MLB Power Rankings: Each team's early surprises

It's the second edition of theScore's MLB Power Rankings for the 2026 season. There's been plenty of movement since we published our last edition on Opening Day. We'll put out the next rankings on May 4.

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1. Los Angeles Dodgers

For all the star power on the Dodgers, it's been the production of youngsters Daulton Rushing and Andy Pages that's impressed the most over the first month. Rushing has five home runs and two doubles in 22 at-bats, while Pages leads the NL with a 1.061 OPS.

2. Atlanta Braves

The Braves needed 11 fewer games to reach their 15th win this year compared to last season. One of the biggest keys to their turnaround has been Bryce Elder's resurgence. The 2023 All-Star struggled in each of the last two seasons, but he owns an NL-best 0.77 ERA across four starts.

3. San Diego Padres

San Diego's tied for the most wins in the majors despite sitting 21st in OPS. The pitching has carried the team early, with Mason Miller off to an absurd start - even for his standards. The electric closer has thrown 11 1/3 shutout innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out 27. His 21.9 K/9 doesn't seem possible.

4. New York Yankees

Who says the Yankees can't produce elite homegrown talent? Cam Schlitter owns a 1.95 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 36 strikeouts across five starts. Meanwhile, Ben Rice is taking advantage of more playing time. The 27-year-old already has eight homers and leads the team with a 1.276 OPS over 21 games.

5. Chicago Cubs

It's a good thing Shota Imanaga accepted that qualifying offer. The left-hander has been Chicago's best starter, posting a 2.45 ERA and 0.77 WHIP through four outings. The most encouraging part is that the home-run troubles that plagued him last season don't appear to be an issue so far, as he's allowed just two in 22 innings.

6. Detroit Tigers

Detroit's investment in pitching this winter, combined with internal improvement, is delivering results. The Tigers have allowed the second-fewest runs in the majors, behind only the Braves, and have surrendered two or fewer runs in eight of their last nine games. That represents a solid turnaround after they finished 16th in ERA in 2025. It's not just Tarik Skubal carrying the staff anymore.

7. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates hit home runs now. An emphasis on adding power over the offseason is paying off, as new additions Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna have combined for 50% of the team's homers. After placing last in the majors with 117 home runs in 2025, Pittsburgh has already gone deep 26 times.

8. Seattle Mariners

Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh are off to miserable starts this season. J-Rod, a historically slow starter, is cold even for his standards, hitting .209/.313/.279 with four extra-base hits and 25 strikeouts through 23 games. Raleigh has posted two homers to go with 31 strikeouts and a .511 OPS in 23 contests. Meanwhile, Josh Naylor's 35 wRC+ is 175th out of 182 qualified hitters. It's a shock the Mariners' record isn't worse.

9. Milwaukee Brewers

Is Gary Sánchez back? The former All-Star and Silver Slugger already has five home runs and sports a 1.048 OPS thanks to 13 walks in 55 plate appearances. The 33-year-old is tied for the team lead in homers while sitting in the 95th percentile in barrel percentage and 93rd percentile in xSLG, per Baseball Savant.

10. Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa is one of only two AL teams with a winning record both at home and on the road. Pitching has been the key to the Rays' success over the years, but this group is getting hit around. Tampa Bay sits 22nd in ERA while allowing the seventh-most runs in the majors. The bullpen's been especially bad, placing 21st in WHIP, 26th in ERA, and 28th in homers allowed. Still, the Rays are finding ways to win.

11. Cincinnati Reds

Sal Stewart looks to be the real deal. The 22-year-old tops the Reds in home runs, RBIs, and OPS and is absolutely crushing the baseball. Not only is Stewart hitting for power, but he also owns a 15.7 BB% to go with an 18 K%. Cincinnati's pitchers are also getting it done, as the bullpen leads the majors in ERA.

12. Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland continues to find ways to win, and it appears something special is brewing in the rotation. Gavin Williams is second in the majors in strikeouts. Meanwhile, Parker Messick has allowed only three runs in 25 2/3 innings while striking out 25. He also carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning in his last start.

13. Texas Rangers

Starting pitching has been a bit of an issue in Texas to open the year. After the rotation finished with the lowest ERA in the majors a season ago, the Rangers' staff ranks 17th in 2026. Nathan Eovaldi, who recorded a career-low 0.85 WHIP in 2025, has allowed the third-most hits in MLB this campaign through five starts.

14. Minnesota Twins

Acquiring Taj Bradley at last season's trade deadline looks like it could be a major win for the Twins. The 25-year-old has surrendered two or fewer runs in each of his first five starts to open the year, and his 1.63 ERA is the seventh-lowest mark among qualified starters.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-Backs boast the sixth-best record in the majors despite an offense that isn't doing much outside of Corbin Carroll. Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, and Nolan Arenado all possess a sub-.700 OPS. Michael Soroka will also likely regress, but he's currently pitching to career-best strikeout and walk rates early in his Arizona tenure.

