October’s Game-Changers: The Top 10 Impact Players in the 2025 MLB Playoffs
Major League Baseball history is chock-full of postseason legends.
There was Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson, whose barrage of three homers in a single 1977 playoff game was one of the high marks of a hall-of-fame career. Then there’s Derek Jeter, known as Captain Clutch for delivering at the plate when the pressure’s highest and the lights are brightest.
You can even include another Yankee, Mariano Rivera, on this list. As closer, the Sandman put hitters to bed with postseason dominance that may never be matched from the bullpen.
This is all impressive — mythical even. But few modern players seized the spotlight in October quite like Giants leftie Madison Bumgarner.
For a stretch in the early 2010s, Bumgarner seemingly saved his best and most dominant performances for the playoffs. His 2014 postseason run remains one of the greatest in baseball history: 52.2 innings, a 1.03 ERA, and the unforgettable image of him emerging from the bullpen on two days’ rest to throw five shutout innings in Game 7 of the World Series.
Throughout his career, Bumgarner pitched three complete-game shutouts in the postseason and became known for his dominance in winner-take-call situations. He retired with an 8-3 record in the playoffs with a 2.11 ERA in 16 appearances and 102.1 innings.
And while he had hitters like Buster Posey leading the way on offense, Bumgarner at times felt like a one-man dynasty — a guy who’d just as soon cut off his arm than let his team down in October.
Now, as the 2025 postseason begins, fans are searching for the next player to leave that kind of imprint. And this year’s playoffs are stacked with stars capable of defining a series — maybe even a career — with one or a series of historic postseason performances.
Here are 10 players most primed to shape their team’s October fate:
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH/P, Dodgers — The Ultimate Two-Way Postseason Weapon
Whether you think he’s the greatest player of all time or just the latest name in the conversation, Shohei Ohtani enters October as the Dodgers’ ultimate weapon — feared both at the plate and back on the mound after recovering from elbow surgery.
Once again, he delivered an MVP-caliber year at the plate with 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.014. He’s also logged a dozen pitching appearances — with a mid-3 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 36 innings — yet another way he can impact postseason play for L.A.
Last postseason he powered L.A. to the championship, reaching base at a torrid clip in the NLCS and grinding through a torn labrum in the World Series. Healthy again, Ohtani gives the Dodgers an edge no other club can match.
2. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers — Detroit’s October Ace in Waiting
Though there are some concerns he’ll be fully healthy this postseason, Tarik Skubal is quietly turning into exactly the kind of ace you want for October: a starter who doesn’t just fill up the innings but changes series dynamics.
The magic Skubal has shown this regular season (13-6, 2.21 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP) reared its head last October. During the 2024 postseason, he logged 19 innings, 20 strikeouts, and a 2.37 ERA, including a dominant Game 1 win in the Wild Card and a shut-down outing in the ALDS.
What makes him so dangerous is his mix of power fastballs and a changeup that’s tough to square up. If the Detroit Tigers advance, Skubal will likely draw Games 1 and 5 — the swing games — putting pressure on the opposition early and late.
3. Aaron Judge, RF, Yankees — Chasing Postseason Redemption in 2025
Aaron Judge is entering the 2025 postseason with arguably the strongest resume of his career. He’s leading all of MLB with a .331 batting average and has belted 53 home runs, also topping the league in OPS at roughly 1.144.
His hard-hit rate and barrel percentage are elite, and even when opposing pitchers bracket him carefully, Judge has still found ways to drive momentum in big moments.
But Octobers have been less kind to him in the past. Over 58 games, his career postseason average hovers around .205, though he’s launched 16 home runs and scored 37 runs in those appearances. In 2024, the Yankees got to the World Series and Judge showed flashes (i.e., massive homers, key RBIs), but he also had some stretches of cold bats.
However, this season’s performance suggests he’s becoming more consistent at the plate, perhaps setting him up for some postseason redemption.
4. Cal Raleigh, C, Mariners — Power-Hitting Catcher Who Changes Games
Cal Raleigh has turned this season into the kind of slugfest at the plate that demands opposing pitchers’ full attention. He leads all of MLB with 60 home runs, has driven in 125 runs, and carries a .948 OPS, ranking among the elite batters in high-leverage moments.
As a catcher, the Big Dumper isn’t just mashing homers. His framing, game-calling, and ability to handle Seattle’s pitching staff add intangible value.
While he has limited postseason experience (5 games, 1 HR, .227 AVG), Raleigh’s shown in the regular season he can lift his team as Seattle wins overwhelmingly when he belts a home run. So, when the lights come on in October, he’s a power bat who can force pitchers into mistakes, change momentum with one swing, and tighten the leverage around his teammates.
5. Freddy Peralta, SP, Brewers — Milwaukee’s Most Dangerous Playoff Arm
Freddy Peralta is arguably the Milwaukee Brewers’ most potent weapon heading into October. When he’s good, he’s among the most dangerous starters in baseball.
