by: Nate Underdog
6/9
MLB Power Rankings
1. Tampa Bay Rays (45-19) – We are more than two months into the season and the Rays have shown no signs of slowing down, after taking three of four from the Red Sox the Rays look to Improve on their lead in the AL with the red hot Rangers coming into town. Tampa has a solid offense, great defense, great pitching. It’s very hard to take a series from a team that plays that solid in every aspect of the game.
2. Texas Rangers (40-21) – The loss of DeGrom could be big come playoff time but it has done nothing to slow this team down so far this season. They put up huge run numbers with a +155 in 60 games. Marcus Semien has been leading the charge with a 25 game hit streak that was just broken in a 1-0 loss, but has hits in 31 of the last 33 games. They go on the road to take on Tampa Bay in a showdown for the elite AL club.
3. Houston Astros (36-26) – I was between three teams for this spot but ended up going with Houston because no matter what players leave, what players get hurt, they don’t seem to slow down they just plug in someone else that gets the job done. No longer lead by the likes of Altuve and Springer the new lead dogs of Bregman, Alvarez and Tucker have kept this team a legit contender.
4. Atlanta Braves (37-24) – We all know the offensive numbers this team can put up. Lead by Acuna Jr this team can put up runs with anyone in the league. They’re 37-24 with all the pitching injuries is just a show of what this team will become when it starts getting healthy. Look for them to make a push to the top of the power rankings when some of their pitchers get back in the mix.
5. Dodgers, O’s, Yankees. You can make a push for any of these three teams being number five. O’s Just had a huge blow with Mullens going down with a groin sprain – The Yankees health has been a issue all season, Dodgers keep finding gem pitchers now with Bobby Miller with 16 Ks in 17 innings and 1.06 Era in three starts. If it came down to me throwing a dart at #5 I would probably go with the Yankees because as they get healthy, with an elite bullpen This team should, MIND YOU SHOULD make a run toward a division title.
MLB Call Ups To Watch June Addition
Ronny Mauricio (NY Mets) – The shortstop has been adding versatility to his defense by playing some Left Field and 2nd base of late. He is a huge-framed, switch-hitting shortstop with power from both sides of the plate and a rocket arm, He is hitting .340 with eight HRs and nine Stolen bags. Should make a instant impact when he gets the Call Up to Queens.
Justyn Henry-Malloy (Det Tigers) – The former Braves prospect could get a chance to show that he has the advanced approach to be an on-base asset at the big league level. He does not have a ton of speed or power but he has an elite ability to hit. .364/.505/.532, three HRs, 14 RBI, 17 Runs, one SB with a strikeout rate of 21.2 and walk rate of 20.2. The Tigers desperate for talent should give him a look at some point this season.
Colton Cowser (Balt Orioles) – Cowser fresh off a two week IR stint with quad Discomfort picked up right where he left off with 2-3 and two RBI. The 23 year old outfielder is hitting .340 with seven HRs and five steals. Look for him to get the call up sometime this summer for the O’s.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (Cin Reds) – The Reds have been flooding their team with the youth movement and the next on that list could be Encarnacion-Strand. His K rate is scary at 26% but 14 Hrs in 33 games while hitting .352. He rarely sees a pitch he doesn’t like, but has the ability to get the barrel on the ball, even on great pitches.