Cody Christie

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images With the 2026 season now more than 40 games old, Major League Baseball has officially moved beyond the small sample stage. The first quarter of the schedule is complete, and the standings are beginning to show real separation across both leagues. Some division races are already taking shape while other clubs are fighting to stay afloat before summer arrives. That also makes this point in the season one of the trickiest times to evaluate teams accurately. A strong week can dramatically change public perception while a brief slump suddenly raises questions about a contender’s legitimacy. Wins and losses still carry weight, but they often fail to capture how well a team is actually playing beneath the surface. That is where third order wins provide a more complete picture. Derived from Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings, the metric accounts for factors like run differential, quality of competition, and ballpark environment to better estimate how teams should be performing in a neutral context. Rather than reacting solely to recent results, it focuses on the underlying traits that tend to translate over a full season. The result is a ranking system designed to be more predictive than reactive. Some teams are proving their early success is sustainable while others continue to lean heavily on sequencing, bullpen fortune, or favorable schedules. The arrows below reflect how each club’s standing has shifted from last week as the league settles into its true hierarchy. 1. Dodgers — 31.0–14.9 (.675) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Blake Snell was scratched from before his second start of the season and put back on the IL with loose bodies in his left elbow. In 2019, he missed a couple months with a similar injury. 2. Braves — 30.3–15.7 (.659) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Bryce Elder is having his best season in the big leagues so far. In 54 2/3 innings, he has a league-leading 1.81 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP and a 219 ERA+. 3. Yankees — 29.8–16.2 (.648) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Gerrit Cole is expected to make one more rehab start at Triple-A, putting him in line to rejoin the Yankees by the end of May. That’s great news for a club that put Max Fried on the IL with a bone bruise earlier this week. 4. Cubs — 28.1–17.8 (.612) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Cubs have drawn six walks or more in 40% of their games this season. They lead MLB with 210 walks with the Yankees being the only other team with more than 200 free passes. 5. Brewers — 25.8–17.2 (.600) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Aaron Ashby has eight wins this year, all in relief. No other pitcher has more than six wins. It’s the first time in the modern era that a pitcher had two more relief wins than any other MLB pitcher had total wins at the end of any given day. 6. Rays — 25.6–18.4 (.582) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Rays reached a preliminary agreement with the city of Tampa and county officials on a new $2.3 billion ballpark. The new stadium has a targeted opening of Opening Day 2029. 7. Pirates — 25.8–20.2 (.561) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Paul Skenes threw eight innings of two-hit ball in one of the best performances of his career. He struck out seven including striking out the side in his final inning. 8. Rangers — 23.6–21.4 (.524) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Corey Seager was given a rest day on Friday in the middle of a career-worst 0-for-27 skid. He is batting under .180 on the season, over 100 points lower than his career average. 9. Marlins — 24.0–22.0 (.522) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Robby Snelling, Miami’s top pitching prospect, was placed on the IL with a sprained UCL. That type of injury is never good news for pitchers. 10. Tigers — 23.3–22.7 (.507) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Casey Mize rejoined the Tigers rotation on Saturday after missing two weeks with a right adductor strain. The team opted for him to skip a minor league rehab assignment. 11. Mariners — 23.7–23.3 (.504) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Cal Raleigh, the runner-up for AL MVP, was placed on the IL with an oblique injury. In 41 games this season, his .161 batting average is the lowest in the majors among 170 qualified batters. 12. Cardinals — 22.6–22.4 (.502) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Cardinals have been one of MLB’s surprising teams this season and Jordan Walker has been the team’s sparkplug. On Thursday, he homered and drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning. 13. Guardians — 23.2–23.8 (.494) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Cleveland celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their heartbreaking loss in the 2016 World Series. The reunion weekend allowed players, coaches, and fans to reflect on their best season in recent memory. 14. Diamondbacks — 21.7–22.3 (.493) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Merrill Kelly threw his first career complete game against the Rockies on Friday. He scattered four hits and had three strikeouts without a walk. 15. Nationals — 22.2–23.8 (.483) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Daylen Lile went 10-for-20 in one stretch over the last week. This includes four homers and a game winning bomb. 16. Royals — 21.9–24.1 (.476) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Bobby Witt Jr. became the first MLB player to reach 3.0 WAR on Friday. He has a batting run value of nine and a league-leading fielding run value of eight. 17. Blue Jays — 21.3–23.7 (.473) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jose Berrios underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a stress fracture in his right elbow. There is some concern about his ligament in his elbow, which complicates any return timeline. 18. Red Sox — 21.2–23.8 (.471) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Trevor Story was placed on the IL with a sports hernia. His six errors lead all AL shortstops, while he's batting .206 with a .547 OPS. 19. White Sox — 21.2–23.8 (.471) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: On Saturday, Munetaka Murakami reached 17 home runs through his first 45 MLB games. Only two players in MLB history have ever hit more home runs through their first 45 career games (Gary Sanchez and Rhys Hoskins). 20. Twins — 21.6–24.4 (.470) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Minnesota demoted Matt Wallner after a disastrous start to the year, slashing .167/.259/.292 (58 wRC+) with a 39.3% strikeout rate and a league-worst -8 Defensive Runs Saved. 21. Angels — 21.4–24.7 (.464) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Patrick O’Neal departed the Angels broadcast team after parts of 13 seasons. 22. Phillies — 21.0–25.0 (.457) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Cristopher Sánchez struck out a career-high 13 while picking up the second shutout of his big league career to help Philly climb back to .500. 23. Padres — 20.5–24.5 (.456) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Lucas Giolito made his much anticipated Padres debut on Sunday after waiting out the free agent market until the season was already underway. 24. Athletics — 19.9–25.1 (.442) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Henry Bolte, one of the A’s top prospects, reached base three times in his debut and made a tremendous diving grab that included a 28.5 ft/sec sprint speed. 25. Mets — 19.9–25.1 (.442) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Juan Soto joined an elite group this week with 250+ home runs and 95+ SB before turning 28. Other players on the list include: Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, Mike Trout, Frank Robinson, and Andruw Jones. 26. Giants — 19.8–26.2 (.430) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Luis Arraez had a four-hit game and finished a triple shy of the cycle on Friday night versus the A’s. For Arraez, it was his 16th multi-hit game in the 45 games the Giants have played so far this season. 27. Reds — 18.6–27.4 (.404) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Chris Paddack was picked up off waivers by the Reds and had an impressive first start. In five innings, he scattered six hits and allowed two earned runs. 28. Astros — 18.9–28.2 (.401) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Astros have been plagued by injuries this season and that continued this week. Jose Altuve left Saturday’s game after taking an awkward swing and pulling something on his left side. 29. Orioles — 18.3–27.7 (.398) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Samuel Basallo started the year on a cold streak (.140 BA in 16 G). Since that point, he has raised his OPS from .592 to .819. 30. Rockies — 17.7–28.3 (.385) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Hunter Goodman is building off his 2025 All-Star campaign. So far this season, he’s hit 11 home runs and posted a 119 OPS+. What storylines stood out this week? Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Major League Baseball’s next labor fight is officially underway. According to multiple reports, representatives from MLB and the MLB Players Association met Tuesday in New York to begin negotiations on the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. While serious proposal exchanges are still weeks away, the opening meetings traditionally serve as an opportunity for both sides to present their view of the current state of the game and establish the groundwork for the months ahead. The current CBA expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1. If a new agreement is not reached by then, another lockout appears likely. Owners locked out players during the 2021-2022 offseason in what became baseball’s first work stoppage since the devastating 1994-1995 strike. Although regular-season games were ultimately preserved, spring training was delayed, and the sport spent months overshadowed by labor tension. This time around, the stakes feel even larger. The league is approaching negotiations at a time when franchise values continue to rise, national television contracts are nearing expiration, and competitive balance remains one of the sport’s most debated topics. Meanwhile, the union enters talks with new leadership after longtime MLBPA executive director Tony Clark stepped down earlier this year following an internal investigation. Bruce Meyer, the union’s longtime lead negotiator, has stepped into the interim executive director role and is expected to guide negotiations moving forward. “We don't expect anything to change in terms of bargaining,” Meyer said earlier this year. “We've been preparing for bargaining for years. Players have been preparing. Players know what's coming.” As always, the biggest conversations will revolve around money, power, and the future structure of the sport. Here are the major issues expected to be at the center of negotiations. The Salary Cap Debate Is Back Again The issue expected to dominate negotiations is one baseball has fought over for generations: a salary cap. MLB owners are once again expected to push for a payroll system that limits spending. The league has argued for years that a cap could improve competitive balance by preventing large market clubs from dramatically outspending smaller organizations. Players see it very differently. The MLBPA has historically viewed a