Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB power rankings: The early powerhouses, surprises, and duds

By Kevin Henry

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 and George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2022 in New York City. The Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 6-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 and George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2022 in New York City. The Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 6-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Atlanta Braves (last ranking: 4)

Kenley Jansen was a big offseason acquisition for the Braves as Atlanta looked to boost an already strong bullpen. So far, Jansen has two saves but also has been rocked for three runs in four innings. Kenley is a lot like the season-opening homestand for the Braves where they went 3-4, there were some good moments but also some head-scratchers as well (Max Fried, are you ok?).

7. Chicago White Sox (last ranking: 7)

There was a lot of noise about an improving American League Central in the offseason, but early on, it’s the same story as last season with the White Sox flexing early muscles. Even with some injuries in the rotation and lineup, the White Sox have figured out how to win games, with Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech both looking very strong in their first two starts.

6. San Francisco Giants (last ranking: 11)

Maybe, just maybe, the Giants aren’t going to fall as far off of a cliff as people expected. With a starting rotation performing as strong early as San Francisco’s has (Carlos Rodon with 21 strikeouts in 12 innings is exactly what the Giants hoped for when they signed him), it’s a real possibility that the Giants will once again be a big thorn in L.A.’s side as the Dodgers try to retake the division.

5. St. Louis Cardinals (last ranking: 12)

Nolan Arenado, my goodness. The guy just keeps hitting, going 13-for-29 to open the campaign and helping take some of the heat off a Cardinals rotation that had some worries about depth with early injuries. However, so far, ageless wonders Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina, and Albert Pujols are showing that they may just have one more run at October magic in them.

4. New York Mets (last ranking: 5)

Chris Bassitt has been everything the Mets hoped he would be, allowing one run and five hits in his first 12 innings in a New York uniform. And how about Tylor Megill not allowing a run in his initial 10.1 frames of the season? Max Scherzer grabbed the headlines in the offseason, but it’s been the supporting rotation cast that has really shined in the absence of Jacob deGrom.

Home/MLB News