FanGraphs Energy Rankings: Spring Coaching 2026 (No. 1–17)

Pitchers and catchers begin reporting to Arizona and Florida this week, which implies it’s time to wrap up our pre-spring coaching energy rankings. Final week, we took inventory of how the projections considered the underside 18 groups in baseball as they head into camp. At present, we’ll shift our focus to the groups projected to complete with a .500 or higher document in 2026. These rankings present an excellent barometer for which groups took large steps ahead with splashy signings and trades this offseason, and which of them have been left within the mud.

Our energy rankings use a modified Elo ranking system. For those who’re aware of chess rankings or FiveThirtyEight’s defunct sports activities part, you’ll know that Elo is a chic rating format that measures groups’ relative energy and could be very reactive to latest efficiency. For these pre-spring coaching rankings, I’ve pulled the Depth Charts projections — now powered by each the 2026 Steamer and ZiPS projections — and calculated an implied Elo rating for every workforce. First up are the complete rankings introduced in a sortable desk. Beneath that, I’ve grouped the groups we’re protecting immediately into tiers, with feedback on every membership. The delta column within the desk under reveals the change in rating from the final offseason run of the ability rankings in November.

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After successful back-to-back championships, the Dodgers refused to face pat with what would have already been the very best roster in baseball even with none offseason additions. As a substitute, they went out and obtained higher, signing Edwin Díaz to stabilize the bullpen and Kyle Tucker to man proper discipline. That dedication to enchancment and refusal to be glad are the massive the explanation why Los Angeles has been a mannequin franchise for greater than a decade now. Baseball being baseball, the very best roster on paper within the spring isn’t assured {hardware} within the fall, however the Dodgers have finished nearly every part they may this winter to make sure their postseason ends with a 3rd consecutive championship.

The Braves have fallen effectively in need of their lofty projections every of the final two years. They nonetheless managed to sneak into the playoffs in 2024, however they weren’t so fortunate final yr, lacking out on the postseason for the primary time since 2017. The computer systems gained’t be deterred. The projections as soon as once more suppose very extremely of the Braves after a busy offseason. Atlanta re-signed Raisel Iglesias and introduced in final yr’s Nationwide League saves chief, Robert Suarez, to lock down the late innings. Mike Yastrzemski supplies a bit extra depth within the outfield too. Sadly, the harm bug that has plagued them the final two years has already struck this winter: Ha-Seong Kim, re-signed to be Atlanta’s beginning shortstop, injured a tendon in his proper hand in a freak accident final month. He’ll miss the primary few months of the season, which implies the workforce should flip to some mixture of Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo up the center in the interim.

At first, it appeared just like the Mets had been content material to let the offseason slip by them. Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz each signed huge free agent offers away from New York in December, although the Mets managed to change these two superstars that very same month, signing Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco. Granted, neither substitute is as splashy a signing as Alonso or Díaz, however their efficiency on the sector shouldn’t fall too quick. The exodus of long-time roster fixtures wasn’t confined to these two superstars both: Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil had been traded away, although New York obtained Marcus Semien within the Nimmo deal. Then the calendar flipped to January, and a flurry of strikes got here with it. Bo Bichette signed a three-year pact, and the Mets traded for each Freddy Peralta and Luis Robert Jr. in a couple of quick days. Abruptly, the complete infield surrounding Francisco Lindor is totally new, there’s a middle fielder with a excessive ceiling to exchange the departed Nimmo, and the beginning rotation boasts a real ace to guide the group. It’s a whole lot of turnover in a single offseason, however the workforce appears stronger, extra versatile, and higher positioned to problem for the NL East crown than it did on the finish of October.

The Mariners had two main priorities this offseason: re-sign Josh Naylor and discover a versatile infielder who may play second and third base. They checked off that first precedence throughout the first few weeks of the offseason, however the second took longer to return collectively. Final week, they lastly discovered a commerce that introduced Brendan Donovan to Seattle. The Mariners are within the enviable place of getting each a significant league roster constructed to win now and a top-heavy farm system with a handful of prospects who’re near debuting. The problem is discovering alternatives for these kids to transition to the massive leagues with out affecting the workforce’s playoff odds an excessive amount of. That makes Donovan a great match. The workforce will head into spring coaching with Cole Younger penciled in because the starter at second base, whereas giving Colt Emerson a chance to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Donovan ought to see most of his time at third, however his flexibility offers the workforce a more-than-capable backup plan if Younger stumbles or Emerson forces the problem.

