An explanation is necessary concerning what readers might perceive as teams being ranked too high or too low considering their won-lost in this third edition of the Griff’s The Pitch Power Rankings. There should be an understanding that the 2023 regular season sample, thus far, represents less than 8% of the schedule. That being said, there should not be much importance placed on a shaky start or a jackrabbit first two weeks. The opening day power ranking was released on March 28. Since that time, of course, there have been significant injuries, hot rookie performances and veteran disappointments for all 30 teams. With the championship season fully underway, power rankings will become a regular feature of G.T.P. newsletter.
Numbers in parentheses are team’s ranking on Opening Day.
GRIFF’S POWER RANKINGS – Edition 3
1-Braves (8-4) (2)
Braves manage to remain an elite squad while still missing ace starter LH Max Fried and CL Raisel Iglesias. SS Orlando Arcia is offensively solid at short replacing Dansby Swanson. 1B Matt Olson is proving to be a stud, teaming to lead with Ronald Acuna, Jr.
2-Rays (11-0) (11)
Every year, there are teams on the schedule against which quality teams are expected to win. The Rays have not only won series, but have taken care of business by sweeping every game. Have a ridiculous 9 players with OPS over .900 and have trailed for 5 of the first 99 innings.
3-Yankees (7-4) (7)
The Bombers’ top 3 starters, RH Gerrit Cole, LH Nestor Cortes and RH Jhony Brito have combined for a 7-0 record in 7 starts. The team is led by OF Aaron Judge, 2B Gleyber Torres and DH Giancarlo Stanton. NYC media would have you believe 22-year-old SS Anthony Volpe is Jeter reincarnate…but his offensive numbers, at least, are not good.
4-Blue Jays (7-4) (5)
A marathon 10-game road trip to open the year allowed for finishing touches on the Rogers Centre. The fact of 6-4 to open on the road was impressive. SS Bo Bichette and 1B Vlad Guerrero, Jr. are off to solid starts and key the offence.
5-Astros (5-7) (1)
An impressive Astros rotation has recorded wins in just 3 of 12 starts. 2B Jose Altuve is IL, but RF Kyle Tucker and LF Yordan Alvarez are carrying the load while 3B Alex Bregman and 1B Jose Abreu settle in. The defending champs are off to a slow start, but will rebound.
6-Dodgers (6-6) (3)
Have 8 pitchers on the IL -- 2 starters RH Tony Gonsolin and RH Walker Buehler. 1B Freddie Freeman has solid numbers but only 2 RBIs. Trea Turner was replaced by SS Chris Taylor, moving in from left field. RF Mookie Betts and DH J.D. Martinez need to pick up production.
7-Mets (6-6) (4)
Losses to injury of RH Justin Verlander, CL Edwin Diaz and LH Jose Quintana plus the non-signing of 3B Carlos Correa disrupted the best laid plans of deep-pocketed owner Steve Cohen. Most pleasant surprise has been RH Kodai Senga and his first two starts.
8-Guardians (7-5) (8)
Disappointing performances out of the gate for the Guardians, led by DH Josh Bell, 1B Josh Naylor and SS Ahmed Rosario. Rotation has been uneven with sub-par performances by RH Zach Plesac, RH Cal Quantrill and an injury to RH Triston McKenzie.
9-Padres (7-5) (10)
The addition of SS Xander Bogaerts was one of the game’s best off-season acquisitions. Early disappointments include LF Juan Soto and 3B Manny Machado. Converted swingman RH Seth Lugo has had a promising transition into a fulltime starter.
10-Rangers (7-4) (13)
The Rangers had become comfortable with their lineup by the end of ‘22, then went out and added a trio of starting pitchers -- RH Jacob deGrom, RH Nathan Eovaldi and LH Andrew Heaney. Middle infielders 2B Marcus Semien and SS Corey Seager are settled in as Rangers.
11-Phillies (4-7) (6)
The absence of DH Bryce Harper and the loss of 1B Rhys Hoskins hurt. Only one win in 12 starts from rotation, including a disappointing RH Taijuan Walker.
