As we approach the final stretch of the 2025 season, it’s time to present the annual ranking of the main talent of the 30 MLB teams. This analysis evaluates the teams based on the players they have under contract for the next two full seasons, and it is notable that many of the clubs at the top of this list are in the thick of the playoff race in the last month.In this exercise, salaries are not determinants and age is not a key factor. However, it will be projected upwards for young players and downwards for older players, as teams are being projected and classified for a period of more than two years. It is unlikely that A-Ball level players will contribute, even if they are outstanding prospects.To facilitate the comparison of each team’s talent, players were divided into three categories: elite (talent around 5 WAR, or perennial All-Stars with MVP possibilities), plus (3-5 WAR types), and solid (1.5-3 WAR, or low-level starters and valuable role players).Players with acquisition options or club/player options that are likely to be exercised were included, but players with exclusion options that are likely to be exercised were excluded. There is some subjectivity in this area; star players who do not qualify are mentioned below.Players are listed in general order of preference within each category, so it can be argued that a player at the top/bottom of a category moves up or down, or that two players next to each other in the same category are swapped. The overall ranking does not come from an algorithm that judges teams or their players in each category; each list is being compared individually. It is often difficult to compare the next 2 and a half years of a prospect’s value in Double-A with a proven veteran who is having a down season.Jump to a team:AL East: BAL | BOS | NYY | TB | TORAL Central: CHW | CLE | DET | KC | MINAL West: ATH | HOU | LAA | SEA | TEXNL East: ATL | MIA | NYM | PHI | WSHNL Central: CHC | CIN | MIL | PIT | STLNL West: ARI | COL | LAD | SD | SF1. Los Angeles DodgersRange 2024: 1Range 2023: 2Range 2022: 3Elite: Shohei Ohtani/DH+RHPPlus: Will Smith/C, Yoshinobu Yamamoto/RHS, Freddie Freeman/1B, Mookie Betts/SS, Andy Pages/CF, Blake Snell/LHS, Tyler Glasnow/RHSSolid: Tommy Edman/2B, Emmet Sheehan/RHS, Teoscar Hernandez/RF, Hyeseong Kim/2B, Tanner Scott/LHR, Brock Stewart/RHR, Justin Wrobleski/LHR, Dalton Rushing/C, Alex Freeland/SS, Roki Sasaki/RHS, Edgardo Henriquez/RHR, Josue De Paula/LF, Jack Dreyer/LHR, Zyhir Hope/RF, Mike Sirota/CF, Jackson Ferris/LHS, River Ryan/RHS, James Tibbs/RFThe Dodgers remain on top, but some cracks have formed since last year’s classification. Betts and Freeman declined, Max Muncy came off the list because he is under team control until next season, Bobby Miller and Roki Sasaki are among the young players who regressed, and several key players are in their 30s.But the Dodgers still have the best combination of high-level hitting and pitching talent in the major leagues, with the biggest contributors under team control for at least a few more years, and they have the second-best farm system in baseball. They are very likely to be in this area of the list next year.2. Seattle Mariners
Rank 2024: 4
Rank 2023: 3
Range 2022: 10
Elite: Cal Raleigh/C, Julio Rodriguez/CFPlus: Logan Gilbert/RHS, George Kirby/RHS, Bryan Woo/RHS, Andres Munoz/RHRSolid: Colt Emerson/SS, Kade Anderson/LHS, Luis Castillo/RHS, Gabe Speier/LHR, Cole Young/2B, Ryan Sloan/RHS, Matt Brash/RHR, Harry Ford/C, Michael Arroyo/2B, Lazaro Montes/RF, Luke Raley/RF, Victor Robles/CF, Bryce Miller/RHS, Dominic Canzone/RF, Jurrangelo Cijntje/SHP, Jonny Farmelo/CF, Ryan Bliss/2BRaleigh and Woo have made great strides this season, while the rest of Seattle’s high-level talent has at least held steady, if not improved a bit.Like the Dodgers, the Mariners also have one of the best farm systems, ranking third. Seattle has eight prospects among the top 100, and most of them will be in Double-A or Triple-A to start next season. That next wave of talent looks impactful and could affect the major league level in 2026. That would be timely, as J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena are set to hit free agency after 2026, while Gilbert’s team control ends after 2027.3. Philadelphia PhilliesRange 2024: 5Range 2023: 15
Range 2022: 8Elite: Trea Turner/SS, Zack Wheeler/RHS, Cristopher Sanchez/LHSPlus: Bryce Harper/1B, Jhoan Duran/RHRSolid: Aaron Nola/RHS, Bryson Stott/2B, Brandon Marsh/CF, Aidan Miller/SS, Andrew Painter/RHS, Justin Crawford/CF, Orion Kerkering/RHR, Tanner Banks/RHR, Johan Rojas/CF, Gage Wood/RHRPhiladelphia has much less depth than Seattle because the Phillies have some good major league players whose contracts expire this year or next: J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suarez, Alec Bohm, Jesus Luzardo, Matt Strahm, and Jose Alvarado.The farm system isn’t that deep either, ranking 21st out of 30 teams, because the Phillies invested all their chips in these upcoming seasons. But the top of the Phillies’ list is really good, and it’s basically a coin flip with the Mariners for second place, depending on what kind of core you prefer. Wheeler’s injury and Nola’s offseason made the difference for me.
