Apr 7, 2026
MLB Power Rankings: Who’s your team’s early difference-maker?
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Every week, we ask a selected group of our baseball writers — local and national — to rank the teams from first to worst. Here are the collective results.
The early days of the 2026 MLB season have produced memorable debuts, unforgettable images and regrettable decisions. The implementation of ABS has captivated fans, and the baseball itself has done the rest. For this week’s edition of the Power Rankings, we highlighted one member of each team who has been an early difference-maker.
All stats are through Monday afternoon.
Record: 8-2
Last Power Ranking: 1
Early difference-maker: Andy Pages
Pages went so cold last October — his only notable “hit” occurred when he steamrolled Kiké Hernández on an outfield catch to keep Game 7 of the World Series alive — that it obscured an otherwise excellent 2025 campaign. Pages has gotten off to a torrid start at the plate this season, powering the Dodgers’ offense as it woke up this weekend in sweeping the lowly Washington Nationals. Pages smacked a crucial double that keyed Sunday’s eighth-inning comeback. He collected 16 hits in his first nine games, including three home runs. He offers some right-handed-hitting balance for a lineup that relies upon the left-handed-hitting thump of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncy. With Mookie Betts now on the injured list, Pages’ bat will be even more important for the Dodgers. — Andy McCullough
Record: 7-2
Last Power Ranking: 2
Early difference-maker: Ben Rice
The Yankees’ offense has almost no one hitting in the .200s right now; it’s all guys hitting below the Mendoza Line or batting up in the high .300s, like Rice, whose late-blooming breakout — he’s 27 now — came last year, even if some tough luck hid just how big that breakout was. There’s no hiding it now, as he’s pummeling the ball night after night and adding depth to a middle of the order that already contained multitudes. Even though he went to Dartmouth, Rice’s Baseball Savant page is big red, with his quality of contact metrics all among the very best in the game. — Tim Britton
Record: 8-2
Last Power Ranking: 6
Early difference-maker: Brice Turang
While much of the rest of Team USA has been stuck in a post-World Baseball Classic malaise, Turang has hit the ground running, helping power the Brewers’ offense to its first-place standing in the NL Central. New to 2026: power. It’s early, but through Sunday, Turang’s Average Exit Velocity (95.8 mph) is in the 96th percentile, and his Squared-Up percentage (33.3) is in the 89th. Last year, those marks were in the 76th and 71st percentiles, respectively. It’s not showing up in his homer count (one) but Turang already has four doubles and one triple. A season ago, Turang didn’t get his fourth double until his 45th game. He’s played just nine games so far. — Johnny Flores Jr.
Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 5
Early difference-maker: Mark Vientos
One of the breakout stars for the Mets in 2024, Vientos had a rough 2025, a rougher spring where he looked lost at the plate, and an inactive first few days of the season. But since starting his first game of the season last Tuesday, he’s started six straight and is off to a 10-for-21 start with a slugging percentage north of .700. It’s a reminder to never trust your eyes during spring training and to give your bench a shot in the first fortnight of the year. Over a weekend without Juan Soto, it was Vientos who made sure the Mets’ offense still picked up steam. — Britton
Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 10
Early difference-maker: Bryce Elder
Elder here is a stand-in for a pitching staff that, on the whole, has stepped up more than expected. This day last year, Atlanta was 1-8 and had been shut out three times. Now it owns three shutouts itself despite losing 60 percent of its starting rotation in spring training. Elder has spun two very good starts, allowing only two unearned runs while striking out 13 in 13 innings. Elder was a 24-year-old All-Star in 2023, when he made 31 starts with an ERA better than the league average. That might be what Atlanta needs from him again in the difficult NL East. — Britton
Record: 4-7
Last Power Ranking: 3
Early difference-maker: Emerson Hancock
When the Mariners chose Hancock at No. 6 in the 2020 draft, the team hoped he could headline the starting rotation alongside fellow first-round picks like George Kirby and Logan Gilbert. His route into that role has been slowed by shoulder injuries and general ineffectiveness. But he’s off to a good start in 2026; Hancock has lowered his arm slot, which has generated additional movement on his four-seam fastball and two-seam sinker. He permitted only one run in 12 2/3 innings in his first two starts. With Bryce Miller coming off a rough 2025 and nursing an oblique injury, there is an opportunity for Hancock to grab a regular role among the Mariners’ starters. — McCullough
Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 9
Early difference-maker: Cristopher Sánchez
Hey, sometimes your early difference-maker is just your ace. Sánchez has struck out 17 over 11 1/3 innings in his first two starts, both of them ultimately Philadelphia wins. Aaron Nola took a step back last year, and the Phillies are still waiting for Zack Wheeler’s velo to pop as he returns from thoracic outlet syndrome. It sure is nice they have last year’s Cy Young runner-up to hold down the fort in the meantime. — Britton
Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 4
