Major League Baseball Stars, Role Players, and Wild Cards: Tiers for Key World Series Players
Published on Oct. 24, 2025, at 12:23 a.m. ET
The Blue Jays and Dodgers are both formidable teams, and we know this since they’re competing in the World Series. We’ll soon discover which team will emerge as the champion when they face off. However, the question of which players are exceptional does not need to wait for the championship outcome. We’ve categorized the key players from both the Dodgers and Blue Jays into ranked tiers. Let’s dive right in!
Jump To: Stars | Supporting Cast | Role Players | Wild Cards
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers, Designated Hitter/Right-Handed Pitcher: The excitement surrounding MLB’s two-way sensation is such that he could easily be classified among the stars of the World Series on two counts. Ohtani is a Cy Young-caliber starter, as demonstrated in Game 4 of the NLCS, and he possesses an MVP-caliber bat, clearly showcased in the same game.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays, First Baseman: As the son of the legendary Vladimir Guerrero, Vlad Jr. jili50 login is more than just a name; he stands as a genuine star in his own right. The 26-year-old first baseman made his fifth All-Star team in 2025, has garnered multiple Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove, received MVP votes in two of the past five seasons, and has an impressive .442/.510/.930 batting average with six home runs this postseason.
Mookie Betts, Dodgers, Shortstop: Early in the season, it seemed like Mookie Betts might be having an off year or possibly beginning his decline. However, he rebounded strongly by batting .317/.376/.516 with nine homers over the last 47 games, while also leading shortstops in Defensive Runs Saved during his first complete season at the position.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers, Right-Handed Pitcher: Just a year ago, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was a promising rookie starter. Now, after another successful season, he has emerged as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher for Los Angeles, dominating throughout this postseason.
Blake Snell, Dodgers, Left-Handed Pitcher: Blake Snell leads the league in strikeout rate and has bagged two Cy Young awards in his career. Even though injuries sidelined him for most of 2025, he performed impressively when healthy, finishing the regular season with a 2. www taya365 com login app35 ERA in 11 starts and allowing only two runs in 21 postseason innings.
Freddie Freeman, Dodgers, First Baseman: At 36, Freeman has faced injuries but has continued to excel on the field, hitting .296/.367/.502 with 39 doubles and 65 extra-base hits in 147 games in 2025, earning him a spot in his ninth All-Star team.
George Springer, Blue Jays, Outfielder/Designated Hitter: Although George Springer was not shining like a superstar heading into 2025, he reinvented himself this summer, hitting 32 homers while batting .309/.399/.560. His four home runs this postseason include a critical dinger in the ALCS, tying him for the third-most playoff home runs ever with 23.
The Supporting Cast
Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays, Catcher: While Kirk may not be as flashy as his star teammates, his value comes from his solid defense and pitch framing. He was among the AL’s top catchers offensively, and his skills contributed nearly five wins above replacement.
Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays, Right-Handed Pitcher: Once a star player receiving Cy Young votes for three consecutive seasons, Gausman’s performance has tapered off. However, his past brilliance keeps him competitive against any arm the Dodgers throw out.
Will Smith, Dodgers, Catcher: Smith boasts superior hitting stats compared to Kirk, batting jilibet gcash.296/.404/.497 in 2025. While he drives the Dodgers’ lineup as a key player, Kirk’s defensive prowess keeps them relevant in this tier.
Ernie Clement, Blue Jays, Infielder: The 29-year-old veteran has showcased exceptional versatility by playing 89 games at third base, 60 at second, 29 at shortstop, and even 15 at first. Though his batting is average, his solid defense is crucial for the team, especially with Bo Bichette absent for over a month.
Max Muncy, Dodgers, Third Baseman: Injury is the main hurdle standing between Muncy and stardom. When healthy, his performance has been invaluable, marked by a .376 on-base percentage and 19 homers in 100 games.
Andy Pages, Dodgers, Outfielder: Pages experienced a power surge in his second year, hitting 27 homers. His impressive defensive skills further strengthen the Dodgers’ outfield and allowed for Mookie Betts’ transition to the infield.
Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays, Center Fielder: Despite a low batting average, Varsho compensates with his power and defense. Though his appearances were limited due to injury, he still contributed as a 3-win player for Toronto.
Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers, Right-Handed Pitcher: Glasnow’s health remains a concern, but when fit, he is a better fourth option for most postseason teams compared to most, given his current condition.
Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays, Right-Handed Pitcher: Yesavage made headlines as a 20th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and debuted in the majors in September. He recorded five runs over three regular-season starts and has struck out 22 batters in 15.1 playoff innings.
Addison Barger, Blue Jays, Outfielder/Third Baseman: Barger’s versatility and power—evident in his 21 homers across 502 plate appearances—make him a valuable player, especially in light of question marks surrounding Bo Bichette.
Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers, Right Fielder: Although not as dominant in 2025 as in 2024, Hernandez still hit 25 homers, a valuable asset that could potentially swing the series in favor of his team in the World Series.
Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays, Right-Handed Pitcher: Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, Bassitt records approximately a strikeout per inning while minimizing walks. If he can keep the ball within the park, he should perform well even against the Dodgers’ lineup, albeit a considerable if.
The Role Players
Myles Straw, Blue Jays, Utilityman: Straw adds to the versatile roster of the Blue Jays, providing tremendous defensive value.
Davis Schneider, Blue Jays, Utilityman: With a standout mustache, a solid bat, and average defensive skills, Schneider tends to significantly contribute more positively than negatively.
Nathan Lukes, Blue Jays, Outfielder: Lukes brings reliability in the outfield and can adapt to any needed position despite having an average bat 55bmw casino login.
Tommy Edman, Dodgers, Utilityman: The Dodgers also have their version of a versatile player with Edman, who can slot in wherever he’s needed.
Miguel Rojas, Dodgers, Infielder: Though Rojas recorded 317 plate appearances in the regular season, he was excluded from the NLCS roster.
The Wild Cards
Shane Bieber, Blue Jays, Right-Handed Pitcher: Bieber has star-level potential, having previously won the AL Cy Young award in 2020. However, he’s currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, making him a true wild card for Toronto.
Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, Right-Handed Pitcher: Scherzer’s challenge lies in his consistency. Which version of the seasoned 41-year-old will take the mound during the Fall Classic?
Bo Bichette, Blue Jays, Shortstop: After missing most of September and the postseason due to a knee injury, Bichette is aimed to join the World Series roster. While he is one of the Blue Jays’ best players when healthy, his current condition remains uncertain.
Jeff Hoffman, Blue Jays, Right-Handed Pitcher: Hoffman’s struggles have plagued Toronto’s bullpen. If he can revert to his pre-2025 form, there shouldn’t be issues; however, the Dodgers may pose a significant challenge.
Blake Treinen, Dodgers, Right-Handed Pitcher: The Dodgers bullpen poses a concern for the team. Treinen did not perform well, posting a 5.14 ERA by the end of September despite starting with a 3 188.jili casino.12 ERA.
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers, Left-Handed Pitcher: Kershaw’s participation in the World Series is uncertain due to his recent struggles in the postseason and pending retirement.
What are your thoughts on the potential impact these players will have in the World Series?
