With the NJCAA, NCAA, and prep calendars nearing their peak and the MLB season just beyond 25 percent complete, a quarter-pole snapshot of the big leagues reveals quite a bit. Early-season narratives have given way to firmer truths as teams begin to show their true colors. That sample size may not be definitive, but it’s more than enough to identify which clubs are contenders, which are pretenders, and which ones are clinging to hope through talent, injury recovery, or even front office magic.
The division races are heating up, top players are asserting themselves, and some of the preseason favorites are already facing serious questions. Here’s a breakdown of all 30 teams, division by division, with insight into where things stand as an organization (graded 20-80 on the scouting scale), and where they might go from here.
Division placement below is a projection. Win-loss records through May 19.
American League
EAST
1. New York Yankees (27-19)
The Yankees have been the class of the American League to start 2025, and it all starts with Aaron Judge. The superstar slugger is once again on an MVP pace, hitting .401 with 15 home runs — the best hitter in baseball by a whopping 50% using wRC+ (245 vs Freddie Freeman‘s 195).
Judge’s presence has been more than just production — he’s clearly the emotional engine of this team, bringing energy and swagger to a clubhouse that needed leadership after last year’s World Series team lost Juan Soto to free agency and Gerrit Cole to injury.
With offseason additions Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger providing both balance and postseason experience, and Max Fried anchoring a now-consistent rotation, the Yankees are built for October. This group looks different from previous high-payroll teams—they’re deeper, tougher, and carry a clear identity.
Needs: Adding starting pitching at the deadline makes them a favorite to return to the World Series.
Overall Organization Grade: 60
2. Toronto Blue Jays (22-24)
Toronto has enough firepower to challenge the Yankees, even if inconsistency has kept them from the top spot. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette lead a potent lineup, while George Springer continues to provide veteran savvy in what has been a bounce-back season for him thus far.
Their pitching has been more volatile than hoped, with Jose Berrios and Kevin Gausman running out mid-rotation production, leaving a hole at the top ahead of Chris Bassitt. Their best arm in the minors is 2024 first-round pick Trey Yesavage, but expecting him to help in 2025 is a bit too much of an ask.
It’s been one of the worst rotations in baseball thus far, but the veterans carry upside closer to their career norms, which would solidify the group, and there’s a chance prospects Adam Macko and Rickey Tiedemann help at some point. Tiedemann, when healthy, is one of the top arms in the minors.
Needs: In addition to potentially adding a starter, they simply need to execute in baseball ways rather than pre-scripted, analytic storylines.
Overall Organization Grade: 50
3. Boston Red Sox (24-25)
The Red Sox are hovering near .500, but the talent suggests they could surge. Free-agent addition Alex Bregman has been one of the best players in baseball so far, and despite the distraction, Rafael Devers is having a strong season at the plate, too. There’s plenty to complement, including Jarred Duran and Wilyer Abreu, and rookie Kristian Campbell has provided some value at second base.
Top prospect Roman Anthony could help soon, and the farm has more on the way, thanks to Mike Rikard’s efforts in building the Boston system.
Needs: Fortify the pitching staff. The system is full of high-value prospects to trade if they decide to go that route, but it’s unclear what direction the Red Sox may have in store.
Overall Organization Grade: 40
4. Tampa Bay Rays (21-26)
Perennial overachievers, the Rays are still playing high-IQ baseball, but some of their top-end talent hasn’t quite clicked yet. The hitters don’t miss mistakes, and they constantly compete. Don’t count them out, but they look more like a Wild Card contender than a World Series threat this year.
Needs: Impact arm and bat at the deadline.
Overall Organization Grade: 55
5. Baltimore Orioles (15-31)
Baltimore may have the most exciting young core in baseball, but it hasn’t translated into wins in 2025, and they just fired Brandon Hyde.
Gunnar Henderson is a legitimate star, but starting pitching has been an issue, and Adley Rutschman has an inauspicious start. There’s no doubt this team has enough talent in the lineup, but ownership needs Mike Elias to spend on free agents — and he must trade prospects that don’t fit long-term for impact now, or watch them die on the vine.
Needs: Arms.
Overall Organization Grade: 50
CENTRAL
1. Detroit Tigers (31-17)
The Tigers are one of 2025’s biggest surprises, combining a young, hungry lineup with a pitching staff that’s taken a big step forward. Riley Greene is emerging as a star, and Spencer Torkelson is finally flashing the middle-of-the-order presence scouts projected. They’re also getting early production from catcher Dillon Dingler and utility player Zack McKinstry.
