MLB Power Rankings 1-10

From Top To Bottom Who Will Lead The League

Los Angeles Dodgers
How could it not be them? The most loaded team in baseball may have lost an ace on the mound and a star middle infielder, but they still managed to “stay afloat” in that elite tier. The main reason? Freddie Freeman. The 2020 NL MVP joins a star-studded roster fresh off a title in Atlanta.
The offense may not have a hole in it, even if Cody Bellinger sinks further and further from his 2019 MVP production. A hopefully-rejuvenated Mookie Betts joins Bellinger and Chris Taylor in a high-powered outfield with excellent defensive production, even without A.J. Pollock. In the infield, Trea and Justin Turner return to give high-level bat production, as Freeman and Max Muncy round out the right side of the infield, with Muncy moving over to second base after recovering from an arm injury in the final series of the regular season. Former top prospect Gavin Lux also enters the mix as a positionless utilityman with postseason outfield experience who will probably get some starts here and there if injuries or lack of production arise, and Hansel Alberto also figures to be a guy who can fill in the infield in a pinch.
The pitching potential is equally as bright as the hitting. A 1-2-3 rotation of Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, and Clayton Kershaw rivals anyone else in the league. After that, however, it gets a bit shaky. Trevor Bauer continues to have his own issues so he won’t count here until he’s reinstated by the commissioner’s office, but Tony Gonsolin and Andrew Heaney are projected to fill up the final 2 rotation spots. Gonsolin is a former reliever brought into the rotation à la Urias, but Heaney spent this past year as an Angel and a Yankee and was seemingly allergic to keeping the ball in the park. If his exciting spin rates turn into actual production, this team will be even more dangerous. However, overreliance on Buehler, Urias, and an aging Kershaw could spell trouble down the line as the calendar turns to October.
While the starting rotation is teeming with uncertainty, the bullpen is contending for the best in baseball. At the back end, Craig Kimbrel returns to a closer role following an ugly half season as the White Sox setup man. Blake Treinen is still an elite reliever, and Brusdar Graterol hopes to take the next step as a flamethrowing setup man. They also have tremendous depth in Daniel Hudson, Evan Phillips, and This doesn’t even mention guys like Tommy Kahnle, Phil Bickford, and Caleb Ferguson continuing to recover from injuries.
All in all, this team is loaded.
Toronto Blue Jays
Possibly the biggest beneficiary to the expanded playoffs, the Blue Jays may not even need it based on the moves they made.
Replacing AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray with former Giant Kevin Gausman could arguably be seen as an upgrade to some. Signing Yusei Kikuchi gives them another lefty that can do damage if he returns to his first half of 2021 self. Getting a full season of Jose Berrios can help relieve pressure off an aging Hyun-Jin Ryu. Even the bullpen is interesting with pieces like newcomers Yimi Garcia and Adam Cimber, with flamethrower Nate Pearson coming into the bullpen and Jordan Romano running the ninth.
Trading for Matt Chapman gives them elite defensive coverage on the hot corner. Even after losing Marcus Semien, the infield still has plenty of production to go around with Vlad Guererro Jr primed for another MVP-caliber season, and Bo Bichette entering his prime. Cavan Biggio steps into Semien’s big shoes at second.
In the outfield, George Springer hopes to have a more effective, injury-free campaign, while Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez make up the corner spots. There are some potential defensive questions with the trio, as Gurriel is a converted infielder and Springer is on a bounce-back year. However, the offensive production should cancel out any issues in the field, along with an interesting depth piece in Raimel Tapia coming over from Colorado in exchange for Randal Grichuk.
After becoming a rare fourth-place 90 win team in a crowded AL East, the Blue Jays made enough moves to potentially race past the division pack and win it.
Atlanta Braves
How do you lose the heart and soul of a team after a championship and still get better?
Acquiring an arguably better option certainly helps.
