Season 80 Power Rankings: 40 Games In

The first 40 games are in the books, and the Mantle World is already starting to separate into contenders, pretenders, surprises and teams searching for answers.

Forty games isn't enough to determine how a season will finish, but it is enough to start seeing what teams are actually built to do. Some clubs are winning because their pitching has been dominant. Others are simply outslugging everyone in sight. A few are riding hot streaks, while several teams that entered Season 80 with legitimate expectations are already trying to stop the bleeding.

This week's rankings look beyond the standings. Record matters, but so do run prevention, offensive production, recent form and the quality of the players producing those numbers.

THE CONTENDERS

1. Fresno Grizzlies — 28-12

Last Season: 107-55, World Series Champions

It's hard to put anyone ahead of the defending champions right now. Fresno is once again sitting at the top of the AL West, and unlike last season, the Grizzlies aren't relying on one dominant aspect of the roster.

The offense is producing a .815 OPS, while the pitching staff has posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Gerald Boyer has already blasted 16 home runs while posting a 1.035 OPS, with Maikel Cervantes (.983 OPS) and Lenny Darnell (.976 OPS) providing plenty of protection.

On the mound, Kiki Escuela has a 2.31 ERA through eight starts, and the bullpen has already converted 14 saves. Fresno has the defending-champion pedigree, the record and the talent. Until somebody knocks them off, they're the team everyone else has to chase.

Why they're #1: The defending champs are winning with both the bats and the arms.

2. Vancouver Fighting Skeletons — 28-12

Vancouver has the same record as Fresno, and there is a legitimate argument that the Skeletons have the best pitching staff in Mantle.

The team has allowed just 132 earned runs, good for a 3.25 ERA, while opponents are hitting only .227. The rotation features Rougned Javier at 1.97 ERA and Alex Cordero at 2.60, with Bill Abbott and the rest of the staff providing plenty of depth.

And then there's Rosell Ramirez. In 35 games, Ramirez is hitting .340 with a .392 OBP and .681 SLG. That's a 1.073 OPS to go with 11 homers.

Vancouver isn't simply winning games. They're making it extremely difficult for opponents to score.

Why they're #2: Elite run prevention combined with a middle-of-the-order bat having an MVP-caliber start.

3. Chicago Coyotes — 26-14

If the Coyotes keep hitting like this, they're going to be a nightmare in October.

Chicago leads the league with a .846 OPS and has scored 240 runs. The power is obvious: 84 home runs in 40 games. Stephen Difo is putting together one of the most spectacular starts of the season, hitting .356/.435/.712 with 16 home runs and 37 RBI.

Malachi Mann isn't far behind at 1.049 OPS, while Al Vazquez is at .940. The Coyotes have multiple legitimate threats throughout the lineup.

The pitching isn't quite on the level of Vancouver or Montreal, with a 3.92 ERA, but Chicago has enough offense to compensate. A team with this much power is never out of a game.

Why they're #3: The league's most explosive offense, led by Stephen Difo.

4. Montreal Expos — 24-16

Montreal might be the most complete team in the league.

The Expos are hitting .284/.361/.461 while simultaneously leading the league with a 3.13 team ERA. Their 1.24 WHIP and .236 opponent batting average are both excellent.

Gene Del Valle is putting together an outstanding season at .352/.434/.656, while Damaso Servet has reached base constantly with a .405 OBP. On the mound, Wilin Inciarte owns a 2.30 ERA and Howie O'Connor has a 2.57 ERA.

There's no glaring weakness here. Montreal doesn't have to win games in one particular way.

Why they're #4: Excellent pitching, excellent on-base production and very few obvious weaknesses.

5. Milwaukee Lagers — 24-16

Maybe the biggest surprise in the league.

Milwaukee is 24-16, has gone 9-1 over its last ten games and is an astonishing 17-4 on the road. That last number deserves attention.

Del Quintanilla has been one of the best hitters in the league, batting .335/.418/.620 with 13 HR and 40 RBI. Emmanuel Castilla has posted a 2.33 ERA, while Hi Miller is at 2.49.

The team isn't dominating any single statistical category, but it is consistently doing enough to win. The 9-1 recent stretch suggests Milwaukee isn't simply benefiting from a hot start.

Why they're #5: A 9-1 L10 and 17-4 road record are difficult to ignore.

6. Toronto Yankdawgs — 24-16

Toronto is perhaps the strangest team in the top tier. The offense is excellent, but the pitching has been anything but.