Tarik Skubal , Reese Olson, and Casey Mize give them a rotation foundation few teams in this division can match, and Jack Flaherty is capable of pitching near the top of the rotation.
. The rebirth of Javy Baez under AJ Hinch has been a great story, and the youth on the club continues to improve.
Needs: Detroit is badly in need of bullpen help to get over the bump in the postseason.
Overall Organization Grade: 55
2. Minnesota Twins (26-21)
Minnesota has a solid group, but a volatile lineup thanks to recurring injury issues with key players such as Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis. Carlos Correa started slow, but he’s picked it up the last three weeks or so (323/.333/.403).
Statistically, it’s one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, but some depth could prove necessary as they battle through issues elsewhere.
Needs: The Twins need hitters to be in better run production situations and execution. Lineup adjustments with their current personnel would help immediately, but another healthy hitter would go a long way, too.
Overall Organization Grade: 50
3. Cleveland Guardians (25-21)
The Guardians have one of the better pitching development pipelines in baseball, and José Ramírez is still producing. But injuries to their pitching staff (Shane Bieber, Paul Sewald, Sam Hentges, Trevor Stephan) have put more pressure on a lineup lacking thump (22nd in slugging and OBP, 22nd in runs per game).
Needs: This is a build-from-within club whose model of competitiveness has been the same for 25 years. They need to add established MLB impact to compete in 2025, mainly at the plate.
Overall Organization Grade: 50
4. Kansas City Royals (27-22)
Bobby Witt Jr. is a legitimate superstar, but the Royals have gone from 4.5 runs per gamea year ago to 3.3 in 2025. The pitching has again been very solid, however, and it’s buying them time to figure things out offensively.
Needs: Bats. They need to hit as they’re at the bottom of every category. Some of that is internal philosophy, some of that is personnel adjustment and growth.
Overall Organization Grade: 45
5. Chicago White Sox (14-34)
The White Sox are a mess. Injuries, regression, and a front office overhaul have left the team without much direction. Luis Robert Jr. is an elite talent, but nearly everything else feels like it’s stuck in neutral. Expect major changes this offseason.
Needs: Everything
Overall Organization Grade: 30
WEST
1. Seattle Mariners (27-19)
The Mariners are deeper this season and winning with a strong mix of homegrown talent and smart acquisitions. Julio Rodríguez is the face of the franchise, but as a result of rotation injuries, they have relied on an improved offense (4th in AL in RPG), led by a healthy Jorge Polanco and resurgent J.P. Crawford.
Bryan Woo has stepped up to carry some of the load left by the absence of Logan Gilbert and George Kirby at the top of the rotation, but Kirby is set to return this week. If ownership gets aggressive at the deadline, this team could make a legitimate pennant run.
Needs: They’ve drafted well in recent years and have a few players locked up at the MLB level, priming them for Trader Jerry to make an impact move or two once again. Look for bats and depth as targets. Provided ownership gets out of Dipoto’s way, of course.
Overall Organization Grade: 55
2. Texas Rangers (25-23)
The Rangers still boast a dangerous lineup led by Corey Seager and Marcus Semien — it is as good as anyone’s when firing on all cylinders. Inconsistency led to a hitting coach change, in firing Donnie Ecker and hiring Bret Boone to coach the offense.
Injuries haven’t helped, and neither has the worst start of Semien’s career (.174/.267/.234, 48 wrC+).
On the mound, if Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle can stay healthy, this team will be a threat to win again in October. They always seem to be a piece or two away from clicking, but the personnel is there in Arlington.
Needs: Swing it
Overall Organization Grade: 65
3. Houston Astros (25-22)
The end of an era may be near, as the Astros are stuck in mediocrity, with aging stars and limited pitching depth beyond the front three starters.
Yordan Álvarez and Jeremy Peña are producing, but without a resurgence from Jose Altuve, their window may finally be closing. I’m not sold at all on the outfield alignment with Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick, and it’s wild Mauricio Dubon doesn’t play more. Cam Smith is set to lead the way for the future, but that doesn’t solve 2025.
