MLB ’24 POWER RANKINGS – 3
Top Four Beasts are in the East
Let’s look at the MLB First 40 Games: Some teams have had jackrabbit starts, while others with great expectations have stumbled out of the gate. There is no doubt that injuries have played a factor in some of these early rankings, especially among pitchers. There’s still a chance for these power rankings to correct themselves by the next time we get together…and in many cases, we know from experience that talent tends to find its own level. However, there are other teams moving forward that are what they are. In the excuse-me language of losers everywhere: “It’s early.”
Disappointing West not the Best: An early look at the relative strength of the six MLB divisions shows that the unexpected has happened in these 40-game returns from the AL and NL West. Aside from the Dodgers in first place in the NL West, other westerners that are struggling, sitting below, or playing ping-pong with .500 are the Padres, D’backs and Giants. Meanwhile, the AL West, once projected to have a potential division champ with a strong chance for two other wild-cards, has thus far struggled. The M’s and Rangers have had to come on strong to reach and remain above .500, while the Astros and Angels have disappointed. As we know: “It’s early.”
(DIVISION COMBINED RECORDS )
1-AL East +22…2-AL Central +5
3-NL East +5….4-NL Central minus-2
5-NL West minus-14…6-AL West minus-16
Griff’s Power Rankings – 2024 Edition 3
1-Braves (4)
Few if any teams would be able to fill in for an injured Cy Young candidate, RH Spencer Strider plus an all-star C Sean Murphy and still have one of MLB’s best records. Late signee DH Marcell Ozuna has had a ridiculously great start.
2-Phillies (7)
In 38 combined starts made by the Top 6 pitchers in the Phils rotation, they have a 20-8 record, with 237 Ks in 228.2 innings and a 2.60 ERA, led by RH Zack Wheeler, LH Ranger Suarez and RH Aaron Nola.
3-Orioles (3)
The quick rise and (temporary) fall of future superstar IF Jackson Holliday should be a lesson for fans everywhere, clamouring for their team’s own young prospects to be rushed to the bigs. The O’s lineup hasn’t really missed the kid.
4-Yankees (1)
Having the Top 4 teams from the AL & NL East divisions is not a stretch. They are all Beasts. Without injured RH Gerrit Cole, the Bombers had 37 starts in 38 games from just five guys, all with ERAs under 4.00. Plus, RF Juan Soto.
5-Dodgers (2)
The lineup led by SS Mookie Betts and 1B Freddie Freeman is ridiculously deep and talented as the Jays found out, but Dodgers are still struggling to find a pitching rhythm with 11 hurlers on the IL. Defence may be rare Achilles Heel.
6-Guardians (9)
The early magic may not last, given the track records of those performing the magic, but it’s fun to watch thus far under rookie MGR Stephen Vogt. Ever-reliable 3B Jose Ramirez and Mississauga 1B Josh Naylor lead the way.
7-Rangers (6)
Respect gained from being World Series champs will keep MGR Bruce Bochy’s Rangers in Top 10 for a while. The game is not as easy as last year’s LF Evan Carter made it look, but the legend of RF Adolis Garcia grows.
8-Twins (23)
We reserve final judgement on the Twins’ dramatic turnaround because the 10-game win streak that started their expected bounce-back featured 7 vs. pathetic White Sox and 3 vs. Trout-less Angels. 2B Edouard Julien has 7 homers.
9-Brewers (5)
Rookie MGR Pat Kelly has not missed a beat while replacing highly regarded Craig Counsell. The game is not as easy as RF Jackson Chourio made it look early. In the rookie’s last 23 games he has just 14 hits and a .189 AVG.
10-Cubs (12)
Rookie Japanese LH Shota Imanaga is exciting Cubs faithful with flair and talent, going 5-0, 1.08 ERA in seven starts. Prized free-agent CF Cody Bellinger just off the IL needs to become that offensive leader.
11-Mariners (22)
The M’s season, in fact their past several years, reflect the Blue Jays in many ways. They, like the Jays, have one of the best AL rotations and a deep bullpen, but an offence that does not score enough to be a true World Series threat.
12-Royals (10)
The list of young aces in MLB starting rotations must now include LH Cole Ragans, a steal from the Rangers in exchange for three months of LH Aroldis Chapman. By year’s end, SS Bobby Witt Jr. will be Top 5 MVP.
13-Tigers (8)
Amazingly, three top Tigers starters, RH Jack Flaherty, RH Reese Olson, RH Kenta Maeda have combined for one W in 21 starts…but this team is built on LH Tarik Skubal (4-0, 1.90 ERA) and a strong-armed bullpen.
14-Red Sox (18)
The surprising Bosox have been below .500 just once this season, March 30. If someone had said that leading the way on offence (OPS over .900) would be LF Tyler O’Neill and C Connor Wong, few would have believed.
15-Mets (20)
Recent history of slow starts happened again, but Mets regaining their offence. Despite high-profile efforts by ownership to reduce team payroll, the Mets remain MLB’s most expensive team with 12 players earning $10M+ in ’24.
16-Padres (15)
Ranking as top team in the bottom half of MLB power seems about right for a team that will surely end up higher than this. Well before trade deadline, Pads pre-emptively added 2B Luis Arraez one of top bat-to-ball hitters in MLB.
17-Nationals (26)
Nats spent all of ‘23 identifying their future -- and it seems the future is now. SS CJ Abrams may be the centre-piece, while 2B Luis Garcia Jr. and CF Jacob Young are also part of the kid-brigade, all 24-years-old or younger.
18-Rays (14)
With 9 pitchers on IL and with LF Randy Arozarena seemingly falling off his ledge of stardom (.147 avg and .548 OPS), it may be a window of opportunity, based on being smarter than the rest, has closed for MGR Kevin Cash.
19-Reds (16)
Despite being sub-.500, if one had to choose to buy season tickets for any team, it might be the Reds, led by exciting 22-year-old SS Elly De La Cruz. The dynamic future star has played every inning of every game, with 8HR, 21SB.
20-Diamondbacks (17)
The World Series runners-up are better than they have showed. Starters LH Eduardo Rodriguez and RH Merrill Kelly are on the IL as OF Corbin Carroll going through a bit of the sophomore jinx (.207 avg., .567 OPS).
21-Blue Jays (13)
Are certainly better than this, but will unlikely be able to crack our MLB Top 10, until proving they can contend in baseball’s toughest division. Think SS Bo Bichette and 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr. These Jays always built for 162 games.
22-A’s (29)
Consider that RH Ross Stripling is highest paid at $9.25M. CL Mason Miller is a legit keeper. We’re unable to give any more credit than this. Just four A’s players earning $3.0M-plus. Not deep enough to sustain this for 162 games.
23-Giants (24)
Surely embarrassing for Giants to be ranked below their Bay Area neighbours in Oakland. Interesting to watch the starting success of former Jays reliever RH Jordan Hicks and continued offensive struggles of 3B Matt Chapman.
24-Cardinals (21)
Gruesome broken left arm on a swing by J.D. Martinez will keep C Willson Contreras sidelined for a significant period. A team with infield corners 1B Paul Goldschmidt and 3B Nolan Arenado should always contend.
25-Pirates (11)
Started season 11-5, before slumping to 6-16 in next 22. Bucs began last year at 20-8 before returning to earth. Criticism exists re SS Oneil Cruz and his attention to detail. Has played just 133 games in 3 seasons since ’22 breakout.
26-Astros (19)
Replacing legendary Dusty Baker, MGR Joe Espada is facing obstacles early with 5 starters on IL and a closing conundrum. Did they bring coal to Newcastle by signing CL Josh Hader when they already had CL Ryan Pressly.
27-Angels (25)
Add the enthusiasm and sagacity of MGR Ron Washington and subtract the talent of CF Mike Trout and 3B Anthony Rendon and what do you get? Just another season of GM Perry Minasian’s hard-luck Angels.
28-Marlins (28)
The Fish rank NL last in on-base, OPS, doubles and bases-on-balls. The trade of 2B Luis Arraez to the Padres is akin to waving white flag of surrender. Have a talented Top 4 in the starting rotation – unfortunately they are all on IL.
29-Rockies (27)
Pitching staff could use significant improvement. Offence can still be good. Team has a few parts that are talented but have a team that is not. Don’t be surprised if contenders come calling at deadline for some of those parts.
30-White Sox (30)
The term “Mendoza Line” dates back to those stats that used to run daily in newspapers. Players would scour them in hotel lobbies and if you ranked below the Mario Mendoza line in the paper then you officially stunk. Mendoza’s 9-year average was .215. Sox have 6 starters below the Mendoza line.