Ryan O’Hearn Fantasy Baseball Breakout: 2025 Season Spotlight

Ryan O’Hearn‘s fantasy baseball value is soaring in 2025. This marks his eighth year in Major League Baseball, but many casual fans are seeing his name for the first time. Despite flashes of potential, O’Hearn had never logged enough plate appearances to qualify for a leaderboard, until now.

Fantasy Baseball Spotlight – Ryan O’Hearn

Who Is Ryan O’Hearn? A Fantasy Baseball Breakout

A Wakeland High School standout, O’Hearn torched Texas pitchers with a .505 average and 15 home runs during his 2011 senior season.  Baseball America named him to its High School All-American Second Team, and he earned District 9-4A offensive player of the year honors.  He went on to play colleg ball at Sam Houston State.

In his three years at SHSU, O’Hearn launched 11 home runs while driving in 99 RBIs.  His consistent ability to get on base led to the Kansas City Royals taking a chance on him in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB June draft.

His Rise Through The Minors

O’Hearn didn’t miss a beat in rookie ball at Idaho Falls posting a .361/.444/.590 slash line with 13 home runs in just 64 games.  His 20.1% strikeout rate, however, raised some concerns.

In 2015, he advanced through Low-A and High-A, blasting 27 home runs in 127 games.  While his power stood out, his strikeout rate jumped to 26.3 perecent, causing scouts to question his long-term contact ability.

Throughout his time in the minors, until he reached The Show in 2018, his profile consistently showed him as a high risk, high reward power hitter.

O’Hearn’s Early MLB Struggles

O’Hearn debuted with the Royals in 2018 and immediately impressed, launching 12 home runs with a .353 OBP in just 44 games.  It looked like Kansas City had found a hidden gem.

Over the next four seasons, though, O’Hearn struggled to earn consistent playing time.  He maxed out at 370 plate appearances in 2019, largely due to his subpar defensive metrics and inconsistent swing.  From 2019-2022, he hit just .211 and struck out 242 times over 901 plate appearances, fading into the background.

Why The Orioles Rescued O’Hearn – And Fantasy Baseball GMs Rejoice

On January 3, 2023, the Baltimore Orioles purchased O’Hearn’s.  At 29, it was a now-or-never moment.

He spent just 11 games at Triple-A, hitting .354 with four home runs, which quickly earnd him a call-up.  In his first year with Baltimore, he posted a then-career-best 22.3% strikeout rate and became a key contributor to the Orioles’ 101-win season.

In 2024, O’Hearn took another leap, cutting his strikeout rate to an elite 14 percent.  He showed increased maturity and plate discipline, revitalizing his career.

This season, O’Hearn has added more power to his improved contact profile.  His hard-hit rate has surged to 50.7% and he’s walking nearly as often as he strikes out, fueling a .335 average.  He’s become a must-roster fantasy asset in all formats.

Fantasy managers in 12+ team leagues should add Ryan O’Hearn immediately.  He is rostered in just 54% of Yahoo! leagues, and his combination of contact, power and plate discipline makes him a high-upside corner infilder in roto and points leagues alike.

Fantasy Trade Watch: Could O’Hearn Be Moved?

O’Hearn’s resurgence suggest he’s benefitted greatly from Baltimore’s hitting development.  However, with the Orioles regressing in 2025 and likely selling at the deadline, O’Hearn-set to become a free agent- could be on the move.

One intriguing destination?  A return to Kansas City.  With right fielder Hunter Renfroe posting a -1.5 WAR, a reunion would provide a productive bat and a feel-good story for Royals fans.

If you’re looking for cheap power and elite contact skills, O’Hearn is one of the best fantasy baseball values on the wire.