Days before Freeman signed with the aforementioned Dodgers, the Braves confirmed the rumors by paying a hefty price to grab first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics, including former top prospect Christian Pache. Olson, who is four years younger than Freeman, was promptly given an eight year, $168-million extension, meaning the hometown kid from Atlanta is staying for a while. Elite defensively and having a rocket launcher for a bat, the Braves did a terrific job of replacing Freeman while staying in immediate championship contention.
Outside of Olson, the other additions the Braves made also should keep them in the running to repeat. Kenley Jansen, Kirby Yates (eventually), and Collin McHugh shore up an already dangerous bullpen that included postseason stars Tyler Matzek, Luke Jackson, and Will Smith.
Oh, and they also bring back some guy in late April you may have heard of named Ronald Acuña Jr. The lineup similarly to the Dodgers should be absolutely stacked, with the same infield core that nearly made history as the first to ever have 4 infielders hit 30 home runs. Olson, Albies, Swanson, and Riley are a terrific foursome to hold down the middle of the lineup.
While Acuña isn’t yet ready to return, the outfield is still in great hands. Marcell Ozuna projects to return from suspension, with NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario returning and Adam Duvall filling out the three guys in the back. The lineup featuring Acuña has yet to be determined, but it will continue to be high-powered when he comes back.
The rotation has many moving pieces, but is mostly in place to be sufficient once again. The young core of Fried, Anderson, and Ynoa return, with Charlie Morton back from a fractured leg in Game 1 of the World Series after heroically finishing off the inning. Mike Soroka’s return from yet another Achilles injury remains murky, but Kyle Wright can step up for the time being alongside an elite bullpen.
The Braves have a very good chance of being the first repeat World Series champions since the Death Star-era Yankees from 1998-2000.
New York Mets
If you are reading this a month from now with a flailing Mets team, please do not laugh at me because I really struggled with where to put them.
On paper, the Metropolitans won the offseason. Owner Steve Cohen pulled out his massive wallet on the table and dropped a money bomb on everyone: fans, players, general managers, even other owners alike. A year after trading for and extending Francisco Lindor, the Mets were the big spenders once again, with new GM Billy Eppler signing Starling Marte, Mark Canha, Eduardo Escobar, and of course Max Scherzer. Scherzer is certainly a risk, considering he received the highest ever AAV, and is 38 years old coming off a postseason where his arm just couldn’t go anymore, but of course I’m not gonna be the one to look into his (multi-colored) eyes and tell him he can’t do it. A trade for Chris Bassitt from the Oakland Fire Sale and this team should be a true title contender on paper.
But alas, the season is not played on paper. Mets fans especially know this well enough.
Superstar pitcher of all superstar pitchers Jacob Degrom has already been shut down for at least four weeks with a stress reaction in his shoulder. Max Scherzer was scratched from his final spring training start and his Opening Day start with a bum hamstring, although it reportedly isn’t of much concern. Of course, this is the Mets, so everything is of concern.
What might be of actual concern, however, is the bullpen. As per usual, the Mets bullpen is a bit shaky, however they signed Adam Ottavino, and Seth Lugo and Trevor May remain strong options. Edwin Diaz remains liable to blow up at any given moment, but also shows flashes of his 57 saves for Seattle in 2018. In all, a shaky but high-potential group to finish off games.
It’s not like they’re doomed, obviously, there’s a reason why they’re in this spot to begin with. The additions should provide an offensive spark that wasn’t there last year. The core of Lindor, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil provide some offensive potential that should be seen.
Buck Showalter brings managing expertise and credibility to the position, something that wasn’t there with his predecessors Luis Rojas and Mickey Callaway. Even though he is an old-fashioned type guy, his time as a YES Network analyst shows he’s still in line with the modern analytical game.
This team could win it all. Or they could fall apart like many teams before them with a litany of injuries and offensive ineptitude. Only time will tell.
Chicago White Sox
An injury-racked ChiSox team managed to run away with the AL Central last year (admittedly, in as weak of a division as any), before falling to the Houston Astros in the ALDS. unfortunately, some of that injury bug is already striking again.
