“MLB Power Rankings Week 4: Who’s No. 1 one month in?”
We’re nearly on the one-month mark of the 2025 MLB season — which means, sure, it is nonetheless too early to offer a lot credence to the standings, however there are fairly a number of surprises nonetheless.
Simply 2.5 video games separate 4 groups — three of which have successful percentages above .600 — within the NL West, because the Nationwide League is shaping as much as be filled with many highly effective playoff-contending squads. And within the NL East, the present basement dweller, in a division that features the Marlins and Nationals … remains to be the Braves?!
In the meantime, within the American League, whereas the Yankees are enjoying in addition to projected, a variety of groups are hovering round .500, the Orioles are scuffling and the Twins have the second-worst file within the league.
What is going to the month of Could deliver for these golf equipment? Will they be capable to carry — or change — their momentum?
Our professional panel has mixed to rank each staff based mostly on a mixture of what we have seen to date and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that could be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB consultants Jorge Castillo, Alden Gonzalez and Bradford Doolittle to weigh in with an statement for all 30 groups.
Week 3 | Preseason rankings
Report: 16-9
Earlier rating: 2
The Dodgers spent the offseason loading up their roster in hopes that they’d develop into virtually proof against the attrition that plagues groups all through the season. Their pitching depth has been compromised nonetheless. Tony Gonsolin (again), Blake Snell (shoulder), Blake Treinen (forearm) and Michael Kopech (forearm) have been added to the injured record earlier than the tip of the season’s first full month. And although none of their aforementioned accidents are thought of severe — for now, at the least — they provide yet one more reminder of how delicate pitching depth could be. The Dodgers, in the meantime, have gained despite that. Not on the fee many anticipated them to, maybe, however sufficient to maintain them among the many sport’s elite. — Gonzalez
Report: 17-8
Earlier rating: 1
Any thought that the Padres’ deflating NL Division Collection loss and the underwhelming offseason that adopted it might weaken their resolve in 2025 has been grossly misplaced. They’ve stormed out of the gate with the second-best file in baseball, successful every of their first seven video games and claiming 5 of their first six sequence. Nick Pivetta has been a revelation. Fernando Tatis Jr. is displaying a newfound endurance that has made him appear to be one of the best participant within the sport. The bullpen has been dominant. However what has stood out most is the power of the Padres’ dwelling atmosphere and the way their gamers proceed to feed off it. They’re 12-1 at Petco Park this season, a spot that has seen their pitching employees put up a 1.30 ERA. — Gonzalez
Report: 18-7
Earlier rating: 3
Do not look now however the Mets are on hearth — and the followers at Citi Discipline are getting very excited. The raucous environment on the ballpark through the Mets’ extra-inning sport in opposition to the Phillies on Wednesday got here by even on the published. That is not shocking for a staff that entered the season with excessive expectations and, to date, has greater than met them. A beginning rotation that appeared to lack star energy when the season started has been probably the greatest items within the majors. The rotation’s common sport rating (56) ranks simply behind MLB-leading Texas and its ERA (a glowing 2.29) is well one of the best within the majors. — Doolittle
Report: 15-10
Earlier rating: 7
If it wasn’t apparent final 12 months, Aaron Choose remains to be proving he is one of the best hitter on the planet — and it isn’t notably shut. The 2-time AL MVP has been Bondsian (ought to it simply be Judgian at this level?) once more to begin the season. He leads the majors in batting common (.415), OBP (.513), slugging (.734) and OPS (1.247), and is tied for second in RBIs (26), to call a number of classes.
