MLB Power Rankings: Teams Better off Than They Appear

It's only the start of the baseball season, so there's still a chance for teams to turn things around.

Baseball has such a long season that it's easy to have a knee-jerk reaction early on and see a team develop throughout the season, only to surprise everybody.

Here's a look at my latest 2012 MLB power rankings, complete with teams who are better off than they appear (in italics).

1. Detroit Tigers (5-2)

The Tigers have lost two of their last three games since a 3-0 start, but I can't get over their two walk-off wins and blowout in the first three games. They have an explosive offense with Prince Fielder and good pitching.

2. Texas Rangers (5-2)

The Rangers have been to the World Series in the past two seasons with nothing to show for it. That won't stop them, though, as they still have an explosive offense, and I expect Yu Darvish to eventually get back on track.

3. St. Louis Cardinals (5-3)

The Cardinals may have lost Albert Pujols, but Carlos Beltran has been a great pickup, and David Freese continues to develop into a solid player. Their pitching isn't bad, either.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks (5-1)

How can you ignore a 5-1 start? After winning the NL West last season, the Diamondbacks don't appear to be slowing down, and they showed that by sweeping the San Francisco Giants to start the season. They have a nice combination of young hitting and pitching.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (4-3)

The Rays swept the New York Yankees to start the season, then lost two of three to the Tigers and got pummeled against the Boston Red Sox. They still have a solid offense and solid starting rotation, but their pitching needs to pick up.

6. New York Yankees (4-3)

After a forgettable 0-3 start, the Yankees have rebounded, winning their last four games. They still have the offense to win the AL East and new acquisition Hideki Kuroda got back on track on Friday.

7. Los Angeles Angels (2-5)

A 2-5 start is not ideal, but the Angels have Albert Pujols, and I expect Dan Haren and Ervin Santana to get back on track. They have too much talent to slide for too much longer.

8. Toronto Blue Jays (4-2)

The Blue Jays have a lot of young pieces coming together, and they're playing with a lot of confidence. They don't appear to be intimidated by anyone and have a chance to surprise baseball.

9. Milwaukee Brewers (4-3)

Ryan Braun is hitting the cover off the ball, and the Brewers are 4-3 despite their starting pitching getting off to a rough start. That bodes well for a turnaround.

10. Los Angeles Dodgers (6-1)

Clayton Kershaw looks like the ace he is, and Chad Billingsley had a great start to the season. Matt Kemp has the ability to carry a team offensively, and other players are contributing. This has the look of a tight race in the NL West this season.

11. Washington Nationals (5-2)

Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman looked great to start off the season, and the Nationals are scoring their fair share of runs, too.

12. Philadelphia Phillies (3-3)

The Phillies have won their last two games, and they still have great depth in the starting rotation, beginning with Vance Worley. It doesn't hurt having experienced veterans like Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco, as well as star Hunter Pence.

13. San Francisco Giants (3-4)

The Giants got off to a rough start against the Diamondbacks, but they've charged back. Matt Cain got back on track on Friday, and Melky Cabrera looks like he may just repeat last season's numbers.

14. Cincinnati Reds (3-4)

The Reds aren't scoring runs, and Matt Latos hasn't pitched well, which is odd. But the Reds certainly have the talent to bomb opponents, and Mike Leake should have a better season.

15. Boston Red Sox (2-5)

Yes, nothing has gone right for the Red Sox to start the season, but they just unleashed on David Price and the Rays, and this team is still an AL East contender.

16. Chicago White Sox (4-2)

John Danks and Gavin Floyd haven't pitched well yet, and the White Sox are still 4-2, winners of their last three games. They also aren't scoring much but just took a game from the Tigers. What does this tell me? The White Sox are finding ways to win, despite a sluggish start.

17. New York Mets (4-2)

How bout them Mets? They've started out 4-2. The bad news is that they've lost their past two games, and they frankly aren't talented enough to make up for the departures of Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes.

18. Miami Marlins (2-5)

2-5? Really? What is going on in Miami? Well, Josh Johnson has not started out well, Carlos Zambrano should be scaring Marlins fans, and the offense is still finding its way. This team needs time to come together, though. Don't count them out this soon.

19. Atlanta Braves (2-5)

The Braves started off ugly but have won their past two games. Their pitching won't be this bad moving forward, and they have the pieces on offense to contend for a playoff spot again, but they have to start getting it going.

20. Seattle Mariners (4-4)

Not a bad start for a team trying to get out of the gutter. The Mariners swept the A's right out of the gate and generally played the Rangers tough, stealing a game. Finding ways to win is how the young Mariners change the culture. Having Dustin Ackley helps, too.

21. Kansas City Royals (3-4)

This team has a lot of young talent, especially on offense, and the addition of Jonathan Sanchez to the starting rotation will help, but I don't know if this team is ready to truly win yet. They've lost three of their past four games, against the A's and Indians no less, and still need to develop.

22. Oakland Athletics (3-4)

The Athletics aren't particularly loaded with talent, but Yoenis Cespedes gives them an added dimension, and they have a way of squeezing every bit of potential out of their starting rotation.

23. Cleveland Indians (2-4)

The Indians just haven't put it all together, but I like their starting pitching, and they have some young pieces on offense who could develop into nice players in time. They are a work-in-progress.

24. Baltimore Orioles (4-3)

The Orioles didn't live up to their promise last season, but they appear to be determined this season to set the record straight after righting the ship against the Blue Jays on Friday. They have a capable starting rotation and an offense that's still growing.

25. Chicago Cubs (3-5)

The Cubs have won their last two games, against the Brewers and the Cardinals, getting multiple contributions across the board. You can't be overly enthused about this team, but adding Matt Garza was certainly a step in the right direction.

26. Pittsburgh Pirates (2-5)

The Pirates are going the wrong way in a hurry, losing their last four games. They still have some nice pieces offensively, but their pitching doesn't impress me, despite a surprising start.

27. Colorado Rockies (2-4)

The Rockies won one game against the Astros, came out of nowhere to score 17 runs in one game against the Giants but still have a 2-4 record and have not been consistent. They should be worried about Jeremy Guthrie.

28. Houston Astros (3-3)

It's still hard for me to be too thrilled about the Astros, but they deserve credit for starting 3-3. They've started out well, but they don't have a lot of firepower offensively, and the back end of the rotation bothers me.

29. Minnesota Twins (2-4)

After winning 63 games last season, the Twins haven't started particularly well in 2012. They've won their last two games, but their starting rotation is a nightmare to look at. They simply can't win many games with that pitching.

30. San Diego Padres (2-5)

The Padres have fallen on hard times recently, just two seasons after battling the Giants for the NL West title in 2010. Their starting rotation is suspect, and they can't expect to score many runs with their offense.

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