We’re days away from the full start of the 2025 MLB season, so to help kick off The Athletic’s extensive opening week coverage, let’s debate and discuss each team’s lineup, from the best (the Dodgers) to the worst (the White Sox). We’ll do the same thing with the starting rotations in a couple of days.
Here’s how I rank the Opening Day lineups for all 30 teams as an intriguing season gets underway.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The world champion Dodgers led the sport in OPS last year and were second in runs scored. Their offense is led by three future Hall of Famers: reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani and former MVPs Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. This year, they’ll have versatile Tommy Edman and his solid combination of speed and power for a full season. They brought back the 30-homer bat of Teoscar Hernández and added a 20-home run hitter in left fielder Michael Conforto. The Dodgers are deep with 20-30 home run power up and down the lineup.
2. Atlanta Braves
The Braves’ 2024 offense was hampered by injuries and subpar performances from most of their star players. Their team OPS fell from .845 in ’23 to .724 in ’24. Ronald Acuña Jr., the 2023 NL MVP, blew out his left knee in May and missed the rest of the season. DH Marcell Ozuna was the only hitter to produce up to his accustomed level as he belted 39 home runs with 104 RBIs. However, when healthy and playing up to their potential, the Braves have as good an offense as there is in the game, led by Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II and Acuña, who should return sometime in May. All-Star left fielder Jurickson Profar, whom the Braves signed in free agency, lengthens their lineup even further.
3. Texas Rangers
The Rangers, like the Braves, had a season filled with injuries and underperformance. Center fielder Evan Carter and third baseman Josh Jung missed most of the season with injuries while right fielder Adolis García and second baseman Marcus Semien had down years. The Rangers’ front office wanted to add slug, so it traded for first baseman Jake Burger and signed DH Joc Pederson, a duo that combined for 52 home runs in 2024. This talented, powerful offense is led by shortstop Corey Seager and left fielder Wyatt Langford; eight of the nine starters have hit 20 or more homers in a season.
The Mets have a stout top of the lineup with Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and company. (Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
4. New York Mets
Juan Soto, the Mets’ $765 million superstar, singlehandedly changed the complexion of this lethal lineup. The top half of the Mets’ lineup is special with shortstop Francisco Lindor, who finished second in the NL MVP voting and was a stolen base shy of a 30/30 season; Soto, who has a career .421 on-base percentage; Alonso, who is good for 35 to 40 homers a season; and Mark Vientos, who broke out with 27 bombs last year. Catcher Francisco Alvarez will start the year on the IL with a broken hamate bone in his left hand but still has 25-30 home run power and breakout potential.
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5. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks led the majors in runs scored and on-base percentage last season and have brought back most of the lineup outside of first baseman Christian Walker, who signed with the Astros in free agency. The D-Backs’ front office did an excellent job of pivoting to replace Walker’s 2024 production (26 homers, 84 RBIs) by trading for Josh Naylor, who hit 31 homers with 108 RBIs last year with Cleveland.
The Diamondbacks should get much more consistent production from star right fielder Corbin Carroll, who had a subpar second year in the majors — at least by his high standards. Second baseman Ketel Marte was their best hitter last year and finished third in the NL MVP voting. This is a well-rounded lineup that has power, speed and knows how to move the chains. Watch for 22-year-old rookie Jordan Lawlar to make an impact in the second half of the season if he gets an opportunity.
6. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies finished fifth in the majors in runs scored last year and are led by veterans Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, who combined to hammer 68 home runs. They have several hitters with a solid balance of power and speed, including Trea Turner (21 homers, 19 stolen bases in 2024), second baseman Bryson Stott (11 homers, 32 steals) and outfielder Brandon Marsh (16 homers, 19 steals). Age and decline may be areas of concern for catcher J.T. Realmuto, 34, and right fielder Nick Castellanos, 33, but both should produce enough to help the Phillies get back to the postseason.
7. San Diego Padres
The losses of shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and left fielder Jurickson Profar in free agency depleted the depth of the lineup, but the Padres still have a strong core, led by right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., third baseman Manny Machado and center fielder Jackson Merrill. They must hope that shortstop Xander Bogaerts can have a bounce-back year and that Luis Arraez can win his fourth straight batting title. The offensive production they get from left field and the DH spot will determine how good the Padres’ offense will be this year.
Jarren Duran had a career-high .834 OPS last season. (Chris Tilley / Imagn Images)
8. Boston Red Sox
The Alex Bregman signing is a game-changer for Boston — not just because of his 25-home run pull power but also his leadership, by voice and example, which will help its young hitters develop faster. The Red Sox are led by Rafael Devers, who moves from third base to DH for Bregman, and All-Star left fielder Jarren Duran, who last year led the majors in doubles and triples while hitting 21 homers and stealing 34 bags.
