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It's time to drop my first official power-rankings on the diamond. Two things off the bat to keep in mind. Firstly, this list was finalized on Sunday PM. Does not include this week's play (I already have made some moves). Secondly and more importantly, my power rankings are based off current winning/losing of THIS season. They are based off current TEAM statistics that include all three facets of batting, pitching, and fielding for THIS current season (up to now). Not based off of last year, who has the best player, or who has cooler uniforms. It's not based off who was predicted to do good in pre-season, nor does it take in part current rosters on PAPER. You all really need to stop giving ESPN, FOX/CBS Sports, and Barstool the time of day. They just spit to spit. Clickbait dorks. You won't agree with everything here, sense the spittin' cap, but we know ball. Believe that.
Now that you know; lets roll out the first PR. Most of the first drop is based off teams with the best start to the campaign. Figured, right? I also took in part strength-of-schedule. Early on, those are my two most important factors. Point differential being the third. It didn't take me too much gander to decide. Down the line, that will change. Lets take a look at the top-10 and why I have them there.
Record up to first drop (4/14): 9-6
Current Streak: L1
Notable series wins: vs LAD;
Chicago sneaks into the top-10 on the first drop after having a solid opening five series to start the campaign. Their spot here might surprise some folks. All in all, the Cubs have been quite lack-luster. I just feel the positives out-weigh the negatives. Cubs took a bump after losing the tough opening series to the defending champs, and lost ace Justin Steele to the IL on top of it (expected back in May). Instead of feeling diminished, they go and win five games in a row and six of seven to claim consecutive series against the Rockies and Dodgers. Seiya Suzuki and rookie Michael Busch have been major positives early on. Busch tied a franchise record for hitting a homer in five consecutive games as a Cubbie.
Cubs are ridin' a good wave when you consider in that four of their five highest-paid batters have been horrendous to start. Bellinger and Dansby Swanson get most of that smoke. Chicago needs those two, along with Nico Hoerner, to step up if the club wants to thrive to the next step. I like what they are doing early on under Counsell. Chicago closes out the month with some national TV time against the likes of Houston, Miami, and Boston. Do they climb or fall?
Biggest Positives:
Shota Imanaga & Javier Assad on the hill
Addition of Michael Busch
Power: Currently 7th in team Home Runs (20)
Wrigley: 5-1 home record to start season
Upcoming Series: vs MIA, vs HOU, @ BOS, @ NYM
Record up to first drop (4/14): 8-9
Current Streak: W3
Notable series wins: vs CHC; @ LAD
Does having the Padres in my top-10 give off more outrage than the Cubs? I have a feeling some of you have your upper lip up. I'm not second guessing it. San Diego lost their first four series (split two), but has had some strong early season moments both in morale, and on the scoreboard. The offense has been money. Padres currently rank 5th in team batting-average, tied 3rd in team homers, and rank 2nd in Total Bases. All MLB ranks.
On top of that, the Padres have three games with double-digit runs scored, and six games with 8 or more runs scored. You can't be disappointed in the batting; outside of Xander Bogaerts. It's been sharp. The comeback of the Cubs, with Tatis Jr's bat-flip; that was a big early moment for this team. They are 5-2 since that game and could be enroute to series wins over the Dodgers, Cubs, and now Brewers. They just need more from the bullpen, and more from the starters. Starters not named Dylan Cease, of course. Joe Musgrove you alright, bubba?
Biggest Positives:
Outfielders: rookie Jackson Merrill, Profar, and Tatis Jr. have been great
Addition of Dylan Cease
Overall team offense
5-3 against NL Central: three of next six series versus NL Central
Upcoming Series: vs TOR, @ COL, vs PHI, vs CIN
Record up to first drop (4/14): 11-7
Current Streak: W1
Notable series wins: vs SFG (sweep)
I believe being overly critical on this Dodgers team is warranted. This team should not be 12-8 (11-7 by time of drop). They started off good, reaching 10-4; looking beyond solid in all facets. Then a switch flipped. In the wrong direction. LA has lost four of their last six games as they have struggled across 9 innings of ball. The starting pitching has been rough, the team has been rocky in close games, and the bats like to go hot and cold. Very streaky.
In terms of the Dodgers clubhouse- there is a lot of positives and negatives. The positives are still strong. Mookie and Ohtani are back at the plate like they never left. Ohtani is LOCKED in. The cat has been crushing the baseball, and Mookie looks like he wants to lead the big leagues in all of the advanced hitting stats again. Then there is the man in the shadows: Will Smith. He too has been YACKIN early on for the Dodgers. When there is negatives, there is always a positive with this Dodgers squad. They are too loaded. They will look to close out April strong as May is ready to bring the thunder on the schedj. Time to see if the Dodgers can be a little less streaky, and a little more dominant.
Biggest Positives:
Shohei Ohtani's extra-base-hit button
Tyler Glasnow... is he the ace?
Night Play: 8-3 at night; 4-5 during the day
Mookie doing Mookie things
Upcoming Series: vs NYM, @ WAS, @ TOR, @ ARI
Record up to first drop (4/14): 11-5
Current Streak: L2
Notable series wins: vs BAL
Pirates started 5-0 being the second to last undefeated team remaining before losing their zero to Washington. I love what we are seeing early on in Pitt. Now, two years in a row they have started a season on a tear. I have been impressed with both the batting and pitching. Star pitching prospect Paul Skenes hasn't even been called-up yet (it's coming)!
The pitching staff has 9 quality starts in total, with cats like Jared Jones and Martin Perez gettin' the most recognition. Jones is just two strikeouts shy of the MLB lead (32) with the leader Tyler Glasnow (34) having pitched a full game over Jones. JJ has been money for the top of the Pirates' rotation. Bullpen needs more growth; David Bednar has been blasted, but kudos to what the pitching has done to open up the new season.
Biggest Positives:
Jared Jones: 2 Quality Starts
Edward Olivares/Connor Joe: .289 BA/28 H/4 HR/19 R
Likes to Battle: 3-0 in 1-Run Games & 3-0 in extra-innings
8-5 on the road
Upcoming Series: vs BOS, vs MIL, @ SFG, @ OAK
Record up to first drop (4/14): 9-5
Current Streak: W3
Notable series wins: vs ARI (sweep); @ PHI
Mighty Braves started 3-2 and raised a slight eyebrow that they would start the year cold and slow... very slight. Instead, they decide to lose just three games in the eleven since. Ozuna is yackin'. Arcia (?) is yackin'. Albies is yackin'. It's just like old times; well besides Arcia, of course. A-Town swept a solid Diamondbacks club in three, and did some damage on the Phillies' head. The only real degrade is the nasty 4-16 loss to the Mets. Ah, and of course the news about their newly established ace.
Spencer Strider is gone for the season; just like that (elbow surgery - UCL). Early on, it's Reynaldo Lopez who decides to step up. He has three quality starts, a 0.50 ERA, and a 1.2 WAR. It's hard to bet on him having a breakout season, but the Braves are going to rely on his good early start. They need the rest of the staff to follow suit. Luckily, the Braves have the game's most elite offense; which isn't slowing down. Wait for Acuna to wake up.
Biggest Positives:
Marcell Ozuna: 7 HR/22 RBI/48 TB
3rd best point differential (+28) in MLB - 1st in NL
7-3 on the road
Upcoming Series: vs TEX, vs MIA, vs CLE, @ SEA
Record up to first drop (4/14): 10-5
Current Streak: W1
Notable series wins: vs CWS (4-game sweep); vs HOU (sweep)
Royals are feelin' royally dangerous to start the new season. How impressive have they been! KC won seven in a row with back-to-back sweeps, and lead the league in points differential (+39). It's been quite the start. Bobby Witt Jr. looks to be on pace for an even better season than the last; which is elevating his squadmates to follow his lead.
The offense is top-12 in most team offensive categories, but it's been the pitching that has shocked us. Royals have the best team ERA, have the most team quality starts, and rank second in shutouts. We are seeing quite the arms trio of Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, and Brady Singer. All three guys are ballin' out with nine quality starts between the three out of a possible eleven. Ragans' 29 strikeouts rank 5th in MLB. The entire staff has given up a MLB least 48 earned runs. Much different story in comparison to last season; in which the Royals ended the season 28th in team ERA.
Biggest Positives:
Pitching. Pitching. Pitching.
Bobby Witt Jr. ready to activate his Superstar X-Factor
8-2 at home
Hot Team: When they win; they can keep winning
Upcoming Series: vs BAL, vs TOR, @ DET, @ TOR
Record up to first drop (4/14): 9-6
Current Streak: W3
Notable series wins: @ BOS (sweep); vs KC
The O's have started a bit rockier than I had expected they would, but they kept their composure to win six of eight going into their upcoming road trip. Fans were frustrated to see the big league team lose with veterans slumping while the Triple-A team was blowing up X with 26 run games, highlight homeruns, and electric young play. They called-up the game's top prospect in Jackson Holliday to calm the storm.