Early difference-maker: Kevin Gausman
It might be time to start contemplating where Gausman’s five-year contract with the Blue Jays fits in among the best free-agent signings of a starting pitcher in baseball history. (The Mount Rushmore, off the top of our head, is Greg Maddux in Atlanta, Randy Johnson in Arizona, Max Scherzer in Washington and Zack Wheeler in Philadelphia.) Gausman pitched better than the game results last October for Toronto, and he’s off to an excellent start this year, with 21 punchouts through two outings. So yeah, let’s focus on that and not on losing five of six to the Rockies and White Sox. — Britton
Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 8
Early difference-maker: Edward Cabrera
Longtime admirers of the right-hander, Jed Hoyer’s front office finally executed an offseason trade to bring him to the North Side, believing his 2025 campaign was merely scratching the surface of his potential. So far, consider that calculus correct. Over 11 2/3 innings, Cabrera maintains a pristine 0.00 ERA, having allowed just two hits. The strikeouts (nine) and walks (six) are as expected, but pairing Cabrera with an elite infield defense has mitigated some of that risk. With Cade Horton (right forearm) on the 15-day IL and Justin Steele still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Cabrera’s ability to slot in at the top of a rotation is massive. — Flores
Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 15
Early difference-maker: Yordan Alvarez
It is no coincidence that Houston’s streak of postseason appearances ended last year during a campaign in which Alvarez played only 48 games. From 2022 to 2024, only Aaron Judge produced a better wRC+ than Alvarez at 174. Alvarez is a multi-faceted monster at the plate, one capable of spoiling good pitches, working long counts and punishing mistakes. He slugged .900 with a .578 OBP in his 10 games this year. It is also no coincidence that Houston, with Alvarez back at the top of its lineup, had scored more runs than any other club heading into Monday’s games. — McCullough
Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 11
Early difference-maker: Colt Keith
Though he’s yet to hit a home run on the year, Keith has more than made up for it with a .407 average and 1.004 OPS on the back of 11 hits, including four doubles to start his season. Of particular note, Keith has raised his bat speed by 3 mph, going from 70.7 mph (27th percentile) in 2025 to 73.7 mph (74th percentile) in 2026. In turn, his Average Exit Velocity, Squared-Up, Barrel and Hard-Hit Rates have all increased year over year. He’s also chasing and whiffing less than he ever has before. Last year, Detroit sent six Tigers to the All-Star Game. Keith is making an early case to be part of this year’s contingent. — Flores
Record: 2-8
Last Power Ranking: 7
Early difference-maker: Wilyer Abreu
Fresh off an electrifying performance in the World Baseball Classic, Abreu has been just about the only one performing in the Red Sox lineup so far. He doesn’t have more hits than the entire Boston infield, but we did have to do the math to be sure. Abreu has homered three times and, importantly, held his own in a handful of plate appearances against lefties (3-for-7, two doubles). He’d taken a small but meaningful step forward against southpaws last season, so this is a nice building block early. — Britton
Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 16
Early difference-maker: The offseason additions
In need of offensive reinforcements to help transform an offseason that finished last in OPS in 2025, Pittsburgh signed Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna and swung a trade for Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum. Consider O’Hearn and Lowe major early-season wins. O’Hearn (1.159 OPS) and Lowe (1.022) have been at the center of a new-look Pirates offense that has the Buccos in the mix in the NL Central. Sure, Ozuna was benched amidst a 2-for-27 start to the year, and Mangum hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire, but you can’t win them all. Honorable mention: Oneil Cruz and his newfound ability to hit left-handed pitching. — Flores
Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: T-13
Early difference-maker: Brandon Nimmo
Nimmo has provided the sort of offense that the front office hoped to receive when they dealt away infielder Marcus Semien this past offseason. He probably won’t bat .389 all season, but fellow outfielder Wyatt Langford probably won’t hit .150 all year, either. (If last year was any indication, Joc Pederson may continue hitting .059.) At the very least, Nimmo has provided a spark as the leadoff hitter for new manager Skip Schumaker. He was one of the few Rangers able to get on base this past weekend during a dreary series against Cincinnati. The Rangers managed only four runs while getting swept by the Reds. — McCullough
Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: T-13
Early difference-maker: Kyle Isbel
It took a minute (six seasons to be exact), but Isbel is finally pairing his standout center-field defense with a bat to match. He has a hit in every game he’s played, with two multi-hit games interspersed. Consider Isbel an early benefactor of the Royals’ offseason decision to move the fences at Kauffman Stadium in and shorten the wall heights, as his late homer against the Twins wouldn’t have happened otherwise. His 1.148 OPS leads the Royals, and his .444 average is among the best in baseball. — Flores
Kyle Isbel’s seventh-inning home run travelled only 360 feet and jumped off the bat at 98.6 MPH to the right field corner.
