The All-Star Sport is commonly seen because the midway mark of the Main League Baseball season, however the precise midpoint of the schedule arrives this week. Listed here are six of the most important surprises to date:
1. Purple Sox Commerce Rafael Devers to the Giants
It’s no shock the Purple Sox — who by no means appear to tire of creating poor selections or smearing franchise icons on their means out — determined they didn’t need to construct round Rafael Devers barely two years after signing him to a 10-year deal. However dealing him to the Giants in mid-June qualifies as probably the most beautiful strikes in current reminiscence.
It’s a no-lose proposition for the Giants, who lastly landed the ability hitter they may by no means lure through free company. It may also work for the Purple Sox, who’ve prime prospects Roman Anthony and/or Marcelo Meyer primed to switch Devers because the face of the franchise — at the very least till Boston sours on them, too.
2. Cal Raleigh’s Historic Energy Surge
Jun 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) hits a house run towards the Chicago Cubs in the course of the first inning at Wrigley Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Marton-Imagn Photographs The “Massive Dumper” hit at the very least 30 homers in every of the final two seasons, so it’s no shock he’s baseball’s strongest catcher. However Raleigh has already belted 31 homers with per week left in June — placing him on tempo to not solely obliterate Salvador Perez’s single-season report for catchers (48 in 2021), however presumably to threaten Aaron Decide’s American League report of 62 house runs. And sure, he’s doing this as a catcher.
3. Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 40/40 (or 50/50?) Chase
Might 26, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs heart fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) appears to be like on throughout a sport towards the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Photographs Jeremy Peña’s rise right into a top-of-the-order star deserves point out, however essentially the most spectacular breakout belongs to Pete Crow-Armstrong. As soon as pegged as a defensive specialist, Crow-Armstrong has smashed 21 homers and swiped 23 bases — the quickest any Cubs participant has reached 20/20.
He’s additionally proof of the long-term impression of trades. The Cubs acquired him from the Mets in 2021 for Javier Báez, who underwhelmed for three-plus seasons earlier than…
4. Javier Báez Is Good Once more
Might 16, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Tigers heart fielder Javier Baez (28) catches a fly ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays proper fielder Nathan Lukes (not pictured) within the second inning at Rogers Centre. Obligatory Credit score: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Photographs Báez regarded like one of many greatest free-agent busts in MLB historical past, hitting simply .221 with a 2.1 WAR complete over the primary three years of his six-year take care of Detroit. However after present process hip surgical procedure final summer time, Báez has been reborn — flirting with a .300 common and posting an .800 OPS for the primary time since 2021 whereas starring for the perfect staff in baseball.
5. Parity Guidelines MLB — for Higher or Worse
Rob Manfred and his band of wage cap-chasing executives won’t ever admit it, however parity has arrived in baseball. Just one staff — the mid-market Tigers — is on a 100-win tempo, and 22 golf equipment are inside 5 video games of a playoff berth.
A yr in the past, there have been 4 groups on a 100-win tempo and 23 groups inside 5 video games of a playoff spot. A few of this displays playoff growth and contenders just like the Dodgers realizing October is all that issues. Nonetheless, the state of competitors is much better than the doom-and-gloom Manfred and firm will declare over the subsequent 16 months.
6. Besides in Colorado
Jun 18, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Colorado Rockies beginning pitcher German Marquez (48) throws to the Washington Nationals in the course of the third inning at Nationals Park. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Mills-Imagn Photographs The Rockies are famously insular — and they need to be unhealthy — however how are they this unhealthy? Colorado is threatening to surpass the 2024 White Sox because the losingest staff of the trendy period. At 18-60, the Rockies are on tempo to complete 37-125, which might “prime” the White Sox by 4 video games.
However there’s hope for…barely much less embarrassment. Colorado has received half its video games this month. In the event that they handle 9 wins monthly the remainder of the way in which, they’d end with 45 victories — nonetheless terrible, however not the worst staff of all time.
