MLB Power Rankings at Quarter Mark of the 2025 Season
The quarter mark of the 2025 MLB season came and went last week, and with it the unofficial end to talking about small sample sizes in the context of how a team is performing.
With most teams sitting somewhere between 45 and 50 games played, it's time to start putting some real stock into how things look in the win-loss column and the division standings.
The Detroit Tigers really are this good and the Baltimore Orioles really are this bad.
That said, with 17 teams still sporting a winning record, there is still a lot to be sorted out in the coming weeks and months as the line between buyers and sellers ahead of the annual trade deadline starts to take shape.
All of that to say, these weekly MLB power rankings remain an extremely fluid process. If a team is winning, it will climb; if a team is losing, it will fall.
It's as simple as that.
Nos. 30-28
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30. Colorado Rockies (8-38)
Previous Rank: 30
Last Week: 0-3 @ TEX, 1-2 @ ARI
The Rockies are on pace to lose 133 games and have already stumbled through three separate eight-game losing streaks, laying the foundation for what could end up being the worst team in MLB history. They have still not recorded a series win, and have won consecutive games just once.
29. Chicago White Sox (14-33)
Previous Rank: 28
Last Week: 2-1 @ CIN, 0-3 @ CHC
Bright spots have been few and far between for the White Sox, but Miguel Vargas had a fantastic week at the plate, going 10-for-24 with two doubles, four home runs and nine RBI. The former Dodgers top prospect leads the team in OPS (.749), doubles (10), home runs (6), RBI (21) and total bases (67).
28. Baltimore Orioles (15-30)
Previous Rank: 26
Last Week: 0-3 vs. MIN, 0-3 vs. WAS
The Orioles are the most disappointing team in baseball, sliding to the bottom of the AL East standings after winning 192 games over the last two years while making back-to-back playoff appearances. Manager Brandon Hyde was fired on Saturday, and they have an AL-worst minus-85 run differential through 45 games.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Pittsburgh Pirates (15-32)
Previous Rank: 25
Last Week: 1-2 @ NYM, 0-3 @ PHI
Sunday was the perfect microcosm of the current state of the Pirates, with Paul Skenes tossing eight terrific innings of three-hit, one-run ball and the team suffering a 1-0 loss. A healthy Spencer Horwitz will provide some much-needed run production, but the lineup is simply not good enough for them to be competitive.
26. Miami Marlins (18-27)
Previous Rank: 29
Last Week: 1-2 @ CHC, 2-1 vs. TB
With Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby and Agustín Ramírez all swinging it well right now, the Marlins have some semblance of an offense for the first time in what feels like several years. Unfortunately, a 5.98 ERA from their starting rotation and seven blown saves in 14 chances by the bullpen will likely stand in the way of them climbing any higher in the rankings.
25. Los Angeles Angels (20-25)
Previous Rank: 27
Last Week: 1-2 @ SD, 3-0 @ LAD
Where did that come from? A three-game sweep of the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium is not what anyone saw coming this weekend, though it took some late offense after blowing a 4-1 lead on Sunday for them to come away with a 6-4 victory. Rookie Matthew Lugo has provided a nice boost, going 9-for-25 with two doubles, one triple, three home runs and six RBI in nine games.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Athletics (22-25)
Previous Rank: 16
Last Week: 1-2 @ LAD, 0-3 @ SF
With a 2-9 record in their last 11 games, the Athletics have gone from upstart potential contender to fourth place in the AL West standings seemingly overnight, though the future remains bright for a franchise in flux. Rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson trails only Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt in the AL batting title race with a .337 average over 188 plate appearances.
23. Toronto Blue Jays (22-24)
Previous Rank: 17
Last Week: 1-2 vs. TB, 1-2 vs. DET
The Blue Jays had matched a season-high with a four-game winning streak heading into last week, but a pair of series losses at home sent them tumbling to the bottom third of the rankings once again. Shoutout to Brendon Little, who has quietly been one of the most dominant bullpen arms in baseball, posting a 1.69 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 13.9 K/9 with eight holds in 23 appearances.
