Griff’s MLB Power Rankings – 13
Braves, O's and Dodgers continue to lead the way
A closer examination of this week’s MLB standings shows the National League maintaining its advantage in this year’s expanded interleague play, at a surprising plus-19 games over the AL. Back when free-agency was first introduced in 1976, the belief was that the top free agents, with money offers being equal, would choose to sign with teams on the West Coast or in the Sun Belt. However, it didn’t happen. A look at current MLB standings shows the AL and NL East have combined to go 94 games above .500 while the two West Divisions together are minus-3.
The six divisions and each one’s combined 5-team standings based on won-lost outside their divisions (through Aug. 16) are as follows:
1-AL East +67 … 2-NL East +27
3-NL West +1 … 4-AL West minus-4
5-NL Central minus-9 … 6-AL Central minus-82
Major League Baseball remains the most evenly balanced of major North American pro sports, from top-to-bottom. As such, Power Rankings can change quickly. How balanced is MLB? Through Wednesday, there were just three teams with win-percentage over .600, four teams at or under the .400 mark and an amazing 23 teams in the middle range at .401-.600. With the “white flags” being waved in several markets, there will inevitably become more separation in the standings between have and have-not win-percentages over the last 40-plus games.
Numbers in parentheses are from Edition 12 power rankings.
Griff’s Power Rankings – Edition 13
1-Braves (1)
Two of the top four NL MVP candidates are Braves – 1B Matt Olson and RF Ronald Acuna Jr. Nine double-digit home run players gives them a chance to break the MLB single-season record. LH Max Fried helps with his return to the rotation.
2-Orioles (2)
Only four players that are over 30-years-old have played a significant role for the O’s in 2023 – 2B Adam Frazier, C James McCann, OF Aaron Hicks and SP Kyle Gibson. We’re not sure whether that will prove blessing or curse when it comes to October.
3-Dodgers (6)
Just like the Braves, the Dodgers have two top tier NL MVP candidates in 1B Freddie Freeman and IF/OF Mookie Betts. Have three key starters and three relievers on the current IL but the cavalry is on the way … and when that happens, look out.
4-Rangers (3)
Middle infield tough to beat 2B Marcus Semien and SS Corey Seager combining for 151 RBIs and 134 Ks in 909 PA. The RH Max Scherzer led rotation is strong, but the pen with CL Will Smith is unproven. LH Aroldis Chapman 4 BB/30K in 15 IP.
5-Astros (5)
With LH Framber Valdez and RH Justin Verlander at the front of the rotation, look for Astros formidable finish. DH Yordan Alvarez and RF Kyle Tucker lead offence. 1B Jon Singleton was nice story with first homers in 6 years…but there was a reason.
6-Rays (4)
Magic of the past decade-plus had to unravel at some point. That point may be now. With LH Shane McClanahan headed to Tommy John and SS Wander Franco on restricted list while MLB investigates a personal relationship issue, it could be tough.
7-Phillies (7)
The Phils reached the World Series last year off just 87 regular-season wins and then took off, an inspiration to major-league mediocrity everywhere. CDN Baseball Hall-of-Fame manager Rob Thomson has them back in contention for No. 1 wild-card.
8-Blue Jays (8)
With RH Jordan Romano, RH Jordan Hicks, RH Erik Swanson, RH Yimi Garcia, LH Tim Mayza, LH Genesis Cabrera, plus RH Chad Green and RH Trevor Richards on the way from IL, the bullpen is strong-armed and deep. Need hitters to hit.
9-Brewers (9)
With RH Brandon Woodruff back in the rotation to join RH Corbin Burnes and RH Freddy Peralta, the Brew Crew has formidable top of rotation. The Brewers not below .500 since April 1 after losing opener. Lead a soft Central by 2.5 over Cubs.
10-Giants (10)
When they won 3 World Series (2010-12-14) were led by C Buster Posey and now “who’s got next” behind the plate is 24-year-old Patrick Bailey. First round pick in 2020 took over as starter May 20 and Giants took off. Thrown out 36% of base-stealers.
11-Marlins (13)
To demonstrate how difficult to bat .400 over a full MLB season, consider that the game’s best hitter, 2B Luis Arraez was hitting .401 on June 25. Since that time, in 43 games, he has hit .303 (53-for-175) and his average dropped to .363.
12-Cubs (18)
A key to the rotation expected back this week, RH Marcus Stroman and his broken rib are huge concerns for the Cubs as they stage a drive for a playoff spot. Now makes it less than a certainty Stroman will opt out of the final year of contract in 2024.
