MLB Power Rankings: Madness from the first month of the season
The opening month of the 2019 season had a few surprises. This week’s MLB power rankings reflect those unexpected starts.
Virtually every site puts together their own version of the MLB power rankings at the beginning of the year. These rankings are based on a projection of the moves a team made in the offseason, and how they are expected to fare moving forward. Of course, those rankings are just a matter of speculation, an extrapolation of the way the offseason went.
Now, with the first month having passed by, it is interesting to look back at some of those rankings. Yes, quite a few teams were what we thought they were, either positively or negatively. Teams like the Red Sox and the Mariners have been major surprises this season, for completely opposite reasons.
Do these starts mean anything? While it is difficult to imagine that the Red Sox will perform this badly for the entirety of the 2019 season, there are few positives. Likewise, even if the Mariners regress, their rebuild may not take as long as previously thought. There is a light at the end of that tunnel.
What does that mean for our MLB power rankings this week? Let us take a look back at the first month of the season and try to provide context.
Miami Marlins. 30. team. 82. The Marlins knew they would struggle this season, even if Derek Jeter wants a quick turnaround. However, the hope was that the younger players would find their way and Victor Mesa, the future Face of the Franchise, would rocket through the system. Instead, Mesa has struggled in the Florida State League. His five steals are nice, but he has one extra base hit, a double, in 79 plate appearances. Maybe he needs to work out the rust, but his start has to be a disappointment.. . Previous:
. Previous: . Baltimore Orioles. 29. team. 11. Ever since snapping his record setting hitless streak, Chris Davis has been a completely different player. His .310/.333/.621 batting line, with two homers and three doubles in his 30 plate appearances. Yes, he has struck out 10 times in that span as well, but Davis’ production over the past two weeks is actually what the Orioles would have hoped for when signing him to that extension. Can this hot streak continue?
28. team. 14. One month into the season, and the Red Sox are in disarray. They are tied for 26th best record in the game, rank 28th in run differential, and their Pythagorean record is 11-16, the same as their actual record. This is not a good team right now. While it is not easy to see why everything has gone wrong, one has to imagine that the coaching staff may be shaken up if these struggles continue.. . Previous: . Boston Red Sox
Previous: . Kansas City Royals. 27. team. 7. Somehow, completely inexplicably, the Royals offense is sort of working. They are solidly in the middle of the pack in virtually every category, and lead the AL in steals. The problem is that the Royals have four or five pitchers that belong on a major league roster on their team. Even those pitchers with a track record of success have been a disaster. Finding a pitching staff may be the hardest part of this rebuild..
Previous: . Detroit Tigers. 26. team. 63. It took until April 23rd, but the Detroit Tigers managed to win a game without Shane Greene getting the same. Of course, when the Tigers won the second half of that doubleheader, Greene got the call for the ninth and closed out the contest. If the Tigers falter going forward, Greene has done an excellent job of improving his trade stock and enhancing what Detroit could receive in exchange..
Previous: . Pittsburgh Pirates. 25. team. 4. Is it too soon to say that the Pirates acquisition of Chris Archer was a mistake? Instead of being the staff ace they hoped for, he has been a slightly worse than league average starter before landing on the disabled list. Meanwhile, Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows have become the players that the Pirates hoped for. Maybe when he is healthy Archer can return to form, but unless that happens, this is a deal the Pirates will want back..
. Previous: . San Francisco Giants. 24. team. 40. You have to give the Giants credit. Instead of throwing in the towel following a rough start to the season, they are looking to keep adding to the roster. Kevin Pillar and Tyler Austin have not been enough, as San Francisco is looking for yet another outfielder. As the Giants have the second best ERA in the NL, that sense of urgency to improve the lineup is understandable.
Chicago White Sox. 23. team. 128. Reynaldo Lopez has continued his maddening inconsistency. After starting the season by allowing 18 runs in 13.1 innings, he has allowed just five runs, three earned, in his last 18 innings. Lopez had what may have been the best start of his career on Sunday, striking out 14 batters in six innings. Has he finally turned the corner? Or is this just another tease before he implodes again next time out?. . Previous:
. Previous: . Los Angeles Angels. 22. team. 102. The Los Angeles Angels removed Cody Allen from the closer role, leaving the ninth inning open to whoever the hot hand happens to be. Then, Allen was placed on the Injured List with lumbar spine strain. While it is not expected to sideline the Angels former closer for long, it would explain his struggles this season, particularly in his final two outings.
3. Where has it all gone wrong? The Mets opened the season on fire, and Brodie Van Wagenen looked like a genius. Since then, neither Jacob deGrom nor Noah Syndergaard have looked like the co-aces that the Mets need them to be. It is still relatively early, and both pitchers have a track record of success, but the Mets cannot afford to fall too far behind in what promises to be a difficult division.. . Previous: . New York Mets. 21. team
. Previous: . Colorado Rockies. 20. team. 108. The Rockies are slowly beginning to right the ship. After sitting at 3-11 on April 13, they have come roaring back, winning 10 of their last 13 games. The offense is starting to break out of their collective slump, and the pitching is performing as expected. Ian Desmond still does not belong anywhere need the starting lineup however, which the Rockies desperately need to rectify.
. Previous: . Oakland Athletics. 19. team. 96. Normally, a relatively slow start, especially following a sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays, would be cause for concern. Yet, these are the Oakland Athletics. They care naught for your early season panic. After all, last year, they stormed out of nowhere to make the postseason despite a roster that even the most ardent baseball fans may not recognize. Let’s tune back in next month and see where they find themselves.
San Diego Padres. 18. team. 127. The San Diego Padres are dramatically outperforming expectations this season. Their 16-12 record is three games better than their Pythagorean record this season, the largest positive difference in the majors thus far. On the plus side, the Padres young roster is learning how to win in the majors, an important step in their development.. . Previous:
76. The Brewers leaky rotation has been the problem that it was expected to be. However, reinforcements have already begun to arrive. Gio Gonzalez has returned, and made his first start. Freddy Peralta is getting closer to returning, and Jimmy Nelson is getting ready to make his first rehab start. If the Brewers can continue to tread water, they should be able to make a run in the second half.. . Previous: . Milwaukee Brewers. 17. team
90. Despite a rough week, the Nationals saw signs of what could be a bright future. On Sunday, the trio of Juan Soto, Victor Robles, and Carter Kieboom all homered. This marked the first time in MLB history that a team had three players at 21 years old or younger homer in the same game. Chances are, it will not be the last time that trio goes deep in the same game.. . Previous: . Washington Nationals. 16. team
Point blank – the Braves need to address the closer role now. A.J. Minter has not been the answer, allowing 16 baserunners in 8.1 innings. There is an answer sitting out in free agency in Craig Kimbrel, but he will take some time to get back into game shape. Even with that being the case, the Braves need to address this situation sooner rather than later if they hope to remain in contention.. . Previous: . Atlanta Braves. 15. team. 17
. Previous: . Cincinnati Reds. 14. team. 61. While the Padres have been the luckiest team in the league based on outperforming their expected record, the Reds have been the exact opposite. They are four games worse than their Pythagorean record, the worst mark in the majors. The offense and pitching are starting to come around, but the Reds desperately need to get Alex Wood back in order to take that next step forward.
. Previous: . Texas Rangers. 13. team. 126. Mike Minor has done nothing but improve his stock should the Rangers fall off the pace. He ranks second in pitching WAR at 1.7, striking out 39 batters with just 12 walks in 40.2 innings. Minor has unexpectedly blossomed into a top of the rotation arm in Texas, the type of stopper that the Rangers need if they are going to remain on the cusp of the postseason this year. It has taken some time, but Minor appears to have recaptured his form from his time with the Braves.
39. Well, the Vladimir Guerrero Jr is well underway for the Blue Jays. Since making his debut on Friday, he has displayed some of the hitting ability that made him the top prospect in the game, while showing that he can handle the hot corner defensively. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are 3-0 since his promotion. Maybe that is a coincidence, but there is a great deal of optimism in Toronto.. . Previous: . Toronto Blue Jays. 12. team
. Previous: . Philadelphia Phillies. 10. team. 6. One of the more entertaining subplots to the season for the Phillies has been the budding bromance between Bryce Harper and the Phillie Phanatic. After wearing a pair of cleats featuring the mascot, and the Phanatic wearing a pair of Bryce Harper cleats, the Phillies star gave the Phanatic a pair of custom shoes on Saturday for the mascot’s birthday. It helps that Harper has been exactly what the Phillies hoped for, but moments like that will further endear him with the fanbase.
9. team. 8. Zack Greinke is doing his part to keep the designated hitter from coming to the NL. He has six hits in his 16 plate appearances, with five of those going for extra bases. Greinke has even hit a triple already this year, the first of his career. Unfortunately, the rest of the pitching staff has combined for five hits, so Greinke’s quest to keep swinging the bat may be for naught.. . Previous: . Arizona Diamondbacks
Seattle Mariners. 8. team. 62. Jerry Dipoto may have a clause in his contract that says that he makes a trade every month, as there is no other way to justify acquiring Mike Wright. We keep waiting for the other shoe to drop after Seattle’s surprising start to the season, and that may have come over the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the Mariners were outscored 29-2 by the Rangers.. . Previous:
team. 9. Not only is the Jason Heyward Revival Tour still in full effect, but the Cubs bullpen is starting to round into form as well. To the complete and utter shock of everyone, Kyle Ryan and Allen Webster have been competent. Even Tyler Chatwood has been a viable part of the major league roster, despite his tendency to walk far too many batters.. . Previous: . Chicago Cubs. 7
team. 135. The Astros best hitter this season? It could arguably be Robinson Chirinos, who leads the team with a 146 OPS+. On Sunday night, he showed his power by launching a home run over the train tracks in Houston, absolutely crushing the ball. It is still early, but Chirinos could be in the beginning stages of making a case for an All Star nod.. . Previous: . Houston Astros. 6
33. The Cardinals may have an Alex Reyes problem. After a promising 2016 campaign, he missed all but one game over the next two years. Now, he is back on the disabled list with a broken finger after punching a wall. Before that, he had struggled at the major league level. At this point, Reyes’ future as a starter is in doubt, as is his stature as a future star for St. Louis.. . Previous: . St. Louis Cardinals. 5. team
2. Very quietly, the Minnesota Twins have posted the second best record in the AL. The offense is clicking, leading the league in OPS and runs, helping make up for a relatively average pitching staff. There are some questions at the back of the rotation and in the bullpen, but the offense has been more than enough to overcome those potential issues.. . Previous: . Minnesota Twins. 4. team
3. team. 43. How many players can the Yankees lose and still continue to win? Despite having 13 players on the Injured List at this point in time, they have won 11 of their last 14 games, including nine of their last ten. Gio Urshela, Mike Ford, and Mike Tauchman have somehow been able to perform at a respectable level. If the Yankees can ever get healthy, this is a dangerous team.. . Previous: . New York Yankees
71. Cody Bellinger is off to a ridiculously hot start this season. Heading into action on Monday, he has an incredible .427/.500/.913 batting line, hitting 14 homers and six doubles in 124 plate appearances. Although he will not keep up that pace all season, his impressive start has made him the early front runner for the NL MVP award.. . Previous: . Los Angeles Dodgers. 2. team
Next. Addressing the Phillies pitching concerns. dark
Tampa Bay Rays. 1. team. 21. The Tampa Bay Rays are essentially playing five dimensional chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers. Stealing post hype prospects for a pitcher that just has not lived up to expectations? Check. Reinventing the way starting pitchers are regarded? Check. Taking a player like Yandy Diaz and turning him into an offensive monster? Check. Having the best farm system in the game? Check. This team is going to be very good for a long, long time.. . Previous: