MLB May Power Rankings: Dodgers, Giants and NL West dominating top 10

Prior to the season, we thought we knew what the 2025 MLB campaign had in store for us.

Obviously, once the games get going, our beliefs shift. Over the last month, we've received a good look at what teams are bringing to the table this season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers looked their usual dominant selves to start the season, but had a rough stretch, losing six of nine games; however, they still find themselves at the top thanks to their otherwordly collection of talent.

Other preseason favorites are watching stars struggle or suffer injuries. One month in, how will the rankings play out, and which team jumped from the middle of the pack to the top four?

30. Colorado Rockies

Record (4-24), Division Standing (5th in NL West), Last Power Ranking (29)

Who thought a team could be worse than the White Sox?

The Rockies have already set a team record, but not the kind you want. They went 32 straight innings without scoring a run, breaking the record of 30 set in 2010.

The lone bright spot for fans to get excited about is rookie Jordan Beck. He struggled in his debut last season, but in 18 games this season, he has a 161 wRC+, 1.022 OPS, five home runs, 10 runs scored, and 10 runs batted in.

29. Chicago White Sox

Record (7-21), Division Standing (5th in AL Central), Last Power Ranking (30)

The White Soxs can't catch a break.

Martín Pérez had been stellar on the mound this season. After three games, he posted a 1.59 ERA with a 9.53 K/9 ratio, but he has been diagnosed with left elbow inflammation that will keep him out the rest of the year.

White Sox fans finally had something to be optimistic about, and now it's gone. The team's lone "standout" is Andrew Benintendi, who has a wRC+ of 93 and an OPS of .671. However, Edgar Quero and Brooks Baldwin look like promising rookies.  

28. Pittsburgh Pirates

Record (11-18), Division Standing (5th in NL Central), Last Power Ranking (23)

The Pirates are wasting Paul Skenes's young career.

Oneil Cruz is the offensive standout with eight home runs, but he is the only hitter on the team with more than three home runs. Paul Skenes (2.39) and Andrew Heaney (1.72) have impressive ERAs, but no other starting pitcher has a figure lower than 4.00.

The front office did nothing this offseason despite having the fifth-most Competitive Balance Tax Space available. Skenes is a once-in-a-generation talent, and the front office needs to acquire more talent around the diamond before he can choose to stay or leave.

27. Miami Marlins

Record (12-16), Division Standing (5th in NL West) Last Power Ranking (28)

A massive youth movement has taken over Miami.

Based on service time, the Marlins have 13 rookies and eight second-year players on the 26-man roster. The offense is led by rookie Matt Mervis, who has a 119 wRC+, .827 OPS, seven home runs, 10 runs scored, 14 RBIs.

Max Meyer is in his second full MLB season and leads the starting rotation with a 3.18 ERA. He has a career-best 12.44 strikeouts per nine innings early on this season.

26. Baltimore Orioles

Record (11-17), Division Standing (5th in AL East), Last Power Ranking (7)

The Orioles thought wrong when they bet that the starting rotation would be okay without Corbin Burnes.

This starting rotation ranks 28th in starter ERA (5.62). Only Tomoyuki Sugano has an ERA under 5.00 (3.54), and Charlie Morton, brought in to somewhat fill the void of Burnes, has an ERA over 10.00 in five starts. Cedric Mullins is surprisingly the standout offensive player.

He's had a solid eight-year career, as his wOBA has been consistently above .310 in four of the last five seasons. His previous career high was .372 in 2021; however, the 30-year-old has far exceeded that total this season (.430).

25. Washington Nationals

Record (13-16), Division Standing (3rd in NL East), Last Power Ranking (24)

The Nationals' future looks promising with all the young players starring in the nation's capital.

The Nationals can attribute their early successes to that young core. Dylan Crews had all the hype leading into 2025, but he's struggled, so fellow rookie James Wood has carried the offense with a 154 wRC+, .922 OPS, nine home runs, 18 runs scored, and 20 runs batted in.

MacKenzie Gore has had a breakout season on the mound with a 3.34 ERA and 13.63 strikeouts per nine innings. Jake Irvin and Mitchell are also starting their second full seasons strongly with 3.19 and 2.65 ERAs, respectively.

24. Minnesota Twins

Record (13-16), Division Standing (4th in AL Central), Last Power Ranking (21)

The Twins hoped to start the season strong after their collapse at the end of last season, but this is hardly what they envisioned.

The Twins are struggling mightily on offense. They rank 21st in batting average (.229). Byron Buxton is the only highlight on the team. He has a 117 wRC+ and .775 OPS with six home runs, 23 runs scored, 17 runs batted in, and five stolen bases.

23. Los Angeles Angels

Record (12-15), Division Standing (5th in AL West), Last Power Ranking (25)

The offense is carrying the Angels, though the pitching has been abysmal.