Keep in mind: Final season, he slashed .322/.458/.701 with 58 dwelling runs — and gained MVP — after a middling begin by the start of Could. In 150 video games since Could 3 final 12 months, he is batting .367 with 59 dwelling runs, 152 RBIs and a 1.273 OPS. It has been an unreal stretch — going again, actually, to his 62-homer season in 2022 — that we have not seen since Barry Bonds was splashing balls into McCovey Cove. — Castillo
Report: 16-9
Earlier rating: 4
When franchise icon Buster Posey assumed the function of president of baseball operations, he got down to construct the Giants right into a staff that might win on the energy of pitching and protection. That, Posey mentioned he believed, was key to thriving at a spot like Oracle Park, which historically saps offense. However whereas that develops, the Giants have loved a much-needed spark of offense from Jung Hoo Lee, who’s slashing .333/.388/.581 with 10 doubles. Lee’s rookie season of 2024 was stricken by a torn labrum. The Giants could not really catch a glimpse for a way his elite bat-to-ball abilities would translate inside Oracle Park’s spacious outfield. They’ve now. — Gonzalez
Report: 14-10
Earlier rating: 8
In the case of Arizona’s lineup, Corbin Carroll is the spark plug, Josh Naylor was introduced in to offer punch in the course of it and Geraldo Perdomo is one in every of its most important — but unheralded — contributors. Their manufacturing was to be anticipated. However Pavin Smith’s has been a welcomed sight. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter put collectively a extremely strong 60-game pattern final season and has taken that to a brand new degree within the first month, batting virtually .400 whereas boasting the second-highest slugging proportion amongst these with at the least 70 plate appearances. The D-backs by no means actually changed Joc Pederson’s manufacturing at designated hitter with any exterior acquisitions. Smith has proven they did not have to. — Gonzalez
Report: 16-10
Earlier rating: 6
On two events in 5 days, each groups scored at the least 10 runs in a sport at Wrigley Discipline. On Friday, the Cubs beat the D-backs 13-11 by scoring 5 runs within the seventh inning and 6 runs within the eighth. On Tuesday, they trailed the Dodgers by three runs heading into the underside of the eighth and wound up beating them 11-10 within the tenth. It spoke to the early identification of this Cubs staff. With Justin Steele out for the season and their bullpen a multitude, the Cubs may need to slug their approach to the highest of the NL Central. And with the likes of Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Carson Kelly off to sturdy begins, they only would possibly. — Gonzalez
Report: 13-12
Earlier rating: 5
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has been in a position to cobble collectively contention-worthy bullpens for essentially the most half throughout his time with the Phillies, however his wizardry in that space has been examined early. The Phillies have gotten strong sufficient work from the trio of Jose Alvarado, Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks, however just about each different reliever has struggled. Of specific concern is veteran right-hander Jordan Romano, who inked a one-year, $8.5 million free agent take care of Philadelphia over the winter. Romano’s early-season ERA is an unpleasant 13.50 and he has given up two or extra runs in 4 of his 10 outings. — Doolittle
Report: 15-10
Earlier rating: 9
It took longer than projected, however right-hander Casey Mize and first baseman Spencer Torkelson are lastly realizing their potential collectively as former No. 1 general picks in consecutive years. The 28-year-old Mize, the highest choose in 2017, has been one of the best starter in a rotation that includes Tarik Skubal with a 2.22 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 4 begins regardless of only a 18.9% strikeout fee after posting a 4.49 ERA final season. Torkelson, in the meantime, is slashing .264/.373/.571 with seven dwelling runs in 25 video games. The 2018 No. 1 choose has already amassed 1.1 fWAR (his profession excessive is 1.5, which he set in 2023 when he slugged a career-high 31 homers). — Castillo
Report: 14-10
Earlier rating: 10
