MLB Power Rankings: An Updated Look at Where All 30 Teams Stand
As the calendar turns to July and trade talks begin to heat up around the league, parity continues to reign in Major League Baseball.
Last week saw eight of the top 13 teams in these rankings post a losing record, while seven of the bottom nine had winning records, continuing to support the assumption that anyone can beat anyone at any time.
So how will our MLB power rankings shape up this week?
When putting together this list, we considered the following factors:
- Last week's record
- Quality of opponent
- Key injuries/trades
- Recent performance beyond the last week
The goal is to be as objective as possible, but a certain amount of subjectivity will always come into play with something like this.
Just remember: This is a fluid process. Teams will rise and fall on a weekly basis relative to where they ranked previously. You keep winning, you keep climbing—it's as simple as that.
30. Philadelphia Phillies (28-56, Previous: 30)
1 of 30
Last Week: 1-6
After some shuffling at the bottom over the first few months of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies have settled into the No. 30 spot in these rankings. And it doesn't appear they'll climb out anytime soon.
A win Sunday snapped a six-game losing streak, and they are just 2-9 in their last 11 games. On a larger scale, they are already 19 games out of first place in the NL East with an MLB-worst minus-133 run differential.
The trade value of Cole Hamels continues to hold steady after two more strong starts last week, and at 5-6 with a 3.02 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 113.1 innings, he looks like a safe bet to be the team's lone All-Star representative.
Top Hitter of the Week
- CF Odubel Herrera (9-for-23, 3 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Cole Hamels (2 ND, 14.0 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 13 K)
29. Colorado Rockies (35-47, Previous: 27)
2 of 30
Last Week: 2-5
When you consider the fact that the Colorado Rockies jumped out to a respectable 11-8 start to the season, it makes their recent performance that much worse, as they've gone 24-39 the rest of the way.
After a decent stretch in late June, they are now 2-7 in their last nine games, and all signs point to the team selling off what few movable trade pieces it does have in the month to come.
Don't expect starter Jorge De La Rosa to be among them, though. The team slapped an unreasonably high price tag on the left-hander last year and will likely do the same again this season, as he continues to be the one pitcher who can consistently win in a Rockies jersey.
Since the start of June, De La Rosa has gone 5-1 with a 3.14 ERA in seven starts. During that same span, the rest of the team's starters have gone 6-15 with a 5.60 ERA in 27 starts.
Top Hitter of the Week
- CF Charlie Blackmon (7-for-28, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jorge De La Rosa (2 W, 13.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 6 BB, 10 K)
28. Cincinnati Reds (36-44, Previous: 24)
3 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
A solid series win against the Minnesota Twins to begin last week preceded a sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. And with that the Cincinnati Reds fall to the lowest spot in these rankings they've occupied all year.
With Jon Moscot suffering a dislocated shoulder, Josh Smith has become the latest arm the Reds have plugged into the No. 5 starter spot. But he's gone 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA in his three starts so far.
It will be interesting to see what the rotation looks like a month from now, assuming the team trades Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake before the July 31 deadline.
Raisel Iglesias (oblique) is currently on a minor league rehab assignment, while top prospect Robert Stephenson could also be in the mix to join the rotation in the second half.
Top Hitter of the Week
- LF Marlon Byrd (9-for-24, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Johnny Cueto (W, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)
.jpg?w=256 "MLB Farm System Rankings")
27. Miami Marlins (35-48, Previous: 29)
4 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
The Miami Marlins entered last week riding a 2-9 cold streak but quickly turned things around by sweeping the San Francisco Giants. They ran their winning streak to four games by beating the Chicago Cubs on Friday but dropped the final two games and the series over the weekend.
The big story of the week was the return of Jose Fernandez, who allowed seven hits and three earned runs in six innings of work to pick up the win Thursday.
He also homered in his return, and he really settled in nicely after giving up a pair of runs in the first inning, flashing the same overpowering stuff he featured pre-Tommy John surgery.
