2025 Top 100 MLB Players: #65 - #61

65. Jackson Chourio - Milwaukee Brewers

Jackson Chourio's astonishing ascent through the world of baseball has positioned him as one of the most captivating young talents in MLB. At just 21 years old, the Venezuelan outfielder, who signed with the Milwaukee Brewers as an international free agent in 2021, made his eagerly awaited MLB debut on Opening Day 2024, becoming the youngest player to join any MLB roster.

Although Chourio's career commenced with some initial challenges, his ability to adapt to major league pitching has been remarkable. After struggling with a batting average of only .210 during the early months of his career, Chourio discovered his rhythm midseason, ultimately concluding 2024 with a .273 batting average, 26 home runs, 96 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases. His extraordinary milestone as the youngest player in history to achieve a 20-20 season (20 home runs and 20 stolen bases) at merely 20 years and 185 days demonstrates a rare blend of power and agility.

The Brewers exhibited significant confidence in Chourio's potential by offering him an eight-year, $82 million contract before he even stepped onto a major league field—an unprecedented deal for a player yet to reach the majors. His impressive performances during the postseason in 2024, particularly his game-tying home runs against the Mets during the Wild Card Series, further entrenched his status as a pivotal player in Milwaukee's future endeavors.

64. Reynaldo Lopez - Atlanta Braves

Reynaldo Lopez's transformation from a struggling starter to a formidable pitcher stands as one of baseball's most unexpected triumphs. The 31-year-old Dominican right-hander secured a three-year, $26 million contract with the Atlanta Braves prior to the 2024 season, rapidly validating it as a perceptive investment.

Having previously navigated various roles between starting and relief for teams like the Nationals, White Sox, Angels, and Guardians, Lopez ultimately found his niche with the Braves. His powerful fastball, which consistently clocks in at 97 mph and occasionally reaches the triple digits, combined with a potent curveball and effective changeup, propelled him to his inaugural All-Star selection in 2024.

Lopez’s trajectory is particularly remarkable when considering his humble origins in baseball. His initial signing bonus of merely $17,000 with the Nationals in 2012 pales in comparison to what is typically awarded to Latin American prospects who attain his level of success. While he currently resides on the injured list as of early 2025, the restructured terms of his contract reflect the Braves' unwavering faith in his capabilities. His religious beliefs hold significant value for him, evident when he gestures skyward after completing each inning.

63. Sean Manaea - New York Mets

Sean Manaea has found a stable home with the New York Mets after penning a three-year, $75 million contract following an impressive 2024 season. The 33-year-old left-handed pitcher from Valparaiso, Indiana, enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career in 2024, achieving a record of 12-6 and maintaining a 3.47 ERA alongside 184 strikeouts over a career-high 181⅔ innings.

Manaea's path to becoming one of baseball's most reliable starters was fraught with difficulties. Initially chosen by the Kansas City Royals with the 34th pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics before making his major league debut. A defining moment in his career occurred on April 21, 2018, when he threw a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox.

After stints with the Athletics, Padres, and Giants, Manaea attained consistency with the Mets in 2024, earning him his new contract, notwithstanding the fact that he will kick off the 2025 season on the injured list due to a right oblique strain. He reached his 1,000th career strikeout by fanning Juan Soto during a victorious game against the Yankees last June, and he achieved his first postseason win in October 2024 against the Phillies in the NLDS.

62. Logan Webb - San Francisco Giants

Logan Webb has firmly established himself as the ace of the San Francisco Giants' pitching rotation. The 28-year-old California native, hailing from Rocklin, has risen to become one of the most dependable and durable starting pitchers in the National League.

Selected by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of high school, Webb triumphed over Tommy John surgery early in his minor league career to emerge as a key figure in San Francisco's rotation. His sinker-centric pitching style, delivered from a low arm slot, renders him exceptionally effective in producing ground balls and minimizing home runs.

Webb was named to his first All-Star team in 2024, continuing an impressive streak that includes leading the National League in innings pitched for two consecutive seasons (2023 and 2024), a feat not accomplished by any Giants pitcher since Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in 1969-70. He secured a second-place finish in the 2023 NL Cy Young Award voting, marking the highest placement for a Giants pitcher since Tim Lincecum clinched the award in 2009. Webb's five-year, $90 million contract extension signed in 2023 guarantees his presence in San Francisco for the foreseeable future.

61. George Kirby - Seattle Mariners

George Kirby has swiftly emerged as one of baseball's premier control pitchers. The 27-year-old right-hander from Rye, New York has solidified his position as the co-ace of the Seattle Mariners alongside Luis Castillo since making his MLB debut in 2022.

Selected 20th overall by the Mariners in the 2019 MLB Draft after his tenure at Elon University, Kirby's astonishing precision in pitching has become his hallmark. In 2023, he led the majors with an astonishing 9.05 strikeout-to-walk ratio, issuing walks to merely 2.5 percent of batters he faced. Although these statistics experienced a slight decline in 2024, he still maintained the lead in MLB with 7.78 strikeouts per every walk.

Kirby's baseball odyssey is characterized by continuous improvement at every stage. While at Elon, he earned the 2019 Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year accolade after striking out 107 batters against just six walks in 88⅓ innings. This remarkable command translated perfectly into the major leagues, where he set an MLB record in 2022 by throwing 24 consecutive strikes to commence a game.

Selected to his inaugural All-Star Game in 2023, Kirby has become well-known for both his competitive spirit and distinctive personality. He captured the attention of baseball enthusiasts when he surprised fans with a knuckleball during a 2023 game in honor of Tim Wakefield, following the former Red Sox pitcher's passing—a truly respectful display despite Kirby's upbringing as a Yankees fan.