Early 2025 MLB Surprises, Struggles, and Standouts

It’s only been a month, give or take, but things are already… unfolding. The expected stars are mostly shining, the powerhouse clubs are doing their thing, and baseball, for the most part, feels familiar — aside from those two minor league parks still throwing off the vibe. April is always a bit foggy, yet there’s this strange clarity if you squint the right way.

Is Aaron Judge gearing up for another monster run? Could we actually see a team flop harder than last year’s disaster record? Maybe even witness the golden age of stolen bases take full form? Nobody knows for sure — though a lot of scouts, coaches, execs, and players certainly have theories.

So, here’s something that does feel firm. Maybe not forever, but for now? Yeah, it’s holding.

The National League Looks… Just Better

People kind of saw this coming, but the way the NL is handling the AL right now is something else. The numbers lean heavily in favor of the NL — more wins, better scoring, higher on-base production. And all this is happening despite the drag of the Colorado Rockies being a full-on mess.

The NL bats are outperforming their AL counterparts in just about every way. They’re walking more, whiffing less, smashing more homers, and causing chaos on the basepaths. And when it comes to pitching? NL arms are holding a stronger ERA when matched up in cross-league games.

Some would argue that seven different NL teams might be stronger than any single team the AL has right now. Take your pick — Yankees? Maybe. Tigers? Perhaps. But those NL teams are something else. And the Reds? Quietly one of the most dangerous squads out there, even if they’re not in that top tier yet.

NL’s Heavy Hitters Are Making Statements

The Dodgers are built like a movie script. Even with injuries and slumps, they remain terrifying. They roll out guys like Ben Casparius from nowhere and suddenly you’ve got 99-mph fastballs and breaking stuff spinning like a tornado.

The Padres might have the meanest bullpen in baseball. Seven shutouts already? That says something. And that’s while missing key players. When everyone’s back, things could turn wild in San Diego.

Then you’ve got the Mets — best record in the league, even while Juan Soto searches for his power and Brandon Nimmo hasn’t fully clicked. Pitching is doing all the heavy lifting right now, and Pete Alonso is just crushing.

The Cubs have turned into a scoring machine. Home runs, stolen bases, top-to-bottom offense. It’s almost fun just checking their box scores. If only their pitching wasn’t such a concern…

Meanwhile, the Giants feel like they’re sneaking up on people. Their bullpen is putting in work, and even if the offense doesn’t scream dominance, players like Mike Yastrzemski and Wilmer Flores are stepping up in big moments.

The Steal Is Back — The Batting? Not So Much

Ever since new rules kicked in, steals have come roaring back. This April already has more than the same point last year. And with success rates hovering near 80%, who’s gonna stop these runners? It’s become second nature for guys to turn a walk into a virtual double.

And it’s not just burners doing it. Bryce Harper, Manny Machado — not exactly your usual suspects — are swiping bags. Everybody’s joining in.

But when it comes to hitting in general, the bounce people hoped for hasn’t quite happened. The league averages haven’t shifted much. There are fewer strikeouts, yes, but also more outs made on balls in play. Somehow, even with the rules aimed at boosting offense, defenses seem to be one step ahead.

The Torpedo Bat Hype Already Fizzled

Remember that weird-looking bat the Yankees were swinging on opening weekend? It had a wild look — thick in all the right places, or so it seemed. For a minute there, it looked like it might break the game open.

But now? The numbers have fallen off hard for the players who started hot with it. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Cody Bellinger aren’t lighting things up anymore.

Still, not everyone’s ditched it. Steven Kwan is hitting .333 with one. Cal Raleigh only uses it from one side of the plate, and that’s where he’s mashing. So maybe the bat’s not useless — just not magic.

Worth mentioning: Aaron Judge isn’t even using one. Just his regular stick, and somehow he’s still leading the planet in hitting. So… maybe the bat wasn’t the story after all.

The Rockies? This Might Be Historically Bad

There’s bad baseball. Then there’s this. The Colorado Rockies are not just struggling. They’re in a kind of tailspin that feels… unrecoverable.

Their numbers are rough: almost no wins, nearly the worst ERA in history, striking out a ton, scoring almost nothing. They’re behind by double-digit games — and it’s not even summer.

Honestly, the comparisons to last year’s White Sox meltdown feel fair. Except the Rockies’ schedule is tougher. A lot tougher. So unless something changes soon, we might be witnessing a new low.

Pitching Depth? Orioles and Braves Are Hurting

In Baltimore, it feels like the front office just hoped for the best. No big moves, and now the rotation’s cracking. Injuries have piled up, and the money they did spend hasn’t really panned out.

Atlanta’s in a similar spot. They’re cycling through arms like it’s spring training, and the offense hasn’t been enough to cover the gaps. There’s a little hope — Ronald Acuna Jr. could shift the mood — but the start has been rocky.

Breakout Pitchers Already Turning Heads

Hunter Brown (Astros): Quietly dominant. Real power arm. Might be Houston’s next ace.
Max Meyer (Marlins): Striking out everybody. That slider is a nightmare.
Shane Baz (Rays): Finally healthy and throwing gas. Big upside here.
Matthew Liberatore (Cardinals): Reliable, smart, and not walking anyone. A total change from last year.
Nick Pivetta (Padres): Swing-and-miss stuff that’s finally clicking. About time.

Hitters On the Rise

Corbin Carroll (D-backs): Looking sharp, dangerous, and fast. MVP talk? Maybe.
Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs): Huge strides at the plate. Not just a glove guy anymore.
James Wood (Nationals): So much raw power. If he keeps adjusting, look out.
Oneil Cruz (Pirates): Loud contact, speed, swagger. It’s all coming together.
Jung Hoo Lee (Giants): Just solid baseball. Smart, smooth, and reliable.

Slow Starts That Are… Concerning

Tanner Bibee (Guardians): Command is off. New cutter hasn’t worked.
Raisel Iglesias (Braves): Getting hit hard, especially the slider.
Marcus Semien (Rangers): No pop, no speed — not himself yet.
Anthony Santander (Blue Jays): Big contract, small results so far.
Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox): Might need a change of scenery. Or a reset.

So that’s where we are. One month down, a ton of questions still floating around. Things will shift, players will rise or fall, but April — well, it already gave us plenty to chew on.

If you’re curious about where some of these players stand historically, the MLB stats archive is always a rabbit hole worth diving into.