13-Mariners (19)
Continue to lean on dynamic rotation that goes 4 deep, with only last year’s key deadline pickup, RH Luis Castillo older than 30. After trading CL Paul Sewald, have awarded higher leverage to RH Andres Munoz and Kingston’s own RH Matt Brash.
14-Twins (17)
A Quebec City native and 17th round pick in 2019, 2B Edouard Julien is making his mark as the Twins regular. In 40 games since June 25, he is 40-for-119-.336, with a .974 OPS. Twins pitching is what keeps them out front of a very weak division.
15-Red Sox (12)
Massachusetts is not for Lloveras. The only significant Sox acquisition at the deadline, RH Mauricio Llovera yielded 9 hits, 6 walks and 3 HB in 6.1 IP (2.647 WHIP). Sox are relying on late rebounds from LH Chris Sale and SS Trevor Story.
16-Reds (11)
Young, athletic and playing with house money, the Reds are a true danger to teams looking to cash in on a recent fade. Seven hitters on active roster 27 or younger, with at least 100-plus plate appearances led by 2B Elly de la Cruz and SS Matt McLain.
17-Yankees (15)
Seven of 17 players on 40-man roster, currently 30 or older, are on IL and two other 30-somethings are on the restricted list. That might help explain how a team with RH Gerrit Cole and RF Aaron Judge has moved a game under .500 at this writing.
18-Angels (16)
Team went 4-11 in first 15 games after the trade deadline, despite multiple adds. That cannot be blamed on either talent of DH/RH Shohei Ohtani. He was 1-0, 0.00 ERA in 2 starts, with 10 shutout IP and as a hitter went .321, with 3 HR and a .957 OPS.
19-Diamondbacks (14)
Remember all that talk about how Jays were bamboozled in the trade, giving up LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and C Gabby Moreno for light hitting OF Daulton Varsho? AZ is 9-20 since the all-star break, after being swept by the Jays at Rogers Centre.
20-Padres (20)
When C Gary Sanchez was a Yankee, the belief was New York would never win with him as catcher. Now he’s a Padre. But a team with star players at SS, 3B, LF and RF will always be dangerous … despite an apparent lack of clubhouse chemistry.
21-Guardians (21)
With three regular members of the rotation on IL and one, RH Aaron Civale, dealt to Tampa, Guardians benefit from emergence of RH Gavin Williams, RH Tanner Bibee and LH Logan Allen. Should be noted the team they dominated was the Blue Jays.
22-Nationals (26)
Good news for Nats fans is they have not waved the white flag. Top 5 starters have opened 114 of 121 games, but the bad news is none of the five has a winning record, an ERA south of 3.96 or a WHIP below 1.378. RF Lane Thomas is legit All-Star.
23-Mets (22)
Am thinking “Senga, Carrasco, Peterson, Megill and Quintana” sounds more like a law firm handling Mets’ season-ticket holders class action suit against owner Steve Cohen for breach of contract, rather than the rotation post-Scherzer/Verlander.
24-Cardinals (25)
Of 121 games through Thursday, only 31 starts have been made by pitchers currently on the active roster. The Cards may have been on to something with SS Paul DeJong. Was batting .291 on May 24 and since then in 69 games has slash-line .181/.229/.274.
25-Pirates (23)
DH Andrew McCutchen truly wants to be in the Steel City as a mentor. Along with UT Connor Joe, is only current Pirate older than 30. Team is building for the future around young 3-man outfield, injured SS Oneil Cruz and 2B Ji Hwan Bae.
26-Tigers (24)
Third in the division and 26th in baseball not a good combination. AL Central boasts 3 of worst 5 teams in MLB. SS Javier Baez is going to need influx of help next year, with DH Miguel Cabrera and RH Eduardo Rodriguez sure to be gone.
27-Rockies (27)
The Mile High part of Denver’s nickname has not helped Rockies hitting as they have averaged just 4.3 runs scored, even aided by the light air. SS Ezequiel Tovar (21) and OF Nolan Jones (25) are players to build around, but not many others.
28-White Sox (28)
The legacy of SS Tim Anderson rests far more with the homer into the corn in the Field of Dreams game than the knockout punch from Jose Ramirez he took against the Guardians. Anderson has good years left, but not on the South Side.
29-A’s (29)
The only player with OPS over .700 are DH Brent Rooker and OF Seth Brown. Even without LH Sam Moll it’s same ol’ same ol’. Three active players at more than $3M – LH Trevor May ($7M), IF Aledmys Diaz ($6.5M) UT Tony Kemp ($3.7M).
30-Royals (30)
Post deadline, are 14 Royals on the active roster or MLB IL that are 25-years-old or younger. SS Bobby Witt Jr. if healthy is going to be a superstar. Some young players with talent remain, but unfortunately so do young players with less talent.