MLB Power Rankings: Mid-June

MLB

MLB Power Rankings: Mid-June

There's plenty of change in our latest MLB power rankings. The last few weeks have seen multiple divisional lead changes, some significant slumps, and a few crucial series wins that could change the course of the campaign.

1. Braves

The offense has cooled off in a big way, but Atlanta is still sitting atop the NL East and has the best record in baseball. They have gone 11-9 over their last 20 and own the league's best bullpen in June.

2. Yankees

Aaron Judge is out for several weeks. That hasn't stopped the Yankees cruising to a 2.5-game lead in the AL East, with an excellent bullpen, a battling rotation, and a top 10 wRC+ in June.

3. Dodgers

The Dodgers are making this regular season look easy. Sure, they don't have the best record in baseball, but they're nine games ahead in the NL West. The rotation has been the best in the sport this month, though some concerns have reappeared in the bullpen.

4. Brewers

Some of us were very wrong about the Brewers. Write off this Milwaukee team at your peril, as they have made a habit of exceeding projections and are doing so once again. Jacob Misiorowski is the Cy Young favorite, Jake Bauers should be an All-Star, and Jackson Chourio is having a massive season.

5. Phillies

Just two teams, the Dodgers and Brewers, have a better record over the last 30 games than the Phillies. This is far from a perfect team, with holes in the lineup and some issues at the back end of the rotation, but their record over the last few weeks is quite impressive after a slow start.

6. Mariners

Whether they're piggybacking some or all of their starters, Seattle is the best team in the AL West. Their 1.5-game lead is bound to grow in the coming weeks.

7. Nationals

Washington would be a dangerous playoff team if the bullpen weren't one of the worst in baseball. Their lineup and rotation are well above average and could be the foundation of a 90-win team if the relief corps had gotten more attention.

8. Cardinals

There are similarities between the Nationals and the Cardinals. St. Louis has needed more help from its run prevention than its underlying numbers would suggest it deserves, but that doesn't detract from a season that has exceeded all reasonable expectations.

9. Guardians

Despite losing 12 of their last 20, Cleveland is tied for the lead in the AL Central. Once again, it's all about the pitching staff, with the Guardians' offense ranking in the bottom three in June.

10. Marlins

Miami is only two games below .500 and has gone 16-14 over its last 30. There's a lot to like about what the Marlins have shown so far this year, and it should mean their fans don't see another teardown at the deadline.

11. White Sox

Even with an 8.85 rotation ERA in June, the White Sox have managed to more than tread water. This team seems to have staying power, with a lineup that continues to produce at a strong clip.

12. Athletics

Playing comically high-scoring games in Vegas doesn't seem to have helped the Athletics. Hovering around .500, a 32-41 Pythagorean win-loss record is underwhelming given the expectations coming into the year.

13. Pirates

Imagine where the Pirates would be if the Marcell Ozuna signing had worked out. Pittsburgh's offense has been strong all year, making the team a wild-card candidate, even with the rotation underperforming slightly.

14. Padres

San Diego is 18-26 since April 27. Not much has gone right over the last six games, with Ty France the only everyday player holding an above average OPS. The bullpen has been carrying them so far this year.

15. Rays

The Rays have won seven of their last 21, the offense has cratered, and the AL East lead has been relinquished.

16. Cubs

An 11-24 run means even 16th might be a bit generous for the Cubs. It's been a dramatic decline, with underperformance and injuries striking the rotation.

17. Diamondbacks

The streaky Diamondbacks have lost 12 of their last 18. The Ildemaro Vargas hot streak is a distant memory, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly have been bad, and their 73 wRC+ is the worst in baseball this month.

18. Rangers

It's one step forward and two back for the Rangers. They keep threatening to play better than a .500 team, but they can't quite shake that reputation. It's a decent roster missing a couple of pieces.

19. Blue Jays

Getting healthier, the Blue Jays have never managed to get and stay above .500. For all the positive signs offensively, the Jays need much more than their pitching staff if they are going to compete for a wild-card spot.

20. Reds

It's hard to believe the Reds were flying high just six weeks ago. Cincinnati are 15-26 since the end of April. The bright spots (Sal Stewart, JJ Bleday, Nathaniel Lowe) have been offset by the struggles of Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, and Eugenio Suárez.

21. Astros

Houston still has work to do after a slow start. A 17-13 record over the last 30 games shows the team is trending in the right direction. It's hard to see how this group goes anywhere with the current rotation and a wholly unproductive outfield.

22. Angels

Winners of 13 of their last 23 games, the Angels are 10th in wRC+ in June, along with being eighth in both rotation ERA and bullpen ERA. This team won't be contending, but at least the fans have Mike Trout to enjoy.

23. Mets

There aren't many positives to find for the Mets. Juan Soto is the only hitter living up to expectations. Behind the fearsome one-two of Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean, the rotation is a mess.

24. Orioles

The Adley Rutschman-Samuel Basallo tandem has been effective. Elsewhere, Baltimore has to be concerned about its lineup as few hitters are contributing.

25. Twins

You would have gotten long odds on the Twins having a better record than the Tigers and Royals in mid-June. It's not just about their two studs, Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan, either. Taj Gibson and Kody Clemens have also stepped up and are enjoying strong years too.

26. Tigers

It has just been one of those years for the Tigers. They have been a bit unlucky, as indicated by their 36-37 Pythagorean record, but they have underperformed in nearly every facet of the game.

27. Giants

Buster Posey is open to offers for Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman, which says everything about the Giants' season. Bryce Eldridge's walk-off grand slam was the moment of the year for the club, and the slugging rookie looks on course for stardom.

28. Red Sox

Boston is tied for the worst record in the majors over the last 20 games. Roman Anthony remains sidelined with little encouraging news, Marcelo Mayer has greatly disappointed, and Caleb Durbin has a 58 OPS+. At least Payton Tolle has been good.

29. Royals

Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, and Kris Bubic are on the injured list. Bobby Witt Jr. remains an MVP favorite, yet his numbers aren't quite at the dizzying heights fans have grown accustomed to. The highs of 2024 feel like a long time ago.

30. Rockies

Colorado is 15-30 since April 26. There are some improvements on last season, though Tomoyuki Sugano is the only starter with a triple-digit ERA+ mark, and catcher, first base, and DH are the only productive spots in the lineup.

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