4. New York MetsRange 2024: 9Range 2023: 10Rank 2022: 7
Elite: Francisco Lindor/SS, Juan Soto/RFPlus: Brandon Nimmo/LF, Edwin Diaz/RHRSolid: Nolan McLean/RHS, Jonah Tong/RHS, Francisco Alvarez/C, Jeff McNeil/2B, Brett Baty/3B, Jett Williams/SS, Carson Benge/CF, Sean Manaea/LHS, Tylor Megill/RHS, Kodai Senga/RHS, Mark Vientos/3B, Ronny Mauricio/3B, Christian Scott/RHS, Brandon Sproat/RHS, A.J. Ewing/CF, Jacob Reimer/3B, Ryan Clifford/1B, Reed Garrett/RHR, Jonathan Santucci/LHS, Will Watson/RHSThe Mets have one of the healthiest organizations in baseball, combining the best farm system in the game and a playoff-caliber major league club, with Pete Alonso as the only key player likely to test free agency.I put Díaz on the plus level and left out McLean and Tong due to their lack of longevity performing at that level, but in a month, those two prospect openers could level up. Similar to the Mariners, the Mets have a wave of young talent that will make their way into the upper minor leagues or the major leagues next season and could define the team’s next five years.5. Atlanta BravesRange 2024: 2Range 2023: 1Range 2022: 1Elite: Ronald Acuna Jr./RFPlus: Matt Olson/1B, Austin Riley/3B, Spencer Strider/RHS, Drake Baldwin/C, Spencer Schwellenbach/RHS, Sean Murphy/CSolid: Michael Harris II/CF, Jurickson Profar/LF, Ozzie Albies/2B, Reynaldo Lopez/RHS, Hurston Waldrep/RHS, Didier Fuentes/RHS, JR Ritchie/RHS, AJ Smith-Shawver/RHS, Nacho Alvarez Jr./3B, Owen Murphy/RHSIt’s been a bad year for the Braves on numerous fronts. Chris Sale no longer qualifies for this exercise, Spencer Strider hasn’t been the same, and Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies have declined. Injuries impacted Riley and Schwellenbach’s seasons, and Profar’s PED suspension limited his campaign.This core has been so good for years, as can be seen by the organization’s previous rankings, that the Braves’ bad season in 2025 still can’t knock them out of the top five. Waldrep, Fuentes, and Ritchie could be the answer to the starting pitching needs in 2026, while Smith-Shawver, Murphy, and Cam Caminiti could be the answer in 2027.6. Arizona DiamondbacksRange 2024: 14Range 2023: 13Range 2022: 20
Elite: Corbin Carroll/RF, Ketel Marte/2BPlus: Geraldo Perdomo/SS, Gabriel Moreno/C, Corbin Burnes/RHPSolid: Lourdes Gurriel Jr./LF, Brandon Pfaadt/RHS, Jordan Lawlar/SS, Ryne Nelson/RHS, Slade Caldwell/CF, Adrian Del Castillo/C, Tyler Locklear/1B, Ryan Waldschmidt/LF, Kohl Drake/LHS, Blaze Alexander/3B, Tommy Troy/2B, Eduardo Rodriguez/LHS, Justin Martinez/RHR, Alek Thomas/CF, Jake McCarthy/LF, Cristian Mena/RHS, Brandyn Garcia/LHRCarroll, Marte, and Perdomo have become an elite group of position players, and Moreno isn’t that far off. Burnes is an ace, but he might not pitch again until 2027, so the D-backs need to see this next group of young players continue to progress and complement that core. Locklear, Drake, and Garcia were acquired at the deadline, and Caldwell and Waldschmidt were their first two picks in the 2024 draft.7. Boston Red SoxRange 2024: 13Range 2023: 24Range 2022: 24Elite: Garrett Crochet/LHSPlus: Roman Anthony/RF, Jarren Duran/LF, Ceddanne Rafaela/CF, Wilyer Abreu/RFSolid: Trevor Story/SS, Brayan Bello/RHS, Marcelo Mayer/