22. Milwaukee Brewers (22-25)
Previous Rank: 19
Last Week: 1-2 @ CLE, 1-2 vs. MIN
The Brewers have suffered three straight series losses, and have a 3-7 record in their last 10 games, during which time they have slid from second to fourth in the NL Central standings. If they continue to struggle, slugger Rhys Hoskins (.838 OPS, 5 HR, 25 RBI) could be one of the more impactful bats available on the summer trade market.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Washington Nationals (21-27)
Previous Rank: 24
Last Week: 1-3 @ ATL, 3-0 @ BAL
The Nationals snapped a seven-game losing streak on Wednesday, then swept the Orioles over the weekend to finish 4-3 on their road trip. If not for a terrible bullpen outside of closer Kyle Finnegan, they might be half a dozen spots higher in the rankings, as the relief corps has served up a 6.55 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with eight losses and six blown saves.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (21-25)
Previous Rank: 21
Last Week: 2-1 @ TOR, 1-2 @ MIA
The Rays had won three of four series in May before dropping two of three to the Marlins over the weekend, and they look poised to be a team that hovers around the .500 mark for the bulk of the season. Outfielder Josh Lowe went 5-for-17 with a double and a home run in his first four games back from an oblique strain that he suffered on Opening Day.
19. Cincinnati Reds (24-24)
Previous Rank: 23
Last Week: 1-2 vs. CWS, 3-0 vs. CLE
The Reds have won four in a row to claw back to .500 following a 2-9 rough patch, and they will look to keep things rolling against a struggling Pirates team on the road to kick off the new week. Outfielder Will Benson went 10-for-19 with five home runs and 10 RBI last week.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Boston Red Sox (23-25)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: 0-3 @ DET, 1-2 vs. ATL
The Red Sox dropped to 6-10 in May following Sunday's loss to the Braves, and they are also just 5-12 in one-run games after a pair of walk-off losses to the Tigers. If Kristian Campbell proves to be a viable option at first base, it would clear a path for Marcelo Mayer, who has an .819 OPS with 14 extra-base hits and 40 RBI in 39 games at Triple-A Worcester.
17. Kansas City Royals (26-22)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: 1-2 @ HOU, 1-2 vs. STL
The Royals rank near the bottom of the league in batting average (.241, 20th), OPS (.659, 25th), home runs (30, 30th) and runs per game (3.31, 28th), yet they still have a winning record thanks to one of baseball's best pitching staffs. With that in mind, the recent injuries to Seth Lugo (5/11, finger sprain) and Cole Ragans (5/16, groin strain) could be a dagger.
16. Houston Astros (24-22)
Previous Rank: 20
Last Week: 2-1 vs. KC, 2-2 @ TEX
With eight innings of three-hit, one-run ball in a tough-luck loss to the Rangers on Thursday, Hunter Brown now has a 1.43 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 56.2 innings over his first nine starts. He is one of a handful of Astros players having a strong individual season, though they have yet to hit their stride as a team, with their longest winning streak of the season stuck on three games.
Nos. 15-13
6 of 12
15. Cleveland Guardians (25-21)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIL, 0-3 @ CIN
With a 2-6 record in their last eight games, the Guardians have hit their first rough patch, and things could go from bad to worse if they continue to struggle on the road. They are 11-13 with a minus-15 run differential away from Progressive Field after getting swept by the Reds, and their current road trip continues against the red-hot Twins and Tigers this week.
14. Texas Rangers (25-23)
Previous Rank: 18
Last Week: 3-0 vs. COL, 2-2 vs. HOU
The Rangers are 7-2 in their last nine games, and in the process have gone from three games below .500 and in fourth place in the AL West to two games above .500 and in second place. The veteran trio of Tyler Mahle (10 GS, 1.47 ERA, 55.0 IP), Nathan Eovaldi (10 GS, 1.61 ERA, 61.1 IP) and Jacob deGrom (9 GS, 2.29 ERA, 51.0 IP) could be a real problem if this team makes the postseason.