The Angels' offense has three players over 110 wRC+, including Logan O'Hoppe. The catcher has a 127 wRC+, .807 OPS, seven home runs, 10 runs scored, and 12 runs batted in. However, the pitching staff ranks 26th in team ERA (4.75) thanks to eight pitchers with a 4.00 or higher ERA.

22. St. Louis Cardinals

Record (12-17), Division Standing (4th in NL Central), Last Power Ranking (27)

The perceived rebuild isn't starting as bad as the record looks.

The Cardinals are struggling mightily on the road, with a 2-11 record, and have a -4 overall run differential, indicating that they are simply losing close games. MLB.com has their expected win-loss record at 13-12.

The offense is led by second-baseman Brendan Donovan, who has only three home runs in 106 at-bats but has scored 15 runs and knocked in 16. He's also posting a career-high 154 wRC+. Power is the woe for the offense, as Lars Nootbar, the leadoff hitter, is the only player with at least four home runs.

21. Atlanta Braves

Record (13-15), Division Standing (3rd in NL East), Last Power Ranking (5)

The stars are waking up on offense, but it hasn't been enough to win games.

The Braves are 8-3 at home this season but are just 2-11 on the road, having lost the first seven games of the season all on the road. The offense was a significant issue in the five games in March, when the team's OPS ranked 28th (.478), and they scored only eight runs.

In April, the offense flipped the script and currently ranks second (.771). Marcell Ozuna has hit five home runs over 83 at-bats and has a 181 wRC+ and a 1.003 OPS.

20. Athletics

Record (15-14), Division Standing (3rd in AL West), Last Power Ranking (26)

The Athletics have a power hitter no one talked about before the season.

Tyler Soderstrom has exploded onto the MLB scene this season. This will be his first full season in the big leagues, and no one expected the production he has already delivered. Last season, he had 189 at-bats, hit nine home runs, scored 18 runs, and drove in 26 runs.

This season, in 110 at-bats, the 23-year-old has hit nine home runs, has scored 20 runs, and has 24 runs batted in. He's well on his way to the first All-Star nod of his young career.

19. Tampa Bay Rays

Record (14-14), Division Standing (3rd in AL East), Last Power Ranking (22)

The Rays had a lot of hype surrounding their young starting rotation before the season, but this hasn't been the start the team was hoping for.

Drew Rasmussen is carrying a rotation that has had Shane McClanahan on the injured list all season. Rasmussen has a 2.10 ERA over 25 2/3 innings while posting 9.47 strikeouts per nine innings. Shane Baz is the only other starter with an ERA under 4.00 (2.45).

On offense, Jonathan Aranda has come out of nowhere. Over his four partial big league seasons, the 26-year-old has never played more than 44 games in a season. He has an impressive 184 wRC+ and a .968 OPS so far this year.

The designated hitter must continue carrying the top half of the lineup while Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz work out their early-season struggles.

18. Kansas City Royals

Record (14-15), Division Standing (3rd in AL Central), Last Power Ranking (17)

The Royals had high hopes to return to the postseason in 2025, but struggles on both sides of the ball have the team in the middle of the pack in the AL Central.

Offensively, Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Drew Waters are the only players with a wRC+ exceeding 100 (league average). The next closest is Salvador Perez's 77, but the starting rotation has also struggled.

Kris Bubic is the lone standout, with a 2.25 ERA through 36 innings. Cole Ragans has a 4.40 ERA, though he's at least rocking a 13.50 K/9. Both sides need vast improvements for the Royals to make another Wild Card appearance.

17. Toronto Blue Jays

Record (13-15), Division Standing (4th in AL East), Last Power Ranking (20)

Where has all the power production gone in Toronto?

The Blue Jays' offense has been underperforming this year, but the team remains just two games below a .500 record and only three games behind the New York Yankees for the division lead. The offense ranks 26th in runs scored (93), 23rd in OPS (.656), and has a -27 run differential.

No hitter has more than three home runs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got his new contract, but he only has two home runs in 103 at-bats.

At least Chris Bassitt has been unhittable on the mound this season. He has posted a 2.62 ERA over 34 1/3 innings, and his 10.22 strikeouts per nine innings look downright unfair compared against his scant 1.83 walks per nine innings.

16. Milwaukee Brewers

Record (14-15), Division Standing (3rd in NL Central), Last Power Ranking (14)

Despite having six starting pitchers on the injured list, the Brewers have the eighth-best team ERA in MLB (3.63).

With all the injuries in the starting rotation, the Brewers acquired Jose Quintana in free agency. He is sporting an impressive 1.14 ERA. He joins Freddy Peralta's 2.43 ERA and Chad Patrick's 2.45 ERA to form a formidable rotation. It will be interesting to see how the rotation looks when Aaron Ashby, Aaron Civale, and Brandon Woodruff return from injury.  