salary cap as a direct restriction on earning potential and has fiercely resisted it in every negotiation cycle. Baseball currently stands as the only major North American professional sports league without a formal salary cap structure, something the union considers a major victory. At its core, the fight is about revenue distribution. Baseball generates enormous amounts of money, and both sides are battling over how that money is divided. While owners often frame a salary cap as a competitive balance issue, the union believes such a system would primarily suppress salaries while further increasing franchise profitability. Even if the union were willing to discuss a cap, the complexity of implementing one creates another layer of conflict. Questions immediately emerge about what qualifies as baseball-related revenue, how large the cap would be, whether there would be a mandatory payroll floor, and what percentage of revenue players would ultimately receive. Simply agreeing to discuss a cap would only mark the start of the real negotiation. Because of that, many around the sport already view this as the defining issue that could determine whether baseball experiences another work stoppage before the 2027 season. Revenue Sharing Could See Significant Changes Another major point of contention will be MLB’s revenue-sharing system. Revenue sharing is designed to help smaller-market organizations remain competitive by redistributing funds from higher-revenue clubs. However, critics have long argued that some teams receive revenue-sharing funds without reinvesting those dollars into payroll or player development. If owners continue pushing for greater payroll restrictions, the union will likely counter by demanding stronger incentives for clubs to spend competitively. This could lead to discussions about payroll minimums or changes to how revenue-sharing funds are distributed and monitored. Even without a salary cap agreement, many around the sport expect the current system to undergo meaningful revisions during this negotiation cycle. For smaller market clubs, these conversations matter tremendously. Changes to revenue sharing could affect payroll flexibility, free-agent strategies, and long-term roster construction across the league. Postseason Expansion Remains on the Table Baseball’s postseason field expanded to 12 teams during the last CBA negotiations, but further expansion is already being discussed. Owners have strong financial incentives to add more playoff games because postseason television inventory generates significant revenue. More playoff teams also keep their fan bases engaged throughout the season. Players, however, may seek concessions in exchange for agreeing to another expansion. Concerns about preserving the importance of the regular season will likely remain part of the conversation. Some fans already believe the current format waters down the grind of a 162-game season. Others enjoy the added drama and broader playoff races that expanded formats create. Whether the postseason grows again may ultimately depend on what the union can gain elsewhere in negotiations. The International Draft Debate Continues The idea of an international draft has lingered over baseball for years and is expected to resurface again during these talks. Currently, international amateur players primarily sign through a bonus pool system that has often drawn criticism regarding corruption, early verbal agreements, and uneven scouting practices. Owners have frequently supported an international draft to create a more structured and transparent signing process. The union, however, has historically been cautious about how such a system could impact player freedom and earning potential for young international prospects. This issue nearly became part of the last CBA negotiations before the sides ultimately failed to reach an agreement. Given baseball’s growing international influence, particularly in countries like the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, the topic is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Expansion and Realignment Could Shape Baseball’s Future Commissioner Rob Manfred has openly stated that he hopes to begin the expansion process before his contract expires in January 2029. That timeline makes these negotiations especially important. Expansion discussions naturally bring additional questions involving divisional realignment, scheduling, television rights, and revenue distribution. Potential expansion cities frequently connected to MLB include Nashville, Montreal, Portland, and Raleigh. Adding two new franchises would dramatically reshape the sport’s geographic footprint and could trigger significant realignment changes across both leagues. Expansion fees would also provide owners with another substantial financial windfall, further emphasizing how closely these negotiations are tied to the sport’s long-term economic future. A Long Road Ahead Although negotiations have officially begun, baseball is still in the early stages of what could become a lengthy and contentious process. The two sides have months before the December 1 expiration deadline, and both MLB and the MLBPA understand the damage another prolonged work stoppage could cause. National television deals expire in 2028, making uninterrupted seasons critically important for the league’s future business interests. Still, history shows that labor peace in baseball is never simple. The salary cap debate alone has the potential to create enormous friction, and the additional discussions surrounding revenue sharing, postseason expansion, international amateur talent, and league expansion only add more complexity to the process. For now, the meetings in New York simply mark the beginning of another massive negotiation that could shape the direction of Major League Baseball for the next decade. What will be the biggest issue in the next CBA? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Power rankings have never been harder to trust than they are during the middle months of a baseball season. A hot week can launch a mediocre club into the top ten while a rough road trip suddenly turns a contender into a “team in trouble.” Wins and losses still matter, but they rarely tell the full story of how a team is actually performing beneath the surface. That is where third order wins help separate noise from substance. Based on Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings, this metric strips away some of the randomness that can cloud a team’s record by accounting for factors like run differential, strength of schedule, and ballpark environment. Instead of focusing strictly on what has happened, it provides a clearer picture of how teams should be performing in a more neutral setting. The result is a ranking system built to be more predictive than reactive. Some clubs continue to validate their place among baseball’s elite, while others are surviving on timely hits, bullpen luck, or favorable scheduling. The arrows below reflect how each team’s standing changed from last week as the season continues to take shape. 1. Dodgers — 27.0–12.0 (.692) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Blake Snell made his season debut over the weekend, while Tyler Glasnow headed to the 15-day IL with low back spasms. One of the benefits on LA’s monster payroll is there is plenty of pitching depth. 2. Yankees — 26.7–13.3 (.668) Biggest Weekly Storyline: New York called up top outfield prospect Spencer Jones after outfielder Jasson Dominguez headed to the IL. Jones posted a .258/.366/.592 slash line in 33 games with 11 homers and a 32.4 K%. 3. Braves — 25.8–14.2 (.645) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Legendary manager Bobby Cox passed away over the weekend. He won over 2,500 games as manager of the Braves and Blue Jays and won the 1995 World Series. 4. Cubs — 25.3–14.6 (.634) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Cubs have two 10-game winning streaks in one season for the first time since 1935. 5. Pirates — 23.4–16.6 (.585) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Paul Skenes threw eight innings of two-hit ball in one of the best performances of his career. He struck out seven, including striking out the side in his final inning. 6. Brewers — 21.6–15.4 (.584) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: On Friday, Jacob Misiorowski’s first inning against the Yankees set velocity records for a starting pitcher. He threw 10 pitches all above 102 mph and had a 103.6 mph fastball that set the record for fastest pitch thrown by a starter in the pitch-tracking era. 7. Rays — 21.7–16.3 (.571) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Tampa saw its seven-game winning streak end earlier this week. During that stretch, they set a franchise record of 12 consecutive games giving up three or fewer runs. 8. Marlins — 21.7–18.3 (.543) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Joe Mack, a consensus top-100 prospect, was called up this week. Last season, he had an .813 OPS and a 120 wRC+ in 112 games. 9. Rangers — 21.0–18.0 (.538) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Nathan Eovaldi tossed eight innings and held a red-hot Yankees roster to one run on three hits. He struck out eight and didn’t issue a walk. 10. Cardinals — 20.0–19.0 (.513) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: JJ Wetherholt turned a routine single into a “Little League Grand Slam” after the ball slipped under the glove of Fernando Tatis Jr. 11. Tigers — 20.2–19.8 (.505) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Tarik Skubal underwent left elbow surgery to remove bone chips and is expected to miss up to two months. 12. Guardians — 20.4–20.6 (.498) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Cleveland traded for the two-time Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey from the Giants for the No. 29 pick in this year’s MLB Draft and left-handed pitching prospect Matt Wilkinson. 13. Blue Jays — 19.3–19.7 (.495) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Dylan Cease is leading MLB in strikeouts (66 K) after a 10-strikeout performance on Friday. In seven shutout innings, he scattered five hits and didn’t allow a walk. 14. Royals — 19.7–20.3 (.493) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Carlos Estevez, the Royals’ closer, will be shut down for the next three weeks with a right rotator cuff strain. Starting pitcher Cole Ragans was placed on the IL with a left elbow impingement. 15. Mariners — 19.7–20.3 (.493) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Luke Raley hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in the same game to help Seattle score a season-high 12 runs. 16. Nationals — 19.3–20.7 (.482) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Gus Varland has quietly earned the closer job in Washington after bouncing around a lot on the waiver wire. His 2.46 FIP and 4.8 BB% could be signs of better future performance. 17. Angels — 19.1–20.9 (.478) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Walbert Urena went six innings, allowing one earned run on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts. The performance brought Ureña’s ERA down to 3.22. 18. Diamondbacks — 18.0–20.0 (.474) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Eduardo Rodriguez gave Arizona their best start of the year. In seven shutout innings, he limited Pittsburgh to two hits while striking out seven. 19. Athletics — 18.0–21.0 (.462) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Nick Kurtz extended his on-base streak to an MLB-best 32-games. He is also tied for the MLB-lead in walks (36) with Mike Trout. 