The 2024-25 MLB free-agent class boasts a diverse range of talented hitters with standout individual tools. Baseball’s five classic tools—contact hitting, power, speed, defense, and arm strength—remain a reliable way to categorize player skill sets. Here’s a look at the free-agent hitters who excel in each category:
Contact: OF Juan Soto
Juan Soto is arguably one of the best all-around hitters in MLB, and his contact ability stands out as his signature skill. In 2024, he ranked second in expected batting average (.316), just behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and led the league in the percentage of his swings that produced hard contact (23.8%). Soto’s bat speed and ability to consistently square up the ball are also among the best in the game, ranking in the top 10% of MLB for both metrics. His combination of bat speed, sweet-spot contact, and overall consistency makes him a contact hitter in a league of his own.
Power: 1B Pete Alonso
While Soto could also lay claim to being the best power hitter in this free-agent class, Pete Alonso takes the crown for raw power. Alonso has consistently topped 50 barrels in every full season since his rookie year in 2019, with 58 barrels in 2024 alone. His 329 barrels since 2019 rank fourth in MLB, behind Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Soto. Alonso also ranks highly in expected home runs for 2024, with 22 “no-doubter” home runs—balls that would leave the park in all 30 stadiums. Alonso’s pure power potential makes him one of the most dangerous hitters on the market.
Speed: SS Ha-Seong Kim
In a free-agent class with limited speedsters, Ha-Seong Kim shines as the best. Kim’s sprint speed of 28.3 ft/sec in 2024 ranked in the top quarter of MLB players, and he stole 22 bases. Over the past two years, Kim has accumulated 60 stolen bases, demonstrating both raw speed and an ability to turn that speed into game-changing moments. While Garrett Hampson may have a slightly faster sprint speed (29.8 ft/sec), Kim’s ability to steal bases consistently gives him the edge in speed, combining elite raw speed with practical in-game results.
Honorable Mention: Garrett Hampson, Travis Jankowski
Defense (Infield): 1B Christian Walker
Christian Walker may not play a premium defensive position like shortstop or center field, but he is an elite fielder at first base. Over the past three seasons, Walker has won three consecutive Gold Gloves and posted +39 Outs Above Average (OAA) at first base, making him one of the top fielders in the league. His defensive prowess sets him apart from other free-agent first basemen, as he leads his position by 20 OAA over the next best fielder. Walker’s combination of range, agility, and consistency in the field makes him a standout defensive talent in this class.
These free agents bring unique and valuable tools to the table, making them highly sought after by teams looking to strengthen their rosters in specific areas.
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