The Yankdawgs are hitting .283/.349/.467 and have scored 238 runs. Willie Cespedes has a .863 OPS and 14 stolen bases, while David Purcell has 11 homers, 35 RBI and 11 steals.

But the pitching staff has a 4.66 ERA and opponents are hitting .280. Toronto has managed to overcome that because the offense keeps producing.

Can it continue? That's one of the biggest questions of the next 40 games.

Why they're #6: An elite offense and a 24-16 record, despite some very shaky pitching.

7. Cuba Koi — 24-16

Cuba is one of the hottest teams in Mantle.

The Koi have gone 9-1 over their last ten and are riding a six-game winning streak. The overall numbers aren't as dominant as the record: .744 OPS and 3.68 ERA. But the wins are real, and Cuba has been finding ways to win close games.

Vicente Valdes has been a major reason why. He is 5-3 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and .194 OAV. Walker Rapada has also contributed 16 steals.

The next 20 games will tell us whether Cuba is a legitimate contender or simply the hottest team in the league right now.

Why they're #7: Six straight wins and a 9-1 L10 make Cuba impossible to overlook.

8. Portland Lastplace — 24-16

The name might say Lastplace, but the standings certainly don't.

Portland is one of the best pitching teams in the league, posting a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. Mateo Vargas has been outstanding, going 6-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

The offense is the concern. Portland ranks near the bottom with a .730 OPS and only 191 runs.

But October baseball isn't always about scoring five runs every night. Portland's ability to prevent runs gives this team a very high floor.

Why they're #8: Elite pitching can carry a team a long way, and Portland has it.

THE NEXT WAVE

9. Cincinnati Hawk Tuah — 24-16

Cincinnati is a fascinating team. The record says contender, while the offensive numbers say something closer to average.

The Hawks are hitting only .726 OPS as a team, but R.J. Gross has been spectacular. Gross is 7-1 with a 1.62 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a microscopic .136 opponent batting average.

That may be the best individual pitching performance in Mantle through 40 games.

If Cincinnati can get more offense around Gross, this team could climb rapidly.

10. Texas Tweakers — 21-19

Texas doesn't have the record of some teams above them, but the offensive profile is too good to ignore.

The Tweakers are hitting .281/.345/.475 with an .821 OPS. Vitas Surtain has 15 home runs and a .924 OPS, while Yasmany Chacin is at .972 OPS with 27 walks.

The problem is pitching. Texas has a 4.33 ERA.

If the pitching improves even slightly, Texas has enough offense to become a dangerous playoff team.

11. Philadelphia AllStarIncs — 23-17

Philadelphia has the record of a contender and the offense to match it.

Paolo Tejada is having an enormous season: .336/.425/.658, 13 HR and 37 RBI. The team as a whole has posted a .814 OPS and scored 220 runs.

The problem is glaring: a 5.40 ERA.

Philadelphia is essentially winning games by forcing its offense to overcome its pitching. That strategy can work for stretches, but it is difficult to trust over a full season.

12. Honolulu Surfriders — 24-16

Honolulu has quietly put together a very good first 40 games.

The Surfriders are 24-16, 15-5 on the road and 7-3 over their last ten. The pitching staff has posted a respectable 3.80 ERA.

The offense is the concern, producing only a .703 OPS. Kyle Anderson has been one of the brighter spots, hitting .288/.374/.444 with 11 steals.

Honolulu doesn't have the offensive firepower of the teams above it, but the pitching and road record make this team a legitimate playoff threat.

13. Jacksonville DEPLORABLES — 22-18

Jacksonville may be the most underrated team in the league.

The offense is unimpressive at .654 OPS, but the pitching staff is excellent. The DEPLORABLES have a 3.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.

Ugueth Gonzalez is 5-1 with a 2.24 ERA, while Jenrry Sardinas has a 2.96 ERA. Juan Maduro has been nearly unhittable out of the bullpen, posting a 1.50 ERA.

Jacksonville has a formula. The question is whether the offense can give the pitchers enough support.

14. Columbus Clippers — 22-18

Columbus is another team whose record is better than its run-prevention numbers.

The Clippers are hitting .266/.328/.437 and have scored 182 runs. Phil Stinson has been outstanding, hitting .319/.393/.521 with 16 stolen bases.

But the pitching staff has a 4.55 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.

The five-game winning streak is encouraging, but Columbus needs to prove the recent surge is more than a short-term hot streak.