20. Padres — 17.9–21.1 (.459) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jake Cronenworth has been dealing with bouts of fogginess and difficulty focusing during at-bats as he deals with long-term concussion symptoms. Earlier this year, he was hit in the jaw by a pitch. 21. White Sox — 17.7–21.3 (.454) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Munetaka Murakami has now homered in eight straight series openers, an MLB record that was held by Eddie Murray (1987). 22. Red Sox — 17.4–21.6 (.446) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Connelly Early and Payton Tolle may be saving Boston’s rotation and their season. Early has a 130 ERA+ and a 22.0 K%, while Early has a 205 ERA+ and a 34.3 K%. 23. Phillies — 17.6–22.5 (.439) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Alec Bohm has been one of baseball’s worst hitters this year with a 21 OPS+ and producing -0.8 rWAR. He’s become unplayable for a Phillies team trying to get back into contention. 24. Mets — 16.8–22.2 (.431) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Rumors are already swirling that the Mets have talked to several teams about trading Freddy Peralta. For a team that expected to contend, this is an early white flag. 25. Twins — 17.2–22.8 (.430) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Taj Bradley was placed on the IL with right pectoral muscle inflammation. He was off to a terrific start with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 47 innings. 26. Astros — 17.0–23.0 (.425) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Carlos Correa has a torn tendon in his left ankle and will miss 6-8 months. He sustained the injury during batting practice when he swung and felt a pop. 27. Rockies — 16.7–23.4 (.416) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: In a tie game, Colorado loaded the bases against Craig Kimbrel with no outs in a tie game. Jake McCarthy cracked a grand slam to send the Mets to another loss. 28. Reds — 15.6–24.4 (.390) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Chase Burns helped the Red snap an 8-game losing streak. In six innings, he allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts. He has the third-best ERA in the NL. 29. Orioles — 15.4–24.6 (.385) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Shane Baz hasn’t lived up to expectations since being traded to Baltimore. In 39 2/3 innings, he has a 4.99 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP. 30. Giants — 14.8–24.2 (.379) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Logan Webb had made 156 consecutive starts before going on the IL with right knee bursitis. That streak dated back to 2021. What storylines stood out this week? Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images There is no shortage of ways to rank teams across Major League Baseball, but most rely too heavily on wins and losses. Those results matter, yet they often miss the bigger picture. Teams can look dominant or overmatched in short bursts, and traditional power rankings tend to chase those swings rather than explain them. This version takes a different approach. Using third-order wins, derived from Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings, the focus shifts to how teams should perform in a neutral context. By factoring in run production, ballpark effects, and quality of competition, these rankings aim to reflect underlying performance instead of surface-level results. The outcome is a set of power rankings that lean more predictive than reactive, highlighting which teams are positioned for sustained success and which may be riding unsustainable trends. Below you will see updated rankings with up, down, or neutral arrows to show how things changed compared to last week's rankings. 1. Dodgers — 22.4–10.6 (.679) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Dodgers lost more than three games in a row for the first time this season. They also had a homerless drought that stretched for much of the week. 2. Yankees — 22.2–10.8 (.673) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Will Warren is making a case to stick in New York’s rotation even with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole set to return over the next two months. Warren has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his seven starts, the most in the majors. 3. Braves — 22.0–11.9 (.649) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Drake Baldwin has quickly emerged as one of the most surprising breakout stars in the National League. Baldwin ranks among league leaders in OPS and weighted runs created (wRC+), while regularly playing catcher. 4. Cubs — 21.2–11.8 (.642) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Nico Hoerner exited Friday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to left-sided neck tightness. He entered that game with a slash line of .291/.370/.449 with four homers across 31 contests. 5. Marlins — 19.7–13.2 (.599) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Xavier Edwards is developing into a star for Miami. In his first 32 games, he has an .873 OPS, 146 OPS+, and a 148 wRC+. He ranks near the top of the NL in batting average and OBP. 6. Pirates — 20.0–14.0 (.588) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mitch Keller pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended a five-game losing streak on Friday night. However, the team’s bullpen cost them multiple wins this week. 7. Rays — 18.2–13.8 (.569) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Ryan Pepiot is out for the season after having hip surgery. Since joining the Rays, Pepiot has a 3.75 ERA, a 4.18 FIP with a 25.4 K% and 8.9 BB% over 297.2 IP. 8. Brewers — 17.9–14.1 (.559) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jacob Misiorowski had a no-hitter into the sixth inning on Friday before he had to leave the game with a right hamstring cramp. It was his 85th pitch that came on the heels of four consecutive strikeouts. 9. Tigers — 18.6–15.4 (.547) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Detroit Tigers placed pitcher Casey Mize and infielder Javier Báez on the injured list earlier this week. Mize goes on the 15-day IL with a right adductor strain, while Báez is on the 10-day list with a right ankle sprain. 10. Guardians — 18.1–15.9 (.532) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Travis Bazzana, the organization’s No. 1 overall prospect, made his MLB debut. In his first three games, he failed to record a hit but walked four times. 11. Rangers — 17.5–15.5 (.530) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Wyatt Langford suffered a setback in his return from a forearm injury. During Thursday’s extended spring training game, he felt discomfort in his forearm after his first at-bat of the contest. 12. Angels — 17.8–16.2 (.524) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mike Trout is back! He leads the AL in runs scored and has an OBP above .400 for the first time in five seasons. 13. Cardinals — 16.7–16.3 (.506) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina will be inducted into the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame this September. 14. Mariners — 16.9–17.1 (.497) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Mariners retired Randy Johnson’s number 51 over the weekend. Johnson spent 10 seasons with the Mariners from 1989 through 1998, going 130-74 with a 3.42 ERA. He also threw the team’s first no-hitter in 1990. 15. Blue Jays — 15.7–17.3 (.476) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: George Springer returned from a fractured big left toe, but left Saturday’s game with what looked like a similar injury after being hit by a pitch. However, there was no new fracture. 16. Royals — 15.5–17.5 (.470) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Salvador Perez is not hitting the ball all that hard this year. His career hard-hit rate is 46.3%, but so far in 2026, Perez is hitting the ball hard only 39.6% of the time. 17. Padres — 15.0–17.0 (.469) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Xander Bogaerts has seen improved performance this year. In 30 games (126 ABs), Bogaerts has a .769 OPS with a 114 OPS+. He also has the lowest K-rate (13%) and career-best walk rate (10.7%). 18. Athletics — 15.1–17.9 (.458) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Nick Kurtz walked in his 20th consecutive game on Friday to tie Barry Bonds for the second-longest streak in MLB history. Former Detroit Tigers outfielder and first baseman Roy Cullenbine walked in 22 straight games, establishing the all-time longest streak. 19. Diamondbacks — 14.6–17.4 (.456) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Ildemaro Vargas extended his hitting streak to 27 games on Friday, breaking the major league record for a Venezuelan native. 20. Nationals — 15.3–18.7 (.450) Biggest Weekly Storyline: CJ Abrams broke out of a slump with a series against the Mets. He went 5-for-11, tallying five RBIs, including a home run that proved to be the difference in 21. Twins — 15.1–18.9 (.444) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Byron Buxton is one of baseball’s hottest hitters. He has 10 homers in a 17-game stretch after starting the year on a bit of a cold streak. 22. White Sox — 14.1–18.9 (.427) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Munetaka Murakami’s MLB-leading 13th home run and Noah Schultz’s six shutout innings were the only reasons to watch the White Sox. 23. Mets — 14.1–18.9 (.427) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Mets have one of baseball’s worst records, but David Stearns said this week that manager Carlos Mendoza’s job is not in imminent danger. 24. Astros — 14.5–19.6 (.425) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Lance McCullers Jr. owns a 6.32 ERA, has walked 17 batters in just 31.1 innings, and has given up 24 earned runs. His WHIP sits at 1.40, and opponents are hitting to an OPS of .776 against him. 25. Rockies — 14.3–19.7 (.421) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Chase Dollander owns a 2.25 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 32 innings. The ninth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is finding success even in the thin mountain air. 26. Red Sox — 13.6–19.5 (.411) ⬆️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Garrett Crochet was put on the IL with a shoulder injury, but an MRI didn’t show anything other than inflammation. He is shut down from throwing for at least a couple of days while he builds shoulder strength. 27. Phillies — 13.5–19.5 (.409) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Phillies fired manager Rob Thomson with the team tied for MLB’s worst record. 28. Reds — 13.2–19.8 (.400) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: Elly De La Cruz is the first Major Leaguer since 1900 with 10+ homers and 8+ stolen bases before May. 29. Giants — 12.9–20.1 (.391) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Giants were shut out for the seventh time already this season. 30. Orioles — 12.5–20.5 (.379) ⬇️ Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Orioles put closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list Friday because of right elbow inflammation. However, the club is optimistic their closer will not miss significant time. What storylines stood out this week? Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © David Richard-Imagn Images Two decades ago, evaluating defense in baseball was a largely subjective exercise. Fans and analysts relied on the eye test, highlight reels, and basic box score stats like errors and fielding percentage. If a player looked smooth and didn’t make many mistakes, he was probably considered a good defender (*cough*DerekJeter*cough*). The problem, of course, was that those tools left massive gaps in understanding. Range was hard to quantify, positioning was largely ignored, and difficult plays were rarely separated from routine ones. Today, the game tracks nearly everything. With the rise of advanced data systems like Statcast and detailed charting services, every step, route, and reaction is recorded. Analysts can now measure how far a player runs, how quickly he gets there, and how often similar plays are made across the league. Defense has gone from a guessing game to a data-driven science, and at the center of that evolution are three key metrics: DRS, OAA, and FRV. Let’s dive into baseball’s most common defensive metrics. What are they and how are they different? Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) Defensive Runs Saved attempts to quantify a player’s entire defensive performance by measuring how many runs he saves compared to an average player. It incorporates multiple defensive elements, including errors, range, outfield arm strength, and double-play ability. How It’s Calculated DRS uses data from Baseball Info Solutions to track where each ball is hit. For example, imagine an outfielder makes a running catch on a fly ball that is typically caught 70 percent of the time. By making that play, he earns 0.3 points for difficulty. If he misses it, he loses 0.7 points. Over time, these values are compiled, adjusted to league average, and then converted into runs saved. Why It Is Useful DRS provides a more complete defensive evaluation than traditional statistics. Factoring in multiple aspects of defense gives a broader picture of a player’s total impact in the field rather than focusing on just one skill. Recent Leaders During the 2025 season, there were three players who reached the +20 Defensive Runs Saved mark, including Ernie Clement, Steven Kwan, and Ceddanne Rafaela. That total represents a slight increase from 2024, when only two players, Brice Turang and Andrés Giménez, crossed that threshold. The year-to-year fluctuation highlights just how difficult it is to sustain elite defensive production at that level, even for the game’s best fielders. Outs Above Average (OAA) Outs Above Average is a range-based metric that focuses on how many outs a player converts compared to expectation. Originally limited to outfielders, it has since expanded to include infielders, with different calculation methods for each. How It’s Calculated For outfielders, OAA is built on Catch Probability. This accounts for how far a player must travel, how much time he has, and the direction of his movement. Like with DRS, if a player makes a catch with a 60 percent probability, he earns +0.4. If he misses it, he is charged -0.60. Over the course of a season, those values add up to produce a total OAA figure. Statcast also provides additional context: Expected Catch Percentage reflects how often an average fielder would make those plays. Actual Catch Percentage shows how often the player actually converted them. Catch Percentage Added shows the difference between expectation and reality. These layers help explain not just how many plays were made, but how difficult those opportunities were. For infielders, OAA becomes even more detailed. It considers distance to the ball, time available, distance to the base for a throw, and even the runner’s speed. Because Statcast tracks exact positioning, it accounts for defensive shifts and non-traditional alignments. This means a third baseman fielding a ball in shallow right field is evaluated just as precisely as if he were standing in his usual spot. Every play is measured based on where the defender actually starts and how difficult the play truly is. Why It’s Useful Outs Above Average provides a clear and objective way to measure a defender’s range and ability to convert difficult plays into outs. By focusing on the probability of each individual play, it separates routine chances from truly challenging ones, giving proper credit to players who consistently make high-difficulty plays. Because it is built on precise tracking data, OAA also accounts for positioning and shifting, enabling a more accurate evaluation in today’s game, where defenders are rarely standing in traditional spots. This makes it one of the most reliable tools for identifying elite athleticism and real defensive impact. Recent Leaders Outs Above Average often paints a different defensive picture than DRS, focusing solely on range and play difficulty. In 2025, five players surpassed the +20 OAA mark, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bobby Witt Jr., Ke'Bryan Hayes, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Masyn Winn. That group was significantly larger than in 2024, when only two players, Andrés Giménez and Jacob Young, reached +20 OAA, reinforcing how rare it is to reach that elite level of range-based performance. Fielding Run Value (FRV) Fielding Run Value builds on the foundation of Statcast by combining multiple defensive components into one all-encompassing number. Instead of isolating one skill like range or arm strength, it brings everything together and expresses a player’s total defensive impact in terms of runs saved. How It's Calculated FRV pulls in several defensive performance areas, including range, throwing, framing, blocking, and double plays. Each of those components is converted into a run-based value using a standardized scale. For example, outs recorded through range are worth slightly less than a full run, while throwing and double play contributions carry their own specific weights. By translating everything into runs, FRV creates a consistent baseline that allows players at different positions to be evaluated on equal footing. Why It’s Useful The biggest strength of FRV is its ability to compare defenders across positions. Catchers, infielders, and outfielders all contribute in different ways, and traditional metrics often struggle to place them on the same scale. FRV solves that problem by turning every defensive action into a common currency. This makes it easier to identify overall defensive value, regardless of how that value is accumulated. Recent Leaders The 2025 season provides a strong example of how FRV captures different defensive profiles. Patrick Bailey led the way with +31 FRV, driven primarily by elite framing behind the plate, where he collected 25 runs. Alejandro Kirk, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Pete Crow Armstrong were all in the +21-22 FRV range, despite playing catcher, second base, and center field. Each player arrived at a similar level of total value, but through very different defensive strengths. What Makes These Metrics Different? While all three metrics aim to measure defense, they do so in fundamentally different ways. DRS is broad and all-encompassing. It pulls together multiple aspects of defense into a single number, making it useful for evaluating overall performance but sometimes less precise at isolating specific skills. OAA is more focused. It zeroes in on range and play difficulty, offering a clearer picture of how well a player gets to the ball and converts chances into outs. It is especially valuable for understanding athleticism and positioning. FRV acts as a translator. It takes the detailed components measured by Statcast and converts them into a common currency of runs. By doing so, it allows for direct comparisons across positions and skill sets, something neither DRS nor OAA fully accomplishes on their own. Together, these metrics represent how far defensive evaluation has come. What once relied on instinct and reputation is now grounded in measurable data, giving fans a clearer and more complete understanding of what truly happens on the field. View full article

Image courtesy of © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images There is no shortage of ways to rank teams across Major League Baseball, and most of them start and end with the standings. Wins and losses still drive the conversation, but they rarely tell the full story. A team hovering around .500 can feel dominant one week and completely overmatched the next, and traditional power rankings often struggle to capture that nuance. That is where a different lens becomes useful. Third-order wins attempt to answer a more meaningful question than simply who has won the most games. Built on the framework of Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings, this approach evaluates how a team should perform against a neutral opponent. It starts with run production and prevention, adjusts for ballpark environment, and then layers in the quality of competition faced. The result is a winning percentage that reflects underlying performance rather than surface-level outcomes. Think of it as a context-driven power ranking. First-order records look at run differential. Second-order standings adjust that for park effects. Third-order standings go a step further by asking who those runs came against. Beating up on weak pitching staffs or surviving a gauntlet of elite rotations should not be treated the same, and this model accounts for that difference. When applying those third-order winning percentages to the current landscape, the rankings shift in ways that traditional standings cannot explain. Some of the league’s top teams continue to validate their dominance, but others begin to separate themselves despite middling records. It creates a version of the power rankings that is less reactive and more predictive, highlighting which clubs are built to sustain success and which may be benefiting from circumstances unlikely to last. 1. Dodgers — 19.4–7.5 (.721) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Edwin Diaz is out until the second half with surgery for loose bodies in his elbow. The Dodger bullpen will be tested. 2. Yankees — 17.9–9.0 (.665) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Max Fried pushing himself into the early AL Cy Young conversation. Fried tossed eight shutout innings on Wednesday against the rival Red Sox. He’s pitched into the seventh inning in all but one start this season. 3. Cubs — 17.5–9.5 (.648) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Cubs' 10-game winning streak was stopped on Saturday, and that streak has helped them move up in the NL Central standings. 4. Braves — 17.6–10.4 (.629) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Braves call up No. 2 prospect JR Ritchie for MLB debut. He pitched seven innings and allowed two earned runs (both solo homers) while striking out seven and walking two. 5. Pirates — 16.2–10.8 (.600) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Paul Skenes took a perfect game into the seventh inning on Friday, but lost it with two outs in the frame. The Pirates sit in the middle of the NL Central but are closing ground on the Reds. 6. Marlins — 15.7–11.3 (.581) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Rule 5 Pick Liam Hicks is hitting over .300 with five homers for the Marlins, who are surprisingly in second place in the NL East. 7. Rays — 14.6–11.4 (.562) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Shane McClanahan turned in five scoreless innings to get his first win at Tropicana Field in nearly three years after missing the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to surgery. 