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MLB Power Rankings: Yankees making run at Astros

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 14, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) celebrates with Aaron Judge (99) and Starlin Castro (14) after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning during a MLB baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) celebrates with Aaron Judge (99) and Starlin Castro (14) after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning during a MLB baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 13, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) rounds the bases after hitting a three run homer in the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) rounds the bases after hitting a three run homer in the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
26

Atlanta Braves 3-3

Last week: 29-36
Last rank: 26

Brandon Phillips has enjoyed his return home to Georgia. The Stone Mountain native is batting .306/.348/.434 on the year with 16 doubles and four home runs. At home, Phillips is batting .327/.363/.467.

Even at 35, Phillips could be playing himself into a job with the Braves for the next few seasons. He is a fringe Hall of Fame candidate at second base who will top 2,000 hits by the end of the year. Had he been able to stick in the big leagues before the age of 25, Phillips may have had an outside shot at getting to 3,000 hits.

25

Miami Marlins 29-35

Last week: 4-2
Last rank: 27

Batting Giancarlo Stanton second might seem like a stretch, but it is working out very well so far for manager Don Mattingly and the Marlins. Stanton has hit in the two-hole 19 times, and is batting .362/.463/.681 with six home runs and 15 RBI since the move.

It took Stanton several years to recover from his traumatic beaning and subsequent nagging injuries. His strikeouts are down to a more manageable level and he is controlling the strike zone better than he ever has in his career. Stanton has been in the big leagues since 2010, and it is hard to lose sight of the fact that he is still only 27 years old.

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