2025 LitZone MLB Power Rankings: #20 - #16

With the bottom 10 teams out of the way, it’s time to take a look at the teams in the middle. This is a group of teams who could rise into the top 10 if all goes well, or drop further down the rankings. Let’s see if there is a hidden World Series contender somewhere in the midst!

20. Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins find themselves stuck in the middle of our power rankings at number 20, not terrible but certainly not where they hoped to be.

Their season depends on the performance of three key players. Pablo Lopez, their potential ace, has shown flashes of brilliance with his nasty changeup but struggles with consistency. When he's on, the Twins can beat anybody, when he's off, things unravel quickly. The team desperately needs him to find his groove every fifth day.

Carlos Correa, though not old at 30, has some fans wondering if his best days are behind him. His batting average has dipped, but he still delivers clutch hits. The Twins are paying him superstar money and need more than just "good" from their shortstop. They need the Correa who carried Houston in years past.

Then there's Byron Buxton, possibly the most talented player nobody sees enough of. When healthy, he's a human highlight reel, crushing homers, stealing bases, and making impossible catches. Unfortunately, Buxton spends almost as much time in the training room as on the field, like a Ferrari that's always in the shop.

For the Twins to climb these rankings, Lopez needs to pitch like a true ace, Correa must find his power stroke and leadership, and Buxton simply needs to stay healthy. The talent is there, but until these three players step up, Minnesota remains trapped in baseball's middle class, not bad enough to rebuild, not good enough to contend.

19: Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays find themselves at nineteenth to start the 2025 season, with their success heavily depending on the health of their star pitcher. Shane McClanahan is as good as they come when he's on the mound, but injuries keep getting in his way. He's starting the season on the injured list, but the Rays know they'll need him back healthy if they want to compete.

Junior Caminero is the young star Tampa Bay is betting on. After being baseball's #1 prospect and having a solid rookie year, the Rays expect him to become the new face of their franchise. This could be the season he becomes a household name.

Brandon Lowe has been up and down throughout his career with the Rays. When he's good, he's really good. When he's slumping, it gets ugly. Tampa Bay is hoping 2025 will be one of his "up" years, giving them the steady bat they desperately need.

18. Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds sit at number 18 in our power rankings, trying to climb their way up the standings. Their future depends on exciting young star Elly De La Cruz, who makes fans jump out of their seats with his amazing speed and power. He can hit the ball a mile and steal bases like nobody's business, but he also strikes out a lot. It's like having a sports car that sometimes stalls at red lights. If Elly can make more contact while keeping his power, he could become one of baseball's best players for years to come.

Hunter Greene brings the heat with his 100 mph fastball that makes batters look silly. Last season he showed what he can do, but this year the Reds need him to pitch more innings and be the ace of their staff. It's one thing to throw hard for five innings, but the Reds need him to go deeper into games if they want to win more.

Spencer Steer and Nick Lodolo help fill out the team around their stars. They're like the supporting actors who make the movie work even though they aren't on the poster. With these solid players backing up De La Cruz and Greene, the Reds have potential to move up in the rankings. But until their young stars fully develop, Cincinnati fans will have to be patient as their team hovers in the bottom half of our list.

17. Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays enter 2025 at number 17 in our rankings despite their talented roster. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains their bright spot after a solid 30-homer season last year. When Vladdy connects, the ball rockets out of the park, and the Jays will be counting on him to power their offense this season.

Toronto made a splash by signing Anthony Santander away from division rival Baltimore after his impressive 40-homer campaign. The Jays hope his power bat will provide the punch they've been missing and protect Guerrero in the lineup.

Bo Bichette, once considered a future MVP, is looking to bounce back from a disappointing year. If he can rediscover the swing that made him one of baseball's top shortstops, the Blue Jays could surprise everyone. With Guerrero leading the charge, Santander bringing his power, and Bichette trying to rebound, the Blue Jays have potential to climb these rankings.

16. Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians take the sixteenth spot in our rankings as they look to build on their successful 2024 campaign.

Jose Ramirez continues to be one of baseball's most underrated superstars. After nearly joining the exclusive 40-40 club (40 homers and 40 stolen bases), he returns as the heart and soul of Cleveland's lineup. Despite being smaller than most power hitters, Ramirez generates incredible pop from both sides of the plate. Having signed a long-term deal to stay in Cleveland, he's committed to bringing a championship to the city that has embraced him.

Emmanuel Clase dominated the regular season like few relievers in history, posting an ERA under 1.00 and collecting 47 saves. However, when the bright lights of October shined, he faltered at the worst possible time. Those playoff struggles now hang over him as he looks to prove he can be trusted in the biggest moments. Will he use those failures as motivation or will doubt creep in during crucial situations?

Steven Kwan sets the table for Cleveland's offense with his excellent contact skills and speed. The left fielder consistently puts the ball in play and reaches base, but the Guardians wonder if he can add more power to his game.

After years of competing despite limited resources, the Guardians have established themselves as perennial contenders. Their success this season depends on Ramirez continuing his MVP-level play, Clase bouncing back from playoff disappointment, and young players like Kwan taking the next step in their development.