MLB Report Card Grades for All 30 Teams at the Start of June
As the calendar flips to June, it's time for another round of division-by-division MLB report cards.
With more than 100 games remaining on each squad's schedule, these are more progress reports than final, binding marks. Still, we're deep enough into the 2017 campaign to begin drawing conclusions.
One other thing: We're grading on a curve. Teams will be judged on stats and win-loss totals, but it's far worse for an expected contender to be floundering below .500 than it is for a rebuilding franchise.
American League East
1 of 6
New York Yankees (31-21)
Despite the struggles of ace Masahiro Tanaka, the New York Yankees are riding high.
Thanks in large part to slugging rookie right fielder Aaron Judge and his MLB-leading 18 homers, the Yanks rank second in the American League in runs. Their bullpen has been strong despite closer Aroldis Chapman's stint on the disabled list with an inflamed rotator cuff.
Even the rotation has held its own, thanks to solid starts to the season by Luis Severino and Michael Pineda.
New York may go shopping for an arm at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline and could likely land one with its stacked farm system.
Either way, the burgeoning Bronx Bombers are blossoming ahead of schedule.
Grade: A
Boston Red Sox (29-24)
The near-consensus pick to win the division and challenge for another championship, the Boston Red Sox are finally making their move.
But they're still looking up at the rival Yankees, left-hander David Price has missed most of the season with an elbow issue, and the offense has been surprisingly punchless.
Price returned Monday, however, with mixed but encouraging results, and Boston has won eight of its last 12.
As Chad Finn of Boston.com noted: "The bats will heat up, the Sale/Porcello/Price/E-Rod/Pomeranz rotation should be stellar, Craig Kimbrel is apparently intent on never allowing another baserunner, and Dave Dombrowski will add a piece here or there (though here's hoping Todd Frazier isn't one of them). A roll is coming that will carry them into October."
Grade: B-
Baltimore Orioles (29-25)
Starting pitching was supposed to be the Baltimore Orioles' weakness, and it has been lately.
Ostensible ace Chris Tillman has been mostly dreadful since coming off the disabled list. Overall, Baltimore starters own a 4.61 ERA, which places them in the bottom third in baseball.
Oh, and franchise cornerstone Manny Machado is hitting a scant .212.
The O's are still fluttering above .500, but their minus-two run differential and 4-8 record in their last 12 games suggest a club headed in the wrong direction.
Grade: C-
Tampa Bay Rays (29-28)
The plucky Tampa Bay Rays have the fifth-best run differential in the American League at plus-18, thanks to a surprisingly powerful offense that paces baseball with 86 home runs.
Can guys like Corey Dickerson and Logan Morrison keep it up through the dog days of summer? Maybe not.
At worst, however, the Rays should remain in the postseason mix and hang on to potential trade chips such as ace Chris Archer for another year.
Grade: B
Toronto Blue Jays (27-28)
After an awful start, the Toronto Blue Jays are crawling out of their hole.
They've won four of five and nine of their last 11. They're within a game of .500 and just 5.5 games out of first place. Third baseman Josh Donaldson is back from a lingering calf issue and launching baseballs into the fifth deck of Rogers Centre.
If the Jays want to make a third straight playoff run, they've got their work cut out for them. But they've gone from an embarrassment to a factor in the noisy, crowded American League East.
Grade: C
American League Central
2 of 6
Minnesota Twins (28-23)
It's been a Cinderella season for the Minnesota Twins, who lost 103 games in 2016 yet lead the American League Central entering play Saturday.
Yes, it's partly smoke and mirrors, as the Twinkies' minus-15 run differential and 25th-ranked 4.60 team ERA attest.
Credit the Twins for their early success and give them some hopeful bonus points based on the club's young talent. At the same time, don't bank on them staying atop the division much longer.
Grade: B+
Cleveland Indians (28-25)
The Cleveland Indians are still looking up at Minnesota and haven't taken off like the Junior Circuit juggernaut many expected them to be.
The offense ranks 21st in MLB with 235 runs. The starting rotation, which was supposed to be a strength, ranks dead last in the American League with a 4.67 ERA.
Still, the defending AL champions have the best run differential (plus-25) in the division and are within one game of first place. Ace Corey Kluber came off the disabled list Thursday and struck out 10 batters over six two-hit innings.
Things could be worse, but they could also be a whole lot better.
Grade: C+
Detroit Tigers (26-28)
The Detroit Tigers are two games below .500 and have an aging, middle-of-the-pack offense; a ghastly bullpen; and a rotation fronted by Justin Verlander and his 4.50 ERA.
Still, Detroit isn't stalled in the Central, where no one is revving ahead of the pack. Another month-plus of mediocrity, however, should shift the Tigers into overdue sell mode.
