MLB Power Rankings for April

By Djack

​ESPN's Power Ranking
"1. Washington Nationals Record: 17-8
With Adam Eaton out, center field is there for the taking for Michael Taylor if he can find a way to get past his strikeout issues. But Taylor has never shown the ability to do so through nearly 250 major league games. If prospect Rafael Bautista were to make a good quick first impression, Taylor could get the hook. The big loss for the Nationals is in knowing what they were getting -- Eaton's year-end numbers were almost identical in 2015 and 2016. -- Mark Simon, ESPN Stats & Information

2. Houston Astros Record: 16-9
Guess which team has its ace back in action? Dallas Keuchel continues to dominate. He's 5-0 with a 1.21 ERA in six starts, and the one game he didn't win, he allowed one run and two hits in seven innings. He's pitched at least seven innings in each start and has allowed .164 batting average. -- David Schoenfield, ESPN.com



3. Chicago Cubs Record: 13-11
The Cubs are managing to stay afloat despite a league-worst 9.39 ERA in the first inning this season. Kris Bryant (.907 OPS) and Anthony Rizzo (.877 OPS) already appear to be rounding into midseason form, while the bullpen has picked up its end of the bargain (NL-best 2.87 ERA). The champs hope to improve on a slow 4-5 start at Wrigley Field this season as they start a seven-game homestand on Monday against the Phillies.-- Paul Hembekides, ESPN Stats & Information



4. New York Yankees Record: 15-8
Aaron Judge's Rookie of the Year case gets stronger every day. His 10 home runs in April tied the rookie record for the month, matching Jose Abreu in 2014 and Trevor Story in 2016. It's a long season, but Judge has put himself and his team in a good position. The Yankees are 9-0 when Judge homers and 6-8 when he does not. -- Sarah Langs, ESPN Stats & Information



5. Cleveland Indians Record: 14-10
The Indians' rotation has gotten it together -- they're top-five in ERA in the past two weeks after ranking dead last in the first two. In the pen, closer Cody Allen has whiffed half of the 40 batters he's faced. The top of the AL Central is surprisingly tight with the White Sox, Twins and Tigers hanging around, but if the Indians' staff continues to pitch like this, they'll take control of the race. -- Michael Bonzagni, ESPN Stats & Information



6. Baltimore Orioles Record: 15-8
After not allowing double-digit runs in any of their first 20 games of the season, the O's allowed double-digit totals both Friday and Saturday against the Yankees. A big reason for the high run total Saturday was Ubaldo Jimenez, who allowed 7 runs (6 earned). His 7.43 ERA ranks 105th of 107 qualified pitchers. Right behind him? Teammate Kevin Gausman and his 7.50 ERA. -- Sarah Langs, ESPN Stats & Information



7. Arizona Diamondbacks Record: 16-11
Shelby Miller is out for the season and will undergo Tommy John surgery, but Torey Lovullo said Archie Bradley will remain in the bullpen, where he has a 1.13 ERA and 19 K's in 16 innings. Zack Godley made a spot start last week but was optioned back to the minors and can't be recalled for 10 days, so somebody else will start Thursday. Top prospect Anthony Banda has 16 walks in 23 ⅔ IP at Triple-A Reno, so maybe it's Braden Shipley who will get the chance. -- David Schoenfield, ESPN.com



8. Los Angeles Dodgers Record: 14-12
The weekend sweep of the Phillies included Saturday's dramatic ninth-inning comeback that featuring consecutive home runs from Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger and pinch-hitter Justin Turner to tie the game. Turner followed that up with a three-hit game on Sunday to finish April hitting .403. Only three other Dodgers hit .400 in April since the Dodgers moved to L.A.: Ron Cey (.425 in 1977), Paul Lo Duca (.416 in 2004), Matt Kemp (.417 in 2012). -- David Schoenfield, ESPN.com



9. Boston Red Sox Record: 13-11
So the Red Sox stood still in the Power Rankings? Don't blame Chris Sale for Boston's so-so April. He has just one win in five starts but has been absolutely dominating with 52 K's in 37 ⅔ innings, a .177 average allowed and one home run. He's on pace for over 300 strikeouts -- the last AL pitcher 300 K's was Pedro Martinez in 1999. -- David Schoenfield, ESPN.com



10. Colorado Rockies Record: 16-10
Ian Desmond came off the DL for his Rockies debut on Sunday and went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts. He started in left field instead of first base, as Bud Black kept Mark Reynolds' hot bat in the lineup. While the Rockies finished with a strong April record, keep in mind that they also had winning Aprils in 2015 (11-10), 2014 (16-13), 2013 (16-11) and 2011 (17-8). -- David Schoenfield, ESPN.com" -Via ESPN

Djack's Power Ranking
1. Washington Nationals Record: 17-8
Since they did lose Adam Eaton I was concerned if this offense would still be as good, and then they torched the Mets for 23 runs. If the pitching stays healthy and the bats stay hot I don't see why this team can't be playing in late October. Bullpen has some concerns, but that can always be addressed in July. With the Mets collapsing the Nationals should have an easy path to the NL East division title.

