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MLB Power Rankings: Trouble for Cubs?

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) observe action from the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Carlos Beltran (15) and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) observe action from the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
28

Philadelphia Phillies 5-9

Last week: 2-3
Last rank: 26

Odubel Herrera has continued developing into one of the more improbably exciting players to watch in the league, all while somehow being one of the more annoying players to watch. Despite the league’s efforts to speed up the game, Herrera is still taking over 30 seconds between pitches at the plate in an effort to get into his opponent’s heads. It’s a very calculated move from the active king of bat flips in Major League Baseball.

Whatever methods Herrera is using to get into pitchers’ heads are working. He is hitting .289/.396/.422 this year with eight walks. He was a free swinger as a rookie, but has improved his approach at the plate each season after. MLB won’t be happy if more players around the league begin adopting Herrera’s tactics at the plate, but there’s no denying the fact that they work.

Apr 6, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Andrew Triggs (60) throws a pitch to the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Oakland Coliseum. The Athletics won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Villa-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Andrew Triggs (60) throws a pitch to the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Oakland Coliseum. The Athletics won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Villa-USA TODAY Sports /
27

Oakland A's 7-8

Last week: 2-4
Last rank: 23

Of all the surprise stories around MLB to start the season, Andrew Triggs has to be one of the biggest. Designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles last spring, and a career reliever in the minor leagues, Triggs has not allowed an earned run in his first three starts of the 2017 season. He is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 17.2 innings while allowing only 11 hits.

Triggs is a soft-tosser who rarely tops 90 mph with his sinker, but he has gotten results at every level of baseball. His stuff plays because he throws so many strikes and locates all of his pitches well. Triggs has a career FIP of 3.20 and a mark of 3.05 so far this season, so there are not many red flags pointing to an impending regression. The league may figure out his soft stuff, but this crafty right-hander may have what it takes to baffle big-league hitters. That’s a positive for the A’s to draw on while they deal with an injury to Kendall Graveman and the continued struggles of Jharel Cotton and Sean Manaea in the big leagues.

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