Justin Bour also made some noise last week, homering in four consecutive games, as the 27-year-old continues to be a pleasant surprise. He's now hitting .262/.344/.503 with 10 home runs in 145 at-bats on the year.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 1B Justin Bour (6-for-19, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Mat Latos (W, L, 13.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 11 K)
26. San Diego Padres (39-45, Previous: 20)
5 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
After a busy offseason and a promising 10-5 start, the San Diego Padres have gone 29-40 in their last 69 games. Rather than challenging for a playoff spot as expected, they're just trying to avoid slipping behind the Colorado Rockies and into last place at this point.
They did manage to kick off a 10-game road trip by splitting a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals, and how they play over the next couple weeks will go a long way in determining whether or not they decide to sell before the deadline.
Free-agent-to-be Justin Upton would be their biggest trade chip by far, and he looks like a good bet to be their lone All-Star representative as things currently stand.
The 27-year-old is hitting .262/.343/.442 with 14 home runs and 16 stolen bases, giving him a 123 OPS+ and a 2.8 WAR that checks in as tops on the team.
Top Hitter of the Week
- IF Yangervis Solarte (6-for-20, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Andrew Cashner (ND, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K)
25. Chicago White Sox (36-43, Previous: 28)
6 of 30
Last Week: 4-1
A quick two-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals followed by a series win over the Baltimore Orioles added up to perhaps the best week of the season for the Chicago White Sox.
Chris Sale continued his recent run of dominance by striking out double-digit batters for the eighth consecutive game, tying Pedro Martinez for the MLB record.
He's gone 3-3 with a 1.80 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 60 innings of work during that record-setting stretch, and he is at least in the conversation to start the All-Star Game on the American League side of things.
Left-hander John Danks also enjoyed his best start of the year last week, and he could build some trade interest if he can string together a few quality outings. The team would certainly love to be rid of his $15.75 million salary for 2016, if possible.
Top Hitter of the Week
- C Tyler Flowers (5-for-15, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP John Danks (W, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K)
24. Milwaukee Brewers (36-48, Previous: 26)
7 of 30
Last Week: 7-0
Granted the Milwaukee Brewers played two of the worst teams in the league last week in the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds, but a 7-0 week is a 7-0 week no matter whom you're matched up against.
That's not enough to send them shooting up these rankings just yet, but it's a nice stretch of baseball nonetheless, as their winning streak stands at eight games heading into the week.
Their likelihood of selling at the deadline won't change much unless they really keep piling up wins between now and the All-Star break. And if anything, a big performance from someone like Aramis Ramirez only makes him more likely to be moved.
This club is in serious need of young, controllable talent both at the big league level and down on the farm, and that means selling off what it can with an eye on the future.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 3B Aramis Ramirez (12-for-22, 2 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Mike Fiers (W, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K)
23. Cleveland Indians (38-43, Previous: 25)
8 of 30
Last Week: 5-2
If any team is poised to make a big second-half push, it appears to be the Cleveland Indians, as things finally seem to be clicking despite the fact that they dropped two of three to the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend.
The starting rotation is finally beginning to pitch at the elite level that many expected of them, and rookie right-hander Cody Anderson (3 GS, 1-1, 0.76 ERA) appears to be the answer they've been searching for in the No. 5 starter slot.
Their 4.30 starter's ERA may rank 21st in the league, but their current five-man rotation has combined to go 28-25 with a 3.69 ERA in their 67 starts on the year.
Jim Ingraham of the News-Herald expanded on just how good the staff has been:
"The Indians have four starting pitchers with earned run averages under 4.00, three of whom are averaging over 10 strikeouts per nine innings. No other AL team can say that. In fact, no major-league team in history has had four starting pitchers with sub 4.00 ERAs and three who averaged 10 or more strikeouts per nine innings for a full season.
"
That's enough to consider them potential contenders at this point, despite the fact that they're five games under .500.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 2B Jason Kipnis (9-for-28, 3 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Carlos Carrasco (W, 8.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 13 K)
22. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-42, Previous: 23)
9 of 30
Last Week: 4-3
The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to hover around the .500 mark after taking three of four from the Colorado Rockies to close out the week, and the return of Patrick Corbin should give them a shot in the arm.
