{"id":668129,"date":"2026-04-07T10:20:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/668129\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T10:20:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:20:22","slug":"mlb-power-rankings-whos-your-teams-early-difference-maker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/668129\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB Power Rankings: Who\u2019s your team\u2019s early difference-maker?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every week,\u200b we\u200b ask a selected group of our baseball\u200b writers\u200b \u2014 local and national \u2014 to rank the teams from first to worst<\/a>. Here are the collective results.<\/p>\n

The early days of the 2026 MLB season have produced memorable debuts<\/a>, unforgettable images<\/a> and regrettable decisions<\/a>. The implementation of ABS has captivated fans, and the baseball itself has done the rest. For this week\u2019s edition of the Power Rankings, we highlighted one member of each team who has been an early difference-maker.<\/p>\n

All stats are through Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Record: 8-2
Last Power Ranking: 1<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Andy Pages<\/p>\n

Pages went so cold last October \u2014 his only notable \u201chit\u201d occurred when he steamrolled Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez on an outfield catch to keep Game 7 of the World Series alive \u2014 that it obscured an otherwise excellent 2025 campaign. Pages has gotten off to a torrid start at the plate this season, powering the Dodgers\u2019 offense as it woke up this weekend in sweeping the lowly Washington Nationals. Pages smacked a crucial double that keyed Sunday\u2019s 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\u2019 bat will be even more important for the Dodgers. \u2014 Andy McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 7-2
Last Power Ranking: 2<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Ben Rice<\/p>\n

The Yankees\u2019 offense has almost no one hitting in the .200s right now; it\u2019s all guys hitting below the Mendoza Line or batting up in the high .300s, like Rice, whose late-blooming breakout \u2014 he\u2019s 27 now \u2014 came last year, even if some tough luck hid just how big that breakout was. There\u2019s no hiding it now, as he\u2019s 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\u2019s Baseball Savant page<\/a> is big red, with his quality of contact metrics all among the very best in the game. \u2014 Tim Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 8-2
Last Power Ranking: 6<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Brice Turang<\/p>\n

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\u2019 offense to its first-place standing in the NL Central. New to 2026: power. It\u2019s early, but through Sunday, Turang\u2019s 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\u2019s not showing up in his homer count (one) but Turang already has four doubles and one triple. A season ago, Turang didn\u2019t get his fourth double until his 45th game. He\u2019s played just nine games so far. \u2014 Johnny Flores Jr.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 5<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Mark Vientos<\/p>\n

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\u2019s started six straight and is off to a 10-for-21 start with a slugging percentage north of .700. It\u2019s 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\u2019 offense still picked up steam. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 10<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Bryce Elder<\/p>\n

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. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 4-7
Last Power Ranking: 3<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Emerson Hancock<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019 starters. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 9<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Cristopher S\u00e1nchez<\/p>\n

Hey, sometimes your early difference-maker is just your ace. S\u00e1nchez 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\u2019s velo to pop as he returns from thoracic outlet syndrome. It sure is nice they have last year\u2019s Cy Young runner-up to hold down the fort in the meantime. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 4<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Kevin Gausman<\/p>\n

It might be time to start contemplating where Gausman\u2019s 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\u2019s off to an excellent start this year, with 21 punchouts through two outings. So yeah, let\u2019s focus on that and not on losing five of six to the Rockies and White Sox. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 8<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Edward Cabrera<\/p>\n

Longtime admirers of the right-hander, Jed Hoyer\u2019s front office finally executed an offseason trade<\/a>\u00a0to 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\u2019s ability to slot in at the top of a rotation is massive. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 15<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Yordan Alvarez<\/p>\n

It is no coincidence that Houston\u2019s 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\u2019s games. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 11<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Colt Keith<\/p>\n

Though he\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s contingent. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 2-8
Last Power Ranking: 7<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Wilyer Abreu<\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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\u2019d taken a small but meaningful step forward against southpaws last season, so this is a nice building block early. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 6-4\u00a0
Last Power Ranking: 16<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: The offseason additions<\/p>\n

In need of offensive reinforcements to help transform an offseason that finished last in OPS in 2025, Pittsburgh signed Ryan O\u2019Hearn and Marcell Ozuna and swung a trade for Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum. Consider O\u2019Hearn and Lowe major early-season wins. O\u2019Hearn (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\u2019t exactly lit the world on fire, but you can\u2019t win them all. Honorable mention: Oneil Cruz and his newfound ability to hit left-handed pitching. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: T-13<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Brandon Nimmo<\/p>\n