8. Angels — 15.6–12.4 (.557) Biggest Weekly Storyline: José Soriano lowers ERA to 0.24, the best mark in MLB history through first six starts. 9. Rangers — 14.6–12.4 (.541) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jacob deGrom struck out 10 over 5 2/3 innings, his 62nd game with 10 or more strikeouts. 10. Mariners — 14.5–13.5 (.518) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Matt Brash has multiple season-opening streaks of at least 10 games without an earned run (also: 19 G in 2025). He's 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 11 games, striking out five batters in 9 1/3 innings. 11. Tigers — 14.3–13.7 (.511) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Kevin McGonigle's numbers to start the 2026 season stand with all-time greats. He is only the fifth player in MLB history with 30 or more hits, 10 or more doubles, and less than 15 strikeouts in his first 25 games at 21 or younger. 12. Guardians — 14.2–13.8 (.507) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jose Ramirez became the 11th member of the 290-290 club with over 290 home runs and steals. 13. Padres — 13.0–13.0 (.500) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mason Miller set the Padres team record for consecutive scoreless innings and has now pitched 34 2/3 scoreless innings, going back to last August. He is seven innings away from breaking the MLB record. 14. Brewers — 12.7–13.3 (.488) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Brewers became only the second time in MLB history to face the reigning Cy Young winning pitchers in back-to-back days. Milwaukee lost both games against Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. 15. Reds — 13.1–13.9 (.485) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Sal Stewart’s 29 RBI are the second-most by any Major League rookie before May since 1920. Only Jose Abreu's 32 RBIs in 2014 were better. 16. Athletics — 13.3–14.7 (.475) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Brent Rooker activated after the All-Star missed 14 games with an oblique strain. 17. Diamondbacks — 12.2–13.8 (.469) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Zac Gallen exited Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres in Mexico City with a right shoulder contusion after being hit by a comebacker. 18. Blue Jays — 12.2–13.8 (.469) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jeff Hoffman’s struggles since Game 7 of the World Series forced the team to remove him from the closer role. The team will go with a closer-by-committee approach. 19. Nationals — 12.8–15.2 (.457) Biggest Weekly Storyline: James Wood homered in three straight games and leads the NL in homers and walks. 20. Royals — 12.3–14.7 (.456) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Royals will build a $1.9B ballpark as part of a $3B downtown Kansas City redevelopment project. 21. Twins — 12.2–14.8 (.452) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Connor Prielipp and Kendry Rojas, two powerful left-handed pitching prospects, made their MLB debuts in the same game. 22. Mets — 11.5–14.5 (.442) Biggest Weekly Storyline: The Mets ended their 12-game losing streak but lost Francisco Lindor to the IL with a calf injury. 23. Giants — 11.8–15.2 (.437) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Ended Shohei Ohtani’s 53-game on-base streak as part of a shutout win over the Dodgers. 24. Rockies — 11.4–15.6 (.422) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Mickey Moniak leads Colorado with eight homers, which ranks in MLB’s top-10. He missed the season’s first six games with a sprained finger. 25. Cardinals — 10.8–15.2 (.415) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Jordan Walker has cooled off after starting the year with a league-leading 13 home runs. 26. Orioles — 11.2–15.8 (.415) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Adley Rutschman hit two homers and collected six RBI on Friday. He has a 1.020 OPS through his first 51 ABs. 27. Phillies — 11.0–16.1 (.406) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Zack Wheeler returned for the struggling Phillies and turned in a strong five-inning, two-run, six-strikeout outing. 28. Red Sox — 11.0–16.1 (.406) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Boston fired manager Alex Cora and most of his coaching staff, sending shock waves through the organization. 29. White Sox — 10.7–16.3 (.396) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Munetaka Murakami ranks among MLB’s Top 10 in home runs, wOBA, xwOBA, barrel percentage, and hard hit percentage. 30. Astros — 10.8–17.2 (.386) Biggest Weekly Storyline: Yordan Alvarez leads the AL in nearly every major statistical category (BA, OBP, OPS, HR, H, etc.). Still, the Astros sit at the bottom of the AL West. What storylines stood out this week? Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of MLB/Individual Clubs/Nike Major League Baseball’s City Connect initiative has always walked a fine line between creativity and chaos. Since its launch in 2021, the program has encouraged teams to lean into culture, community, and storytelling rather than tradition. Sometimes that results in brilliance. Sometimes it looks like a marketing meeting that went on a little too long. Thursday brought the second wave of City Connect uniforms for eight franchises, and as expected, the results are a mixed bag. Some clubs leaned into bold identity. Others played it safe. A few might have missed the assignment entirely. Here is how the latest batch stacks up from bottom to top. 8. Texas Rangers Maybe it is the lack of color. Maybe it is the overly simple design. Either way, something feels missing here. The concept of celebrating Mexican influence across Texas is strong, but the execution falls short. Adding green to complement the red and better reflect the Mexican flag could have elevated the look. Instead, it feels like a concept that never fully came together. Pros: Ties to Texas-Mexican heritage. Cons: Everything else. 7. Baltimore Orioles The idea behind City Connect is to break away from the norm, so sticking with the same color palette feels like a missed opportunity. The Oriole graphic is clean, but the “BMORE” text doesn't quite land as it should. The home run patch on the sleeve might be the standout feature, which says a lot about the rest of the design. Pro: Home run sleeve patch is a nice tie to Camden Yards Cons: Color scheme too close to regular jerseys. 6. Cincinnati Reds There is something to be said for consistency, but this feels like playing it too safe. The Reds essentially swapped out last year’s black look for red while keeping the same design language. The futuristic vibe works, but using their primary color scheme again makes it feel less like a City Connect and more like an alternate jersey. Pros: Futuristic design. Cons: Too similar to the first City Connect. 5. Atlanta Braves Powder blue is almost always a win, and it works here, too. The problem is that this feels more like a throwback than a City Connect. The lowercase A and the color scheme are nice touches, but it leans heavily on nostalgia rather than offering something new or uniquely tied to the city. Pros: The lower-case “A” hat is nice. Cons: Seems too close to a throwback and not something new. 4. Kansas City Royals This one takes a swing, and for the most part, it connects. The fuchsia-to-blue gradient is bold and distinct, inspired by Midwest sunsets and the city’s iconic fountains. The unique R logo adds character, and the Beatles nod on the collar is a fun piece of trivia that ties into team tradition. It might not be for everyone, but at least it stands out. Pros: Love the Beatles reference. Cons: Hat logo leaves something to be desired. 3. Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee expands the concept beyond the city and embraces the entire state with a “Wisco” identity. The new color scheme separates it from their traditional look, which is exactly what City Connect should do. The updated Barrelman patch is a strong callback to team history while still feeling modern. This is a well-balanced design that hits most of the right notes. Pros: State connection, sleeve patch. Cons: “Wisco” phrase can be unflattering. 2. San Diego Padres San Diego already had one of the most popular City Connect sets, and they wisely didn't overthink it. The vibrant colors remain, but the refreshed wordmark keeps things feeling new. The Dia de los Muertos sleeve patch is the standout element, adding meaningful cultural depth. This will once again be a hit, especially with younger fans who gravitate toward bold designs. Pros: Vibrant colors, sleeve patch. Cons: Similar to the first City Connect jersey. 1. Pittsburgh Pirates This is how you do it. The Pirates leaned all the way into their identity and came out with something that feels both intimidating and unique. The blacked-out look, paired with a stylized pirate wordmark, gives it an edge that few teams can match. Now picture Paul Skenes on the mound wearing this. That is nightmare fuel for opposing hitters. With a young core rising (including recently promoted Konnor Griffin), this jersey will become one of the most recognizable looks in the league. Pros: Nearly Perfect. Cons: I don’t have one in my closet yet. City Connect uniforms are at their best when they take risks and fully commit to a story. The 2026 class shows that not every team is comfortable doing that. The Pirates, Padres, and Brewers embraced the assignment and delivered something memorable. Others felt hesitant, sticking too close to their traditional identity when the whole point is to break away from it. As the program continues to evolve, the gap between the teams that get it and the teams that do not is becoming more obvious. And if this year is any indication, bold will always beat safe. View full article

Image courtesy of Peyton Vogel / Peytons Pics For years, minor league baseball has served as the sport’s testing ground, a place where ideas are introduced, tweaked, and sometimes discarded altogether. The pitch timer and ABS challenge system both started there before reaching the big leagues, and now a new collection of experimental rules is set to debut in 2026. This latest round of changes will be spread across multiple levels of the minors, each tied to improving the pace of play and increasing action. That does not mean these rules are destined for the majors. In fact, many around the game view them as trial balloons rather than inevitable changes. Still, front offices and player development staff are already preparing. Even if these rules never reach a major league field, they will impact how prospects are evaluated and developed in the short term. Here is a closer look at what is coming. Second Base Gets a New Home One of the more noticeable changes will take place in the Triple-A International League, where second base is set to be repositioned for the season’s second half. Instead of sitting partially outside the infield diamond, the bag will be moved fully within it. That adjustment brings second base closer to both first and third by roughly nine inches, and even closer compared to pre-2023 dimensions before the bases were enlarged. The visual difference may be subtle, but the impact could be meaningful. Shorter distances between bases could encourage more stolen base attempts and tighter bang-bang plays, similar to what happened when larger bases were introduced. It is another attempt to manufacture action without fundamentally changing the structure of the game. Check Swing Challenges Arrive in Triple-A Starting in May in the Pacific Coast League, hitters, pitchers, and catchers