An All-Star in 2013 when he went 14-8 with a 3.41 ERA, 1.166 WHIP and 178 strikeouts in 208.1 innings, Corbin returned to the mound Saturday after missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery.
The results were promising, as he allowed eight hits and two earned runs in five innings of work to pick up the win. He'll look to build off of that in his next start this coming Saturday against Matt Harvey and the New York Mets.
As for what the team may do leading up to the trade deadline, expect it to shop veterans Aaron Hill and Brad Ziegler. But other than that, the D-backs will likely be quiet for the most part.
Top Hitter of the Week
- SS Nick Ahmed (10-for-26, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jeremy Hellickson (W, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)
21. Seattle Mariners (38-44, Previous: 21)
10 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
After splitting a four-game series with the Oakland Athletics over the weekend, the Seattle Mariners now square off against teams with a winning record for their next 17 games in what certainly appears to be a make-or-break stretch in their season.
Taijuan Walker got off to a disastrous start this year, going 1-5 with a 7.33 ERA over his first nine starts, but he's done a complete 180 since and is again showing legitimate front-line stuff.
In his last seven starts, the 22-year-old is 6-1 with a 1.68 ERA, 0.786 WHIP and an impressive 3-51 BB-K ratio in 48.1 innings of work.
"He’s doing a nice job and he’s well on his way,” manager Lloyd McClendon told Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. “He’s certainly not a finished product quite yet, but I like what I see."
Top Hitter of the Week
- RF Nelson Cruz (7-for-24, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Taijuan Walker (W, 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)
20. Texas Rangers (41-42, Previous: 17)
11 of 30
Last Week: 3-4
After a slow start, the Texas Rangers used an impressive 20-7 stretch to boost their record to 30-26 overall and pull within 3.5 games of the AL West-leading Houston Astros at one point.
While they managed to take three of four from the Baltimore Orioles at the beginning of last week, they've struggled overall of late, going 11-16 in their last 27 games following that aforementioned 27-game hot streak.
On a positive note, the team activated left-hander Matt Harrison was activated from the disabled list on Sunday, and he is set to make his return to the mound on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Harrison will be the first pitcher to ever come back from spinal fusion surgery, as his career was very much in jeopardy when he underwent the procedure last June.
Top Hitter of the Week
- RF Shin-Soo Choo (7-for-23, 1 2B, 3 HR, 3 RBI, 5 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Yovani Gallardo (ND, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K)
19. Boston Red Sox (39-45, Previous: 22)
12 of 30
Last Week: 5-2
Don't look now, but the Boston Red Sox might just be putting things together here in 2015. And in a wide-open AL East race, they are only six games out of first place.
They finished June with a respectable 14-14 record and a plus-six run differential, and they're already off to a nice start in July with series wins over the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros.
The need for a front-line arm to lead the staff has been abundantly clear all season, but Clay Buchholz has emerged as that guy over the past few weeks.
The 30-year-old has gone 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA in his last four starts, lowering his season ERA from 4.22 to 3.27 and generating plenty of trade buzz in the process.
If the team keeps winning, though, he won't be going anywhere.
Top Hitter of the Week
- CF Mookie Betts (13-for-31, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Clay Buchholz (2 W, 17.0 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 13 K)
18. Oakland Athletics (38-47, Previous: 19)
13 of 30
Last Week: 4-3
Despite a winning record last week and a plus-49 run differential on the year, the Oakland Athletics currently find themselves in the AL West cellar and 10.5 games behind the first-place Houston Astros.
A complete inability to win close games has been their undoing, as they've gone 6-21 in one-run games and 0-6 in extra innings.
And they appear to be headed for a sell-off at the trade deadline, and the trio of Scott Kazmir, Ben Zobrist and Tyler Clippard should bring a solid return of young talent.
