Every MLB season brings its share of household names—superstars who dominate highlight reels, lead MVP ballots, and command national attention. But beneath that bright spotlight is another group of contributors: players whose production is every bit as impactful, yet far less celebrated.
These are the under-the-radar performers who carry lineups, stabilize rotations, and turn competitive teams into contenders without the fanfare. In 2025, several such players quietly delivered standout seasons. Here’s a closer look at five of the most underrated performers from this past year in MLB—players who deserve far more recognition than they received.
Five Underrated Players Across MLB in 2025
Vinnie Pasquantino — 1B, Kansas City Royals
Vinnie Pasquantino did not generate many national headlines in 2025, but his numbers paint the picture of an elite, middle-of-the-order presence. He produced one of the more complete offensive seasons in the league, highlighted by a staggering 13 sacrifice flies, the most by any player since 2016. Despite battling an early-season injury, he still mashed 15 homers, 14 doubles, and 56 RBI before the All-Star break, finishing the season with 32 homers, 133 RBI, a .264 batting average, and only striking out 107 times. The man puts the ball in play. He will continue to be a key piece for these rising Kansas City Royals.
Hunter Brown — SP, Houston Astros
While the Astros have long been defined by their star power, Hunter Brown emerged in 2025 as one of the club’s most valuable arms—and perhaps one of the league’s most overlooked. Brown delivered a true breakout, finishing with a career-best ERA of 2.43 and 206 strikeouts, numbers that placed him among the American League’s most efficient and dominant starters. Even though he put up remarkable numbers, due to the best southpaws in baseball claiming first and second place, Brown’s outstanding season garnered him a third-place finish on the AL Cy Young Award ballot.
Brown’s ability to limit walks, induce soft contact, and generate swings-and-misses translated into elite peripherals, including a low WHIP (1.025) and strong FIP (3.14) that validated his performance beyond surface stats. His composure under pressure stood out, too, particularly for a young starter navigating deep playoff pushes. Though he earned his first All-Star appearance, Brown’s season deserved even more acclaim. If 2025 is a sign of what’s ahead, the Astros may have found their next long-term rotation anchor.
Maikel Garcia — 3B, Kansas City Royals
In a league bursting with superstar third basemen, Maikel Garcia quietly put together the best season of his career—one that would have drawn far more praise in a larger market. Garcia slashed .289/.353/.457, showcasing a balanced offensive profile built on improved discipline, quick hands, and an uptick in power bat at 3rd and multiple other positions throughout the diamond for Kansas City. He has yet to catch…yet.
Gold for Garcia!
Maikel Garcia brings home his first Gold Glove Award! pic.twitter.com/3sskjxgEue
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) November 3, 2025
He totaled 57 extra-base hits, including 16 home runs, and appeared in 150 games, proving himself both durable and consistently productive. Garcia’s leap wasn’t limited to the batter’s box; his defensive value at third base remained an asset, making him a true two-way contributor. Players like Garcia often slip under the radar because their improvement isn’t flashy—but the steady climb in performance can have a massive ripple effect, especially on teams like the Royals aiming to accelerate their rise.
Jonathan Aranda — 1B/DH, Tampa Bay Rays
Jonathan Aranda delivered one of the American League’s most surprising offensive seasons, earning recognition on multiple breakout lists but not nearly enough national attention. Aranda slashed .332 with substantial extra-base output, becoming a bright spot in a Rays lineup known for its rotating cast and unconventional roster construction.
JONATHAN ARANDA SENDS ONE 467 FEET
pic.twitter.com/xbUXXnnCGr
— Jake (@TBRaysCentral) June 28, 2025
Despite limited preseason expectations and a lack of national buzz, Aranda consistently produced in the heart of the order. His advanced approach at the plate, strong bat-to-ball skills, and ability to hit both velocity and breaking stuff made him one of the league’s toughest outs. Stories like Aranda’s—players who emerge without prospect hype or big-market backing—embody what makes baseball unpredictable and special.
Gleyber Torres — 2B/INF, Detroit Tigers
Now a year removed from his early-career stardom in New York, Gleyber Torres has reshaped his identity into that of a steady, quietly productive veteran. In 2025, he appeared on the MLB “All Underrated Team”—and rightfully so. While his season didn’t generate flashy headlines, Torres provided Detroit with exactly what they needed: dependable hitting, strong situational at-bats, and defensive versatility across the infield.
His contributions rarely commanded national attention, but their impact on a Tigers team trying to climb back into contention was undeniable. Torres represents a category of player often overlooked in modern baseball conversation: not a superstar, not a prospect darling—just a steady, well-rounded performer who consistently adds value.
Why It Matters
Every season, baseball celebrates its brightest stars—the MVP candidates, the Cy Young finalists, the players whose names dominate every broadcast and headline. But the 2025 campaign was also defined by another group entirely: the quiet producers. The steady hands. The players who didn’t command national attention but delivered immense value between the lines.
What unites this year’s most underrated MLB players is not just statistical excellence, but the way that excellence came to life. Many players have played on smaller-market or lower-profile teams, where national coverage is scarce and spotlight moments are rare. Their success didn’t come through towering home runs or viral highlights; it came through consistency, incremental improvement, and a willingness to do the unglamorous work that wins games.
And yet, these under-the-radar contributors are exactly the type of players good teams build around. They lengthen lineups, stabilize rotations, and provide reliability over a grueling 162-game season. They create margins—the hidden advantages that separate playoff teams from the pack.
As 2025 reminded us, greatness in baseball is not always loud. Sometimes it’s steady, understated, and waiting just beneath the surface. And those are often the players who matter most.
Main Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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