1 newcomer on each team making an early impression

Every player wants to get off to a hot start. But for those debuting with new clubs, making a strong first impression feels a little more important.

That holds true for everyone -- from megastars who secured record-breaking contracts to non-roster invitees just hoping to stick around in the Majors.

With an assist from MLB.com’s beat writers, here’s a look at one newcomer on each team making a standout impression in the first month of the 2025 season.

Jump to: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

AL EAST

Blue Jays: OF Myles Straw
Yes, Jeff Hoffman already looks like one of the most dominant Blue Jays relievers in years and Andrés Giménez is fitting right in, but Straw deserves his share of the spotlight here. Acquired in a deal that was all about adding international bonus pool space as the Blue Jays chased Roki Sasaki, Blue Jays fans had an awkward introduction to Straw after that pursuit fell flat. That’s not Straw’s fault, though, and all he’s done since camp opened is impress those around him, likely earning a role on this team even after Daulton Varsho (shoulder) returns soon. -- Keegan Matheson

Orioles: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano
Sugano may qualify as an MLB rookie, but he isn’t pitching like one. That’s because the 35-year-old Japanese right-hander was one of the most decorated hurlers in Nippon Professional Baseball before signing a one-year, $13 million deal with the O’s in December. Four starts into his career in the United States, Sugano has a 3.43 ERA over 21 innings. He put together his best outing yet on Thursday, when he went seven innings (the longest start by an Oriole this year) and allowed only two runs (a pair of solo homers) in a win vs. the Guardians. -- Jake Rill

Rays: OF Jake Mangum
Mangum isn’t new to the Rays organization, as he spent all of last season in Triple-A Durham. But the 29-year-old outfielder, the Southeastern Conference’s all-time leader in hits, is finally getting his long-awaited shot in the big leagues after early injuries forced the Rays to dig into their outfield depth. And he’s making the most of his opportunity, getting regular work and making contributions at the plate and in the field. With a knack for putting the ball in play and plenty of speed to spare, Mangum is batting .328 with a .743 OPS while also adding six RBIs and eight stolen bases in 19 games. -- Adam Berry

Red Sox: 2B Kristian Campbell
The Red Sox were taking a chance when they put the 22-year-old with limited Minor League experience on the Opening Day roster. Campbell has rewarded that faith by looking like a top candidate for Rookie of the Year. He reached base in his first 17 games, the second longest such stretch for a player opening his career in Red Sox history. Campbell has displayed power, speed and athleticism and the versatility to get the job done at second and center field. -- Ian Browne

Yankees: LHP Max Fried
Through five starts, Fried has been exactly what the Yankees envisioned when they signed the two-time All-Star to an eight-year, $218 million contract this past December, the richest deal ever issued to a left-handed pitcher. Fried has gone 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 30 strikeouts across his first five starts as a Yankee, permitting two earned runs or fewer in each outing. The intent was to have Fried paired with Gerrit Cole at the top of the rotation; for this season, at least, he’s now the unquestioned ace. -- Bryan Hoch

AL CENTRAL

Guardians: OF Angel Martínez
Martínez was among the Guardians’ later roster cuts during Spring Training; he was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on March 21. But Cleveland called him up on April 9, to add a versatile option off the bench and additional center-field option as Lane Thomas recovered from a right wrist contusion. Martínez provided Cleveland’s lineup with an immediate spark, hitting .381 (8-for-21) over his first six games with one double, one triple and six RBIs while also playing strong defense in center. With Thomas back in the lineup, Martínez has moved around the diamond, and in all he has appeared in center (six games), right field (two) and second base (two). -- Tim Stebbins

Royals: RHP Carlos Estévez
The former All-Star the Royals signed this past offseason to fortify the back end of their bullpen hasn’t pitched as much as they would have liked due to their recent struggles, but Estévez has been a valuable addition to the bullpen early in the year. He’s mostly gotten it done on the field with a 0.90 ERA and 10 strikeouts across eight games this year, with five saves. But Estévez has also been a huge addition to the clubhouse as a veteran presence and leader, something the Royals had hoped would happen but are seeing playing out as the season gets underway. Now the Royals just need to get their closer out there more to help break out of this slump. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: RHP Tommy Kahnle
The Tigers had a formidable bullpen before Kahnle signed as a free agent in January, but the veteran reliever with the workhorse changeup has added experience and stability at the back end while picking up tips from Detroit’s pitching coaches to improve his own game at age 35. Manager A.J. Hinch doesn’t name closers, but Kahnle has effectively taken over primary duties, including back-to-back saves Thursday and Friday against the Royals. -- Jason Beck

Twins: OF Harrison Bader
Bader has done it on both sides of the ball, showing some surprising power and driving in runs while also playing an outstanding outfield. For a player who appeared to be signed as a fourth outfielder and insurance against a Byron Buxton injury, he’s been just about an everyday player in the early going. -- Matthew Leach

