One new face who could make a major impact on each NL team

With spring training rolling, every team has new players getting acclimated to their new environment.

Ahead of the regular season, Yardbarker MLB writers identify one new face on every NL team who could make a major impact in 2025. (2024 regular-season records are in parentheses.)

NL East

ATLANTA BRAVES (89-73) | LF Jurickson Profar | After a career year in which he was named an All-Star for the Padres, Profar can reach new heights with the Braves. He’ll likely be the preferred left fielder over Jarred Kelenic, who batted just .231 in 2024.

MIAMI MARLINS (62-100) | 1B Matt Mervis | He is probably the most significant addition to The Fish, who weren’t active this offseason. A former Cubs prospect, he will bring stability to first base and likely receive regular playing time that will aid his development.

NEW YORK METS (89-73) | RF Juan Soto | This goes without saying, right? Soto, who blasted 41 homers last season for the Yankees, is one of the best players in Major League Baseball and can transform a team with his offensive prowess — if the starting rotation avoids falling apart before Opening Day.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (95-67) | Left-hander Jesus Luzardo | In his spring training debut Friday, Luzardo hit 96-98 mph on his fastball and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat after an injury-plagued 2024. He makes the starting rotation even stronger.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (71-91) | 1B Nathaniel Lowe | A 2023 World Series champion with the Texas Rangers, Lowe brings something the Nats sorely lack: postseason experience. He’s also a former Gold Glover at first base and a Silver Slugger. — Lauren Amour

NL West

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (89-73) | Right-hander Corbin Burnes | A strong rotation got even better this offseason when the team signed Burnes to a six-year, $210M deal. The 2021 Cy Young Award winner will be a key factor as Arizona tries to keep up with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the NL West arms race. 

COLORADO ROCKIES (61-101) | 2B Thairo Estrada | The Rockies jettisoned Gold Glove winner Brendan Rodgers and opened a spot at second base for Estrada, who struggled with injuries and production at the plate last season. With the San Francisco Giants, he produced an OPS+ of 102 or higher (100 is considered league average) in the three seasons before 2024. The Rockies are banking on a return to that level in 2025. 

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (98-64) | Left-hander Blake Snell | It’s hard to pick from a star-studded lineup, but landing a former Cy Young Award winner who won the honor while with L.A.’s most heated rival (San Diego) is a plus for the defending world champions. Snell’s 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings is an all-time mark for an MLB starter as he enters his 10th season. 

SAN DIEGO PADRES (93-69) | Right-hander Nick Pivetta | The Padres were quiet in the offseason until mid-February, when they signed Pivetta to a four-year, $55M deal. After spending the past five seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Pivetta is a key piece of what could be a deep and talented  rotation.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (80-82) | Right-hander Justin Verlander | Entering his 20th MLB season, the three-time Cy Young Award winner will be a part of a three-headed veteran monster at the top of the rotation, joining Robbie Ray and Logan Webb. Coming off a season with the Astros in which he made just 17 starts because of injury and posted a 5.38 ERA, Verlander is motivated to redeem himself. — Kevin Henry 

NL Central

CHICAGO CUBS (83-79) | OF Kyle Tucker | The Cubs put together a sizable trade package to acquire the three-time All-Star outfielder, sending 2024 All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes, third baseman and No. 59 prospect Cam Smith and right-hander Hayden Wesneski to the Astros. After finishing second in the NL Central last season, the Cubs have taken the boldest step toward improving among division teams.

CINCINNATI REDS (77-85) | 2B Gavin Lux | Revamping its infield, Cincinnati traded for the 27-year-old second baseman to fill the void left by Jonathan India, who was traded to the Kansas City Royals in November. Lux is coming off a season with the Dodgers in which he posted a .251/.320/.383 slash line, hit 10 home runs and recorded 50 RBI in 139 games. 

MILWAUKEE BREWERS (93-69) | Left-hander Nestor Cortes | After trading two-time NL Reliever of the Year Devin Williams to the New York Yankees, the Brewers acquired Cortes as a key return in the deal. Coming off a season with a 3.77 ERA, Cortes, 30, is expected to step into the No. 2 spot in the starting rotation. 

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (76-86) | 1B Spencer Horwitz | First base has been a revolving door for the Pirates, who head into their sixth straight season with a different player starting at the position. But Pittsburgh appears to have found a long-term solution in Horwitz, who comes with six years of team control. Although he is expected to primarily play first base, Horwitz has the versatility to play second base, too.  

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (83-79) | Hitting coach Brant Brown | The Cardinals remain the only team to not make any roster additions during the offseason. Although no new players will be on the diamond, the Cardinals hired Brown — a MLB player from 1996-2000 and bench coach with the Seattle Mariners in 2024 — as their new hitting coach. — Taylor Bretl