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MLB Power Rankings: Contenders begin to separate

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher James Shields (33) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher James Shields (33) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
22

Chicago White Sox 11-9

Last week: 4-2
Last rank: 26

If, at the start of the year, I would tell you the White Sox would approach the end of April with Jose Quintana holding an 0-4 record and an ERA over 6.00, you would probably guess their overall record would be somewhere around 5-15. Think again. Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson were among the hottest hitters in baseball over the past seven days.

While Quintana has struggled, Derek Holland, Miguel Gonzalez, and James Shields have continued resurgent starts for nearly a month. The White Sox lead the American League with a 3.02 staff ERA through their first 19 games, and have not gotten the best out of their supposed ace. Granted, there is probably some major statistical correction staring Shields and Holland in the face. Shield has a 1.62 ERA but a 5.16 FIP. Holland’s ERA is slightly higher at 1.99, but his FIP-ERA differential is slightly lower.

Shields and Holland will eventually get hit, but Gonzalez appears to have figured something out with his cutter. If Quintana cannot piece together a few strong starts soon, however, the White Sox may need to begin worrying about his trade value.

Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) makes a play against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) makes a play against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
21

Philadelphia Phillies 10-9

Last week: 5-0
Last rank: 28

So far for the 2017 Phillies, the player enjoying a breakout campaign has not been Maikel Franco as expected. Cesar Hernandez leads the team in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, home runs, stolen bases, runs, hits, and doubles. The power surge is somewhat unexpected, but Hernandez has been a solid player for the Phillies for the past two seasons, and is a career .284/.352/.373 hitter with good contact skills at the plate. This season, he appears to be trading some of that contact for power, and has already struck out 23 times. The Phillies will take the strikeouts if the power continues.

The Phillies have to be pleased that Jeremy Hellickson is off to a 3-0 start with a sub-2.00 ERA. He is their big trade chip for the deadline. Somewhat troubling is the fact that Vincent Velasquez has walked 6.0 per nine in his first three starts to the year.

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