Speaking of young talent, Kendall Graveman has looked awfully good of late, out-pitching Felix Hernandez in his most recent start.
After going 1-2 with an 8.27 ERA in his first four starts, then spending a month in the minors, Graveman has returned to go 5-2 with a 1.78 ERA over his last nine starts.
Top Hitter of the Week
- DH Billy Butler (7-for-24, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Kendall Graveman (2 W, 14.0 IP, 10 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K)
17. Minnesota Twins (43-39, Previous: 16)
14 of 30
Last Week: 3-4
Since holding a one-game lead in the AL Central standings at 33-23 overall, the Minnesota Twins have been trending pretty steadily downward.
They are now 10-16 in their last 26 games, winning just one series during that stretch. And after splitting a four-game set with the first-place Kansas City Royals, they remain 4.5 games back in the division standings.
Ervin Santana finally made his Twins debut last week after signing a four-year, $55 million deal during the offseason then getting slapped with an 80-game performance-enhancing drug suspension.
Facing the Royals on Sunday, he allowed just three hits and two earned runs in eight innings of work, settling for a no-decision but looking like a potentially huge addition to the Twins rotation.
Top prospect Miguel Sano also made his debut last week as the team looks for an offensive spark, and he's gone 6-for-15 with two doubles and two RBI in four games.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 1B Joe Mauer (11-for-25, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Kyle Gibson (W, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K)
16. Atlanta Braves (40-42, Previous: 18)
15 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
The Atlanta Braves missed their chance to run their record back to .500 with a victory Sunday, but they still picked up series wins against the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies last week.
That comes on the heels of a rough 1-5 performance two weeks ago that sent them sliding out of the upper half of these rankings.
The Alberto Callaspo-for-Juan Uribe trade on May 27 didn't receive much publicity at the time, but the 36-year-old Uribe has proven to be a terrific pickup for the Braves, hitting .301/.363/.504 with five doubles and six home runs in 113 at-bats.
He should be an easy player to flip at the deadline, but don't be surprised if the Braves opt to hold on to him and the veteran leadership he brings to their young roster.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 3B Juan Uribe (6-for-19, 1 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Julio Teheran (W, 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K)
15. Detroit Tigers (41-40, Previous: 12)
16 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
The Detroit Tigers rebounded from a sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates to take two of three from the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, but that was little consolation for losing their superstar slugger.
Miguel Cabrera came up lame running between first and second on Friday, and now he finds himself on the disabled list for the first time in his 13-year career with a calf strain. He is expected to miss at least six weeks, according to ESPN.com.
Catcher Alex Avila has started the past two games at first base, and the team also called up Jefry Marte (.834 OPS, 20 2B, 13 HR, 55 RBI) from Triple-A, so it appears as though it'll plug the hole internally, at least for the time being.
Big picture, the continued struggles of everyone not named David Price in the starting rotation looks like a more pressing concern.
Top Hitter of the Week
- RF J.D. Martinez (11-for-24, 1 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP David Price (W, 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)
14. New York Mets (42-41, Previous: 13)
17 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
The word "anemic" doesn't quite do the New York Mets offense justice recently. The unit did manage to put eight runs on the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, but that came after it scored a combined six runs in the five games prior.
With David Wright still needing to clear some "hurdles" before he can resume baseball activities, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post, it may already be too late by the time he rejoins the big league lineup.
That means it's time to start scouring the trade market for potential offensive help if this team has any thoughts of contending, and Ben Zobrist appears to be their top target.
General manager Sandy Alderson said last week the team is willing to overpay for the right hitter. And according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, he said that with Zobrist specifically in mind.
He'd be a nice addition, no question, but is a guy who is currently hitting .267 with five home runs on the year really that lineup-altering addition this team needs to make?
Top Hitter of the Week
- SS Wilmer Flores (11-for-23, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 1 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Steven Matz (W, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K)
13. Tampa Bay Rays (43-41, Previous: 9)
18 of 30
Last Week: 1-6
After climbing as high as the No. 2 spot in these rankings last month, the Tampa Bay Rays have steadily dropped thanks to a 3-11 record in their last 14 games, including a seven-game losing streak they finally snapped Sunday.
