We’re nearly to the one-month mark of the 2024 MLB season, and whereas it is nonetheless too early to offer an excessive amount of credence to the standings, there are a variety of unusual groups close to the highest — and backside.
We’re not even out of April but, and there is a lengthy season forward, however few would have thought the Astros can be on the backside of their division — a division that features the A’s. In the meantime, the Guardians have been among the best groups in baseball, with a major-league-leading plus-47 run differential.
Each are on the transfer in our Energy Rankings, too, as Cleveland is inching nearer to the highest 5, and Houston has fallen additional, all the best way right down to No. 22.
Can these golf equipment carry — or change — their momentum going into Could?
Our professional panel has mixed to rank each crew in baseball primarily based on a mix of what we have seen thus far and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that could be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB specialists David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo to weigh in with an commentary for all 30 groups.
Week 3 | Preseason rankings
File: 17-6
Earlier rating: 1
Marcell Ozuna’s efficiency this April is in stark distinction to that of final April, when he hit .085 with two RBIs and there was discuss of the Braves releasing him. This yr, Ozuna is behind simply Mike Trout in dwelling runs with 9, ranks first within the majors in RBIs (29) and ranks second to Shohei Ohtani in OPS (1.094). Ozuna is putting out simply 15.8% of the time, which might be a profession finest and a big drop of just about seven proportion factors from final season. There isn’t any good approach to assault him proper now: He is raking in opposition to four-seam fastballs, however six of his homers have come in opposition to off-speed pitches. — Schoenfield
File: 16-8
Earlier rating: 4
The discuss the previous few years in Baltimore has been in regards to the Orioles’ blindingly shiny future. Nicely, that future is right here. The Orioles are World Collection contenders with a deep, explosive lineup that includes all however one common in his 20s. Gunnar Henderson (23) is constructing an MVP case. Adley Rutschman (26) continues displaying he is without doubt one of the prime catchers within the majors. Jordan Westburg (25) and Colton Cowser (24), two under-the-radar prospects, are mashing from the underside half of the order. Heston Kjerstad (25), the No. 2 draft decide in 2020 and Kiley McDaniel’s Forty eighth-ranked prospect, was simply referred to as up. The weakest hyperlink within the lineup thus far is probably the most hyped of all of them: Jackson Holliday (20). However Holliday, the consensus No. 1 prospect within the sport, will finally determine it out. When he does, the Orioles shall be a nightmare for pitchers. — Castillo
File: 15-11
Earlier rating: 2
Mookie Betts, a six-time Gold Glove Award winner in proper discipline, went into the 2024 season because the Dodgers’ every-day second baseman. Then Gavin Lux’s throwing points resurfaced, and Betts transitioned to shortstop — arguably probably the most demanding place on the sphere and one Betts hasn’t performed since, nicely, highschool — on a semi-every-day foundation. He has been proper round common defensively, at the very least in accordance with outs above common. And on offense, Betts has been on an absolute tear, slashing .365/.468/.625 with six dwelling runs and a major-league-leading 20 walks whereas hitting in entrance of Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Betts is an early favourite for his second MVP. — Gonzalez
File: 17-8
Earlier rating: 3
Juan Soto, a preferred decide to win the American League MVP Award earlier than Opening Day, has proved invaluable for the Yankees a month into the season. He has been the regular presence in an in any other case inconsistent lineup, shortly profitable over followers within the Bronx along with his swagger and luxury within the highlight. He’s working counts. He’s clubbing clutch dwelling runs. He has even performed some good protection in proper discipline. The soon-to-be free agent is the every-day stalwart for a membership off to a promising begin regardless of Gerrit Cole touchdown on the injured listing and Aaron Decide not producing at his typical stage. The Yankees want Cole wholesome and Decide raking to succeed in their titles aspirations, however they’re profitable video games with Soto main the cost. — Castillo
File: 15-10
Earlier rating: 6
OK, whereas they did come in opposition to the lowly White Sox, Spencer Turnbull took a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Friday, and Zack Wheeler took a no-hitter into the eighth the very subsequent night time. In the course of the crew’s seven-game profitable streak, the starters pitched 51â…” innings and allowed simply 4 earned runs (0.70 ERA). Sure, six of these video games got here in opposition to the Rockies and White Sox, however at the very least the Phillies are off to the nice begin that eluded them the previous two seasons. Ranger Suarez is 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA and in line for Nationwide League Pitcher of the Month honors for April. — Schoenfield
