Carter’s MLB Power Rankings Through April 18: Phillies Remain Number One

Here’s how I see the top 30 MLB teams, from strongest to weakest.

The Phillies are number one. I just think they’ve played better than anybody else in baseball. Everybody is doing their part well, Roy Halladay is pitching like Roy Halladay, and they are doing a great job and racking up the runs and are playing well on the road.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (8-3)

The Phillies own the NL’s top road record (5-1). They have also scored more runs than any other team this year (78).

2. San Francisco Giants (8-3)

Tim Lincecum (not surprisingly) has struck out more batters than any other team in the league, with 24.

3. Minnesota Twins (9-3)

The Twins have given up only 37 runs this year, the least amount of any AL team. Jon Rauch leads the league in saves with six. So, I’m sure they aren’t missing Joe Nathan as much as they thought they would.

4. New York Yankees (8-3)

Derek Jeter currently has 19 hits through 11 games. Only Franklin Gutierrez and Placido Polanco have more.

5. Oakland Athletics (9-4)

The A’s currently hold the MLB best home record (6-1). Rajai Davis leads the majors with seven stolen bases.

6. St. Louis Cardinals (7-4)

The Cardinals are getting the job done with their great pitchers. They have given up the least amount of runs, 35, out of any team this year.

7. Colorado Rockies (6-5)

Congrats to Ubaldo Jimenez on his no-hitter last night. He is now 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 20 strikeouts. Very nice start!

8. Tampa Bay Rays (8-3)

The Rays are the only team that is currently undefeated on the road (5-0).

9. Atlanta Braves (6-5)

Derek Lowe has walked more batters than any other pitcher in the majors (12).

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (5-6)

Chris Young seems to be taking over the “team MVP” role. He’s batting .302 with 13 hits, three HR and 15 RBI.

11. Florida Marlins (7-5)

Jorge Cantu is a huge reason the Marlins are above .500, so far. He leads the league with 16 RBI.

12. San Diego Padres (5-6)

Chase Headley seems to be taking a huge step towards being considered the team’s best player. So far, he’s hitting .378 with 17 hits.

13. Texas Rangers (5-6)

Nelson Cruz should be considered for the AL Player of the Month Award. He leads the majors with seven HR, and also leads the AL with 15 RBI.

14. Toronto Blue Jays (7-5)

Alex Gonzalez currently leads the MLB with seven doubles. Vernon Wells is second in the majors in slugging percentage (.860).

15. New York Mets (4-7)

David Wright has been walked more than any other player so far. He’s been walked 17 times this year.

16. Chicago White Sox (4-8)

I’m really starting to like this Gordon Beckham guy. He already has 12 hits this year.

17. Los Angeles Dodgers (5-6)

Only the Pirates have given up more runs this season than the Dodgers.

18. Seattle Mariners (6-6)

Franklin Gutierrez is currently the MLB’s hit leader two weeks into the season (20 hits through 12 games). He’s not bad defensively, either.

19. Detroit Tigers (6-5)

If Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera, and Austin Jackson continue to play the way they have been, this team will be very dangerous to play against.

20. Chicago Cubs (5-6)

Not a very good start to the season for Carlos Zambrano. He currently has a 9.45 ERA and has given up a major league high 15 runs.

21. Boston Red Sox (4-7)

I wouldn’t say it’s time to panic yet, if you’re a Red Sox fan. But those 54 runs given up is a bit concerning.

22. Cleveland Indians (5-6)

It seems like Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera have been the only ones worth being excited about in Cleveland. No other Indians hitter has more than 9 hits as of Sunday morning.

23. Washington Nationals (6-5)

Nyjer Morgan is the only player to record more than two triples this season so far.

24. Kansas City Royals (4-7)

Scott Podsednik leads the AL in OBP (.521).

25. Cincinnati Reds (5-6)

Aaron Harang has had more runs scored on him than any other pitcher in the majors (15). Mike Leake (along with Derek Lowe) has walked more batters than anybody else.

26. Milwaukee Brewers (4-7)

Before the season started, I had absolutely no idea who Casey McGehee was. Apparently, I should get to know him. He’s batting .366 with 15 hits, 4 HR, and 9 RBI at this point.

