Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: The top 5 teams stay the same

By Sean Sears

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 19: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 15
Next
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 18: (L-R) Nicky Lopez #1, Whit Merrifield #15, Billy Hamilton #6 and Jorge Bonifacio #38 of the Kansas City Royals celebrate after a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 18, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Royals won 9-0. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 18: (L-R) Nicky Lopez #1, Whit Merrifield #15, Billy Hamilton #6 and Jorge Bonifacio #38 of the Kansas City Royals celebrate after a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 18, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Royals won 9-0. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

28. Kansas City Royals, 24-48, last in the AL Central (ranked 30th last week)

The Royals were smacked around by the White Sox and Red Sox this past week, losing five of the six games against the two teams, and are currently 2-8 over their last 10 games. But while the team has been struggling lately, top hitter Hunter Dozier is getting close to returning from his right thorax tightness — whatever that means. But over their last 10 games, the Royals have only scored three or more runs in three times, while allowing more than two runs eight times. Their pitching is still one of the worst groups in baseball in terms of ERA, with the fourth-worst team ERA at 5.17, but starter Brad Keller has been better in his first three starts of the month.

However, the Royals need more than just Keller in their rotation, and it’s not going to happen this year. Expect the Royals to continue to dangle the few attractive pieces they have on the market now to attempt to get some added value for the future.

27. Miami Marlins, 25-45, last in the NL East ( ranked 29th last week)

The Marlins have been playing better as of late, but are still losers of seven of their last 10 games and remain the cellar of the NL East. Miami did lose their best starter Caleb Smith on June 11 due to left hip inflammation. While he’s expected back in late June, he was about the only consistent player on their roster.

Neil Walker had started to find himself at the plate, with a .818 OPS, but he landed on the IL as well with a strained quadriceps. But the good news for the Marlins is that despite the terrible 2019 season Starlin Castro is having, they still have some pieces in Walker and Garrett Cooper (and his .860 OPS) to flip for some lottery ticket players.

Outfielder Lewis Brinson has been smashing the ball in Triple-A New Orleans, with eight home runs, 34 RBI and a .914 OPS. The 25-year-old Brinson is making the case for a return to the Majors. But with the Marlins in the midst of a rebuild, there’s no rush to get him back to Miami. Notably, though, is that in 42 games, Minor League pitching doesn’t seem to be challenging him.

Home/MLB