Each Major League Baseball (MLB) season brings a mix of expectations and predictions. As part of the 2025 season preview, bold forecasts were made for all 30 teams. These predictions aimed for realism rather than the outrageous, such as a catcher hitting 60 home runs. Now, it is time to evaluate how these predictions fared.
Pittsburgh Pirates Shine with Stellar Performance
The bold prediction for the Pittsburgh Pirates was that Paul Skenes would not only win the Cy Young Award but also achieve the best season ever for a Pirates starter in the live ball era. Skenes exceeded expectations, finishing with a remarkable 7.7 WAR and a 1.97 ERA. He achieved the highest wins above replacement (WAR) for a Pirates starter since 1920 and the lowest ERA for the same period. Grade: A+
Looking ahead to 2026, Skenes has the potential to improve on his innings pitched and possibly reach a 9- or 10-WAR season if he maintains his performance and receives more opportunities.
Mariners and Guardians Surpass Expectations
The Seattle Mariners prediction centered on Bryan Woo becoming the best starter. Woo delivered with a 15-7 record and a 2.94 ERA, leading the team in both categories. His performance earned him a fifth-place finish in the Cy Young voting. Grade: A+
For the Cleveland Guardians, Gavin Williams was expected to lead the rotation in ERA and WAR. Williams finished with a 3.06 ERA and 3.8 WAR, successfully meeting the prediction. Grade: A+
Looking forward, both teams will aim for continued success, with the Mariners looking for a stronger rotation and the Guardians hoping Williams can cut down on his walks.
Mixed Results for Teams in the Middle
The Detroit Tigers prediction was that Riley Greene would hit 30 home runs and make consecutive All-Star appearances. Greene achieved both, hitting 36 home runs and joining the All-Star roster, but his overall performance dipped significantly in other areas. Grade: A
In contrast, the Boston Red Sox forecast suggested that Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Jarren Duran would each win Gold Gloves. While Rafaela and Abreu received accolades, Duran fell short, leading to a grade of B+.
The New York Mets expected Juan Soto to set a club record for OPS while Pete Alonso would break his own RBI record. Soto fell short of the OPS record but finished among the top MVP finalists, while Alonso improved his RBIs but did not break his previous record. Grade: B
Challenges for Struggling Teams
The Arizona Diamondbacks faced a frustrating season with only one of their two predicted MVP candidates making the top ten. Although Corbin Carroll succeeded, Ketel Marte did not meet expectations. Grade: B
In stark contrast, the Washington Nationals prediction for CJ Abrams and Luis Garcia Jr. to each hit 25 home runs failed as both fell short. This led to a disappointing grade of D+.
The Miami Marlins were expected to trade Sandy Alcantara after a poor start, but he remained with the team. His performance improved in the second half, yet the initial prediction was rated D+.
The Chicago White Sox were predicted to lose 110 games. They did not quite reach that mark but still finished with 102 losses, resulting in a grade of D+.
Significant Disappointments and Future Prospects
The Toronto Blue Jays prediction that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be traded proved to be completely off base as he signed a substantial extension. This resulted in a grade of F-.
The Los Angeles Angels were expected to have six players hit 20 home runs but still lose 95 games. They fell short of both predictions, losing 90 games instead. Grade: B-
The San Francisco Giants prediction for Bryce Eldridge to lead the team in home runs did not materialize, leading to a disappointing grade of F.
As teams prepare for the 2026 season, lessons learned from these predictions will shape their strategies and expectations. Each team’s focus will range from bolstering pitching rotations to enhancing offensive capabilities, ensuring that the upcoming season is filled with new opportunities and challenges.
