.png?w=1280 "MLB Power Rankings")
MLB Power Rankings as Marlins Stay Hot, Astros Show Signs of Life and Padres, White Sox Tumble
As we enter the final days of June, trade chatter is becoming louder across the MLB landscape, and the line between contenders and also-rans is starting to become more defined.
The Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees represent baseball's top tier of teams, and behind them is a collection of clubs exceeding expectations, fringe contenders and a few teams showing signs of digging out of a big early hole.
How much different will these rankings look in a month?
For now, it was another busy week of shuffling, with the red-hot Miami Marlins among the biggest risers, while the San Diego Padres are headed in the opposite direction.
In case you missed it, B/R's MLB Power Rankings from last week and every fresh power rankings throughout the season can be found at the new MLB Power Rankings hub.
Nos. 30-28
1 of 11
30. San Francisco Giants (31-46)
Previous Rank: No. 30
Last Week: 2-0 @ ATL, 0-3 @ MIA
The Giants are reportedly open to offers for Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman at the trade deadline, which is the June equivalent of a team waving the white flag. One player they don't intend to trade is ace Logan Webb, and after tossing eight strong innings on Sunday, he now has a 0.87 ERA in 31 innings over his last four starts.
29. Colorado Rockies (30-48)
Previous Rank: No. 29
Last Week: 1-2 @ CHC, 2-1 vs. PIT
The Rockies are averaging 5.8 runs per game in June and rank second in the majors with an .849 OPS, behind only the Brewers (.860). They have already matched their win total from May with eight victories, and they've done it without their best hitter Mickey Moniak, who is on a rehab assignment working his way back from an ankle injury.
28. Kansas City Royals (32-46)
Previous Rank: No. 28
Last Week: 1-2 @ WAS, 2-1 vs. STL
The Royals appear to have dodged a bullet after Bobby Witt Jr. exited Thursday's game with a knee injury, as he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain and might avoid an IL stint. With a 10-9 record in June, they are playing much better baseball than they did over the first two months, but they are digging out of a big hole.
Nos. 27-25
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27. Boston Red Sox (31-44)
Previous Rank: No. 27
Last Week: 0-3 vs. TOR, 2-1 @ SEA
The Red Sox dropped to 12-25 at Fenway Park after getting swept by the Blue Jays last week, the worst home record in baseball. The pitching continues to be rock solid, but they are hitting just .229/.281/.394 as a team and averaging 3.7 runs per game in June.
26. Los Angeles Angels (32-47)
Previous Rank: No. 26
Last Week: 1-2 @ ARI, 2-2 @ ATH
The Angels could have one of the more sought-after trade chips of the deadline in Reid Detmers, who has a 1.36 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 33 innings over his last five starts. The 26-year-old is controllable through the 2028 season and reportedly already drawing significant interest. With Mike Trout sidelined with a hamstring strain, focus could shift to another summer of selling.
25. New York Mets (34-43)
Previous Rank: No. 20
Last Week: 1-2 @ CIN, 1-2 @ PHI
A series win over the rival Braves two weeks ago looked like it could be a turning point for the Mets, but a pair of series losses on the road has them once again closer to the league's bottom tier than they are to contention. There's a good chance Juan Soto will be the only All-Star representative from a team with a $333 million payroll.
Nos. 24-22
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24. Detroit Tigers (33-44)
Previous Rank: No. 25
Last Week: 1-2 @ HOU, 3-0 vs. CWS
The Tigers fell all the way to No. 30 in these rankings during an ugly 6-22 month of May, but they are slowly climbing once again with four series wins this month, including a pair of sweeps. With an 18-18 mark against teams that are over .500 and a 38-39 expected win-loss record, this team is better than their results to this point, and they are far from cooked in a wide open AL Central.
23. Baltimore Orioles (37-42)
Previous Rank: No. 23
Last Week: 1-2 @ SEA, 2-1 @ LAD
The Orioles taking two of three at Dodger Stadium over the weekend was no small feat considering they are 15-23 on the road this season, and they will finish out a nine-game road trip with three against the Angels. Catcher Adley Rutschman was placed on the 7-day concussion IL on Saturday, so rookie Samuel Basallo will see more time behind the plate in the coming days.
22. Athletics (38-40)
Previous Rank: No. 18
Last Week: 1-2 vs. PIT, 2-2 vs. LAA
The starting rotation was a glaring weakness for the Athletics heading into the season, and while it is still far from a strength, they've uncovered a solid one-two punch in J.T. Ginn (14 GS, 3.16 ERA, 82.2 IP) and Gage Jump (5 GS, 2.37 ERA, 30.1 IP). A healthy Zack Gelof has also been a revelation this month, hitting .333/.403/.638 with 11 extra-base hits in 72 plate appearances.
