Every week MLB teams will be ranked for the rest of the season. Here are the 2022 MLB power rankings for the week of August 1.
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1. New York Yankees
Record: 69-34
Previous Ranking: 1
The Yankees remain number one, but this was a tough decision. Number 1 and number 2 were the last two teams ranked in this week’s Power Rankings, as the race for the number one spot is incredibly close. But the Yankees remain as the best team, with the largest run differential, with the best player in baseball (Aaron Judge).
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 68-33
Previous Ranking: 2
For the first time in over a month, the Dodgers have tied the Yankees in record. The Dodgers are also one of three teams left in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. The acquisition of Soto would skyrocket the Dodgers past the Yankees up to the number 1 spot.
3. Houston Astros
Record: 67-36
Previous Ranking: 3
The Astros are an astounding 19-9 in July. They have gained quite a few games on the Yankees in this month. August could be the month that they overtake the Yankees as the AL number 1 seed.
4. New York Mets
Record: 64-37
Previous Ranking: 4
Jacob DeGrom is expected to debut this coming week. It is his long-awaited debut, giving the Mets the best 1-2 starting pitching punch in the entire MLB. Pairing this along with shutdown closer Edwin Diaz will create issues for opposing teams down the stretch.
5. Atlanta Braves
Record: 62-41
Previous Ranking: 5
The Braves are looking to add a cheap bat to their already stacked lineup. This could come in the Reds utility breakout player, Brandon Drury. They have called the Reds about him, and he could very well end up in Atlanta.
6. Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 57-45
Previous Ranking: 9
The Brewers came out of the All-Star break with their bats scorching hot. In the first 8 games after the break, they scored 55 total runs. The Brewers could potentially play add-on with their lineup to further improve their chances in the NL.
7. San Diego Padres
Record: 57-46
Previous Ranking: 6
The Padres remain as one of the three teams left in the Juan Soto trade sweepstakes. They are rumored to be the team that is offering the most value from their farm system. They could instantly become a much more viable threat with the addition of Soto and the return of Fernando Tatis Jr.
8. Seattle Mariners
Record: 55-48
Previous Ranking: 10
The Mariners added a legit ace in the Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo. They add Castillo to the top of the rotation to compliment Logan Gilbert and Robbie Ray. They add an All-Star that will certainly help to push them towards the playoffs. 2022 is looking good for Seattle.
9. Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 57-45
Previous Ranking: 8
The Blue Jays intend to add a starting pitcher, a left-handed bat, and a few big upgrades in the bullpen. This could help shoot them up the rankings as the season starts to come closer and closer to the end.
10. Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 54-48
Previous Ranking: 7
The Rays added David Peralta from the Diamondbacks on Saturday, July 30. This is a much-needed bat for Tampa Bay. Peralta provides some much-needed depth and experience to the young Rays roster.
11. Minnesota Twins
Record: 53-48
Previous Ranking: 11
The Twins are in the market for a starting pitcher. They are rumored to be in talks to acquire Tyler Mahle from the Reds or Frankie Montas from the Athletics. It is quite likely they add to bolster their starting rotation.
12. Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 55-47
Previous Ranking: 13
The Phillies are quite active in the trade market, despite not making any trades just yet. They are expected to add to their lineup and pitching staff before the deadline on Tuesday.
13. St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 54-48
Previous Ranking: 12
The Cardinals are also one of the three teams left in the Juan Soto trade sweepstakes. They are rumored to be the team that’s willing to offer the most MLB level players in a potential deal. Pairing Soto with Goldschmidt and Arenado could be an incredible 3-headed monster in that St. Louis lineup.
14. Cleveland Guardians
Record: 52-49
Previous Ranking:
The Guardians lead the MLB with 8 top 100 prospects in MLBs prospect pipeline. The future looks bright in Cleveland, and they could look to add to their prospects by trading some of their MLB roster at the deadline. While still being in range in the AL Central, it is unlikely for them to rebuild.
15. Baltimore Orioles
Record: 51-51
Previous Ranking: 15
The Orioles are likely to be pretty stagnant with any trades at the deadline. They could make a few moves, but nothing too serious. They aren’t in position to blow up the farm system for a playoff push, but they are playing too well to blow up their roster for more prospects.
16. San Francisco Giants
Record: 50-51
Previous Ranking: 17
The Giants have made it clear that everybody is available for a trade besides Logan Webb, one of their stars of last season. The Giants very well could be players in some potential trades as the deadline draws closer.
17. Boston Red Sox
Record: 51-52
Previous Ranking: 16
The Red Sox have begun to slide. Rumors have surfaced of a few potential Red Sox trades in which they would enter selling mode. One player they need to keep, against all rumors, is Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts needs to remain a Red Sox player for the foreseeable future.
18. Chicago White Sox
Record: 51-50
Previous Ranking: 18
The White Sox are just TWO games out of the AL Central lead. They are wrapped up in a tight race with the Twins and the Guardians. This is the closest they have been to a division lead since May 14th.
19. Miami Marlins
Record: 47-55
Previous Ranking: 19
The Marlins are listening to trade offers on any player that isn’t named Sandy Alcantara. They aren’t likely to blow up the roster or trade core pieces like Trevor Rogers or Jazz Chisholm. But it is surprising they would even listen to offers on these players.
20. Texas Rangers
Record: 46-55
Previous Ranking: 20
The Rangers have surprisingly been in the market as buyers during this trade season. They remain in the back half of the middle of the league, but they see a world where they are able to contend this year or next.
21. Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 45-56
Previous Ranking: 22
The Diamondbacks have traded David Peralta, who had spent his entire 9-year career in Arizona. Peralta had always been a fan favorite and a staple in the Diamondbacks lineup. He posted a batting average above .280 and an OPS above .800 for his Diamondbacks career.
22. Colorado Rockies
Record: 46-57
Previous Ranking: 21
Flamethrower Daniel Bard was recently signed to a 2-year extension with the Rockies. This shut down the potential of him being traded for, which was speculated in the days leading up to the extension.
23. Los Angeles Angels
Record: 43-59
Previous Ranking: 23
Rumors sparked of a potential Shohei Ohtani trade as the deadline draws closer. It would take a tremendously large package to trade for the 2-way superstar. It is an unlikely trade, but Ohtani would require “at least your teams top 4 prospects” according to a source close to the situation.
24. Chicago Cubs
Record: 41-59
Previous Ranking: 27
The Cubs are expected to trade their 2022 All-Star catcher Willson Contreras before the trade deadline on Tuesday. Contreras will likely return quite a big haul because he is a tremendous player at a position of need for many playoff contenders.
25. Detroit Tigers
Record: 41-62
Previous Ranking: 26
The Tigers recorded 3 hits and committed 4 errors in a single game against the Blue Jays. The season is looking quite bleak in Detroit. Enjoy Miguel Cabrera while you can.
26. Cincinnati Reds
Record: 40-61
Previous Ranking: 25
The Reds made a blockbuster deal to acquire 4 prospects from the Mariners in a deal for their ace pitcher Luis Castillo. They added INF Noelvi Marte (Mariners #1 Prospect), INF Edwin Arroyo (Mariners #3 Prospect), RHP Levi Stoudt (Mariners #5 Prospect), and RHP Andrew Moore. A huge return for the ace.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 40-62
Previous Ranking: 24
For the first time in the history of these Power Rankings, the Pirates rank last in the NL Central. They have dropped a half of a game behind the Reds. They could still contend with the Reds and the Cubs to escape being the worst in the NL Central.
28. Kansas City Royals
Record: 40-62
Previous Ranking: 28
The Yankees dealt the bright spot of their team, Andrew Benintendi, to the Yankees in exchange for 3 minor league prospects. Benintendi had been the Royals best player this season.
29. Oakland Athletics
Record: 39-65
Previous Ranking: 29
When Luis Castillo was taken off the market, for a steep price, Frankie Montas became the best starting pitcher available in the trade market. He will likely require a big return as some teams may get desperate for pitching.
30. Washington Nationals
Record: 35-68
Previous Ranking: 30
The poor seem to only get poorer. The likelihood of a Juan Soto trade seems more likely with each passing day. There isn’t a big enough return that the Nationals could get that would make them happy with the trade of their young superstar.
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