The MLB season handed its midpoint this previous week. Yardbarker’s MLB writers took the chance to come back collectively handy out some first-half grades for the American League groups.
(Data and stats are coming into play on Monday.)
AL East
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero throws to first base for an out within the fourth inning in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Peter Aiken-Imagn Pictures
Baltimore Orioles (36-47) | Grade: F | The spotlight of the Orioles’ first half might need been firing former manager Brandon Hyde, which hasn’t paid off. It’s time to hit the reset button in Baltimore, however not earlier than a painful second half that should be performed.
Boston Red Sox (41-44) | Grade: C | The Purple Sox have been a middling membership earlier than trading away star third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. It’s no shock, due to this fact, that they continue to be one now regardless of being alive within the American League playoff image.
New York Yankees (48-35) | Grade: B+ | Simply one other strong half of baseball for the Yankees, who’re prime 5 in MLB in workforce ERA (3.46) and OPS (.784) coming into play on June 30. Nevertheless, a latest hunch revealed simply how dependent New York stays on celebrity outfielder Aaron Decide — it would go so far as he’ll take it.
Tampa Bay Rays (47-37) | Grade: A | Calling George M. Steinbrenner Discipline residence for 2025 hasn’t affected the Rays in any respect to this point. They’ve been among the finest groups in MLB since Could 31, with an 18-9 record in that span (solely the Houston Astros have been higher), thanks largely to nice pitching and the emergence of third baseman Junior Caminero as a star.
Toronto Blue Jays (45-38) | Grade: A | Certainly one of baseball’s shock groups within the first half, the Toronto Blue Jays have stayed aggressive via their first 83 video games. And we’re not simply speaking in regards to the Wild Card, both: The Blue Jays are solely three video games behind the Yankees for first place within the AL East, with an enormous three-game set between the 2 golf equipment slated to start Monday night time in Toronto. — Seth Carlson
AL Central
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal appears to be like on in the course of the first inning in opposition to the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Pictures
Chicago White Sox (28-56) | Grade: C+ | The White Sox are nonetheless one of many worst groups within the majors, however they’ve been rather more aggressive this season. Their success this season will likely be primarily based on how far their youthful gamers progress as they acclimate to the majors.
Cleveland Guardians (40-42) | Grade: C- | The Guardians have been anticipated to contend for the AL Central title; as a substitute, they’ve been mediocre offensively whereas the pitching employees has struggled. Whereas the Guardians might flip the season round, it’s getting late early.
Detroit Tigers (53-32) | Grade: A+ | The Tigers are proving their spectacular run over the ultimate six weeks final season just isn’t a fluke. Pitcher Tarik Skubal could also be heading to a second consecutive Cy Younger award, second baseman Gleyber Torres has been every little thing the Tigers hoped for and Javier Baez has resurrected his profession as a middle fielder. At this level, the Tigers often is the favourite to signify the AL within the World Sequence.
Kansas City Royals (39-45) | Grade: F | Sure, the Royals tried to enhance the lineup in the course of the offseason. Nevertheless, these efforts have been for naught because the Royals are dead last within the majors with 276 runs scored. A wonderful pitching employees has been utterly wasted by a lineup that wants drastic adjustments.
Minnesota Twins (40-44) | Grade: C | The Twins didn’t do a lot to enhance the workforce and have hovered across the .500 mark after a 13-game successful streak briefly pushed them into the playoff image. A forgettable grade for a forgettable workforce feels proper. — David Hill
AL West
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh hits a single in the course of the first inning in opposition to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Discipline.
Tim Heitman-Imagn Pictures
Athletics (34-52) | Grade: C | Whereas the on-field play has been underwhelming, the A’s 2025 season was all the time about constructing towards the long run. The membership has developed long-term expertise at key positions, together with shortstop (Jacob Wilson), outfield (Lawrence Butler), first base (Nick Kurtz) and designated hitter (Brent Rooker).
Houston Astros (50-34) | Grade: A |
The Astros have overcome the lack of third baseman Alex Bregman (free company) and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (harm) to stay an AL West powerhouse. The latest incarnation of the membership is constructed round starters Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez, mixed with elite relievers Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader.
Los Angeles Angels (41-42) | Grade: B+ | The surprisingly aggressive Angels are some of the spectacular storylines of the 2025 season. Along with their sizzling begin, the membership is establishing a successful core round shortstop Zach Neto and catcher Logan O’Hoppe.
Seattle Mariners (43-40) | Grade: C+ |
Cal Raleigh’s push for the perfect offensive season from a catcher in league historical past has been an simple vivid spot. Sadly, the dearth of offensive manufacturing that has plagued Seattle in latest seasons remains to be its Achilles’ heel.
Texas Rangers (41-43) | Grade: D | The Rangers have gotten wonderful manufacturing from Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and the remainder of their beginning rotation. Surprisingly, their once-feared offensive core of Marcus Semien (2B), Corey Seager (SS), Joc Peterson (DH) and Adolis Garcia (OF) has collapsed, rating twenty fifth in baseball in complete RBI. — Allen Settle