13. Atlanta Braves (24-23)
Previous Rank: 22
Last Week: 3-1 vs. WAS, 2-1 @ BOS
Could Drake Baldwin (90 PA, .357/.400/.583, 5 HR, 15 RBI) and AJ Smith-Shawver (7 GS, 2.33 ERA, 38.2 IP) finish 1-2 in NL Rookie of the Year voting just like Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider did in 2022? Those two have certainly helped pick up some of the slack during the team's less-than-stellar start, but with a 10-5 record in their last 15 games things are trending in the right direction once again.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Arizona Diamondbacks (25-22)
Previous Rank: 15
Last Week: 2-1 @ SF, 2-1 vs. COL
With a 14-15 record against teams with a winning record and a modest plus-three run differential overall, the D-backs are the best fourth-place team in baseball, but there is potential for them to be a legitimate title contender. They should get Justin Martínez back from the injured list at some point this week, which will give the bullpen a much-needed anchor.
11. Seattle Mariners (26-19)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: 1-2 vs. NYY, 3-0 @ SD
Cal Raleigh is now tied with Aaron Judge for the AL lead with 15 on the year after slugging three more last week, one behind Shohei Ohtani for the top spot on the MLB leaderboard. Two of those bombs came during the weekend sweep of the Padres at Petco Park, and that should help right the ship following a 1-5 stretch of games against the Blue Jays and Yankees.
10. San Diego Padres (27-18)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: 2-1 vs. LAA, 0-3 vs. SEA
After starting the season 23-11 and briefly climbing into the No. 1 spot in these rankings in April, the Padres have gone 4-7 in their last 11 games and not looked like a top-tier team of late. With nine of their next 12 games against the Blue Jays, Marlins and Pirates they have a golden opportunity to get back on track, else they risk being overtaken in the NL West standings.
Nos. 9-7
8 of 12
9. San Francisco Giants (28-19)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: 1-2 vs. ARI, 3-0 vs. ATH
The Giants outscored the Athletics by a 13-3 margin during a weekend sweep, rebounding nicely after going 1-5 against the Twins and D-backs in their previous two series. Veteran Wilmer Flores had a three-homer, eight-RBI game on Friday, and he now has 10 home runs and 42 RBI in 46 games on the year.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (28-18)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: 1-2 vs. STL, 3-0 vs. PIT
The Phillies swept the Pirates over the weekend and Mick Abel tossed a gem in his MLB debut on Sunday, but the club was dealt a major blow when closer José Alvarado was hit with an 80-game PED suspension. The rest of the Phillies bullpen has a 4.86 ERA with eight blown saves in 16 chances, so things could get messy in the late innings.
7. St. Louis Cardinals (26-21)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: 2-1 @ PHI, 2-1 @ KC
With a 12-2 record in their last 14 games, the Cardinals have gone from a complete afterthought sitting five games below .500 to a legitimate playoff contender and the biggest threat to the Cubs in the NL Central race. Breakout performances from Matthew Liberatore (9 GS, 2.92 ERA, 52.1 IP) in the rotation and Kyle Leahy (20 G, 10 HLD, 1.01 ERA) in the bullpen have given the pitching staff a huge boost.
Nos. 6-4
9 of 12
6. Minnesota Twins (26-21)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: 3-0 @ BAL, 2-1 @ MIL
The Twins had the season's most impressive winning streak snapped at 13 games on Sunday on the road against the Brewers, and along the way they went from No. 24 to No. 14 to No. 6 in these power rankings. Their pitching staff has been the driving force, leading the majors in ERA (2.57) and WHIP (1.05) in May, and Joe Ryan (9 GS, 2.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 63 K, 52.0 IP) is putting together a compelling case for his first All-Star selection.
5. Chicago Cubs (28-19)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIA, 3-0 vs. CWS
The Cubs have now won eight in a row against the crosstown rival White Sox after sweeping a three-game series at Wrigley Field. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was the star of the weekend, going 8-for-14 with one double, two triples, one home run and eight RBI, and he now has a .910 OPS with 12 home runs and 14 steals on the year.
