MLB Standings: Power Rankings and Early Season Surprises
It’s been a remarkably unpredictable start to the baseball season. As of Monday morning, teams like the Astros, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mets, and Cubs found themselves in or tied for last place in their divisions, while the Athletics, Rays, Twins, and Pirates surprisingly led theirs. Ranking teams this early feels akin to judging bands solely on their charitable contributions – the deeper you dig, the more uncertain the list becomes.
Power Rankings: A Week-by-Week Look
Each week, a panel of baseball writers ranks teams from first to worst. Here’s a snapshot of the current standings and the biggest surprises:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (Record: 12-4)
Early Surprise: Andy Pages – Pages is leading the National League in batting average, on-base percentage, hits, RBIs, and OPS. He’s a dynamic player in center field, proving his defensive worth. While his current BABIP (.526) might be inflated, his star potential is undeniable.
2. New York Yankees (Record: 9-7)
Early Surprise: Ben Rice – Rice is already worth at least 1.0 fWAR, leading all qualified hitters in wRC+. He’s a breakout star for the Yankees, despite struggles from other lineup regulars.
3. Atlanta Braves (Record: 10-7)
Early Surprise: Mauricio Dubón – Originally a Plan B after re-signing Ha-Seong Kim, Dubón has excelled at shortstop and even in center field, boasting a top-30 fWAR and impressive defensive stats.
4. Seattle Mariners (Record: 8-9)
Early Surprise: Cal Raleigh – While repeating his 2025 season is unlikely, Raleigh remains an All-Star and MVP candidate. His performance is crucial to the Mariners’ success, even amidst other team struggles.
5. Texas Rangers (Record: 8-7)
Early Surprise: Chad Patrick’s ERA – Patrick’s 0.74 ERA through his first three games is remarkable, though stats suggest it might be a temporary surge. His performance is a welcome boost for the Rangers.
6. Philadelphia Phillies (Record: 8-8)
Early Surprise: Justin Crawford – The 22-year-old Crawford has been a much-needed solution in center field, showing encouraging offensive numbers and a high-contact approach.
7. Pittsburgh Pirates (Record: 10-6)
Early Surprise: A Normal Pirates Team – After years of struggles, the Pirates are playing like a competitive team, spending money in free agency and developing their prospects effectively. They are currently tied for first place.
8. Baltimore Orioles (Record: 10-6)
Early Surprise: A Relatively Sluggish Start from Pete Alonso – While Taylor Ward has been excellent, Alonso hasn’t yet lived up to expectations, slugging below .300 with limited power.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (Record: 9-7)
Early Surprise: Chandler Simpson – Simpson is leading the American League in hits and stolen bases, providing a significant boost to the Rays’ lineup.
10. Cleveland Guardians (Record: 10-7)
Early Surprise: José Ramírez vs. Austin Hedges’ slash lines. – A surprising disparity in performance between the two players, with Hedges outperforming Ramírez early in the season.
11. New York Mets (Record: 7-9)
Early Surprise: Francisco Lindor’s Underperformance – Lindor’s slow start has coincided with struggles across the remade Mets infield, contributing to the team’s below .500 record.
12. Minnesota Twins (Record: 9-8)
Early Surprise: Austin Martin and Josh Bell – The duo has led the Twins to a surprisingly good start, with Bell sporting a high OPS and Martin showing continued improvement.
13. Los Angeles Angels (Record: 6-10)
Early Surprise: José Soriano – Soriano’s incredible 0.33 ERA is a standout performance, making him a pitcher worth watching for the Angels.
14. San Francisco Giants (Record: 8-8)
Early Surprise: Logan Webb’s Struggles – Webb’s performance has been hampered by a high BABIP and defensive issues, impacting his overall effectiveness.
15. Kansas City Royals (Record: 9-8)
Early Surprise: Bobby Witt Jr. – Witt has impressive on-base and stolen base numbers, but is surprisingly struggling to score runs despite his offensive contributions.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks (Record: 8-8)
Early Surprise: Geraldo Perdomo – Perdomo is currently struggling, leading the league in double plays hit into, but is expected to rebound.
17. Oakland Athletics (Record: 9-7)
Early Surprise: Nick Kurtz – Despite Kurtz’s struggles, the Athletics are on a roll, showcasing potential for future success.
18. Cincinnati Reds (Record: 7-9)
Early Surprise: Andrew Abbott – Abbott hasn’t replicated his All-Star performance from last year, impacting the Reds’ rotation.
19. Washington Nationals (Record: 8-9)
Early Surprise: The Lineup – The Nationals’ lineup ranks fourth in the majors in wRC+, exceeding expectations with contributions from various players.
20. Houston Astros (Record: 7-9)
Early Surprise: The Entire Starting Rotation – Injuries have decimated the Astros’ starting rotation, leaving them with a struggling and depleted pitching staff.
Stay tuned for next week’s power rankings as the MLB season continues to unfold!