Nos. 21-19
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21. Cincinnati Reds (37-39)
Previous Rank: No. 24
Last Week: 2-1 vs. NYM, 2-1 @ NYY
After four straight series losses, the Reds snapped out of their funk just in time to welcome the first-place Brewers to Great American Ball Park on Monday. Rookie Sal Stewart slumped after a red-hot start to the year, but after going 7-for-23 with 11 RBI last week he is once again swinging it well out of the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
20. Minnesota Twins (38-41)
Previous Rank: No. 22
Last Week: 3-0 @ TEX, 2-1 @ ARI
The Twins have three straight series wins and a 7-2 record over their last nine games, and they are looking to get back to the .500 mark for the first time since they were 12-12 on April 22. The offense plated 50 runs in six games last week, with Trevor Larnach (12-for-23, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI) and Josh Bell (10-for-22, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI) leading the way.
19. Houston Astros (37-42)
Previous Rank: No. 21
Last Week: 2-1 vs. DET, 2-1 vs. CLE
For the first time since early April, the Astros are a top-20 team in these power rankings as they were one of only four teams to win both of their series last week. The bullpen has benefited greatly from the long-awaited return of Josh Hader earlier this month, as he has nailed down all five of his save chances with a 1.13 ERA and 14.6 K/9 in eight appearances.
Nos. 18-16
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18. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-39)
Previous Rank: No. 17
Last Week: 2-1 @ ATH, 1-2 @ COL
The Pirates have not had a winning streak longer than two games in June, and they have slid from second to fourth in the NL Central standings, though they are still just 1.5 games back for a wild-card spot. Getting the ball to closer Gregory Soto has been an adventure, and they have 16 blown saves, despite Soto converting 11 of 14 chances. Offensively, Bryan Reynolds (.884 OPS, 31 XBH, 11 HR, 51 RBI) is having one of the best seasons no one is talking about.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (39-38)
Previous Rank: No. 15
Last Week: 2-1 vs. LAA, 1-2 vs. MIN
The D-backs were a season-high seven games above .500 on May 27, but have gone just 8-14 since with two series wins since that high-water mark. With Ryne Nelson (strained elbow) and Michael Soroka (strained glute) both landing on the injured list last week, their starting pitching depth will be tested with call-ups José Cabrera and Kohl Drake set to fill their spots in the rotation.
16. Toronto Blue Jays (38-39)
Previous Rank: No. 19
Last Week: 3-0 @ BOS, 1-1 @ CHC
The Blue Jays pitching staff allowed just four runs in a three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park, and their chance to take another road series at one of baseball's most hallowed venues was washed out on Sunday on a rainy day at Wrigley Field. After the way they hit last October, it's almost impossible to believe this team ranks 24th in runs scored (316) and 23rd in OPS (.702).
Nos. 15-13
6 of 11
15. San Diego Padres (39-37)
Previous Rank: No. 12
Last Week: 1-2 @ STL, 1-2 @ TEX
The Padres spent much of the first two months of the season overperforming relative to what a patchwork rotation and a stagnant offense might have otherwise suggested, but things seem to be catching up to them now. They are 8-17 in their last 25 games with a minus-19 run differential, and things don't get any easier this week as the Braves and Dodgers come to town.
14. Texas Rangers (37-40)
Previous Rank: No. 14
Last Week: 0-3 vs. MIN, 2-1 vs. SD
The Rangers have been hit hard by injuries this month, with Corey Seager, Jack Leiter and Evan Carter among their notable absences. Despite getting swept by the Twins last week, they have won five of their last seven series, and they continue to get better-than-expected production from a pitching staff that ranks 11th in the majors with a 3.94 ERA.
13. Chicago White Sox (39-37)
Previous Rank: No. 6
Last Week: 1-2 @ NYY, 0-3 @ DET
A week after going 4-1 against the Braves and Dodgers, the White Sox crashed back to earth with an ugly showing on the road, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the last-place Tigers. Ups and downs like this are to be expected from a young club exceeding expectations, though a 5.18 ERA from the pitching staff this month is slightly alarming.
Nos. 12-10
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12. Chicago Cubs (40-37)
Previous Rank: No. 16
Last Week: 2-1 vs. COL, 1-1 vs. TOR
It's tempting to pencil in "Pete Crow-Armstrong" rather than the Chicago Cubs in the No. 12 spot, as his otherworldly month of June continued last week with an 11-for-20 showing that included five home runs. He is hitting .437/.481/.930 with nine home runs in 17 games in June, and has almost single-handedly pulled the Cubs out of their tailspin.
11. Cleveland Guardians (41-37)
Previous Rank: No. 8
Last Week: 1-2 @ MIL, 1-2 @ HOU
The Guardians lost José Ramírez (hamate surgery), Chase DeLauter (fractured rib) and Angel Martinez (fractured foot) all to injury two weeks ago, and their first week without them in the lineup did not go well. They scored 21 runs in six games, with eight of those coming in Saturday's win over the Astros.
10. St. Louis Cardinals (41-34)
Previous Rank: No. 13
Last Week: 2-1 vs. SD, 1-2 @ KC
Despite their early success, the youth movement is still in full effect for the Cardinals, with four rookies finding their way into the regular starting lineup in recent weeks. It might not be long before outfielder Joshua Baez (No. 72 on B/R Top 100) joins them, as he has a .957 OPS with 24 home runs in 66 games at Triple-A.
