MLB 2025 Prediction Analysis: How Close Were We?
Each year, at Alofoke Deportes, we venture to predict the future of MLB. We don’t limit ourselves to common forecasts; we seek bold, yet realistic, visions for the season. Now, it’s time to evaluate those predictions for 2025. How did we do? Join us in this analysis.
Analysis of the Predictions
Here’s a breakdown of each prediction, assessing the accuracy and envisioning the future of each team.Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: Paul Skenes would win the Cy Young award and have the best season for a Pirates starter since 1920.Result: Spot on! Skenes won the Cy Young, led the Pirates’ starters in WAR, and had the lowest ERA since 1920. A stellar performance.Rating: A+
Looking ahead to 2026: Surpassing a season of 7.7 WAR and a 1.97 ERA will be difficult, but Skenes has the potential. With more starts and better management of his innings, a season of 9 or 10 WAR is possible.
Seattle Mariners
Prediction: Bryan Woo would be the team’s best starter.Result: Correct! Woo had an outstanding season with 15-7, 2.94 ERA and 4.2 WAR, setting a record for starts of at least six innings. The pectoral muscle injury limited him in the postseason.Rating: A+
Looking ahead to 2026: Hoping for better health and consistent rotation performance, the Mariners are aiming for another World Series appearance.
Cleveland Guardians
Prediction: Gavin Williams would lead the rotation in ERA and WAR.Result: Williams delivered, finishing with a 3.06 ERA and 3.8 WAR, leading the team in both categories.Rating: A+
Looking ahead to 2026: Williams had a breakout season. If he can reduce walks, he could improve even more.
Detroit Tigers
Prediction: Riley Greene would join a select group of Tigers outfielders with 30 home runs and would be an All-Star for the second consecutive year.Result: Greene hit 36 home runs and was an All-Star, but his WAR decreased due to less favorable defensive metrics and a decrease in his OBP.Rating: A
Looking ahead to 2026: Greene needs to regain his overall performance to be a more complete player.
Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Jarren Duran would win Gold Gloves.Result: Rafaela and Abreu won Gold Gloves, but Cleveland’s Steven Kwan prevented the full fulfillment of the prediction.Rating: B+
Looking ahead to 2026: Roman Anthony, a standout rookie, could influence the team’s dynamics.
New York Mets
Prediction: Juan Soto would set an OPS record and Pete Alonso would break his RBI record.Result: Soto didn’t reach Mike Piazza’s OPS record, but he had a great season. Alonso drove in 126 runs, but didn’t surpass his personal record.Rating: B
Looking ahead to 2026: Alonso is a free agent, and the Mets could focus on strengthening their pitching staff.Arizona Diamondbacks
Prediction: Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte would be among the top 10 in the MVP voting and the Diamondbacks would lead the league in runs scored.Result: The Diamondbacks had two players in the top 10 in the MVP voting, but one was Geraldo Perdomo. The team finished sixth in runs scored.Rating: B
Looking towards 2026: Mars could be subject to exchange rumors.
Texas Rangers
Prediction: Wyatt Langford would have a 30/30 season and would be among the top 10 in the MVP voting.Result: Langford didn’t reach the 30/30 numbers, but he performed well, tying for eighth place among American League position players in WAR.Rating: B-
Looking ahead to 2026: If Langford increases his games and reduces strikeouts, he could achieve an even more outstanding season.Los Angeles Angels
Prediction: The Angels would have six players with 20 home runs, but they would lose 95 games.Result: The team had many home runs, but only four players reached 20. They lost 90 games.Rating: B-
Looking ahead to 2026: The Angels need to diversify their offense and seek help in free agency.
Chicago Cubs
Prediction: Kyle Tucker would hit 40 home runs, steal 30 bases, and finish second in the MVP voting.Result: Tucker suffered injuries that affected his performance, finishing with 22 home runs and 23 stolen bases.Rating: C+
Looking ahead to 2026: Tucker is a free agent and might not stay with the Cubs. The team has young options in the outfield and needs to strengthen its rotation.Kansas City Royals
Prediction: Vinnie Pasquantino would hit .300, hit 25 home runs, and be an All-Star.Result: Pasquantino had his best season, but he wasn’t an All-Star.Rating: C+
Looking ahead to 2026: Pasquantino has become a “pull” hitter, and is unlikely to hit .300. He’s a high-impact hitter.
Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: The five starters would pitch at least 162 innings and finish with an ERA under 3.50.Result: No pitcher met both criteria. The Phillies’ rotation led the league in WAR and finished second in ERA.Rating: C
Looking ahead to 2026: The rotation could undergo changes.
Atlanta Braves
Prediction: Spencer Schwellenbach would be in the top five in the Cy Young voting.Result: Schwellenbach performed well before getting injured.Rating: C
Looking ahead to 2026: Schwellenbach is expected to be part of the rotation. With a healthy team, the Braves could return to the playoffs.Houston Astros
Prediction: Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez, and Spencer Arrighetti would win 45 games and combine for 13 WAR.Result: Brown and Valdez had good seasons, but Arrighetti got injured.Rating: C-
Looking ahead to 2026: Valdez is a free agent, and the Astros could depend on other pitchers.
Oakland Athletics
Prediction: Brent Rooker would hit 53 home runs and surpass Aaron Judge for the home run title.Result: Rooker hit 30 home runs.Rating: C-Looking ahead to 2026: Nick Kurtz could be a key figure for the team.
Washington Nationals
Prediction: CJ Abrams and Luis García Jr. would hit 25 home runs.Result: The prediction was not met.Rating: D+
Looking ahead to 2026: The Nationals might need a new approach.
Miami Marlins
Prediction: The Marlins would fall quickly in April and Sandy Alcantara would be traded.Result: The Marlins had a bad start, but Alcantara was not traded.Rating: D+
Looking ahead to 2026: Alcantara could be changed.
Chicago White Sox
Prediction: The White Sox would lose 110 games.Result: The White Sox did not reach 110 losses.Rating: D+
Looking ahead to 2026: The White Sox hope Luis Robert Jr. regains his production level.
Milwaukee Brewers
Prediction: Jackson Chourio would have an OPS of .900.Result: Chourio did not fulfill the prediction.Rating: D
Looking ahead to 2026: Chourio needs to improve his chase rate.
Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: Elly De La Cruz would hit 30 home runs, steal 80 bases, and be in the top five in MVP voting.Result: De La Cruz underperformed.
Rating: D
Looking ahead to 2026: De La Cruz might need to adjust his game.
San Diego Padres
Prediction: Michael King would win 20 games.Result: King was injured.Rating: D
Looking ahead to 2026: The Padres’ rotation will need a revamp.
Colorado Rockies
Prediction: The Rockies would have two All-Stars.Result: Only one player was an All-Star.Rating: D
Looking ahead to 2026: The Rockies probably won’t have two All-Stars.
St. Louis Cardinals
Prediction: The Cardinals would be in the race for the National League Central Division title until the last week, with four rookies in the rotation.Result: The Cardinals did not perform well in the rotation.Rating: D-
Looking ahead to 2026: Rotation will need help.
Baltimore Orioles
Prediction: Samuel Basallo would be the regular designated hitter in the second half and hit 15 home runs.Result: Basallo struggled in the Major Leagues.
Rating: D-
Looking ahead to 2026: Basallo continues to be a promising prospect.
New York Yankees
Prediction: The Yankees would finish with a losing record.Result: The prediction was not met.Rating: F
Looking ahead to 2026: The Yankees will need to reinforce their roster.
