MLB Surprises, Disappointments, and Top Teams

0:00On April 28th, front office execs from across Major League Baseball weighed in on the wild first month of the 2026 season, polling 20. Of them for their biggest surprises, disappointments, standout players, and top teams per division. Pirates topped the surprise list with four votes, followed by Reds and Twins at 3 each, while Metz dominated disappointments with 10 nods ahead. Of Reds Ox at 3, Pirates sit at 16 wins, 13 losses, boasting the second best run differential in the National League, thanks to offseason pickups like Ryan, Oherd and Brandon Lowe, jumping from dead last in runs to 5th. Reds lead the in-else central at 18 and 10, despite a slim plus one run differential, riding a strong bullpen even without Hunter Green. Twins offense pops with power from young guns like Byron Bucston, despite a recent skid. Metz crashed hard after a 7 and 4 start, dropping 12 straight and getting swept by Rockies at home, leaving execs stunned by the talent.

1:02Miss match. Reds Ox limp at 12 and 17, bottom tier offense and pitching, prompting a manager firing. On players, Jordan Walker of the Cardinals dazzled with eight homers and elite exit velocity after prior busts, while Sal Stewart fueled Reds with, nine dingers and 29 RBIs. Disappointing players included Rafael Devers, struggling post-trade to Giants, and Jaseus Wizzardo bombed out at 6.91 ERA for Phillies, who, sit, nine, and 19. Execs peg Yankees as AL East Kings, Tigers and Central, Mariners for West, despite slow start, brave steady and NLE's chaos, Cubs edging and L Central, and Dodgers owning the West unanimously. These early vibes set up a tight race everywhere, but LA, with young breakouts and slump shaking up October odds, keep watching how it flips. Answer update from MLB News today, powered by AI.