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MLB Power Rankings: Cardinals and Angels climbing

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with third base coach Ron Roenicke #10 as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with third base coach Ron Roenicke #10 as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 03: Chris Smith #56 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at AT&T Park on August 3, 2017 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Oakland Athletics 11-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 03: Chris Smith #56 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at AT&T Park on August 3, 2017 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Oakland Athletics 11-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
26

Oakland Athletics 54-71

Last week: 4-6
Last rank: 25

While he is not a prospect or part of their long-term plan at all, right-handed pitcher Chris Smith has one of the more interesting stories around the league. Now 36, Smith was a fourth-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2002 out of UC Riverside.

Smith pitched in the minor leagues for seven years before getting a chance to make his MLB debut at the age of 27. He got a win in his rookie year and then pitched in 35 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009. From there, Smith was back to the minors at the age of 30, which should have ended his career as a professional pitcher. He sat out the entire 2012 season, but came back to Indy ball in 2013 before making his way back to the A’s at the end of the 2016 season.

Smith’s first MLB win all the way back in 2008 is still his only, but he is getting a chance to start for the A’s as they play out the string in 2017. Hopefully he can grab one more victory before the end of the year.

25

San Diego Padres 55-69

Last week: 5-5
Last rank: 27

The Padres may have something to work with for the future with rookie right-hander Dinelson Lamet. The 25-year-old out of the Dominican Republic has struck out 11.3 per nine in his first 15 starts at the MLB level. Lamet throws a very hard slider that opponents are batting just .116 against this season.

Lamet still has his issues with fastball command to work out. Opponents are slugging .548 against his 95-mph heater, and they aren’t swinging and missing at it very often. Further developing his sinker or changeup would allow Lamet to get away from being a two-pitch pitcher. If he is unable to figure out more than a fastball-slider combination, a move to the bullpen may be in order.

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