Ten Premier12 stars to follow in the 2025 MLB season

With the successful third edition of the WBSC Premier12 completed in November last year, international baseball’s footprint keeps growing, providing the opportunity to look back to see how the biggest stars in the most important baseball leagues around the world have performed on the global stage.

The MLB is no exception, with WBSC Premier12 talent everywhere, including these 10 players that you should follow in the 2025 MLB season.

Shohei Ohtani | LA Dodgers

WBSC Premier12 2015
What can we say about baseball's unicorn that every baseball fan doesn’t know? For Ohtani, we are just waiting for his next achievement, probably something no one has accomplished in the last 50 years or century. Keep an eye on Shohei to witness greatness.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto | LA Dodgers

WBSC Premier12 2019
After his MLB rookie season, it looks like Yamamoto is ready to take his place as one of the best starting pitchers in the league. This serial winner will lead the Dodgers' stacked starting rotation with another World Series as a goal.

Brent Rooker | Athletics

WBSC Premier12 2019
Rooker enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 with 39 home runs and 112 RBIs with the A’s and there’s no reason to believe he will slow down his production during this season.

Alec Bohm | Philadelphia Phillies

WBSC Premier12 2019
Bohm is part of one of the league's most stacked lineups, and he will be a key factor in the Phillies’ run to defend the NL East title and their quest for another World Series appearance.

Tanner Houck | Boston Red Sox

WBSC Premier12 2019
The 2019 Premier12 veteran is part of a well-assembled Red Sox starting rotation, becoming the No. 2 pitcher behind the recently acquired Garrett Crochet. Houck was among the leaders on ERA+ last season and will be a key factor for Boston this year.

Ha Seong Kim | Tampa Bay Rays

WBSC Premier12 2019
The Korean elite defender and WBSC Premier12 2019 veteran moved from San Diego to Florida and is now part of the Tampa Bay Rays. In a cornerstone season for Kim, he will start on the injured list, but once he’s healthy, the Rays will enjoy his gold glove-level defence in the infield.

Teoscar Hernandez | LA Dodgers

WBSC Premier12 2015
The veteran Dominican outfielder enjoys a second youth with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The participant in the inaugural Premier12 hit 33 home runs and plated 99 runs last season, and he is looking for something similar this year.

Matt Shaw | Chicago Cubs

WBSC Premier12 2024
The WBSC Premier12 2024 sensation, Matt Shaw, made the Cubs’ major league roster and debuted with the team at the Tokyo Dome during the Tokyo Series, the same place where he won the bronze medal with USA in November. Shaw is a strong candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year award.

Seiya Suzuki | Chicago Cubs

WBSC Premier12 2019
The WBSC Premier12 2019 MVP is moving into his fourth season with the Cubs, a team that looks ready to compete in the National League Central Division. Suzuki surpassed 20 homers in his last two seasons and will benefit from the presence of Kyle Tucker in the lineup.

Shota Imanaga | Chicago Cubs

WBSC Premier12 2019
Imanaga went under the radar last year, eclipsed by Yamamoto’s arrival to the league, but The Throwing Philosopher proved his value, winning 15 games with 174 strikeouts and an excellent 137 ERA+.