2025 MLB Pre-Season Power Rankings
A Blog By Grant
Opening Day is right around the corner, so I wanted to share my preseason power rankings for all 30 teams along with a short recap of each team’s offseason moves and an end of season prediction. I’ll be updating these power rankings weekly throughout the season on X, so be sure to follow along there.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Offseason Adds: Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Hyeseong Kim, Kirby Yates, Michael Conforto.
Offseason Departures: Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Gavin Lux.
Prediction: The defending champs got even better. Their lineup, rotation, and bullpen has more depth to help carry them to a deep postseason run. I think they win the NL West and are back to back World Series Champions.
2. Atlanta Braves
Adds: Jurickson Profar and Bryan De La Cruz.
Departures: Max Fried, Jorge Soler, Travis d’Arnaud, Charlie Morton, AJ Minter, Gio Urshela, Ramon Laureano, John Brebbia, Luke Jackson.
Prediction: Injuries completely derailed their 2024 season. Once they get Acuña Jr and Strider back, I expect them to have one of the best lineups in all of baseball. I think they win the NL East, but lose in the NLDS.
3. New York Mets
Adds: Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas, AJ Minter, Jose Siri, Ryne Stanek, Griffin Canning.
Departures: Luis Severino, Harrison Bader, Adam Ottavino.
Prediction: The Mets won the winter in landing Juan Soto for the next 15 years, along with bringing back the polar bear. I think they finish 2nd in the division, securing a Wild Card spot, but make it to the NLCS in a rematch versus the Dodgers.
4. Philadelphia Phillies
Adds: Jesus Luzardo, Jordan Romano, Max Kepler, Joe Ross.
Departures: Jeff Hoffman, Austin Hays, Carlos Estevez.
Prediction: I think they might have the best rotation in the sport, but the NL East is going to be a dogfight. I have them finishing 3rd in the division, securing the second NL Wild Card spot, but failing to make it past the NLDS yet again.
5. Texas Rangers
Adds: Joc Pederson, Jake Burger, Kyle Higashioka, Chris Martin, Jacob Webb, Shawn Armstrong.
Departures: Nathaniel Lowe, Carson Kelly, Jose Leclerc, Kirby Yates, Max Scherzer, Andrew Heaney.
Prediction: I think this lineup could lead the league in home runs. They’re getting a healthy Jacob deGrom back, which is a game-changer. They are my highest-ranked AL team, so I have them winning the AL West and representing their league in the World Series.
6. Boston Red Sox
Adds: Garrett Crochet, Alex Bregman, Walker Buehler, Patrick Sandoval, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson, Carlos Narvaez.
Departures: Tyler O’Neill, Kenley Jansen, Danny Jansen, Chris Martin, Nick Pivetta.
Prediction: I really like the moves Boston made this offseason. The rotation added depth as well as the lineup. Not to mention the prospects waiting in the minors to help contribute. I think they win the AL East and makes it to the ALDS.
7. Baltimore Orioles
Adds: Tyler O’Neill, Tomoyuki Sugano, Gary Sanchez, Charlie Morton, Andrew Kittredge, Dylan Carlson, Ramon Laureano.
Departures: Corbin Burnes, Anthony Santander, John Means, Danny Coulombe.
Prediction: They have a very young, fun, and deep lineup but their rotation concerns me a bit especially with the uncertainty around Grayson Rodriguez. I think they finish 2nd in the AL East, securing the top Wild Card spot but don’t make it past the AL Wild Card round again.
8. New York Yankees
Adds: Max Fried, Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Fernando Cruz, Alex Jackson.
Departures: Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, Clay Holmes, Nestor Cortes, Tommy Kahnle.
Prediction: The Yankees losing Gerrit Cole was crushing, especially after already being down Luis Gil for a big chunk of the start of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a big move at the deadline to supplement Judge in the lineup though. I think they will secure the 2nd Wild Card spot and fight their way back to the ALCS.
9. Arizona Diamondbacks
Adds: Corbin Burnes, Josh Naylor, Kendall Graveman.
Departures: Christian Walker, Joc Pederson, Kevin Newman, Josh Bell, Paul Sewald, Slade Cecconi.
Prediction: I’m encouraged by the moves they made this offseason and think they still have a very dangerous lineup. The rotation got better with Burnes too. They play in a tough division, but I still have them securing that final Wild Card spot in the NL. I don’t see them taking down one of the bigger fish in the first round of the postseason.
10. Tampa Bay Rays
Adds: Ha-Seong Kim, Danny Jansen, Alex Faedo.
Departures: Jose Siri, Jeffrey Springs, Dylan Carlson, Tyler Alexander.
Prediction: A team with great depth all around and young talent waiting in the wings. I think they surprise people and secure that final Wild Card spot in the AL, meaning four teams from the AL East will make it to the postseason.
11. Houston Astros
Adds: Christian Walker, Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski, Brendan Rodgers.
Departures: Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Verlander, Ryan Pressly, Kendall Graveman.
Prediction: I think they lost too many key pieces this offseason, the lower third of their lineup does not look great, and health risks to their rotation concern me. I have them finishing 2nd in the AL West but ultimately missing the postseason.
12. Chicago Cubs
Adds: Kyle Tucker, Matthew Boyd, Ryan Pressly, Eli Morgan, Justin Turner, Colin Rea, Jon Berti, etc.
Departures: Cody Bellinger, Kyle Hendricks, Mike Tauchman, Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski.
Prediction: The Cubs had a strong offseason as they look to compete in a weaker NL Central. I think they have what it takes to win their division and potentially win a postseason series.
13. San Diego Padres
Adds: Nick Pivetta, Elias Diaz, Connor Joe, Jason Heyward, Yuli Gurriel.
Departures: Tanner Scott, Jurickson Profar, Ha-Seong Kim, Kyle Higashioka, Martin Perez, Donovan Solano.
Prediction: The Padres did not make significant enough moves to compete with the D-backs and Dodgers in their own division. Also, losing Profar after a career year hurts them too. I think they finish 3rd in the NL West and miss the postseason.
14. Milwaukee Brewers
Adds: Nestor Cortes, Grant Anderson, Jose Quintana, Tyler Alexander, Mark Canha.
Departures: Willy Adames, Devin Williams, Frankie Montas, Gary Sanchez, Hoby Milner, Joe Ross, Colin Rea.
Prediction: I like how they retooled their rotation and think that will be the strength for this team. Their lineup however, outside of Contreras and an injury prone Yelich, lacks slug. I think they struggle to score runs, finish 2nd in the NL Central, and miss the postseason.
15. Detroit Tigers
Adds: Jack Flaherty, Gleyber Torres, Alex Cobb, Tommy Kahnle, John Brebbia.
Departures: Alex Faedo.
Prediction: The Tigers rotation and bullpen got better. They will rely on pitching to win games in a weaker division. I have them winning the AL Central this season after last year’s positive momentum to finish out the season.
16. Seattle Mariners
Adds: Donovan Solano, Miles Mastrobuoni, Jorge Polanco.
Departures: Yimi Garcia, Josh Rojas, Luis Urias, Justin Turner.
Prediction: The last few seasons Seattle has been known for having one of the strongest rotations in the league but a lackluster offense to back it up. They didn’t improve their offense in the offseason and I think that will prevent them from winning enough games. I have them finishing 3rd in the AL West and missing the postseason.
17. Kansas City Royals
Adds: Jonathan India, Carlos Estevez, Joey Wiemer.
Departures: Brady Singer, Adam Frazier, Paul DeJong.
Prediction: I think the Royals over-performed in 2024 and outside of Witt and Pasquantino, they don’t have enough substantial bats in their lineup to score enough runs. I think Wacha and Lugo will regress to the mean a bit too. I have them finishing 2nd in the AL Central and missing the postseason.
18. Cleveland Guardians
Adds: Carlos Santana, Paul Sewald, John Means, Luis Ortiz, Jakob Junis, Slade Cecconi.
Departures: Matt Boyd, Alex Cobb, Andres Gimenez, Nick Sandlin, Eli Morgan, Josh Naylor.
Similar to the Royals, I think they over-performed expectations last season. The rotation and bullpen are great, but losing Naylor and Gimenez leaves holes in their lineup that Jose Ramirez can’t fill all by himself. I think they will finish 3rd in the AL Central and miss the postseason.
19. San Francisco Giants
Adds: Willy Adames, Justin Verlander.
Departures: Blake Snell, Michael Conforto, Taylor Rogers.
Prediction: I like the moves they made but don’t think they made enough of them, especially in a division as tough as theirs. The offense doesn’t have enough star power. I think next season is where they make some noise as some of their prospects start coming up. I have them finishing 4th in the NL West.
20. Minnesota Twins
Adds: Harrison Bader, Ty France, Danny Coulombe.
Departures: Kyle Farmer, Max Kepler, Carlos Santana, Caleb Thielbar, Jovani Moran.
Prediction: The Twins did not make any big moves this offseason after a 2024 season in which they crawled to the finish line and missed the postseason. Their best bats struggle to stay healthy, which remains the case this season. I have them finishing 4th in the AL Central.
21. Toronto Blue Jays
Adds: Anthony Santander, Jeff Hoffman, Yimi Garcia, Max Scherzer, Andres Gimenez, Nick Sandlin, Myles Straw.
Departures: Jordan Romano, Spencer Horwitz.
Prediction: Toronto missed out on a few key FAs this offseason, again. They lack lineup depth and there are serious age/health concerns with their starting rotation. In a good division too, I have them finishing 5th in the AL East.
