MLB ’24 POWER RANKINGS – 4 … (May 30)

One-third season has Jays on pace for disappointing 75 wins

The Blue Jays First 54 Games: The Jays roster, looking all the way back to spring training, seemed like it would be built around strong pitching and solid defence, with the saving grace of a deep and talented bullpen expected to make a difference in low-scoring, high leverage games. But, at the one-third mark of the schedule, the Jays were 25-29, tied for 21^st best record in MLB, while the bullpen ERA was one of the worst. The Jays’ lacklustre offensive leaders and their projected full-season numbers were stunning. OF Daulton Varsho was on pace for 93 runs, 90 RBIs and 30 home runs in 153 games, with just 108 hits. 2B/LF Davis Schneider was on pace for 39 doubles and was one of only two players with an OPS above .800, along with 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr. If Toronto was to go 30-24 in each of the final two segments, the win total would be 85, which is unlikely to qualify for a wild-card. The schedule toughens up again in June, with 23 of 26 games against teams poised to still be playing in October.   

Injuries continue to plague MLB: At the one-third mark of the schedule, there are 39 former All-Star Game players on the current IL. Baseball should be dismayed by key injuries to stars, OF Ronald Acuna Jr, OF Mike Trout, RH Gerrit Cole, RH Spencer Strider, RH Sandy Alcantara, RH Kodai Senga, CL Felix Bautista, CL Devin Williams, RH Shane Bieber, LH Clayton Kershaw, LH Robbie Ray, RH Jacob deGrom, RH Max Scherzer and more. That is not good news for the sport or the players union, giving 30 franchises future reason to consider not spending big bucks on the perceived fragility of veterans, who they can argue, might or might not be injury prone.    

(DIVISIONS COMBINED RECORDS - TO .500)  

1-AL East +30…2-AL Central +8  

3-NL East minus-2….4-NL Central minus-3

5-NL West minus-4…6-AL West minus-29 

Griff’s Power Rankings – 2024 Edition 4

1-Phillies (2)

The Top 3 in Phils rotation, RH Zack Wheeler, LH Ranger Suarez and RH Aaron Nola, handle WHIP better than Indiana Jones.   

2-Yankees (4)

Without injured ace RH Gerrit Cole, New York has become -- to borrow from former US president Ronald Reagan -- “A shining city on a (Luis) Gil.”.

3-Orioles (3)

The future of this franchise is reflected in the fact that the “old man” among starting position players is 30-year-old DH Ryan O’Hearn.

4-Guardians (6)

Stay (Emmanuel) Clase, Cleveland. The closer’s only earned run in 28 games was April 14, a blown save vs. the Yankees. Guardians won the game.  

5-Dodgers (5)

No doubt DH Shohei Ohtani has been worth what they pay him, with 14 homers and an OPS over 1.000. RH Yoshinobu Yamamoto worth it too.

6-Braves (1)

Somehow Prez Alex Anthopoulos finds a way, but losing OF Ronald Acuna Jr (41 HR/73 SB), in addition to the loss of RH Spencer Strider is daunting.

7-Royals (12)

There is no way the great veteran C Sal Perez can keep his numbers where they are, but balance that against SS Bobby Witt Jr getting better every day.

8-Brewers (9)

Missing 108 pitcher starts and 36 saves from last year, plus all-world MGR Craig Counsell, the Brewers still hold the lead in an improved NL Central. 

9-Rangers (7)

Respect gained from being World Series champs keeps MGR Bruce Bochy’s Rangers in Top 10 no matter the struggles and injuries.

10-Mariners (11)

Another team built around deep starting pitching, RH George Kirby has 6 walks and 65 Ks in 68.1 innings. Have scored fewer runs than the Jays.

11-Padres (16)

The legendary Padre, Tony Gwynn, must be looking down at recent acquisition 2B Luis Arraez with 37 hits in first 23 games, and smiling.

12-Twins (8)

The Twins and MLB need talents like CF Byron Buxton to remain healthy and on the field. RH Pablo Lopez was trendy pick for Cy, but not there yet.

13-Red Sox (14)

Surprising team with surprising outfield in CF Jarren Duran, RF Wilyer Abreu and LF Tyler O’Neill (IL). Stepping up is 3B Rafael Devers.

14-Giants (23)

The Giants have used 43 players on the 26-man roster in 64 days. The perennial slow-starting RH Logan Webb is heating up and that’s good.

15-Diamondbacks (20)

Not looking for anything bad. Just information, but C Gabby Moreno is .235, with 1 HR, 17 RBIs, while LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr is .237, 6HR, 29 RBIs.

16-Tigers (13)

This team is built around LH Tarik Skubal (7-1, 2.01 ERA) and a strong-armed bullpen. Non-Skubal starters are a combined 5-15 through 55 games.

17-Cubs (10)

So many disappointing years -- SS Dansby Swanson, 3B Patrick Morel and LF Ian Happ. Rookie LH Shota Imanaga keeps them at or around .500.

18-Rays (18)

Bullpen glass is either half-full or half-empty. Eight relievers with at least one save. That either means no defined closer or super deep high-leverage pool.

19-Astros (26)

Former Astros C Martin Maldonado couldn’t hit but was a Lone Star baseball savant. Now with C Yainer Diaz as primary receiver Astros struggle.

20-Blue Jays (21)

Two months in, with SS Bo Bichette and 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr finally stepping up. Jays also discovered 2B Davis Schneider and 3B IKF as essential.  

21-Reds (19)

Electric 22-year-old SS Elly De La Cruz has played every inning of every game and is on pace to hit 25 homers and steal 90 bases.

22-Cardinals (24)

Cards show 48 of the first 54 games as started by pitchers at 33-years-of-age or older. Not a good sign for the future, but the division is winnable right now.

23-Nationals (17)

Nats spent all of ‘23 identifying their future and SS CJ Abrams may be the centre-piece. Tough call playing in a top-heavy division with Braves and Phils.  

24-Pirates (25)

Started season 11-5, before slumping to 15-25 in next 40. Blue Jays fans with a chance to see unique talent of SS Oneil Cruz on City Connect weekend.

25-Mets (15)

Following Pissed-off Reliever Night at CitiField, Wednesday, as ejected RH Jorge Lopez fired his glove into the stands, this team is a mess once again.  

26-A’s (22)

It seems like Canadian 3B Abraham Toro has found a home at A’s hot corner. CL Mason Miller is a legit keeper with 102 mph fastball.    

27-Angels (27)

Add the enthusiasm and sagacity of MGR Ron Washington and subtract the talents of CF Mike Trout and 3B Anthony Rendon, this is what you get.         

28-Marlins (28)

The Fish are first team to throw in the towel on ’24 when they shipped all-star 2B Luis Arraez to the Padres. SS Tim Anderson has not helped.   

29-Rockies (29)

This Rox team will likely be scouted heavily by contenders seeking strong-armed pitching help that could benefit from throwing at sea-level.

30-White Sox (30)

This team is really bad. The Blue Jays swept three games in Chicago while leaving 29 men on base in three games. The only Guaranteed Rate is losing.