15. Texas Rangers

Record (15-14), Division Standing (4th in AL West), Last Power Ranking (10)

The Rangers are proof that age doesn't matter when it comes to contributing massive production.

The team has scored the fewest runs (87) in MLB thus far this season. Joc Pederson was brought in for his power, but he recently was in an 0-41 slump. The offense will pick up, but the division is highly competitive, with a three-game difference between first and last place.

23-year-old Wyatt Langford has a monstrous 197 wRC+ and 1.044 OPS. He's hit six home runs, but has just eight runs and RBIs apiece. The righty is well on his way to surpassing the numbers he put up in his stellar rookie year last season, but needs some help from the rest of the offense.

On the other side of the age range, 30-year-old Tyler Mahle hasn't surpassed more than 25 innings in the last two seasons due to injuries, but he's been unhittable through six starts this season. The righty has a 3-0 record and an astounding 1.14 ERA.

14. Cleveland Guardians

Record (15-13), Division Standing (2nd in AL Central), Last Power Ranking (15)

The Guardians are looking to repeat as AL Central champions, but they are far from where they need to be.

The Guardians are taking advantage of a weak AL Central this season by being in second place despite a -28 run differential. Their expected win-loss record is 11-17.

At least Kyle Manzardo has been a pleasant surprise on offense this season. It'll be his first full season in the majors, but he's already surpassed the numbers he put up in 145 at-bats last season. He has a 132 wRC+, .825 OPS, seven home runs, 12 runs scored, and 18 runs batted in. To repeat as AL Central champs, the team needs more production from its star players.

13. Houston Astros

Record (15-13), Division Standing (2nd in AL West), Last Power Ranking (9)

If the Astros' pitching staff continues to deal, this team could dominate the AL if the offense starts heating up.

Hunter Brown is having a Cy Young-caliber season. Through 37 innings, Brown has a 4-1 record, an outstanding 1.22 ERA, and a 40:7 strikeout:walk ratio. The bullpen ranks eighth in ERA (3.19).

Unfortunately, the offense has sputtered throughout the first month of the season. Isaac Paredes, Jose Altuve, and Christian Walker are leading the team in home runs with four. Yordan Alvarez has been a shadow of his former self. He has a 90 wRC+ and an OPS of only .677.

As long as the pitching stays hot, the Astros should keep pace at the top of the division. If the offense ever lives up to its potential, watch out.

12. Cincinnati Reds

Record (16-13), Division Standing (2nd in NL Central), Last Power Ranking (18)

The Reds started slow but have been on a tear since.

The Reds have a +43 run differential and a 19-10 expected win-loss record. The run differential is behind only the New York Mets for the second-highest in all of MLB this season. The top two pitchers in the starting rotation have been stellar so far this season, as both Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo have an ERA under 2.80.

11. Seattle Mariners

Record (16-12), Division Standing (1st in AL West), Last Power Ranking (13)

Power is the name of the game in Seattle.

The Mariners rank third in MLB in home runs (42), but 20th in batting average (.237). The team has been winning with the long ball, with Cal Raleigh being the primary contributor. The catcher has a 158 wRC+, an .893 OPS, 10 home runs, 17 runs scored, and 17 runs batted in. He's never been one to hit for average but has hit at least 27 home runs over his last three full seasons in the big leagues.

10. Boston Red Sox

Record (16-14), Division Standing (2nd in AL East), Last Power Ranking (16)

The Red Sox's big offseason move is paying off immensely.

This past offseason's Winter Meetings were highlighted by the Red Sox striking a deal with the White Sox for Garrett Crochet. Crochet is currently the favorite to win the Cy Young Award. He has a 2-2 record, a 1.95 ERA, and a 44:15 strikeout:walk ratio.

In his last start, he had his worst outing of the season as he dealt with control issues, walking five batters, but he still struck out nine. Last season was the first time the lefty put in a full workload as a starter, so it will be interesting to see if Crochet can stay healthy throughout the entire season.

9. Philadelphia Phillies

Record (15-13), Division Standing (2nd in NL East), Last Power Ranking (4)

If the Phillies want to repeat as division champs, they must figure out their bullpen.

The defending NL East champs have the 29th-ranked bullpen in team ERA (5.28). Only closer José Alvarado has an ERA under 3.00. Luckily. starter Jésus Luzardo has been a nice surprise since joining the Phillies via a trade with the Marlins over the offseason. In 36.1 innings, he has a 1.73 ERA and 10.16 strikeouts per nine innings.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks

Record (15-13), Division Standing (4th in NL West), Last Power Ranking (6)

Who thought, with a staff of Zac Gallen, Corbin Burnes, and Merrill Kelly, that Brandon Pfaadt would be the ace?

