Thu Mar 27 05:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Five Burning Questions Facing MLB in 2025

**FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens identifies five key storylines that will shape the upcoming baseball season.**

Major League Baseball’s 2025 season is poised to be a captivating one, brimming with uncertainty and potential. FanGraphs writer Ben Clemens has eschewed his traditional bold predictions in favor of five pivotal questions that will define the year.

**1. Can the Tampa Bay Rays Regain Their Dynasty Status?** After a sub-.500 season, the Rays, known for their innovative player development and shrewd trades, find themselves searching for the next generation of stars. The departure of key players and injuries to crucial pitchers like Shane McClanahan leave significant question marks. The team’s success hinges on the emergence of top prospects like Junior Caminero, who showed promise in 2024, and others within their impressive farm system. Can this young talent step up and fill the void left by departing veterans?

**2. How Many Cincinnati Reds Middle Infielders Will Make the All-Star Game?** The Reds’ playoff hopes rest heavily on the performance of their middle infield. Elly De La Cruz, a breakout star in 2024, is expected to continue his dominance. However, the return of Matt McLain from a shoulder injury is crucial. McLain’s ability to regain his rookie-year form will determine whether the Reds have one or two All-Star caliber players up the middle, significantly impacting their offensive capabilities and overall success.

**3. What is Corbin Burnes’ True Ceiling?** Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes, despite impressive statistical improvements in 2024, also saw a concerning drop in strikeouts and a rise in contact allowed. This raises questions about his long-term effectiveness and whether he can remain an elite pitcher without relying solely on strikeouts. His future performance will be a key indicator of the evolving landscape of top-tier starting pitchers in MLB.

**4. Can the Atlanta Braves Overcome Injury Concerns?** The Braves, despite a successful 2024 season, faced significant injuries to key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. Their ability to overcome these setbacks and maintain their dominance will depend on the recovery of their injured stars and the consistent performance of their supporting cast. While their talent remains undeniable, the team’s vulnerability to injuries casts a shadow of uncertainty.

**5. Is the AL Central’s 2024 Success Sustainable?** The AL Central surprised many last year, with four teams making the playoffs. However, the question remains: was this a genuine shift in power or a result of the exceptionally poor Chicago White Sox? The division’s continued competitiveness depends on the sustained performance of its emerging stars and the overall improvement of its teams. The removal of the White Sox’s historically poor performance from the equation casts doubt on the long-term viability of this resurgence.

Clemens’ insightful questions highlight the many compelling storylines poised to unfold in the 2025 MLB season, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the answers.

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