Baltimore Orioles (AL East)
Grade: B
Regular season record: 91-71
Postseason: Wild card exit
Although they suffered a wild card exit after being swept by the Kansas City Royals, the Baltimore Orioles’ regular season was not bad overall. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman, who both started the All-Star game at their respective positions, led the team in WAR (wins above replacement) and combined for 56 home runs and 320 hits.
I definitely feel for Orioles fans after everything they were put through. The major league debut of Jackson Holliday and the battle against the New York Yankees for the AL East made the season look quite promising; however, they came up short yet again. Exiting in the early rounds of the postseason is starting to become routine for manager Brandon Hyde, but if the franchise can continue the excellence of their farm system with 2024 first-round pick Vance Honeycutt, fans will have something to look forward to in the coming seasons.
Boston Red Sox (AL East)
Grade: C
Regular season record: 81-81
Like last season and the season before, the Boston Red Sox had a very mediocre year. However, they put up consistent numbers across the board. The team ranked ninth in the league in runs, sixth in the league in hits, and ninth in the league in home runs. Their starters and relievers were blatantly average, which was to be expected after they traded starting pitcher Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves following the 2023 season. It was their offense, though, that really surprised me. Center fielder Jarren Duran produced the most for the team offensively, totaling 191 hits and 21 home runs. If the Red Sox can tie up loose ends with free agents left fielder Tyler O’Neill and reliever Chris Martin, hopefully, the team can punch their ticket to October next season.
Chicago White Sox (AL Central)
Grade: F
Regular season record: 41-121
Awful. Just awful. I do not really know what else to say. When their own social media team starts trolling them because of how bad they are, that’s when you know that the franchise is in the trenches.
Achieving their 121st loss on September 27, they surpassed the record set by the 1962 New York Mets, who had 120 losses, to become the worst team in baseball’s modern era. Their offensive production was historically poor, ranking last in the league in hits, home runs, runs batted in, batting average, on-base percentage, and practically everything else.
Hopefully, the incoming manager, whoever general manager Chris Gertz decides that may be, can turn things around by addressing inconsistencies that are present in absolutely every aspect of their roster. At least the bar is set pretty low ─ you cannot do much worse.
Cleveland Guardians (AL Central)
Grade: A-
Regular season record: 92-69
Postseason: ALCS exit
Despite not looking like a World Series-caliber team on paper, the Cleveland Guardians were definitely the best team in the AL Central this season. They won the division with a six and a half game lead over the Kansas City Royals and finished third in the league in earned run average. Their bullpen and offense exceeded all expectations. Emannuel Clase, who could make a case for the best closer in baseball if it weren’t for Arizona Cardinals’ Ryan Hesley, finished the season with a 0.61 earned run average and 47 saves. All-Star third baseman José Ramirez led the team offensively, finishing just shy of a 40/40 season. Great things from the Cleveland Guardians all around.
Detroit Tigers (AL Central)
Grade: A-
Regular season record: 86-76
Postseason: ALDS exit
Eliminating the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round, the Detroit Tigers pleasantly surprised me this season. The most notable aspect of their season was the breakout of starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, who ended the season with 18 wins and a 2.39 earned run average. It would be embarrassing for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to not award Skubal the Cy Young, as he had the lowest starting ERA of any Tigers starting pitcher since 1987. While many fans were unhappy when they dropped game five of the ALDS to Cleveland, I would be satisfied if I were manager Stephen Vogt. Getting past Houston is a win in itself.
Houston Astros (AL West)
Grade: B-
Regular season record: 88-73
Postseason: Wild card exit
The Houston Astros’ regular season was not terrible despite their “meltdown” against Detroit in the Wild Card round. Designated hitter Yordan Alvarez led the team in batting average, home runs, runs batted in, and on-base percentage, while second baseman Jose Altuve led the team in hits. Their bullpen got hit hard before the All-Star break when it was announced that starting pitchers Cristian Javier and José Urquidy would both undergo season-ending elbow surgery.
If I were general manager Dana Brown, I would re-evaluate the franchise’s farm system and looming offensive holes. Third baseman Alex Bregman is set to become a free agent after this season, and one can only wonder how much gas starting pitcher Justin Verlander actually has left. Not advancing to the ALDS after advancing to the ALCS for seven consecutive seasons warrants a sense of urgency.
Kansas City Royals (AL Central)
Grade: B+
Regular season record: 86-76
Postseason: ALDS exit
I am impressed by the Kansas City Royals to say the least. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., one of baseball’s talented young stars and son of pitcher Bobby Witt, led the team all the way to the ALDS where they were eliminated by the New York Yankees. Although, there wasn’t much offensive help in addition to Witt. Witt led the team in the majority of slugging categories, while veteran catcher Salvador Perez and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino followed in hits and home runs.
The team’s starting rotation was excellent this season. Starting pitcher Seth Lugo led the rotation with 16 wins and a 3.00 earned run average. Starting pitcher Michael Wacha followed with 13 wins. I fully believe that this team will see the postseason next year if they can get more offensive weapons and reliable relievers. Especially with Witt, who only continues to grow, this team is bound to go far next season.
Los Angeles Angels (AL West)
Grade: D
Regular season record: 63-99
If it weren’t for the White Sox taking the cake for the “worst team in baseball,” the Los Angeles Angels would definitely make their case. Center fielder Mike Trout’s recurring knee injuries silenced the team’s ability to produce both offensively and defensively, as the team only won 63 games. First baseman Nolan Schanuel led the team with an average of .250, however, given that .250 is considered low-medium in some franchises exemplifies just how bad their offense actually was. I will give them credit, though. Their bullpen did not look entirely awful. Although he finished the season with an injured shoulder, reliever Ben Joyce recorded speeds of 105.5 multiple times this season and will only continue to improve. I do not see them punching their ticket to October next year, but they are moving in the right direction with their bullpen.