Peralta enters the postseason on a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts, ranking in the top tier of starters in control and dominance this season. In August, he ripped off an iconic run: four consecutive starts (all at least five innings) without allowing a run, including a scoreless streak of 24 innings.
Though his postseason track record is modest with six appearances, a 0-1 record, and an ERA around 4.00, he’s flashed brilliance in relief-outing moments. If he his 2025 form continues into October, several of Milwaukee’s most high-leverage games could tilt on his shoulders.
6. Kyle Schwarber, DH/LF, Phillies — October Power Threat in Any Series
Time and time again throughout his career, Kyle Schwarber’s demonstrated that he can turn a game — perhaps even a series — with one swing of the bat.
This year’s been no different as he’s put together an MVP-caliber season with 56 home runs and driven in 132 RBIs while posting an OPS of .928. His power was on full display during a game in late-August when he launched four homers in a single game, only the 21st MLB player to do so.
In the postseason, Schwarber’s career batting average with the Philadelphia Phillies sits near .220, though he’s belted 12 homers and driven in 17 runs over 34 games. He’s got a knack for launching lift-off homers, especially in high-leverage moments, and forcing pitchers to make mistakes while swinging late-game momentum.
7. Kevin Gausman, SP, Blue Jays — Veteran Arm Poised for Playoff Consistency
Kevin Gausman has flashed vintage ace stuff down the stretch. This season, he’s logged 193 innings across 32 starts, with a 10-11 record, a 3.59 ERA, and a 1.06 WHIP, along with 189 strikeouts for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Toward the end of the season, he threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout vs. Houston (nine strikeouts, one walk), truly locking in when Toronto needed a big performance.
His postseason track record is mixed. Over 8 October appearances, he’s 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA and 30 strikeouts. But what stands out is his recent consistency under pressure. His last several starts show he’s regained sharpness with lots of weak contact, fewer walks, good patterns from start to finish.
8. Shōta Imanaga, SP, Cubs — Chicago’s Reliable Postseason Pitching Anchor
Shōta Imanaga has quietly become one of the Chicago Cubs most reliable starters, a precise and efficient hurler who challenges hitters and is incredibly hard to crack when he’s on.
In 2025 he’s gone 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA, 117 strikeouts, and a stellar 0.99 WHIP across nearly 145 innings. Last season was even more dominant: 15-3 and a 2.91 ERA, so he’s already shown he can sustain when expectations are high.
Imanaga commands four pitches well, forces weak contact, limits walks, and can keep his team in games even if he’s not overpowering — all keys to success in October. He’s not yet got a lot of long postseason history, but his regular-season resilience (especially post-injury returns) suggests he’s capable of delivering Game 1 or 5 gems.
9: Garrett Crochet, SP, Red Sox — Strikeout Machine Built for October
Garrett Crochet has ascended into ace territory this year, giving the Boston Red Sox something to lean on during a tough series. He’s 18-5 in 2025 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a league-leading 255 strikeouts over roughly 205 innings.
However, his postseason résumé is limited with 4 appearances, 3 innings, 6 strikeouts, and a 0.00 ERA. But what makes him dangerous is his consistency, his propensity to pitch deep into games when his stuff is sharp, and his ability to stymie powerful lineups.
If Boston secures a high-stakes start, Crochet can shift the balance in a tight series by racking up Ks, chewing innings, and keeping the bullpen fresh.
10. Nick Pivetta, SP, Padres — San Diego’s Surprise Postseason Ace
Nick Pivetta has emerged as the San Diego Padres most dependable arm in 2025, earning the Game 1 start in their wildcard matchup with the Cubs after a 13-5 campaign with a 2.87 ERA.
While his postseason résumé is thin — just three outings for Boston in 2021, where he held a 2.63 ERA — his profile fits October baseball: a power fastball that sets up sharp breaking pitches to finish hitters. The Padres bet big on him with a four-year deal before the season, and it’s paying off.
In a rotation without a dominant ace, Pivetta’s consistency and strikeout stuff give San Diego its best chance to control a short series.
October’s Stars and Where to Find Their Memorabilia
October is when legends are made. From Ohtani’s two-way dominance to Judge’s power bat to breakout arms like Crochet and Pivetta, these 10 players have the chance to define the 2025 MLB postseason. Each at-bat, every strikeout, and all the unforgettable moments this month could become the stories fans talk about for years.
And if you want to bring a piece of that history home, Pristine Auction is your go-to destination for signed, authentic baseball memorabilia. From autographed bats and baseballs to framed jerseys and rare collectibles, you can find items featuring today’s postseason stars and Hall of Fame legends alike.
Because just like the players who shine brightest in October, the right memorabilia can last forever.