4. New York Mets (29-18)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: 2-1 vs. PIT, 1-2 @ NYY
The Mets are 17-5 with a staggering plus-33 run differential at Citi Field this season, but they dropped below .500 on the road with Sunday night's loss to the Yankees. After wrapping up their current road trip with three games against the Red Sox, they play nine in a row at home, so that should give them a chance to make another push for the No. 1 spot.
Nos. 3-1
10 of 12
3. New York Yankees (27-19)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: 2-1 @ SEA, 2-1 vs. NYM
The Yankees have arguably the best hitter and best pitcher in baseball this season in Aaron Judge and Max Fried, but it's the unexpected complementary contributions of guys like Ben Rice, Jasson Dominguez, Fernando Cruz and others that have made them one of the best teams in baseball. With Oswaldo Cabrera now sidelined indefinitely with a fractured ankle, a third baseman moves to the top of their summer shopping list.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (29-18)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: 2-1 vs. ATH, 0-3 vs. LAA
Despite getting swept by the Angels, the Dodgers still sit atop the NL West standings and rank fourth in the majors with a plus-63 run differential. It was a busy week of roster shuffling, as Dalton Rushing made his MLB debut, Tommy Edman was activated from the injured list, Chris Taylor was released and Clayton Kershaw (4.0 IP, 5 H, 5 ER) made his season debut. Will we ever see a fully healthy Dodgers team in 2025?
1. Detroit Tigers (31-16)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: 3-0 vs. BOS, 2-1 @ TOR
While writing an article on each team's biggest potential trade deadline needs last week, it was genuinely difficult to find a glaring hole on the Tigers roster, and that speaks to a team with legitimate World Series potential. They have won seven of their last nine series and have yet to post a losing streak of more than three games, showing the offensive punch that was missing a year ago alongside a terrific pitching staff.
Complete Rankings
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Complete Rankings
1. Detroit Tigers
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. New York Yankees
4. New York Mets
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Minnesota Twins
7. St. Louis Cardinals
8. Philadelphia Phillies
9. San Francisco Giants
10. San Diego Padres
11. Seattle Mariners
12. Arizona Diamondbacks
13. Atlanta Braves
14. Texas Rangers
15. Cleveland Guardians
16. Houston Astros
17. Kansas City Royals
18. Boston Red Sox
19. Cincinnati Reds
20. Tampa Bay Rays
21. Washington Nationals
22. Milwaukee Brewers
23. Toronto Blue Jays
24. Athletics
25. Los Angeles Angels
26. Miami Marlins
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
28. Baltimore Orioles
29. Chicago White Sox
30. Colorado Rockies
Stars of the Week
12 of 12
Hitter of the Week: Will Benson, Cincinnati Reds
Stats: 10-for-19, 2B, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R, SB
Benson was an out-of-nowhere contributor for the Reds in 2023, but took a significant step backward last year when he hit .187 with a 39.7 percent strikeout rate in 388 plate appearances. He was optioned to Triple-A to open the year and went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his lone MLB game in April before he was recalled on May 10 to bolster a banged up outfield. After last week's offensive explosion, he could be back up for good.
Pitcher of the Week: Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stats: 2 GS, 2 W, 14.0 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 19 K, 14.0 IP
Kelly tossed a pair of gems last week against the Giants (7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 8 K) and Rockies (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 11 K), and he now has a 3.26 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 58 innings over 10 starts. The 36-year-old is in the final season of a three-year, $24 million deal, and it will be interesting to see what sort of market awaits him this offseason.
Rookie of the Week: Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves
Stats: 10-for-18, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R
Baldwin has steadily played his way into a timeshare with Sean Murphy behind the plate for the Braves after earning a spot on the Opening Day roster while Murphy recovered from a cracked rib. The 24-year-old is hitting .357/.400/.583 with four doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI in 90 plate appearances, and he has emerged as the NL Rookie of the Year favorite.
A tip of the cap to Phillies right-hander Mick Abel, who tossed six shutout innings of five-hit ball against the Pirates in his MLB debut on Sunday.