22. Cincinnati Reds
Adds: Brady Singer, Gavin Lux, Taylor Rogers, Austin Hays, Jose Trevino, Scott Barlow.
Departures: Justin Wilson, Jonathan India, Ty France, Amed Rosario, Jakob Junis.
Prediction: My favorite move the Reds made this offseason was with their choice of manager (Terry Francona), if that tells you anything about how I feel they will do in 2025. Their lineup has some holes as well as health concerns and depth to their rotation. I think they, along with the Cubs and Brewers, remain close at the top of the division, but the Reds end up finishing 3rd in the NL Central when it’s all said and done.
23. Athletics
Adds: Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, Gio Urshela, Jose Leclerc, Luis Urias.
Departures: Scott Alexander, Ross Stripling.
Prediction: I like the moves the A’s made this offseason, but I still feel like the rotation is lacking, and the lineup is one season away from fully clicking. The uncertainty of the new ballpark and how it plays makes me cautious, too. I have them finishing 4th in the AL West.
24. Washington Nationals
Adds: Nathaniel Lowe, Michael Soroka, Josh Bell, Paul DeJong, Amed Rosario, Jorge Lopez, Lucas Sims.
Departures: Robert Garcia.
Prediction: The rotation depth for Washington is a concern for me. Their lineup has an unproven, young core (Woods, Crews, Abrams) that hasn’t played a full season together yet. This season will be full of growing pains but I think 2026 is the season to watch for this squad. I have them finishing 4th in the NL East.
25. Los Angeles Angels
Adds: Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler, Kenley Jansen, Travis d’Arnaud, Kyle Hendricks, Yoan Moncada, Kevin Newman.
Departures: Patrick Sandoval, Griffin Canning, Matt Moore.
Prediction: Another year where I love the moves the Angels made in the offseason. Unfortunately, health concerns always lurk around this team. They need everything to go right in order to succeed, and I feel as if there are just too many question marks. I have them finishing 4th in the AL West.
26. St Louis Cardinals
Adds: Phil Maton.
Departures: Paul Goldschmidt, Andrew Kittredge.
Prediction: The Cardinals were very quiet this offseason and lack any proven, young, consistent talent on their roster. I think Arenado will be gone by the deadline too. With an aging rotation, I don’t see a very optimistic future for St Louis and have them finishing 4th in the NL Central.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
Adds: Spencer Horwitz, Tommy Pham, Andrew Heaney, Adam Frazier, Caleb Ferguson, Tim Mayza.
Departures: Aroldis Chapman, Luis Ortiz, Bryan De La Cruz, Connor Joe, Michael Taylor.
Prediction: Pittsburgh’s lineup lacks any offensive firepower, outside of an inconsistent Cruz. The rotation has the potential to be one of the best in baseball. This team is giving me Mariners-lite vibes, which is not a good thing. I think they finish last in the NL Central.
28. Colorado Rockies
Adds: Kyle Farmer, Thairo Estrada, Scott Alexander.
Departures: Cal Quantrill, Brendan Rodgers.
Prediction: Colorado finds themselves in the hardest park to pitch, in arguably the toughest division, with the weakest lineup. It’s going to be another long season for Rockies fans. I have them finishing last in the NL West.
29. Chicago White Sox
Adds: Martin Perez, Austin Slater, Mike Tauchman, Josh Rojas, Michael Taylor.
Departures: Garrett Crochet, Michael Soroka, Yoan Moncada.
Prediction: The White Sox are coming off a historically bad season and lost their best asset in Crochet. The front office is undergoing a complete rebuild, along with the organization. Having said all that, I think we see some minor improvements and I like some of their prospects to come up and make an impact. This team will be on the rise in a few seasons but for now I have them finishing last in the AL Central.
30. Miami Marlins
Adds: Cal Quantrill, Eric Wagaman, Matt Mervis.
Departures: Jesus Luzardo, Jake Burger.
Prediction: Miami continues to find great rotation pieces but their lineup lacks slug, so they will really struggle to score runs. The lack of empathy from the front office has really hurt this team too. I think they finish last in the NL East.
Summary
American League
East: Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Rays, Blue Jays.
Central: Tigers, Royals, Guardians, Twins, White Sox.
West: Rangers, Astros, Mariners, Athletics, Angels.
Postseason: Rangers, Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees, Orioles, Rays.
ALCS: Rangers vs Yankees (Rangers win).
National League
East: Braves, Mets, Phillies, Nationals, Marlins.
Central: Cubs, Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, Pirates.
West: Dodgers, Dbacks, Padres, Giants, Rockies.
Postseason: Dodgers, Braves, Cubs, Mets, Phillies, Dbacks.
NLCS: Dodgers vs Mets (Dodgers win).
We’ll see how well this sticks over the next couple weeks, let alone the full season. I look forward to updating this every Monday and stay tuned to see how many postseason teams I predicted correctly. Thanks for reading!