As a result, what was a two-game lead in the AL East standings has turned into a two-game deficit. And things don't get any easier going forward, as they take on the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros this coming week.
On a positive note, the team did welcome back former All-Star Matt Moore to the rotation Thursday, though there is some rust to shake off after he missed most of last season with Tommy John surgery. He allowed six hits and four runs in 4.2 innings of work.
Tip of the cap to Grady Sizemore, who is now 9-for-25 with two doubles and a home run in seven games with the Rays. He'll never be the dynamic superstar he was in his prime, but he's still grinding away trying to carve out a big league role.
Top Hitter of the Week
- OF Grady Sizemore (6-for-20, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Chris Archer (ND, 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K)
12. San Francisco Giants (42-41, Previous: 6)
19 of 30
Last Week: 0-6
The returns of Matt Cain and Jake Peavy were supposed to give the San Francisco Giants a much-needed boost, but instead they corresponded with what may have been the worst week of the season for the team.
Swept by the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins on the road, the Giants were outscored 30-17, while the rotation managed just two quality starts in six games.
One of those quality starts came from Peavy, who allowed three hits and two runs in 6.1 innings but still picked up a loss.
Cain, on the other hand, struggled, allowing seven hits and five earned runs in five innings of work, walking four and allowing two home runs.
Top Hitter of the Week
- C Buster Posey (7-for-19, 1 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jake Peavy (L, 6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K)
11. Toronto Blue Jays (43-41, Previous: 7)
20 of 30
Last Week: 2-5
If there is any team that absolutely, unequivocally must go out and trade for a front-line starting pitcher at the deadline, it's the Toronto Blue Jays.
Their offense is a borderline juggernaut when everyone is healthy, as they've averaged a whopping 5.48 runs per game. However, a 4.58 starter's ERA and just a 42.9 percent quality start rate (36-of-84) has gone a long way in undermining that production.
Mark Buehrle pitched well last week, picking up his ninth win of the season. But the rest of the rotation combined to go 1-5 with a 9.13 ERA in its six starts.
Looking to the future, the Blue Jays made headlines last week by signing highly regarded international free agent Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for a $3.9 million bonus.
Top Hitter of the Week
- LF Kevin Pillar (12-for-29, 3 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Mark Buehrle (W, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)
10. New York Yankees (44-38, Previous: 14)
21 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
The New York Yankees move into the top 10 somewhat by default, as a number of teams previously ranked ahead of them suffered rough performances last week and slid down the rankings as a result.
That being said, they are now in first place in the AL East after a weekend series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, so it's hard to say they don't deserve their current spot.
New York added Gregorio Petit and Ramon Flores to the active roster last week, as Carlos Beltran (oblique) landed on the disabled list and Esmil Rogers was sent to the minors.
Beltran's injury will likely mean regular at-bats for Garrett Jones, who's seen sporadic playing time at best with just 118 at-bats on the year. He's made the most of his new opportunity so far, though, tallying two doubles and a home run in 15 at-bats last week.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 1B Mark Teixeira (4-for-19, 1 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Michael Pineda (W, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K)
9. Baltimore Orioles (43-39, Previous: 3)
22 of 30
Last Week: 2-5
The Baltimore Orioles climbed all the way up to No. 3 in the rankings last week at the peak of an impressive 18-5 hot streak.
They come tumbling back down this week, though, after dropping series to the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox.
The roster underwent some change in recent days, as the team activated second baseman Jonathan Schoop from the 60-day disabled list and recalled starter Kevin Gausman from the minors, bumping the struggling Bud Norris to the bullpen.
The Orioles will have a chance to get some revenge against the Twins to kick off this coming week before hosting the Washington Nationals in the always-fun Beltway series.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 1B Chris Davis (7-for-26, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Kevin Gausman (ND, 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K)
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (46-37, Previous: 10)
23 of 30
Last Week: 3-3
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been somewhat mediocre of late, going 10-12 in their last 22 games, but they still have as much talent as any team in the league.
