Brewers Open 2027 Power Rankings as No. 1 After Winning First World Series Title

The Milwaukee Brewers finished 2026 with the first World Series championship in franchise history, and ESPN's early 2027 MLB power rankings, published on 2026-10-29, keep them at No. 1. The outlet called them the best team of the season without any doubt, praising an electrifying style of baseball.

The rankings come with a caveat. A lockout looms once the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1. Some expect a flurry of early free agent signings in November, but how the offseason will play out is unclear. The list weighs rosters entering the winter, key free agents, what teams showed in 2026, the growth of young players and incoming prospects.

Milwaukee went 103-59 and has a young core in Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson, Jackson Chourio and rookies Cooper Pratt and Luis Lara, all 24 or younger this past season. Chourio is signed through 2033, and Pratt and Lara through 2035, counting club options. Prospect Jesus Made is perhaps the top talent in the minors, and Andrew Fischer led the minors with 48 home runs. The Brewers will try to re-sign Jake Bauers and should look at a long-term extension for catcher William Contreras.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (100-62) sit second. Shohei Ohtani will not need surgery on his knee or arm, and Andrew Friedman said he fully expects Ohtani to pitch in 2027. The open question is whether the club will pursue free agent Tarik Skubal, with the rankings noting the team has scored more than 100 fewer runs since 2023. The New York Yankees (93-68) are third. Owner Hal Steinbrenner said the players "didn't live up to their end of the bargain in the playoffs" when explaining why Aaron Boone will return for a 10th season. The club already has $218 million committed to seven players.

The Tampa Bay Rays (98-64) are fourth and the Boston Red Sox (87-75) fifth. Tampa Bay must resolve Nick Martinez's $20 million mutual option after a 15-6 season with a 3.10 ERA, and the rankings flag a weak bottom of the order and thin bullpen depth. Boston has a rotation and defense built by Craig Breslow, and top prospect Franklin Arias looks ready, though Trevor Story has one year left at $25 million. The Atlanta Braves (94-68) follow in sixth, with questions about Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, a shortstop and injury recoveries.

The biggest jump belongs to the Detroit Tigers, who went 76-86 but land seventh, up from 20th at the end of the season. ESPN points to a plus-71 run differential, the fourth best in the American League, and a young base that includes Kevin McGonigle, who put up 7.1 WAR as a rookie, and Max Clark. Troy Melton, Jackson Jobe and River Ryan, who arrived in the Skubal trade, are ready to fill rotation spots, though the bullpen needs work.

Cleveland is eighth, and Pittsburgh ninth after finishing sixth in the majors in runs scored a year after ranking last. The Pirates have not reached the postseason since 2015. The Philadelphia Phillies are tenth, with Dave Dombrowski saying "Our offense needs to be better" and noting only two above-average players, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.

The Seattle Mariners (76-86) are 11th, hoping to rebound from a poor season with a new manager and a wave of young players. The Miami Marlins are 12th after posting their first positive run differential since 2010, and 98.5% of their plate appearances came from players 28 or younger. The Chicago White Sox are 13th after a 24-win improvement, with the rankings wondering if they might slip back, though general manager Chris Getz has payroll room to add pitching.