2025 MLB Power Rankings: A New Team Takes the Top Spot, and a Key Pitcher Highlighted for Each Club

 Dominant Display by Tarik Skubal Headlines a Week of Pitching Greatness Across MLB

In a performance that will be etched in the memory of Tigers fans for years to come, Tarik Skubal delivered the most electrifying outing of his career on Sunday afternoon. With two outs and two strikes in the ninth inning, Skubal reared back and fired his final pitch — a blistering 102.6 mph fastball — past the swinging bat of Gabriel Arias to seal a masterpiece. The moment marked not only the first complete game of Skubal’s young career but also a historic achievement never before seen in Major League Baseball.

Skubal’s effort — a 94-pitch complete-game shutout with 13 strikeouts — became the first “Maddux” of its kind. The term, coined in honor of Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, typically refers to a complete-game shutout in under 100 pitches. But Skubal’s outing elevated the feat to a new level, showcasing not only elite efficiency but overpowering dominance.

By preventing a Guardians sweep and delivering one of the most efficient, overpowering outings in recent memory, Skubal reminded baseball fans why he belongs at the top of the sport’s pitching hierarchy. The Tigers ace now leads a staff that continues to trend upward, and he’s making a strong case as a dark horse candidate for the AL Cy Young Award.

In celebration of Skubal’s brilliance, this week’s MLB power rankings spotlight one standout pitcher from each club — a tribute to the arms making the biggest impact around the league.

American League Highlights:

Yankees: Gerrit Cole may be on the mend, but Luis Gil has surged into the spotlight with a sub-2.00 ERA and elite swing-and-miss stuff.

Orioles: Corbin Burnes has given the O’s the rotation anchor they needed, delivering consistency and dominance every fifth day.

Mariners: Logan Gilbert continues to build on last season’s breakout, leading a deep rotation with pinpoint control and nasty movement.

Rays: Zach Eflin’s steady presence and elite strike-throwing keep Tampa Bay afloat despite injuries elsewhere in the staff.

National League Highlights:

Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow is thriving in LA, combining power and poise while leading the league in strikeouts.

Braves: Max Fried’s recent stretch of quality starts underscores why he remains one of the game’s best lefties.

Cubs: Shota Imanaga has emerged as the steal of the offseason, baffling hitters with pinpoint control and deceptive velocity.

As Skubal’s outing proved, pitching is still king — and every contender has their own ace staking a claim to greatness. Whether it's a rising star like Imanaga or a veteran like Burnes, the mound remains the foundation of championship dreams. And on Sunday, Tarik Skubal gave us a performance to remember — one that belongs in the annals of baseball history.