File: 17-7
Earlier rating: 8
Whereas the bullpen continues to dominate and the rotation obtained current good outings from Xzavion Curry and Ben Energetic, the stunning side of the Guardians’ scorching begin is an offense that ranks among the many finest within the AL in runs, on-base proportion and slugging — whereas additionally rating close to the highest of the majors in batting common with runners in scoring place. Main the best way: Josh Naylor, hitting .306 with six dwelling runs and 20 RBIs. Going again to Could 13, 2023, Naylor leads all hitters in batting common, forward of Freeman and Luis Arraez. — Schoenfield
File: 15-8
Earlier rating: 9
The Brewers’ resiliency is the story of their first month. Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes aren’t right here? No drawback. Christian Yelich goes down? We bought it coated. Milwaukee is on the prime of the NL Central resulting from an opportunistic offense and a pitching workers that has survived roster turnover. If there’s a face to this group, it is catcher/DH William Contreras. He is hitting .359 with an OPS of .983, which is among the many finest within the NL — and now, the historically power-weak Brewers rank close to the highest of the majors in dwelling runs thus far. That could be the true story of their first month. — Rogers
File: 15-9
Earlier rating: 7
Accidents have been a giant a part of the Cubs’ season up to now; most lately, they misplaced two middle-of-the order bats. Seiya Suzuki went down with an indirect damage final week, then Cody Bellinger suffered two cracked ribs Tuesday when working into the brick wall at Wrigley Area. Add in Justin Steele’s Opening Day hamstring pressure, Jameson Taillon’s delayed begin resulting from a again ailment and Kyle Hendricks now showing on the IL and it looks like this crew has had a season filled with points already. However they’ve survived and are nonetheless within the thick of the NL Central race heading into Could. — Rogers
File: 13-12
Earlier rating: 5
Coming into the season, the betting markets noticed a three-way race for AL Rookie of the Yr between Baltimore’s Jackson Holliday and Texas’ Wyatt Langford and Evan Carter. Holliday has actually struggled out of the gate below a shiny highlight, however Langford and Carter even have began slowly on the plate. Carter has contributed lots within the discipline and on the bases and has drawn 10 walks (tied for the crew lead), however he’s off to a .215 begin on the dish and nonetheless has accomplished nothing in opposition to lefties. (He is 1-for-23 in his profession in opposition to southpaws.) Langford has held his personal, however as exhausting as he hits the ball, he’s nonetheless on the lookout for his first homer and has simply 4 extra-base hits. As for that awards race, it is manner too early to declare the betting markets had been incorrect, however Could shall be huge for the entire struggling rookies. — Doolittle
File: 13-12
Earlier rating: 12
It is only a month into the season, however Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s decline from AL MVP runner-up in 2021 has continued up to now. The three-time All-Star is batting .219 with a .674 OPS, which is down from .788 final season, which was down from .818 in 2022, which was down from 1.002 in 2021. Defensively, the previous third baseman price the Blue Jays a win in opposition to the Royals on Tuesday when he dropped a routine throw at first base. Toronto stays over .500 regardless of a minus-13 run differential, due to a stingy beginning rotation led by Jose Berrios’ 0.85 ERA in 5 begins. Offensively, Justin Turner (.319/.414/.500) and Daulton Varsho (six dwelling runs) have been the celebrities, however Toronto will not compete within the AL East if Guerrero would not carry out like one. — Castillo
File: 12-14
Earlier rating: 10
The Diamondbacks made quite a few notable enhancements to their lineup and their rotation coming off a stunning World Collection run, however one space they did not actually tackle was the bullpen. And thus far, that has backfired. They’ve blown six saves already this season, trailing solely the Pirates, Marlins and Rays. Their 4.09 bullpen ERA ranks twentieth, and so they’ve suffered a major-league-leading 10 losses when main after the sixth inning. Nearer Paul Sewald, who has been out with a strained indirect, is nearing his return. That ought to actually assist — however others must step up. — Gonzalez
File: 14-10
Earlier rating: 16
Elly De La Cruz has picked up the place he left off in 2023, main the Reds in dwelling runs (seven) and stolen bases (15), and it is not even shut. He has improved all components of his recreation, together with his strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.38). He could possibly be among the many early favorites for NL MVP after producing a 1.400-plus OPS over the previous week. He is the face of a younger and thrilling crew that ought to be within the NL Central race to the tip. — Rogers
File: 15-10
Earlier rating: 13
