Two months in on #HumBabe 2025 and our second Pick-Em Payout of the year goes to … the Brooklyn Robins!

Week 9 is upon us, which will take us into the month of June… (already?!) and as we turn the chapter, we find ourselves for the first time this year without an undefeated team. But if you’re in need of consistency – look no further than that goose egg in the Florida Squeeze’s record (just don’t mind that the zero is in the Wins column, alright?). LeBronto, Jackal, and Brooklyn lead the way with their 7-1 records, but with two of those teams both in the SCL Ruth Division (LeBronto and Brooklyn), the Perth Platypi and Wally Mash (6-2 each) have earned themselves a shoutout as Division Leaders to this point as well.

Top players of the month, top teams, and a look ahead to this year’s First-Year Player Draft… here we go.

Sho-Hey, Sho-Hey, Sho-Hey

Leading all players in fantasy points during the month of May, Shohei Ohtani tallied 161 FPts for Jackal Attack and outpaced a rebounding Wally Masher, Rafael Devers (156 FPts) to earn the honor. Ohtani’s 7.32 FPts per Game this month is somehow overshadowed by another narrative though … he is nearing a return to the mound. Yes, these point totals are only from his bat… Ludacris.

But Shohei wasn’t the only fantasy juggernaut lighting up box scores in May. Taylor Ward and Pete Crow-Armstrong were a surprisingly powerful duo for Perth Platypi, logging 144.5 FPts and 143.5 FPts, respectively. PCA, in particular, continues to make a case as one of fantasy baseball’s rising stars, bringing elite speed and steady offensive production, despite being regarded as a glove-first prospect.

Tarik Skubal was the top-performing pitcher of the month, managing nearly a thirty points per start average (28.4 FPts/G). Any fantasy manager lucky enough to roster him is surely reaping benefits – that lucky guy in #HumBabe is those Say Hey Kids.

Kyle Schwarber (137.5 FPts) and Aaron Judge (136.5 FPts) kept their power-hitting theme alive, delivering for the Coastal Splitters and Pablo, respectively. Seiya Suzuki (132.5 FPts) added his name to the May top ten, making the Perth Platypi one of the most productive squads this month.

Trea Turner (131 FPts, BKN) and Jose Ramirez (126 FPts, LBJ) rounded out the top ten, proving yet again why they remain two of fantasy baseball’s most reliable superstars.

May In A Vacuum

Jackal Attack had an impressive month (they have Shohei), finishing with the highest total score (1,955 FPts) and going 3-1 in their matchups. Their best performance came in Week 6, where they racked up 548.25 FPts against the Florida Squeeze, but more importantly, they are showing strength in consistency week-after-week.

Wally Mash followed closely behind with 1,932 FPts, but split their four contests at 2-2. They continue to hold a division lead over Pablo and the Secret Weapons, but even at 4-4 on the year, I don’t think anyone is sleeping on Pablo (1,775 FPts & 3-1 in May).

LeBronto was perfect in May, 4-0, and their 1,891 FPts brings them to a season total that tops all other HumBabe Dynasty teams. Can keep that momentum into June as they lineup against the Brooklyn Robins in Week 9 and the Coastal Splitters in Week 10?

The poor Florida Squeeze, yet to claim a 2025 victory, had a tough 0-4 month of May but their point total, 1,638 FPts, was good for the League’s tenth best and offers a glimmer of hope for weeks to come. But then again, maybe we should just look ahead to the First-Year Player Draft as supplementation to the rebuild around Bobby Witt Jr…

Unpredictable Rookie Class

The 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft is shaping up to be an intriguing one (says the Commissioner that geeks out over every draft class). With a wide-open race for the No. 1 overall pick and a deep pool of talent across both the high school and collegiate ranks, there’s a lot to dream on as a HumBabe Dynasty Manager.

Now, let’s not compare the top of this draft (or any other) to Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, and Wyatt Langford, but high school standouts like shortstop Ethan Holliday and right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez are generating buzz, while college stars such as Florida State’s Jamie Arnold and Tennessee’s Liam Doyle are making strong cases to be selected early.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the draft is the emphasis on pitching. With several elite left-handed arms available, teams looking to bolster their rotations could have plenty of options. Doyle, in particular, has impressed scouts with a high-octane fastball and dominant performances in the SEC, though concerns about his delivery and secondary pitches could impact his draft stock. While the pitching focused draft strategy may dominate the MLB clubs, it’s a tricky strategy to navigate in fantasy baseball (another reminder to look beyond Paul Skenes). RHP Seth Hernandez, LHP Jamie Arnold, RHP Kyson Witherspoon, LHP Kade Anderson, and LHP Liam Doyle make up the five pitchers within MLB’s Top 10 Draft Prospects.

Hitters like Oregon State’s Aiva Arquette and Wake Forest’s Marek Houston are proving that college bats can hold their own against the influx of high school talent that includes SS Eli Whillits, SS Billy Carlson, and SS Steele Hall.

As MLB teams finalize their draft boards, HumBabe teams should be readying theirs. With so much uncertainty at the top, this year’s draft could be one of the most unpredictable in recent history.

The MLB Draft will take place July 13th and July 14th – HumBabe’s will follow shortly after and add an 11th Minor League roster spot for the remainder of the 2025 season as storage for these First-Year Player Draft selections.