MLB Power Rankings: Bull market Braves, Black Monday for the Twins
By Tim Boyle
25) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
There was a time in the history of the 2022 MLB Power Rankings when the Miami Marlins were routinely in the teens. Not anymore. They’ve gone off to college and are going for their doctorate this week with a number 25 spot.
The Marlins are a complete mess and it’s only going unnoticed because we have gotten used to it. Injuries played a factor but so did some dreadful offseason signings. Jorge Soler and Avisail Garcia were wasted money. A team with some nice young starting pitching and not much else will have a tough time competing in a division with big spenders.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds
Check the record books. This might be the highest placement the Cincinnati Reds have had all year in the MLB Power Rankings. Despite depleting the roster further at the trade deadline, they’re actually playing some competitive baseball.
The Reds are getting all of the growing pains out of the way that they can. It’s not always pretty but at least they seem to have a plan. Who would have thought that in April as they were unable to find wins anywhere that they’d actually be performing better than more than a couple of teams?
23) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers
Not all that long ago the Texas Rangers were pushing toward .500 and a minimal threat to take a wild card spot. Not so much anymore. Their flaws are showing and resulting in lots of losses.
The Rangers actually do have a competent starting lineup with Nathaniel Lowe being one of the quiet breakout performers of the year. There’s a lot of power there. All they’re missing is a halfway decent pitching staff. If they’re going to continue to spend money, it should be loading up on the mound with starters and some more relievers.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs
Exactly what lies ahead for the Chicago Cubs is unknown because of how they handled the trade deadline. The team didn’t completely sell every piece they had to offer contenders. There’s a chance Willson Contreras re-signs with the club and the team begins the next phase of the Cubs universe with him tagging along.
As far as 2022 goes, it’s about seeing who can be a regular in the future. Players like Christopher Morel and Franmil Reyes have shown positive signs for the future. The Cubs will need to look a lot differently than they do right now in order to have any shot in 2023. At least they should be able to carry over a couple of familiar names.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies
Who are the real Colorado Rockies? They are probably much worse than their record says they are. The pitching is typical of what we have seen from past clubs. The offense has not been nearly good enough to help carry them.
C.J. Cron could finish with a monster 30 home runs and 100 RBI. It’s going to happen somewhat quietly because of how irrelevant it all has been. The Rockies do not look positioned to rebound next year even with a healthy Kris Bryant. They’re another one of those clubs that is just kind of there.