Rookie pitchers have dominated headlines in recent weeks with Nolan McLean proving himself on the big stage and top prospects Jonah Tong, Peyton Tolle, and Bubba Chandler making their MLB debuts. Some of these arms will get their own rookie spotlights later in the season, assuming they stay up and rack up enough innings.
In this month’s Rookie Review article, we’re shifting focus to a group of rookie hitters who have carved out meaningful roles on their respective teams. These are names we haven’t covered yet this season, and each brings a distinct profile worth tracking.
If you missed our earlier rookie breakdowns, you can catch up below:
– May Rookie Analysis & Grades
– June Rookie Analysis & Grades
– July Rookie Analysis & Grades
Now let’s dive in!
Matt Shaw
Matt Shaw, a 2023 first-round pick out of Maryland, earned his way onto the Cubs’ Opening Day roster after a strong showing in the minors and an impressive 2025 spring training. But since cracking the big leagues, it’s been a rocky road for the former top prospect. He slashed just .172/.294/.241 in March and April, prompting a demotion to Triple-A. After re-establishing himself there, Shaw was recalled to Chicago in May.
Though he doesn’t fit the traditional third base mold at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Shaw has shown he can impact the game in multiple ways. In 2024, he hit 21 home runs and stole 31 bases across 121 minor league games, while maintaining solid plate discipline with an 11.9% walk rate and 18.2% strikeout rate. His standout tools are his speed and contact ability. With an average sprint speed of 29.0 mph, he ranks in the 89th percentile per Baseball Savant and has stolen bases efficiently with over an 80% success rate this season. His 20.9% whiff rate is well below the league average of 25%, showing his ability to put bat to ball.
However, Shaw’s bat speed averages just 69.5 mph, placing him in the bottom 20th percentile among major leaguers. His exit velocity and hard-hit metrics also both sit below major league average.
Dynasty-wise, Shaw profiles similarly to Spencer Steer, with power that stems more from pulling fly balls than raw strength. If his hit tool continues to develop, he could follow a trajectory akin to Brice Turang or Andy Pages who contribute across categories and offer fantasy value.
Shaw’s combination of speed and contact skills give him a strong foundation, especially in roto formats. If the power or hit tools develop more, he could become a multi-category contributor with sneaky upside.
Chandler Simpson
Chandler Simpson made a name for himself in the minor leagues by stealing 94 bases in 2023 and an eye-popping 104 in 2024. His game is built around elite speed, and he enters every season as a favorite to lead the league in stolen bases with full playing time. Had he played a full season in 2025, Simpson might have challenged Esteury Ruiz’s for the most stolen bases for a rookie since 2000.
Simpson is no slouch with the bat either. He’s hit over .300 at every level in the Rays system and posted a sub-10% strikeout rate in the minors, showcasing an ability to consistently put the ball in play. His combination of a plus-plus hit tool and elite speed makes him one of the most unique profiles in the game today
From a dynasty perspective, Simpson compares favorably to players like Xavier Edwards, Nico Hoerner, and teammate Jake Mangum. But none of them match Simpson’s top-tier speed, which grades out as an 80 on our dynasty tool grades. Here’s how he stacks up against similar profiles.
In standard points leagues, Simpson’s lack of power limits his ceiling as he’s a near-zero in home runs and RBIs. But in category formats, he’s a potential game-changer. With the ability to lead the league in stolen bases and contribute meaningfully to batting average and runs, Simpson offers upside in the right roster build.
Defensively, the metrics haven’t been kind, but he is young, athletic, and could improve his defensive with more experience. If Simpson can become even an average defender, he should lock down every day playing time. And with that, he could not only lead the league in steals but could even contend for a batting title down the line.
Cole Young
Cole Young, a rookie middle infielder for the Seattle Mariners, officially graduated from prospect status this season. While his current slash line of .228/.317/.335 and 91 wRC+ doesn’t jump off the page, his plate discipline tells a more encouraging story. With a 10.6% walk rate and just an 18.6% strikeout rate, Young is showing he’s not overmatched by big-league pitching.
At just 21 years old, Young is developing at the major league level, and the underlying metrics suggest some untapped potential. His bat speed sits right around league average at 71.6 mph, and his bat path length is just shorter than average at 6.8 feet. What is more intriguing is his power potential. Despite not being known for his power, Young has already posted a max exit velocity of 114.1 mph and a pull air rate of 25.3%, both well above average. These traits align with several established hitters who’ve turned similar profiles into legitimate power threats.
Young’s skill set draws favorable comps to players like Ian Happ, Jurickson Profar, and Colt Keith, versatile contributors with solid discipline and some pop. Here’s how he currently tacks up in our dynasty tool grades:
Young makes for a compelling buy-low candidate in dynasty formats. His surface stats may be underwhelming, but the underlying data points to a player with above-average discipline, average to plus hit tool, and emerging power. If his bat continues to develop, there is a path to becoming a well-rounded contributor in both real life and fantasy.
Isaac Collins
Isaac Collins is a late bloomer, playing his rookie season at age 27. He has made the most of his opportunity, posting a 2.6 fWAR through his first 110 games while slashing .271/.370/.420 with 15 stolen bases. His 12.4% walk rate is backed by an elite 19.7% chase rate, ranking in the 90th percentile, which gives him a stable OBP floor and added value in OBP formats
While Collins doesn’t flash standout power, he has shown just enough pop to stay relevant. He hit double-digit home runs in both 2023 and 2024 in the Brewers’ minor league system, and projects for 10–15 homers annually at the major league level. Interestingly, he appeared on the same swing metric list as Cole Young, suggesting there may be slightly more untapped power potential.
Collins profiles more as a versatile fourth outfielder, with the potential for more if he can tap into consistent in-game power. His dynasty tool grades mirrors players like Jared Triolo and Jake Fraley, part-time players who have not carved out everyday roles.
Heading into his age-28 season in 2026, it’s unlikely Collins takes a major developmental leap. What we’re seeing now is probably close to his true talent level. For fantasy purposes, he is best viewed as a late-round flier or a bench piece in deep redraft leagues. He can be useful in-season, especially in Draft Champions or formats where playing time is king, but his long-term outlook is murky. Without prospect pedigree or youth on his side, Collins will need to keep producing to hold onto his role.
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