will now have access to a new challenge system focused on check swings. Using bat tracking technology, a swing will be defined by whether the bat surpasses a 45-degree angle. Each team will be given two challenges per game, to be shared with the existing ball-strike challenge system. That means players will need to be selective, as challenging a check swing and losing the appeal will cost them an opportunity. This system was tested in the Florida State League and the Arizona Fall League in 2025. According to the league, the strikeout rate was over 3% lower when the Check Swing Challenge was used, leading to more balls in play. If that trend holds, it could be one of the more impactful changes from an entertainment standpoint. Just as importantly, it introduces a clearer, data-driven definition of what actually constitutes a swing, something that has long been subjective. Tighter Pitch Clock Rules Even with the pitch clock already in place, the league is continuing to look for ways to keep games moving. Restrictions on batter timeouts will vary by level. In Low-A, hitters will essentially be unable to call time during an at-bat unless there is a legitimate issue. High-A allows timeouts only when runners are on base, while upper levels will still permit them with a catch. Hitters must be fully ready before the clock hits eight seconds, or risk being caught unprepared when the pitcher delivers. Pitchers are not exempt from the adjustments either. In Triple-A, any malfunction with the PitchCom system will now count as a mound visit. If a team has already used its allotted visits, addressing the issue will result in a pitch clock violation, and a ball will be awarded to the batter. Double-A will also see a stricter disengagement rule, cutting the limit from two step-offs or pick-off attempts down to one per plate appearance. That change should further encourage base stealing and put additional pressure on pitchers to control the running game. There is also a universal enforcement tweak. Mound visits that run too long will now carry an automatic penalty, with a ball awarded to the hitter if coaches or infielders are slow to clear the mound. Starting Pitchers Re-Entering Games At the lower levels, a unique rule is being introduced with player health in mind. In the Arizona Fall League, Florida Complex League, and Dominican Summer League, starting pitchers will be allowed to re-enter a game after being removed, as long as it happens in the following inning and they have thrown at least 25 pitches. It is not about strategy as much as protection. Young pitchers can lose command quickly, resulting in long, stressful innings. This rule gives teams a way to reset without overextending arms that are still being developed. There is little expectation that this concept will move beyond these environments, but it reflects how player health continues to influence experimental rules. Some of these changes will fade away as quickly as they arrived. Others may evolve into the next major shift in how the game is played. That uncertainty is the point. The minor leagues remain baseball’s laboratory, where creativity is encouraged, and failure is acceptable. The 2026 rule changes fit that mold perfectly. They challenge long-standing norms, introduce new technology, and test how far the sport is willing to go in pursuit of a better product. Ultimately, the true impact of these experiments will be measured not just by which rules succeed or fade away, but by the sport's willingness to evolve. As Minor League Baseball continues to push boundaries, its experiments will remain a driving force in shaping the sport. It’s about preserving baseball’s traditions while steering it toward a more dynamic and engaging future. View full article

Bullpen usage has undergone a quiet but dramatic transformation over the last decade. Not long ago, teams could reasonably expect their starters to cover six or seven innings on most nights, handing the ball to a defined late-inning trio to close things out. That model has steadily eroded. Today’s game asks starters to work fewer times through the order, often exiting before trouble begins rather than after it has already arrived. The result is a growing share of innings being pushed onto bullpens that are asked to do more than ever before. That shift has fundamentally changed how teams build pitching staffs, and a deep bullpen is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. Clubs are now tasked with finding eight or more arms capable of navigating high leverage situations, absorbing bulk innings, and bridging the gap created by shorter starts. It is not just about having a closer and a setup man anymore. It is about layering options and maintaining flexibility across a 162-game season. The challenge is that not every organization approaches bullpen construction the same way. Some franchises can spend aggressively, stockpiling established late-inning arms without worrying about diminishing returns. Others are forced to be more creative, piecing together bullpens through internal development, waiver claims, and minor league deals. For those teams, volatility is part of the equation. Relief performance can fluctuate wildly from year to year, making it one of the hardest areas to stabilize. That raises an important question. Just how good does a bullpen actually need to be for a team to reach the postseason? Recent history suggests the answer is more flexible than you might expect. 2025 Season The 2025 season offers a strong example of the lower bound. Among playoff teams, the Detroit Tigers posted the worst bullpen fWAR at 1.4. That number stands out even more when compared to the next closest team, as the New York Yankees more than doubled it with a 2.8 mark. Philadelphia and Toronto also found themselves near the bottom, finishing at 2.9 and 3.2, respectively. None of those groups would be considered strengths, yet all were attached to postseason clubs. Win probability added tells a similar story with a different twist. The Los Angeles Dodgers had the lowest bullpen WPA among playoff teams at just 0.18, and they still ended the year as World Series champions. The Yankees again appeared near the bottom at 1.96, followed by Philadelphia at 2.54 and Cincinnati at 3.37. Even among contenders, there was a wide range of effectiveness, and elite results were clearly not a prerequisite. 2024 Season The 2024 season reinforces that idea while adding a few more wrinkles. The Houston Astros led playoff teams in the wrong direction with a bullpen worth just 2.2 fWAR. They were followed by the Yankees at 2.9, the Royals at 3.5, and both the Orioles and Mets at 3.8. Those are not catastrophic numbers, but they fall firmly in the lower tier of postseason participants. Looking at WPA, the Royals stand out even more. They were the only playoff team with a negative bullpen WPA at -1.31, meaning their relief corps actively cost them more than a win over the course of the season. San Diego hovered just above water at 0.19, while Baltimore and New York both finished just under one. Again, these are not dominant units. They are survivable ones. 2023 Season Then there is 2023, the season that breaks the model. The Texas Rangers rode one of the weakest bullpens in the playoff field all the way to a championship. Their group finished with just 2.0 fWAR and a -2.55 WPA, both the lowest marks among postseason teams. Arizona was not far behind, ranking second worst in both categories with a 2.2 fWAR and a 0.41 WPA. Both teams caught fire at the right time, and whatever flaws existed over 162 games became far less relevant in October. Even teams that were closer to the middle illustrate the broader point. Minnesota finished with a 3.6 fWAR bullpen, while Houston checked in at 4.0. For WPA, the Rays had a 2.31 WPA and the Braves had a 3.05 WPA. The range of outcomes shows just how little correlation there can be once the postseason begins. Some recent poor performances from playoff bullpens: Team WPA fWAR Rangers (2023) -2.55 2.0 Royals (2024) -1.31 3.5 Dodgers (2025) 0.18 6.0 Padres (2024) 0.19 5.4 Diamondbacks (2023) 0.41 2.2 Orioles (2024) 0.99 3.8 So where does that leave us? The data from the last three seasons suggests that most playoff teams still feature bullpens that land somewhere in the middle of the pack (or higher) by both fWAR and WPA. Truly poor units can sneak in, but they are more the exception than the rule. Over a full season, it is difficult to consistently win while giving away too many innings late in games. At the same time, October operates under a different set of conditions. Off days allow managers to lean heavily on their best arms, shortening the bullpen and masking depth issues. A team that might struggle to cover nine innings in June can suddenly thrive when it only needs three or four trusted relievers in a playoff series. Get hot at the right time, and even a flawed bullpen can look dominant. The takeaway is not that bullpens do not matter. It is that they matter differently depending on the context. Over 162 games, competence is usually required. In October, timing can be everything. View full article

If there is one thing baseball fans love this time of year, it is predictions. Hope is undefeated, every roster looks improved on paper, and even the most confident takes come with a hint of uncertainty. Diamond Centric gathered its writers to map out the 2026 season, and while there is plenty of chalk at the top, there are also enough surprises sprinkled throughout to make things interesting. AL East: The American League East looks like a battle between two heavyweights. Nearly half the voters expect the Toronto Blue Jays to ride last season’s momentum back to the top after their World Series run, while the Boston Red Sox sit comfortably as the second-most-picked team in the projections. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles remain in the mix, but they are viewed more as challengers than favorites. AL Central: Out in the AL Central, there is far less debate. The Detroit Tigers earned more than 70% of the vote, signaling a strong belief that their core is ready to take control of the division. The Kansas City Royals are the clear second choice, while the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians barely registered in the voting, each picking up just a single nod. The AL Central has been a competitive division in recent years, so Detroit might be the favorite, but it’s hardly a guarantee. AL West: The AL West might be the easiest call on the board. The Seattle Mariners dominated the voting with over 90 percent support, leaving only scraps for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. The Mariners have one of baseball’s best pitching staffs and were a team on the rise in 2025. It is Seattle’s division to lose, at least on paper. NL East: Over in the National League, the East could come down to the wire. The Philadelphia Phillies edged out the New York Mets by a single vote, suggesting a tight race all season long. The Atlanta Braves linger just behind them as a potential bounce-back candidate after what some voters believe was an outlier season. NL Central: The NL Central leans toward the Chicago Cubs, who secured nearly two-thirds of the vote. The Milwaukee Brewers are the only team within striking distance in these projections, while the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds each earned a lone vote as long-shot picks. Some likely question if the Cubs did enough to move to the top, but this division has some exciting teams and players. NL West: In the NL West, there is no mystery. The Los Angeles Dodgers once again stand alone as the overwhelming favorite, pulling in more than 90% of the vote. However, they have shown some regular-season weaknesses before turning it on in October. That could leave a crack for a different division winner. The San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks are left hoping something unexpected shakes up the standings. AL MVP: When it comes to individual awards, voters are expecting some turnover in the American League MVP race. Aaron Judge has dominated the award in recent years, but this time it is Bobby Witt Jr. leading the way with nearly half the vote. Judge still commands respect with a strong second-place finish, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Julio Rodriguez remain in the conversation. A few ballots even featured bold picks like Roman Anthony and Nick Kurtz. NL MVP: The National League MVP race appears much less competitive in the eyes of voters. Shohei Ohtani is the clear favorite, pulling in over 60% of the vote. He’s the best player on the planet and will likely accomplish things this season that no one has seen before. Juan Soto sits in second place and could gain ground if the Mets stay relevant deep into the season. Ronald Acuna Jr. also received some support as he looks to remind everyone of his superstar ceiling. AL Cy Young: On the mound, the American League Cy Young race could see a changing of the guard. Tarik Skubal is chasing a rare third straight award, but Garrett Crochet is the Diamond Centric preseason favorite. There is also a wide range of dark horse candidates, including Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, Dylan Cease, and Joe Ryan. NL Cy Young: In the National League, Paul Skenes towers over the field as the overwhelming favorite. Yoshinobu Yamamoto checks in as the runner-up, while Cade Horton, Freddy Peralta, and Logan Webb picked up a handful of surprise votes. World Series Match-Up: As for the pennants, Diamond Centric is leaning toward a Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers World Series matchup. The Blue Jays and Mets received the next highest support in their respective leagues, but both trail by a noticeable margin. Biggest Disappointment: Not every projection is optimistic. Diamond Centric writers were asked to pick the team that would be the biggest disappointment. The Yankees carried that label, a reflection of both lofty expectations and recent frustrations. The Phillies are not far behind, with concerns about an aging roster starting to creep into the conversation. Bold Predictions: Every prediction season needs a handful of takes that feel a little uncomfortable at first glance. Some of these will look brilliant in hindsight, others will age poorly by May, but that is part of the fun. Here is what Diamond Centric writers are willing to put on the record before a single meaningful pitch is thrown. Toronto misses the playoffs after almost winning the World Series in 2025 Ronald Acuna goes 50-50 and wins the MVP. Four AL East teams make the playoffs. We see a pitcher set the record for most Ks in a game. Brandon Sproat finishes the season with a higher WAR than Freddy Peralta. Miami Marlins take the NL Wild Card. The Mariners' clubhouse fractures along the Cal Raleigh - Randy Arozarena fault line. Diamond Centric will launch a Rockies site. The Pirates will be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot by the trade deadline. Cade Horton stays healthy and is a top-five pitcher this year. Vinnie Pasquantino finishes top-3 in AL MVP voting. The Rockies made a big turnaround. The Twins have a Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winner, but don’t make the playoffs. Shohei Ohtani hits 50 home runs and posts a sub-2 ERA. The Marlins will have a Top 5 outfield. Kyle Stowers leads the NL in HRs. The Twins will have three first-time All-Stars in 2026. The Dodgers will lose in their first round of playoff action. Bobby Witt Jr. 40-40 season. Sandy Alcantara will finish with both AL and NL Cy Young votes. Two of last year’s division winners will finish 4th Twins will NOT have the worst record in baseball! Pirates come within 5 days of the Wild Card. The average length of games increases by 15 minutes. Logan Webb and Robbie Ray finish 1-2 in the NL Cy Young. The Yankees finish fourth in the AL East. The Rockies finish 4th in the NL West. The New York Yankees fail to make the playoffs. Tampa Bay as a Wild Card. Cade Horton will win the NL Cy Young. Maikel Garcia finishes higher than Bobby Witt Jr. in MVP voting. There is a little bit of everything in those predictions. Some are rooted in plausible outcomes, others require a leap of faith, and a few would send shockwaves across the sport. That blend is what makes this exercise worthwhile. As Opening Day approaches, these picks will start to feel more real with each passing inning. Some will look prescient by the All-Star break, while others will quietly fade into the background. Either way, this snapshot captures the optimism, skepticism, and creativity that define baseball before the games begin. What are your predictions for the 2026 season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

There has never been more money tied to Major League Baseball franchises, and the latest valuation update from Sportico drives that point home in a big way. The average MLB team is now worth $3.17 billion, with the league’s 30 clubs combining for a staggering $95 billion in total value. That represents a 12% jump year over year, the largest increase since Sportico began publishing MLB valuations in 2021. On paper, the sport is thriving. At the top, the usual names continue to separate themselves from the pack. The New York Yankees lead the way for the sixth straight year at $9.4 billion, a figure boosted by their stake in the YES Network and other business ventures. Close behind, the Los Angeles Dodgers have surged to $9.05 billion after a 17% increase, continuing to chip away at what used to be a massive gap. That difference has shrunk dramatically in just a few years. In 2021, the Yankees were valued 46% higher than the Dodgers. Now, the gap sits at just 4%, signaling that Los Angeles has firmly established itself as a financial powerhouse alongside baseball’s most iconic brand. The rest of the top five reinforces a familiar trend. Big markets, historic franchises, and strong media infrastructure still rule the sport’s financial hierarchy. The Boston Red Sox come in third at $6.65 billion, followed by the Chicago Cubs at $6.48 billion and the San Francisco Giants at $4.36 billion. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Miami Marlins rank last at $1.45 billion. Even that number would have sounded absurd a decade ago, which speaks to how much franchise values have risen across the board. Still, the gap between first and last remains enormous, and that disparity continues to shape how the league operates. Some of the most interesting movement comes when looking beyond the raw valuations and focusing on the net of revenue-sharing figures. The Toronto Blue Jays stand out as one of the biggest risers. Coming off a World Series run last season, Toronto saw its net of revenue sharing jump significantly, climbing from north of $420 million entering 2025 to over $550 million when factoring in ownership of Sportsnet. October success does more than boost ticket sales. It elevates brand visibility, strengthens media leverage, and creates long-term financial momentum. On the other side, the Chicago White Sox are trending in the wrong direction. From 2022 to 2025, the Southsiders have seen their net revenue-sharing figure drop from over $300 million to just north of $250 million. An aging ballpark, combined with lackluster performance on the field, has created a difficult environment for driving growth, especially in a market that should offer more upside. Zooming out, the league’s overall growth is not happening by accident. Baseball has quietly built real momentum over the past few years. Attendance has increased for three straight seasons. Television ratings are climbing. A wave of young stars has injected energy into the game. International growth continues to expand the sport’s reach. All of those factors are reflected in the rising valuations. However, the underlying financial structure still comes with complications. Revenue multiples have increased from 6.6 to 7.2, but MLB still trails other major sports leagues in that category. That gap highlights three ongoing challenges that continue to hover over the sport. Labor remains a constant tension point. Even during periods of financial growth, the relationship between players and owners is rarely stable. Many evaluators expect a work stoppage next winter, with the potential to lose regular-season games in 2027 if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached. With franchise values climbing to record levels, the stakes in any future labor dispute are even higher. Revenue disparity is another major issue. The difference between teams like the Yankees and Dodgers and clubs near the bottom of the rankings is massive. Market size, local television deals, and ownership resources all contribute to an uneven playing field that is difficult to correct under the current system. Then there is the media distribution puzzle. Regional sports networks are no longer the reliable revenue drivers they once were, and the shift toward streaming has created uncertainty across the league. Teams are still searching for a consistent model that can replace what RSNs used to provide. All of this ties into one of the most important conversations happening behind the scenes. There is a growing belief that a salary cap system could help address several of these issues at once. By creating cost certainty and improving competitive balance, a cap could make franchises more stable investments and potentially drive valuations even higher. That idea is not new, but it is gaining traction as the financial stakes continue to rise. For now, MLB sits in a fascinating position. The sport is generating more value than ever before, with multiple franchises pushing toward the ten billion dollar mark. At the same time, the gap between the top and bottom remains wide, and the structural challenges are becoming harder to ignore. The numbers tell a story of growth. The details tell a story of what comes next. View full article

