A contributing factor to a good team’s transformation into a great one is the emergence of players who surpass preseason expectations. This analysis highlights the standout underappreciated performers for each Major League Baseball team thus far in the 2025 season. These players may range from young prospects maturing into their roles to veterans producing results beyond their established norms.

For the New York Yankees, Fernando Cruz has been a noteworthy presence despite his recent struggles with right shoulder inflammation. Prior to his sidelining, Cruz maintained an impressive 2.66 ERA over 21 games, showcasing a remarkable 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings across 23.2 innings pitched after joining the team through a trade from the Cincinnati Reds.

In Tampa Bay, José Caballero continues to be a dynamic player after stealing an impressive 44 bases last season, although he faced challenges in being thrown out 16 times. This season has seen him improve his statistics, successfully stealing bases on 19 of his 23 attempts, and enhancing his OPS from .630 to .735.