By John Zamora 
The 2025 MLB season officially begins next week when the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs play a two-game series in Tokyo, Japan. From young stars like Jarren Duran to established vets like Mike Trout and Juan Soto, some of the game’s best players occupy spots in the outfield. Let’s take a look at the top 10 outfielders entering the year.
10. Mike Trout
Can Mike Trout stay on the field? As it has been for the past four years, that is the biggest question surrounding the generational star entering 2025. A three-time MVP, Trout has missed 59% of Angels games over the last four years. The Angels have moved Trout to right field in an attempt to keep him healthy, but it remains to be seen if that will work. Trout has played 100+ games just one time since 2020. Last season, in 29 games, Trout hit 10 HR and stole six bases before a meniscus injury ended his year. Approaching his 34th birthday, this may be the last season Trout is considered a top player unless he can prove he can stay on the field.
9. Christian Yelich
After years of avoiding surgery, former MVP Christian Yelich underwent a procedure on his back last July. Before the operation, Yelich was putting together his best season in years. His MVP triumph in ’18 and a runner-up finish in ’19 had been followed by four largely disappointing seasons. However, Yelich rediscovered his swing in ’24. In 73 games, Milwaukee’s star hit 11 HR, produced 21 SB, and slashed .315/.406/.504. The Brewers hope that Yelich will be even better in ’25 after finally addressing his back injury. The odds of approaching his former MVP form are very low, but a healthy Yelich is still amongst the game’s best outfielders.
8. Jackson Merrill
A first-round pick out of high school in 2021, Jackson Merrill quickly rose through San Diego’s farm system and entered 2024 as the starting centerfielder for the Padres. And, as a 21-year-old rookie, Merrill outperformed all expectations. Merrill starred in center and was the best player for one of the best teams in baseball. Across 156 games, Merrill slashed .292/.326/.500 with 24 HR and 31 doubles. The young star displayed good range in the outfield and had eight assists overall. This should be as low as Merrill ranks for years to come.
7. Jarren Duran
It may have taken him a while to get here, but Jarren Duran became a star in 2024. Duran made his debut in 2021 but didn’t make a strong impression until his third year. In ’23, Duran hit .295 with 34 doubles and posted a solid .828 OPS. Splitting time between centerfield and left last year, Duran found his power stroke. The All-Star Game MVP led baseball with 48 doubles, 14 triples, and hit a career-high 21 HR. While he struck out a lot (160 SO in 160 games), Duran hit .285 and generated a .834 OPS. Duran’s impact was evident throughout the season as he finished with an impressive 8.7 WAR. Set to play left in ’25, Duran should be considered an MVP candidate.
6. Corbin Carroll
After winning National League Rookie of the Year and leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to the NL Pennant in 2023, Corbin Carroll was a trendy pick to contend for MVP last season. Instead, Carroll labored through most of the season before finding his footing over the final two months. Despite finding himself with a .215 BA on August 1, Carroll finished the year batting .263 with 14 HR over 53 games. Carroll’s disappointing season still resulted in him scoring 121 runs, stealing 35 bases, and totaling 58 extra-base hits (22 HR, 14 triples, 22 doubles). Carroll is only 24 and is a Gold Glove-caliber fielder, as well.
5. Fernando Tatis Jr.
While Fernando Tatis Jr. hasn’t looked like the player he was before a PED suspension and injury resulted in him missing the entire 2022 season, he remains one of the top talents in the sport. Tatis is a Platinum Glove winner in right field, possesses good speed, and can be an elite hitter when he is locked in. The Padre had better numbers at the plate in 2024 after a mediocre ’23 campaign — his first following the PED suspension — but appeared in just 102 games. In order for Tatis to climb the hierarchy of MLB outfielders, he must regain his near-MVP form from 2021. In the year before his suspension, Tatis led the National League with 42 HR and posted a .975 OPS in 130 games.
4. Kyle Tucker
Coming in at No. 4 is a player who doesn’t get as much attention as he deserves. Kyle Tucker has blossomed into an elite outfielder over the past four seasons. While with the Houston Astros, Tucker accumulated a 21.2 WAR over the past four seasons while slashing .280/.362/.527 with 112 HR. An All-Star each of the past three seasons, Tucker is a strong defender who has a Gold Glove to his name. Highlighting his ability, in just 78 games last season Tucker generated a 4.7 WAR, hit 23 HR — his career-high is 30 — walked 56 times and posted a career-high .993 OPS. Tucker will play under a brighter spotlight now that he is the star player for the Chicago Cubs. If he remains healthy, Tucker could play his way into a $300-$400 million contract next offseason.
3. Ronald Acuña Jr.
Acuña’s ranking is a testament to his ability, but we acknowledge his health is a concern and could result in the star falling outside the top-10. The National League MVP in 2023, Acuña is one of the game’s most electric players when he is on the field. During his MVP season, he slashed .337/.416/.596 and led baseball in hits (217), runs (149) and stolen bases (73). Additionally, he matched his career-high with 41 homers. However, Acuña tore his left ACL after 49 games last season — in 2021, the star tore his right ACL. Acuña is expected to miss at least the first month of the season and he will surely need time to find his rhythm once he returns. With that being said, we are not going to bet against Atlanta’s superstar returning to his MVP level. After all, he won his MVP two seasons after his first ACL tear.
2. Juan Soto
For a player as excellent as Juan Soto, it is amazing that he will be suiting up for his third team in as many years this season. In his lone season with the Yankees, Soto flourished hitting ahead of Aaron Judge. Known for having the best eye in baseball, Soto hit a career-high 41 HR and finished with a .989 OPS. While his defense is average at best, his ability at the plate puts him in the conversation for being one of the five best players in MLB. As he enters his first year with the Mets, Soto will be tasked with leading New York through a top-heavy NL East and back into the postseason.
1. Aaron Judge
There is no debate when it comes to who the top outfielder in baseball is entering 2025. Judge has won two of the last three American League MVPs and should be considered the favorite once again. Last season, the Yankee slugger posted a 10.8 WAR and led baseball with 58 HR, 144 RBI, 133 BB, a .458 OBP, .701 SLG and 1.159 OPS. With Cody Bellinger now occupying centerfield, Judge should have a better season in the field playing a more favorable right field. The best all-around hitter in baseball (excluding the postseason), Judge is the star of the show when it comes to outfielders.
Ty Bronicel 
Brian Thomas