2. New York Yankees Record: 15-8
Playing like the most complete team in baseball and they were missing their best player the entire month. With Sanchez coming back, the pitching staff is reaching their fullest potential, and they are scoring runs at will the Yankees seem to be way ahead of schedule. If it wasn't for that game yesterday against the Orioles they'd be #1. The bullpen is the best in baseball, the lineup is a lot deeper than expected, and all the sudden the Yankees are the real deal again.

3. Houston Astros Record: 16-9
The Astros lineup is easily one of the best in baseball, at no point should a pitcher feel comfortable against any batter in that lineup. The fact they've been getting quality starting pitching and have a great bullpen just adds to their dominance. It seems like they're going to run away with the AL West and are a strong candidate to represent the AL in the World Series this year. The Astros are the real deal.

4. Cleveland Indians Record: 14-10
The Indians got off to a slow start but have now found their stride. This offense with the addition of Encarnacion and getting Brantley back makes them way better than the World Series lineup they had last season. The starting pitching staff is young and getting better with each start, come September, October they'll be at the top of their game. The bullpen can always bail them out since they have the unique Andrew Miller who can pitch multiple innings and they also have Cody Allen who is a great closer himself. They have depth in the bullpen too so its not like it's just those two guys. Indians are still the favorite in the AL until someone knocks them off.


​5. Baltimore Orioles Record: 15-8
This team has awful starting pitcher and that'll be their Achilles heel all season long, but boy can they hit this piss out of the baseball. This lineup can put big numbers and when they have Zach Britton healthy again they'll be able to shut the door on games. They could probably use a solidified ace, I just don't know how they're going to get it. Buck Showalter will always get the most out of his team, so I think the Orioles will be in the hunt all season. I don't think they're a huge threat, although their lineup is, and that's what will keep them relevant.

6. Chicago Cubs Record: 13-11
They are still the defending World Series champions, but boy you could've fooled me with the start they are off to. The lineup has under performed, no one that's playing everyday is hitting above .300. I expect that to change, although it just goes to show that this lineup goes through some pretty bad lulls. The starting pitching is great no complaints there. As for the bullpen, that's the Cubs biggest problem. If they don't address that before the postseason there's no chance the Cubs repeat as champions. Actually I'll take it further than that, they'll have no shot of even making the World Series unless the bullpen is addressed. I'm sure Theo will do what he does and make a big move at the deadline, though.

7. Boston Red Sox Record: 13-11
They've struggled a lot to kick off the season and even I as a Red Sox hater don't think that'll continue. David Price probably isn't coming back, but who knows maybe he will, and it'll be a huge boost to that starting rotation if he does. They have one of the best lineups in baseball and it has very few holes. The bullpen could use some help, although Kelly and Kimbrel at the back is a pretty dominant tandem. Red Sox will be a player in the race for the AL East and the AL pennant. 

8. Los Angeles Dodgers Record: 14-12
They have the best pitcher in all of baseball and the best young shortstop in all of baseball, not a bad foundation. Throw in a revamped Yaisel Puig, Justin Turner, and A-Gon, all the sudden the Dodgers lineup is looking pretty good. Also, this new kid Bellinger looks like he's going to be a problem for opposing pitchers as well. Kenta Maeda is a solid starter, other than that their starting staff is a little shaky. That's the only real concern I have with this team, although it's a pretty big concern. Kershaw will be able to mask it in the postseason however by pitching on short rest.

9. Colorado Rockies Record: 16-10
This lineup is lethal, Arenado, Story, Blackmon, and Gonzalez is a pitchers worst nightmare. The fact they've actually got solid starting pitching too has been a huge bonus for this team, hence why their record is so good. Seems like the Rockies are ready to take that next step and could be fighting for playoff spot come September. The bullpen will help them if they can keep up what they've been able to do, they've put up some of the best numbers in baseball this season. Surprising since they play at a hitters ballpark.

10. St.Louis Cardinals Record: 12-12
The Cardinals got off to a shitty start, even though there was nothing to ever really fear. They are a well managed team with a ton of talent, so you knew it'd eventually start to click. They had some problems fielding the ball, which cost them some games early. I still think they have a great starting rotation and bullpen. The lineup can manufacture enough runs to win games and I expect the Cardinals to be playing in October this year.