RADIO
We've gone through each pitching rotation more than twice and while I hesitate to move teams too much or too little just based on the results of the last 6-7 games, I am going to be more aggressive with my rankings early in the season while we are still figuring out just how good teams across the league are in 2024.
I am going to be factoring in past performance, current levels of performance, overall talent, and preseason expectations into the rankings - with the latter being a bit more relevant now than it will be in later weeks.
It's only been a week, but we already have some teams that have started much stronger than others and some surprise teams that are already playing above or below expectations. We will start counting each week from the bottom with #30 and work our way up to the top spot. Without any further ado, let's unveil the Week 3 MLB Power Rankings!
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Maybe Next Year?
30. Miami Marlins (2-11)
Last Week's Ranking (30)
The Marlins managed two wins over the last week, but are still a woeful -30 in run differential. Their pitching was supposed to carry them, but A.J. Puk has been a huge disappointment, and losing Eury Perez for the season is a crushing blow. We should see Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera return soon, which is about the only good news in Miami right now.
29. Colorado Rockies (3-10)
Last Week's Ranking (29)
If we are looking to highlight at least one bright spot for Colorado, then it has to be young right-handed starting pitcher Ryan Feltner, who struck out 10 in six strong innings of work against the Rays over the weekend. He did it in Coors, too, and is a pitcher who you should put on your radar for fantasy purposes. Otherwise, the rest of the starting staff has been abysmal.
28. Chicago White Sox (2-10)
Last Week's Ranking (26)
I know a few ChiSox fans and they're depressed already, even though expectations were set pretty low to start the season. This team is bad and blew a 5-0 lead yesterday and nearly blew another big lead against Cleveland the day before. With a -29 run differential, they are third-worst in the majors and it's hard to imagine they ever move out of this bottom tier this season.
27. Oakland Athletics (4-8)
Last Week's Ranking (28)
Oakland has a few young hitters to get excited about, namely Zach Gelof who finally went yard this week for his first home run of the season.
A triple and a homer so far today for Rehoboth Beach’s finest Zach Gelof pic.twitter.com/LOJ3nnC6dj
— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) April 7, 2024
And catcher Shea Langaliers hit three long balls in the same game to lead the As to a big comeback win over the Rangers a few nights ago. But the long-term outlook for this season (and perhaps beyond with this ridiculous ownership) still looks pretty bleak.
26. New York Mets (4-7)
Last Week's Ranking (27)
Sorry, Mets fans I don't see any reason to move this team out of the basement just yet. They are just 1-5 at home to start the year. In a division that was once one of the most competitive in baseball, they are now sitting in fourth place behind the Washington Nationals. The once mighty NL East now just appears to be Atlanta, Philadelphia, and three pretty bad teams behind them.
We're Not As Bad As Those Guys, Right?
25. Washington Nationals (5-7)
Last Week's Ranking (25)
C.J. Abrams looks like an All-Star caliber player through the first several weeks and it's only a matter of time until Nats fans are clamoring for the team to bring up prospect James Woods, who was crushing home runs during Spring Training.
How long do we think Trevor Williams can keep his ERA under 3.00?
24. San Francisco Giants (5-8)
Last Week's Ranking (23)
Good news! Blake Snell made his debut for the Giants this week. Bad News! Snell didn't pitch very well and the Giants still have some major gaps in their rotation and in their lineup. This team could improve yet, but I don't see enough talent on this roster for them to really compete for a playoff spot this season.
23. St. Louis Cardinals (6-7)
Last Week's Ranking (22)
Are the Cardinals the worst team in the NL Central? Right now they are the only team with a negative run differential of the five teams in the division. On a positive note, Sonny Gray looked good in his debut. On a negative note, Jordan Walker looks lost at the plate. This team shouldn't be this bad, but I think they are destined for mediocrity (or worse) this year.
Wait, What Are You Doing Here?
22. Minnesota Twins (4-6)
Last Week's Ranking (15)
I had to drop the Twins into purgatory this week as they continue to struggle (especially offensively) out of the gates. I still think they're the likely favorites in the AL Central, but Detroit, Kansas City, and Cleveland all look like they are ready to make this race interesting.