The Rangers’ strong early pitching has helped them set up an early lead within the AL West regardless of a unfavourable run differential. They are going to be hard-pressed to stay on that perch if their aggressive offense would not begin producing when it isn’t hitting dwelling runs. Texas is within the backside 5 of the majors in swinging at first pitches, walks and scoring runs, and solely 4 groups have relied extra on homers to attain. The ambush method has labored for his or her assault previously, however to date this 12 months, it has not. — Doolittle
Report: 14-12
Earlier rating: 9
The Rafael Devers predicament is now not a problem. The third baseman-turned-DH reverted to his common self since that traditionally dreadful begin (0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts), batting .253 with 13 RBIs and 7 doubles since April 2. And but, surprisingly, the Pink Sox have struggled to persistently produce high-scoring outputs. Boston has scored 4 or fewer runs in 13 of 21 video games this month. It is baffling for a lineup with that a lot firepower — particularly contemplating 4 regulars have an OPS of at the least .820. — Castillo
Report: 14-10
Earlier rating: 11
It is shaping as much as be one other 12 months of the so-called consultants (Who, me?) overlooking the Guardians and one other 12 months of the Guardians stomping on low expectations. No less than to date. They’re 14-10 regardless of a minus-five run differential and nearer Emmanuel Clase’s 7.84 ERA. Steven Kwan is batting .337. Kyle Manzardo has seven dwelling runs. Jose Ramirez has an .824 OPS with 5 homers and 4 steals. Logan Allen has a 2.11 ERA by 4 begins. Clase’s struggles after a traditionally nice season are alarming, however Hunter Gaddis (no runs over 9⅔ innings), Cade Smith (1.38 ERA), Jakob Junis (1.64 ERA), Joey Cantillo (1.35 ERA) and Tim Herrin (2.00 ERA) have sparkled out of the bullpen. The Guardians simply maintain buzzing alongside in a really winnable AL Central. — Castillo
Report: 13-12
Earlier rating: 19
Issues appeared fairly bleak for the Brewers early. They misplaced their first 4 video games, throughout which their employees gave up a mixed 47 runs. It appeared like the beginning of an extended 12 months in Milwaukee. Then the Brewers did what they’re greatest identified for — win, no matter who’s gone or who’s damage. Because the first day of April, they’ve gained 13 of 21 video games to maintain tempo with the Cubs within the NL Central. Throughout that stretch, their rotation has put collectively a 2.34 ERA, second solely to the Mets for the main league lead — although seven beginning pitchers at present make up Milwaukee’s IL. — Gonzalez
Report: 13-11
Earlier rating: 21
The Astros seem to have a brand new ace in Hunter Brown, who has been one in every of baseball’s greatest pitchers through the opening month. Brown has strung collectively three straight scoreless outings, reducing his season ERA to 1.16. The early-season star of Brown’s arsenal has been a four-seamer that has picked up 1.3 mph in common velocity over final season, per Statcast. Opponents are 2-for-35 in opposition to Brown’s heater in 2025 and the assigned run worth of the four-seamer (plus-7) places it in a tie with the slider of Miami’s Max Meyer as essentially the most beneficial pitch in all of baseball to date. — Doolittle
Report: 10-14
Earlier rating: 18
The Braves have roughly bounced again from their winless season-opening journey, a skid that dropped them from ESPN’s preseason No. 2 staff to the center of the pack. But all shouldn’t be properly in Cobb County. Excellent news: Spencer Strider made a triumphant return to the majors final week. Unhealthy information: He made a irritating return to the IL not lengthy after. Fortunately, his hamstring pressure was categorized as Grade 1 and if all goes properly, his IL stint will not be an extended one. Nonetheless, his one-start return is apropos for an elite staff that has struggled to construct momentum. — Doolittle
Report: 13-11
Earlier rating: 15
The disconnect between the house and street variations of Seattle’s offense is reaching absurd ranges. At T-Cellular Park, the Mariners stay punchless, hitting .226 as a staff whereas scoring at a fee (3.6 runs) higher than solely three different groups of their respective dwelling venues. On the street, they’re the punchers, hitting .267 with a prime 5 street scoring common in baseball.