27. Los Angeles Angels (5-7)

The Halos have given up an american league worst 68 runs this year. I’m sure they are missing John Lackey right about now. On a more positive note, Jered Weaver has struck out more batters than any other pitcher in the AL (21).

28. Pittsburgh Pirates (6-5)

Despite being only one game over .500, the Pirates own the National League’s best home record (4-1). On a more negative note, they have also given up a league worst 72 runs this year.

29. Baltimore Orioles (1-11)

The O’s are the only team in the AL that have yet to win a home game (0-6).

30. Houston Astros (2-9)

The Astros have been outscored by a major league worst 30 combined runs this season. They have scored a league worst 25 runs.

 

Carter’s 2010 MLB Award Races:

AL Most Valuable Player

1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): .391 avg., 18 hits, 5 HR, 12 RBI

2. Vernon Wells (TOR): .372 avg., 16 hits, 6 HR, 11 RBI

3. Nelson Cruz (TEX); .342 avg., 13 hits, 7 HR, 15 RBI

4. Derek Jeter (NYY): .380 avg., 19 hits, 3 HR, 9 RBI

5. Robinson Cano (NYY): .356 avg., 16 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBI

6. Jose Guillen (KC): .341 avg., 15 hits, 5 HR, 9 RBI

7. Alex Gonzalez (TOR): .333., 17 hits, 4 HR, 8 RBI

8. Magglio Ordonez (DET): .341 avg., 15 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBI

9. Paul Konerko (CHW): .216 avg., 8 hits, 4 HR, 8 RBI

10. Hideki Matsui (LAA): .311 avg., 14 hits, 3 HR, 7 RBI

 

 

NL Most Valuable Player

1. Albert Pujols (STL): .364 avg., 16 hits, 5 HR, 15 RBI

2. Ryan Braun (MIL): .386 avg., 17 hits, 3 HR, 11 RBI

3. Chase Utley PHI): .366 avg., 15 hits, 6 HR, 12 RBI

4. Matt Kemp (LAD): .327 avg., 16 hits, 5 HR, 15 RBI

5. Ryan Howard (PHI): .333 avg., 17 hits, 3 HR, 14 RBI

6. Jeff Francoeur (NYM): .381 avg., 16 hits, 3 HR, 8 RBI

7. Casey McGehee (MIL): .366 avg., 15 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBI

8. Jorge Cantu (FLA): .292 avg., 14 hits, 3 HR, 16 RBI

9. Josh Willingham (WSH): .382 avg., 13 hits, 3 HR, 10 RBI

10. Chris Young (ARZ): .302 avg., 13 hits, 3 HR, 15 RBI

 

AL Cy Young Award

1. Matt Garza (TB): 2-0, 1.13 ERA, 14 strikeouts

2. Andy Pettitte (NYY): 1-0, 0.75 ERA, 10 strikeouts

3. Dana Eveland (OAK): 2-0, 1.35 ERA, 6 strikeouts

4. Carl Pavano (MIN): 2-0, 1.38 ERA, 10 strikeouts

5. John Danks (CHW): 1-0, 1.38 ERA, 12 strikeouts

6. Ricky Romero (TOR): 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 16 strikeouts

7. Matt Harrison (TEX): 0-1, 1.38 ERA, 7 strikeouts

8. John Lackey (BOS): 1-0, 1.42 ERA, 5 strikeouts

9. Doug Fister (SEA): 1-1, 1.50 ERA, 6 strikeouts

10. Max Scherzer (DET): 0-1, 1.64 ERA, 6 strikeouts

 

NL Cy Young Award

1. Tim Lincecum (SF): 3-0, 0.90 ERA, 24 strikeouts

2. Roy Halladay (PHI): 3-0, 1.13 ERA, 21 strikeouts

3. Livan Hernandez (WSH): 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 strikeouts

4. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL): 3-0, 1.29 ERA, 20 strikeouts

5. Brad Penny (STL): 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 8 strikeouts

6. Adam Wainwright (STL): 2-0, 1.20 ERA, 13 strikeouts

7. Jaime Garcia (STL): 1-0, 0.69 ERA, 10 strikeouts

8. Carlos Silva (CHC): 1-0, 0.69 ERA, 8 strikeouts

9. Hiroki Kuroda (LAD): 1-0, 1.20 ERA, 14 strikeouts

10. Mike Pelfrey (NYM): 2-0, 1.29 ERA, 10 strikeouts, 1 save

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Carter’s MLB Power Rankings: April 12

1. Philadelphia Phillies (5-1)

Great offensive team + Roy Halladay success = success for whole team.