Center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, 24, and first baseman Triston Casas, 25, are primed for breakout years, but even more exciting for Sox fans is the talented trio that’s on the verge. Outfielder Roman Anthony, shortstop Marcelo Mayer and second baseman Kristian Campbell are three of the best prospects in baseball, and all three are expected to make their major-league debuts sometime this year.
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9. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers were sixth in the majors in runs scored last year but will need to overcome the loss of star shortstop Willy Adames, who signed with the Giants in free agency. This lineup will be led by outfielder Jackson Chourio, who hit 21 homers and stole 22 bases in his rookie season, and William Contreras, who was the best offensive catcher in the game last year with an .831 OPS, 23 homers and 92 RBIs.
First baseman Rhys Hoskins hit 26 homers last year and should be able to get to 30 this season now that he’s another year removed from ACL surgery. But the key for the Brewers’ lineup is their speed; last season, they had four players steal 20 or more bases, led by infielder Brice Turang, who swiped 50 bags. Another key for this offense might be the return of Christian Yelich, who is coming off a serious lower back injury; he’s had a strong spring (1.011 OPS, three home runs).
10. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles were fourth in the majors in runs scored last season and did that despite a subpar year from catcher Adley Rutschman and dismal rookie campaign by second baseman Jackson Holliday. However, I think Rutschman will bounce back and be an MVP candidate, and Holliday has shown signs in spring training that he’s ready to live up to his potential.
The Orioles’ offense is led by superstar shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who will begin the season on the IL with a strained intercostal muscle, and outfielder Colton Cowser, who hit 24 homers last year and finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. The O’s do a lot of platooning and matchups with their lineup and have incredible depth at their disposal.
They have power at first base and DH with Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn, and speed from center fielder Cedric Mullins and the versatile Jorge Mateo. They added right-handed power in the offseason by signing left fielder Tyler O’Neill and backup catcher Gary Sánchez. However, losing the 40-plus homer bat of Anthony Santander dropped them a few slots in my rankings.
11. New York Yankees
Losing Soto to the Mets was a huge blow, but at least the Yankees were able to add a couple of quality bats in center fielder Cody Bellinger and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Still, the absence of Soto will allow opponents to pitch around right fielder Aaron Judge in critical situations.
Having second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s power-speed combination for a full year should help, but the key to the Yankees’ offense is going to be the development of their young players, including catcher Austin Wells, shortstop Anthony Volpe and left fielder Jasson Domínguez as well as perhaps first baseman/DH Ben Rice.
12. Houston Astros
The offseason losses of Bregman and Kyle Tucker are significant. However, the Astros did an excellent job of trying to replace them, landing first baseman Christian Walker, third baseman Isaac Paredes and right fielder Cam Smith. Walker and Paredes should be able to combine for 50 homers. Smith, who might make the team out of spring training, could become a Rookie of the Year candidate.
The Astros’ offense is led by future Hall of Famer Jose Altuve, who will move to left field for most of his games, and DH Yordan Alvarez, a .300 hitter with 30-35 home run power. Yainer Diaz is one of the best offensive catchers in the game and shortstop Jeremy Peña looks primed to possibly have a career-best year — his mindset has never been better. The main concern for Houston’s lineup is the bottom third, which is well below average.
13. Kansas City Royals
The Royals finally landed a leadoff hitter this past offseason when they traded pitcher Brady Singer to the Reds for infielder/outfielder Jonathan India, who gives them a 35-percent on-base player at the top of the order. India will provide important traffic for the big three who follow him in the lineup, led by my pick this year for AL MVP, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., along with future Hall of Fame catcher Salvador Perez and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino.
In addition, don’t be surprised if the Royals’ 2024 first-round pick, Jac Caglianone, arrives in late May or early June to play one of the outfield corners. He has Matt Olson-type power and could be a deciding factor in Kansas City’s bid to win the AL Central. The best part of the Royals’ lineup is they don’t strike out; they had the fewest strikeouts in the AL last year.
Anthony Santander was third in the majors last season in home runs, behind Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. (Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images).
14. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays improved their offense considerably by signing left fielder Santander, who belted 44 home runs last season for the Orioles. He’ll slot in between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette in the lineup, making it difficult for teams to pitch around any of them.
Guerrero should be able to repeat his MVP-type season from 2024, and there’s reason to believe Bichette will have a bounce-back season; both impending free agents will be playing for their next contracts.
