Apr 10, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
It is Week 2 of the 2025 MLB season, and whilst our best 3 groups are preserving company from Week 1, we’ve got some large jumps shaking up the highest 10.
Juan Soto and the New York Mets crack the highest 5 this week (within the procedure, passing Aaron Pass judgement on and the torpedo-bat-powered New York Yankees), whilst Kyle Tucker’s Chicago Cubs rocket all of the means from No. 14 to No. 6. The San Francisco Giants and Boston Crimson Sox also are new participants of the single-digit membership.
It hasn’t been any place close to as amusing in Atlanta, even though, because the Braves have fallen from No. 2 in our preseason scores to No. 11 in Week 1, and now to No. 15 in Week 2.
Our knowledgeable panel has mixed to rank each and every crew in response to a mix of what we now have observed up to now and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that may be a complete baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB mavens Jesse Rogers, Bradford Doolittle and David Schoenfield to weigh in with an statement for all 30 groups.
Week 1 | Preseason scores
File: 10-4
Earlier rating: 1
3 losses in a row? Say it ain’t so. The Dodgers were dominant at house within the early going, however they have got been reasonable at the street as, as soon as once more, their pitching intensity is being examined. Lefty Justin Wrobleski gave up 8 runs Tuesday, in the future after the group of workers gave up six, resulting in back-to-back defeats to the Nationals. With Blake Snell and others down whilst Clayton Kershaw works his long ago, the Dodgers really feel a bit brief at the mound. Their offense must raise the day — and it’s going to — however Los Angeles, even after a win on Wednesday, reveals itself in an unfamiliar position: with the third-best file in its department. — Rogers
File: 8-3
Earlier rating: 2
It could be peculiar to indicate {that a} 32-year-old DH coming off a three-year stretch all through which he has averaged 44 homers is breaking out. However within the early going, Kyle Schwarber goes in addition to he ever has. Over the Phillies’ first 10 video games, Schwarber clubbed 5 homers, used to be main the NL with a 248 OPS+ and used to be tied with Shohei Ohtani for the best reasonable go out speed within the majors. What in reality sticks out as most likely other for Schwarber is his advanced touch charge. His strikeout charge (20%) is 8.5% not up to 2024, when he matched his profession reasonable (28.5%) in that class. In keeping with Statcast, Schwarber’s charge of squaring up pitches has leaped from the thirtieth percentile to the 89th. — Doolittle
File: 10-3
Earlier rating: 3
San Diego in any case misplaced a recreation after taking part in at the street for the primary time this previous weekend in frigid Chicago. In spite of a sequence loss, the arrow remains to be pointing up for the Padres, who boast the third-lowest ERA in baseball all through the outlet weeks of the season. Their bullpen is even higher, rating moment in ERA with a stellar 1.78 mark coming into Wednesday. Even with out Tanner Scott, it is as nasty as ever, as righties Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada were just about untouchable. The similar may also be stated of nearer Robert Suarez, in addition to a few different back-end guys. It has propelled San Diego to a quick get started. — Rogers
File: 8-4
Earlier rating: 8
Francisco Lindor is off to a tepid get started, however as his eleventh large league season will get rolling, he is beginning to hit some spectacular profession counting numbers. Lindor reached the 1,500-hit mark this week, spurring a couple of articles questioning if he used to be destined to grow to be baseball’s subsequent 3,000-hit man. That pursuit is some distance into the longer term, however Lindor, 31, is the youngest of the 24 lively avid gamers with a minimum of 1,500 profession hits. Subsequent up for Lindor is a milestone homer. Once you have at the board in that column with a shot towards the Marlins on Tuesday, Lindor now sits at 249 profession dingers. — Doolittle
File: 7-5
Earlier rating: 4
Editor’s Choices
2 Similar
The Yankees did not fare smartly in two near-freezing video games in Detroit to start that collection, shedding 6-2 in a competition with a game-time temperature of 38 levels Monday after which shedding 5-0 in 34-degree climate Tuesday. Each video games have been moved up from night begins to afternoon begins on account of the chilly. A minimum of in the second one recreation they may be able to chalk it as much as dealing with Cy Younger winner Tarik Skubal. In the meantime, with Clarke Schmidt creating a just right first rehab get started, the Yankees be expecting him to enroll in the rotation subsequent week, bumping both Will Warren (6.00 ERA in two begins) or Carlos Carrasco (7.71 ERA in 3 appearances). Carrasco served up 3 house runs in Tuesday’s shutout loss, however Warren has choices ultimate. — Schoenfield
