MLB Power Rankings: Number 20 to 16
#20 Philadelphia Phillies, 80-82, .494 (75-87 Expected Record)
-51 run-differential, 27-40, .403 since All-Star break
The Phillies had the third-best record in the National League at the All-Star break, but went 27-40 in the second half. One of the players who struggled most in the second half was Odubel Herrera, who went from hitting .275/.327/.460 before the All-Star break to .216/.282/.346 after.
#19 Minnesota Twins, 78-84, .481 (77-85 Expected Record)
-37run-differential, 34-34, .500 since All-Star break
One of the bright spots in a disappointing year for the Twins was catcher Willians Astudillo, who spent most of the year in the minor leagues before getting into 29 games in the bigs. Astudillo was the most unusual hitter in baseball. While the league average strikeout rate was 22.2 percent this year, Astudillo struck out just three times in 97 plate appearances (3.1 percent). Amazingly, he only walked twice (2.1 percent). Here’s hoping he gets a chance to continue his unusual career in the major league next season.
#18 New York Mets, 77-85, .475 (77-85 Expected Record)
-31 run-differential, 38-30, .559 since All-Star break
Christian Yelich had a big final stretch for the playoff-bound Brewers, so many people expect he’ll win the NL MVP Award. By the numbers, though, it should be Jacob deGrom. The Mets hurler led Yelich in Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference WAR and Baseball Prospectus WARP and it wasn’t particularly close. If the Mets hitters had given him some support, he’d be a 20-game winner.
#17 Seattle Mariners, 89-73 (77-85 Expected Record)
-34 run-differential, 31-34, .477 since All-Star break
Mariner fans will be disappointed because the Mariners extended their playoff drought to 17 straight seasons, but the team’s 89 wins this year is their sixth-highest total ever. It’s just that the Mariners were competing for a playoff spot with teams that won 100 and 97 games. One bright spot as the season comes to a close is Edwin Diaz and his 57 saves, tied for second-most ever.
#16 Los Angeles Angels, 80-82, .494 (81-81 Expected Record)
-1 run-differential, 31-34, .477 since All-Star break
As usual, the brightest spot on the Angels this year was center fielder Mike Trout, who should have his seventh straight top-five finish in AL MVP voting. He’ll most likely finish second in the voting for the fourth time. Trout had the highest on-base percentage (.460) and slugging percentage (.630) of his career