2025 Top 100 MLB Players: #35 - #31

#35: Kirby Yates, Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

Kirby Yates continues to challenge both age and expectations as one of baseball's foremost relief pitchers. At the age of 38, the Hawaii native has secured a new position with the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a one-year, $13 million contract in January 2025.

Yates is coming off an outstanding 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, where he posted an impressive 1.17 ERA alongside 33 saves and 85 strikeouts in 61⅔ innings, which earned him his second career All-Star selection and recognition as an All-MLB Second Team member.

The right-handed pitcher's career has been shaped by his unwavering resilience. After going undrafted and beginning his journey in independent leagues, Yates has successfully overcome multiple injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries. His repertoire includes a devastating splitter that has become his signature pitch, contributing significantly to his success as his career has progressed.

Currently serving as the Dodgers' closer, Yates brings invaluable veteran leadership and exceptional reliability in the critical ninth inning to a team with aspirations for a championship. His skill at missing bats while maintaining low walk rates makes him one of the most efficient relievers in baseball, even as he approaches the age of 40.

#34: Manny Machado, Third Baseman, San Diego Padres

As Manny Machado embarks on his 14th MLB season, he continues to be one of the most complete infielders in the game. The 32-year-old cornerstone of the San Diego Padres remains an elite performer both offensively and defensively.

In 2024, Machado had another robust season, batting .263 with 29 home runs and 105 RBIs, which earned him his second career Silver Slugger Award. His consistent output was crucial in propelling the Padres towards postseason success.

Machado distinguishes himself through his combination of power and defensive aptitude. A six-time All-Star and recipient of two Gold Gloves, Machado's impressive arm strength and range at third base frequently draw comparisons to Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. His capability to make challenging plays seem routine has become a defining characteristic of his career.

Since signing a substantial contract with San Diego in 2019—a contract he extended in 2023, ensuring his presence with the Padres through 2033—Machado's leadership role has expanded. As the franchise's all-time home run leader and a foundational element of their lineup, Machado's significance to the team transcends mere statistics.

#33: Emmanuel Clase, Pitcher, Cleveland Guardians

Emmanuel Clase has firmly established himself as baseball's most dominant closer. The 27-year-old fireballer for the Cleveland Guardians led the American League in saves for the third consecutive season in 2024 and earned his second AL Reliever of the Year Award.

Clase's success is primarily anchored in his signature pitch—a cutter that consistently registers speeds of up to 100 mph, exhibiting exceptional movement and precision. This formidable pitch, combined with a low-90s slider, has rendered him nearly unhittable during the regular season, where he achieved a minuscule 0.61 ERA in 2024.

Since assuming the role of Cleveland's closer in 2021, Clase has been selected to three consecutive All-Star teams. In 2024, he surpassed Cody Allen to become the Guardians' all-time saves leader, accumulating over 160 career saves.

Clase's capacity to deliver high-velocity pitches with remarkable control (boasting just 1.6 walks per 9 innings) sets him apart from other hard-throwing relievers. Despite encountering some challenges during the playoffs in 2024, his overwhelming dominance in the regular season firmly secures his position among baseball's elite pitchers.

#32: Corbin Burnes, Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks

Corbin Burnes is set to embark on a new chapter of his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks after signing a substantial six-year, $210 million contract in December 2024. The 30-year-old right-hander arrives in the desert following a remarkable season with the Baltimore Orioles.

During the 2024 season, Burnes continued to excel, compiling a record of 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and 181 strikeouts across 194⅓ innings. This performance earned him his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and accolades as an All-MLB First Team member.

The 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner has matured into one of baseball's most comprehensive starters. After nearly discontinuing the use of his four-seam fastball in favor of his cutter, Burnes now employs six effective pitches, including a newly developed second curveball revealed in 2024.

Renowned for his analytical approach and adaptability, Burnes provides the Diamondbacks with a genuine ace at the top of their rotation. His durability and consistency—having made at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons—render him one of the most dependable frontline starters in the game.

#31: Jackson Merrill, Center Fielder, San Diego Padres

The meteoric rise of Jackson Merrill has emerged as one of the most exhilarating narratives in baseball. At a mere 21 years of age, the San Diego Padres’ center fielder has rapidly established himself as one of the sport's most promising young talents following his MLB debut in 2024.

Originally selected as a shortstop with the 27th overall pick in 2021, Merrill's transition to the outfield has been smooth and effective. His rookie season surpassed all anticipations as he earned an All-Star selection, marking him as the first rookie in Padres history to participate in the Midsummer Classic. His contributions also garnered him All-MLB Second Team honors and a Silver Slugger Award.

Merrill's left-handed swing merges natural power with remarkable bat control, enabling him to excel in both batting average and power metrics. Defensively, his athleticism and arm strength make him a natural fit in center field, despite his relative inexperience in the position.

Recognizing his immense potential, the Padres awarded Merrill a nine-year, $135 million extension in April 2025. With his youthful exuberance, talent, and potential for further development, Merrill embodies the future of the franchise and seems poised to ascend even higher on future renditions of this list.