2025 FTN MLB Power Rankings, April 21: Cubs Slugging Their Way Up the Ranks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are 13-9, a .591 winning percentage. In five divisions in baseball, they’d be in first or second. In the NL West, where they actually play, they’re in fourth. In our FTN MLB Power Rankings so far, though, they are eighth overall and second in the division.

Still the runaway No. 1 in our power rankings, though, are the Dodgers, who were a walkoff home run from Adolis García Saturday away from a perfect 6-0 week. And of course, the bottom of the power rankings are no surprise, with the Rockies (No. 29) and White Sox (No. 30) both struggling to resemble big-league ballclubs.

So let’s take a look at where the power rankings sit and how the FTN Model sees the season playing out. Below are some key takeaways, and then check at bottom for the full power rankings.

Key Takeaways

Still Believing in the Braves

The Braves swept the Twins over the weekend. That’s good. The bad news is that the three-game sweep took them from 5-13 to 8-13, still the third-worst record in the National League. Still, our power rankings aren’t swayed. The Braves looked like a World Series contender in the preseason, and we still have them winning 90-plus games.

Things Tightening in the AL West

The Rangers spent the first couple weeks of the season comfortably ahead of the Astros and Mariners in our power rankings. Texas is still out in front, but given Houston’s history, and the fact that the Mariners have been rolling of late, things have gotten closer out there. Right now, Texas is No. 6 in our rankings, Houston No. 7 and Seattle No. 11.

No Faith in Cleveland

The Guardians are just a half game out in the AL Central at 12-9. But our power rankings have been low on Cleveland all season, and that remains true. Cleveland’s -4 run differential is far worse than the team’s .571 winning percentage, and that’s a big part of why our power rankings have them at No. 26 this week, ahead of only the execrable White Sox in the AL Central.

Cubs Offense Firing on All Cylinders

The Yankees are second in runs scored entering Monday, at 126. The Cubs are No. 1, at a whopping 145 runs scored. They have a top-five walk rate as a team and a bottom-six strikeout rate. Their 122 wRC+ (admittedly on a small sample) would have comfortably led the league in 2024. Our power rankings have the Cubs at ninth right now, way out in front in the NL Central (the Brewers are second, 16^th overall).

Check out our full rankings below: