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MLB Rankings: Projecting the worst teams for 2021

By Adam Taylor McKillop

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 08: Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles walks to the dugout after striking out in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 8, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 08: Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles walks to the dugout after striking out in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 8, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The MLB regular season is less than one month away. Spring Training camps are in full swing and, this week, teams began playing their first live games since the final out of the 2020 World Series in October.

While the majority of MLB teams are thrilled for a fresh start and a chance at the 2021 postseason, a few teams must prepare for a long year of baseball. Call to the Pen previously released its MLB rankings for the most improved teams heading into this season. Now, it’s time to talk about some harsh realities. Check out the MLB rankings projecting the worst teams for 2021.

MLB Rankings: Check out projections for the five worst teams of 2021

Each of the teams earning a spot on this list possess some common themes. The worst teams of every new MLB season are commonly too inexperienced, missing true star power, and suffered a disastrous offseason.

Baltimore Orioles: no chance at the postseason 

This list begins with the Baltimore Orioles, who finished 25-35 and fourth in the AL East last season. A recent report from FanGraphs revealed the Orioles are the best bet not to make the 2021 playoff field. Each year, FanGraphs releases odds for every MLB team to make the postseason. This year, every team owned at least a minuscule chance at postseason baseball, save the Orioles. Baltimore earned a 0.00 percent chance.

Not the best news to kick off a new year. Still, there’s a reason the Orioles are listed on our projections for the worst MLB teams in 2021. Baltimore sits in the middle of a full rebuild. The strength of Baltimore’s schedule is another main factor in this decision. Baltimore owns the league’s toughest strength of schedule at 52.3 percent.

Aside from the tough schedule, the Orioles are not built for success. Baltimore owns a ton of young talent, including several names that don’t project higher than Minor League talents. But, on a rebuilding team with a serious lack of talent, these types of players get a shot at the big leagues.

Ryan Mountcastle and Hanser Alberto enjoyed the most successful seasons for Baltimore’s position players last year. Mountcastle hit .333 with five home runs and appears to be a building block for the future, while Alberto was let go. Veteran Jose Iglesias also enjoyed a breakout campaign, hitting .373 in 39 games. But, the 31-year-old was traded away, moving onto the Los Angeles Angels.

The pitching staff was average last season with a team ERA of 4.51, but don’t expect the same level of success over a full campaign. Baltimore’s staff is comprised of a number of young talents including John Means, Keegan Akin, and Dean Kremer. This young staff will likely struggle to eat up innings by the time late summer rolls around. Baltimore added zero-risk veteran free-agents in Felix Hernandez and Matt Harvey, two starters in their 30’s that haven’t registered sub-4.00 ERAs since 2016.

Trey Mancini’s return from cancer is the best thing Baltimore fans will see this year. Of course, they also have to worry about the league’s worst contract in Chris Davis. Davis is owed $23 million this season but hasn’t hit above .200 since 2017.

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