5 MLB Breakout Stars Off to Red-Hot 2025 Starts

The MLB season is underway, and it’s never too early to check in on a few players off to hot starts.

Will these breakout stars be able to keep their pace? Let’s look at five hitters who have started the season strong, and how they’ve shown massive improvements in 2025:

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Tigers

The No.1 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft is beginning to find his stride. Torkelson struggled through his first three seasons in the Majors. Prior to 2025, Torkelson had played in 361 MLB games and posted a .221 AVG and .693 OPS. The Tigers even demoted him at one point last year. Having made some tweaks to his approach in the offseason, the Tigers first baseman is off to a torrid start. In 12 games this season, Tork is slashing .311/.415/.622. Eight of his 14 hits have gone for extra bases. A more concerted effort toward pulling the baseball has worked wonders for his swing. Nearly half of his batted balls this year have been pulled to left field. In his first three seasons, he pulled about one-third of the time.

Pavin Smith, 1B/DH, Diamondbacks

Smith’s hot streak at the plate dates back to the end of last season. A former first-round pick for Arizona, Smith posted middling offensive numbers in the Majors from 2020-23. He spent time in Reno last year, but was called up in August. There weren’t many better hitters than Smith in September of 2024, as he slashed .290/.384/.677 with 6 HR in 22 games. He’s carried that momentum into this season. Through 35 plate appearances, Smith has a .400 AVG and 1.152 OPS. With Christian Walker leaving for Houston in the offseason, Arizona had a big hole in their lineup to fill. Excellent starts from players like Smith and Josh Naylor (.929 OPS) have helped ease the loss.

Wilyer Abreu, OF, Red Sox

Abreu has always been known for having an elite glove in the outfield, but his bat is making noise in 2025. He started off the season with a bang, mashing 2 HR in Boston’s opener versus Texas. And, he hasn’t slowed down since. Among qualified hitters, Abreu ranks in the top-10 in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. His patience at the plate has stood out. Abreu has walked (9) more times than he’s struck out (8) and never seems to be out of an at-bat. Additionally, he’s performing at the plate while maintaining his usual elite play in right field.

Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics

Athletics SS Jacob Wilson made his Major League debut last season, but didn’t exactly hit the ground running. 2025 has been an entirely different story. Wilson has been aggressive at the plate, and it’s paying off. He’s tied for the league lead in hits (19), and already has more extra-base hits than last year in half as many games. The No. 6 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is living up to his massive potential.

Kyren Paris, 2B, Angels

The Angels have been one of the surprise teams of the season thus far. Mike Trout seems to be back at an MVP level, and Logan O’Hoppe has been one of the most productive catchers offensively in the league. The team has also received a jolt from 23-year-old second baseman Kyren Paris, who packs a ton of power in a 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. Paris already has 5 HR in just 28 at-bats. Known for his speed, the California native is a perfect 4-for-4 on steal attempts. Paris was drafted by the Angels out of high school in 2019, and is making the most out of his opportunity.