2021 Preseason Power Rankings
Mar 31, 2021 22:22:13 GMT -5
Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals like this
Post by Philadelphia Phillies on Mar 31, 2021 22:22:13 GMT -5
I think we're all ready for some baseball with real fans and no more cut-outs! Coming off of the oddity that was last year, these rankings were harder than usual as it's a lot harder to know what the stats from last year mean and to project pitching limits, etc. In any event, I took a shot. I also got pretty lazy the further I got down.
1. Minnesota Twins
Beastly top of the lineup with depth and no weak spots. With 3 aces as well, it almost isn’t fair. If those aces’ starts get staggered, this team will be damn-near unbeatable 3 days/week.
2. Chicago Cubs
Feels like the first time in many years that I do not have the Cubs as #1, but injuries have really taken a toll on this team even before the season started. It is a testament to their depth, that they are still ranked this high. Great offensive depth and the offense closest to competing with the Twins. Very little SP depth left which could be an issue if another arm goes down.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Very solid lineup from top to bottom. I like Votto to bounce back and Gleyber to take a step forward. Bieber should win them many games and there is good SP depth here. Health will be a key as there are some older and/or injury prone players to worry about. Very similar to the Cubs in construction with a solid lineup. More depth as pitching and less on the hitting side. This team should easily win the weakest division in the league.
4. Los Angeles Angels
An offense full of reclamation projects (D’Arnaud, Aguilar, Duvall, Ruf) that should do well, but the strength of this team is the pitching that has great depth. They lack a true ace, but should have no problem trotting out SPs regularly. In a relatively weak division, it should be enough to win the division easily.
5. New York Mets
Very solid lineup with no holes and possibly the best depth in the league. No projected stud, but Moncada or Meadows could fill that role with breakout years. Beyond Bauer, the pitching is a bit of a question mark, but there are several arms that could step up and be a number 2. They could also end up in AAA. Getting Carrasco back would be huge. I expect the Mets to add bullpen arms soon.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
This was the toughest team to rank. No doubt about it, this team has most top end young, exciting offensive talent with Tatis Jr., Acuna, and Guerrero. The rotation is very deep and the bullpen should be one of the best. However, as the team stands now, there will be very little production (if any) from 2B or LF. RF and C are relying on recoveries as well. I expect a move as one of the best 1B in baseball is currently on the bench and that would definitely move this team up the rankings.
7. Milwaukee Brewers
Really solid team from top to bottom. Lynn and Marte have some star potential, but outside of that, there is not a ton that jumps off the page. However, this is a very deep league and having solid players fill all the slots is very important.
8. Boston Red Sox
The Boston-Toronto battle should be a fun one to watch. The Sox are the only team left that has one their division every year and this should be their greatest test. Abreu and Ozuna repeating MVP-caliber seasons will be key. The lineup is aging a bit and Toronto’s young studs seem primed to overtake them this year – it will be fun to see if it finally happens. Boston’s line up is its strength, but Darvish is an ace again and Boston will have plenty of starters to roll out.
9. Chicago White Sox
A lot like Milwaukee, this team is about depth and solid players from top to bottom. LeMahieu is the stud of the team though. Strasburg’s return will be key for this team, which has the best bullpen in the league.
10. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have to stay healthy offensively as there is little depth here. The lineup is solid if healthy with Machado and Betts planning to make up for some week spots. If Ohtani can turn back into the player he looked like before TJS, he could be the X-factor. There are a lot of intriguing bull-pen arms (for sale!) and a nice collection of #5 starters.
11. Cincinnati Reds
Really solid lineup despite having so many damn Giants. Mancini’s return from cancer should be key for this very deep lineup. Robert’s development could bump this team up a tier. The pitching is not deep and there is no bona-fide ace, but Eflin or Rogers could surprise.
12. Detroit Tigers
This team has a ton of offensive depth and a number of solid, reliable pieces where you pretty much know what you are going to get (mostly mediocre). The pitching, though, is a different story. What does Kluber have left? Is Bumgarner still a Bum? Can the Yankees turn Taillon into an ace because they actually know how to develop pitching? Remember when Jimmy Nelson was an ace?
