ESPN reveals MLB's biggest surprise teams at season's halfway point

Every MLB season produces a handful of teams that outperform expectations, and 2026 has been no different. As part of its midseason report cards for every franchise, ESPN highlighted several clubs that have dramatically exceeded preseason projections. Some were expected to rebuild. Others were projected to finish near the bottom of their divisions.

Instead, they've become some of baseball's biggest success stories through the season's first 90 games.

White Sox headline baseball's biggest surprises

No team received a higher grade than the Chicago White Sox. After enduring three consecutive 100-loss seasons, the White Sox earned an A+ from ESPN while sitting atop the American League Central.

The outlet praised breakout seasons from Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas while noting that even more young talent is still working its way through the organization. Milwaukee also earned an A+ thanks to its dominant first half behind ace Jacob Misiorowski and a club playing at more than a 100-win pace.

MORE: ESPN sends strong message about Cardinals at MLB season's halfway point

Cardinals, Marlins also exceeding expectations

St. Louis wasn't far behind with a B+ grade. Jordan Walker's emergence, JJ Wetherholt's outstanding rookie campaign and steady production throughout the lineup have transformed the Cardinals into legitimate playoff contenders.

The Miami Marlins also drew praise after an incredible June vaulted them into the National League Wild Card race. Washington rounded out the biggest surprises. ESPN noted that the Nationals actually lead the majors in runs scored, thanks largely to MVP-caliber production from James Wood and major contributions from CJ Abrams and Luis Garcia Jr.

Second half will determine which teams are real

The challenge now becomes sustaining that success. The White Sox must prove their young pitching can hold up over 162 games. The Cardinals still have questions surrounding their rotation.

Miami needs more consistency behind its top starters, while Washington continues searching for dependable pitching. Even so, each of these clubs has already changed the outlook of its season. If the first half proved anything, it's that preseason predictions rarely tell the whole story.

More MLB news:

• ESPN sends strong message about Cardinals at MLB season's halfway point
• Only at Wrigley: Fog delay sparks unforgettable Fourth of July celebration
• Dodgers' latest Shohei Ohtani update provides encouraging news after injury scare
• Pete Crow-Armstrong is giving Shohei Ohtani something almost nobody else can
• Jordan Walker ends home run drought with long-awaited blast in hometown against Braves