TOP 10 STORYLINES

OF THE 2025 MAJOR AND MINOR LEAGUE SEASONS

- MATT EDDY

KONNOR GRIFFIN STANDS POISED AS THE NEXT FIVE-TOOL SUPERSTAR

The Pirates drafted High School Player of the Year Konnor Griffin with the ninth pick in the 2024 draft. About a year later he was thriving at Double-A on his way to a Minor League Player of the Year award. Griffin hit .333 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases while playing a lockdown shortstop. His five-tool talent brings to mind past POYs-turned-MLB superstars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Bobby Witt Jr.

CAL RALEIGH BREAKS UNBREAKABLE RECORDS

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh unleashed a home run barrage unlike any ever seen. His 60 bombs far surpassed the primary catcher record of 48, set by Salvador Perez in 2021. Raleigh also obliterated the records for home runs by a switch-hitter (Mickey Mantle, 54) and by a Mariners player (Ken Griffey Jr., 56). Oh, and he helped the Mariners claim their first American League West division title since 2001.

THE AMAZING AARON JUDGE

Aaron Judge is not only the best hitter on the planet—the Yankees superstar is one of the best hitters in history. This year he topped 50 home runs for the fourth time, tying him with Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth and Sammy Sosa for the most 50-homer seasons ever. Judge also led all MLB hitters in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging, something that has been done just six times since World War II.

NICK KURTZ'S POWERFUL INTRODUCTION