I like the additions of Will Wagner (acquired last year from the Astros in the Yusei Kikuchi trade) and Andrés Giménez to the Blue Jays’ lineup, and I strongly believe that catcher Alejandro Kirk, who just signed a five-year extension, will have a much better offensive season in 2025.
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15. Minnesota Twins
The Twins’ lineup is so difficult to rank because Minnesota’s three best players — shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Royce Lewis and center fielder Byron Buxton — are never (OK, rarely) healthy together. Case in point: Lewis will start the season on the injured list with a moderate left hamstring strain.
I’m expecting a breakout year from outfielder Matt Wallner; the 27-year-old’s loud bat and power were on display in Fort Myers this spring. The Twins had only two players hit 20 or more homers last year — catcher Ryan Jeffers and first baseman Carlos Santana, and the latter departed to Cleveland in free agency. They will need more production from some of their young players, especially infielder Brooks Lee, outfielder Trevor Larnach and the versatile Willi Castro. Lee (back soreness) is expected to start the season on the IL.
16. Chicago Cubs
The blockbuster offseason trade for right fielder Kyle Tucker improves the Cubs’ lineup and finally gives them a superstar who can carry the team when others are slumping. The Cubs can count on solid offensive production from shortstop Dansby Swanson and left fielder Ian Happ. But how good is this lineup? That will depend on the development of center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, third baseman Matt Shaw and catcher Miguel Amaya.
17. Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians lost the right side of their infield this past offseason, trading first baseman Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks and second baseman Andrés Giménez to the Blue Jays. Cleveland’s offense is led by superstar José Ramírez, who is coming off a season with 39 home runs and 41 stolen bases, but it will have to depend on 38-year-old Carlos Santana, who replaces Naylor at first, and young players such as DH Kyle Manzardo to supply additional power. Left fielder Steven Kwan will provide traffic at the top of the lineup; he led the team in on-base percentage last year with a .368 mark.
18. Cincinnati Reds
The lineup is led by emerging superstar shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who last year hit 25 home runs and topped the NL with 67 stolen bases. They have Matt McLain back to play second base after he missed the entire 2024 season following shoulder surgery. McLain provided 16 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 89 games in 2023 and has the potential to deliver a 25/25 season this year.
However, the Reds have more questions than answers in all of the infield and outfield corners, and only time will tell how well they’re able to piece together this offense. I think they need to add a middle-of-the-order impact bat between now and the trade deadline if they want to make the postseason.
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Can CJ Abrams join the 30/30 Club this season? (Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
19. Washington Nationals
The Nationals should take the next step forward as their young nucleus, led by shortstop CJ Abrams, who hit 20 homers and stole 31 bases last year, continues to develop and improve. Abrams added upper-body strength in the offseason that could lead to a 30/30 season.
The key to the Nationals’ lineup is on the outfield corners: left fielder James Wood’s loud bat has been compared to that of Darryl Strawberry, and right fielder Dylan Crews is my pick for NL Rookie of the Year. The Nationals added a couple of veteran bats on the infield corners this past offseason by trading for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and signing infielder Paul DeJong; the duo should be able to provide 40 home runs combined this year. Also worth monitoring: Washington hopes prospects such as center fielder Robert Hassell III and third baseman Brady House will be ready for call-ups in September.
20. Athletics
The Athletics are led by DH Brent Rooker, who hit 39 homers and stole 11 bases last year, and right fielder Lawrence Butler, an emerging star who added 22 homers and 18 steals. Both signed long-term contracts with the club this past offseason. This offense is also boosted by the 20-plus home run power of catcher Shea Langeliers and center fielder JJ Bleday. The Athletics’ move from the Oakland Coliseum to Sacramento’s more hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park should instantly improve their offensive numbers as well.
21. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners led the AL in strikeouts last year and didn’t make any offseason additions to improve that area of their offense outside of the coaching staff. (Edgar Marinez, who served as interim hitting coach at the end of last season, is now the senior director of hitting strategy, and Kevin Seitzer joined the staff as the new hitting coach after 10 years with Atlanta.) The Mariners’ offense is led by center fielder Julio Rodríguez, who is coming off a subpar year but has the potential to be an MVP candidate.
Seattle is hoping Victor Robles can repeat his .307 average and 34 steals and that catcher Cal Raleigh, left fielder Randy Arozarena and first baseman Luke Raley can again combine for 76 home runs. The Mariners brought back Jorge Polanco, who is moving from second to third base, and although he hit only .213 with 16 homers last year, they feel he will offer more production if he can avoid knee and hamstring injuries that have dogged him.
22. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have moved Mike Trout from center to right field in an attempt to keep him healthy and on the field, something they’ve struggled to do in GM Perry Minasian’s four-season tenure. The Halos added power in the offseason by trading for DH Jorge Soler, who hit 36 homers two years ago with Atlanta.