12-Brewers (8-3) (16)
Top of the rotation is as good as any. The offence has been led by SS Willy Adames while the team waits for 1B Rowdy Tellez and LF Christian Yelich to kick in.
13-Mariners (4-8) (9)
The IL with LH Robbie Ray and dominant reliever RH Andres Munoz hurts. A budding, solid rotation, plus emerging superstar CF Julio Rodriguez will help key M’s bounce-back.
14-Orioles (6-5) (14)
Exciting young team but in the game’s toughest division. Boast 3 players with OPS over 1.000 – C Adley Rutschman, LF Austin Hays and 1B Ryan Mountcastle. Rotation not deep.
15-Twins (7-4) (17)
DH Byron Buxton remains healthy by not playing the field, but will Twins be better long-term keeping his immense talent in the batter’s box? RH Pablo Lopez a solid addition.
16-Diamondbacks (7-5) (22)
Standard statistics don’t explain how the Snakes slithered to the top of the NL West. LF Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. and C Gabby Moreno are playing but not leading the offence thus far.
17-Cardinals (4-7) (12)
Could it be that injured RH Adam Wainwright, OF Lars Nootbar and the retired Yadi Molina are what was most important to the Cards being a force in the NL Central?
18-Cubs (6-4) (19)
RH Marcus Stroman is off to a strong start, but has had fast starts before and fallen back. SS Dansby Swanson has stabilized the left side of the infield with 3B Patrick Wisdom.
19-White Sox (5-7) (15)
The health news on CL Liam Hendriks (non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) is encouraging and prayers continue to go out for his recovery. Chisox miss the injured SS Tim Anderson.
20-Giants (5-6) (18)
Ace RH Logan Webb has lost all 3 of his starts and RH Ross Stripling has had a disappointing debut in the city by the Bay. The offence has no stars but 11 Giants have homered.
21-Red Sox (5-6) (20)
The AL East is 17 games above .500 and if you are the weakest link, you won’t be playing into October. By the way, OF Alex Verdugo is not the one to criticize Alek Manoah for taunting.
22-Pirates (7-4) (25)
RF Andrew McCutchen has been re-born while LF Bryan Reynolds is early MVP candidate. The ‘pen led by CL David Bednar is a combined 4-0 with 5 saves. SS Oneil Cruz out long-term.
23-Angels (6-5) (23)
Eternal riddle? How can a team with 2 best players in baseball not make the playoffs since ‘09. Teams see lineup with RH/DH Shohei Ohtani and CF Mike Trout and pitch around them.
24-Marlins (5-7) (21)
The addition of 2B Luis Arraez and 1B Yuli Gurriel joining CF Jazz Chisolm has bumped up offensive expectations for a team that has recently relied on its rotation.
25-Reds (4-6) (26)
The most under the radar rotation in the NL is waiting to see a breakout from 23-year-old fireballer RH Hunter Greene. Waiting for 1B Joey Votto to get healthy for us to be interested.
26-Royals (3-9) (24)
This improving team is led by young star SS Bobby Witt and solid young players like RF MJ Melendez and 1B Vinnie Pasquantino. Added OF Jackie Bradley Jr.to play and mentor.
27-Rockies (5-7) (29)
Starters LH Kyle Freeland and RH German Marquez combined to win 4 of 5 decisions, including season-opening games in San Diego. OF Randal Grichuk (groin) remains on IL.
28-Nationals (4-8) (27)
DH Joey Meneses was a breakout star for Mexico at the WBC but that success hasn’t carried over into the regular season. There is not much light at the end of this tunnel.
29-Tigers (2-8) (28)
Seven of 13 active position players are 26 or younger, led by CF Riley Greene, 1B Spencer Torkelson and RF Matt Vierling. Three projected starters in the rotation are on the IL.
30-A’s (2-9) (30)
As of Wednesday, the A’s were looking for the first win from the rotation. All you need be aware of is that 18 of the 26 roster players are under contract for less than $1-million.
Will Oakland win 40 games this year? Is the owner following the Expo blueprint to finish that franchise in Oakland? And if so - do they move to Las Vegas or Nashville?