MLP 2025 Power Rankings & Predictions: Who’s Primed To Win It All?

Apr 15

The 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season kicks off April 24 in Orlando, launching a ten-event regular season that will see all 16 Premier teams battle through 25 matches. By November, just 10 squads will punch their ticket to the playoffs and compete for the coveted MLP Cup.

This year’s rosters are loaded with familiar faces, fresh talent, and strategic overhauls. Some teams appear poised for a championship run, while others may struggle to stay afloat. From underdogs to frontrunners, we rank every Premier team from 16 to 1 — and share our predictions for their playoff chances and championship hopes.

16. New York Hustlers

Prediction: 4-21
Playoff Odds: 1%
Championship Odds: 1000-1

Zane Ford and Donald Young lead a roster that lacks competitive depth, with Dominique Schaefer and Helen Spiridis unlikely to tilt the scales. Lingwei Kong might step in, but it won’t be enough to avoid a bottom finish.

15. SoCal Hard Eights

Prediction: 4-21
Playoff Odds: 1%
Championship Odds: 1000-1

Ryan Fu and Ivan Jakovljevic show promise, but Judit Castillo and Irina Tereschenko can’t carry the load alone. SoCal faces an uphill climb in every match.

14. Miami Pickleball Club

Prediction: 5-20
Playoff Odds: 5%
Championship Odds: 500-1

Noe Khlif and Jay Devilliers form a solid duo, but the squad lacks a true star. Mya Bui and Milan Rane offer effort, but depth and firepower are missing.

13. Phoenix Flames

Prediction: 6-19
Playoff Odds: 20%
Championship Odds: 100-1

A marketing-heavy team featuring Jack Sock and Genie Bouchard, the Flames may struggle with chemistry and consistency. Tyson McGuffin and Jessie Irvine will be key, but the ceiling looks limited.

12. Carolina Hogs

Prediction: 8-17
Playoff Odds: 30%
Championship Odds: 50-1

Ben Johns can carry a team, but not alone. Collin Johns remains a controversial pick, and the women’s lineup lacks the depth needed to contend. Without stronger support, this squad remains a long shot.

11. Utah Black Diamonds

Prediction: 9-16
Playoff Odds: 40%
Championship Odds: 100-1

Tyler Loong and Connor Garnett return with grit, while Allyce Jones provides solid play. Mehvish Safdar and sub Genie Erokhina hold the key to their upside — if either elevates, Utah becomes a tough out.

10. Atlanta Bouncers

Prediction: 11-14
Playoff Odds: 60%
Championship Odds: 200-1

Vivian Glozman is an exciting addition, while Jaume Martinez Vich and Todd Fought form a reliable core. Victoria DiMuzio brings raw potential, but this team may be a year away from true contention.

9. Chicago Slice

Prediction: 12-13
Playoff Odds: 70%
Championship Odds: 100-1

With James Ignatowich and Max Freeman leading the way, Chicago hopes to overachieve. Callie Smith and Viv David are steady, but the team’s success hinges on Freeman’s rapid development in doubles.

8. Orlando Squeeze

Prediction: 13-12
Playoff Odds: 75%
Championship Odds: 50-1

Federico Staksrud and Dylan Frazier headline a roster that’s good, not great. The women's side — Lacy Schneemann and Samantha Parker — will need help if Orlando is to rise further.

7. LA Mad Drops

Prediction: 15-10
Playoff Odds: 85%
Championship Odds: 20-1

Hunter Johnson and Quang Duong are promising, but questions linger about Catherine Parenteau’s left-side play and overall mixed pairing dynamics. Strong talent, but possible mismatches may hold them back.

6. Texas Ranchers

Prediction: 17-8
Playoff Odds: 90%
Championship Odds: 10-1

Christian Alshon is a proven force. If Eric Oncins plays to his potential, this team becomes very dangerous. Etta Tuionetoa and Tina Pisnik offer balance, but Oncins is the X-factor.

5. Columbus Sliders

Prediction: 17-8
Playoff Odds: 95%
Championship Odds: 8-1

A team full of talent — Andrei Daescu, CJ Klinger, Lea Jansen, and Parris Todd — with potential chemistry questions. If they gel, they’re contenders. If not, another playoff exit looms.

4. D.C. Pickleball Team

Prediction: 19-6
Playoff Odds: 98%
Championship Odds: 7-1

Dekel Bar and Riley Newman are a powerhouse duo. Rachel Rohrabacher and Jackie Kawamoto add stability, but may face tough matchups in women’s doubles. The men’s side gives them a high floor.

3. New Jersey 5s

Prediction: 19-6
Playoff Odds: 100%
Championship Odds: 5-1

Anna Leigh Waters returns as the league’s crown jewel. With Zane Navratil, Will Howells, and Meghan Dizon, this team has talent and chemistry. Can Dizon rise to the moment under pressure?

2. St. Louis Shock

Prediction: 20-5
Playoff Odds: 100%
Championship Odds: 4-1

Youth, chemistry, and swagger — Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio, Anna Bright, and Kate Fahey make this team electric. Fahey’s continued development is the key to a title run.

1. Dallas Flash

Prediction: 18-7
Playoff Odds: 100%
Championship Odds: 4-1

The reigning champs return with JW Johnson, Augie Ge, Jorja Johnson, and Tyra Black. Every doubles pairing works. The only danger? Complacency. If focused, they’re still the team to beat.

Final Prediction: St. Louis Takes The Crown

Picking a champion isn’t easy. It takes three playoff wins against elite competition — and even the best teams can fall short on a bad day. But if chemistry and momentum carry the same weight they have in past seasons, St. Louis Shock looks ready to rise.

Rahul Khadke