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\u2019t bat .389 all season, but fellow outfielder Wyatt Langford probably won\u2019t 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. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: T-13<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Kyle Isbel<\/p>\n

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\u2019s played, with two multi-hit games interspersed. Consider Isbel an early benefactor of the Royals\u2019 offseason decision to move the fences at Kauffman Stadium in and shorten the wall heights, as his late homer against the Twins wouldn\u2019t have happened otherwise. His 1.148 OPS leads the Royals, and his .444 average is among the best in baseball. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Since 2024, that is the “softest” hit home run from Isbel and the shortest as well.<\/p>\n

The new look Kauffman helps the Royals again!pic.twitter.com\/kfwj312tgY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Royals Rundown Podcast (@RoyalRundownPod) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 12<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Trevor Rogers<\/p>\n

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\u2019s now 20 starts with an 11-3 record and a 1.76 ERA; the O\u2019s 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? \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 17<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Mason Miller<\/p>\n

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\u2019s entrance<\/a> when he adopted Korn\u2019s \u201cBlind\u201d as his soundtrack. (The kids are even saying he \u201centrance-mogged Edwin D\u00edaz.\u201d) 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. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 21<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Chase DeLauter<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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.\u00a0 \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 23<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Sandy Alcantara<\/p>\n

When he won the Cy Young in 2022, Alcantara didn\u2019t earn his first of six complete games that season \u2014 no team had that many last season, by the way \u2014 until late May. This year, he twirled a shutout of the White Sox in his second start, and he\u2019s tossed 16 innings without allowing an earned run. Alcantara\u2019s second half last season was strong; his last six weeks very strong. If he pitched that well this season, he\u2019d 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. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 19<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Corbin Carroll<\/p>\n

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\u2019s best players since he arrived in the majors in 2022. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 18<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Yandy D\u00edaz<\/p>\n

Sure, we\u2019re only looking at like a week and a half here, but let\u2019s appreciate the now seven-plus seasons that D\u00edaz 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 \u2014 tied with Matt Olson, just behind Mookie Betts and just ahead of Jose Altuve and Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez. (So no, the Junior Caminero trade isn\u2019t the only deal with the Rays they lament on the banks of the Cuyahoga.) If Aaron Judge doesn\u2019t win the AL batting title, chances are D\u00edaz does. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 7-3
Last Power Ranking: 22<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Chase Burns<\/p>\n

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\u2019s struck out 16 batters, including nine in Sunday\u2019s sweep over the Texas Rangers. So far, he\u2019s looked every bit the part of a No. 2 overall pick, with the Reds going 2-0 in his outings. With Cincinnati\u2019s offense not having quite jelled to open the season, it\u2019s been the starting pitching that has carried the club. Burns and Rhett Lowder have been at the center of that. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 3-8
Last Power Ranking: 20<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Daniel Susac<\/p>\n

The infielders are dropping balls and slinging cuss words. The manager is referencing Kanye West<\/a>. The offense appears allergic to scoring runs. The Giants are not exactly off to a rip-roaring start in 2026. So let\u2019s 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. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: T-26<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Jo Adell<\/p>\n

Who cares that Adell, once one of baseball\u2019s top prospects, has not generated an extra-base hit this season? His defensive performance<\/a> on Saturday night was one for the ages, producing the sort of excitement that Angel Stadium hasn\u2019t 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\u2019s preseason work with Angels special assistant Torii Hunter was worth it. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: T-26<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Taj Bradley<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 3-6
Last Power Ranking: 24<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Shea Langeliers<\/p>\n

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. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 25<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Matthew Liberatore<\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 28<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Joey Wiemer<\/p>\n

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\u2019t quite as funky as it used to be, and there\u2019s 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. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 29<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Munetaka Murakami<\/p>\n

Before Murakami inked his two-year deal with the White Sox, one NL Pacific Rim scout opined that his strikeout rate isn\u2019t going anywhere, so \u201cIt\u2019s just going to be, \u2018Can he get to enough home-run damage to make it worth it?\u2019\u201d Consider Chicago\u2019s $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\u2019s nowhere near the top of the league. He\u2019s 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<\/a>\u00a0and a diving stop Opening Day weekend. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 30<\/p>\n

Early difference-maker: Tomoyuki Sugano<\/p>\n

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 \u201ccrafty\u201d but cannot be called \u201celectric,\u201d 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 Garc\u00eda. 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. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n