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Chicago Sports Power Rankings: Players Edition

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Tommy Erbe | Last updated Jun 1, 2026 8:41 AM ET

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In the first week of our Chicago Sports Power Rankings, the Chicago White Sox claimed the top spot with their dominating week. Then, last week, we highlighted the Chicago Wolves and their remarkable playoff run. This week, why not show the players some love?

Yes, it is the players who make the teams ignite. We’ve seen some individual performances that have generated some head turns from the opposition and jubulant cheering from the home fans.

1. Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox

He got hurt this week. But Munetaka Murakami is still taking Chicago by storm. In five games this week, Murakami hit three home runs with an OPS of 1.282. Murakami is tied for the second-most home runs in baseball with 20. Almost half of his hits have gone over the fence.

Unfortunately, Murakami suffered a hamstring strain in Friday night’s win over the Detroit Tigers. He’s expected to miss four to six weeks of action. Even without him, though, the White Sox swept their division rivals over the weekend.

The White Sox are playing the best baseball they’ve played in the past few years. Their 32-27 record is good enough for second place in the American League Central division, just one game behind the Cleveland Guardians. A lot of that is thanks to the power Murakami has given them.

2. Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are still in a funk overall, but Ian Happ may be beginning to break out of his. He hit three home runs this week, batting .323 overall with an OPS of 1.054. If those numbers aren’t enough to complement his week, I don’t know what more you’re looking for from him.

Happ has often received criticism from Cubs fans throughout his ten seasons on the North Side. There’ve been some untimely slumps and strikeouts along the way. But that’s how baseball goes; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Regardless of the bat, Happ is a four-time Gold Glove Award winner. All consecutively, that is.

Somewhere around the .750 OPS mark is considered an average MLB-caliber batter. To be an All-Star, the expectation rises to All-Star. Happ has a career .818 OPS with 186 home runs. That’s good enough for 12th best in Cubs’ history, climbing ever so closer to Hack Wilson in 11th (190).

3. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are not playing competitive football yet. Unfortunately, they’re still messing with their stadium tomfoolery. But thank heavens for Caleb Williams. He had himself a week.

It was leaked last week that Williams would be on the cover of the upcoming Madden video game. The photo is ice cold, pun intended. But, of course, the concern of the “Madden Curse” rose immediately for Bears fans. Historically, those who don the cover of the game have had a significantly down season that year. Or, worse, they suffer severe injury. But, then again, we got this.

This post has almost two million views on it. You just know Bears fans watched this on repeat, dreaming of the season to come. The Bears will have the toughest schedule in the NFL next year. But if Williams is doing this all season, I’d say the opposing defenses are in more trouble.

4. Mallory Swanson, Chicago Stars FC

If these rankings were based on bad-@$$ery alone, Mallory Swanson would be in the top spot, and there would be no others ranked. Honestly, she might should be anyway. Swanson scored a goal this week in just her second match after being away to become a mom. The coolest thing is that little Josie, her beautiful daughter, is along for the ride with her.

The Chicago Red Stars have struggled and desperately needed the mid-season break. They have just nine points this season with a 3-9 record, the second-worst in the league. The Red Stars will be off for a month, picking play back up on July 5th.

Swanson’s leadership can certainly make an impact in the second half of the Red Stars’ season. While she is helping lead her team, maybe she’ll be sending some positive vibes to her husband, too. Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs shortstop, is in the middle of one of the slumpiest stretches of his career.

5. Colston Montgomery, Chicago White Sox

Don’t let the cover fool you. You have to read these things all the way through, always. Colston Montgomery had himself a week, and he will absolutely be recognized for it appropriately.

Montgomery hit two home runs, batted .346, and had an OPS of 1.106 in seven games. Those kinds of numbers consistently will keep the White Sox as a realistic playoff contender, even if Murakami is out for an extended period of time.

For the White Sox fans who are constantly looking north for comparison, here’s something for you. Just one pick ahead of when the White Sox took Montgomery in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft, the Cubs selected Jordan Wicks. Ask Cubs fans how they feel about that.

Honorable Mentions: Ben Brown, Pete Crow-Armstrong

It was as unintentional as anything this season, but Ben Brown has become the ace of the Chicago Cubs. It’s by way of significant injuries to a pitching staff that many thought was deep going into 2026. Coincidentally, it was not even close to deep enough. Brown started two games this week. He pitched 13 innings, giving up just two runs on seven hits, striking out 13.

Pete Crow-Armstrong may be starting to exit two of the worst weeks of his young career. His loud home run on Saturday night helped the Cubs salvage one game in their series against the St. Louis Cardinals. On the week, PCA had a .300 average and an .882 OPS.

The Cubs are now in third place in the National League Central division, five games behind the Brewers. They have not won a series since sweeping the Cincinnati Reds almost a month ago. However, they still would have possession of the final NL playoff spot if the season ended today.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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