With the 2025 MLB regular season coming to an end and the playoffs just around the corner, all the teams have started firing on all cylinders to secure a spot and a chance at being crowned the MLB champions.
This is the time of the year when we see players pick up the pace and deliver some outstanding performances. Here’s a list of some of the star players to look forward to in the playoffs.
The Importance of Late-Season Surges
As we move close to the end of the regular season, every game becomes ever so important. A team’s performance for the entire season can be determined by the last few matches they play, and they can either make or break their morale.
As they move closer to the play-offs, every inning pitched and every swing of the bat becomes crucial. When players catch fire in August and September, it can completely change the trajectory of a team.
A star pitcher going on an unplayable spell or a clutch hitter finding his ground towards the end can really help boost team morale and fuel winning streaks.
American League Standouts
-  Aaron Judge: Judge, the 33-year-old New York Yankees right fielder, is looking in promising shape as of late. He’s leading the MLB batting average with an average of 0.329 and 49 home runs scored. Furthermore, he’s also among the top players in the league in on-base percentage and slugging. He’s also ranked at the top of the “Hitter Power Rankings.
- Bobby Witt Jr: Playing as a shortstop for the Kansas City Royals, the 25-year-old Bobby Witt Jr is looking really dangerous. After making a comeback from his back spasms injury, which led him to the sidelines, he has resumed his destructive style of play.
He’s proved himself this season with a .293 batting average, 23 home runs, and 82 RBIs through 139 games. As Kansas City looks for a wild-card spot in the playoffs, Witt’s contributions will be crucial to keeping the team’s postseason dreams alive. - Trevor Rogers: Trevor Rogers, a 27-year-old who plays for the Baltimore Orioles as their left-handed pitcher, is another standout from the American League. He was awarded American League Pitcher of the Month for August 2025 for his amazing performance.
He posted a dominant 4–1 record, boasted a 1.29 ERA over 42 innings, struck out 41 batters, and walked just six while working the most innings in the AL that month. Roger’s shutdown outings and fiery pitches provide a fighting chance to the Baltimores in their upcoming matches.
National League Standouts
- Juan Soto: Juan Soto is a 26-year-old right fielder who’s currently playing for the New York Mets. He recently left the Yankees to sign a mind-blowing contract: a 15‑year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, the largest in professional sports history.
With his latest steal against the Phillies, he joined the 30-30 club, which is an exclusive list of MLB players who have scored at least 30 home runs and have 30 stolen bases. He became only the 5th Met to achieve this feat. He surely is an MVP and a player to watch. - Kyle Schwarber: Kyle Schwarber, the 32-year-old designated power hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies, is looking in great shape. Through approximately 153 games he has managed 53 home runs, 128 RBIs, a .243 AVG, a .370 OBP, a .567 SLG, and a .937 OPS, making his season one of the most prolific runs by a power hitter in Phillies history.
- Freddy Peralta (Milwaukee Brewers): Freddy Peralta, the 29-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, is also a key player to look out for in the upcoming matches before the play-offs. He was awarded the NL Pitcher of the Month for August, which is testament to his great form. His achievements for the month of August include posting a 0.32 ERA across 28 innings with 34 strikeouts.
What This Means for October
With the play-offs just around the corner, these late-season surges could be more than just sparks or flashes of brilliance. These individuals’ performances could give their teams the momentum they need to end their seasons strongly and even secure a position in the playoffs.
Throughout the history of the MLB, we have seen players who start shining late in the season and end up becoming postseason legends. It’s about performing when the time is right and the pressure is on. It’s in times like these where legends are born.
Conclusion
- Last season’s surges can become pivotal moments in a player’s career.
- There’s nothing a coach wants more than his top players hitting peak performance just in time for the big games.
- Several star players in both the National and American leagues are picking up top form and dropping some excellent performances right in time for the playoffs.
- Names like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Kyle Schwarber, and Freddy Peralta are turning out to be game changers this October.
Read More
- NFL Players Who Overcame Career-Threatening Injuries To Make A Comeback
- How Jackie Robinson Changed American Sports Forever
- Greatest Super Bowl Moments That Shaped Football History
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
