Shea’s MLB Power Rankings (as of 4/05/2011)
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The next instalment of the MLB power rankings is here! In case you’re new to reading power rankings, the main principles to know are that (a) they reflect relative strength of a team and (b) they’ll diverge from the standings more as the season progresses. Let’s get to it.
We’ve seen mostly unprecedented league parity but another theme is prevalent this week: the top of the National League East is starting to look like the class of baseball.
(Previous rankings in brackets)
1. (1) Cleveland Indians (23-11): Will the bottom ever fall out? Grady Sizemore keeps flashing the power he once had and super prospect Carlos Santana has shown signs of snapping out of his slump. The honeymoon may continue for a while.
2. (2) Philadelphia Phillies (23-12): The Domonic Brown wait is almost over. He’ll arrive in the bigs any day now – probably for good. And the Phillies could really use his offense.
3. (4) Florida Marlins (21-14): Wasn’t Gaby Sanchez’s offensive upside supposed to be Mark Grace? It’s looking more like Adrian Gonzalez these days.
4.(3) New York Yankees (20-13): Rafael Soriano’s injury woes mean the Yanks suddenly lack a safety net for ancient Mariano Rivera.
5. (6) St. Louis Cardinals (21-15): Lance Berkman is 3 for 17 since David Freese hit the DL. Was Freese the unsung hero of the Cardinals’ offense?
6. (11) Atlanta Braves (20-17): Atlanta has to hope Jason Heyward’s shoulder injury isn’t serious, as the Braves’ bats were really starting to come around.
7. (7) Tampa Bay Rays (20-15): Evan Longoria returned and immediately started knocking in runs. Ben Zobrist, you can take a break now.
8. (10). Los Angeles Angels (21-16): Is the Mike Trout watch officially on now that Vernon Wells (mercifully) is on the DL?
9. (16) Cincinnati Reds (20-16): Travis Wood is surging back toward last year’s form on the mound and, since the Reds haven’t stopped hitting, it makes sense to see them climb up the standings.
10. (15) San Francisco Giants (19-16): Here come the champs. They’ve won four straight games. When you have a pitching rotation like theirs, winning streaks can be common.
11. (24) Detroit Tigers (19-18): Unbeaten Max Scherzer has formed one of baseball’s best one-two pitching punches with Justin “no-hit” Verlander.
12. (13) Oakland Athletics (19-18): I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t expect Trevor Cahill to repeat last year’s success, let alone exceed it, which he has so far.
13. (5) Colorado Rockies (19-15): They’ve lost seven of 10. Now’s the time for Ubaldo Jimenez and Carlos Gonzalez to get hot.
14. (9) Boston Red Sox (17-19): “Slow-starting” Adrian Gonzalez is now tied for the American League lead in RBI. That monster season will be there when 2011 is up.
15. (12) Texas Rangers (19-18): Where would they be had they traded away the disgruntled Michael Young?
16. (8) Kansas City Royals (18-17): How far can Hosmer Mania take them? It’s early but the kid looks like he belongs in the majors.
17. (18) Pittsburgh Pirates (18-18): James McDonald could be their most promising pitcher since a young Oliver Perez.
18. (22) Washington Nationals (17-18): They deserve credit for staying afloat without Ryan Zimmerman and Stephen Strasburg.
19. Milwaukee Brewers: Yovani Gallardo and Zack Greinke both threw gems over the last week. A sign of better times ahead for the Brew Crew?
20. (21) New York Mets (16-20): They have to hope Ike Davis’ injury isn’t serious. He’s been their best player – and one of the NL’s best.
21. (17) Los Angeles Dodgers (17-20)
22. (26) Baltimore Orioles (15-19)
23. (27) Toronto Blue Jays (16-20)
24. (14) Seattle Mariners (16-20)
25. (19) Chicago Cubs (15-19)
26. (25) Arizona Diamondbacks (15-19)
27. (30) Chicago White Sox (14-23)
28. (29) San Diego Padres (14-22)
29. (23) Houston Astros (13-23)
30. (28) Minnesota Twins (12-22)