Lance Lynn is likely to be shut down for around 6-8 weeks after a tear in a tendon in his knee. The Cy Young finalist was projected to lead the Sox’s high-potential rotation, but it is now up to the next four to step up and take over. Even without Lynn and free agent departure Carlos Rodon, this rotation can still produce. Lucas Giolito should continue his star ascension, Dylan Cease can take that next step to high-level starter, Dallas Keuchel hopefully has some juice left in the tank, and Michael Kopech looks to slot back into the rotation after being a bullpen staple for the last couple years. If all of these projections come to be, the rotation will be just fine until Lynn returns
Speaking of the bullpen, they are slightly more interesting. Recently general manager Rick Hahn said that Garrett Crochet is likely headed for Tommy John surgery, taking another piece out. Replacing Craig Kimbrel with Kendall Graveman will hopefully be more successful than the Kimbrel experiment. Liam Hendriks, of course, is the best closer in the AL and it should stay that way. Adding Joe Kelly, even if he’s still recovering from injury, should still help along with Vince Velasquez. On the pitching front, there is uncertainty but also potential for a great season.
The lineup, especially the front half, is where this team will do the most damage. Tim Anderson in the leadoff spot is one of the most fun players in the game, with Luis Robert looking to take that next step ascending into a great player. 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu should be highly effective as always, with Eloy Jimenez and Yasmani Grandal trying to build on strong seasons (with Grandal fully back from injury). Theback end spots are really intriguing, with Josh Harrison signing as a free agent, he will likely start at second. A.J. Pollock comes over in a trade with the Dodgers in exchange for Kimbrel, and he brings a bat in the outfield that was missing. The DH spot causes the most intrigue, where it will likely be the young Gavin Sheets, although expect a litany of options at DH.
If things break right for this team, they could win the pennant. However if the early trends of this year continue, it may be another fruitless postseason appearance in the South Side
Houston Astros
After a year where fans returned to stadiums and let out the year of pent up anger at the Houston Astros and the infamous sign-stealing scandal, it’s time to admit it’s over now.
Claim asterisk all you want, but now we’re five years removed and two straight ALCS appearances from 2017, and the Astros are still chugging along. However, I think the ALCS streak stops this year.
Kyle Tucker very well may go out and win AL MVP. Jose Altuve is still Jose Altuve, with a new and improved plate approach with his somewhat dwindling athleticism. Alex Bregman is hoping to bounce back after a down year. Yordan Alvarez very well may be the best DH in baseball. Justin Verlander has shown no signs of slowing down so far, with his velocity right back up in spring training. Even Yuli Gurriel is coming off an AL batting title. While they’re still a good, even great team, but I think they take a step back this year. There’s a $105 million hole at shortstop that should be filled by rookie Jeremy Pena. Will he be able to handle that pressure and replicate even a fraction of Correa’s impact on the team? He won’t be solely responsible, as good-not-spectacular options Niko Goodrum and Aldemys Diaz sit behind him.
Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, Jake Odorizzi, and Cristian Javier round out a rotation with potential to be pretty good on any given day but also meh on the next. The return of Lance McCullers should loom large, as any one of the back half rotation pieces can move to the bullpen, which features a newly signed Hector Neris (aptly nicknamed Heart Attack Hector by Phillie fans), Ryne Stanek and solid Ryan Pressly to close down games.
If all the pieces step up, this team can surprise everyone once again, and prove they’re more than a couple trash cans.
Milwaukee Brewers
Pitching. Pitching. Pitching.
That’s been the M.O. for the Brew Crew over the past few years under Craig Counsell. They’ve managed to put together baseball’s most feared rotation with a top three of reigning NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta. Adrian Houser and Eric Lauer round it out, with some Aaron Ashby here and there for an elite run-stopping operation.
They also feature baseball’s best closer in Josh Hader. Last time we saw Hader he gave up a go-ahead home run to Freddie Freeman in the NLDS, which was the first home run hit by a lefty off Hader all year, overshadowing another tremendous year. Devin Williams, the usual set-up man, missed the postseason after breaking his hand in September in celebration. He features a live fastball with one of my favorite pitches in all of baseball, the “Airbender”. Brad Boxberger and Brent Suter with solid years can help round out another elite pitching year for the Brewers.
