MLB Power Rankings: April 27
Another week of baseball is in the books and teams are starting to find their rhythm. So far this season, there have been some disappointments and some surprises, but the playoff picture may be a little different come this fall.
The New York Mets are off to their usual fast start in April, currently holding the best record in baseball and sitting atop the NL East with a marginable lead. After proving to be dominant in the absence of Jacob deGrom, the Mets may not have their devastating slide this season after all.
The NL West is shaping up to be the best division in baseball, as the top four teams have posted double-digit wins early in the season with the Giants, Dodgers, Padres, and Rockies all battling for the top spot.
With the conclusion of the first month of baseball on the horizon, here is where the teams stack up.
1. New York Mets
It’s safe to say that the Mets are a threat to the league, however, it is still only April. The Mets held first place in the NL East last season for 90 consecutive days, only to end up finishing in third place.
This season feels different though, as New York was able to land Max Scherzer who could be seen as the catalyst to this already high-caliber pitching staff. Not to mention, deGrom has yet to even step foot on the mound this season.
Solid on defense with Francisco Lindor and Michael Conforto, the Mets took 2-out-of-3 from the Giants this past week, and when deGrom returns, the blue and orange are going to be a team to keep an eye on.
2. San Francisco Giants
The Giants are currently one of the hottest teams in baseball as Gabe Kapler’s squad is on a five-game winning streak.
The Giants now find themselves in an experiment as their starting pitching depth has taken a blow. Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Cobb have both been placed on the injured list, meaning San Francisco’s arms will be put to the test.
First place in the NL West, the Giants are a well-rounded ball club with the right amount of talent in Joc Pederson, Brandon Belt, and Brandon Crawford.
It’ll be tough to make it out of this division, but the Giants will need their key pieces to return in order to make another run for the No. 1 seed.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers currently have a plus-46 run differential, which is just one ahead of their rival San Francisco Giants.
This offense is becoming a problem, as they have outscored their opponents 71-23 since dropping a series to the Rockies at the beginning of the season.
Freddie Freeman is adapting well to this offense and returning to his home state, as he seemed like the only piece this offense was missing. Freeman is currently hitting .328, and he finds himself alone in the lineup as the only hitter with an average above .300.
It’s still early, but the Dodgers are creeping back up to the top spot and remain a force to be reckoned with.
4. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are finally starting to heat up as they have taken sole control of first place in the AL East.
The Blue Jays have a three-headed monster in the bats of George Springer, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Although Bichette is not off to a great start offensively, his defense is crucial to this team as he has flashed his leather multiple times thus far.
Springer and Chapman are solid in the field and at the plate, and another notable pickup to the roster is Zack Collins. The catcher/DH has proved himself in this lineup, bolstering a .306/.324/.611 slash line.
5. New York Yankees
Anthony Rizzo is coming off a three home run game against the Baltimore Orioles in which the Yankees would move within a half-game of the Blue Jays in the AL East.
This offense is hit or miss, as the boys in pinstripes have all of the tools to be a dominating ballclub but have yet to prove that they can compete with the top teams in the league.
The Yankees are currently on a four-game win streak, which started with a sweep over the Cleveland Guardians over the weekend.
With this little run, the Yankees earned the last spot in the Top Five. If they continue to win, they would have to do it with class, unlike their fans.
6. Seattle Mariners
Shockingly, the Seattle Mariners have found themselves in the Top 10 of the power rankings.
First baseman Ty France is a force at the plate, with a slash line of .368/.443/.632.
Shotstop J.P. Crawford is finally starting to make a name for himself. The failed experiment for the Philadelphia Phillies is currently hitting .356 and provides a solid glove in the field.
The Mariners currently sit at 11-6 and lead the AL West. With a healthy Mike Trout and the consistency of the Houston Astros, the Mariners have the talent to break away from the division and earn their right to the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
7. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have experience, character, and charisma. Currently sitting atop the NL Central with an 11-7 record, the Brew Crew have had a solid start to the 2022 season.
With series wins over the Pirates and the Phillies, the Brewers are right where they need to be in terms of consistency.
Willy Adames is picking up after a slow start, and with Colton Wong, Christian Yelich, and recently-added Andrew McCutchen, it’s only a matter of time until this dangerous offense clicks and the Brewers become a powerhouse.
8. Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are beginning to slip.
Once 10-5, the Rockies have dropped the first two games against the Philadelphia Phillies in embarrassing fashion. Losing by a combined 13 runs in the games, the Rockies have also totaled five errors in both losses.
With the schedule in their favor, the Rockies have some ground to make up as they take the last spot of this week’s power rankings.
Connor Fenix is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cjf5726@psu.edu.