13. Arizona Diamondbacks
This team looks solid offensively as long as Molina, Merrifield, Asdrubal, and Santana can keep up their productions in their more advanced years. This team could jump a lot in the rankings if the Cleveland SP development is anything like the last decade.
14. Seattle Mariners
Solid lineup that should carry this team at times. I expect Arozarena to have an adjustment year, but if he continues to prove he is an absolute stud, this ranking will be too low. What is really important about this team though is whether or no Miggy gets first base eligibility 😉. Wheeler is solid but the rest of the rotation scares me.
15. Oakland Athletics
It feels weird ranking a team with Chapman, Lindor, Trout, Harper and Bellinger this low as they will likely have a top-5 offense. The problem I see with the team at the moment is that their rotation is that bad. Manaea is the clear ace and he had an ERA of 4.5 last year. This offense should actually be enough to make this a playoff team and the bullpen is good, but I think the A’s are going to have to address the rotation as the season goes on. When that happens, this team looks a lot better.
16. Houston Astros
I really like this teams 1-4 hitters assuming Altuve proves he doesn’t need a trashcan to be a stud. Good depth, but the team mostly lacks top-end talent.
17. Atlanta Braves
The defending WS champs have dropped a lot after a big makeover. There are a few holes in the lineup and less depth than years past. The Lewis and Mondesi injuries dropped them down a few spots. This team should be competitive this year but will need some big breakouts from their young pitchers (Alcantara, Luzardo, Soroka) to repeat.
18. St. Louis Cardinals
If there were points for transactions, this team would be number one. Alas, that does not count for anything. However, the rebuilding efforts should lead to a decent squad. There just likely won’t be enough at bats from the offense to compete in a very difficult division. Should be some interesting trade talk at the deadline with this team.
19. Washington Nationals
This team could easily outperform these rankings as they are young and have a ton of upside. However, they have not really proven it yet. Giolito and Yellich are going to win them some games, but it will come down to their young core turning potential into performance.
20. Miami Marlins
Decent lineup that could be boosted if Stanton can stay healthy and return to his stud-like status. Should get some at-bats, but will need some breakouts or better BB-K ratios to be above-average. Luis Castillo and Gray (when healthy) should be a nice 1-2 punch, but question marks beyond that.
21. Tampa Bay Rays
This team just lacks the depth offensively. Kershaw and a few potentially young stud make up what could be an very good rotation. The young guys are big question marks though.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates
This team has some really nice pieces but too many holes to be a real contender. The top of the rotation looked good but the Gallen injury hurts a lot. Seager and Devers will likely be wasting a year of their primes in Pittsburgh.
23. Baltimore Orioles
Longoria could be a trade candidate if he performs. Same with Belt. Orioles will be hoping Alonso, Mountcastle, Riley and their young pitchers develop into a core that can compete in the future.
24. Cleveland Indians
It was nice of the first owner to go for broke and then quit the league. Oddly, this team might have the strongest CF position between Springer and the primed for breakout Robles. Actually, still has a great rotation that may steal some wins.
25. Colorado Rockies
Rockies have decided to rebuild and have some good pieces that could break out and make this team somewhat competitive. However, there are just too many wholes and not enough Juan Soto to fill them.
26. Texas Rangers
Really weird that no one has signed Porcello yet. Tim Anderson and some interesting OFs to watch, but not enough to be competitive.
27. Kansas City Royals
I really commend them for putting together an entire MLB lineup and bench – one of the few teams in the league to do so. Also, great that there is a guy named McBroom that exists. This isn’t a good team, but actually better than it has been in a while.
28. New York Yankees
The Steinbrenners would hate this socialist system where everyone has the same amount of money. Judge, Story, Gurriel, and Hendricks would like some teammates please.
