Overview
- ESPN released midseason report cards for all 30 MLB teams on Tuesday, grading clubs by how they performed versus preseason expectations rather than by raw records.
- The Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers earned the top marks with A+ grades for exceeding low projections and delivering unexpectedly strong first halves.
- The St. Louis Cardinals received a B+ after Jordan Walker led the NL in RBIs and rookie JJ Wetherholt posted roughly 4.2 WAR, but ESPN warned their 7-2 extra-inning record and a rotation with a low strikeout rate raise regression concerns.
- The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants were the only teams to receive F grades because of managerial turmoil, costly injuries, disappointing offseason moves, and broader organizational problems.
- ESPN framed the next phase of the season as decisive with the July trade deadline, returning injured players, and pitching depth likely to determine which surprise clubs are true contenders and which will fade.