The Phillies achieved the mandatory, if uninspired, work of re-signing Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto to maintain their veteran core intact for the foreseeable future. Bringing in Adolis García to bolster the outfield is a dangerous wager on a possible bounce again, however he ought to not less than be higher than Nick Castellanos was in 2025. It additionally appears like Philadelphia can be giving Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter alternatives to make the Opening Day roster this spring. Each of these prospects have lingering questions — well being for Painter, the viability of his bat for Crawford — however graduating them to the majors is a crucial step in the direction of constructing the following technology of contributors after the workforce’s ageing stars depart or decline.

The Tigers had a really eventful couple of days final week. First, they signed Framber Valdez to an enormous three-year deal to provide the workforce a legit quantity two starter to pair with Tarik Skubal. And talking of their two-time Cy Younger award winner, Detroit misplaced their landmark arbitration case towards their ace the day after signing Valdez. We’ll save any dialogue of Skubal’s future with the ballclub for an additional time, however for now, that one-two punch atop the rotation makes the Tigers the clear favourite of their division and elevates them only a hair behind Seattle for the very best projected document within the American League.

After a reasonably profitable season that resulted in a disappointing exit within the Divisional spherical, the Cubs reloaded this winter and appear to be the strongest workforce within the NL Central. At the least on paper — that’s additionally what the projections thought final yr, however the shocking energy of the Brewers meant that Chicago needed to accept second place within the division. Alex Bregman replaces Kyle Tucker because the ex-Astro du jour, whereas the remainder of the lineup that was so strong in 2025 largely returns. The Cubs pitching employees has additionally been overhauled, with many of the effort geared in the direction of bolstering the bullpen. Edward Cabrera is a pleasant addition to the rotation, whereas Justin Steele ought to return from his elbow harm in some unspecified time in the future early within the season. All in all, the Cubs look lots like they did at this level final yr: adequate to win their division, however nonetheless a step behind the very best groups within the NL.

The highest 4 groups within the AL East are all projected to complete inside two wins of one another. That ought to make for a dramatic summer time as all of them race to assert the division. The Yankees sit only a bit forward of the opposite three groups on this tier, although they didn’t do a lot to raise their roster this offseason. Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Trent Grisham had been all re-signed, and the commerce for Ryan Weathers offers the rotation a little bit of depth because the workforce waits for Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón to return from their respective accidents. It’s nonetheless largely the identical ballclub that completed tied with the Blue Jays for the very best document within the AL final yr — Devin Williams is the one vital participant who didn’t return. It wasn’t an impressed offseason, however New York did simply sufficient to stay slight favorites within the hardest division in baseball.

If their postseason efficiency is something to go by, the Blue Jays shouldn’t have a tough time difficult the Yankees for the division crown once more in 2026. Sure, the lack of Bo Bichette will harm considerably, however Andrés Giménez is a incredible defender even when his bat doesn’t come near Bichette’s. As a substitute of re-signing their star shortstop, the Jays selected to make a splash by signing Dylan Stop to a seven-year deal to bolster the rotation. That group must also profit from full seasons from Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber. Toronto additionally fortified its depth by signing Kazuma Okamoto and Cody Ponce from Japan and Korea, respectively, and added Tyler Rogers to the aid corps.

Boston’s failure to re-sign Alex Bregman or usher in a comparable infielder looms massive this offseason. On Monday, the Crimson Sox acquired Caleb Durbin from the Brewers, giving them a versatile younger infielder they’ll plug in at second or third. Durbin isn’t a star like Bregman, however he’s a strong participant who simply completed third within the NL Rookie of the Yr voting final yr. That transfer seemingly places a cap on a really busy offseason for the Crimson Sox the place they managed to enhance practically each different a part of their roster. Sonny Grey and Willson Contreras came visiting in a pair of trades with the Cardinals, and the additions of Ranger Suárez and Johan Oviedo lengthen what was already a reasonably deep beginning rotation.

The Orioles lastly spent large to complement the younger core they’ve been growing over the previous few years. Pete Alonso instantly supplies a strong bat to anchor Baltimore’s lineup, although the workforce didn’t do as a lot to enhance their beginning rotation. Buying and selling for Shane Baz and re-signing Zach Eflin had been first rate strikes, however neither profiles as a prime of the rotation arm and each have prolonged harm histories. Meaning the O’s are banking on a wholesome season from Kyle Bradish to boost the ceiling of their rotation. With Félix Bautista injured once more, Ryan Helsley was introduced in to deal with the ninth inning; hopefully he’s as much as the duty after a brutal end to the season final yr. The Orioles appears like they’ve improved the roster this offseason, however not sufficient to cowl all of their weaknesses. That places the workforce fourth in a really aggressive division and proper in the course of a large open Wild Card discipline within the AL.