File: 9-6
Earlier rating: 14
Walks and stolen bases were the secret for the Cubs, who boast probably the most ideally suited offenses within the league. They are corresponding to a few of supervisor Craig Counsell’s groups in Milwaukee, now not depending on slug up to on pace and protection. It has turn out to be useful up to now at frigid Wrigley Box, the place they gained collection towards the warm-weather-based San Diego Padres and the domed Texas Rangers. The Cubs have scored seven or extra runs in part their video games, handing their bullpen large leads. That could be important extra regularly than now not, as nearer video games have ended in some deficient high-leverage performances on the again finish. Chicago’s vibe this season will probably be on the plate. — Rogers
File: 9-4
Earlier rating: 6
The Rangers began 8-4 regardless of being outscored by means of 12 runs all through the ones video games. Texas gained its first 5 one-run video games, plus its best two-run recreation, to create that early disparity. In fact, there are two tactics to view the disconnect. The Rangers are sitting lovely within the standings regardless of a slumping offense that has hit below .200 as a bunch. Thus, the shut wins are purchasing the Rangers a while till the batsmen get going. The cynical means to have a look at it’s that the differential is a harbinger of imminent doom. The actual resolution, as ever, is most certainly someplace within the center, however a method or every other, the Rangers are going to wish to ranking extra runs. — Doolittle
File: 9-3
Earlier rating: 12
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Wilmer Flores has 4 house runs in fewer than 40 at-bats after hitting 4 closing 12 months in 214 at-bats. His go back from closing season’s knee harm is usually a great spice up for the Giants as he went deep 23 occasions in 2023 and has produced a number of .800 OPS seasons together with a career-high .863 two years in the past. Quietly, he has put in combination a pleasing latter part of his profession, hitting 60 house runs over a three-season span in San Francisco, which is not at all times the very best position to move deep. — Rogers
File: 6-7
Earlier rating: 13
After his historical sluggish get started, Rafael Devers became issues round — as did all the Boston lineup in a three-game sweep of the Cardinals by which the Crimson Sox scored 36 runs and bashed out 45 hits. Together with the overall recreation of the Baltimore collection, the Crimson Sox scored 44 runs in 4 video games. Devers went 7-for-11 with a house run, 4 walks and only one strikeout towards St. Louis. Alex Bregman additionally broke out of his sluggish get started, going 9-for-18 with 2 house runs, 5 doubles and 10 RBIs in a four-game stretch. — Schoenfield
File: 7-6
Earlier rating: 5
The lack of Ketel Marte used to be felt on the plate for Arizona, which is at the back of the 8 ball a bit in a powerful NL West. Marte’s hamstring pressure got here simply after the D-backs signed him to a brand new six-year, $116.5 million contract, which must have him retiring within the barren region. He used to be a part of a string of new participant extensions by means of Arizona because it tries to put itself as a vacation spot — with each a just right crew and the trap of the Phoenix space. Pitcher Corbin Burnes signed there partially as a result of he lives in Scottsdale year-round. Increasingly avid gamers are doing the similar, giving the D-backs a leg up — if they may be able to profit from it. — Rogers
File: 5-8
Earlier rating: 7
The outfield protection has been a bit shaky, drawing the disappointment of supervisor Brandon Hyde. On Sunday, Jorge Mateo, subbing for Cedric Mullins, misplayed a Bobby Witt Jr. line force, which might have made it two outs with no one on. As an alternative, the Royals went on to attain 3 runs. On Friday, Tyler O’Neill threw to moment base on a blooper — permitting Witt to attain from first base and giving Vinnie Pasquantino a three-run unmarried. “We now have had 3 times now the place he is thrown the ball to the flawed base,” Hyde stated. “You have got Bobby Witt on first base and the ball drops like that, Tyler understands that ball wishes to visit the plate.” — Schoenfield
File: 7-5
Earlier rating: 17
Once you have swept by means of the Dodgers to start the season, the Tigers answered with a sequence victory in Seattle, a sweep of the White Sox and every other collection win over the Yankees. Spencer Torkelson’s 1/3 house run of 2025 on Tuesday were given the Tigers going, the primary of 3 house runs within the fourth inning. He completed 2-for-4 within the recreation, elevating his season line to .310/.408/.643. He has been an enormous raise for a lineup that wishes that middle-of-the-order energy hitter, however it is price noting that his strikeout charge stays very excessive at 32.7%. — Schoenfield
File: 5-7
Earlier rating: 10
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Houston lovers unsatisfied with the Astros’ offseason plan were given a lot of gas for his or her fireplace all through the primary complete week of the season when the Gamers of the Week have been ex-Astros Kyle Tucker (NL) and Alex Bregman (AL). Even that might be positive — just right for them! — however that coincided with what has been a brutal get started for the Houston offense. Over their first 11 video games, the Astros scored simply 32 runs. In the meantime, between them, Tucker and Bregman created 30 runs all through that span for his or her new groups. Their replacements in Houston — Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith — had mixed for 5. Ouch. — Doolittle
File: 6-6
Earlier rating: 15
The ace lefty for the Royals up to now has been … no, now not Cole Ragans, however Kris Bubic. He allowed only one run in profitable his first two begins, hanging out an excellent 16 batters in 12⅔ innings. The closing time Bubic used to be beginning used to be in April 2023, when he made 3 begins prior to present process Tommy John surgical procedure (and prior to that he had a 5.58 ERA as a starter in 2022). He returned closing season, making all 27 appearances in aid. Whilst his fastball averages simply 92.2 mph, he has generated a excessive whiff charge throughout the two begins at 34%. If he can stay that going along with his fastball, he is usually a wonder breakout pitcher. — Schoenfield
File: 2-9
Earlier rating: 11
It is been a stunningly dangerous get started for Atlanta because the Braves now attempt to stack up a bit just right information. Getting house to Truist Park used to be a just right get started. Getting within the win column helped. The second one win, a 7-5 victory towards NL East rival Philadelphia, featured a homer and 4 RBIs from catcher Sean Murphy in his first recreation again from the IL. Spencer Strider is because of make every other rehab get started within the minors upon getting his pitch depend as much as 75 his closing day out. And whilst there is nonetheless no transparent timeline for the go back of Ronald Acuna Jr., we would possibly see him again in a couple of weeks. All just right information. The Braves definitely want it. — Doolittle
File: 5-6
Earlier rating: 9
If the Rays have any probability at creating a playoff run, they will want Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero to hit, and up to now neither has — within the Rays’ first 9 video games the 2 mixed for no house runs, 3 RBIs and a .197 reasonable. Caminero’s talent is plain: His bat pace is as just right because it will get (one centesimal percentile) and he has elite touch talent — however he did not barrel up a unmarried baseball in the ones opening 9 video games. It is been a an identical tale for Diaz, the 2023 AL batting champ. Like Caminero, he had simply 4 strikeouts thru 9 video games however hasn’t achieved any injury. Certainly, the Rays had simply 5 house runs, 3 from Brandon Lowe. — Schoenfield
File: 8-5
Earlier rating: 20
The large information of the week used to be Vladimir Guerrero Jr. agreeing to a 14-year, $500 million extension that may cross down as probably the most greatest moments in Blue Jays historical past. Possibly Guerrero noticed that “0” in the house run column and figured he’d higher signal now. The deal, the 1/3 greatest in MLB historical past at the back of the contracts for Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani, shatters the former file in Blue Jays historical past, George Springer’s $150 million deal signed as a loose agent. Indisputably, Toronto’s incapability to land Soto or Ohtani made the entrance administrative center most likely cross upper than it used to be ok with, however holding the homegrown celebrity used to be in most cases stated as one thing the franchise needed to do. Now Guerrero simply must hit like he did in 2024, when he used to be price 6.2 WAR. — Schoenfield
File: 7-5
Earlier rating: 24
Milwaukee started to proper the send after a foul get started, thank you partially to younger Jackson Chourio. He had a large week, hitting over .380 with 3 house runs. Chourio would possibly finish the 12 months as probably the most unhealthy hitter in a Brewers lineup that also employs Christian Yelich and William Contreras. He is simply 21 years previous, however like Padres celebrity Jackson Merrill, he performs older than his age or enjoy degree. Trade insiders imagine it may not be lengthy prior to Chourio will probably be the man in Milwaukee. — Rogers
File: 5-8
Earlier rating: 16
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Righty Logan Gilbert has been drawing raves over his get started, construction on 2024 when he completed 6th in AL Cy Younger vote casting. Thru 3 begins, Gilbert is main the league in WHIP (0.623) and strikeouts (25) whilst posting a 2.55 ERA and a couple of.22 FIP. Gilbert has ramped up the usage of his elite splitter, throwing it a few quarter of the time up to now after sitting round 13% closing season. You’ll’t blame him: Hitters are hitting .000/.025/.000 towards the splitter up to now. Alas, Gilbert’s good fortune within the W-L class has now not advanced. After going 9-12 in 2024, Gilbert is 0-1 in 2025 regardless of his dominance. — Doolittle
File: 5-8
Earlier rating: 18
Hunter Greene is selecting up the place he left off closing season, when he made his first All-Celebrity crew. Greene pitched a gem Monday in San Francisco, just about getting the complete-game shutout. He settled for 8⅔ innings, hanging out seven whilst giving up 4 hits and a stroll. Thru 3 begins, Greene has 23 Ok’s to simply 3 loose passes, whilst pitching 5 innings, then seven, then Monday’s close to CG. He has became the ace the Reds idea they have been getting after they drafted him moment total in 2017. — Rogers
File: 7-4
Earlier rating: 22
Get a divorce the Angels! The Halos have hovered round first position within the AL West during the last week regardless of a run differential that used to be break-even thru Tuesday. The excellent news: Each and every different crew within the department used to be smartly into the purple. Kyren Paris, a wonder member of the Angels’ opening day roster, has been a revelation. The 23-year-old entered the season 10-for-91 with a lone homer all through his sporadic large league time. Throughout his first 9 outings of 2025, Paris went 9-for-21 with 3 homers and a jaw-dropping 1.491 OPS. He has bounced between moment base and middle box up to now for supervisor Ron Washington, and whilst he is not going to stick this scorching, Paris has emerged as a participant to look at all through the early going. — Doolittle
File: 5-6
Earlier rating: 21
The season-opening nine-game street travel used to be definitely a unhappiness at 3-6, and the worry to start the season used to be the principle offender: The beginning rotation went 1-5 with a 6.70 ERA whilst averaging lower than 5 innings in keeping with get started. General, the rotation recorded simply 26 strikeouts in 43 innings, even if the Guardians did play the Royals and Padres, two of the most productive touch groups within the majors. The rotation did rank in the course of the pack on this space in 2024 (14th within the majors), so let’s mark this incapability to omit bats as one thing to look forward to now. — Schoenfield
File: 5-7
Earlier rating: 19
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Starter Miles Mikolas noticed his ERA bounce from 3.38 to 11.25 after a disastrous time out in Boston over the weekend. He gave up 11 hits in simply 2⅔ innings en path to an 18-7 loss for St. Louis. Mikolas is not precisely a man who misses bats, however the previous a number of years were laborious to fathom after a good begin to his Cardinals profession. As lately as 2022, he gave up 170 hits in 202⅓ innings pitched. No longer dangerous. However since then it’s been extra hits than innings — by means of a large margin. In 2023, he served up 226 hits in 201⅓ innings, then closing 12 months gave up 194 hits in 171⅔ innings. Along with his contract up after this 12 months, will St. Louis in finding any takers on the cut-off date, and can he waive his no-trade clause? — Rogers
File: 4-8
Earlier rating: 25
In beginning 3-7, the Twins hit simply .199, however perhaps the largest drawback has been the loss of innings the rotation has delivered. Simply two times in the ones 10 video games did a starter file an out within the 6th inning. Sure, it is early, and pitch counts will probably be ultraconservative, however even by means of 2025 requirements, you want to get extra out of your starters. The bullpen picked up Sunday’s loss, alternatively, when Griffin Jax allowed the tying runs within the 9th inning towards Houston after which Louis Varland were given the loss within the tenth (it used to be Varland’s fourth look in six days, even if Jax used to be smartly rested). Supervisor Rocco Baldelli’s frustration boiled over in Monday’s loss to the Royals, when he used to be ejected arguing a pitch clock violation known as on Simeon Woods Richardson (which gave a stroll to the batter). — Schoenfield