Holliday has struggled tremendously at the plate since making his debut (1 hit in 24 ABs), which is fine, he is just 20-years old for pete sake. Having his glove and versatility on defense has already made a difference as the youngster has made some bang-bang plays in the infield. The other rookie, Colton Cowser, is the one doing his thing at the plate. He has been the early surprise as we reach the meat of April. It's exciting to witness this lineup begin to form it's mold in real time. Mixed in with the addition of Corbin Burnes, I expect this O's team to start cruising to consistent winning ways.
Biggest Positives:
Corbin Burnes: 2-0, 25 strikeouts, 2.28 ERA
Colton Cowser's early rise
+25 points differential (3rd in AL)
Hot Team: When they win; they can keep winning
Upcoming Series: @ KC, @ LAA, vs OAK, vs NYY
Record up to first drop (4/14): 10-4
Current Streak: W1
Notable series wins: @ BAL; @ NYM (sweep); @ CIN
Outside of the recent three game losing skid, it's been a picture perfect start to the season for Pat Murphy's Brew-Crew. The offense has been top notch led by Yelich with youngsters Turang and Frelick carrying more load behind him. Milwaukee's .284 team batting average ranks 2nd in MLB & the team ranks 2nd in team homeruns, 5th in total Hits, and 3rd in total stolen bases. Hands down one of my favorite lineups in baseball right now.
The pitching has been solid with Peralta and Colin Rea holding the weight in the rotation. The loss of Burnes is sure one that hurts. I still question the trade. I mostly question not getting an arm to replace Burnes' production. If the pitching can turn up; this team is dangerous. The lineup is so young- they are sure to only get better. Lots of potential in Milwaukee. The fact they are off to the races atop the NL already; is quite the note.
Biggest Positives:
Freddy Peralta's early start
William Contreras: .358 BA/4 HR/24 H
7-2 on the road
+25 point differential
Young lineup core
Upcoming Series: @ STL, @ PIT, vs NYY, vs TB
Record up to first drop (4/14): 10-5
Current Streak: W3
Notable series wins: n/a
Guardians are rollin'! I'm sure some of you don't like them sittin' at the 2-spot to open up, due to their lack-luster schedule, but that's just too bad. Cleveland is thriving. They hold the second best points differential in baseball and are off to an impressive 12-5 overall record. Guardians won four of their first five series to open up the new campaign. Pretty solid.
The 1-2-3 lineup punch of Steven Kwan, Andrés Giménez, and Jose Ramirez is the biggest reason why the Guardians are off to such a great start. Josh Naylor has been sharp as well at the plate. I do question how long Cleveland can sit in this chair with the loss of Shane Bieber (out for season). His loss hurts the rotation in a big way, especially after how electric he was to start the campaign. The biggest fear is in that rotation. They have been crushed to start off. It's going to be a challenging season, the early start from the offense is a big deal.
Biggest Positives:
Top of the lineup
Emmanuel Clase: 1-0, 4 Saves, 1.13 ERA
9-2 on the road
Steven Kwan: .372 BA/29 H/18 R
Upcoming Series: vs OAK, vs BOS, @ ATL, @ HOU
Record up to first drop (4/14): 12-4
Current Streak: L3
Notable series wins: @ HOU (4-game sweep); @ ARI
It was quite the start to the season in the Bronx. Well, for the Yankees outside of the Bronx.
Yanks started the season winning two consecutive series on the road, including their first five games- which was headlined by a sweep of the Astros. New York's 11-3 start equaled the franchise's best record through a season's first 14 decisions. It's happened in 11 other seasons, most recently in 2010. An 8-4 start on the road is exceptional.
I question their stay as the top dawg, as I question the Guardians in the 2-spot. Yankees have lost three in a row, and are looking streaky compared to how they started the season. Anthony Volpe and Juan Soto are major positives, but the Yanks will need Aaron Judge and the rest of the middle of the lineup to join the ladder's party in order to stay atop the PRs. Brewers, Orioles, and Rays wait in the distance. Lets see what the Yankees are about, early on.
Biggest Positives:
Anthony Volpe: .349 BA/22 H/32 TB
Clay Holmes: 1-0, 6 Saves, 0 ER
8-4 on the road
Upcoming Series: vs TB, vs OAK, @ MIL, @ BAL
11-30:
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