The offensive side of the field is where things get dicey for Milwaukee. Christian Yelich needs to return to his MVP form of 2018 and almost 2019 for the Brewers to truly compete for a World Series run.
They have a solid middle infield duo of Kolten Wong and Willy Adames. The corners are a bit more unknown, as it would be a boon for Keston Hiura to return to his rookie year form and mash some more baseballs at first base, while the young but promising Luis Urias takes over at third base. Rowdy Tellez also proved to be alright at first but they can still do much better.
The outfield features Yelich, an aging but still partially effective Lorenzo Cain, and now Hunter Renfroe, acquired from Boston in exchange for Jackie Bradley Jr., in the wake of Avisail Garcia signing a big contract with Miami. I personally love the Renfroe move. He brings huge power and a cannon for an arm in right field, and can give Milwaukee the spark it needs as an X-factor on the offensive end. Andrew McCutchen will fit somewhere in the mix, likely at the DH spot, and he still has enough pop left in his bat and legs that he can be effective.
A boosted year from Milwaukee’s offense and an ordinarily excellent year from the pitching side can bring Milwaukee its first championship since 1982.
Tampa Bay Rays
How do they do it? Every single year the Rays seemingly lose value at important spots but jump right back up and win 95 games and make the ALDS.
This offseason, there was no Blake Snell trade or any shocking move like that, although the Austin Meadows trade puzzled me a bit. There’s just not a lot of additions. However, the one big move that excited all 30 fans in the general St. Petersburg/Tampa area (sorry, I had to) was extending Wander Franco to ensure he’ll be a Ray for a looooooong time. And that should terrify opponents.
The young shortstop has MVP potential at just 21 years old, but that’s not all. He’s joined by power hitters Ji-Man Choi and Brandon Lowe at first and second, with the solid Yandy Diaz rounding out the infield. Mike Zunino stays powerful behin the plate. In the outfield, Randy Arozarena continues one of the most bizarre career starts in left, the ever-consistent Kevin Kiermaier sits in center, and Manuel Margot occupies Austin Meadows’ open spot in right, although the DH role can shuffle all of these positions.
Pitching is the key for the Rays, as it always is. The signing of Corey Kluber will likely turn great dividends as it always does, as a Tyler Glasnow-less rotation features young gun Shane McClanahan, who should gather some Rookie of the Year votes, Drew Rassmussen, Ryan Yarborough, and Luis Patino. Eventually Shane Baz will join the mix and the Rays will truly have their full returns on the Chris Archer Trade.
The bullpen will be mix-and-matchable and will likely be the team’s strong point as always. Signing Brooks Raley before the lockout was an undervalued move, and Andrew Kittredge returns as the closer. Pete Fairbanks and Nick Anderson will be out to start the year, but getting them back will be huge for the Rays’ bullpen.
A late return from Glasnow and a huge year from Franco with solid support pieces can take the Rays to the brink of the promise land once again
New York Yankees
Well well well, Yankees, what to do with you? I think they got better, but I’m also not sure.
After a majorly up-and-down regular season and disappointing wild card exit to the Red Sox, many (including me) expected them to make the big splash in free agency with a loaded class, especially at shortstop. The results?
Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez are off to Minnesota, and in comes Josh Donaldson and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, along with young catcher Ben Rortvedt. Re-signing Anthony Rizzo was a must, and Luke Voit was pushed out to San Diego.
The infield was rebuilt, with an aging-but-still-can-take-the-cover-off-the-ball Josh Donaldson at third, elite defensive player and average hitter IKF at short, a revitalized Gleyber Torres back at his best position at second base, and Anthony Rizzo mans first.
