MLB power rankings: A new team takes the top spot

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 01: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by Josh Donaldson #28 after hitting a solo home run during the 9th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on May 01, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 01: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by Josh Donaldson #28 after hitting a solo home run during the 9th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on May 01, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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May 1, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Daniel Lynch (52) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Daniel Lynch (52) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The calendar has turned to May and the New York Yankees have turned up the intensity and the power, leading to a shakeup at the top of the latest MLB power rankings.

Of course, the top isn’t the only place where there was some movement this week in our MLB power rankings. Let’s get right to the rankings and where teams stand as we enter May and the first full month of MLB games.

From the best MLB team entering the month of May to the one struggling the most, here are the latest MLB power rankings

30. Cincinnati Reds (last week: 30)

What can be said about what has been nothing short of a miserable start to the season for the Reds? Jonathan India went back on the disabled list this weekend as the Reds were swept in Colorado to fall to 3-19 on the season after the first game of the new month.

29. Kansas City Royals (last week: 27)

Kansas City has dropped eight of its last 10 games and lost Adalberto Mondesi to a torn ACL this week. The injury will cause a shift in some positions for the Royals, but at least there is a bright spot with Andrew Benintendi among MLB leaders in batting average (.366 through his first 20 games).

28. Baltimore Orioles (last week: 28)

The Orioles may have lost John Means for the season, but they are seeing other members of the starting rotation step up in his absence. That includes Bruce Zimmermann, who has a 0.93 ERA through his first four starts and has struck out 21 in 19.1 innings of work.

27. Detroit Tigers (last week: 22)

A trip to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers this weekend at least provided Detroit with one win in three games and snapped a six-game losing skid. The Tigers have to figure out what is going on with Akil Baddoo (.128/.190/.231 slash line through his first 39 at-bats), who was such a pleasant surprise for them in his rookie season of 2021.

26. Washington Nationals (last week: 25)

Everyone is focused on MVP candidate Juan Soto, but don’t overlook what Josh Bell has done so far this season. He’s leading the team in RBI (15) while his .351 batting average is among the National League leaders.