The Arizona Diamondbacks have soared up the latest MLB Power Rankings, going from No. 22 all the way to the No. 10 spot. 

It's been great to see the Diamondbacks become one of the top teams in baseball early in the 2026 MLB season. The team's new ranking comes from The Athletic, which provides power rankings throughout the season.

What's been standing out for The Athletic's MLB writers when looking at the team is how starting pitcher Michael Soroka has been playing.

"Much of the Diamondbacks’ winter was spent bringing back familiar faces who can’t possibly be described as newcomers, like Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Paul Sewald," MLB reporter Stephen J. Nesbitt wrote.

"(Early returns there? Good!) But Soroka is truly new, and he’s made a heck of an impression," Nesbitt continued. "He’s 4-0 with a 2.78 ERA through four starts, racking up high strikeout totals few expected."

Soroka uses a five-pitch arsenal when on the mound. He really brings his four-seam fastball into steady usage, followed by a slurve, a cutter, a changeup, and a sinker. Soroka has been leaning on that four-seamer, using it 35% of the time.

Against left-handed hitters, Soroka uses his four-seamer 39% of the time, compared to 30% of the time against right-handed hitters, according to Baseball Savant. Soroka powers his four-seamer through the heart of the strike zone consistently.

The below graphic indicates Soroka's percentile rankings per Baseball Savant data.

He leans into working the lower right corner with his slurve, but Soroka's cut fastball locates on the right side of it. 

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo has had to weather some injury storms as well. Nesbitt pointed toward a couple of Diamondbacks who have been getting off to slow starts.

"On the flip side, Nolan Arenado (.556 OPS) and Carlos Santana (2-for-24 before an adductor strain) have made poorer first impressions," Nesbitt wrote. "In Santana’s absence, rookie José Fernández has seized the opportunity, hitting .300 so far while bouncing all around the infield."

Diamondbacks fans can tune in to watch their team play the San Diego Padres on Saturday and Sunday as they're part of the Mexico City Series in Mexico City, Mexico.

Earlier this week, the Diamondbacks released pitcher Shawn Dubin. Dubin had been signed to a minor-league contract, but is now back in the market.

Dubin has previous major-league experience, so he's probably going to get another shot somewhere.

News of Dubin's release came through MLB Trade Rumors.

The team re-signed first baseman Luken Baker, too.
Dubin pitched a career-high 45 1/3 innings for the Houston Astros in 2024. Last season, Dubin split last year between Houston and the Baltimore Orioles, allowing a 5.08 earned run average through 33 2/3 frames. He has a 4.81 ERA with a nearly league average 22.3% strikeout percentage over 88 MLB innings.

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