Needs: Starting pitching, one outfielder, bench depth
Overall Organization Grade: 50
4. Oakland Athletics (22-26)
With their Las Vegas relocation a certainty, the A’s have been feisty despite an underwhelming roster. Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson represent hope for the future, but the franchise needs a reset. The A’s will continue to grow from within and keep their pattern of frugality. Luckily for them, they’ve drafted well for years, and the depth is starting to show.
Needs: Doesn’t matter, they’re not doing anything about it
Overall Organization Grade: 50
5. Los Angeles Angels (21-25)
Mike Trout deserves better. The Angels continue to disappoint, unable to stay healthy or find enough pitching to contend. It takes a special effort to fail this consistently with Trout and Shohei Ohtani, which begs the question of who’s responsible for that.
The next step may finally be a full rebuild — if ownership will let the front office do it. This organization is far from relevant, and hiring Ron Washington made no sense unless it’s to let the man work. It’s overdue, and starts with ownership.
Needs: New owner
Overall Organization Grade: 30
National League
EAST
1. Philadelphia Phillies (29-18)
Bryce Harper and Trea Turner are doing their thing, and the Phillies are starting to click. They have one of the best rotations in baseball, but Aaron Nola needs to be sharper for the October security to be high. Adding in the bullpen is a must.
They’re a dangerous team in October, but they’ll need to address the back end of the pen to win it all. Mick Abel might be the story of the year in Philly. He will be back soon.
Needs: Bullpen help
Overall Organization Grade: 60
2. New York Mets (29-19)
Juan Soto’s arrival was the headline, but the story has been what the Mets didn’t address. Despite Soto’s relative struggles (.246/.376/.439, 8 HR) and visible frustration, the Mets are competing thanks to Pete Alonso’s power (9 HR, 169 wRC+), another great year from Francisco Lindor (.279/.347/.463, 9 HR), and steady pitching that may have more in the tank.
Whether or not Soto gets back on track is one of the league’s most intriguing storylines. This is the first time he’s had to be “the guy” anywhere he’s played.
Needs: Better starting pitching execution — the pieces are there to win
Overall Organization Grade: 50
3. Atlanta Braves (24-23)
Still a very talented roster; the Braves are right there, and the struggles have been a little baffling. With that, players getting healthy (Ronald Acuña Jr.) will help move things forward, and addressing the bullpen can still position them for a wild card spot, if not a division run.
Needs: Bullpen arms, rid of the injury bug, better depth
Overall Organization Grade: 50
Through May 19
4. Washington Nationals (21-27)
The Nats are young and rebuilding, but James Wood, CJ Abrams, and Dylan Crews offer future promise. They’re competing but are simply outgunned more often than not.
Patience is key, they’ll be there over the long haul once their internal pitching arrives in the form of Cade Cavalli, Alex Clemmey, Travis Sykora, and Jarlin Susana. MacKenzie Gore is flashing the ability they saw when they swapped Soto for him two years ago.
Needs: Time — they need to play and play a lot
Overall Organization Grade: 45
5. Miami Marlins (19-27)
The steps backward for Miami continue. It’s hard to understand what direction they’re actually taking. Demoting Kim Ng and then allowing her to leave — no, I don’t care what that says to the new people in town — was a horrible move. Ng needed other people around her, but not to supervise her moves.
Needs: To shake themselves
Overall Organization Grade: 20
CENTRAL
1. Chicago Cubs (28-20)
The Cubs lead the way in the division behind a solid offense and one of the more consistent pitching staffs in the NL. Can that hold up after the loss of Justin Steele for the year?
Kyle Tucker is a star, Carson Kelly is having a heckuva year at the plate, and Pete Crow-Armstrong has taken the centerfield job and run with it (.282 AVG, 12 HR, 14 SB). There’s plenty of complementary help in the lineup (Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Michael Busch, Ian Happ, Siya Suzuki).
Needs: Arms
Overall Organization Grade: 50
2. Milwaukee Brewers (23-25)
Still scrappy and dangerous, Milwaukee gets it done with pitching and timely hitting. This is a playoff-caliber team that could sneak up on people if the offense keeps pace and they play above the expected mean. The division is wide open.
Needs: Presence, impact to surround Christian Yelich
Overall Organization Grade: 50
3. St. Louis Cardinals (27-21)
The Cardinals are confusing. The direction is baffling. They’re on one week, off another, in space next. They are swinging the bats well (Brendan Donovan has been outstanding, see below), and the run differential is up, but the rotation may be overperforming, is relatively thin, and unless that changes, they’re in danger of missing the postseason again.