Minnesota Twins (AL Central)
Grade: C
Regular season record: 82-80
Records can be deceiving, and in this case, the Minnesota Twins’ final record hinders how well their season actually went. Finishing just above .500, the Twins simply went on a losing streak at the wrong time, giving way to the surge of the Detroit Tigers who eventually won the division. Their bullpen was the victim of the “injury curse,” causing the roster to be pieced together, especially when it was announced that starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani would be out for the year. If shortstop Carlos Correa and the pitching staff can recover from their injuries, they will likely be a contender in the division race next season.
New York Yankees (AL East)
Grade: A
Regular season record: 94-68
Postseason: AL Champions, World Series runner-up
Welp, center fielder Aaron Judge has done it again. Ending the regular season with a .322 batting average, 58 home runs, and 144 runs batted in, Judge single-handedly put up one of the best offensive seasons ever and turned the Yankees into one of the best teams in the league. Although Judge was a major part of the Yankees’ success this season, he was not the only part. Left fielder Juan Soto, who was acquired by the Yankees in December, lived up to fan’s hopes and expectations. He ended with 41 home runs, 166 hits, and a .288 batting average.
Their starting rotation was lights out. Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon led the pack with 16 wins, while starting pitcher Luis Gil would have probably started the All-Star game if it wasn’t for his decline weeks prior. Also, I know that this is supposed to recap the regular season, but I just wanted to mention that I am absolutely terrified of postseason Luke Weaver, one of their most trusted relievers. He is a beast and a “ferocious jungle cat,” as he calls it.
I would give them an A+ if it weren’t for the losing streak they went on after the All-Star break. They had a record of 11-13 in July, which is horrid compared to their impressive record of 21-7 in May. Also, I feel like general manager Brian Cashman could have done a better job at the trade deadline. He acquired eventual third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins, who proved to be a spark and just what the team needed, but Cashman could have dealt for more relievers. But, overall, it was a great season for manager Aaron Boone and the Captain.
Oakland Athletics (AL West)
Grade: D
Regular season record: 69-93
It was a sad, sad season for the Oakland Athletics. Not only did they continue their tradition of finishing below .500, but they also said an aching farewell to Oakland in the process. The Athletics’ lease with the Oakland Coliseum expired at the end of the season, so they will now play at a Triple-A stadium until their new stadium is built in Las Vegas. The stadium is expected to be ready for Opening Day in 2028.
Left fielder Brent Rooker led the team in batting average, home runs, runs batted in, and on-base percentage. Their starting rotation and bullpen relievers were not up to standard. Starting pitcher JP Sears led the rotation with only 11 wins and a 4.38 earned run average, while starting pitcher Mitch Spence followed with eight wins. I do not see them making the playoffs next season, but hopefully, they can end over .500.
Seattle Mariners (AL West)
Grade: C+
Regular season record: 85-77
The Seattle Mariners had an average first half of the season but came back from the All-Star break on a low note. They had a .556 winning percentage in June and then recorded a horrendous winning percentage of .417 in July. Center fielder Julio Rodriguez and catcher Cal Raleigh led the team offensively with 54 combined home runs and 168 combined runs batted in. Their starting rotation proved to be decent, but with added depth in the bullpen, the Mariners could really be great next season.
Tampa Bay Rays (AL East)
Grade: B-
Regular season record: 80-82
The Tampa Bay Rays had an average season, partially due to the fact that the AL East was one of the toughest divisions in baseball this year. Besides first baseman Yandy Diaz and second baseman Brandon Lowe, their offense was not fantastic. Lowe led the team with 21 home runs, while Diaz led the team with a .281 batting average.
Their starting rotation was the complete opposite of overwhelming. Starting pitcher Zack Littlel, who led the team in wins, only had eight wins on the season. Their bullpen, however, continued to develop as the season progressed. Closers Pete Fairbanks and Edwin Uceta combined for 28 saves and were heavily relied on in close matchups. While it will be difficult to surpass the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, I truly believe that the Rays can give them a run for their money next season. I have faith that the front office and general manager Erik Neander can improve the team’s offense with a blockbuster trade.
Texas Rangers (AL West)
Grade: C-
Regular season record: 78-84
Despite capturing a World Series title last year, the Texas Rangers did not look like a championship team this season to say the least. Their pitching heavily struggled. Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi led the team with a 3.80 earned run average, followed by starting pitcher Andrew Heaney who ended the season with 14 losses. Their defense, though, was not all bad. They had the fifth-lowest amount of errors in the league and had an overall fielding percentage of .987.
The team’s offensive potential still radiated through shortstop Corey Seager and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, although right fielder Adolis Garcia and second baseman Marcus Semien both underproduced. If Garcia and Semien can return to playing like champions, and the issues present in the bullpen can be addressed, hopefully the Texas Rangers will show new signs of life next season.
Toronto Blue Jays (AL East)
Grade: C-
Regular season record: 74-88
Like the Tampa Bay Rays, the Toronto Blue Jays were a victim of the New York Yankees’ and Baltimore Orioles’ emerging success this season. They were busy at the trade deadline, acquiring prospects to deepen their farm system in exchange for infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was integral to the team’s offensive production, but other than him and rookie Spencer Horwitz, their offense was completely lackluster. The team will need to trust in their newly-acquired prospects to succeed in 2025, and further rely on Horwitz if Guerrero’s contract is not extended.