Nos. 9-7
8 of 11
9. Seattle Mariners (40-39)
Previous Rank: No. 11
Last Week: 2-1 vs. BAL, 1-2 vs. BOS
The Mariners have not been more than five games on either side of a .500 record this year, and they rank third in the AL with a plus-17 run differential, making them one of baseball's more consistent second-tier contenders. The pitching staff is doing an admirable job propping up an offense that ranks 29th in the majors with a .648 OPS in June.
8. Washington Nationals (40-38)
Previous Rank: No. 9
Last Week: 2-1 vs. KC, 1-2 @ TB
Another week is in the books and the Nationals still lead the majors with 416 runs scored. Even glove-first second baseman Nasim Nunez is getting in on the action out of the No. 9 spot in the lineup with a gaudy .404/.451/.532 over 51 plate appearances in June. It will be fun to watch their lineup square off against Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez on Thursday.
7. Tampa Bay Rays (43-31)
Previous Rank: No. 7
Last Week: 0-3 @ LAD, 2-1 vs. WAS
The Rays went 1-5 on their recent Los Angeles road trip, dropping them to 17-21 on the year away from Tropicana Field. They will play 14 of their next 20 games at home after picking up a weekend series win over a good Nationals team, and this is their chance to solidify their status as a legitimate AL East contender.
Nos. 6-4
9 of 11
6. Miami Marlins (40-38)
Previous Rank: No. 10
Last Week: 1-2 @ PHI, 3-0 vs. SF
With a 14-4 record in June, the Marlins are the hottest team in baseball. They lead the majors with a 3.06 ERA this month, and have done a fantastic job navigating injuries to Eury Pérez and Janson Junk in late May. A healthy Griffin Conine should provide some thump in the middle of the lineup, though he returned to action just as Liam Hicks (lower back strain) went on the injured list.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (42-35)
Previous Rank: No. 5
Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIA, 2-1 vs. NYM
With Adolis García headed for season-ending lat surgery, Andrew Painter optioned to the minors and Brad Keller dealing with forearm tendinitis, the Phillies roster has some new faces. Utility man Edmundo Sosa could get the first crack at filling the void in the outfield, while Bryse Wilson and Seth Johnson were called up from Triple-A to round out the pitching staff. Despite all the moving parts, they still came away with a pair of series wins.
4. New York Yankees (46-30)
Previous Rank: No. 4
Last Week: 2-1 vs. CWS, 1-2 vs. CIN
The Yankees are 10-5 in their last 15 games and have been the best team in the AL by a wide margin. Their plus-112 run differential is more than 100 runs better than every other AL squad besides the Mariners (+17), and they have done a solid job navigating the loss of Aaron Judge to this point. First baseman Ben Rice (1.004 OPS, 22 HR, 53 RBI) has gone from productive complementary piece to someone who is on track to receive MVP votes.
Nos. 3-1
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3. Milwaukee Brewers (46-29)
Previous Rank: No. 3
Last Week: 2-1 vs. CLE, 1-2 @ ATL
The Brewers signed Cooper Pratt to an eight-year, $50.75 million extension in April, and he made his MLB debut on Tuesday, going 7-for-19 with two RBI in his first six games as the new starting shortstop. He joins a Milwaukee lineup that leads the majors in runs (129) and OPS (.860) in June.
2. Atlanta Braves (48-28)
Previous Rank: No. 2
Last Week: 0-2 vs. SF, 2-1 vs. MIL
The Braves matched a season-high three-game losing streak with Wednesday's loss to the Giants, which speaks volumes to how consistent they have been this year. They lead the NL with a 3.40 team ERA and the majors with a 2.87 bullpen ERA, and those arms are carrying an offense that has scored just 61 runs in 16 games this month.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (49-29)
Previous Rank: No. 1
Last Week: 3-0 vs. TB, 1-2 vs. BAL
A three-game sweep of the Rays and a 4-2 week overall was enough for the Dodgers to hold onto the No. 1 spot, and now they embark on a nine-game road trip against the Twins, Padres and Athletics. The resurgence of Tanner Scott (33 G, 9/10 SV, 2.32 ERA, 11.0 K/9) has gone a long way toward easing the loss of prized offseason pickup Edwin Díaz at the back of the bullpen.
Complete Tier Rankings
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Tier 1
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. New York Yankees
Tier 2
5. Philadelphia Phillies
6. Miami Marlins
7. Tampa Bay Rays
8. Washington Nationals
9. Seattle Mariners
Tier 3
10. St. Louis Cardinals
11. Cleveland Guardians
12. Chicago Cubs
13. Chicago White Sox
Tier 4
14. Texas Rangers
15. San Diego Padres
16. Toronto Blue Jays
17. Arizona Diamondbacks
18. Pittsburgh Pirates
19. Houston Astros
20. Minnesota Twins
21. Cincinnati Reds
Tier 5
22. Athletics
23. Baltimore Orioles
24. Detroit Tigers
25. New York Mets
Tier 6
26. Los Angeles Angels
27. Boston Red Sox
28. Kansas City Royals
29. Colorado Rockies
30. San Francisco Giants
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