16. Baltimore Orioles

As the Orioles wait for an offensive explosion from Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, it's been Jeremiah Jackson carrying the load. Injuries have opened the door for the 26-year-old at second base, and he's run with the opportunity. Jackson's hitting .303/.319/.561 with five homers and a team-leading 17 RBIs.

17. St. Louis Cardinals

We thought the Cardinals were rebuilding? Trading away vets to clear out playing time for younger players is paying off early. Jordan Walker is taking advantage of that chance, with the 23-year-old already clubbing eight homers in 82 at-bats while ranking in the 98th percentile in hard-hit rate. Closer Riley O'Brien has yet to allow a run or walk in 12 outings.

18. Los Angeles Angels

Incredibly, Mike Trout's seven homers, 23 walks, and .980 OPS isn't the best performance for the Angels to open the season. Instead, José Soriano is stealing the spotlight, leading the majors with a 0.38 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and .104 opponent average through five starts. The right-hander has also allowed only one run this season - a solo homer - and has recorded double-digit strikeouts in two outings.

19. Athletics

Nick Kurtz's two homers through 21 games seem a bit disappointing at first glance, but a peek at his MLB-leading 25.3 BB% helps explain things. Kurtz will need those around him in the lineup to get going and offer him more protection before we likely see more homers.

20. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have hit the fewest home runs in the majors, and that's not even the most concerning issue. Reigning AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet has given up 16 runs - four homers - over his last two starts and owns a 7.88 ERA. After not allowing his 23rd run last season until June 6 (his 14th start), Crochet has already surrendered 23 runs over five outings in 2026.

21. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto opened its AL title defense by sweeping the A's and then dropping its next six series. Though there's a long list of injuries, the Jays have enough talent on the current roster to produce better results. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has homered once in 21 games, and the club ranks 28th in OPS with runners in scoring position.

22. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have dropped four straight series and own the worst run differential in baseball. Fresh off signing a five-year, $135-million extension in March, Jesús Luzardo has posted a 7.94 ERA across four starts and allowed at least five runs in three of those appearances. Philadelphia is the only team with double-digit losses at home this season.

23. San Francisco Giants

It's certainly weird to see Logan Webb being part of the problem in San Francisco. One of MLB's most underrated pitchers is off to a miserable start, recording a 5.40 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across five outings. Although it's still early, the right-hander has seen his BB% and hard-hit rate take a major jump from last season, while his strikeout rate has dived.

24. Miami Marlins

Otto Lopez appears to be taking the next step. After showing flashes last season, Lopez has enjoyed an excellent start to this year, leading the Marlins with nine extra-base hits and a .936 OPS. He's striking out more, but the trade-off is that he's also hitting the ball much harder and almost doubling the amount of barrels.

25. Washington Nationals

The Nationals are tied for the second-most runs scored in MLB and sit fifth in OPS, thanks in part to CJ Abrams' incredible production. Washington opted not to sell low on the 25-year-old this winter, and that decision appears to be paying off. He's fourth in the majors in RBIs (19) and OPS (1.029).

26. Houston Astros

Yordan Alvarez leads MLB with 10 homers, and the Astros have scored the most runs in the AL. But Houston still has major problems. Hampered by the majors' worst ERA (6.11), the club has dropped 12 of its last 14 games. Five of the six pitchers who have made multiple starts for the Astros own an ERA above 5.00.

27. New York Mets

Mets baseball has truly become a nightmare to watch in Queens. Even with Juan Soto sidelined, how's a team with a $300-plus million payroll this bad? Bo Bichette had an awful first month in New York, hitting just .217/.255/.283 in 22 games. Francisco Lindor, meanwhile, has driven in one run in 99 plate appearances.

28. Colorado Rockies

The Rockies already have as many wins against the Dodgers (2-1) as they did last season (2-11). Additionally, Antonio Senzatela's move to the bullpen looks genius, as the right-hander has allowed only one run and seven hits across 14 1/3 innings in relief, striking out 17. That's a big improvement after he posted a 13.3 H/9 and 5.1 K/9 as a starter in 2025.

29. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox might have the third-lowest winning percentage and second-worst run differential in the AL, but that hasn't damped the excitement around Munetaka Murakami. The rookie has already hit eight home runs in just 22 games. While his 33 K% is very concerning, it's been remarkable to see how easily his power has translated to the majors.

30. Kansas City Royals

All the success the Royals' players had during the World Baseball Classic hasn't carried over to the regular season. Vinnie Pasquantino is struggling with a .499 OPS. Bobby Witt Jr. has yet to homer in 82 at-bats. And Salvador Perez looks every bit his age, slashing .152/.200/.291 across 21 games.