Shortstop Zach Neto was the Angels’ best offensive player last year, hitting 23 homers and stealing 30 bases; the 24-year-old, who is recovering from November shoulder surgery and will start the season on the IL, has a chance to become a star, as does Logan O’Hoppe, who is developing into one of the best catchers in the league.
First baseman Nolan Schanuel supplies the on-base percentage but minimal power. Left fielder Taylor Ward (111 OPS+ last year) and second baseman Luis Rengifo (116 OPS+) are solid presences in the lineup. The Angels are hoping their patchwork additions of veterans such as third baseman Yoán Moncada and shortstop Tim Anderson will contribute and that outfielder Jo Adell will finally have a breakout.
23. San Francisco Giants
The Giants dipped into free agency this offseason, landing their long-term solution at shortstop, Willy Adames, who hit 32 homers and stole 21 bases for Milwaukee last year. The rest of the Giants’ power will come from third baseman Matt Chapman, who swatted 27 homers last year, and left fielder Heliot Ramos, who added 22 more. The key for this offense will be center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, who San Francisco has high expectations for after he missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury.
Riley Greene put up a 133 OPS+ last season. (Junfu Han / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
24. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers improved their offense on the right side of the infield by signing former Yankee Gleyber Torres to play second base and moving Colt Keith from second to first. The Tigers’ offense is led by left fielder Riley Greene and right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Detroit tried to land third baseman Bregman in free agency, offering him the most years and dollars, but he opted to sign with Boston instead. There are more questions than answers at the bottom of their lineup, which is why they’re ranked this low.
25. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays’ lineup is led by the right side of their infield — first baseman Yandy Díaz and second baseman Brandon Lowe — but how successful it is could come down to the production from rookie third baseman Junior Caminero, who has a chance to be an All-Star-caliber player, and right fielder Josh Lowe, who has a solid combination of power and speed.
The Rays hope that DH Jonathan Aranda can be a legitimate contributor and that Christopher Morel can improve as a hitter so his power-speed combination is playable. With Ha-Seong Kim still working his way back from shoulder surgery, the Rays have an open competition at shortstop; Taylor Walls is expected to start, but youngsters Carson Williams and Curtis Mead are knocking on the door.
26. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies’ offense is led by the speed-power combination of center fielder Brenton Doyle, who hit 23 homers and stole 30 bases last year, and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who added 26 homers and a league-leading 45 doubles. First baseman Michael Toglia hit only .218 but did provide 25 bombs and 10 steals. Third baseman Ryan McMahon continues to be the Rockies’ most consistent hitter while contributing 20-home run power. Two keys for their offense: Can the Rockies get some type of comeback season from DH Kris Bryant? And what production will they get from right field (where Jordan Beck is expected to start)?
27. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals come up short as a team in slugging. In fact, DH Alec Burleson was the only Cardinal with 20 or more home runs last year. For the Cardinals’ offense to show improvement this year, they’ll need breakout seasons from outfielders Jordan Walker and Lars Nootbaar and shortstop Masyn Winn while hoping their veterans on the corners, first baseman Willson Contreras and third baseman Nolan Arenado, can have bounce-back years.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates have an emerging superstar in Oneil Cruz, who should be able to improve on his 21-home run, 22-stolen base season now that he is a full-time center fielder. Right fielder Bryan Reynolds and veteran Andrew McCutchen provide solid consistency at the plate. The Pirates added a veteran bat in Tommy Pham to play left field, but this offense just lacks quality and depth. They need catcher Joey Bart to show that last year’s improvement was real, and they need a healthy Ke’Bryan Hayes to finally live up to his potential.
29. Miami Marlins
The Marlins have the worst lineup in the National League. The best part of their offense is the left side of the infield: shortstop Xavier Edwards, who hit .328 with 31 steals last year, and third baseman Connor Norby, who’s learning a new position and is ready to contribute at the plate, though he just picked up an oblique injury. This lineup has athleticism and power but not enough hit tool, overall, to be competitive.
30. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have the worst lineup in the American League, and it’s only going to get worse when they trade their best hitter, center fielder Luis Robert Jr., between now and the trade deadline. Chicago is hoping that first baseman Andrew Vaughn is better than last year (.246 average, 19 homers) and that Andrew Benintendi can repeat or top his 20-homer season of a year ago. But the rest of the lineup is basically filled with role players who are serving as placeholders until the farm system can produce better major leaguers.
(Top image: Shohei Ohtani: Christian Petersen / Getty Images; Marcell Ozuna: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