An avatar in that’s third baseman Dylan Moore, contemporary off successful AL Participant of the Week honors, boosted by the truth that the M’s are on a street journey. For the season, Moore is hitting .200/.333/.350 in Seattle with one homer. On the street, he is at .311/.340/.600 with 4 homers. Possibly the Mariners’ hitters may petition to play all their video games on the street? — Doolittle
Report: 12-13
Earlier rating: 13
The Blue Jays have loved a strong first month, which registers as successful after final 12 months’s last-place debacle. However the first month of the season might be remembered for his or her resolution to offer Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a $500-million contract. Whether or not that funding pans out will make or break the franchise’s future. Stringing collectively a number of strong months to stay inside putting distance on the commerce deadline could be an excellent begin. — Castillo
Report: 12-13
Earlier rating: 17
The Reds’ offense has principally underperformed — minus a 24-run onslaught in opposition to the Orioles on Easter Sunday — however their pitching has been principally strong. And essentially the most encouraging indicators have come from their two younger frontline starters, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, who’ve clearly taken massive steps ahead. The 2 have mixed for a 2.56 ERA by their first 10 begins. Greene, whose fastball is averaging 99 mph, has struck out 35 batters and issued solely six walks in 30⅔ innings. Andrew Abbott, in the meantime, was activated off the IL round mid-April and has given up solely two runs in 11 innings. — Gonzalez
Report: 10-14
Earlier rating: 12
For all of the work achieved to make Steinbrenner Discipline really feel like dwelling, the very fact is that the Rays are nonetheless with out one. That was apparent over the weekend when the Yankees traveled to Tampa to take three of 4 video games because the visiting staff of their spring coaching ballpark. The Rays have performed all however 5 video games at their non permanent residence, going 9-10 after having their schedule modified to frontload dwelling video games to keep away from the summer time warmth and rain. They’re going to must be higher than that to make noise within the AL East. — Castillo
Report: 9-14
Earlier rating: 20
The Orioles’ chief concern coming into the season was their beginning pitching, and it is proved to be a really actual downside — one with out an apparent answer. They’ve the very best starters’ ERA in baseball by practically a half-run. Charlie Morton, their $15 million free agent addition, has a league-worst 10.89 ERA in 20⅔ innings by 5 begins. Dean Kremer has a 6.84 ERA after yielding eight extra-base hits to the Nationals on Tuesday. Cade Povich has a 6.38 ERA. Zach Eflin, their Opening Day starter, was placed on the IL due to a lat pressure after three begins. Grayson Rodriguez and Albert Suarez started the season on the IL due to shoulder accidents and their returns aren’t imminent. It is a weak spot that might bury Baltimore within the standings earlier than lengthy. — Castillo
Report: 10-14
Earlier rating: 16
Kansas Metropolis ranks final in baseball in runs scored per sport, averaging fewer than three. Bobby Witt Jr. is raking once more and Maikel Garcia has been a pleasing shock, however apart from that, it has been ugly. Vinnie Pasquantino has a .186/.260/.314 slash line. Salvador Perez additionally has struggled with a .185 batting common and .528 OPS. This has all amplified the fan base’s cries for the membership to name up prime prospect Jac Caglianone as quickly as potential.
Caglianone was the staff’s first-round choose at No. 6 final 12 months. He possesses maybe one of the best uncooked energy throughout the minors, however the first baseman has performed solely 16 video games above Double-A. As an elite two-way participant in faculty, he may very well be able to enjoying the outfield, however he has performed solely first base as a professional, so there is not an apparent positional match. However his bat may pressure its approach to Kansas Metropolis quickly sufficient. — Castillo
Report: 10-15
Earlier rating: 23
The Cardinals turned some heads with a season-opening sweep of the Twins, however now they’re proper about the place we anticipated — 5 video games beneath .500 within the wake of a brutal 1-6 journey and battling the standard inconsistency of a mediocre-to-bad staff. Brendan Donovan has been crimson sizzling; the likes of Nolan Arenado, Lars Nootbaar and Victor Scott II have supplied encouraging indicators; and key members of their employees, most notably Sonny Grey and Steven Matz, have pitched properly. However there was at the least as a lot dangerous to counteract the great.
Working example: Miles Mikolas took the mound with a 7.64 ERA on Wednesday afternoon and proceeded to throw six scoreless innings in opposition to the Braves. The Cardinals misplaced anyway. They scored solely as soon as. — Gonzalez
Report: 11-12
Earlier rating: 22
After a sizzling — and shocking — begin, the Angels have began to degree off, dropping again to .500 with a run differential properly beneath break even. The bullpen has been an issue space regardless of a near-perfect begin to the season from veteran nearer Kenley Jansen. One glimmer of hope from that group is 27-year-old right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn, who, regardless of logging solely 6⅔ innings this season, ranks fourth on the Halos with 14 strikeouts. He is whiffing batters at a fee of 18.9 per 9 innings — or greater than two per body. He additionally has given up a few homers, however the uncooked expertise definitely appears to be there for Zeferjahn to work a high-leverage function. — Doolittle
