These players weren't All-Stars this year, but their outstanding seasons deserve to be recognized.
There are a lot of fantastic baseball players in the big leagues — MVPs, All-Stars, even a few future Hall of Famers — but over the course of a long baseball season, a few great players are bound to slip through the cracks. And despite having really strong seasons, each year, some of those players go unnoticed.
That’s where the All-Russ team comes in.
The 10 players below were not All-Stars in 2025, but they deserve recognition for outstanding performances this season that you might not have been paying attention to.
All-Russ criteria: A player is eligible to be included on this list if he was not an All-Star in 2025 and has one or fewer All-Star appearances in his career.
C Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves
Amid what has been a forgettable season for the Braves, rookie catcher Drake Baldwin has given his team some hope for the future. Baldwin, who was forced into action coming out of spring training due to Sean Murphy’s injury, has been a revelation behind the plate. Offensively, his power fits anywhere in the lineup, and he also has a knack for putting the ball in play.
The Braves’ backstop has a clear future in Atlanta and will finish the season top-five among National League rookies in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits, home runs, runs and RBI.
Honorable mention: Shea Langeliers, A’s
1B Nick Kurtz, Athletics
You can make a case that Nick Kurtz has been not only the best rookie in 2025 but also one of the best players in baseball. Kurtz’s success has been slightly overlooked because the A’s aren’t in the playoff mix like many thought they would be coming into the season, but that hasn’t stopped him from producing at an incredibly high level. Drafted just over a year ago, the A’s 2024 first-round pick has wasted no time living up to the hype and then some, as he has been a force in the middle of manager Mark Kotsay’s lineup.
Kurtz will finish this season leading all rookies in extra-base hits, homers, runs, RBI, walks, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He will also likely be the first Athletics player to win AL Rookie of the Year since reliever and current Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey won in 2009.
Honorable mention: Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs
2B Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
When it comes to the 2025 Brewers and their run of success, it has been a year full of the unexpected, and that’s the best way to describe Brice Turang’s 2025 season. His offensive profile has always relied on speed and his ability to put the ball in play, but thanks to a recent power surge, Turang has become a player who can also do damage and be a run producer in Milwaukee’s lineup.
The Brewers’ second baseman, who hit 10 homers in August alone, will finish the season with career highs in every major offensive category and has shown this season that he’s more than a slap-hitting second baseman. As the Brewers look to make a deep run in the postseason, they’ll be relying on Turang’s offensive prowess to help carry them in October.
Honorable mention: Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs
SS Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks
Ketel Marte transformed himself into an offensive force once he got to Arizona, and it appears that another D-backs’ middle infielder made the same leap in 2025. It can be difficult to stand out at the shortstop position, with so many of the game’s superstars playing up the middle, but in 2025, Perdomo has put up the numbers to become a household name.
Like Turang, Perdomo has taken his game to another level when it comes to his offense, specifically as a run producer. This season, the D-backs’ shortstop will drive in and score 100 runs for the first time while hitting a career high in home runs. And Perdomo’s offensive surge hasn’t come at the expense of the thing he does as well as any shortstop in the game: Get on base.
Perdomo is on pace to finish the season second among shortstops in OPS, top-10 in MLB in walks and top-five in on-base percentage, behind only the likes of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, George Springer and Shohei Ohtani.
Honorable mention: Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
3B Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays
Ernie Clement had never gotten the chance to be an every-day player in the big leagues until last season. And even then, he was more of a matchup specialist. But this season, the Blue Jays gave the third baseman an opportunity to play every day, and he ran with it.
He can hit for a high average, doesn’t strike out and has a little bit of pop. In a lineup featuring stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and George Springer, that’s a perfect fit.
Clement has also been one of the best in MLB at the hot corner this season, grading out as an above-average defender at third base by both defensive runs saved and outs above average. He has even been a plus defender at second base when asked to slide over.
Honorable mention: Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants
OF Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
In a star-studded Los Angeles lineup, much of the attention goes to the Dodgers’ three MVPs in Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman (and rightfully so). But outside of Ohtani, the hitter who has been arguably the Dodgers’ most consistent player in 2025 is Andy Pages. Pages came into the league as one of baseball’s top prospects, but because of L.A.’s logjam of talent, he had to wait for his opportunities. This season, he has put together all the tools that made him such a tantalizing talent.
Pages has shown an ability to hit consistently at the big-league level. That has allowed him to tap into his big-time power, as evidenced by his first 25-homer, 25-double season. The Dodgers’ outfielder has also been strong defensively in center field, rating as a plus defender by outs above average. He has graded out very well in the corners as well.
Pages might never get much of the spotlight in L.A., but he’s showing that he’s one of the best players on the field at all times.
OF Wyatt Langford, Texas Rangers
With shortstop Corey Seager in and out of the Rangers’ lineup this season and mainstays Marcus Semien and Adolís Garcia struggling, it was second-year outfielder Wyatt Langford who became the consistent presence for Texas’ offense. Langford provided plenty of five-tool qualities in 2025, notching his first 20-20 season.
What makes Langford deserving of a spot on this list is the fact that he does so many things well on the diamond and has shown himself to be one of the premium athletes in the game, with a 5-fWAR season in 2025. Defensively, he has been a plus defender in left field, and when moved to center, he more than held his own, grading out as a plus-defender there as well – a big accomplishment in the cavernous outfield at Globe Life Field.
OF Ceddane Rafaela, Boston Red Sox
When it comes to tools, Red Sox center fielder Ceddane Rafaela has all of them, and on a nightly basis, he’s flying around showing them off.
Rafaela has impressive offensive abilities, with 50 extra-base hits this season and a career high in homers, but his bat isn’t even what put him on the map. That’s the fact that he might be the best defensive center fielder in baseball. In the grass, Rafaela dazzled in 2025, with numerous electrifying plays.
And it’s not just the eye test; the metrics back it up as well. Rafaela leads all of baseball — including every position — in defensive runs saved and outs above average. He has established himself as the best center fielder in the game, and at least in 2025, he also has a case for best defender in baseball.
Honorable mention: Ramon Laureano, San Diego Padres
SP Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies
Some might not think it possible for an NL Cy Young finalist to be underrated, but when you consider Sánchez’s leap from good to great, you can see why he is.
After being named an All-Star in 2024, Sánchez has been even better this season, and he has helped lead a Phillies staff that has been without ace Zack Wheeler in the second half. Not only has Sánchez stepped up his game, but he’s also on pace for his first season with a sub-3.00 ERA, 200 strikeouts and nearly 200 innings.
Much was made about Sánchez not being selected as an All-Star this season, and rightfully so. But Sánchez should receive a lot more accolades in the near future, including a deep run in the postseason with the Phillies and recognition as an NL Cy Young Award finalist.
Honorable mention: Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
RP Jhoan Duran, Philadelphia Phillies
When Jhoan Duran was closing out games for the Minnesota Twins, he was flying somewhat under the radar. Now that he has answered the prayers of so many Phillies fans who wanted a lockdown closer, his profile has certainly increased.
And it’s not just the profile but also the performance. The Phillies’ new closer has been electric since arriving in Philadelphia at the trade deadline. He has pitched to a 1.93 ERA, and he has recorded 15 saves in less than two months, nearly matching the 16 he had with Minnesota in the first four months.
On a team looking like one of the top World Series contenders, Duran’s star power and his 101-mph fastball should continue to shine on the biggest stage in October.
Honorable mention: Gabe Speier, Seattle Mariners
Category: General Sports
