Power Rankings: Griff's 2023 Power Rankings #4

It’s almost a full month into the MLB season and some teams that were expected to contend haven’t yet kicked it into high gear, while others that were expected to be pedestrian also-rans are surprisingly hanging around the top of their division. The bottom line is that until teams have played everyone in their own division, it’s pretty much impossible to keep the power rankings from fluctuating dramatically. That being said, we will attempt to balance performance and expectations to give you Edition 4 of the Griff’s The Pitch rankings.

Numbers in parentheses are Edition 3 power rankings. 

GRIFF’S POWER RANKINGS – Edition 4

1-Braves (1)

Ace LH Max Fried set to return, while Braves cruise without him, led by C Sean Murphy, 1B Matt Olson and RF Ronald Acuna Jr. Only the Mets are stepping up to challenge division.

2-Rays (2)

It wasn’t going to last forever, but after going 13-0, Rays lost 2-of-3 at Rogers Centre. They are still early powerhouse despite loss of another starter LH Jeffrey Springs.

3-Yankees (3)

While 3B Josh Donaldson is joined by DH Giancarlo Stanton on the IL, the pair of 1B Anthony Rizzo and OF Aaron Judge lead the way. RH Gerrit Cole has been Cy worthy again.

4-Mets (7)

When you are spending as much on payroll as is owner Steve Cohen, you had better have the quality of depth on your roster to cover injuries. RH Max Scherzer suspended for 10 games.

5-Blue Jays (4)

The Jays drop a spot because in watching them every day you see the need for someone to step up in big situations and lead the run-production. LF Daulton Varsho is not a cleanup hitter.

6-Brewers (12)

Rotation missing RH Brandon Woodruff, but veteran LH Wade Miley pleasant surprise. Tremendous West Coast swing moves them up in the ranking with 1B Rowdy Tellez a key.

7-Rangers (10)

A faster start from 2B Marcus Semien in second season. SS Corey Seager is on IL, but C Jonah Heim has become an offensive force. RH Dane Dunning 0.00 ERA in 15.1 relief innings.

8-Astros (5)

The infield led the Astros to a World Series win last year but have struggled early with 3B Alex Bregman, SS Jeremy Pena and 1B Jose Abreu yet to get rolling. 2B Jose Altuve still IL.

9-Twins (15)

Canadian 2B Edouard Julien made an impression in WBC and has been called up early. Has two homers, while DH Byron Buxton has struggled to find his form. Twins have 1 team steal.

10-Dodgers (6)

Replacing SS Trea Turner has proved difficult, while 4-5 rotation spots, RH Noah Syndergaard and RH Michael Grove have yet to win a game in 8 starts. But these are the Dodgers.

11-Guardians (8)

Own 10 different pitchers with one win, tied for the team lead. The loss of RH Aaron Civale hurts, but CL Emmanuel Clase is the class of MLB. 3B Jose Ramirez heats up with the weather. 

12-Cubs (18)

Added veteran position players from teams that know how to win. 3B Patrick Wisdom having a breakout season. RH Marcus Stroman and LH Justin Steele anchor the rotation.

13-Orioles (14)

Have 21 players on the active roster less than 30-years-old. Off to a quick start, led by C Adley Rutschman and LF Austin Hayes. Can a rotation led by RH Kyle Gibson hold up in AL East?

14-Pirates (22)

Return of DH Andrew McCutchen, plus 1B Carlos Santana and LF Bryan Reynolds key the offence while CL David Bednar, subject of trade rumours, glad he stayed, with six saves.

15-Diamondbacks (16)

Surprisingly atop the NL West, LF Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. and C Gabby Moreno are seeing regular playing time.  Veteran starter LH Madison Bumgarner just DFA’d.

16-Angels (23)

Long-time SS David Fletcher outright to Triple-A is surprise. Former Jays RH Ryan Tepera and LH Aaron Loup are not bullpen answer.  RH/DH Shohei Ohtani top talent in the game.

17-Marlins (24)

Amazing that Fish above .500 despite Cy guy Sandy Alcantara at 1-2, 5.47 ERA in four starts. Addition of 2B Luis Arraez has been solid with 7 walks, 4 Ks and 1.071 OPS in first 18 games.

18-Padres (9)

This team should be better. SS Xander Bogaerts has been good. 3B Manny Machado not so much. RH Yu Darvish and LH Blake Snell are 0-5 in 7 starts. Bullpen has been solid.

19-Phillies (11)

Workouts at 1B for Bryce Harper while on IL. RH Ranger Suarez is on comeback trail. Loss of 1B Rhys Hoskins is huge. DH Kyle Schwarber off to a slow start but has 4 HR and 12 walks.   

20-Red Sox (21)

Injured CF Adam Duvall is sorely missed, but RF Alex Verdugo is picking up the slack. SS Kike Hernandez is a step down from Bogaerts. RH Corey Kluber 0-4, 8.50 ERA in 4 starts.

21-Mariners (13)

Much more expected of the M’s. RF Teoscar Hernandez has 4 homers, with 1 walk, 22 Ks and a .662 OPS.  LH Robbie Ray returning in mid-May. Starter RH Chris Flexen disappointing.

22-Cardinals (17)

Head-scratchingly hard to figure the Cards’ slow start. DH Nolan Gorman has been hot since roasting the Jays in the opening series. RH Miles Mikolas woes are a mystery.  

23-White Sox (19)

Return of 3B Yoan Moncada expected next week. Health news on CL Liam Hendriks (non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) according to his social media is very encouraging. Not back soon.

24-Tigers (29)

Veteran SS Javy Baez has been huge disappointment, with .500 OPS and 3 extra-base hits in 17 games. Removed from game at Rogers Centre, losing track of outs and running into DP.    

25-Giants (20)

Ace RH Logan Webb has lost all 4 of his starts and the rotation is 1-7 in 18 starts. RH Ross Stripling has been moved fulltime to the bullpen. SS Brandon Crawford at 36 close to done.

26-Reds (25)

The team locked up 23-year-old fireballer RH Hunter Greene with a 6-year contract ($53M) plus an options for ’29. 2B Jonathan India having a nice bounce-back year.

27-Rockies (27)

Team ERA of 5.51 is high even for a team based at Coors Field. Veteran C Elias Diaz posting nice offensive numbers, leading the team with a .916 OPS.

28-Nationals (28)

Team hit just nine homers, led by 3B Jeimer Candelario with 3. DH Joey Meneses was breakout star for Mexico at the WBC but that success hasn’t carried into regular season.

29-Royals (26)

An impressive array of good young hitters has not translated into wins. SS Bobby Witt has good offensive numbers, but need to take the next step. Good arms in the ‘pen.

30-A’s (30)

Good news and bad news. The bad news is the A’s are the worst team in MLB. The good news is they have purchased land to build a stadium … in Las Vegas.