White Sox: RHP Shane Smith
Smith was the top pick in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft and really a testament to the entire White Sox organization for researching and selecting the right player. Through his first three starts, the right-hander had allowed the fourth-lowest batting average against offspeed pitches at .094 (3-for-32) and while he had walked seven, did not give up more than two earned runs in any of those three starts. It’s very early but the 25-year-old looks to be a burgeoning part of this rotation and rebuild moving forward. -- Scott Merkin

AL WEST

Angels: RHP Kenley Jansen
Jansen has been rock solid as the club’s new closer, as he’s posted a perfect 0.00 ERA with five saves in five opportunities. He’s also helped mentor the club’s younger pitchers and is a major reason why the Angels are off to a solid start this year despite starting the season with 15 of their first 18 games on the road. -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: LHP Steven Okert
Signed as a Minor League free agent on Nov. 5, Okert allowed one run, four hits and one walk in his first 10 innings out of the bullpen while striking out 14 batters (12.6 strikeouts per nine innings). He held opponents to a .118 average (4-for-34) and picked up a save April 8 at Seattle with a perfect inning that included two strikeouts. That was his second career save in what was his 276th career appearance. -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: RHP Justin Sterner
As far as first impressions go, it doesn’t get much better than what Sterner has done since joining the A’s. Claimed off waivers from the Rays this offseason, the right-hander has not allowed a run through 10 ? innings this season. If you include Spring Training, that scoreless streak extends to 22 ?, leading to his quick emergence as a high-leverage option in the A’s bullpen. -- Martín Gallegos

Mariners: 3B Ben Williamson
The sample size is only six games, given that he was only called up last weekend before making his MLB debut this week in Cincinnati, but Williamson has made the most of this brief opportunity. He has exhibited impressive poise at the plate with some lengthy at-bats while also showing why he arrived with the reputation of being the Mariners' best defensive prospect and the organization's No. 13 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: RHP Luke Jackson
The Rangers rebuilt their entire bullpen this offseason, with six new faces coming either by trade or free agency. The pitching has been a strength of the club, but especially at the back end, when Jackson, Chris Martin and Robert Garcia have created an impenetrable wall in high-leverage situations. Jackson -- who was drafted by the Rangers in 2010 and was with the big league club from 2015-16 -- has served as the closer all month. The 33-year-old allowed three runs and was tagged with a loss on Opening Day against the Red Sox. He hasn’t allowed a run since, going 6-for-6 in save opportunities. -- Kennedi Landry

NL EAST

Braves: C Drake Baldwin
The top prospect served as the primary catcher through the season’s first eight games. Since veteran Sean Murphy has returned, Baldwin has given the Braves reason to carry him as a backup. He tallied a game-winning, pinch-hit single on Friday and hit an opposite-field homer in Sunday’s sweep-clinching win over the Twins. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: 1B Matt Mervis
When the Marlins acquired Mervis, 27, and cash in a trade with the Cubs for utility player Vidal Bruján, the organization saw him as a change-of-scenery candidate with just 36 MLB games on his resume. Mervis, who was blocked at the MLB level on the North Side of Chicago, was three years removed from a 36-homer Minor League season. The lefty slugger leads Miami with six homers and 12 RBIs. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: RHP Griffin Canning
Juan Soto, of course, is the most notable newcomer in Queens. But don’t sleep on Canning, whose contract is worth about half a percent of the total value of Soto’s. The latest product of New York’s pitching lab, Canning has produced a 3.43 ERA through four starts after posting one of the three worst ERAs in the Majors last season. He’s one of several unheralded pitchers bringing early stability to the Mets’ rotation. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: 1B Nathaniel Lowe
The Nationals acquired Lowe from the Rangers this offseason to add offensive production, a reliable glove at first base and veteran leadership. He has checked all those boxes. The lefty-hitting Lowe raised his batting average to .295 with four hits during a doubleheader Sunday, and his splits against righties are above .300. Lowe has been a defensive constant for a young infield that also has battled injuries. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: LHP Jesús Luzardo
The Phillies acquired Luzardo from Miami in December for two prospects, including Top 100 prospect Starlyn Caba. Including Sunday’s start against the Marlins, Luzardo has dazzled. He has not allowed more than three runs in any start. He has struck out 36 in 30 ? innings. He has made the Phillies’ rotation legitimately six deep with Taijuan Walker picking up slack recently for injured lefty Ranger Suarez. -- Todd Zolecki

