Spring baseball is always turbulent, and this year has been no different. The third full week of the 2025 season concluded yesterday, and boy has it been topsy-turvy. And despite pundits’ predictions, there are just some outcomes that couldn’t have been forecasted. Here are the three biggest surprises of this season so far.

Baltimore hasn’t spread its wings yet
Like a baby bird, the Orioles haven’t figured out how to fly. Their young-ish core has been struggling at the plate, with Adley Rustchman, Jordan Westburg, and Gunnar Henderson all batting worse than .230. Things aren’t very bright from a pitching stance, either: Grayson Rodriguez is injured and awaiting a second opinion on his sore shoulder (which is never a good sign) and Charlie Morton has a 10.89 ERA after less than 22 innings pitched. Although their 9-12 record could be worse, they don’t have much going for them, as seen by their embarrassing 24-2 loss to the Reds.

Analysts and fans had the Orioles as favorites to win the AL pennant entering spring, but their talent has yet to materialize. There’s still plenty of time to make up lost ground, but Baltimore needs to get its act together before it’s too late.

Braves aren’t Brave-ing
Atlanta sitting in last place in the NL East beyond the first 10 games wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. They lost their first seven games and two of their last three series to the Blue Jays and Rays, on paper at least equal matchups. Outside of Marcell Ozuna’s monster batting stats and Austin Riley’s surprising utility, no one is batting better than .250. What’s more, the starting rotation has the fourth-worst ERA in the league.

Without quality starts and run support, the Braves find themselves in the same place as the 2024 Phillies. Philly shrugged off its slow start eventually, so there’s a chance that Atlanta will this year. After all, they’re supposed to be one of the top contenders to overthrow the Dodgers for the NL pennant, even if they’re not acting like it now.

The Angels have a winning record
Ending on a high note, the Angels have shocked the league with their performance thus far. They’ve taken five of the seven series they’ve played, which includes the red-hot Giants. Unexpected performances by Nolan Schanuel, Logan O’Hoppe, and breakout second baseman Kyren Paris have kept the Angels 1.5 games back of first in the AL West. Standout pitching performances from Jose Soriano (3.16 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) and Tyler Anderson (2.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) have also been pivotal in helping the Angels win.

There’s bound to be a drop-off in production within the coming weeks, but for now, the Angels have held their own against everyone except the Rangers, who outscored them 12-4 in their sweep last week. As more intradivisional games pass, though, Los Angeles will return to their losing ways.