We’re just three weeks into the 2025 MLB season, and the standings are already giving us plenty to chew on, from the NL West’s collective excellence to Atlanta’s shockingly slow start to an American League that appears entirely up for grabs.
One of the best things about April in any season is the emergence of players who were barely on the radar when the season began, in turn altering our idea of their importance and role on the roster. This week’s power rankings take a look at those surprise contributors across the league so far in 2025.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (14-6)
On a roster practically overflowing with superstars, how about Jack Dreyer, a 26-year-old rookie who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021, becoming one of Dave Roberts’ most trusted bullpen options? He doesn’t throw nearly as hard as the higher-profile hurlers on the L.A. pitching staff, but Dreyer has been every bit as effective (0.75 ERA, 16 strikeouts in 12 innings), and his developmental arc is a nice reminder that the Dodgers do a lot of things well beyond spending boatloads of cash.
2. San Diego Padres (15-4)
Can Randy Vásquez keep getting away with it? The right-hander has a 1.74 ERA through four starts and 20 ⅔ innings, but his poor peripherals (14 walks, just eight strikeouts) suggest some harsh regression might be coming soon. Vásquez’s concerningly low strikeout rate in 2024 seemingly put his rotation spot in jeopardy, but injuries have necessitated a return to the role in 2025. He has completely overhauled his repertoire, dramatically reducing his four-seam fastball usage in favor of more cutters and sweepers. The underlying metrics aren’t pretty, but the results have been there so far. Let’s see if he can keep it up.
3. San Francisco Giants (13-6)
Wilmer Flores being tied for the NL home run lead and leading MLB in RBI stands out, but Randy Rodriguez looks like an absolute weapon in the late innings for manager Bob Melvin’s bullpen, and his dominant start to the season feels far more sustainable than Flores’ gaudy production. Rodriguez’s strike-throwing has notably improved as a sophomore, allowing his incredible raw stuff to play up further. He has had some trouble with inherited runners but has been outstanding otherwise, striking out 13 batters across 8 ⅔ innings with zero walks and just six hits allowed. Rodriguez leads all relievers in fWAR.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (11-8)
If Taijuan Walker can prove capable of being a respectable No. 5 starter…