Surprise performances from Mike Bolsinger and Carlos Frias have made adding a starting pitcher a less pressing need to this point. But with Frias heading to the disabled list with lower back tightness, according to Anthony Witrado of ESPN.com, that could quickly change.
Juan Nicasio, who has been fantastic out of the bullpen (27 G, 5 HLD, 2.91 ERA, 10.1 K/9), is probably the front-runner to temporarily join the rotation.
Veteran Scott Baker (13 GS, 7-3, 3.39 ERA) is pitching well for Triple-A Oklahoma City and is also an option, as is his Triple-A teammate and top prospect Zach Lee (10 GS, 5-3, 2.38 ERA).
Top Hitter of the Week
- C Yasmani Grandal (6-for-14, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Zack Greinke (W, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K)
7. Kansas City Royals (46-33, Previous: 2)
24 of 30
Last Week: 2-5
When the dust finally settled on all the controversy surrounding Kansas City Royals fans stuffing the All-Star ballot boxes, the team wound up with only four starters, and a solid case can be made for all four guys deserving to at least be on the roster.
Unfortunately, that means we may not get that much-needed push toward changing the voting system. But that's a bigger argument for another time.
As for the Royals' performance, a sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros bumps them from the top spot in these rankings among AL teams, but they still hold a 4.5-game lead in the AL Central.
The team optioned backup infielder Christian Colon to the minors Friday, replacing him with 28-year-old former 28th-round pick Dusty Coleman, who was hitting .303/.383/.469 with 25 extra-base hits in 241 at-bats in the minors.
Top Hitter of the Week
- CF Lorenzo Cain (11-for-26, 4 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jeremy Guthrie (ND, 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)
6. Los Angeles Angels (44-38, Previous: 15)
25 of 30
Last Week: 5-1
It has taken the Los Angeles Angels some time to get things going this season, but they're finally starting to look like a serious threat out of the AL West.
Series wins over the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers last week have them knocking on the door for a spot in the top five in these rankings, and the struggling offense exploding for 33 runs in three games against the Rangers is certainly a positive sign.
They are still in serious need of offensive production from the left side of the plate, and Jered Weaver (hip) will need to get healthy, but things are looking up.
Hector Santiago (5-4, 2.40 ERA, 1.095 WHIP) is a legitimate All-Star candidate, while Andrew Heaney (1-0, 1.38 ERA, 0.692 WHIP) has looked terrific in two starts since being called up from the minors.
Top Hitter of the Week
- DH C.J. Cron (9-for-22, 2 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Hector Santiago (W, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K)
5. Chicago Cubs (44-36, Previous: 11)
26 of 30
Last Week: 5-1
The Chicago Cubs suffered through their first extended losing streak two weeks ago when they dropped five in a row, but they responded nicely with series wins against the New York Mets and Miami Marlins last week.
While the young offense remains somewhat inconsistent, the pitching staff has really rounded into form, and that goes double if Clayton Richard can be the answer as the No. 5 starter.
After going 33-32 with a 3.88 ERA and a pair of 200-inning seasons with the Padres from 2010 to 2012, Richard has been slowed by injury. But he was 4-3 with a 1.89 ERA in 62 minor league innings with the Pirates before the Cubs acquired him last week.
He took the ball on Saturday in place of Donn Roach and turned in a quality start with eight hits and two earned runs in 6.1 innings, at the very least earning himself another turn in the rotation.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 3B Kris Bryant (6-for-17, 1 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Kyle Hendricks (2 W, 13.1 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K)
4. Washington Nationals (46-36, Previous: 4)
27 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
A sweep of the San Francisco Giants over the weekend is enough to keep the Washington Nationals in the No. 4 spot, despite the fact that they dropped a series to the Atlanta Braves at the beginning of the week.
While Jordan Zimmermann and Gio Gonzalez have both pitched well of late alongside NL Cy Young front-runner Max Scherzer, fellow starter Stephen Strasburg is still trying to get healthy.
