MLB Power Rankings: Contenders begin to separate
As the first month of the MLB season comes to a close, the contenders have finally begun to separate themselves from the rest of the league.
April draws to a close, and the six MLB divisions have begun to sort themselves out. Four of the divisions are led by a team at least six games over .500. Several surprise teams have begun regressing back to their expected levels of performance.
Last week was an eventful week around MLB. Madison Bumgarner injured himself on a dirt bike, making this the second week in a row that a big star was lost from a team off to a slow start. This may be too big a loss for the scuffling Giants to overcome. The Astros climbed into the top spot in the power rankings last week, unseating the Cubs. The Orioles, Rockies, and Diamondbacks continued winning, and can expect a bump up in this week’s edition of the MLB Power Rankings. Just how far did they climb? Read on to find out.
All statistics through Wednesday, April 27. Records current.
Atlanta Braves 7-12
Last week: 1-4
Last rank: 22
The Braves are attempting to rebuild their team around young starting pitching. They have sought out arms in the draft and through trades, but are still waiting for their first big hit. Mike Foltynewicz may finally be turning the corner and giving Atlanta a full-fledged number two to pair with Julio Teheran.
Foltynewicz is in his fourth season in the big leagues, and the tall right-hander has had an up-and-down career to date. He is 13-14 with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. In four games this year, Foltynewicz has a 3.20 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 19.2 innings. After struggling in his first two appearances of the year, he has allowed only three earned runs over his last 14.0 innings. If Foltynewicz can continue throwing strikes and keeping the ball in the park, the Braves will have secured another piece to their rotation of the future.
San Diego Padres 9-14
Last week: 3-4
Last rank: 29
After winning three straight to start the week, the Padres turned around and lost four in a row, allowing more than six runs in each loss. San Diego has now lost nine of their past 12 games. Jered Weaver has somehow managed to pitch effectively despite topping out around 80 mph with his fastball. Weaver has allowed a .221 batting average, but has also given up seven home runs in only 23.0 innings for a cool 2.73 HR/9.
Wil Myers and Manuel Margot continue to be bright spots offensively for the Padres. Myers leads all of baseball with 30 hits, and is slugging .618. On the downside, he has drawn only two walks while striking out 24 times. Margot has been a highlight-reel defender in center field, and had a solid week at the dish, picking up three two-hit games. He still needs to mature on the bases, as he has been thrown out three times in four steal attempts.