NL CENTRAL

Brewers: LHP Jose Quintana
For years, Quintana was a Brewer-killer. Now he’s one of them, and it looks like Quintana and the Brewers made the right decision when they opted to keep the veteran lefty in Arizona for two extra weeks to complete his ramp-up since he didn’t sign until early March. That decision wasn’t easy to see through, considering the Brewers have six starting pitchers on the injured list. But it allowed Quintana to build-up for his seven scoreless innings against the D-backs in an April 11 Brewers debut, and a quality follow-up last week in which Quintana held the Tigers scoreless until the sixth inning. The Brewers expect to get righty Tobias Myers back from the IL, so things are looking up if they can get healthy around Quintana and ace Freddy Peralta. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: RHP Phil Maton
The Cardinals had a historically quiet offseason as they looked to reset their payroll and provide playing opportunities for their young core. However, they certainly hit on the one free-agent that they signed – even if Maton didn’t join them until halfway through Spring Training. Despite coming off a strong year, Maton had his option declined by the Mets, contract negotiations fell through with the Astros and he remained unsigned most of the offseason after pitching in a career-best 71 games in 2024. Admittedly pitching with a grudge, Maton has not allowed an earned run in a team-high 12 outings this season. Also, he has compiled four holds and a save while serving as the perfect setup man to closer Ryan Helsley. -- John Denton

Cubs: LHP Matthew Boyd
The easy answer here would be outfielder Kyle Tucker – especially given the Cubs’ overall offensive production out of the gate – but Boyd has been crucial so far, given some additional context. The Cubs recently lost rotation leader Justin Steele for the season due to left elbow surgery, throwing a wrench into the starting staff. While Chicago looks to strengthen the back of the group, Boyd has helped the top not miss a beat. Four turns in, the 34-year-old lefty has a 2.01 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings, looking like a free-agent steal so far. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: LHP Caleb Ferguson
The Pirates originally signed the veteran reliever Ferguson with the intention of potentially using him as a starter. Instead, he’s been their most consistent late-inning arm. Ferguson has allowed just one run over his first 10 innings with the Pirates, limiting hard contact (82.3 mph average exit velocity allowed, 22.6% hard hit rate). The Pirates have opted not to have assigned roles in the bullpen, but he should be one of their go-tos late in games this year. -- Alex Stumpf

Reds: OF Austin Hays
Sure the sample size is small since he was only activated and debuted on Tuesday, but Hays has added life to what had been an anemic lineup the first two-plus weeks while he was out with a left calf strain. In his first game, vs. the Mariners, he went 2-for-4 with four RBIs including the go-ahead three-run home run in a come-from-behind win. Hays has since added two more home runs, making for quite the first week. Manager Terry Francona has praised Hays' leadership and work ethic on both sides of his game and he certainly has lengthened the lineup from the middle of the order. -- Mark Sheldon

NL WEST

D-backs: 1B Josh Naylor
Naylor has fit in seamlessly with the Diamondbacks both on and off the field since he was acquired in the offseason from the Guardians. Arizona needed a replacement for first baseman Christian Walker, who departed via free agency, and they got it with Naylor. The veteran started off the season hot and recently had a power surge, homering in all three games of the team’s recent series in Miami. -- Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: LHP Jack Dreyer
Dreyer flew under the radar as an unranked prospect, and the Dodgers added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft this past offseason. The lefty reliever made Los Angeles' Opening Day roster and has done everything the team has asked. Dreyer, along with fellow rookie Ben Casparius, has been able to provide length out of the 'pen, which has been especially important with the Dodgers getting inconsistent results from the spot starters they've plugged in for the injured Blake Snell. -- Sonja Chen

Giants: President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey
The Giants haven’t seen the best out free-agent additions like Willy Adames and Justin Verlander yet, but they’ve managed to emerge as one of the early surprises of the season, which speaks to the winning mindset that Posey has brought back to the organization. San Francisco has played noticeably cleaner baseball and shown more grit under Posey, who has tried to rebuild the club’s identity around pitching and defense this year. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: 1B/OF Gavin Sheets
In need of some lefty thump, the Padres signed Sheets to a Minor League deal just as they were set to begin Spring Training. It was a low-risk, high-reward proposition -- and thus far, they’ve gotten the latter. Sheets made some swing tweaks early in camp, and has been excellent ever since. Plus, he’s already delivered in several clutch moments for the Padres this season -- including the game-tying home run on Opening Day. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: INF Kyle Farmer
It hasn’t been easy for a Rockies team that’s off to the worst start in its history – mainly because the team is introducing younger players to roles for which few of them are ready. Enter Farmer, 34, who was signed to a one-year contract for infield depth. Well, second baseman Thairo Estrada sustained a wrist injury in Spring Training and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar went to the injured list on Saturday with a hip injury. Rough as things are, imagine the club without Farmer, whose average is hovering at just above .300 in unexpected regular duty. -- Thomas Harding