The 2025 Major League Baseball season concluded with a mix of triumphs and disappointments across all thirty teams, following bold predictions made during preseason previews. Some forecasts proved accurate, while others fell flat. This analysis reviews the predictions for each team, assigning grades based on their performance and examining what lies ahead for next season.
Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners Shine
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the prediction that Paul Skenes would not only win the Cy Young Award but also have the best season for a Pirates starter in the live ball era turned out to be spot on. Skenes delivered an impressive 7.7 WAR and a 1.97 ERA, easily earning an A+ grade. Looking ahead to 2026, he has the potential to elevate his performance even further, aiming for a 9-10 WAR season.
The Seattle Mariners also received high marks, with the prediction that Bryan Woo would emerge as their top starter. Woo finished the season with a 15-7 record and a 2.94 ERA, earning another A+ grade. As the team prepares for 2026, they will rely on Woo’s continued development alongside a healthier rotation.
Solid Performances from Guardians and Tigers
In Cleveland, Gavin Williams excelled as expected, leading the Guardians in ERA and WAR with a 3.06 ERA and 3.8 WAR, solidifying an A+ grade. His strong curveball and newly developed slider suggest further improvement is possible in the coming year.
For the Detroit Tigers, Riley Greene achieved notable success by hitting 36 home runs and making the All-Star team, thus earning an A grade. However, his overall performance dipped in the second half of the season, indicating areas for growth as the Tigers approach 2026.
Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox’s prediction regarding their outfield trio winning Gold Gloves fell short. Although Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu earned accolades, Jarren Duran did not. The team received a B+ grade, and with Roman Anthony emerging, the Red Sox may explore trades to optimize their outfield depth.
Mets, Diamondbacks, and More Teams Review
The New York Mets had mixed results with both Juan Soto and Pete Alonso falling short of their predicted club records. Soto achieved a .921 OPS but did not surpass Mike Piazza‘s record, while Alonso finished with 126 RBIs, just shy of his own record. This led to a B grade.
The Arizona Diamondbacks hoped for two players in the MVP top ten, but only Corbin Carroll made it. Geraldo Perdomo replaced Ketel Marte in the rankings, leading to a B grade for the team. With Marte potentially on the trading block, the team faces decisions to strengthen their roster.
The Texas Rangers predicted a Wyatt Langford 30/30 season, but he fell short with a 22/22 record, earning a B- grade. The Angels, despite having six 20-homer hitters, did not meet expectations, finishing with a B- grade while still losing 90 games.
Disappointments and Future Prospects
The Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals both missed their marks. Kyle Tucker was expected to shine but ended with 22 home runs, leading to a C+ grade. Meanwhile, Vinnie Pasquantino had a solid season but did not meet the All-Star criteria, also earning a C+ grade.
The Philadelphia Phillies struggled with their starting rotation, leading to a C grade, while the Atlanta Braves saw injuries hinder Spencer Schwellenbach from achieving a top-five Cy Young finish, resulting in a C grade as well.
The Houston Astros faced challenges with injuries and performance, managing just 26 wins from their pitching trio, leading to a C- grade. Conversely, the Oakland Athletics’ prediction for Brent Rooker to lead in home runs fell flat, resulting in a C- as well.
The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins both faced disappointing seasons, with the Nationals’ infielders underperforming and the Marlins failing to trade Sandy Alcantara as predicted, resulting in D+ grades for both teams.
Teams like the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins experienced the most significant failures. The Yankees, despite predictions of finishing under .500, won 94 games, earning an F grade for that prediction. The Twins also faltered, finishing with one of the worst bullpen ERAs in MLB history, leading to another F grade.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As teams begin preparations for the 2026 season, many will reflect on the successes and failures of the past year. Key players such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be integral in shaping their teams’ futures, while organizations will need to make strategic decisions based on the lessons learned in 2025. The upcoming offseason promises to be pivotal for all teams as they aim for improvement and success in the next campaign.
