MLB Power Rankings: Re-Ranking All 30 Teams' Lineups

Jason Miller/Getty Images

With each team at least 11 games through the 2012 MLB season, it's becoming more evident who the powerhouse offenses are.

The Cleveland Indians have surprised, while the Cincinnati Reds have lacked.

The St. Louis Cardinals haven't missed a beat without Albert Pujols, and the Philadelphia Phillies are feeling the absence of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.

Two weeks ago, I pre-ranked all 30 MLB lineups heading into the 2012 season.

Now, here are my rankings after at least 11 games into the season.

30. Pittsburgh Pirates (Previously No. 24)

Norm Hall/Getty Images

LF Alex Presley

RF Jose Tabata

CF Andrew McCutchen

2B Neil Walker

1B Garrett Jones

C Rod Barajas

3B Pedro Alvarez

SS Clint Barmes 

Pitcher

 

At 4-7, the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't getting it done. They rank dead last in MLB in runs scored and home runs.

Andrew McCutchen may be hitting .381, but he has yet to hit a home run and has driven in just two runs.

Furthermore, no Pirate has more than four RBI to his name through 11 games, making Pittsburgh currently the worst lineup.

29. Oakland Athletics (Previously No. 27)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

2B Jemile Weeks

LF Coco Crisp

RF Josh Reddick

CF Yoenis Cespedes

DH Seth Smith

C Kurt Suzuki

1B Daric Barton

3B Eric Sogard

SS Cliff Pennington

 

The Oakland Athletics haven't moved too far from my preseason lineup rankings.

They currently stand as the one of the worst teams in runs scored and sport the lowest batting average in the MLB at .201, leaving no one to wonder why they're 5-7 to start the season.

They lack an everyday starter hitting .300 or better and show a team OBP of .266.

28. Cincinnati Reds (Previously No. 6)

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

2B Brandon Phillips

SS Zack Cozart

1B Joey Votto

3B Scott Rolen

RF Jay Bruce

LF Ryan Ludwick

CF Drew Stubbs

C Ryan Hanigan

Pitcher

Please excuse my previous ranking of the Cincinnati Reds lineup at No. 6—I guess I was expecting strong starts from Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips, who have combined for a mere one home run and six RBI.

As a team, they're hitting just .205 and are producing just three runs per game.

With a struggling lineup in the early going, they're lucky to be sitting at 4-7.

27. San Diego Padres (Previously No. 29)

Denis Poroy/Getty Images

CF Cameron Maybin

RF Will Venable

3B Chase Headley

LF Jesus Guzman/Carlos Quentin

1B Yonder Alonso

C Nick Hundley

SS Jason Bartlett

2B Orlando Hudson

Pitcher

 

I didn't have high expectations for the San Diego Padres lineup entering the season, and through 12 games, they're further cementing my expectations.

As a team, they lead MLB in strikeouts with 100, and their leading hitter is batting just .250. The team average sits at .216.

Their 3-9 record directly reflects their poor offensive start to the 2012 season. 

26. Philadelphia Phillies (Previously No. 14)

Rob Carr/Getty Images

LF Juan Pierre

3B Placido Polanco

SS Jimmy Rollins

RF Hunter Pence

CF Shane Victorino

1B John Mayberry, Jr. 

C Carlos Ruiz

2B Freddy Galvis

Pitcher

Think the Philadelphia Phillies miss Ryan Howard and Chase Utley?

The Phillies lineup has produced just 35 runs through 11 games while hitting just six home runs and collecting a mere 130 total bases.

That's a far cry from a club that finished No. 13 in all of baseball last season in runs scored.

Hunter Pence has been the offense for Philadelphia, leading the team in batting average, homes runs, RBI, OBP and hits. 

If it weren't for stellar pitching, the 5-6 Phillies would likely find themselves at the bottom of the NL East. 

25. Chicago White Sox (Previously No. 22)

Jason Miller/Getty Images

CF Alejandro De Aza

3B Brent Morel

DH Adam Dunn

1B Paul Konerko

C A.J. Pierzynski

RF Alex Rios

SS Alexei Ramirez

LF Dayan Viciedo

2B Gordon Beckham

 

Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski have led the way offensively for the Chicago White Sox so far—each hitting well over .300 and combining for four home runs and 20 RBI—but the supporting cast has lacked.

As a team, they've produced just 38 runs in 10 games while striking out 87 times.

Chicago can't expect this level of play from Pierzynski for the rest of the season and will need guys like Adam Dunn and Alex Rios to step up if the 5-5 White Sox want to contend.  

24. Miami Marlins (Previously No. 7)

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

SS Jose Reyes

CF Emilio Bonifacio

3B Hanley Ramirez

RF Giancarlo Stanton

LF Logan Morrison

1B Gaby Sanchez

2B Omar Infante

C John Buck

Pitcher

 

The Miami Marlins lineup looks a lot better on paper than it does on the field.

The 5-6 Marlins have been led by Omar Infante and Hanley Ramirez instead of Jose Reyes and Giancarlo Stanton.

They've produced just 41 runs in 11 games, which is shocking for an offense that includes speedsters Reyes and Emilio Bonifacio.

Further, Miami has smacked just nine homers and drawn just 26 walks. 

23. Minnesota Twins (Previously No. 23)

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

CF Denard Span

SS Jamey Carroll

C Joe Mauer

DH Justin Morneau

LF Josh Willingham

RF Ryan Doumit

3B Danny Valencia

1B Chris Parmelee

2B Alexi Casilla

 

The 3-8 Minnesota Twins have performed just as I predicted in the early part of the season.

The acquisition of Josh Willingham has paid off so far, as he's leading the team in batting average, HR, RBI and OBP, but Minnesota is still struggling offensively.

Though they're hitting .259 as a team, the Twins have accumulated just 38 runs in 11 games and are still waiting for Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to heat up in 2012. 

22. Chicago Cubs (Previously No. 25)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

RF David DeJesus

2B Darwin Barney

SS Starlin Castro

LF Alfonso Soriano

3B Ian Stewart

1B Bryan LaHair

C Geovany Soto

CF Marlon Byrd

Pitcher

 

The Chicago Cubs offense is off to a better start in 2012 than many thought.

They have two everyday starters hitting better than .300 in Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro, and have managed to produce 42 runs through 11 games with a limited lineup.

Unfortunately for the 3-8 Cubs, they've hit just five home runs and have been struck out 88 times this season.

Expect Soriano's average to sink, as he's a career .274 hitter, but those power numbers should rise as well.

21. New York Mets (Previously No. 26)

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

SS Ruben Tejada 

2B Daniel Murphy

3B David Wright

1B Ike Davis

LF Jason Bay

RF Lucas Duda

C Josh Thole

CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis/Andres Torres

Pitcher

 

Yes, the New York Mets are off to a good start in the early going of 2012 (7-4 record), but they're doing it with great pitching.

The Mets' team ERA is an impressive 2.78—No. 4 in MLB—while their batting average is .248, which ranks No. 18 in the league.

They've scored 39 runs in 11 games, which also ranks in the lower third of MLB. As a team, they rank second for the most strikeouts with 94.

If the Mets are going to contend in the NL East, they'll need to get it going offensively. I don't think their pitching can sustain the weight of a 162-game season. 

20. Atlanta Braves (Previously No. 17)

Bob Levey/Getty Images

CF Michael Bourn

LF Martin Prado

3B Chipper Jones

C Brian McCann

2B Dan Uggla

1B Freddie Freeman

RF Jason Heyward

SS Tyler Pastornicky

Pitcher

 

Resting at 6-5 in the NL East, the Atlanta Braves offense has been average.

As a team, they're hitting .229 and have seen Jason Heyward lead the team in average (.361) while others struggle.

Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman have been atrocious so far, while Brian McCann and Chipper Jones are beginning to heat up.

They've scored 51 runs but have accumulated just 134 total bases, which ranks No. 24 in MLB.  

19. Seattle Mariners (Previously No. 28)

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

LF Chone Figgins

2B Dustin Ackley

RF Ichiro Suzuki

1B Justin Smoak

DH Jesus Montero

3B Kyle Seager

C Miguel Olivo

CF Michael Saunders

SS Brendan Ryan

 

The 6-6 Seattle Mariners have a decent run total (48), but lack power in their lineup.

They've hit just eight home runs through 12 games, with only Justin Smoak accounting for more than one homer.

The Mariners are still waiting for Jesus Montero to hit his stride and for the speed at the top of the lineup to start paying dividends. 

18. Tampa Bay Rays (Previously No. 9)

J. Meric/Getty Images

CF Desmond Jennings

1B Carlos Pena

3B Evan Longoria

LF Matt Joyce

RF Ben Zobrist

DH Luke Scott

2B Jeff Keppinger

SS Sean Rodriguez

C Jose Molina

 

The Tampa Bay Rays offense put up some gargantuan numbers against both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox so far this season.

