Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (thumb) is "still going in the right direction," and the team expects him to make his first start of the regular season this Saturday against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, according to manager John Schneider. Scherzer is going to avoid starting the 2025 campaign on the injured list, although fantasy managers will surely be hesitant to use him in their starting lineups this weekend against a good offense with a potential innings limit. In his final Grapefruit League start, the 40-year-old hurler tossed 62 pitches. Even if his thumb holds up well in his first regular-season start, the Blue Jays might be cautious with his workload, thus lowering his fantasy ceiling in a scary matchup. The future Hall of Famer is as injury-prone as ever at this point in his career, but when healthy, he still has the stuff to serve as a decent back-end fantasy starter.

MLB.com's Brendan Samson writes that Los Angeles Angels second base prospect Christian Moore is expected to start the 2025 season with Double-A Rocket City. Many folks believed that Moore had a good shot to make the team's Opening Day roster, especially due to injuries to Zach Neto (shoulder) and Yoan Moncada (thumb) to open the season. Instead, the 22-year-old will start with the Trash Pandas after hitting .222 (10-for-45) with four RBI and 17 strikeouts in 52 plate appearances over 24 Cactus League games this spring. The eighth overall pick last year out of Tennessee is the Angels' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and also ranks fourth overall at the second base position entering 2025. While Moore has intriguing pop for a second baseman, he also struck out 30% of the time last year at Double-A, so the Angels want to see more before they make him their starting second baseman.

MLB.com's Brendan Samson writes that Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz is expected to start the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. Kurtz was the fourth overall pick in last year's draft out of Wake Forest and is considered to be the team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. Additionally, MLB Pipeline has the 22-year-old ranked as the No. 3 first base prospect in 2025, behind only Jac Caglianone and Bryce Eldridge. Kurtz impressed in spring training, going 6-for-23 (.261) with two home runs, five RBI and four runs scored in 14 Cactus League games. In just 12 games last year after being drafted with Single-A Stockton and Double-A Midland, Kurtz hit .368 (14-for-38) with four homers and 13 RBI. When scouts compare a left-handed power hitter to Jim Thome, fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should certainly take notice. If he stays healthy, it would be a surprise if he doesn't debut with the A's this summer.

MLB.com's Brendon Samson writes that Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect Carson Williams is expected to open the 2025 season with Triple-A Durham. Williams, the 28th overall pick in the 28th round of the 2021 MLB draft, is the club's No. 1 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and is knocking on the door for his first MLB promotion. The 21-year-old will get a bump up to Triple-A after slashing .256/.353/.469 with 20 home runs, 69 RBI, 33 steals and 83 runs scored in 115 games with Double-A Montgomery in 2024. While he may never hit for a high average at the next level due to a propensity for plenty of strikeouts, his power/speed combination already makes him a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues. Additionally, the has the tools on defense to stick at shortstop long term. Williams could make his MLB debut in 2025, but he's expected to spend most, if not all of the year, with the Bulls.

MLB.com's Brendan Samson writes that Cleveland Guardians second base prospect Travis Bazzana is expected to open the 2025 season with Double-A Akron. Bazzana is the club's No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, after they selected him with the first overall pick in 2024 out of Oregon State. The 22-year-old left-handed-hitting Australian played in 27 games with High-A Lake County last summer and hit .238 (24-for-101) with three home runs, 12 RBI and five stolen bases in 122 plate appearances. Bazzana went 2-for-12 with a home run in seven spring training games. Depending on how Bazzana looks while facing a higher level of competition in the minor leagues this year, he could quickly rise through the ranks and potentially even make his MLB debut later in 2025. In the end, Bazzana's speed might be his more endearing fantasy trait.