Report: 11-13
Earlier rating: 26
For all of the early speak about Sutter Well being Park being a brand new hitter’s paradise in MLB, the Athletics’ fast downside is that their opponents have achieved a significantly better job of enjoying to its circumstances. The A’s misplaced eight of their first 10 dwelling video games in Sacramento, and whereas the ugly dwelling/street splits of the pitching employees could be anticipated, the a lot larger shock is that their hitters have additionally been higher on the street. The distinction has primarily been homers: 13 lengthy balls in 11 video games at dwelling; 22 in 13 video games on the street. — Doolittle
Report: 11-13
Earlier rating: 25
The Marlins have held their very own within the win column over the primary month, although they maintain one of many NL’s worst run differentials. Nonetheless, so long as Miami is hovering round .500, it is in all probability not truthful to show the main focus to what so many see because the inevitability of a Sandy Alcantara commerce. Nonetheless, whether or not you are monitoring Alcantara for commerce worth functions otherwise you’re holding out hope that the Marlins generally is a shock contender, the higher he pitches, the higher off you will be. Alas, Alcantara shouldn’t be but again to his pre-injury, Cy Younger type. A top quality begin in opposition to Cincinnati on Wednesday lowered his ERA to six.56 however his Okay/9 (6.56, matching the ERA) and BB/9 (4.63) are each properly off his presurgery customary. — Doolittle
Report: 9-15
Earlier rating: 24
The Twins could not overcome accidents in 2024, collapsing down the stretch to fall out of postseason rivalry, and it appears as if they will not be capable to overcome accidents in 2025 both. Royce Lewis, the gifted however oft-injured infielder, sustained a hamstring damage throughout spring coaching and hasn’t performed in a sport but. Proper-hander Pablo Lopez, the membership’s Opening Day starter, landed on the IL due to his personal hamstring damage after three begins. An indirect pressure has saved utilityman Willi Castro, an All-Star final season, off the sphere since April 16. The Twins, in the meantime, have sunk to fourth place within the aggressive AL Central, forward of solely the White Sox. — Castillo
Report: 11-13
Earlier rating: 27
Is it too quickly to be on file watch? Most likely, however the Nationals have numerous causes to be enthusiastic about MacKenzie Gore, who’s on tempo to make a run at 300 strikeouts this season. He already has produced a pair of 13-strikeout begins and was main the NL in whiffs after his final begin in opposition to Colorado. The Nationals’ single-season mark is 300 on the nostril, established by Max Scherzer in 2018. The champ from the Expos portion of the franchise’s historical past is Pedro Martinez, who struck out 305 in 1997. It is heady firm for Gore, lengthy touted as an elite prospect who’s on the verge of building himself as an elite massive league pitcher. — Doolittle
Report: 10-15
Earlier rating: 28
The Pirates’ first month has been marked by controversy. The opening homestand was tainted by the elimination of Roberto Clemente signage within the right-field portion of PNC Park. Then there have been the personalised fan bricks that have been extracted from exterior the ballpark with out an preliminary clarification. Then got here this previous Saturday — a day when followers lined the Clemente Bridge to obtain a Paul Skenes bobblehead, then crammed into the ballpark and stuffed the air with “sell the team” chants for Pirates’ frugal proprietor Bob Nutting. Skenes, who will begin at Dodger Stadium on Friday, continues to look dominant, posting a 2.87 ERA by his first 5 begins. However every part round him continues to be a multitude. — Gonzalez
Report: 5-19
Earlier rating: 29
The White Sox are dropping excess of they’re successful. That is anticipated and will not alter their long-term plans. However Luis Robert Jr. not being good may have a big influence. Ideally, the veteran heart fielder would have dashed to a quick begin and had contenders throwing commerce presents with top-end prospects on the White Sox to kind by earlier than the commerce deadline. However Robert is slashing .145/.267/.250 with 27 strikeouts in 22 video games. That will not entice the type of haul the White Sox search as they proceed their painfully thorough rebuild. — Castillo
Report: 4-18
Earlier rating: 30
It was a mere three weeks into the season when the Rockies decided {that a} drastic change was essential. On the afternoon of April 17, they introduced the firing of hitting coach Hensley Meulens and changed him with longtime supervisor Clint Hurdle, who had taken on an advisory function with the group. The Rockies have been within the midst of a six-game dropping streak then, throughout which that they had amassed solely 12 runs — seven of which had come the evening earlier than. Issues haven’t gotten significantly better since. Hurdle, after all, is not any wizard. The Rockies maintain the third-lowest OPS within the majors and its worst file, all whereas enjoying within the sport’s most troublesome division. It is going to be one other lengthy season in Colorado. — Gonzalez
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