MLB 2025: Yankees' Pitching Woes, Rays' Rising Stars, and Angels' Surprising Surge
April 17, 2025
The 2025 MLB season is underway, with teams and players showing promising starts early in the campaign.
Ben Rice has emerged as a key player for the Yankees, excelling in offensive metrics and contributing significantly to the team's success in the division.
However, the Yankees' starting rotation is struggling, with a combined ERA over 6.00 outside of Max Fried, which puts pressure on the team's depth and raises questions about future trades for pitching.
In contrast, Jonathan Aranda of the Rays is batting nearly .400 and leading in doubles, while Spencer Torkelson shows potential for a breakout season with significant improvements in his hitting mechanics.
On the other hand, the Atlanta Braves are surprisingly struggling, with a poor start and ranking low in both runs scored and ERA, raising questions about their season outlook.
Similarly, the Baltimore Orioles need to improve their offense to capitalize on their talent, as early-season injuries and underperformance have left them at the bottom of the AL East.
Shane Baz, a former top pitching prospect for the Rays, is also having an impressive start to the season with a 1.42 ERA and high strikeout rates, boosting his potential for a Cy Young candidacy.
The Los Angeles Angels are defying expectations with a strong start, led by Mike Trout and the breakout of Kyren Paris, who has made significant improvements to his game.
Despite their early success, the Texas Rangers sit with a negative run differential and low offensive output, raising concerns about their sustainability at the top of the AL West.
Summary based on 1 source
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FOX Sports • Apr 17, 2025
MLB roundtable: Can the Yankees keep this up? Is Shane Baz a star?