In the outfield, Joey Gallo returns in left field, where he should be able to be more comfortable with a full year in the Bronx. He still has excellent defensive prowess, and can hit it out of the park at any chance he gets. Keep up the walk numbers and cut the strikeouts back down to a reasonable pace and he’ll be an All-Star. Aaron Judge, still looking for an extension before he hits free agency, should continue his MVP production as long as he stays healthy (of course a big asterisk when it comes to the Yankees). Similarly, Giancarlo Stanton returns at the DH to mash the ball, which he does at an elite level. Him and Judge pretty much carried the Yankee offense down the stretch and even in the wild card game. Aaron Hicks will be the X-factor for the offense. If he can get on base and bounce back from injury with a 30-30 season, he can get back into the good graces of Yankees fans and help the team open up the offense.
The pitching is where it gets really interesting. Gerrit Cole will be his excellent self, and make a run at an ever-elusive Cy Young. Jordan Montgomery is a very good number three pitcher, but as a number two the Yankees could do better. Jameson Taillon should be close to 100% soon as he recovers from ankle surgery, and he showed out in a fantastic July before fading down the stretch, likely due to a return to normal workload. 25 starts from Luis Severino will go a long way in making sure the rotation can stay fresh and at its highest level. Nestor Cortes Jr. continues his ascent into the rotation as the lefty posted a career year in 2021.
The bullpen, formerly a runaway strength, has lost some teeth but still can be feared. Aroldis Chapman was unhittable over the first three months of last season, before an epic collapse in the summer and recovery towards the end of the season. A regression to the mean as an above average closer. With Zach Britton on the shelf, Jonathan Loaisiga and Chad Green should step up as elite setup men. Clay Holmes and Wandy Peralta, two midseason trade additions, should continue to build off strong campaigns as depth relievers and spot guys in pressure situations.
With some bounce-back performances and turning-back-the-clock plays, the Bronx Bombers can finally break the streak of 13 straight years without a World Series title or appearance.
San Francisco Giants
Fresh off 107 wins and an NL West title, the Giants are in an interesting position. With Buster Posey retiring and Kevin Gausman heading north to Toronto, they had a pseudo reload and are ready to compete for another division title.
With an ever-changing lineup the Giants never have the same nine out on the field every day, but already with two injuries they will have to adjust. Lamonte Wade Jr. suffered a bone bruise and will miss a couple weeks. Third baseman Evan Longoria suffered a torn ligament in his finger and will be out for a couple weeks after undergoing surgery. Other than that, Brandon Crawford returns after a career year at the age of 34 at shortstop, and Brandon Belt is likely to take over at first base, with Wilmer Flores holding down the fort at third, and Tommy La Stella at second. Darin Ruf will likely consistently stay as the designated hitter.
Replacing franchise legend Buster Posey will be no small task, but one Curt Casalli and former top prospect Joey Bart must be ready for. If they can stay solid and provide production at and behind the plate, the Giants will be much better off.
San Francisco boasts a solid, sometimes very good outfield. Free agent addition Joc Pederson will likely take over in left field, with Mike Yastrzemski looking for a return to his strong 2019 form in center field. Right field will be played by the solid Steven Duggar, with depth pieces like Austin Slater, and eventually Wade, playing in and out of the lineup.
The pitching is where the Giants can really show their strength. Carlos Rodon can be the bargain signing of the offseason, if he stays healthy and builds upon a season that saw him finish in Cy Young contention and was a toe HBP away from a perfect game (he still finished off the no-hitter). Logan Webb is ascending towards stardom, helped by his two gems in the NLDS against the Dodgers. Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wood are back off solid seasons, with Alex Cobb hoping for a career resurgence and to stay healthy.
The bullpen is another strength of the team. Camilo Doval took the closer role and ran with it, becoming another high-power arm in that bullpen with a high-power fastball, slider, and cutter. Tyler Rogers and his unorthodox release can make him borderline unhittable at times with his rising fastball and slider. Jake McGee’s fastball heavy approach slots him in as another high leverage reliever to shut down the late innings. Jarlin Garcia will likely eat innings when needed, while Dominic Leone, Kervin Castro, José Álvarez, and Zack Littell will serve as middle-inning depth.
Gabe Kapler, Farhan Zaidi, and Co. have built a machine of analytics and production that could surprise a lot of people in making another playoff run.