MLB Power Rankings: April 7
It’s that time of year again, baseball season is back. After a long and harsh winter that was dominated by a MLB and MLBPA lockout, players are finally back on the field and ready to play ball. The Atlanta Braves are trying to be the first repeat champions since the 2000 Yankees. However, despite winning it all last year, the Braves are still playing second fiddle.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers won the World Series during the 2020 season, but that hasn’t been enough for the Dodger fan base, and for good reason. This team is uber talented and should have won multiple championships by now.
This lineup is reminiscent of the famous 1920s Yankees lineup that was nicknamed “Murder’s Row”. With the likes of Trea Turner, Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Will Smith, this lineup truly has no holes. The backend of the rotation is the only weakness on this team.
The Dodgers, despite losing Max Scherzer in the off season, have improved their team by adding the dangerous Freddie Freeman. For the 2022 season, it is World Series or bust for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Atlanta Braves
The defending World Series champs seem like an afterthought coming into this season. However, this team should not be taken lightly. The Dodgers are a tier above everyone else, but the Braves might have improved on their championship team.
The Braves won it all last year despite losing their best player, Ronald Acuña Jr. before the playoffs even started. Acuna returning will only add fuel to the fire.
Gone is franchise leader Freddie Freeman, but in comes Matt Olson. Olson is a younger, better version of Freeman. Freeman was the heartbeat of this franchise but Olson can take this team to another level.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox will benefit from playing in the extremely weak AL Central. This team has been building for awhile, but 2022 can be their year.
The White Sox are extremely young and very fun to watch. Tim Anderson, Luis Robert, and Yoan Moncada are all just entering their primes.
The White Sox won’t have much more time of having all these players on team friendly deals. Chicago has shown hesitancy of giving out big deals in the past. Their championship window might not be that big despite having all this young talent.
Tampa Bay Rays
Every offseason it seems like Tampa Bay trades all their best players and every MLB fan counts them out before the season even begins. This offseason they traded one of their better hitters in Austin Meadows. However, this team won’t miss a beat.
Wander Franco, the former top overall prospect in baseball, looks to take a huge jump in his sophomore season.
This team will go far and challenge for the title, it just depends on the health of their starting pitching. Ace Tyler Glasnow will start the season on the shelf along with Shane Baz, Nick Anderson and Peter Fairbanks.
Toronto Blue Jays
The baby Blue Jays aren’t that young anymore. This team added a ton of veteran depth to go along with superstars Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The question is, how good is Matt Chapman? Can he replace Marcus Semien? If the answer is yes, then this is the best lineup in baseball.
Houston Astros
Seemingly every year, the Astors lose another star and MLB fans think it is finally the start of the downfall for the Houston Astros organization. However, time and time again, the Astros rebound and make a deep run in the playoffs.
The rotation is weak, and is going to heavily rely on Justin Verlander coming off a season spent on the IL.
New York Mets
The New York Mets always have an eventful offseason, and this past offseason was no different. They were the big winners by getting former Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and All-Star Starling Marte.
However, despite always having a ton of talent, the Mets always come up short. The difference maker this year will have to be Manager Buck Showalter and hopefully the best pitcher in the world, Jacob deGrom, if can stay healthy.
New Yankees
The Yankees are always World Series or bust. Despite having a great core centered around Aaron Judge, they haven’t really improved their overall roster.
Their whole lineup is still home run or bust and their defense is lacking. Gerrit Cole will have to carry the rotation.
San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatís Jr. is must watch TV. The Padres were crowned last year’s off-season winner. But their season crashed and burned with an all time collapse in the second half last year.
Tatís needs to make the postseason for the sake of baseball.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have the deepest and best rotation in baseball with the likes of Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff.
This team is the favorite to win their division but they need something from their lineup and Christian Yelich, if they want to be a World Series contender.
Aidan Torok is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ajt6051@psu.edu
