2015 MLB Power Rankings: Tigers, Royals slug their way to the top
Apr 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) leaps in the air after forcing out Cleveland Indians left fielder Jerry Sands (40) in the fifth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals are undefeated through the first week of the 2015 MLB season. They are certain to return to the postseason this year, right?
More from White Sox News
- The Chicago White Sox might have had a season ending loss
- The Chicago White Sox are expecting Tim Anderson back soon
- Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
- Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
- Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa
The Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies are all leading their respective divisions after finishing below .500 last season and not making any notable signings in the offseason. Are they for real?
What is wrong with the Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Angels?
Welcome to overreaction Monday in baseball folks.
This is the time where we all as fans struggle to put the things we have seen into reasonable perspective. With such a small sample size it’s hard to say what is real and what is fake. But I will attempt to do just that with the first of my weekly 2015 MLB power rankings.
Enjoy.
1. Detroit Tigers (6-0) – We all knew the Tigers could hit but if Shane Greene and Alfredo Simon continue to pitch like saw last week, a return of the old Justin Verlander will no longer be a concern.
2. Kansas City Royals (6-0) – Welcome to Kansas City Kendrys Morales and Alex Rios. The addition of both players have the Royals second only to the Tigers in batting average and OPS.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (4-2) – The Blue Jays are yet another team hitting their way to success early. And what’s scary about that is the fact that Russell Martin, Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson are any of the ones hitting.
4. San Diego Padres (4-3) – The Padres did a lot this offseason to bolster their offense. Through one week of baseball, they are second in the NL in runs and batting average. They also acquired Craig Kimbrel without trading any valuable pieces.
5. Boston Red Sox (4-2) – The Red Sox showed right away what they will be capable of this year on offense. Who steps up to be the rotation’s ace still remains to be seen.
Next: Where will the LA Dodgers land?
Apr 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Alex Guerrero (7) celebrates with Yasmani Grandal (9) after hitting a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (3-3) – The good: Adrian Gonzalez is on another planet right now. The bad: Clayton Kershaw hasn’t quite rebounded from his 2014 playoff performance yet.
7. St. Louis Cardinals (3-2) – The Cardinals had concerns over the health of their rotation. So far so good as Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha and Lance Lynn look healthy and on top of their game.
8. Cincinnati Reds (4-2) – A healthy Joey Votto makes the Reds offense dangerous. But is there enough in the rotation behind Johnny Cueto to keep them in the fight for the NL Central crown?
9. Washington Nationals (2-4) – Yes despite just two wins, I have the Nationals in my top 10. Why? Five quality starts and a 2.32 ERA through six games tells me they will wake when some of their offensive players return from injury.
10. Atlanta Braves (5-1) – Surprise, surprise. No Kimbrel, no Uptons, no Jason Heyward, no problem. Through six games, the Braves have the lowest ERA in baseball and the third most runs in the NL.
Next: Are the Rockies just out of the Top 10?
Apr 12, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Daniel Descalso (3) heads for home after a triple by second baseman DJ LeMahieu (not pictured) in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
11. Colorado Rockies (4-2) – We all expect the Rockies to hit at Coors Field but what they did to the Brewers in Milwaukee was impressive. Nolan Arenado appears to be on his way to stardom if he can stay on the field all season.
12. Seattle Mariners (3-3) – The Mariners currently sit tied atop the AL West despite being in the bottom five in runs scored and ERA in the AL. Imagine how it will be once Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager actually start hitting?
13. Chicago Cubs (3-2) – The Cubs have gone from the embarrassing bathroom issues on Opening Day to thrilling come back victories on the road. In other news, four more days until the likely major league debut of Kris Bryant.
14. Baltimore Orioles (3-3) – The Orioles have wasted no time showing they can hit without Cruz and Nick Markakis (major league best 11 homers). But can they go another year without an definitive ace in the rotation?
15. Oakland Athletics (3-4) – The A’s offense has been surprisingly good to start the year. The pitching has been as good as advertised as well. So how exactly is this group 3-4?
Next: How good are the Mets?
Apr 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) throws during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
16. New York Mets (3-3) – The return of Matt Harvey makes the Mets’ starting rotation one of the best in baseball. Now if only David Wright and Curtis Granderson can return to 2012.
17. Houston Astros (3-3) – We all know the Astros have one of the most powerful lineups in all of baseball when they actually make contact. What many didn’t know is that they have a pretty strong pitching staff as well led by Dallas Keuchel.
18. Cleveland Indians (2-4) – Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer delivered in their season debuts for the Indians. But injuries to Yan Gomes and Michael Brantley to start the season doesn’t help the offense.
19. San Francisco Giants (3-4) – The Giants rode Madison Bumgarner to their third World Series in five years. To return there this year, they need what Tim Hudson and Tim Lincecum gave them last week to be the norm all season.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (3-3) – The Rays have Asdrubal Cabrera and Desmond Jennings hitting around Evan Longoria this season. They don’t stand a chance competing in the AL East right?
Next: The Pirates had a tough week
Apr 9, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) throws against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (2-4) – The Pirates are the one team in the bottom 10 who aren’t concerned with their record right now. The pitching looks solid and Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison and Starlin Marte will eventually hit.
22. Los Angeles Angels (2-4) – The Angels witnessed both Jared Weaver and CJ Wilson get rocked this weekend and no one outside of Mike Trout is hitting. The sooner Garrett Richards returns to the rotation, the better.
23. Chicago White Sox (2-4) – The White Sox hope the return of Chris Sale yesterday brings some life until their ballclub. They have managed just one run or less in three of their six games.
24. Arizona Diamondbacks (3-3) – The Diamondbacks offense has been pretty good so far. Their pitching however has allowed opponents to hit for an NL worst .293 average.
25. Philadelphia Phillies (3-3) – The Phillies were pegged by many as the NL’s worst team heading into 2015. But a make-shift rotation and lights-out bullpen have performed quite well to start the year.
Next: The Marlins had a tough start to the season
Apr 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Mat Latos (35) reacts in the dugout after being taken out of the game during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
26. Texas Rangers (3-4) – Before the injury to Yu Darvish, a bounce back season for the Rangers wouldn’t have been much of a surprise. Now add Derek Holland to the 60 day DL and you have a rough season ahead in Texas.
27. New York Yankees (2-4) – The two highest ERAs for the Yankees’ pitching staff currently belong to CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka. The Yankees also have the AL’s worst fielding percentage. And to top it all off, A-Rod has been their best player.
28. Miami Marlins (1-5) – A ridiculous spending spree this offseason has translated into a tie for baseball’s worst record for the Marlins. The rotation desperately needs Jose Fernandez and the offense has managed just one home run this season. Anybody know who hit it?
29. Milwaukee Brewers (1-5) – Any pitching staff that calls Kyle Lohse their ace is going to be bad. What makes matters worse is the Brewers’ offense has gotten off to a dreadful start.
30. Minnesota Twins (1-5) – The Twins have scored less and allowed more runs than any team in baseball. That’s really all that needs to be said here.