4.23.21 MLB Power Rankings

Dodgers come in at number one in the first power rankings of the 2022 season.

April 23, 2022

Source: Google Images

With a little over two weeks passed in the 2022 regular season, it is time for the first power rankings of the season. The overall consensual World Series pick by many leads the pack, but where do the rest of the teams stack up?

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (10-4)

Throughout the first couple weeks of 2022, the Dodgers have largely picked up where they left off after a 107 win regular season last year. Newly acquired 1B Freddie Freeman has gotten off to a good start as part of a potent offense that also features Trea Turner. Cody Bellinger has also showed signs of much needed improvement. The starting pitching is thinner than it has been in quite some time, but is still led by studs Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw who had a perfect game through seven innings before getting pulled by manager Dave Roberts. The bullpen is underrated, with solid pieces such as Kimbrel, Graterol, and Treinen.

2. New York Mets (11-5)

Something special may be brewing in Queens for a team that has performed very well up to this point. Manager Buck Showalter seems like the perfect man for the job. Despite Jacob Degrom being hurt, the rotation has still looked downright scary with pitchers like Tylor Megill, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassit, and Carlos Carrasco. The lineup has also been productive, as free agent acquisitions Eduardo Escobar, Mark Canha, and Starling Marte have all made positive impacts. Pete Alonso and Frankie Lindor also figure to continue being among the best hitters in the NL. Lindor looks like a very strong bounce back player of the year candidate.

3. Toronto Blue Jays (10-5)

The Blue Jays, with an underrated pitching rotation and star studded young lineup, have looked the part of the favorite to win the AL East and potentially the AL up to this point. While Bo Bichette has been off to a slow start, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has continued to put up big numbers. Jose Berrios will have to start being consistent, as he does look like a suspect #1 starter. The Jays have fared well against the AL East thus far, with a four game split against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium and having took 2 of 3 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

4. San Francisco Giants (10-5)

The Giants have, like the Dodgers, picked up right where they left off in 2021. The starting pitching features a dominant 1-2 punch in Carlos Rodon and Logan Webb. The lineup (somehow?) continues to produce with an example being the emergence of catching prospect Joey Bart. Closer Camilo Doval, whose stats to this point are a bit ugly) still features potent stuff that suggests a turnaround.

5. San Diego Padres (10-6)

Starting to get a sense that the NL West is the best division in baseball? The Padres are out to prove that last year was a fluke as Manny Machado has been ranking. San Diego also features strong pitching, with guys like Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish off to strong starts. Prospect CJ Abrams has been a difference maker in Fernando Tatis' absence. Look for the Padres to be the Dodgers' stiffest competitor this year.

6. St. Louis Cardinals (9-4)

The biggest story has been Albert Pujols' return and the reunion of what is likely the "Last Dance" for Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina, and Pujols. This team has looked very strong defensively, and features a potent offense with Arenado off to arguably the best start of any hitter in the NL. If they continue to get solid pitching like they largely have been up to this point, look out Milwaukee.

7. New York Yankees (9-6)

Despite their clear deficiencies, here are the Yankees still in the top ten. The offense has been downright atrocious, with guys like Joey Gallo looking absolutely lost at the plate. The team remains one in which has terrible situational hitting and is home run or bust. Judge, Rizzo, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have all been solid, with guys like Gleyber Torres continuing to be very streaky. Chapman has been a heart attack waiting to happen for Yankees fans in the bullpen. Gerrit Cole has looked like a AAA pitcher. But, it is ironically the Yankees strong performance on the mound that has them this high up in the power rankings. Nestor Cortes, Jordan Montgomery, Jameson Taillon, and Luis Severino have all been solid.

8. Colorado Rockies (9-5)

You did read the team name right. The Rockies, arguably the biggest surprise thus far of the season, are off to a solid start largely thanks to guys like Kris Bryant and CJ Cron. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts...

9. Milwaukee Brewers (9-6)

After a rough first series in Chicago, both the Brewers and their rotation have begun to turn it around. Hader continues to look like the best closer in the league. Burnes and Woodruff were solid in their second outings. Peralta's start has been a tad eyebrow raising, but he had better stuff in his last start against the Phillies. The Brewers lineup has been very average, with everyone pretty much off to a slow start besides Rowdy Tellez and Andrew McCutchen. Can Yelich regain his form? That one question has the Brewers entire season hanging in the balance.

10. Cleveland Guardians (7-7)

Despite just a .500 record, the Guardians have a solid run differential and have been playing solid baseball on both sides. Shane Bieber has continued to be dominant, and rookie Steven Kwan has been a major factor of an offense that looks scarier than anticipated. There are some pieces here and in a weak AL Central, can they make a run?

11. Tampa Bay Rays (8-7)

When is "Moneyball: 2"coming out? The Rays continue to play solid baseball and are in every single game. Wander Franco has continued to be a stud and whoever fills in at pitcher has continued to do their job. The Rays are a well-oiled machine and while they have the least sexy team on paper in a loaded AL East figure to still compete the entire year. They have their successful formula down.

12. Seattle Mariners (8-6)

If the first two weeks of the season are any indication coupled with expanded playoffs this year, the Mariners look like a solid choice to finally break their Postseason drought dating back to 2001. JP Crawford and Ty France are both off to good offensive starts, with Robbie Ray and Logan Gilbert leading the way in the rotation.

13. Los Angeles Angels (8-7)

Trout and Ohtani will keep this team competitive as they are both off to decent starts. Syndergaard has looked to be a great signing as he is off to a great start. With Houston struggling out of the gate and a younger Mariners team in front of them will the Angels get out of the .500 rut they've been in for years?

14. Minnesota Twins (7-8)

They are beginning to get hot as they are winners of their last three. Carlos Correa has struggled out of the gate. Byron Buxton has been among the best AL hitter. Dylan Bundy has looked good in the rotation.

15. Chicago Cubs (7-8)

Seiya Suzuki. The Japanese Phenom has been off to a MONSTER start in his MLB career as the Cubs have been competitive and figure to be a solid "spoiler" for teams like the Cardinals and Brewers. Despite tearing it down last year the team has refused to go into full-on rebuild mode and as a result has actual been watchable. David Robertson has been a good closer for the Chicago up to this point.

16. Houston Astros (6-8)

Is the five year ALCS appearance streak going to be over? The early returns seem to suggest so. The Astros are off to a rough start all over the diamond, as the roster appears to be the weakest its been in years. Jeremy Pena has filled in nicely at shortstop, but he still isn't Carlos Correa. There is plenty of baseball left to be played, but the Astros better start playing better soon to maintain pace in a log jammed AL West.

17. Boston Red Sox (7-8)

Boston has been exactly what we all expected entering the year: A potent offense and weak starting pitching. While guys like Devers and Bogearts have been solid, Story has struggled out of the gate. In the bullpen, Garret Whitlock has been downright lethal. This team needs Chris Sale back desperately.

18. Oakland Athletics (8-8)

Speaking of Money Ball, how about those Oakland A's? Like the Rays, they always seem to find a way and have been in every ballgame. They have a .500 record with the second lowest payroll in the sport. Pitcher Frankie Montas has been great and looks to be a top deadline chip at this stage.

19. Atlanta Braves (7-9)

The defending champs *should* be fine, but it has been rough out of the gate in the ATL. The pitching has been shaky besides Max Fried, and the same can be said for the lineup besides Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson. Swanson and Albies have yet to kick it in gear. In the bullpen, Kenley Jansen has also struggled. On the bright side, Ronald Acuna Jr. should be back very soon.

20. Miami Marlins (6-8)

The Marlins, like the Cubs, should continue to be better than expected and play spoiler. The rotation to this point has been among the best in the league with guys such as Pablo Lopez, Trevor Rogers, and Sandy Alcantara. The lineup has also been above average with Jazz Chisholm Jr. off to a hot start. Look out for the Marlins to begin improving this year as the first couple weeks have shown despite their record.

21. Chicago White Sox (6-8)

What is going on on the south side? You have to begin to wonder if the White Sox wish they had re- signed Carlos Rodon. The offense has been awful and pitching inconsistent. Luis Robert is hurt. The sox should still win the AL Central with relative ease, but there are red flags to be wary of.

22. Philadelphia Phillies (6-9)

While there is definitely some things to like about this roster, its something feels off about the Phillies. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are off to solid starts, and the rotation has 2-3 solid pitchers. The bullpen remains a nightmare, and Philly looks poised to be duking it out with Miami for third all year.

23. Detroit Tigers (6-8)

Congrats to Miguel Cabrera on 3,000 hits! Prospect Spencer Torkleson figures to be a stud despite his mediocre start.

24. Kansas City Royals (5-7)

It remains a rebuilding year for KC. Top overall prospect Bobby Witt Jr. is off to a slow start. Zach Greinke, in his return, has been solid despite having barely any strikeouts.

25. Arizona Diamondbacks (6-9)

While especially after the Rockies' hot start it seems safe to say that they will finish dead last in a stacked NL West, there are some viable trade chips. Ketel Marte, Zac Gallen, and Daulton Varsho are some names to keep an eye on.

26. Pittsburgh Pirates (7-8)

The Pirates are a pesky team that figures to be a thorn in contenders' sides. While they have lost more games than won, they have been in almost every game. Ke'Bryan Hayes is off to a good start and is a player to follow.

27. Baltimore Orioles (6-9)

They have played the Yankees and Angels tough. Cedric Mullins is off to a slow start. John Means is out for the season. The AL East may run through Baltimore as always in the sense that whoever beats them the most will likely win the division.

28. Texas Rangers (5-9)

Despite still mediocre expectations, the Rangers have still underperformed. Marcus Semien has scuffled and looked like a bust early on with the amount of money they have him. Corey Seager has been good and Adolis Garcia has had his moments, but that's been about it.

29. Washington Nationals (6-11)

Juan Soto is a beast.

30. Cincinnati Reds (2-13)

A clear-cut worst team in the league. The Reds sold all their players in the offseason and this is their unfortunate reality as a result. The only bright spot has been watching Hunter Greene pitch.