The Cardinals may find some help from the farm if Tink Hence can get back from a rib cage injury and Quinn Mathews‘ rehab assignment goes well.
Needs: Arms
Overall Organization Grade: 45
4. Cincinnati Reds (25-24)
The so-far step back from Elly De La Cruz hasn’t helped, but the Reds have received production from young third baseman Noelvi Marte (acquired in the Luis Castillo trade), Gavin Lux, and Jose Trevino. Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo are a good 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation, too.
It’s not the youth movement it was a few years ago, but winning lies heavily on the shoulders of young talent, and more of it is on the way in the form of Chase Burns, Edwin Arroyo, Sal Stewart, Rhett Lowder, Chase Petty, and Cam Collier.
Needs: Time, pitching
Overall Organization Grade: 50
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (15-33)
The Pirates are struggling to string together consistently good baseball, but the emergence of Oneil Cruz‘s consistent solid production is encouraging, and it appears Joey Bart is a solid-average answer behind the plate. Nothing else is working for them offensively, however.
We know they can pitch — Paul Skenes is a star, Mitch Keller is solid, Andrew Heaney a quality veteran pickup — and despite Jared Jones likely being out for the year, Pittsburgh should be able to pitch all year.
Top prospect Bubba Chandler is close, but overall, this roster isn’t.
Needs: Culture reset. Leadership and veteran performers
Overall Organization Grade: 40
WEST
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (29-19)
The Dodgers are getting big years from their stars, led by Shohei Ohtani (.312/.406/.672, 17 HR), Freddie Freeman (.368/.426/.662), Teoscar Hernandez (.306/.324/.582, 9 HR), and Will Smith (.339/.450/.504), but Andy Pages (131 wRC+, 9 HR) is also having a big year, and the role players are producing, too. It all adds up to an elite offense.
The Dodgers need their rotation to get healthy, including Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki, but the bullpen has been banged up too and may need help.
Needs: Health
Overall Organization Grade: 60
2. San Diego Padres (27-18)
Fernando Tatis Jr. is back to MVP form, and Manny Machado continues to deliver. The lineup has underachieved thus far despite several strong individual performances.
The bullpen has been OK, but they’ll need more from the rotation and better overall execution of gameplay to stay in the division race down the stretch in a highly competitive division.
The Padres draft and sign internationally well, so the question lies in either player development or pro scouting/decision making as to why they’re not further along.
Needs: Better at-bats, pitching step forward
Overall Organization Grade: 55
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (26-22)
Corbin Carroll is electric, Ketel Marte is still an all-star caliber player, and the D-backs are competitive. But they need a deeper pitching staff and a longer, more reliable lineup to make a dent in October.
They’ve got some depth to make things happen in the trade market, however, as well as money to spend (in theory) to acquire and extend.
Needs: Impact ceiling
Overall Organization Grade: 55
4. San Francisco Giants (28-20)
The Giants continue to avoid the full-scale rebuild with veteran free agents (Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Justin Verlander), but they are getting a lot of value from young talent this season, including Jung Hoo Lee (116 wRC+), and Heliot Ramos (.292/.358/.489, 8 HR) to help support a strong pitching effort thus far.
Southpaw Carson Whisenhunt may be able to help in the rotation this season, but most of the Giants’ farm help is further away, so some deadline activity may be warranted.
Bobby Evans’ return to the Giants highlights the need to restore culture in all things in San Francisco.
Needs: Depth, impact bats
Overall Organization Grade: 50
5. Colorado Rockies (8-39)
Colorado remains stuck. Ownership is going to have to make some moves, or take the handcuffs off the people they have there to motivate them to win again. Until they solve that problem in their processes — and their refusal to evolve properly — they’re not going anywhere.
There are some young players on the horizon to provide hope, though, including Zac Veen, Chase Dollander, Brent Doyle, Charlie Condon, Ezequiel Tovar, Brody Brecht, and Drew Romo, but the process needs to be cleaned up and soon.
Needs: All of it
Overall Organization Grade: 35
Final Thoughts
One quarter into 2025, the landscape is shifting fast. The Yankees look revitalized, the Dodgers remain the standard, and young teams like the Mariners and Tigers are crashing the party. Expect surprises, trades, and late-season drama. But right now, the elite teams are beginning to separate themselves, and the postseason field is taking shape.
It’s a long season, but the truth is beginning to surface.
Buckle up.
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