Since 2024, that is the “softest” hit home run from Isbel and the shortest as well.
The new look Kauffman helps the Royals again!pic.twitter.com/kfwj312tgY
— The Royals Rundown Podcast (@RoyalRundownPod) April 2, 2026
Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 12
Early difference-maker: Trevor Rogers
Every fantasy player in America had the same question several rounds into their draft: How real was what Rogers did last season? Through two starts in 2026, Rogers has backed up his remarkable performance since last June. It’s now 20 starts with an 11-3 record and a 1.76 ERA; the O’s are 15-5 in those games. Yes, the strikeout rate is down. Yes, the walk rate is up, and sure, the FIP is up because of those two things. So you might be justified still in wondering: Just how real is this? — Britton
Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 17
Early difference-maker: Mason Miller
Runs have not come easy for the Padres this season, but the team still generated four save opportunities for Miller, who has only further enhanced his reputation as the least hittable pitcher in the land. Miller added an impeccable closer’s entrance when he adopted Korn’s “Blind” as his soundtrack. (The kids are even saying he “entrance-mogged Edwin Díaz.”) The opposing hitters might as well go up with their eyes closed: Miller struck out 11 of the 15 batters he faced in those first four appearances. He has given up just one hit. The San Diego roster is not exactly functioning at a high level these days, but new manager Craig Stammen certainly has the ninth inning covered. — McCullough
Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 21
Early difference-maker: Chase DeLauter
Only one player (Trevor Story, seven) has hit more home runs in their first seven career regular-season games than DeLauter and his five longballs. He is tied with Rece Hinds (2024) and Mark Quinn (1999) for the second-most in MLB history since 1900. That’s just the kind of start DeLauter has had to his MLB career. The power numbers (95.6 mph Average Exit Velocity, 21.1 percent Barrel Rate, 57.9 percent Hard-Hit Rate) are legit, and with Cleveland almost certainly having to contend with another largely mediocre offense, DeLauter can be the difference between an AL Central title push and an early vacation. — Flores
Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 23
Early difference-maker: Sandy Alcantara
When he won the Cy Young in 2022, Alcantara didn’t earn his first of six complete games that season — no team had that many last season, by the way — until late May. This year, he twirled a shutout of the White Sox in his second start, and he’s tossed 16 innings without allowing an earned run. Alcantara’s second half last season was strong; his last six weeks very strong. If he pitched that well this season, he’d remain the subject of trade rumors. If he pitches as well as he has through two starts, the Marlins might contend enough to keep him in Miami. — Britton
Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 19
Early difference-maker: Corbin Carroll
A broken hamate bone cost Carroll a chance to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. The injury has not deterred him from providing a boost for an otherwise somnolent Diamondbacks offense. Neither Nolan Arenado nor Carlos Santana looks rejuvenated in their new environment. Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo were batting beneath the Mendoza Line. The lineup took another hit when infielder Jordan Lawlar suffered a broken wrist after getting hit by a pitch. So more of the burden will remain upon Carroll, who has been one of baseball’s best players since he arrived in the majors in 2022. — McCullough
Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 18
Early difference-maker: Yandy Díaz
Sure, we’re only looking at like a week and a half here, but let’s appreciate the now seven-plus seasons that Díaz has spent with Tampa Bay. He owns a top 10 OBP in the sport over that time (nestled between Shohei Ohtani and Christian Yelich) and his wRC+ is 135 — tied with Matt Olson, just behind Mookie Betts and just ahead of Jose Altuve and José Ramírez. (So no, the Junior Caminero trade isn’t the only deal with the Rays they lament on the banks of the Cuyahoga.) If Aaron Judge doesn’t win the AL batting title, chances are Díaz does. — Britton
Record: 7-3
Last Power Ranking: 22
Early difference-maker: Chase Burns
After Cincinnati elected to begin the season with a six-man rotation, Burns has made the most of his opportunity, pitching to 0.82 ERA over his first two starts (11 innings). He’s struck out 16 batters, including nine in Sunday’s sweep over the Texas Rangers. So far, he’s looked every bit the part of a No. 2 overall pick, with the Reds going 2-0 in his outings. With Cincinnati’s offense not having quite jelled to open the season, it’s been the starting pitching that has carried the club. Burns and Rhett Lowder have been at the center of that. — Flores
Record: 3-8
Last Power Ranking: 20
Early difference-maker: Daniel Susac
The infielders are dropping balls and slinging cuss words. The manager is referencing Kanye West. The offense appears allergic to scoring runs. The Giants are not exactly off to a rip-roaring start in 2026. So let’s give a nod to Susac, a Rule 5 pick who supplied three hits in his first start as a Giant over the weekend. He actually entered Monday leading the club in wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference. He has taken four at-bats. That should give you a sense of how things are going so far in the Bay Area. — McCullough
Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: T-26
Early difference-maker: Jo Adell
Who cares that Adell, once one of baseball’s top prospects, has not generated an extra-base hit this season? His defensive performance on Saturday night was one for the ages, producing the sort of excitement that Angel Stadium hasn’t experienced all that often since Shohei Ohtani left town. Adell robbed the Mariners of three home runs. The last was the best, as he soared over the low right-field containing wall to steal one from Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford. Looks like Adell’s preseason work with Angels special assistant Torii Hunter was worth it. — McCullough
Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: T-26
Early difference-maker: Taj Bradley
After struggling through his first six starts as a Twin following a deadline trade from Tampa Bay, Bradley has allowed just one run through his first 10 1/3 innings (two starts) of 2026. He’s averaging 97.3 mph on his fastball, up from 96.2 mph a season ago, and even flashed triple digits in his last start. That early-season heat has led him to the top of the Twins leaderboard for fastest pitches thrown by starters in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). His late decision to pull out from Team Mexico in the WBC to focus on the season has seemingly paid off for a Twins team deep into rebuild mode. — Flores
Record: 3-6
Last Power Ranking: 24
Early difference-maker: Shea Langeliers
Amid a team-wide slump, Langeliers swatted five home runs in his first nine games. He supplied two more hits in a wild, 12-10 victory over the Astros on Sunday. The Athletics hoped their young offense would help them contend this season, but most of the crew has gotten off to a slow start. Reigning Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz was slugging just .185, with 14 strikeouts in 36 at-bats. Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler have all struggled, too. Langeliers, at least, has provided an early boost for a group that has needed it. — McCullough
Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 25
Early difference-maker: Matthew Liberatore
In a season that will be defined by which young Cards step up, Liberatore is showing early why he should be a key part of the St. Louis rotation for seasons to come. After taking the ball on Opening Day, Liberatore has pitched to a 1.64 ERA over his first two starts. Though the strikeouts are down, he is limiting hard contact and isn’t walking a ton of hitters, either. How he can translate that over a 30-start season will be one of the biggest things to watch in 2026. — Flores
Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 28
Early difference-maker: Joey Wiemer
Look, there are probably some more important longer-term developments for the Nats this early (C.J. Abrams, Cade Cavalli, etc.). But we have a basic rule: When a guy is slashing .400/.500/.800, you give him some ink. Once a top-100 prospect, Wiemer has become well-traveled; Washington is his sixth team since the start of 2024. His stance isn’t quite as funky as it used to be, and there’s always hope that this is a post-hype breakthrough rather than a flash in the pan. In the midst of a doubled-down rebuild, the Nationals sure could use an unexpected boost. — Britton
Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 29
Early difference-maker: Munetaka Murakami
Before Murakami inked his two-year deal with the White Sox, one NL Pacific Rim scout opined that his strikeout rate isn’t going anywhere, so “It’s just going to be, ‘Can he get to enough home-run damage to make it worth it?’” Consider Chicago’s $34 million investment worth it so far. The former NPB slugger has four home runs on the year, the second-most in baseball, and though he has 13 strikeouts, it’s nowhere near the top of the league. He’s barreling the ball at a high clip and also taking his walks. The defense has also been solid, with Murakami making a heads-up play against the Blue Jays and a diving stop Opening Day weekend. — Flores
Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 30
Early difference-maker: Tomoyuki Sugano
Sugano led the American League with 33 home runs allowed for Baltimore last season. At 36, wielding an arsenal that can charitably be described as “crafty” but cannot be called “electric,” his profile looked worrisome for Coors Field. Yet in his home debut for the Rockies on Sunday, Sugano was . . . actually pretty good! He struck out five Phillies in six innings of one-run baseball. His lone blemish was, indeed, a solo home run by outfielder Adolis García. But otherwise Sugano kept the Phillies in the park and off the base paths. He has made two solid starts for Colorado, which won a series against Toronto last week and are trending closer to competent so far this year. If that sounds like faint praise, just remember: this team did not win a series in 2025 until June. — McCullough
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MLB Power Rankings: Who’s your team’s early difference-maker?