Grade: C
Chicago White Sox (24-29)
The Chicago White Sox knew this was going to be a rebuilding year, which makes their plus-nine run differential a pleasant surprise.
But the team may jettison pieces such as third baseman Todd Frazier and left-hander Jose Quintana by the July 31 trade deadline to further stock a robust farm system.
For the moment, though, South Side fans can enjoy not-awful baseball with an eye on serious contention in the relatively near future.
Grade: B
Kansas City Royals (23-30)
Speaking of selling at the deadline, the Kansas City Royals could soon blow up their core.
After winning the pennant in 2014 and the World Series in 2015, the Royals are sitting in the Central cellar. Numerous key players—including first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Lorenzo Cain—are set to hit free agency this winter.
Add surprise ace Jason Vargas and closer Kelvin Herrera, who could be a free agent after next season, and K.C. should hang a "For Sale" sign this summer.
Grade: D+
American League West
3 of 6
Houston Astros (39-16)
Ace Dallas Keuchel landed on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck but came back strong with a six-inning, eight-strikeout performance May 27.
"It was pretty flawless," manager A.J. Hinch said, per the Associated Press (h/t USA Today).
The same could be said of the Houston Astros, who own the best record and top run differential (plus-96) in baseball.
With the Indians and Red Sox wobbling and the young Yankees still proving themselves, Houston is the class of the American League until further notice.
Grade: A
Los Angeles Angels (28-30)
The Los Angeles Angels have issues all over the roster, but at least they have Mike Trout.
Oh...never mind.
The two-time AL MVP and undisputed best player in baseball underwent thumb surgery Wednesday and will be out at least six to eight weeks, per Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times.
Expect the Halos, who have managed to hang around in the American League West, to be fully buried by then.
Grade: C
Texas Rangers (26-29)
The Texas Rangers have the third-worst bullpen ERA in baseball (4.88). Their offense checks in 22nd with a ho-hum .726 OPS. They're already 13 games behind their Lone Star State rivals.
No wonder there are trade rumors swirling around right-hander and impending free agent Yu Darvish.
The Rangers could right the ship and at least slip into the wild-card picture. A deadline sale, however, appears far more likely than a third straight division title.
Grade: C-
Seattle Mariners (26-30)
Starting pitchers Felix Hernandez (shoulder), Hisashi Iwakuma (shoulder) and Drew Smyly (elbow) are all on the shelf. So is promising young outfielder Mitch Haniger (oblique). Slugger Nelson Cruz exited Tuesday's game with calf tightness.
It's been that kind of season for the snakebitten Seattle Mariners, who are somehow within shouting distance of contention but will need a run of injury luck to make any real push.
Grade: C-
Oakland Athletics (23-31)
The Oakland A's are in last place with a minus-67 run differential, which means their roster could be picked clean by late July.
The pieces at executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane's disposal include right-hander Sonny Gray, second baseman Jed Lowrie and first baseman Yonder Alonso.
Expect some or all of them to be wearing different uniforms come August.
Grade: D+
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National League East
4 of 6
Washington Nationals (34-19)
Bryce Harper's questionable helmet-throwing abilities aside, it's been an excellent season for the Washington Nationals.
They own the best record in the National League, lead the Senior Circuit with 299 runs and, apart from the lack of an experienced closer, have few discernible weaknesses.
Barring a total meltdown, they'll run away with the division and train their sights on finally getting out of the postseason's first round.
Grade: A
New York Mets (23-30)
Injuries to top contributors, including bolt-throwing ace Noah Syndergaard and offensive anchor Yoenis Cespedes, have doomed the New York Mets.
They're technically in second place, and no one is finished this early, especially with the advent of the second wild card.
Let's get real, though: This club is teetering on the brink.
"I learned a long time ago that you can't worry about stuff out of your control," manager Terry Collins said of the Mets' poor injury luck, per Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News.
There are scores of fans in Queens worrying on his behalf.
Grade: D+
Atlanta Braves (22-30)
First baseman Freddie Freeman was enjoying an MVP-caliber season for the Atlanta Braves before a fastball thrown by the Blue Jays' Aaron Loup fractured his wrist.
So it has gone for the Braves, who moved into a shiny new stadium this season with the hope of being a sneaky contender but have remained mired under .500.
Freeman didn't need surgery. Rookie shortstop Dansby Swanson, hitting .185, could still blossom into the Rookie of the Year contender many expected him to be.
There's hope for the future but not much chance Atlanta will make a move in the present.
Grade: C-
Miami Marlins (22-31)
All the talk surrounding the Miami Marlins is focused on the potential sale of the team, with sordid chatter of a rift between prospective buyers Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush.
