2017 MLB Power Rankings 2.0
June 20, 2017
Below are my rankings with brief reasoning and reflection of the MLB as we head into summer! Comment below with your disagreements and own opinions and check out the previous 2017 MLB Power Rankings to see how the rankings have changed!
1. HOUSTON ASTROS (47-24) – The Stro’s just dropped two out of three to the Red Sox, but they are still rollin’, clinging onto the best record in baseball from a host of hot NL West teams. We knew this offense was potent, but the pitching and bullpen this year has been the difference to bring this team from good to elite.
2. COLORADO ROCKIES (46-26) – For as great as this Rockies offense has been, they only are 15th in home runs, a statistic I see them only improving on. And since when can the Rockies pitch? They’re 9th in team ERA.
3. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (44-26) – 7 in a row!! The Diamondbacks are on fire, boasting a very solid lineup with production coming from seemingly everywhere, and they also sport a strong rotation that has seen the revival of their ace Zack Greinke.
4. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (45-26) – Wow, this NL WEST race looks to be a spectacle. This Dodgers team could be anywhere from #2-4 on this list, but right now the D-Backs look more well rounded and the Rockies have a better record.
5. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (42-28) – This squad should be 2nd. They have as talented a roster of any in the MLB. Except for one area: their 29th ranked bullpen.
6. BOSTON RED SOX (39-31) – Fresh off of a series win against a baseball’s best Astros club, the Sox are in prime position to take over the AL East just in time for the summer.
7. NEW YORK YANKEES (38-29) – Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees lead the MLB in home runs and runs scored in their cheap short-porch home stadium. Right now they can’t stop the bleeding though, losers of 6 straight.
8. CLEVELAND INDIANS (37-31) – Here the Indians come. Since coming back from injury, Cory Kluber has had three double digit strikeout games in 4 starts. They’re 7-3 in their last 10.
9. CHICAGO CUBS (35-34) – Nothing is working for the reigning champs. Rizzo and Bryant are a bit down, and this rotation has mightily struggled, but rest assured, the talent on this roster remains too overpowering for this to continue.
10. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (38-34) – Surprises across the board for the Brewers. As of late they’ve cooled off, but the Brew Crew is still fending off the Cubs as the top team in the Central.
11. TAMPA BAY RAYS (37-36) – Who’s tied for 2nd in home runs in the MLB? Can’t be the Rays? They’re 7th in pitching ERA too?
12. TEXAS RANGERS (34-35) – The Rangers will soon gain Cole Hamels back for a three headed monster of he, Yu Darvish, and Andrew Cashner. One of their biggest problems is their bullpen (4th in blown saves, 25th in bullpen ERA).
13. MINNESOTA TWINS (34-33) – So the Twins finally vanquished first place, and are reeling. Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios are still a pretty dominant pair though.
14. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (34-35) – After being bludgeoned by injuries, Josh Donaldson is back. This is a slightly better than average team (reflected by ranking here) with some very talented players.
15. KANSAS CITY ROYALS (34-35) – Winners of 8 of their last 10 (12-5 in June), the Royals have been playing some great baseball. My guess is they can’t keep it up.
16. SEATTLE MARINERS (35-37) – This Mariners lineup can be scary, but their pitching and bullpen have halted them all season from being a contender in the American League.
17. BALTIMORE ORIOLES (34-35) – Surely this is a mistake. Manny Machado is hitting .212?!?!? And their best pitcher has shown promise, but Dylan Bundy leads the team with a less than stellar 3.72 era. They will head south in these rankings soon.
18. LOS ANGELES ANGELS (36-37) – The Angels pitching staff keeps this team afloat without Mike Trout, 8th in league ERA. But look for them to finish no better than 4th in this division.
19. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (32-38) – The Pirates started a 7 game road trip with a resounding 8-1 win over the division leading Brewers. Cutch is batting .378 since May 26th, and his team is only out 5 games in this division, so don’t count them out.
20. ATLANTA BRAVES (32-37) – The Braves have won three straight (10-8 in June), with a lineup that really flies under the radar. They’re 6th in team average and led by star slugger Freddie Freeman (.341 average, 14 homers).
21. MIAMI MARLINS (31-37) – How are the Marlins 16th in runs scored with the way Marcell Ozuna, Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Bour, and J.T. Realmuto have swung the bat?
22. DETROIT TIGERS (32-37) – The Tigers are better than they have been playing, with a lineup that certainly still has the firepower to inflict damage on their opponent. Their bullpen and rotation have struggled mightily this year, however (bullpen with league leading 13 blown saves).
23. ST. LOUIS (31-37) – The problem the Cards have faced this year? There’s no real threat in this lineup. They’re 6-12 in June.
24. NEW YORK METS (31-38) – The Mets elite rotation of old has dissipated. Have to hope they have a mid season bounceback of sorts, at least as a building block for next year.
25. OAKLAND ATHLETICS (31-39) – What a year Yonder Alonso (.301, 17 homers) is having. Even with him and Ryon Healy’s (.280, 17 homers) years, they are 23rd in runs scored.
26. CINCINNATI REDS (30-39) – The Reds are 10th in runs scored, and Joey Votto keeps doing his thing, but the pitching has been the league’s worst in ERA.
27. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (31-37) – They’re not loaded with talent, but the White Sox have the 8th best bullpen in baseball. Meanwhile, their lineup, led by Avisail Garcia and Jose Abreu, can and will surprise people.
28. SAN DIEGO PADRES (28-43) – They bat a deplorable .228, and top prospects Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot have been mostly underwhelming.
29. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (26-46) – The Giants have a league worst 57 home runs, and that’s a big reason why they are 3rd to last in producing runs. You can’t have that especially with ace and team leader Madison Bumgarner sidelined with injury.
30. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (22-46) – The one bright spot for the Phillies this year? Aaron Altherr. Yeah, most people still don’t know who he is.
Written by Will McGuinness