21. Los Angeles Angels (6-6)
Last Week's Ranking (19)
The Angels drop a few spots despite having a decent week. I think they are overachieving so far and I would expect them to work their way down the rankings over time eventually.
20. Kansas City Royals (8-4)
Last Week's Ranking (24)
Wait, are the Royals for real? Cole Ragans certainly looks like an ace, while Brady Singer, Seth Lugo, and Alec Marsh all have looked solid so far, too. KC has just enough offense to take advantage of good matchups (as they did last night) and are putting the best teams on the field this season than they have in several years. Stay tuned!
19. Detroit Tigers (7-4)
Last Week's Ranking (21)
The Tigers move up a few spots, but I am not ready to call them contenders just yet. They are three games over .500 but with a +0 run differential as they offense struggles to do much and they continue to ride their pitching.
18. Milwaukee Brewers (8-3)
Last Week's Ranking (20)
The Brew Crew moves up a few more spots this week, and I am probably still low on them based on how their offense has hit the ball so far this year.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS MLB TOTALS
2nd BA
4th HR
9th RBI
3rd SB
11th R
6th OBP
3rd SLG
3rd OPS
9th HHope you like offense!
— Dallas Brewers (@DallasBrewers) April 10, 2024
I still have my doubts on their starting pitching - after Freddy Peralta it gets pretty thin pretty quickly.
17. Houston Astros (4-9)
Last Week's Ranking (17)
I probably should have dropped the Astros this week, but Houston continues to mash the baseball - they just can't stop the bleeding on defense as they have allowed nearly five runs per game. They get one more week of a grace period here to get things moving the other direction and then I have to start dropping them.
16. Pittsburgh Pirates (9-3)
Last Week's Ranking (18)
The Pirates were three outs away from becoming only the third 10-win team on Tuesday when their closer David Bednar blew a 2-run lead against Detroit. Other than that loss, things have been clicking on offense, and the pitching staff for the Pirates and a series victory against Baltimore last weekend makes me think there might be something to this team in 2024.
15. Seattle Mariners (5-8)
Last Week's Ranking (6)
Another week, same story for Seattle - they have been underwhelming on offense and other than staff ace Logan Gilbert, their staff has not performed up to expectations, either. Bryce Miller did look impressive in his last start, but Luis Castillo and George Kirby have not looked like the versions of themselves that the Mariners were counting on this season.
Middle of The Road
14. San Diego Padres (7-8)
Last Week's Ranking (14)
I really don't know what to make of the Padres yet. They broke out for a bunch of runs last night and it was good to see that offense get going this week. They've scored just one less run than the Dodgers this season and have been sneaky good on offense.
The rotation has been shakier than I expected, however, with Michael King and Joe Musgrove posting a mixed bag of results. At least Dylan Cease is proving to be a worthwhile acquisition so far and Yu Darvish is doing his usual thing.
13. Toronto Blue Jays (6-7)
Last Week's Ranking (12)
Toronto is in last place in the AL East. A good friend of mine north of the border said this team is built around pitching and defense. And if that's the case I would be worried about this season with Kevin Gausman struggling last start and a huge Ricky Tiedemann-sized hole in their rotation at the fifth starter.
On a scale of 9.9 to 10, how worried are we about Kevin Gausman? pic.twitter.com/z4uxZfwv2B
— Eric Cross (@EricCross04) April 7, 2024
12. Tampa Bay Rays (7-6)
Last Week's Ranking (11)
Tampa didn't do much this week to change my opinion of their outlook. They took two of three in Coors but are still scuffling along around the .500 mark. How long until we see Junior Caminero is healthy and up with the big league team? They could use a shot in the arm on offense.
11. Cincinnati Reds (6-6)
Last Week's Ranking (13)
Are the Reds any good? Seriously, I am asking you. They have a ton of young talent but they're treading water at .500 as Hunter Greene continues to "not break out." Spencer Steer and Will Benson have been off to great starts, but this team was supposed to have hitters up and down the lineup (granted several of them are hurt or suspended). Nick Lodolo's return can't come soon enough!
10. Philadelphia Phillies (6-6)
Last Week's Ranking (9)
The Phillies got bumped from the contender's section, oh my! The offense has been underachieving for a lineup that has talent at every position. Zach Wheeler looks like a Cy Young contender, but Aaron Nola continues to fall off from his current form. And don't get me started on this bullpen!
