Apr 19, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Starling Marte (6) congratulates New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) for hitting a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images The final full week of April is already here, which means the surprisingly fast (and slow) starts in Major League Baseball can no longer simply be dismissed as quirks of the early-season calendar. Here are five players and teams whose opening month may be a sign of things to come:
Pete Alonso, professional hitter?
Apparently, the dumbest near-divorce in memory completely changed Alonso as a hitter. With six homers, Alonso is producing dingers at his usual rate, but he’s got a league-high 24 RBIs in 22 games and is batting a robust .346 with a .453 on-base percentage — an astounding improvement for a player who entered the season a lifetime .249 hitter with a .339 OBP. Batting behind Juan Soto helps, but the underlying numbers — he’s on pace for 66 doubles and 104 walks — and the eye test suggest he has become a more patient player willing to do damage even when the ball doesn’t land beyond the fence.
Tyler Soderstrom, potential AL home run leader?
Apr 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (21) flips his bat after he hits a three run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Rate Field. “All players wore #42 for Jackie Robinson Day” Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images. Soderstrom was a top-100 prospect at Baseball America four times and hit 72 homers in four minor league seasons, but he had just 12 homers in 314 big league at-bats before busting out with nine homers — tied for the AL lead with Cal Raleigh — in his first 22 games this year. And Soderstrom, who has just two homers in nine home games, could increase his pace as the weather warms up in hitter-friendly Sacramento.
What’s wrong with the Baltimore Orioles?
Apr 3, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images There’s only a little recency bias here for the Orioles, whose 24-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday conjured up memories of their infamous 30-3 waxing at the hands of the Texas Rangers on Aug. 22, 2007. (Randy Wynne is the modern Wes Littleton.) But even before Sunday, the Orioles were underachieving on both sides of the ball. They were last in the AL with a 4.47 ERA (it’s now 5.43), and their .232 batting average is 18 points lower than last season’s mark. General manager Mike Elias is the one letting this wide-open window of contention slam shut, but Brandon Hyde may be the one to pay the price.
What’s wrong with the Atlanta Braves?
Apr 20, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) reacts with second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) after hitting a two run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Braves’ first sweep of the season improved them to 8-13 — and was promptly overshadowed by some very un-Braves-like drama Sunday, when injured Ronald Acuña Jr. took to social media to declare (in a since-deleted post) that manager Brian Snitker would have benched him if he loafed it and got thrown out at second on a near-homer like Jarred Kelenic on Saturday. And it’s true. Snitker has been a Braves employee for 49 straight seasons and embodies the professional consistency of the steadiest organization in the game, which is what made Sunday so jarring — and perhaps a sign of impending change.
San Diego Padres, World Series favorites?
Apr 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA;San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) and second baseman Jose Iglesias (7) celebrate defeating the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images The Padres, still reeling from the death of owner Peter Seidler, seemed ready to return to their mid-market status following a quiet offseason in which their biggest addition was Nick Pivetta and the likes of Dylan Cease, Michael King and Robert Suarez were reportedly dangled in trade talks. But the Padres stood pat and have the best record in the majors at 16-6 while leading the majors with a .276 batting average and ranking second with a 2.74 ERA. Fernando Tatis Jr. has generated the most WAR (2.1) in the majors, Pivetta ranks third in the NL with a 1.57 ERA and Suarez has racked up a big league-best nine saves. The National League playoffs are going to be a gauntlet, but maybe this is finally the year for San Diego.