29. San Francisco Giants
Trying to keep up with the Cubs on the injury front. Alvarez should be fun to watch at least. Really not a lot going for this team at the ML level right now.
30. San Diego Padres
Last and certainly least, the Padres. They are just hoping their players play well enough to create some trade value but not too well as to not get the first overall pick.
1. Minnesota Twins
Beastly top of the lineup with depth and no weak spots. With 3 aces as well, it almost isn’t fair. If those aces’ starts get staggered, this team will be damn-near unbeatable 3 days/week.
2. Chicago Cubs
Feels like the first time in many years that I do not have the Cubs as #1, but injuries have really taken a toll on this team even before the season started. It is a testament to their depth, that they are still ranked this high. Great offensive depth and the offense closest to competing with the Twins. Very little SP depth left which could be an issue if another arm goes down.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Very solid lineup from top to bottom. I like Votto to bounce back and Gleyber to take a step forward. Bieber should win them many games and there is good SP depth here. Health will be a key as there are some older and/or injury prone players to worry about. Very similar to the Cubs in construction with a solid lineup. More depth as pitching and less on the hitting side. This team should easily win the weakest division in the league.
4. Los Angeles Angels
An offense full of reclamation projects (D’Arnaud, Aguilar, Duvall, Ruf) that should do well, but the strength of this team is the pitching that has great depth. They lack a true ace, but should have no problem trotting out SPs regularly. In a relatively weak division, it should be enough to win the division easily.
5. New York Mets
Very solid lineup with no holes and possibly the best depth in the league. No projected stud, but Moncada or Meadows could fill that role with breakout years. Beyond Bauer, the pitching is a bit of a question mark, but there are several arms that could step up and be a number 2. They could also end up in AAA. Getting Carrasco back would be huge. I expect the Mets to add bullpen arms soon.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
This was the toughest team to rank. No doubt about it, this team has most top end young, exciting offensive talent with Tatis Jr., Acuna, and Guerrero. The rotation is very deep and the bullpen should be one of the best. However, as the team stands now, there will be very little production (if any) from 2B or LF. RF and C are relying on recoveries as well. I expect a move as one of the best 1B in baseball is currently on the bench and that would definitely move this team up the rankings.
7. Milwaukee Brewers
Really solid team from top to bottom. Lynn and Marte have some star potential, but outside of that, there is not a ton that jumps off the page. However, this is a very deep league and having solid players fill all the slots is very important.
8. Boston Red Sox
The Boston-Toronto battle should be a fun one to watch. The Sox are the only team left that has one their division every year and this should be their greatest test. Abreu and Ozuna repeating MVP-caliber seasons will be key. The lineup is aging a bit and Toronto’s young studs seem primed to overtake them this year – it will be fun to see if it finally happens. Boston’s line up is its strength, but Darvish is an ace again and Boston will have plenty of starters to roll out.
9. Chicago White Sox
A lot like Milwaukee, this team is about depth and solid players from top to bottom. LeMahieu is the stud of the team though. Strasburg’s return will be key for this team, which has the best bullpen in the league.
10. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have to stay healthy offensively as there is little depth here. The lineup is solid if healthy with Machado and Betts planning to make up for some week spots. If Ohtani can turn back into the player he looked like before TJS, he could be the X-factor. There are a lot of intriguing bull-pen arms (for sale!) and a nice collection of #5 starters.
11. Cincinnati Reds
Really solid lineup despite having so many damn Giants. Mancini’s return from cancer should be key for this very deep lineup. Robert’s development could bump this team up a tier. The pitching is not deep and there is no bona-fide ace, but Eflin or Rogers could surprise.
12. Detroit Tigers
This team has a ton of offensive depth and a number of solid, reliable pieces where you pretty much know what you are going to get (mostly mediocre). The pitching, though, is a different story. What does Kluber have left? Is Bumgarner still a Bum? Can the Yankees turn Taillon into an ace because they actually know how to develop pitching? Remember when Jimmy Nelson was an ace?
13. Arizona Diamondbacks
This team looks solid offensively as long as Molina, Merrifield, Asdrubal, and Santana can keep up their productions in their more advanced years. This team could jump a lot in the rankings if the Cleveland SP development is anything like the last decade.
14. Seattle Mariners
Solid lineup that should carry this team at times. I expect Arozarena to have an adjustment year, but if he continues to prove he is an absolute stud, this ranking will be too low. What is really important about this team though is whether or no Miggy gets first base eligibility 😉. Wheeler is solid but the rest of the rotation scares me.
15. Oakland Athletics
It feels weird ranking a team with Chapman, Lindor, Trout, Harper and Bellinger this low as they will likely have a top-5 offense. The problem I see with the team at the moment is that their rotation is that bad. Manaea is the clear ace and he had an ERA of 4.5 last year. This offense should actually be enough to make this a playoff team and the bullpen is good, but I think the A’s are going to have to address the rotation as the season goes on. When that happens, this team looks a lot better.
16. Houston Astros
I really like this teams 1-4 hitters assuming Altuve proves he doesn’t need a trashcan to be a stud. Good depth, but the team mostly lacks top-end talent.
17. Atlanta Braves
The defending WS champs have dropped a lot after a big makeover. There are a few holes in the lineup and less depth than years past. The Lewis and Mondesi injuries dropped them down a few spots. This team should be competitive this year but will need some big breakouts from their young pitchers (Alcantara, Luzardo, Soroka) to repeat.
18. St. Louis Cardinals
If there were points for transactions, this team would be number one. Alas, that does not count for anything. However, the rebuilding efforts should lead to a decent squad. There just likely won’t be enough at bats from the offense to compete in a very difficult division. Should be some interesting trade talk at the deadline with this team.
19. Washington Nationals
This team could easily outperform these rankings as they are young and have a ton of upside. However, they have not really proven it yet. Giolito and Yellich are going to win them some games, but it will come down to their young core turning potential into performance.
20. Miami Marlins
Decent lineup that could be boosted if Stanton can stay healthy and return to his stud-like status. Should get some at-bats, but will need some breakouts or better BB-K ratios to be above-average. Luis Castillo and Gray (when healthy) should be a nice 1-2 punch, but question marks beyond that.
21. Tampa Bay Rays
This team just lacks the depth offensively. Kershaw and a few potentially young stud make up what could be an very good rotation. The young guys are big question marks though.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates
This team has some really nice pieces but too many holes to be a real contender. The top of the rotation looked good but the Gallen injury hurts a lot. Seager and Devers will likely be wasting a year of their primes in Pittsburgh.
23. Baltimore Orioles
Longoria could be a trade candidate if he performs. Same with Belt. Orioles will be hoping Alonso, Mountcastle, Riley and their young pitchers develop into a core that can compete in the future.
24. Cleveland Indians
It was nice of the first owner to go for broke and then quit the league. Oddly, this team might have the strongest CF position between Springer and the primed for breakout Robles. Actually, still has a great rotation that may steal some wins.
25. Colorado Rockies
Rockies have decided to rebuild and have some good pieces that could break out and make this team somewhat competitive. However, there are just too many wholes and not enough Juan Soto to fill them.
26. Texas Rangers
Really weird that no one has signed Porcello yet. Tim Anderson and some interesting OFs to watch, but not enough to be competitive.
27. Kansas City Royals
I really commend them for putting together an entire MLB lineup and bench – one of the few teams in the league to do so. Also, great that there is a guy named McBroom that exists. This isn’t a good team, but actually better than it has been in a while.
28. New York Yankees
The Steinbrenners would hate this socialist system where everyone has the same amount of money. Judge, Story, Gurriel, and Hendricks would like some teammates please.
29. San Francisco Giants
Trying to keep up with the Cubs on the injury front. Alvarez should be fun to watch at least. Really not a lot going for this team at the ML level right now.
30. San Diego Padres
Last and certainly least, the Padres. They are just hoping their players play well enough to create some trade value but not too well as to not get the first overall pick.