None of that has helped the on-field product. Miami boasts a strong young outfield in Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna, but a lack of starting pitching and an air of familiar dysfunction will precipitate another long, muggy summer in South Beach.
Grade: D
Philadelphia Phillies (17-35)
The Philadelphia Phillies rank 25th in baseball in OPS (.700), 27th in runs (205) and 30th in ERA (4.97). They've lost 11 of their last 13. Add it up, and you've got the worst record in the game.
There's young talent on the roster and in the minor leagues. For now, however, the boo birds have reason to sing in the City of Brotherly Love.
Grade: D
National League Central
5 of 6
Milwaukee Brewers (29-26)
Show of hands: Who predicted the Milwaukee Brewers would be in first place at the start of June?
Put your hand down.
The Brew Crew were supposed to be a rebuilding also-ran. Instead, they're tied for sixth in the game with 273 runs and pacing the National League Central pack.
Veteran Ryan Braun landed on the disabled list with a calf strain. The starting rotation owns a 4.17 ERA. This run probably won't last.
For now, however, tip your cap.
Grade: A
St. Louis Cardinals (26-26)
The St. Louis Cardinals starting rotation leads the game with a 3.16 ERA, yet the Red Birds are perched at .500.
That's largely because of an offense that's 25th in runs (214) and features no player with a double-digit home run total.
Look for the perennially contending Cards to go shopping for offense sooner than later.
Grade: C
Chicago Cubs (26-27)
Seven months after the curse-busting champagne and confetti rained down, the Chicago Cubs are under .500 and wallowing in third place.
There have been issues in the starting rotation and at the back of the bullpen. The offense and defense have regressed.
It's not time to panic, not with a roster as deep and loaded as this one, but with each day the defending champions spend out of first place, the pressure and angst will mount.
Outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who is hitting .165, may have summed it up best.
"The game is fickle," Schwarber said Wednesday after the Cubs were swept by the lowly San Diego Padres, per ESPN.com's Jesse Rogers. "It will do crazy things."
Grade: D+
Cincinnati Reds (25-28)
Like Milwaukee, the Cincinnati Reds were a nice early surprise.
They've begun to dip toward the bottom of the division, however, which is no surprise considering they rank 28th in team ERA (4.83).
That said, the Reds have played top-ranked defense and have some nice young pieces, including third baseman Eugenio Suarez.
Grade: B
Pittsburgh Pirates (25-30)
It's been an unequivocally disappointing season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who rank last in the division with a minus-33 run differential and lost center fielder Starling Marte to an 80-game performance-enhancing drugs suspension.
Add the continued struggles by 2013 National League MVP Andrew McCutchen and a pitching staff that hasn't picked up the slack with a 4.23 ERA, and you've got one of 2017's most notable early flameouts.
Grade: D
National League West
6 of 6
Los Angeles Dodgers (34-22)
After a bit of a sluggish start, the Los Angeles Dodgers are rounding into form.
They lead baseball with a 3.13 team ERA. Rookie Cody Bellinger has given the offense a potent shot in the arm. And, of course, they have Clayton Kershaw, the best pitcher on the planet.
Other teams are making noise in the National League West, but the big-spending Dodgers are a safe bet to lock down a fifth straight division title.
Grade: A-
Colorado Rockies (34-23)
Speaking of those other teams, the Colorado Rockies are nipping at Los Angeles' heels behind the National League's second-highest-scoring offense (287 runs) and a pitching staff that's fourth in MLB in road ERA (3.54).
Credit new manager and former pitcher/pitching coach Bud Black for shoring up Colorado's Achilles' heel and propelling the Rockies toward their first postseason berth since 2009.
Grade: A
Arizona Diamondbacks (34-23)
After a disastrous 2016 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks have slithered back into relevance.
Their plus-53 run differential is the best of any non-first-place team in the game, and they're getting comeback contributions from right-hander Zack Greinke and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who has a shot at a 30-30 season.
As summer unfolds, expect an entertaining battle between L.A., Colorado and Arizona for supremacy out West.
Grade: A
San Diego Padres (23-33)
The Padres were supposed to be a rebuilding team with a lousy record, and in that sense, they've delivered.
Manuel Margot looks like a star in the making, though he landed on the disabled list with a calf injury. Other than that...at least the weather's lovely?
Grade: C-
San Francisco Giants (23-33)
Like the Padres, the San Francisco Giants are 10 games under .500 and in last place. Unlike the Friars, they weren't supposed to be this bad.
A dirt bike crash-induced shoulder injury to ace Madison Bumgarner didn't help, but San Francisco has wobbled in all facets of the game, posting a mediocre 4.12 team ERA and checking in last in the NL in runs (193).
The Giants are in a win-now window, but unless they streak through June, they could be sellers at the deadline.
Grade: D-
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