In his third start back since missing nearly a month with neck tightness earlier this season, Strasburg was forced to leave the game on Saturday after 3.2 innings with tightness in his left side. He's now headed back to the disabled list with an oblique strain, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com).
The Nationals have depth with Tanner Roark in the bullpen and rookie Joe Ross (2-1, 2.66 ERA) pitching well in three spot starts earlier this season, but a healthy Strasburg is a difference-maker.
Top Hitter of the Week
- RF Bryce Harper (9-for-20, 4 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jordan Zimmermann (2 W, 14.2 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 14 K)
3. Houston Astros (48-36, Previous: 8)
28 of 30
Last Week: 4-2
Sweeping the Kansas City Royals last week is enough for the Houston Astros to jump last year's World Series participant in the rankings and into the top spot among American League teams.
It wasn't all good for the club last week, though, as right fielder George Springer suffered a fractured wrist on a hit-by-pitch on Thursday that is expected to sideline him for at least six weeks, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.
"It’s definitely a big blow. Springer is in some ways the heart and soul of this team," GM Jeff Luhnow told Ortiz. "It’s also going to be a test for us to see if we have depth to overcome this."
The team recalled Alex Presley from the minors and activated Jake Marisnick from the disabled list, but it won't be easy replacing a guy who hit .321/.387/.518 with 19 runs scored in June.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 2B Jose Altuve (10-for-25, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Dallas Keuchel (W, 8.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)
2. Pittsburgh Pirates (47-34, Previous: 5)
29 of 30
Last Week: 5-1
The Pittsburgh Pirates still have an uphill battle ahead of them if they hope to catch the St. Louis Cardinals for NL Central supremacy, but at this point they legitimately look like the second-best team in baseball.
After a disappointing 18-22 start to the year, the Pirates have gone an impressive 29-12 in their last 41 games. And at this point, there is no clear weakness on the roster.
A.J. Burnett and Gerrit Cole have been arguably the best one-two punch in the league, their bullpen ranks third in the majors with a 2.54 ERA, Mark Melancon has been lights-out in the ninth inning and the offense has rounded into form after slow starts from Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutchen.
The biggest potential need at the deadline looked to be an upgrade at the back of the rotation, but No. 5 starter Jeff Locke turned in his best start of the season last time out with eight scoreless innings of two-hit ball.
It's full speed ahead as they look to further cut into the Cardinals' six-game lead in the division.
Top Hitter of the Week
- 2B Neil Walker (13-for-28, 2 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Jeff Locke (W, 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K)
1. St. Louis Cardinals (53-28, Previous: 1)
30 of 30
Last Week: 2-4
The St. Louis Cardinals did not have a good week, dropping a quick two-game series to the Chicago White Sox and then splitting a four-game series with a mediocre San Diego Padres team.
That being said, it's going to take more than just one bad week to knock them out of the top spot, as the gap between them and the rest of the league was more than large enough to warrant their sticking at No. 1 in the rankings.
There are some concerns, though.
Jaime Garcia had been fantastic in replacing Adam Wainwright in the rotation, going 3-3 with a 1.69 ERA in seven starts, but the oft-injured lefty is now again headed to the disabled list with a groin strain, according to ESPN.com. The fact that it's not his shoulder is promising, but he'll be missed nonetheless.
Tim Cooney and Tyler Lyons will start the two games of the team's Tuesday doubleheader against the rival Chicago Cubs, with the better of the two likely sticking around to replace Garcia for the time being.
Expect the Cardinals to make a run at a starting pitcher between now and the deadline, though, even if it's just a low-cost depth addition.
Top Hitter of the Week
- RF Jason Heyward (7-for-22, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R)
Top Pitcher of the Week
- SP Lance Lynn (W, ND, 13.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 14 K)
All standard and advanced stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted. Hitter and pitcher of the week stats reflect games played from Monday, June 29, through Sunday, July 5.
.jpg?w=480 "MLB Farm System Rankings")
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
