Eric ShawMLB Power Rankings
Updated: Sep 6
MLB Power Rankings
Written By: Eric Shaw
MLB Power Rankings / mlbstatic.com
This is the first week of rankings. Starting next week, there will be a sub category on the previous record. These rankings are based after two weeks of the MLB season.
*These rankings are based on current play and potential before 4/18/21.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 13-2
The Dodgers prove over and over again why they deserve to be number one. After sweeping the Nationals without Betts, and Bellinger, and then running over the Rockies for back to back sweeps
2. San Diego Padres
Record: 9-7
The Padres have been without Fernando Tatis Jr. since the 5th, even dropping two to the Pirates they are still a strong team. Joe Musgrove shows dominance in throwing the first no hitter of the 2021 season.
3. Boston Red Sox
Record 10-4
After going 0-3 to start the season against the Orioles, many thought it was going to be another disappointing season. J.D. Martinez thought otherwise, hitting five home runs with 16 RBIS. After winning 9 games in a row, they finally lost in the fourth game of the series to the Twins. The Red Sox are the first AL team to reach 10 wins.
4. Los Angeles Angels
Record 8-5
Even though being in second place in the division, they are still where they want to be. Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani show how dominant they are going to be this season.
5. Houston Astros
Record 7-7
Off to a slow start, the Astros still show promise they are a top team in the league. After getting swept by the Tigers, they hope to come back ready for the next series.
6. New York Yankees
Record: 5-9
The Yankees too, just like the Astros are off to a slow start. Cole shows how dominant he is. In his last game against Toronto, Cole went six innings, only allowing one run and striking out 8. The offense needs to pick it up.
7. New York Mets
Record: 6-4
Although getting many games delayed due to weather, they still lead their division. It is hard to say the Braves are better than this team right now, as the Braves sit in last place in this division. Jacob deGrom has been throwing gems, but the bullpen can’t keep those amazing games alive.
8. Chicago White Sox
Record: 6-8
Carlos Rodón puts the team on his back throwing the SECOND no hitter of the season. Coming back from injury, the club hopes Tim Anderson can make a difference.
9. Cincinnati Reds
Record: 9-5
Being tied for first place with the Brewers, the Reds hope that Nicholas Castellanos can stay hot. Wade Miley continues to pitch well for the Reds and Tyler Naquin is lighting the ball on fire.
10. Atlanta Braves
Record: 6-9
Coming into the season, the Braves were very high ranked, but they have only disappointed up to now. Once they start winning more they will be much higher in the rankings, but as of right now, being second to last in their division, this is a good spot for them.
11. Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 7-8
With the addition of George Springer, you would hope he would make a difference, well yes he would, but the problem is, he has not played yet. For the Blue Jays to be in second place without Springer, it shows they are a legit team and are only going to be better when he plays.
12. Minnesota Twins
Record: 6-8
After starting the season off pretty well, they dropped the first three games of the series to the Red Sox. As time goes on and Leson Cruz gets older, he gets better. Cruz is the heart and Soul of this offense, and he needs to stay hot.
13. Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 8-6
In a very competitive division, the Brewers are in second after the first two weeks. The pitching staff has been lights out. Devin Williams has been a little slumped, but once he finds his rhythm, that bullpen is unbeatable.
14. Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 7-8
Losing Both Blake Snell and Charlie Morton were absolutely HUGE for this team, as I still do not understand why everyone rates this team so high, Randy Arozarena had one good playoff run and now he’s a top outfielder, no. The Rays are tied for last place, and only have one thing good going for them, Tyler Glasnow.
15. Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 7-7
The offense is off to a slow start, but luckily the rotation and bullpen are making up for the not so good offense. J.T Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins, Jean Segura and Didi Gregorius had combined for five walks and 44 strikeouts through Tuesday's doubleheader loss to the Mets.
16. Cleveland Indians
Record: 7-7
The only thing keeping these Indians alive is their pitching. Last year's AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber is pitching lights out. The Indians are fewest in runs per game and third in strikeout percentage.
17. St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 7-7
Being in third place in their division by only one game just shows how competitive the NL Central is. St. Louis is either playing at a very high level, or the complete opposite. Something needs to change before they start losing a chance at first place.
18. Oakland Athletics
Record: 8-7
Being a playoff contender every year, the athletic need to figure something out before the Angeles or Astros take first place with a commanding lead. Matt Chapman needs to find his swing as well as Matt Olsen. The lost of Marcus Semien is really showing.
19. Seattle Mariners
Record: 9-6
Even though they are half a game behind the Angels and are second in the division, we all know how quickly they will fall to last place. Having to play the Angels, Astros and Athletics 19 times a year, their time will come before they lose.
20. San Francisco Giants
Record: 8-6
For a team in second place in a tough division, just like the Mariners, it is only time before they fall off the rails, and fall right back to the bottom of the division.
21. Washington Nationals
Record: 5-7
One of the more surprising teams right now. The Nationals are just straight out terrible right now. Once they are completely recovered from COVID-19, I want to assume they will be back. But is it close to the end for Stephen Strasburg, after allowing five walks, three home runs and having the slowest fastball velocity of his career.
22. Kansas City Royals
Record: 8-5
This team deserves more recognition, as they were projected to be one of the worst teams and here they are sitting at the top of the division. They are one of 3 teams yet to lose a series yet.
23. Chicago Cubs
Record: 6-8
Not a great start for the Cubs, as they continue to struggle at the plate, only getting 49 hits through the first ten games. The pitching is just meh and I can see a playoff run for this team.
24. Miami Marlins
Record: 7-7
With a bad start for both the Nationals and Braves, the Marlins are able to be in third place. But as those two teams get better, I see no chance for the Marlins to stick and be able to compete with this tough NL East.
25. Baltimore Orioles
Record: 7-8
Believe it or not, they did sweep the Red Sox in the first series of the year, but then got swept by that same Red Sox team. The Orioles are tied for second right now, but one loss can put them back into fourth. Needless to say about the Orioles, we are blessed to see Trey Mancini back on the field.
26. Detroit Tigers
Record: 6-9
As the Tigers are not the best team in baseball by far, you still have to love to watch them. With young talent from Akil Baddoo, a rule five pick, he is making the game interesting. This team is built to win later as prospect Casey Mize gets his first Major League win.
27. Texas Rangers
Record: 6-9
After being no hit by Joe Musgrove, there is not much to talk about the Rangers The Rangers were just swept by the Padres, but what more could you ask for. They are still not the worst team in baseball.
28. Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 5-10
This team is just not competitive at this point. With the Dodgers and Padres in their division there is just no chance for them. Even the Giants have been playing well. Madison Bumgardner, emphasizing the “bum” part, has been absolutely terrible for them. He has allowed 17 runs in 13.2 innings.
29. Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 6-9
With the Pirates rising star Ke’Bryan Hayes injured, there is little to no game plan for them. Losing Josh Bell in free agency leaves them with no one at this point. They are at the bottom of the barrel in both pitching and hitting.
30. Colorado Rockies
Record: 4-11
With about the worst record in baseball, the Rockies sit at the bottom of the power rankings in the MLB. Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela allowed 11 earned runs in just six innings of work against the Dodgers.