Contenders, Maybe?
9. Chicago Cubs (7-5)
Last Week's Ranking (10)
The Cubs are raking out of the gates, which is good because it has helped mask their issues with starting pitching. They are +11 in run differential thanks to the hot start from the bats, but they are badly missing Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon in the rotation.
8. Boston Red Sox (7-5)
Last Week's Ranking (8)
I like what Boston is doing so far, but they have some major flaws that are going to be exposed sooner or later. The pitching has been good so far, but the staff is young and features all RHP. The lineup is the opposite - almost a little LHH-heavy as they just lost righty slugger Trevor Story for the season. I think this team will be pesky and compete, but they still seem like they are a year or two away.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks (6-7)
Last Week's Ranking (2)
The Diamondbacks came crashing back to reality after being swept by the Braves and perhaps they are not ready to be considered among the MLB elite. Corbin Carroll finally hit his first HR of the season just the other day and this offense continues to be productive.
But do they have the horses they need on this staff in order to compete with the top tier of teams? Zac Gallen is great, but Merrill Kelly is GOOD, and Brandon Pfaadt is still quite unproven. Getting Jordan Montgomery going soon will certainly help.
6. New York Yankees (10-3)
Last Week's Ranking (16)
I made my biggest course correction from last week to this week with the Yankees. I just hope I didn't overdo it as jumping them 10 spots may have been premature if they can't sustain this hot start.
Carlos Rodón, 96mph ⛽️
5th K thru 3 pic.twitter.com/CyKPWlI5Ms
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 9, 2024
Carlos Rodon has been good and has put fears of a bad Spring Training behind him. They're hitting the ball and have a solid bullpen. This team looks like they can compete as long as their big bats and Rodon can stay healthy. If you are a Yankees fan say prayers daily that Gerrit Cole returns in June!
5. Cleveland Guardians (9-3)
Last Week's Ranking (7)
The Guardians just won't quit! They got some terrible news about Shane Bieber being done for the year this week, but they just keep winning and it's a testament to just how deep their young pitching staff is. The offense is likely going to slow down at some point, but this team will go as far as their young core of starting pitching talent could take them.
Contenders, For Sure
4. Texas Rangers (7-5)
Last Week's Ranking (4)
The defending champs stay put at the four-slot this week. They wasted another really good start by Nathan Eovaldi against Oakland, but they continue to hit the ball like crazy and own a solid +21 run differential. I have a hard time seeing someone other than Texas or this next team representing the AL in the World Series this season.
3. Baltimore Orioles (7-4)
Last Week's Ranking (5)
The youth movement is in full swing already in Baltimore as Jackson Holliday got called up as well as Colton Cowser. What's wild is they still have Coby Mayo and Heston Kjerstad at Triple-AAA for whenever they need them.
The moment MLB's No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday was told he was being called up to the big leagues 🥲
(via @Orioles) pic.twitter.com/Jytc7mvCT5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 10, 2024
It sounds like John Means and Kyle Bradish could return soon. Both guys represent significant upgrades over Cole Irvin and Tyler Wells. This team, if healthy, is in my eyes the most complete and talented team in the American League.
2. Atlanta Braves (7-3)
Last Week's Ranking (3)
The Braves took it personally that I had them ranked behind the Snakes last week as they proceeded to sweep Arizona and claim the second overall spot for themselves.
Arizona had big leads in two of those three games, but couldn't hold off the Atlanta offense for a full nine innings - as few teams can. The Braves just keep coming after you with hitters. Their best hitter doesn't even have a home run yet (Acuna) and they are still cruising along to a +26 run differential.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (10-5)
Last Week's Ranking (1)
It's going to take either a really poor week from L.A. or an incredible couple of weeks from one of the other contenders to knock the Dodgers from the top spot.
In case you missed it, Dodger ace (yes, I'm calling him that), Tyler Glasnow just struck out 14 Twins in his last start. The reality is that the Dodgers have so much talent and depth that they are going to be more equipped to handle the injuries and cold streaks to their players, with the next stud ready to step up.
I'll see you next week for my newest batch of rankings - feel free to let me know what I got right and wrong!
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