Burnes, Gallen, and Kelly are struggling, as evidenced by the 23rd-rated team rotation ERA (4.21). Pfaadt is the only starter with a sub-4.00 ERA (2.78). His strikeouts are significantly down, dropping from 9.17 per nine innings last season to 7.32 this season, but he's generating plenty of soft contact. The 26-year-old has shown flashes but lacked consistency in his three-year career, so fans should enjoy it while the rest of the staff works out their kinks.

7. Detroit Tigers

Record (18-11), Division Standing (1st in AL Central), Last Power Ranking (11)

Pitching can win you championships, and the Tigers are looking the part early.

The Tigers are third in overall team ERA (3.03), with Reese Olsen (3.29), Jack Flaherty (3.34), and Kenta Maeda (9.00) being the only pitchers on the staff with a 3.00 ERA or higher.

The Tigers are leading the AL Central and are the only team in the division with a positive run differential (+30). Offensively, Spencer Torkelson has been the standout. He has a 154 wRC+, a .896 OPS, eight home runs, 20 runs scored, and 24 RBIs.

6. Chicago Cubs

Record (17-12), Division Standing (1st in NL Central), Last Power Ranking (12)

Significant offseason moves have the Cubs lighting up the scoreboard despite a ridiculously tough schedule.

Cubs fans were ecstatic when Kyle Tucker was acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros, and he's been worth the hype. The 28-year-old leads an offense that leads MLB with 167 runs scored. He has a 166 wRC+, a .976 OPS, seven home runs, 25 runs scored, 25 runs batted in, and eight stolen bases. 

It's safe to say he'll break the bank as a free agent next offseason.

5. New York Yankees

Record (17-12), Division Standing (1st in AL East), Last Power Ranking (2)

The Judge is in session.

Aaron Judge is well on his way to back-to-back AL MVP awards. In 111 at-bats, he has a 243 wRC+, 1.199 OPS, eight home runs, 25 runs scored, and 28 runs knocked in. The right fielder is carrying the team on offense, which is needed because the starting pitchers are struggling mightily. The Yankees are currently ranked 22nd in starter ERA (4.21).

4. San Francisco Giants

Record (19-10), Division Standing (1st in NL West), Last Power Ranking (19)

The Giants have shocked the MLB world after a sub-par 2024 season.

The Giants' bullpen ranks second in ERA (2.30), while surprisingly, the starting rotation ranks 21st (4.20). However, ace Logan Webb has a 1.98 ERA and 10.90 strikeouts per nine innings over 36 1/3 frames.

In his sophomore season in the pros, Jung Ho Lee is the offensive leader thus far in 2025. The 26-year-old has been a leadoff hitter throughout his career, but with his success, he has found himself in the three-hole. He's posted a 158 wRC+, .930 OPS, 22 runs scored, and 16 runs knocked in.

3. San Diego Padres

Record (17-11), Division Standing (3rd in NL West), Last Power Ranking (8)

Have the Padres finally become the powerhouse general manager A.J. Preller has been building toward?

The pitching staff's team ERA (2.82) ranks second in baseball, has allowed the fewest runs (83), and the bullpen features no one with an ERA higher than 3.00. They've carried an offense riddled with injuries. Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth have been out since April 6 with no timetable for a return, and Luis Arráez has been out since the 20th with a concussion.

Fernando Tatis Jr. has been the lone bright spot of the current offense. His 188 wRC+, 1.040 OPS, eight home runs, 24 runs scored, 18 runs batted in, and seven stolen bases lead the team. The team has struggled over their last 10 games, going 3-7, but once the injuries are resolved, the offense is expected to return to form.

2. New York Mets

Record (20-9), Division Standing (1st in NL East), Last Power Ranking (3)

The Mets' spending spree this offseason was designed to avenge their NLCS defeat last season. So far, the experiment is working wonders.

Juan Soto is off to a lackluster start this season, leaving Pete Alonso to carrying the offense on his back. The first baseman carries a 200 wRC+, 1.088 OPS, six homers, 20 runs, and 27 runs batted in. The much-maligned pitching staff has also been wildly successful, ranking first in ERA (2.62). Tylor Megill and Kodai Senga both have an ERA under 1.80.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Record (19-10), Division Standing (2nd in NL West), Last Power Ranking (1)

Will anyone surpass the Dodgers as the top dog?

The Dodgers reign at the top again, but the gap isn't as wide as it seemed before the season began. They only have a +17 run differential; however, that should stretch as the weather warms up.

Yoshinobu Yamatoto has been outstanding in his second season in the big leagues. He's thrown 34 innings with a 1.06 ERA and a stellar 11.38 strikeouts per nine innings. Once the rest of the rotation is healthy, the Dodgers will look every part the juggernaut most feared.

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