in the 30s at the position right now. He's been one of the bigger draft busts, and he's got a long way to go to get back into the mix for even a top-10 spot.

Jose Altuve ranked fourth for me - he checks in 13th right now, although left field eligibility is a nice consolation for his underwhelming play so far.

Nico Hoerner was my No. 5 fantasy second baseman - he ranks eighth so far, so I'm pleased with my ranking.

Brendan Donovan is who I had at No. 6. He currently sits second, and is even more valuable in fantasy because he also has outfield position eligibility. 

I had Brice Turang No. 7 at the position, and he sits fifth so far. He's just a couple points from being in ninth, but also not far from the top spot, so he's been a pleasant surprise so far.

I had Matt McLain eighth at the position. He's two spots above Semien, but also has missed some action. In time, I think McLain can work his way back into the top 10.

Jonathan India was ranked ninth for me. He's outside the top 20 right now, and has been pretty underwhelming to me.

Luis Garcia Jr. rounded out my top 10 - he is 12th for now, so I feel good about that ranking.

Shortstops

Bobby Witt Jr. was my top-ranked fantasy shortstop and checks in second today. He'll be in the mix for the top fantasy spot by the end of the season too.

I had Mookie Betts second and he checks in third. So far, so good.

Gunnar Henderson was my No. 3 SS. He dealt with injuries early on and is currently around 40th at the position. In time, I expect Henderson to work toward the top of the position.

Francisco Lindor was my No. 4 guy - that's where he also sits today. I had Elly De La Cruz in fifth, and he's just a couple spots lower at No. 7 for now.

Corey Seager was ranked sixth for me. He's battled injuries and sits around No. 30 at the position now. Hopefully in time, he can work back into the top 10.

Willy Adames was seventh in my eyes. He's double that at No. 14 right now. Trea Turner ranked eighth for me and checks in 13th for now.

CJ Abrams was No. 9 for me and ranks 17th at the moment. He was on the 10-day injured list, so he could work his way back into the top 10 in time.

Jeremy Pena rounded out my top 10. He ranks 12th now, so I'm pretty happy with that ranking, and my overall preseason assessment of shortstops.

Third Basemen

Jose Ramirez led the way for my top-ranked fantasy third basemen. He ranks fourth for now, and hasn't really been super hot at the plate, so I think he'll still eventually hold the top spot.

Rafael Devers was second for me and currently is sixth. He's just a few points from the second spot, and should stick at the top end of the position all season.

Manny Machado ranked third for me and is second so far. Austin Riley was No. 4 for me and is ninth so far. Machado has been better than I expected, while Riley has underwhelmed a bit.

Alex Bregman is the top fantasy third baseman so far, and I had him fifth. In time, I expect him to drop back closer to my preseason ranking.

Royce Lewis ranked sixth for me. He just got on the field, so the oft-injured hitter has a long way to go to even sniff the top 10.

Mark Vientos was also a miss for me. I had him seventh and he's double that at No. 14.

Nolan Arenado was eighth in my book, and sits seventh so far. Junior Caminero was ninth for me, and is 12th overall. 

Max Muncy rounded out my top 10, but isn't even a top-50 third baseman right now. He's been a huge draft bust, and has made me look foolish so far for calling him a possible draft steal.