MLB Power Rankings: 12 teams with the most to panic about

By Tim Boyle | May 1, 2023

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 29: Jake Bauers #61 of the New York Yankees walks off the field after slamming on to the outfield wall while fielding a fly ball against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the first inning at Globe Life Field on April 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 30: Eugenio Suarez #28 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after bobbling a throw to miss the tag at first base in the first inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 30, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

4) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres have been a frustrating team this year. A trip to Mexico City livened up the bats this weekend. It hasn’t completely convinced fans to start putting faith back in the Padres.

Fortunately, the Arizona Diamondbacks are good but not great. The Los Angeles Dodgers are doing enough to make their fans panic, too. The difference between those clubs and the Padres is how stacked this roster looked at the start of the year. They could be a sleeping giant. They may also end up as an epic disaster.

Lively hitting is what the Padres need more of. Some surprisingly good teams early on in 2023 may make it a little more difficult to squeak into the postseason with a Wild Card spot. As top-heavy as the National League is, all it takes is one surprise ball club like the Pittsburgh Pirates or Chicago Cubs to knock off a heavy hitter like the Padres from postseason contention.

3) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners

The loss of Robbie Ray is devastating for the Seattle Mariners. It shouldn’t be a deathblow to their chances, though. They still have Luis Castillo and George Kirby pitching well. In fact, none of the panic really comes from the pitching staff. This is a struggling team not getting much from the offense.

The offseason additions of Kolten Wong, Teoscar Hernandez, and AJ Pollock have done nothing to move the needle. We could even say those three are holding the ball club back. Just about every hitter other than Jarred Kelenic has slumped at some point in April. The bench might also be one of the worst in baseball.

Panic mode for the Mariners is huge right now. There is no sleeping allowed in the American League West this year. They’ve had their heads on the pillow for most of the season. Before they know it, an opportunity to head back to the postseason may pass them by.

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