Milwaukee has just won the 2026 World Series, the first championship in franchise history, and ESPN is already looking ahead to 2027 with its Way-Too-Early Power Rankings. The Brewers finished 2026 at 103-59 and earn the top spot, reflecting a dominant postseason run and an electrifying style of play.
The offseason carries uncertainty. A lockout looms once the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, and some teams may rush early free agent signings in November. The rankings factor in key free agents, what teams showed in 2026, the potential improvement of young players and incoming impact prospects.
Milwaukee's outlook is strong. The Brewers have a young core featuring Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson, Jackson Chourio and 2026 rookies Cooper Pratt and Luis Lara, all 24 or younger this season. Chourio is signed through 2033, and Pratt and Lara through 2035. Prospect Jesus Made is perhaps the top prospect in the minors, and Andrew Fischer led the minors with 48 home runs. The team will look to re-sign Jake Bauers and should pursue a long-term extension with catcher William Contreras, who seems like the glue of the team.
The Los Angeles Dodgers sit second at 100-62. Shohei Ohtani will not require surgery on his knee or arm, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expects him to pitch in 2027. The big question is whether the Dodgers will try to keep Tarik Skubal. Their offense has declined, down more than 100 runs scored since 2023, and veterans Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts are aging. The New York Yankees rank fifth, with a stellar rotation of Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole, though they must re-sign closer David Bednar and Paul Blackburn.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing