MLB Power Rankings: Astros, Red Sox flex while White Sox continue to perplex
By Tim Boyle
20) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners
The fall for the Seattle Mariners is a bit buried this year because of other bigger stories that have happened within their own division. They can sometimes get lost because of their geographical location way northwest of everyone else.
Sadly, they won’t be grabbing any headlines this year outside of the occasional big individual performance. Even with outfielder Julio Rodriguez beginning to piece together an awesome year, the Mariners lack a full roster to hang with the best teams in baseball. It shows in their fading record.
19) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels
You’re welcome to swap the Los Angeles Angels with the Mariners and have a strong point. At this for this week, the Angels feel a little better than the M’s. That can always change. We all already understand the Angels are a mess.
Shohei Ohtani continues to do special things at the plate and on the mound. Although he may not win another MVP, he’s definitely in contention. So is Mike Trout. Even Taylor Ward, until recently, should have had some consideration. The Angels are a club built with flashy stars and not much else. They are proof that you need to consider all 26 members of the roster; not just five or six.
18) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox
How aggressive are the Chicago White Sox going to be at the trade deadline this year? They may need an all-time great set of transactions to put themselves back in the playoff race. Unfortunately, with so many other trades in recent years to build themselves up, they might not have enough left to get there.
The White Sox had plenty of room for error this year. The American League Central was theirs to lose. It looks like they already have. The offense hasn’t been particularly good, the starting rotation has suffered injuries, and the bullpen isn’t something to fear. This is an organization with a strong core but a little too far behind to be taken seriously in 2022.
17) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
Finally, an appearance from an American League East. Yes, those Baltimore Orioles are in the teens. They are closer to returning to the postseason than many may have believed at the start of the year.
The Orioles are a fun team with a lot of young players. If they can manage to look formidable this year, maybe they attract some free agents. They are in a pretty good spot right now with young and affordable players on the rise. Adding a bat and two solid starting pitchers will point them where they need to be.
16) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers
Believe it or not, there really isn’t any team looking like the best example of .500 baseball any longer. The Texas Rangers are at the top half of the below .500 teams. Some more weeks of performing well could put them into the upper 50% of MLB.
The Rangers haven’t fully turned their year around but they are taking advantage of a one-playoff team division. The front office spent money this offseason albeit not in the best of ways. This was a season of growth for Texas. They seem to have made a lot of strides in the last few weeks.