File: 5-8
Earlier rating: 23
First baseman Tyler Soderstrom has seemed like probably the most AL’s breakout hitters all through the early going. Soderstrom stroked six homers over the Athletics’ first 12 video games, a span by which he led the league in dingers, slugging and OPS+. Whilst Sutter Well being Park had baseball’s second-highest collective slugging proportion all through that point, at the back of Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Soderstrom’s energy surge wasn’t a bandbox phantasm. 4 of his lengthy balls got here all through the Athletics’ opening street travel. With rookie Jacob Wilson additionally off to a blistering get started, the Athletics could be taking a look at a potent lineup if and when Brent Rooker approaches one thing on the subject of his 2024 degree. — Doolittle
File: 5-7
Earlier rating: 27
The Nats have got thrilling begins from a few of their foundational younger avid gamers comparable to James Wooden, MacKenzie Gore and Mitchell Parker. At the turn facet, Dylan Crews’ sluggish profession get started has endured into this season. Thru his first 10 outings, Crews controlled simply 5 singles and a stroll over 37 plate appearances, leaving him with a minus-12 OPS+. And, sure, you it appears can get into the unfavorable in that metric. Crews’ profession line stands at .200/.260/.303 for a 61 OPS+. A sluggish get started remains to be only a get started, however the Nationals want Crews to turn some sure indicators, or a bit extra Triple-A polish could be required. — Doolittle
File: 5-8
Earlier rating: 28
Pittsburgh driven its crew batting reasonable over .200 this week, however how lengthy will it keep there? The Pirates’ incapability to offer offense for a good pitching group of workers is still an annual development. The elder statesman — Andrew McCutchen — is off to a just right get started, however none in their younger guys are generating. As of Tuesday, no participant had greater than two house runs, whilst guys like Oneil Cruz (.211) and Bryan Reynolds (.191) have been suffering mightily. Ke’Bryan Hayes confirmed some indicators of lifestyles closing week, however the Pirates are going to wish much more on the plate in an effort to keep afloat. — Rogers
File: 6-6
Earlier rating: 26
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First-timer Clayton McCullough is finding out temporarily concerning the scrutiny that is going with being a large league supervisor. McCullough stuck heck from, amongst others, the Mets’ broadcast group for a chain all through Miami’s loss on Tuesday. With the Mets main 6-5 within the 6th, there used to be one out, runners on first and 1/3 and Juan Soto coming to the plate. McCullough ordered an intentional go, loading the bases for Pete Alonso. Probably, the purpose used to be to arrange a double play … apart from McCullough then ordered the infield and the outfield in. Heart fielder Derek Hill used to be taking part in simply 271 ft from the plate. Alonso then clubbed a bases-clearing double to left middle. Welcome to the highlight, skipper. — Doolittle
File: 2-9
Earlier rating: 30
This 12 months’s adolescence motion has begun in Colorado, the place the crew known as up 2020 first-rounder Zac Veen this week. Veen, 23, earned his promotion after going 12-for-31 to start out the season at Triple-A Albuquerque. After a sequence of accidents during the last couple of years, Veen pulled off an extraordinary feat in 2024: taking part in at each and every degree of the Rockies group, even getting 10 plate appearances within the rookie league. However that used to be all simply to get him in a position for his second at Coors Box, the place he went 1-for-4 in his debut on Tuesday. — Rogers
File: 2-9
Earlier rating: 29
One vivid spot has been veteran starter Martin Perez. In a rotation that started the season with a mixed 40 MLB begins except Perez, the 34-year-old lefty has allowed simply 4 hits and one run over 12⅓ innings throughout two begins. Granted, the 2 begins got here on chilly days towards the Twins at house and at Detroit, however a minimum of Perez has given the rotation some early balance. Perez is on a one-year maintain a $10 million mutual choice for 2026, so if he continues to pitch smartly, you are going to definitely pay attention his title in commerce rumors. — Schoenfield