On the heels of successful their third consecutive NL Central title, and their fifth within the final eight years, the Brewers reloaded to attempt to prolong their aggressive window a bit. That meant buying and selling away Freddy Peralta, their de facto ace, and getting again two Prime 100 prospects from the Mets. Each Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat ought to make an affect in Milwaukee sooner fairly than later, and the return of Brandon Woodruff ought to give the rotation a frontline arm — supplied he stays wholesome. Monday’s commerce of Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio is somewhat more durable to parse. Durbin appeared just like the type of versatile infielder Milwaukee has hoarded just lately, although perhaps that made him expendable; the commerce allowed them to get some extra assist for the rotation within the type of former prime prospect Kyle Harrison. Though the projections aren’t shopping for every part the Brew Crew did this winter, I’m certain they’ll be proper within the thick of the race for an additional division championship this fall.

After putting in Tony Vitello as supervisor in early November, the Giants spent many of the remainder of the offseason making a bunch smaller strikes. There weren’t any large splashes, however the sum of all these additions ought to increase the ground of San Francisco’s roster considerably. Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser ought to present some strong innings for the beginning rotation, whereas Luis Arraez and Harrison Bader lengthen the lineup. Bader, particularly, was a key addition — his wonderful protection ought to play effectively in Oracle Park’s expansive middle discipline and in addition permits Jung Hoo Lee to shift to proper. Because it stands, the Giants’ roster isn’t adequate to compete with the Dodgers within the NL West — nobody’s is, actually — but it surely appears like they could be capable of escape of the cycle of mediocrity they’ve been caught in for the final 4 years.

No workforce did extra to enhance their place in these rankings this offseason than the Pirates. Again in November, they had been projected to fall a hair in need of .500 with 80 wins. They’re now on the opposite aspect of that threshold with a projection of 82 wins. All it took was a handful of trades and a few the most important place participant free agent signings in franchise historical past. By no means thoughts that these free brokers had been Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna, although they’ll seemingly be the 2 most potent bats of their lineup this yr. Pittsburgh additionally introduced in Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Mason Montgomery in a three-way commerce that despatched Mike Burrows to Houston. Dealing from their beginning pitching surplus to enhance their offense was the plain transfer to make, particularly since a wave of younger starters — together with Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, and a returning Jared Jones — look able to make an affect within the large leagues. Oh, and Paul Skenes appears primed to win one other Cy Younger award. We’ll see if the lineup is improved sufficient to observe by on this thrilling projection.

After coping with a rash of accidents to their rotation and letting Framber Valdez stroll in free company, the Astros spent most of this offseason fortifying their pitching employees. They signed Tatsuya Imai and Ryan Weiss from Japan and Korea, respectively, and traded for Mike Burrows. All three are somewhat unproven and positively don’t profile like a frontline ace as Valdez does. Hunter Brown is greater than able to entering into that position, however the remainder of the brand new look rotation doesn’t undertaking as a energy but. There’s additionally the matter of the crowded infield. Carlos Correa was introduced in final summer time after Isaac Paredes injured his hamstring. Effectively, Paredes is wholesome now, however they don’t actually have a full-time position for him to play with Correa slated for third base, Jose Altuve shifting again to second, and Christian Walker manning first. These spring enjoying time logjams have a manner of figuring themselves out by the point Opening Day rolls round, but it surely’s a puzzle the workforce might want to work out quickly.

The Diamondbacks are in a bizarre place. Half of their roster is constructed to win now — Ketel Marte isn’t getting any youthful, and they should capitalize on the prime years of Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo. Sadly, the pitching employees is in shambles, and the workforce didn’t do a lot to piece any of it collectively this offseason. It doesn’t assist that Corbin Burnes, Justin Martinez, and A.J. Puk all went below the knife final summer time; that’s their finest starter and two of their finest relievers out till after the All-Star break not less than. Merrill Kelly re-signed after being dealt away final summer time and the workforce traded for Nolan Arenado; these are each tremendous additions, however neither moved the needle all that a lot. They’re simply caught on this limbo between really contending and rebuilding, ready for his or her pitching employees to get wholesome once more.

The Royals addressed their black gap within the outfield by buying and selling for Isaac Collins and signing Lane Thomas. Nonetheless, whereas each are helpful position gamers, and positively higher than what Kansas Metropolis was working with final yr, neither present a lot affect. In fact, it’s doable the Royals have already got that affect outfielder on their roster if Jac Caglianone can determine issues out this yr. Extending Maikel Garcia was an excellent little bit of enterprise, nonetheless. It does appear to be the workforce is banking on the new outfield dimensions to spice up its offense some. In fact, a smaller outfield can even affect a pitching employees that was fourth within the majors in run prevention final yr. The Royals added a bunch of latest arms to the bullpen, and the beginning rotation appears simply as strong and deep because it did final yr. There are some promising items right here, and having Bobby Witt Jr. definitely helps, however Kansas Metropolis nonetheless sits effectively behind the Tigers within the AL Central projections.