Three MLB Players I Misjudged in 2025, Including Joe Ryan

Every year, veteran baseball analyst Keith Law takes a hard look at his past player evaluations, searching for spots where he missed the mark. In his 2025 reflection, Law admits three MLB standouts — Joe Ryan, Mike Yastrzemski, and Hunter Brown — really proved him wrong.

Each player blew past expectations and taught Law a few things about scouting, player growth, and just how unpredictable baseball can be.

Joe Ryan – The Fastball That Defied the Scouting Report

When Joe Ryan first popped up on Law’s radar, the review was lukewarm at best. Law called Ryan’s fastball average and missed the subtle details that set it apart.

He didn’t see how deception, carry, and extension turned Ryan’s four-seamer into one of the league’s toughest pitches. That’s not an easy thing to admit, but it’s true.

From Sleeper Prospect to Strikeout Machine

Look at the numbers: in all four of his full big-league seasons, Ryan’s fastball has been worth at least +14 runs above average. The guy racks up whiffs and strikeouts, and he’s not doing it by throwing 100 mph.

Ryan manipulates hitters’ eyes with his pitch movement, elevating his fastball in the zone. That’s become his calling card, and it’s a big reason for his success.

Mike Yastrzemski – The Late Bloomer That No One Saw Coming

If Ryan was overlooked because his stuff didn’t fit the mold, Mike Yastrzemski got written off for lacking any standout tools. Law saw him as just another older prospect with nothing elite to dream on.

That opinion was so strong, Yastrzemski never even made Law’s top 20 Orioles prospects. Ouch.

Trading Doubt for Dependability

Everything flipped in 2019 when Yastrzemski landed with the San Francisco Giants. Suddenly, he turned into one of the steadiest outfielders in the game:

• 16.6 career bWAR
• 121 home runs
• Seven straight seasons with at least 2 bWAR

His edge? Yastrzemski’s mature approach at the plate — he’s got sharp strike-zone discipline, sneaky power, and a knack for reading the game. Those skills helped him overcome the age knock and stick around a lot longer than most expected.

Hunter Brown – From Command Issues to AL Ace

Houston drafted Hunter Brown in 2019, and Law pegged him as a possible mid-rotation guy. The big worry was his command — Brown’s fastball and slider looked good, but the walks seemed like a dealbreaker.

It’s a classic case where the raw stuff was there, but the control just didn’t seem reliable enough to bet on.

The Transformation of a Power Pitcher

Brown flipped the script by tackling his biggest flaw head-on. He cut his walk rate and sharpened his curveball, quickly climbing the ranks among American League starters.

That kind of adaptability doesn’t always get enough credit in scouting circles. Pitchers who can tweak grips, mix up sequences, or just change their mindset on the mound? They tend to stick around — and Brown’s showing exactly why.

Balancing Projection and Production

Projecting baseball talent feels like an art just as much as a science. Metrics and scouting grades definitely matter, but they don’t always catch everything.

Stuff like competitiveness, sharp thinking, or the guts to change mid-career? Those can tip the scales. Sometimes that’s what turns a journeyman into an All-Star.

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Here is the source article for this story: Joe Ryan and 2 other players I got wrong, 2025 edition