Week One Power Rankings

Intercounty Baseball League Power Rankings – Week 1

Week One is in the books across the IBL, and a mix of hot starts and cold bats has already shaken up the early standings. Here’s how the teams stack up after the opening week of play:

1. Welland Jackfish (2-0) | Last Week: 3rd
The Jackfish picked up right where they left off last season. Back-to-back strong starts from the rotation and steady relief work have powered them to a perfect start. Some of the new young bats are already showing why they were brought in. Welland looks like a team with championship intentions once again.

2. London Majors (3-0) | Last Week: 6th
London is making an early statement. Kaiden Cardoso played with a chip on his shoulder, Toby Simmons impressed in his IBL debut, and Byron Reichstein looks rejuvenated after a strong off-season. Victor Payano continues to anchor the rotation, and the bullpen passed a tough test on the road Sunday.

3. Barrie Baycats (0-2) | Last Week: 1st
The Baycats stumbled out of the gate with defensive miscues playing a major role in both losses. Frank Garces was lights out in relief Thursday, striking out 13, and there’s no panic in Barrie. They’ve been slow starters before and know how to bounce back.

4. Hamilton Cardinals (1-1) | Last Week: 2nd
Hamilton split their first two, but Sunday’s loss to Welland felt like an early-season gut check. The offense struggled to adjust, but Owen Boon bounced back well after a rough first inning Friday. The bullpen was a bright spot all weekend and kept them in both games.

5. Kitchener Panthers (2-1) | Last Week: 8th
Kitchener made a big leap this week, capped by a strong comeback Sunday at home. This young group used their park to their advantage and played with energy. They’ll be a team that grows each week—and one that could surprise down the stretch.

6. Toronto Maple Leafs (1-2) | Last Week: 7th
Toronto is still searching for its identity, but there were flashes. A comeback win in Barrie was a rare bright spot in a place where they’ve struggled. Despite falling behind early on Sunday, they nearly pulled off another late rally at home. The pieces are there—it’s about finding consistency.

7. Chatham-Kent Barnstormers (1-1) | Last Week: 5th
Losing the league MVP isn’t easy, but the Barnstormers held their own in Week One. A .500 start is respectable, and while their young pitching staff will have to adjust to the smaller IBL parks, they’ve already shown they’re willing to scrap until the final out.

8. Brantford Red Sox (1-2) | Last Week: 9th
There’s momentum brewing in Brantford. They notched their first win in May in three years and showed fight all weekend. Learning to hold late leads is the next step—this team could easily be 3-0 with a bit more polish in the late innings.

9. Guelph Royals (0-2) | Last Week: 4th
The slow start is nothing new for the Royals, but the lack of offense is a concern. That said, this is a team that tends to heat up mid-summer. As the lineup settles in and the pitching rounds into form, expect a much different Guelph squad come July.