As the month of April comes to a close, injuries are shaking up this week’s MLB power rankings almost as much as the activities going on on the field.
Just this past week, fans have seen the Chicago White Sox bit once again by the injury bug with Eloy Jimenez suffering a hamstring strain that could cost him up to two months of action. Baltimore Orioles fans also received the worst situation news that starting pitcher John Means will undergo Tommy John surgery, beginning a long recovery period for him to return to the mound.
Injuries may be dominating the baseball news (along with that 3,000th hit off the bat of Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera), but there are also some interesting statistical happenings going on with each team as well.
Let’s take a look at the last MLB power rankings, with one statistical note from the month of April (so far) included for each team.
30. Cincinnati Reds (last week: 29)
One of the biggest reasons for the Reds having the worst record in the National League? Injuries. There are currently 11 members of the team on the injured list (Cincinnati started the season with eight already on the IL, the highest mark since the 2014 squad started the season with eight on the list). Since Opening Day, six more have added to the list, so it’s been a revolving door for the Reds early on in the campaign.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks (last week: 27)
Don’t overlook what Seth Beer is doing in the desert. Heading into Sunday’s action, he had hit safely in eight of his previous 11 games, batting .419 (13-for-31) during that time. His 15 hits entering Sunday was tied for second among all MLB rookies (knotted with Cleveland’s Steven Kwan and one behind Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs).
28. Baltimore Orioles (last week: 30)
Can you name the only MLB player to reach base safely in the first 15 games of the season? If you said Anthony Santander, get yourself some BBQ from Boog Powell as a prize for correctly guessing the Baltimore outfielder. As part of those first 15 games, Santander drew 13 walks.