15. New York Metros — 21-19

The move to Yankee Stadium was expected to make New York an interesting offensive team, and the early results are promising.

The Metros are hitting .278/.344/.448, with Albert Martinez posting a 1.009 OPS and Jackson Hausmann hitting .373 with an even 1.008 OPS.

The problem is the pitching staff's 5.07 ERA.

New York has enough offense to remain relevant, but the pitching has to improve before this team can be considered a serious contender.

16. Salem Pitches — 20-20

Salem entered Season 80 as one of the league's elite teams after winning 100 games last season. Forty games in, they're sitting at .500.

The offense is respectable at .776 OPS, led by Trenidad Posada's .940 OPS and 12 home runs. But the pitching staff has slipped to a 4.42 ERA.

With the roster pedigree Salem possesses, it's too early to write them off. But the five-game losing streak is something to watch.

THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK

17. Indianapolis Hoosier Pies — 20-20

Indianapolis has quietly been one of the league's hotter teams, going 8-2 over its last ten.

Ron Mann is hitting .322/.400/.651 with 11 homers, while Willie Brown has contributed a .933 OPS in limited action.

The problem is pitching. The Hoosier Pies have a 4.88 ERA.

18. Anaheim Agitated Aardvarks — 20-20

This is probably the most difficult team in the rankings.

Anaheim won 108 games last season and is once again playing excellent defense and pitching, posting a 3.31 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

But the offense has completely disappeared. The Aardvarks are hitting just .254/.311/.404, producing a .715 OPS.

Anaheim is too talented and too successful historically to drop much farther, but the bats have to wake up.

19. Santa Fe Trail — 18-22

Santa Fe has some legitimate offensive stars despite the losing record.

Hainley Lomasney is hitting .367/.451/.619, while Henry Yearwood is at .354/.412/.540.

Unfortunately, the team pitching has produced a 4.96 ERA. Santa Fe can hit, but the pitching has made it difficult to turn that offense into wins.

20. Norfolk Tides — 19-21

Norfolk has enough offense to stay in the conversation, but the pitching is a problem.

The Tides have a 4.88 ERA and .280 opponent batting average. Kevin West is having a strong year at .325/.401/.494, while Sparky Gabriel has 11 home runs.

At 19-21, they're still within striking distance, but the margin for error is getting smaller.

21. Wichita Evil Sheep — 18-22

The World Series runner-up from Season 79 is currently sitting at 18-22, a long way from the 93-win team we saw last season.

Jared Herzog is hitting .355/.427/.555, while Asher Collier is 5-2 with a 3.14 ERA.

The problem is that Wichita's team pitching has produced a 4.21 ERA and the offense only a .734 OPS.

There's plenty of season left, but the Sheep need to start climbing soon.

22. Seattle Run — 18-22

Seattle is the team I could see making the biggest move up these rankings.

They're only 18-22, but they've gone **9-1 over their last ten games**.

The pitching staff is excellent: 3.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a .216 opponent batting average. Bill Valentin has been spectacular at 1.86 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.

The offense is the problem, with only a .666 OPS.

If Seattle's recent surge continues and the offense improves even slightly, this ranking could look very conservative in a month.

23. Austin Celtics — 17-23

Austin is one of the better offensive teams among the clubs with losing records.

The Celtics are hitting .278/.334/.466 and have scored 224 runs. Yasmani Ontiveros is at .966 OPS, while Jeremi Ebert has six homers and 11 steals.

Unfortunately, the pitching staff has a 4.90 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

The offense gives Austin hope. The pitching gives Austin headaches.

24. Charleston Mezcals — 17-23

Charleston's offense is respectable, but the pitching has put the team behind the eight-ball.

The Mezcals have a .783 OPS, but a 4.93 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. Opponents are hitting .287 against them.

There is enough offense here to make a run, but Charleston needs considerably better run prevention.

25. Minnesota Lakers — 18-22

Minnesota has some intriguing pieces, but the overall results haven't been there.

Munenori Zhang has stolen 18 bases and posted a .380 OBP, while Tony Cayones has 11 home runs.

But the Lakers have scored only 203 runs and have a 4.92 ERA. At 18-22, they're not out of the race, but they need to start converting some of their close games.

THE STRUGGLING CLUBS

26. Chicago Iveys — 15-25

The Iveys have struggled badly on offense, hitting just .225/.295/.360.

That's the lowest team OPS in the league outside of Montgomery and Jacksonville's low-scoring offense. The pitching isn't good enough to compensate either, with a 4.63 ERA.

At 15-25, Chicago has a lot of ground to make up.

27. New Orleans Voodoo — 17-23

New Orleans has gotten some excellent individual pitching performances, including Miguel Vega's 2.78 ERA and Babe Strausborger's 3.19 ERA.

But the offense is hitting only .234 and has produced a .690 OPS.

The Voodoo are also 2-8 over their last ten games. The pitching has given them chances; the offense hasn't taken enough of them.

28. Kansas City Royals — 15-25

This is the biggest fall from preseason expectations.

Kansas City won 91 games last season and looked like one of the league's established contenders. Forty games into Season 80, they're nine games under .500 and have lost six straight.

There are still bright spots. Ebenezer Cuyler is hitting .278/.371/.543 with 12 HR and 13 steals, while Leonys Rivera has a 2.85 ERA.

But the Royals have a 4.99 team ERA and only a .748 OPS.

Kansas City has traded some of their players and will try to retool around their stars.

29. Montgomery Mules — 14-26

Montgomery is 1-9 over its last ten games and has lost four straight.

The pitching staff has a 5.25 ERA, while the offense has produced only a .655 OPS.

There simply haven't been enough runs on either side of the ledger.

30. Washington D.C. Senators — 14-26

Washington has struggled in virtually every major category.

The Senators are hitting .246/.306/.366 and have a 5.29 ERA. Opponents are hitting .295 against the pitching staff.

The 9-15 road record is respectable, but the 5-11 home mark shows just how difficult things have been.

31. Boston Bruisers — 10-30

Last season, Boston went 91-71 and looked like one of the league's great turnaround stories.

This season has been the exact opposite.

The Bruisers are 10-30, 2-8 over their last ten, and have a staggering 6.15 ERA. Opponents are hitting .305/.372/.529.

Joe Roling is having a respectable season at .842 OPS, but Boston has allowed far too much damage everywhere else.

This is the biggest collapse in the league through 40 games.

32. Colorado Mountain High — 11-29

Colorado currently has the toughest road ahead.

The Mountain High pitching staff has a 7.08 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and has allowed opponents to hit .311/.385/.570.

The offense isn't terrible, but a .710 OPS isn't nearly enough to compensate for that level of run prevention.

Colorado has also lost ten straight.

At 11-29, the Mountain High have already fallen 17 games behind Fresno in the AL West.

40-GAME AWARDS WATCH

MVP Watch

Stephen Difo, Chicago Coyotes — .356/.435/.712, 16 HR, 37 RBI

Difo currently has the strongest combination of power, average and run production among the league's offensive stars.

Paolo Tejada, Philadelphia — .336/.425/.658, 13 HR, 37 RBI

Tejada has been one of the biggest reasons Philadelphia is sitting at 23-17 despite its pitching problems.

Gene Del Valle, Montreal — .352/.434/.656, 10 HR

Del Valle's combination of average and on-base production has been outstanding.

Rosell Ramirez, Vancouver — .340/.392/.681, 11 HR

Ramirez has been one of the most dangerous hitters on the league's best pitching team.

Del Quintanilla, Milwaukee — .335/.418/.620, 13 HR, 40 RBI

The centerpiece of the league's biggest surprise.

Cy Young Watch

R.J. Gross, Cincinnati — 7-1, 1.62 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, .136 OAV

Those numbers are absurd.

Mateo Vargas, Portland — 6-1, 1.48 ERA, 0.97 WHIP

Vargas has been the engine behind Portland's excellent start.

Wallace Brown, Anaheim — 3-3, 1.43 ERA, 0.89 WHIP

The record doesn't reflect how well Brown has pitched.

Bill Valentin, Seattle — 4-0, 1.86 ERA, 0.89 WHIP

He's one of the biggest reasons Seattle has gone 9-1 over its last ten.

Rougned Javier, Vancouver — 6-1, 1.97 ERA, 0.91 WHIP

Another key piece of Vancouver's dominant rotation.

THE BIGGEST SURPRISE

Milwaukee Lagers.

A 24-16 record, a 9-1 L10 and a 17-4 road record is not an accident. Milwaukee has legitimate offensive and pitching contributors and currently sits tied for the NL North lead.

THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Boston Bruisers.

A 91-win team from Season 79 sitting at 10-30 after 40 games is impossible to ignore. The 6.15 ERA explains a lot of it.

THE TEAM I'M WATCHING

Seattle Run.

The 18-22 record isn't impressive, but the 9-1 L10 is. More importantly, the pitching numbers suggest this isn't simply a fluke hot streak. Seattle's staff has a 3.48 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.

If the offense wakes up, Seattle could move dramatically up these rankings.

THE MOST DANGEROUS OFFENSE

Chicago Coyotes.

A .846 OPS and 84 home runs through 40 games is ridiculous. Difo and Malachi Mann have both been elite, and the lineup has enough depth that opponents can't simply pitch around one player.

THE BEST PITCHING STAFF

Montreal Expos.

Vancouver is right there, but Montreal's 3.13 ERA leads the league, while the Expos have paired that pitching with a .822 OPS offense.

THE HOTTEST TEAM

Cuba Koi and Milwaukee Lagers — both 9-1 over their last ten.

Cuba has won six straight, while Milwaukee has gone 17-4 on the road.

THE TEAM WITH THE MOST TO PROVE

Kansas City Royals.

Last season's 91-win club is now 15-25 and has lost six straight. There is too much history and too much talent here to dismiss them, but the Royals need to start showing it on the field.

THE 40-GAME POWER RANKINGS

Rank	Team	Record	Quick Take
1	Fresno Grizzlies	28-12	Defending champs still look like the team to beat.
2	Vancouver Fighting Skeletons	28-12	Elite pitching with enough offense to win it all.
3	Chicago Coyotes	26-14	The league's most explosive offense.
4	Montreal Expos	24-16	Perhaps the most balanced club in Mantle.
5	Milwaukee Lagers	24-16	The surprise team keeps winning.
6	Toronto Yankdawgs	24-16	Excellent offense overcoming shaky pitching.
7	Cuba Koi	24-16	9-1 L10 and six straight wins.
8	Portland Lastplace	24-16	Dominant pitching makes them dangerous.
9	Cincinnati Hawk Tuah	24-16	R.J. Gross is carrying an excellent pitching staff.
10	Texas Tweakers	21-19	Too much offensive talent to overlook.
11	Philadelphia AllStarIncs	23-17	Great offense, concerning pitching.
12	Honolulu Surfriders	24-16	Strong road record and solid pitching.
13	Jacksonville DEPLORABLES	22-18	Pitching keeps them in almost every game.
14	Columbus Clippers	22-18	Five straight wins and enough offense to compete.
15	New York Metros	21-19	Good offense, but the pitching needs work.
16	Salem Pitches	20-20	Former 100-win team searching for its form.
17	Indianapolis Hoosier Pies	20-20	8-2 L10 has them moving in the right direction.
18	Anaheim Agitated Aardvarks	20-20	Elite pitching, but where did the offense go?
19	Santa Fe Trail	18-22	Dangerous hitters held back by pitching.
20	Norfolk Tides	19-21	Some good bats, but too many runs allowed.
21	Wichita Evil Sheep	18-22	Last year's runner-up needs a turnaround.
22	Seattle Run	18-22	9-1 L10 makes them the team to watch.
23	Austin Celtics	17-23	Good offense, poor run prevention.
24	Charleston Mezcals	17-23	Offense is adequate; pitching isn't.
25	Minnesota Lakers	18-22	Plenty of pieces, but inconsistent results.
26	Chicago Iveys	15-25	Offense has been the major problem.
27	New Orleans Voodoo	17-23	Pitching has given them chances the offense hasn't used.
28	Kansas City Royals	15-25	The biggest disappointment after 40 games.
29	Montgomery Mules	14-26	1-9 L10 and struggling on both sides.
30	Washington D.C. Senators	14-26	Needs improvement in virtually every area.
31	Boston Bruisers	10-30	A stunning fall from last year's 91-win season.
32	Colorado Mountain High	11-29	10 straight losses and a 7.08 team ERA.

40 games down. 122 to go.

The standings are starting to take shape, but the biggest takeaway from the first quarter of Season 80 may be that there is still plenty of room for the picture to change. Fresno and Vancouver have established themselves as the early heavyweights, Chicago has the league's most dangerous offense, Montreal has quietly assembled one of the most complete teams, and Milwaukee has gone from surprise to legitimate contender.

Meanwhile, Seattle is charging, Cuba is scorching hot, Kansas City is searching for answers and Boston is facing a mountain of problems.

The next 40 games should tell us a lot more about which of these teams are built for October—and which ones were simply enjoying a hot April.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Season 80 Q1