Deep Dive into MLB’s Core Talent for 2025
As we approach the end of the 2025 season, it’s time to analyze the core talent of the 30 MLB teams. This analysis evaluates teams based on players under contract for the next two full seasons. It’s important to note that many of the teams at the top of this list are in the thick of the playoff race in the final month.
In this analysis, salaries and age are not determining factors. However, a more favorable projection is considered for young players and a more conservative approach for older players, as the evaluation extends to a period of two years or more. Players in lower league levels are unlikely to contribute significantly before the end of 2027, even if they are outstanding prospects.
To facilitate the comparison of talent between teams, players are divided into three categories: elite (players with a WAR value of approximately 5 or more, or All-Star players with MVP potential), plus (players with a WAR value between 3 and 5) and solid (players with a WAR value between 1.5 and 3, or valuable role players).
Players with contract options that will likely be exercised are included, but those with opt-out clauses that will likely be executed are excluded. Subjectivity is part of this process, and star players who don’t qualify are mentioned separately. Players are listed in preferred order within each category, allowing for debate about each player’s positioning.
The overall ranking is not based on an algorithm that evaluates teams or their players in each category, but on an individual comparison of each list. Comparing the long-term value of a Double-A prospect with that of an established veteran going through a down season can be a challenge.
Team Ranking
Here are the teams, organized by division, for easy navigation:
Detailed Analysis of the Teams
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Position in 2024: 1
Position in 2023: 2
Position in 2022: 3
Elite Players: Shohei Ohtani (DH+RHP)
Plus Players: Will Smith (C), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (RHS), Freddie Freeman (1B), Mookie Betts (SS), Andy Pages (CF), Blake Snell (LHS), Tyler Glasnow (RHS)
Solid Players: 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 (RF)
The Dodgers remain on top, although some weaknesses have been detected since last year. Betts and Freeman declined in the rankings, Max Muncy was left off the list, and several key players are over 30 years old. Despite this, the Dodgers still possess the best combination of offensive and pitching talent in Major League Baseball, with key 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 remain in this position next year.
2. Seattle Mariners
Position in 2024: 4
Position in 2023: 3
Position in 2022: 10
Elite Players: Cal Raleigh (C), Julio Rodriguez (CF)
Plus Pitchers: Logan Gilbert (RHS), George Kirby (RHS), Bryan Woo (RHS), Andres Munoz (RHR)
Solid Players: 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 (2B)
Raleigh and Woo have progressed significantly this season, while the rest of Seattle’s elite talent has remained stable or slightly improved. Like the Dodgers, the Mariners have one of the most prominent farm systems, ranking third. Seattle boasts eight prospects among the top 100, and most of them will be in Double-A or Triple-A at the start of next season. This new generation of talent looks promising and could impact the Major Leagues in 2026. This would be timely, as J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena could become free agents after 2026, while the team’s control over Gilbert ends after 2027.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
Position in 2024: 5
Position in 2023: 15
Position in 2022: 8
Elite Players: Trea Turner (SS), Zack Wheeler (RHS), Cristopher Sanchez (LHS)
Plus Players: Bryce Harper (1B), Jhoan Duran (RHR)
Solid Players: 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 (RHR)
Philadelphia has less depth than Seattle because several prominent Major League players will have their 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 robust either, ranking 21st out of 30 teams, as the Phillies have bet heavily on the upcoming seasons. However, the top part of the Phillies’ roster is very good, and the competition with the Mariners for second place is fierce, depending on each team’s preferences. Wheeler’s injury and Nola’s off-season made the difference.
4. New York Mets
Position in 2024: 9
2023 Position: 10
Position in 2022: 7
Elite Players: Francisco Lindor (SS), Juan Soto (RF)
Plus Players: Brandon Nimmo (LF), Edwin Diaz (RHR)
Solid Players: 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 (RHS)
The Mets boast one of the healthiest organizations in baseball, combining the game’s best farm system with a Major League team with playoff potential, with Pete Alonso being the only key player likely to test free agency.
Diaz was included in the “Plus” category and McLean and Tong were excluded due to their lack of consistency at that level, but in a month, these two prospects could move up in the rankings. Like the Mariners, the Mets have a surge of young talent that will debut in the upper leagues or in the Major Leagues next season and that could define the team’s next five years.
5. Atlanta Braves
Position in 2024: 2
Position in 2023: 1
Position in 2022: 1
Elite Players: Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF)
Plus Players: Matt Olson (1B), Austin Riley (3B), Spencer Strider (RHS), Drake Baldwin (C), Spencer Schwellenbach (RHS), Sean Murphy (C)
Solid Players: 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 (RHS)
It has been a difficult year for the Braves in several aspects. Chris Sale no longer qualifies for this analysis, Spencer Strider has not been at his best, and Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies declined in the rankings. Injuries impacted the seasons of Riley and Schwellenbach, and Profar’s PED suspension limited his participation.
This core has been so successful for years, as demonstrated by the organization’s previous rankings, that the Braves’ bad season in 2025 doesn’t knock them out of the top five. Waldrep, Fuentes, and Ritchie could be solutions to the starting pitching needs in 2026, while Smith-Shawver, Murphy, and Cam Caminiti could be the answers in 2027.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
Position in 2024: 14
2023 Position: 13
Position in 2022: 20
Elite Players: Corbin Carroll (RF), Ketel Marte (2B)
Plus Players: Geraldo Perdomo (SS), Gabriel Moreno (C), Corbin Burnes (RHS)
Solid Players: 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 (LHR)
Carroll, Marte, and Perdomo have become an elite group of position players, and Moreno isn’t far behind. 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 Sox
Position in 2024: 13
2023 Position: 24
2022 Position: 24
Elite Players: Garrett Crochet (LHS)
Plus Players: Roman Anthony (RF), Jarren Duran (LF), Ceddanne Rafaela (CF), Wilyer Abreu (RF)
Solid Players: Trevor Story (SS), Brayan Bello (RHS), Marcelo Mayer