But they still rest in the lower third of the league in terms of runs scored with 41 in 11 games.

The 5-6 Rays have seen Carlos Pena return with a torrid start, clubbing three homers and posting a .390 average and 11 RBI.

Evan Longoria has been solid as well, but Tampa has seen Desmond Jennings, Matt Joyce and Ben Zobrist all struggle to get going in 2012. 

17. Houston Astros (Previously No. 30)

Bob Levey/Getty Images

CF Jordan Schafer

SS Jed Lowrie

LF J.D. Martinez

1B Carlos Lee

RF Brian Bogusevic

3B Chris Johnson

C Jason Castro

2B Jose Altuve

Pitcher

 

The Houston Astros offense is playing a lot better than I could ever imagine.

J.D. Martinez has led the charge for the 4-7 Astros, batting .317 and leading the team with three home runs and 10 RBI.

As a club, Houston ranks in the middle of the pack with a .248 batting average and is averaging exactly four runs per game through 11.

If Carlos Lee gets the power numbers going (.244, 1 HR), it should open up more opportunities for Martinez and the rest of the Houston lineup to succeed.

16. Washington Nationals (Previously No. 21)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SS Ian Desmond

2B Danny Espinosa

3B Ryan Zimmerman

1B Adam LaRoche

RF Jayson Werth

CF Rick Ankiel

LF Mark DeRosa/Michael Morse

C Wilson Ramos

Pitcher

 

Sporting an NL East-leading 9-3 record, the Washington Nationals have been impressive offensively.

Jayson Werth, Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond are all hitting above .300 and have combined for 22 of the team's 42 RBI.

They boast a team batting average of .253 and have produced 46 runs in 12 games. They lack in the home run department with just six dingers and find themselves in MLB's top five in terms of strikeouts.

Once Ryan Zimmerman comes to life, the Nationals will really be dangerous in the NL East. 

15. Kansas City Royals (Previously No. 11)

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

LF Alex Gordon

2B Chris Getz

1B Eric Hosmer

DH Billy Butler

RF Jeff Francoeur

3B Mike Moustakas

CF Mitch Maier/Lorenzo Cain

C Humberto Quintero

SS Alcides Escobar

 

Thus far, 22-year-old Eric Hosmer has yet to live up to the hype surrounding him heading into the 2012 season with the Kansas City Royals.

Although they're 3-8, the Royals have fared well offensively, posting a .255 average and scoring 42 runs in 11 games.

Billy Butler has been huge for Kansas City, leading the team in BA, HR, RBI, OBP and hits.

The Royals offense has amassed 156 total bases (No. 8) and will only get better once Hosmer hits his stride.

14. Milwaukee Brewers (Previously No. 15)

Brian Kersey/Getty Images

2B Rickie Weeks

CF Nyjer Morgan

LF Ryan Braun

3B Aramis Ramirez

RF Corey Hart

1B Mat Gamel

C Jonathan Lucroy

SS Cesar Izturis/Alex Gonzalez 

Pitcher

 

It's safe to say that the Milwaukee Brewers miss Prince Fielder in the lineup.

So far, Aramis Ramirez (.103 AVG, 5 RBI) hasn't provided protection for Ryan Braun, but Braun has still managed to produce a .316 average.

Corey Hart has stepped up in the early going, hitting .313 with four home runs and eight RBI.

As a team, the 5-6 Brewers have produced 48 runs in 11 games while batting .233 and jacking 15 home runs.

13. San Francisco Giants (Previously No. 20)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

CF Angel Pagan

LF Melky Cabrera

3B Pablo Sandoval

C Buster Posey

1B Aubrey Huff

RF Nate Schierholtz

SS Brandon Crawford

2B Ryan Theriot/Freddy Sanchez

Pitcher

 

The absence of Carlos Beltran in the San Francisco Giants lineup has yet to hinder them from producing offensively.

Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval are both hitting well over .300, adding to the Giants' .254 team batting average.

The 5-6 Giants have scored 49 runs in 11 games thus far. They've accumulated 155 total bases, which is good for 10th best in MLB.

Posey's low RBI total (three) should increase as the season unfolds, helping guys like Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan score more runs at the top of the lineup.