Image courtesy of © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The last two editions of the World Baseball Classic have felt less like baseball tournaments and more like global sporting events that demand your full attention. From packed stadiums in Miami and Tokyo to electric late-inning moments that ripple across social media, the WBC has delivered a level of urgency and passion that can be difficult to replicate over a 162-game regular season. Every pitch feels like it matters. Every at-bat carries the weight of an entire country. That intensity has not gone unnoticed. Major League Baseball has spent the last several years trying to capture a younger audience, implementing rule changes such as the pitch clock, larger bases, and limits on defensive shifts. The goal has been simple. Make the game faster, cleaner, and more engaging. While those changes have helped, the WBC offers something even more powerful. It creates emotional stakes that transcend the sport itself. Global events like the World Cup and Olympic hockey often captivate even the most casual American sports fans. When entire countries rally behind the jersey, it creates a powerful sense of pride and identity. This is why baseball should continue expanding internationally, and the World Baseball Classic is an excellent vehicle for that growth. Team USA captain Aaron Judge told reporters the WBC crowds are “bigger and better” than the World Series, which is certainly quite the statement from the Yankees’ superstar. “It’s been bigger. The World Series I was in. The crowd here, the crowd we had when we played Mexico. It’s bigger and better than the World Series. The passion these fans have. There’s nothing like it.” That sentiment is shared by other players in the tournament. Manny Machado also highlighted the event's global reach. “Everyone can see that there’s so much talent all over the world. It’s not just here, but all over the world. It means a lot to be the last team standing…It’s just such a cool event. You’re playing for not just your country, not for the fans, but the people in their countries and across the world. I get goosebumps just talking about it because it’s such a special event.” With this backdrop, the question becomes obvious: How can Major League Baseball capture even a fraction of that energy and bring it into the regular season? Specifically, what steps can teams and the league take to increase the regular season's excitement and fan engagement? Let the World Baseball Classic Take Center Stage One idea would be to make the WBC the centerpiece of the baseball calendar every four years. That could mean shortening the MLB season to 148 games and staging the tournament in May. There are real benefits here. Players would be in better shape than they are in March, which could lead to higher-quality games. The timing also avoids direct competition with the frenzy of March Madness while landing in a relatively open sports window before the NBA playoffs fully take over. In theory, this gives baseball a moment to dominate the national conversation. The drawbacks are just as real. Teams would be reluctant to pause their seasons midstream, especially when rhythm and routine are so important over a long schedule. Owners would also push back against losing home games and the revenue they generate, unless the WBC could offset those losses financially. It is a bold idea, but one that would require a level of cooperation that baseball has not always shown. Replace the All-Star Game with Something Bigger Another, more practical idea would be to cancel the All-Star Game every four years and replace it with a mid-summer World Baseball Classic. This concept mirrors what the NHL has done with Olympic participation. Instead of a lightly competitive exhibition, fans would get meaningful games featuring the best players in the world, all while the regular season pauses. The timing makes sense. July offers a relatively clean window after the NBA Finals and before the NFL returns to dominate the fall. Holding the WBC in March has always come with complications. Players are still ramping up, fans are splitting attention with spring training storylines, and college basketball consumes much of the sports landscape. Moving the event to mid-summer would eliminate many of those distractions and allow baseball to take center stage. Of course, scheduling would still be complicated. Compressing the regular season around a midseason tournament is not simple. But compared to other options, this may offer the best balance between feasibility and impact. Raise the Stakes with a Best-of-Three Final The WBC championship game is already must-see television, but there is an argument to be made that it ends too quickly. Transitioning to a best-of-three final series could elevate the drama even further. On the positive side, it would give teams a chance to recover from one bad inning or one dominant pitching performance. It would also create a mini World Series atmosphere, adding legitimacy and narrative weight to the tournament’s conclusion. The downside is logistical. Extending the final round would require more time, given the already tight schedule. There is also something to be said for the raw, winner-take-all tension of a single game. Stretching it into a series could dilute that urgency if not handled carefully. Expand the Field and Grow the Game Expanding the tournament from 20 to 24 or more teams is a logical next step. The recent success of countries like Italy, Czechia, and Great Britain demonstrates baseball's growing global footprint. The pros are obvious. More teams mean more representation, more fan bases, and more opportunities to develop the sport in emerging markets across Europe and Africa. It also reinforces the idea that baseball is truly a global game. However, expansion comes with challenges. The talent gap between top-tier and developing nations can lead to lopsided games. There are also logistical concerns with travel, scheduling, and player availability. Growth is important, but it must be balanced with maintaining a competitive product. The World Baseball Classic has shown what baseball can look like when it leans into emotion, urgency, and global pride. It is louder. It is faster. It matters in a way that even the biggest regular-season games sometimes struggle to match. Major League Baseball does not need to reinvent itself entirely to capture that energy. But it does need to be willing to experiment by taking specific actions, such as shifting the calendar to better fit fans’ schedules, rethinking the All-Star break to increase excitement, and expanding its presence on the global stage. These steps offer a clear path forward. The WBC is not just a tournament. It is a glimpse into baseball’s future. The challenge now is figuring out how to bring that future into the present. Which changes make the most sense for the next WBC? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images There was a time when a mid-90s fastball turned heads. Now it barely gets a second look. In today’s version of Major League Baseball, velocity is no longer a separator. It is a baseline expectation. Over the last twenty years, the sport has undergone a dramatic transformation in how pitchers are developed, evaluated, and deployed. Advances in motion capture, pitch-tracking technology, and strength training have made velocity a developmental target rather than a rare trait. Organizations are no longer hoping a pitcher throws hard. They are actively building arms that do. But as the average fastball continues to hover in the low to mid-90s, there are signs that the steady climb we saw throughout the 2010s may be leveling off. For the first time in the pitch-tracking era, it is worth asking whether the league is approaching a velocity ceiling. The gains themselves were very real. Since the late 2000s, the average four-seam velocity has jumped several miles per hour league-wide. Pitchers who once topped out at 91 or 92 mph are now sitting comfortably in the mid-90s deep into starts. Even more telling is how frequently pitchers are operating near their top-end velocity. It is not just about throwing hard anymore. It is about sustaining that effort for 90 to 100 pitches every fifth day. That shift becomes more concerning when you consider the gap between a pitcher’s maximum fastball velocity and their average game speed. Historically, starters paced themselves, saving their highest effort throws for key moments. Now, many are living in that upper range throughout an entire outing. The difference between peak and average velocity has steadily shrunk in recent seasons, suggesting that max effort is becoming the default rather than the exception. There are obvious benefits to that approach. Velocity remains one of the most projectable tools in player development. A pitcher who throws 97 is going to draw more organizational interest than one who throws 91, even if the latter has better present command. Throwing hard opens doors throughout the minor leagues and often keeps pitchers on the mound in the majors once they arrive. The downside is that the human arm still has limits. Teams have spent the better part of the last decade investing in technologies designed to squeeze out every possible mile per hour. Weighted-ball programs, high-speed cameras, and biomechanical analysis have become standard across player development systems. Yet every incremental gain in velocity increases the stress placed on the elbow and shoulder. It is no coincidence that the rise in fastball velocity across professional baseball has been accompanied by a similar increase in ligament-related injuries. Last season, eight teams experienced a decline in average fastball velocity compared to 2024, a subtle but noteworthy shift in a league that has grown accustomed to annual increases. The most significant drop was among the Minnesota Twins, whose staff average dropped from 94.2 mph in 2024 to 93.4 mph in 2025. Other teams whose numbers ticked downward included the Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago White Sox. On the other end of the spectrum, four organizations increased their average fastball velocity by more than one mile per hour, led by the Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. These year-over-year changes rarely exist in a vacuum. Staff-wide velocity can fluctuate based on injuries to high-octane arms, midseason trades that reshape a bullpen, offseason free agent additions, or even philosophical shifts in how aggressively pitchers are asked to attack hitters. In response, organizations appear to be adjusting their priorities. Rather than simply chasing the highest possible radar-gun reading, there is growing interest in optimizing pitch characteristics, such as vertical approach angle, seam-shifted wake, and release-point consistency. Pitchers have shown that deception and movement can be just as effective as pure velocity at missing bats and limiting hard contact. That strategic shift may help explain why league-wide velocity growth has slowed in recent seasons. Pitchers are still throwing hard, but the developmental emphasis is expanding beyond simply throwing harder. The modern arsenal is becoming more diverse, with sweepers, splitters, and cutters taking on a larger role in place of traditional high-spin four-seam fastballs. Fatigue factors may also be at play. The pitch clock has shortened recovery time between throws, and the trend toward year-round throwing begins well before pitchers reach the professional ranks. By the time many arms arrive in the majors, they have already accumulated a decade or more of high-effort workloads. Maintaining peak velocity across a six-month season becomes as much a durability challenge as it is a strength one. All of these point toward a potential inflection point in how pitching evolves moving forward. The next competitive advantage may not belong to the team that develops the hardest throwers, but to the one that identifies the most efficient version of a pitcher’s delivery and arsenal. Finding the optimal blend of velocity, command, and movement could prove more valuable than chasing triple digits. Velocity has shaped the modern game in undeniable ways. It helped drive strikeout rates to historic highs and reshaped how teams construct pitching staffs. But as the data stabilize, it is increasingly plausible that the sport has reached close to its upper limit. The radar gun may never go backwards in any meaningful way, but it might not keep climbing either. If that is the case, the future of pitching could belong to those who know when not to reach back for a little extra. Has fastball velocity reached its peak? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article