The Brewers and Padres are fighting for the best record in the National League, while the Red Sox and Yankees continue to struggle, and the Rays’ pitching just keeps winning games.
30. Miami Marlins, 4-14, last place in the NL East (ranked 25th last week)
The Marlins have played like a team that is in the midst of rebuilding. Featuring a pitching staff that doesn’t have much upside and only a few established parts on the offensive end, the Marlins should remain towards the bottom of these ranks for the rest of the season.
SS Miguel Rojas has had a hot start to the season batting .310 so far and C Jorge Alfaro is tied for the team lead in home runs with three. But the pitching has been allowing 5.12 runs per game while only managing to score 2.82 runs per game, the third-fewest in the league. Marlins top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez is projected to arrive in the majors in 2020 per MLB Pipeline, but the Marlins will likely wait until September call-ups at the earliest. The baseball won’t be great in Miami this year, but Derek Jeter and the Marlins will continue their long rebuilding process.
29. Kansas City Royals, 5-12, last in the AL Central (ranked 29th last week)
The Royals ended their 10-game losing streak and managed to sweep the then-division-leading Indians, but the bullpen is a nightmare at the moment with closer Brad Boxberger having a 9.72 ERA in 8.1 IP. The other options in Wily Peralta and Ian Kennedy are not long-term solutions to the problem.
The good news is that Alex Gordon and Brian Dozier are swinging the bat well, particularly the 27-year-old Dozier, who is tied for the team lead in home runs with four. Whit Merrifield has been getting on-base at a near .350 clip and has five steals to show for it. The Royals have some pieces on offense, but their pitching is still in the early stages of their rebuild.