12. Arizona Diamondbacks (Previously No. 8)

Norm Hall/Getty Images

SS Willie Bloomquist/Stephen Drew

2B Aaron Hill

RF Justin Upton

C Miguel Montero

CF Chris Young

LF Jason Kubel

1B Paul Goldschmidt

3B Ryan Roberts

Pitcher

 

Led by Chris Young, the 7-4 Arizona Diamondbacks are off to a hot start in the NL West.

Young leads the team in practically every offensive category, highlighted by his .410 average and 13 RBI.

Justin Upton has been extremely quiet so far, but Miguel Montero and Aaron Hill have aided in the run production department.

For their efforts, the Diamondbacks have scored 52 runs in 11 games while sporting a team batting average of .237.

11. Colorado Rockies (Previously No. 12)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

2B Marco Scutaro

CF Dexter Fowler

LF Carlos Gonzalez

SS Troy Tulowitzki

1B Todd Helton

RF Michael Cuddyer

C Ramon Hernandez

3B Chris Nelson

Pitcher

 

Even with Troy Tulowitzki playing well below his potential, the 5-6 Colorado Rockies offense has excelled in 2012.

Michael Cuddyer (.372) has helped lead a Rockies team that's hitting .258 collectively while producing 52 runs through 11 games.

A .325 on-base percentage and 160 total bases have Colorado playing well offensively. They will only get better when Tulo heats up.

10. Toronto Blue Jays (Previously No. 10)

Abelimages/Getty Images

SS Yunel Escobar

2B Kelly Johnson

RF Jose Bautista

1B Adam Lind

DH Edwin Encarnacion

3B Brett Lawrie

LF Eric Thames

CF Colby Rasmus

C J.P. Arencibia

 

Even though Jose Bautista is off to a slow start (.222 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI), the 6-5 Toronto Blue Jays have put up some impressive numbers offensively.

Brett Lawrie and Adam Lind have combined to hit for three home runs and 13 RBI.

Though they're only hitting .239 as a team, they've scored 56 runs, jacked 15 home runs and accumulated 160 total bases in 11 games.

Just think what this offense will do once Bautista catches fire.

9. Los Angeles Angels (Previously No. 4)

Harry How/Getty Images

SS Erick Aybar

2B Howie Kendrick

1B Albert Pujols

DH Kendrys Morales

RF Torii Hunter

LF Vernon Wells

3B Alberto Callaspo

C Chris Iannetta

CF Peter Bourjos

 

The 4-7 Los Angeles Angels aren't quite the monster offense that most expected this season—yet.

Albert Pujols is homerless so far and is hitting just .267, while the Angels as a whole have hit just 10 home runs.

Los Angeles does sport a .269 batting average—fifth best in MLB—and has racked up 155 total bases in 11 games while scoring 51 runs.

Torii Hunter is the only Angel hitting better than .300, while Vernon Wells leads the team with three homers.

8. Los Angeles Dodgers (Previously No. 19)

Harry How/Getty Images

SS Dee Gordon

2B Mark Ellis

CF Matt Kemp

RF Andre Ethier

LF Juan Rivera

1B James Loney

3B Juan Uribe

C A.J. Ellis

Pitcher

 

Is anyone off to a better start than Matt Kemp?

Kemp's .465 average, six home runs and 16 RBI combined with Andre Ethier's .310 average, four home runs and 17 RBI give the 9-2 Los Angeles Dodgers a volatile offense.

Kemp and Ethier have helped the Dodgers total 147 bases and 54 runs in 11 games.

The offense behind the two has been limited, though, with Juan Rivera being the next-closest contributor at six RBI and a .286 average.

After that, there's not another L.A. starter hitting better than .237 with more than three RBI.

7. Baltimore Orioles (Previously No. 16)

Rob Carr/Getty Images

LF Nolan Reimold

SS J.J. Hardy

RF Nick Markakis

CF Adam Jones 

C Matt Wieters

DH Wilson Betemit

3B Mark Reynolds

1B Chris Davis

2B Robert Andino

 

The 7-4 AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles have hit the second-most home runs through 11 games to start the 2012 season.

Adam Jones (four), Nolan Reimold (four), Matt Wieters (four) and J.J. Hardy (three) have all contributed to the 20 home runs that Baltimore has launched.

Furthermore, the Orioles rank third in the league in total bases with 186 while showing a team batting average of .260—with five starters all hitting above the .300 mark.

Baltimore's offense has become one of the most exciting to watch in all of baseball.

6. Detroit Tigers (Previously No. 3)

Leon Halip/Getty Images

CF Austin Jackson

RF Brennan Boesch

3B Miguel Cabrera

1B Prince Fielder

LF Delmon Young

C Alex Avila

SS Jhonny Peralta

DH Andy Dirks

2B Ryan Raburn

 

The 8-3 Detroit Tigers have Austin Jackson, Prince Fielder and Jhonny Peralta all hitting over .300, while Miguel Cabrera leads in RBI with 10.

The Tigers have collected a total of 162 bases (No. 6) while scoring 54 runs and averaging .272 at the plate.

Their 13 homers and .331 OBP rank within the top 10 of MLB.

For a team that doesn't possess much speed, the Tigers will need to get it going in the power department. 

5. Boston Red Sox (Previously No. 5)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

SS Mike Aviles

2B Dustin Pedroia

1B Adrian Gonzalez

3B Kevin Youkilis

DH David Ortiz

CF Cody Ross

RF Ryan Sweeney 

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

LF Darnell McDonald 

 

For all their struggles early, including a 4-7 start, the Boston Red Sox offense hasn't been affected.

They rank in the top five of MLB in runs (56), total bases (166), batting average (.270) and slugging percentage (.439).

Ryan Sweeney, David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez are all hitting above .300 and have combined for 22 RBI.

Cody Ross has proved to be a nice pickup for the Sox, while Mike Aviles has done a solid job filling the leadoff position for Jacoby Ellsbury.  

4. New York Yankees (Previously No. 2)

Nick Laham/Getty Images

SS Derek Jeter

CF Curtis Granderson

3B Alex Rodriguez

2B Robinson Cano

1B Mark Teixeira

RF Nick Swisher

DH Raul Ibanez

C Russell Martin

LF Brett Gardner

 

Slow starts by Mark Teixeira (what else is new?), Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez have been offset by the hot streak of Derek Jeter. Solid play from Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher has helped the Yankees to a 6-5 record.

New York has scored 57 runs (No. 4) in 11 games while clubbing 13 homers and 165 total bases (No. 5) while posting a .264 batting average (No. 6).

Other than the San Francisco Giants, no one has struck out fewer times than the Yankees, leading to an MLB second-best .351 OBP.

With names like Granderson, Cano, Teixeira and Rodriguez in the lineup, the Yankees are always a threat to finish as one of the top offenses. 

3. Cleveland Indians (Previously No. 18)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

CF Michael Brantley

SS Asdrubal Cabrera

RF Shin-Soo Choo

C Carlos Santana

DH Travis Hafner

1B Casey Kotchman

LF Shelley Duncan

2B Jason Kipnis

3B Jack Hannahan

 

The 5-4 Cleveland Indians have the most shocking offense so far in 2012.

Shelley Duncan and Travis Hafner are both hitting better than .300, while six guys have at least two home runs for a team that has collectively bashed 16 homers.

Cleveland has scored 61 runs in just nine games, making it the best run-producing offense in the league.

The Indians accumulated 153 total bases in nine games, which is more than 11 teams have produced in 11 games in 2012.

2. St. Louis Cardinals (Previously No. 13)

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

SS Rafael Furcal

CF John Jay

LF Matt Holliday

RF Carlos Beltran

3B David Freese

1B Matt Carpenter

C Yadier Molina

2B Tyler Greene

Pitcher

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have picked up right where they left off last season.

David Freese has proved to be an offensive weapon, leading the 8-3 Cardinals with a .371 batting average and 11 RBI.

Five St. Louis starters are hitting over .300, giving the Cardinals the best team average at .293.

The Cards rank second in total bases with 191, third in runs scored with 59 and first in on-base percentage at .360.

1. Texas Rangers (Previously No. 1)

Elsa/Getty Images

2B Ian Kinsler

SS Elvis Andrus

CF Josh Hamilton

3B Adrian Beltre

DH Michael Young

RF Nelson Cruz

LF David Murphy

C Mike Napoli

1B Mitch Moreland

 

The No. 1 offense in MLB belongs to the 9-2 AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

They lead MLB with 63 runs, 21 home runs, 200 total bases, .522 slugging percentage and .860 OPS.

Josh Hamilton is lighting it up for the Rangers, batting .413 with five home runs and 11 RBI.

Six Texas players have hit at least two homers, with Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Mike Napoli combining for 12 long balls in 11 games.

Michael Young is also playing exceptionally well. What happens when Elvis Andrus and Nelson Cruz hit their strides?

 

Follow Pete Schauer on Twitter @Pete_Schauer