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 surprisesNo 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