Whereas their run prevention has remained constant, the Royals misplaced 4 of 5 throughout a current stretch principally resulting from a sputtering offense. Even so, there are indicators that the downturn is partially the results of a spate of in poor health fortune. Throughout a nine-game stretch by which they managed simply 3.3 runs per recreation, Kansas Metropolis’s hitters nonetheless ranked ninth in common exit velocity. One perpetrator of the scoring drought was batting common on balls in play (BABIP): Their .221 mark throughout that span belied all that arduous contact. Likelihood is if the Royals simply maintain hitting the ball exhausting collectively, the scoring will tick again up. — Doolittle
File: 12-12
Earlier rating: 21
Seattle’s offense has carried out at round a league-average fee this season when you consider ballpark changes, which admittedly can skew views early on. However regardless of the Mariners’ actual offensive stage could be, one clear shortfall has emerged. They’ve principally platooned full-time at a few spots — left discipline and third base — and have two every-day change hitters in Jorge Polanco and Cal Raleigh. There are additionally three every-day righty hitters: Mitch Haniger, Ty France and Mitch Garver. Regardless of all of these appears to be like from the fitting facet of the dish, these righties have struggled mightily in opposition to left-handed pitching. The righty platooners, Luis Urias and Dylan Moore, additionally haven’t carried out. If this continues, Seattle is not going to be shy about shuffling the deck. — Doolittle
File: 14-11
Earlier rating: 18
Bear in mind all that horrible damage luck the Yankees skilled final season? It appears to be like like they handed that misfortune alongside to their rivals. The Purple Sox are banged up — badly. The newest casualty is up-and-coming star Triston Casas. The primary baseman goes to overlook vital time resulting from a fractured rib after mashing six dwelling runs in 22 video games.
Boston already has misplaced Lucas Giolito (elbow) and Trevor Story (shoulder) for the season. Nick Pivetta is out indefinitely with an elbow damage. All-Star Rafael Devers has missed time for 2 totally different accidents. Vaughn Grissom is on rehab task after beginning the season on the IL, whereas Tyler O’Neill lately got here off it. All that earlier than the tip of April. The Purple Sox are nonetheless hanging round behind surprisingly nice beginning pitching. But it surely’s early, and the AL East will not be forgiving. — Castillo
File: 14-13
Earlier rating: 11
The Padres knew they had been going to chop prices over the offseason. They knew they’d start the yr with some holes of their lineup. And so they knew some gamers wanted to step up in a giant approach to fill them. A kind of guys has been Jackson Merrill, the 21-year-old lifetime shortstop who transitioned to middle discipline throughout spring coaching and already appears to be like like he belongs within the main leagues. Simply 27 video games into his profession, Merrill is slashing .318/.378/.409 and has been price two outs above common at a demanding place that was international to him not too way back. Extra importantly, although, he has added some much-needed depth to the Padres’ lineup. — Gonzalez
File: 13-11
Earlier rating: 20
Catcher Francisco Alvarez is anticipated to overlook about eight weeks after present process surgical procedure to restore a torn ligament in his left thumb, placing his return in late June. He was injured after stumbling round first base at Dodger Stadium final week. Backup Omar Narvaez takes over because the common starter and tasks as an offensive downgrade (though Alvarez had been off to a sluggish begin). Narvaez has hit simply .208 with a .591 OPS over the earlier two seasons and .188 in his first 11 video games of 2024. Tomas Nido is again because the reserve catcher — and he owns a profession OPS+ of 55. With Nido, Joey Wendle and Zack Brief, the Mets’ bench is fairly skinny proper now. — Schoenfield
File: 14-11
Earlier rating: 19
Many noticed this because the yr when Tarik Skubal would emerge as a reputable, front-of-the-rotation starter, and thus far, that has actually been the case. The Tigers’ 27-year-old left-hander allowed three singles and nothing else in six shutout innings in opposition to the Rays on Monday, reducing his ERA to 1.82 by way of his first 5 begins. He has coupled that with 0.74 walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP) and a 7.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Tigers seem like they could stay aggressive throughout the AL Central all summer time, and Skubal is the most important motive. As Tigers supervisor AJ Hinch stated of Skubal, “The stuff is off-the-charts good.” — Gonzalez
File: 13-13
Earlier rating: 15
The Rays have innovated their approach to the postseason every of the previous 5 years, staying forward of the curve to problem the business’s heavyweights with a number of the lowest payrolls within the sport. However too many accidents are an insurmountable drawback for even the neatest franchises, and the Rays might need reached that threshold.
They’ve six pitchers and 5 place gamers on the IL, together with two-time All-Star starter Shane McClanahan; right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who posted a 2.78 in 36 begins over the previous two seasons; left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who has a 2.53 ERA since becoming a member of the Rays earlier than the 2021 marketing campaign; bullpen stalwart Pete Fairbanks; and every-day gamers Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe. With out them, Tampa is in final place within the AL East, one recreation below .500 with a minus-24 run differential. It is early. If any crew can dig itself out of the opening, it is the Rays. However sooner or later, too many accidents are an excessive amount of to beat. — Castillo
File: 13-12
Earlier rating: 14
Rookie Jared Jones is the story of the Pirates in April. The second-round 2020 draft decide has made 5 begins, and all have been spectacular. Simply 22 years outdated, Jones gave up 20 hits in his first 29 innings whereas strolling solely 4 batters. His ERA is a stable 2.79, and he hasn’t allowed a single stolen base off him. He has been a rock on a crew that bought off to a quick begin and hopes to hold across the playoff race longer than it did final season. If Jones can stick with it, the Pirates would possibly be capable of maintain some success, one thing that has eluded them over the previous few years. — Rogers
File: 12-14
Earlier rating: 25
The Giants modified the dynamic of their offseason in March by signing two high-profile free brokers in Matt Chapman and Blake Snell. Up to now, although, San Francisco has needed to take up their sluggish begins, a possible byproduct of their restricted time to arrange for the common season. Snell allowed 15 runs in 11â…” innings by way of his first three begins and on Wednesday was positioned on the IL with an adductor pressure. Chapman, in the meantime, has been a below-average hitter, slashing .228/.278/.416 with 4 dwelling runs in his first 26 video games. For sure, the Giants want much more from them in the event that they hope to beat a crowded NL West. — Gonzalez
File: 7-18
Earlier rating: 17
Issues are unhealthy in Houston. A loss on the Cubs on Wednesday dropped the Astros to 11 video games below .500, depths to which Houston had not sunk since Could 2016. Accidents to the rotation are actually a part of the story, as solely the woeful Rockies and White Sox have hemorrhaged runs at a extra fast tempo this season.
However an offense that has been so persistently elite over the previous decade bears blame, as nicely. Houston has scored nicely under the league-average fee early on, and a number of the particular person performances border on alarming, particularly that of former MVP Jose Abreu. Over the Astros’ first 19 video games, Abreu went a shocking 4-for-62 with one extra-base hit (a double). When he gained the MVP award for the White Sox in 2020, his hard-hit fee was 53.3%, in accordance with Baseball Reference. Up to now in 2024, his hard-hit fee is lower than half that. — Doolittle
File: 10-13
Earlier rating: 23
It was no secret getting into the season that the Twins’ three finest place gamers — Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton — carried troubling damage histories. One month in, Buxton is the one wholesome one of many trio. Lewis did not final three innings earlier than struggling a extreme quad pressure on Opening Day. Two weeks later, Correa joined him on the IL with an intercostal pressure. Max Kepler, one other key bat, was activated this week after lacking 13 video games with a knee contusion. Unsurprisingly, the Twins’ offense has faltered. They rank within the backside 5 of the majors in runs scored per recreation, batting common, on-base proportion and slugging proportion. Consequently, they’re already 6.5 video games behind the surging Guardians within the AL Central. — Castillo
File: 11-14
Earlier rating: 22
As predicted by, nicely, nearly everybody, the Cardinals are having points on the mound. It is the identical drawback they’d final season, and although Lance Lynn has been OK total, their beginning workers is not getting it accomplished. They’ve an ERA within the backside third within the NL, and solely Sonny Grey has appeared dominant. Like final season, Miles Mikolas is throwing batting observe, Kyle Gibson is displaying his age and Steven Matz is having his personal struggles, as his ERA ballooned to five.55 after giving up 12 runs over his previous two begins. That rotation — minus Grey, who has solely pitched in three video games — has outlined St. Louis thus far. — Rogers
File: 10-13
Earlier rating: 26
Welcome to the massive leagues, Mitchell Parker. The 24-year-old lefty has allowed simply two runs in 12 innings throughout his first two outings — going through the Dodgers and Astros, no much less. In opposition to Houston, he fanned eight in seven innings, recording 4 of the strikeouts along with his splitter, whereas permitting simply three hits. His fastball has averaged 92 mph, so he is not overpowering. However he has been throwing strikes, as he hasn’t issued any walks — an issue for him within the minors final yr, when he averaged 4.4 walks per 9. Parker is not a heralded prospect; he did not make McDaniel’s preseason prospect rankings for the Nationals. However a rebuilding crew reminiscent of Washington wants a participant like this to pop up and switch right into a beneficial contributor. — Schoenfield
File: 10-15
Earlier rating: 24
Mike Trout is working higher than he has in a couple of years and hitting the ball as exhausting as ever, main the majors in dwelling runs with 10. He is also averaging round a half-an-RBI per recreation. A few of that’s the Angels’ lineup, and a few of it has been Trout himself. He started the season by going 1-for-14 in high-leverage conditions, 2-for-19 with runners in scoring place and 0-for-7 with runners in scoring place and two outs. One attainable answer? Bat Trout leadoff, as supervisor Ron Washington had him do on Tuesday. Trout led off that recreation by homering, the primary time he had accomplished that since Sept. 28, 2012. — Doolittle
File: 9-16
Earlier rating: 27
We won’t write about Mason Miller each week. Sorry, A’s followers. We might write about starter Paul Blackburn, if we wished to maintain issues constructive. Alas, it could actually’t be all sunshine and roses in regards to the flailing A’s. The lineup is not constructed to publish excessive batting averages, however what has occurred thus far is especially outstanding. Of Oakland’s prime 12 hitters in plate appearances, eight of them have hit below .200, together with seven who qualify within the proportion classes. The file for many sub-.200 hitters (minimal 300 plate appearances) on one crew is three, and the final time that occurred was in 1910. We have got an extended approach to go, however there’s a actual likelihood right here for the A’s to make some historical past. Much more outstanding: Because of the White Sox, Oakland is not even final in MLB in batting common. — Doolittle
File: 6-20
Earlier rating: 28
This sums up the Marlins’ begin to 2024: On Monday in opposition to Atlanta, they started the sport with a single, a single and a double — and failed to attain within the inning. Luis Arraez was on second on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s double off the wall in right-center discipline however went again to tag up. With Bryan De La Cruz on his heels, Arraez needed to head dwelling and bought thrown out by 40 ft. The following two batters didn’t get a run in, and the Marlins ended up shedding 3-0. They then bought shut out once more Tuesday. Final yr, they discovered methods to win shut video games. This yr, they’re simply shedding ugly. — Schoenfield
File: 6-19
Earlier rating: 29
Kyle Freeland, the Rockies’ Opening Day starter, allowed a whopping 17 runs in his first 5â…” innings to start the season. He started to spherical again into type over his third and fourth begin, reducing his ERA from 27.00 to 13.21. On April 15, he was then used as a pinch runner and was shaken up after getting thrown out at dwelling within the ninth inning. 4 days later, he was positioned on the IL with an elbow pressure. The Rockies stated the damage was unrelated; it occurred, they added, throughout a begin the day earlier than working the bases. But it surely was a reminder, maybe, that it will be one other lengthy yr in Denver. — Gonzalez
File: 3-21
Earlier rating: 30
Dropping. Numerous shedding outlined the White Sox in April. A lot of it by design, as they turned over all their catchers from final season and each pitcher save one. However nobody might have imagined being shutout eight occasions of their first 22 video games. The White Sox rank final in runs scored per recreation and are tied for second to final in runs given up — behind solely the Rockies, who play in probably the most hitter pleasant ballpark in MLB. Maybe there’s assistance on the best way, as Mike Clevinger and Tommy Pham will make their season debuts quickly. However nothing can erase the horrendous play of the primary month. — Rogers