The Phillies have scored a league-best 43 runs so far this season. And that’s just offense. They’ve also given up an NL-low 18 runs so far. 

Roy Halladay is currently my leader in my NL Cy Young award race (posted at bottom of article). A 2-0 start with a 0.56 ERA and 17 strikeouts is not very surprising for Halladay in his first two starts.

 

2. Arizona Diamondbacks (4-2)

Like the Phillies, the key to the Diamondbacks so far has been their offense. They have scored 41 runs so far only six games into the season. Blame most of that on guys like newcomer Kelly Johnson, Chris Young, Justin Upton, and Miguel Montero (all who have at least six hits this season).

 

3. Oakland Athletics (5-2)

Sure they are the best offensive team in the American League right now, but enjoy that while you can, A’s fans. Not very many people are expecting the A’s to have much success this year. Can they prove the haters wrong?

 

4. Detroit Tigers (5-1)

The Tigers already have four players with at least 10 hits this year (Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, Austin Jackson, Brandon Inge).

 

5. St. Louis Cardinals (4-2)

The Cardinals are having success offensively. They have scored 37 runs during their first six games, and Albert Pujols is still playing like Albert Pujols (nine hits, four HRs, 10 RBIs through first six games).

 

6. Toronto Blue Jays (5-1)

Great start for the Blue Jays’ pitchers. They’ve only given up 18 total runs so far.

 

7. San Francisco Giants (5-1)

I’m not surprised that the Giants have only given up 20 runs so far. If you have pitchers like Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as your top two pitchers, you can expect the “runs against” number to be pretty low all year long.

 

8. Minnesota Twins (5-2)

Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, and Joe Mauer are (not surprisingly) leading the way for the very nice Twins offense.

 

9. Atlanta Braves (3-3)

I’m not even going to lie…this Jason Heyward kid is starting to grow on me. He’s going to be pretty good!

 

10. New York Yankees (4-2)

No surprise that the defending champions are ranked in the top five in the majors in scoring. Great offensive starts by Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, and Derek Jeter so far.

 

11. Colorado Rockies (3-3)

They might not look like a top-10 team in my eyes just yet, but they are getting there. Carlos Gonzalez is playing his part very well (.393 average, 11 hits through six games).

 

12. Texas Rangers (3-3)

If it weren’t for Frank Francisco, the Rangers could be 5-1 by now.

 

13. New York Mets (2-4)

This team looks a little better than 2-4 right now. Jeff Francoeur looks to be the MVP of the team for the first week of the season. He’s batting .476 with 10 hits, two HR, and six RBI.

 

14. Boston Red Sox (3-3)

Former MVP Dustin Pedroia is playing like the team’s MVP through the first week (.370 average, 10 hits, 3 HR, 7 RBI).

 

15. Los Angeles Dodgers (2-4)

One guy to pay attention to: Charlie Haeger. He pitched well against the Marlins recording 12 strikeouts while giving up four runs on three hits.

 

16. Chicago White Sox (2-4)

John Danks, Gavin Floyd, and Matt Thornton all recording at least six strikeouts so far this season as the White Sox pitching staff as a whole is playing pretty well. They’ve only given up 20 total runs this year.

 

17. Florida Marlins (4-2)

I know the Marlins are over .500, but opponents have scored five more runs than them through the first six games.

 

18. Milwaukee Brewers (3-3)

Now if only their pitching starts showing up, they could be a few games over .500. Only Pittsburgh and Washington are the only other NL teams that have given up more runs than the Brew Crew.

 

19. Cincinnati Reds (3-3)

The Reds need to start hitting more. Their leading hitter (Joey Votto) only has six hits.

 

20. Tampa Bay Rays (3-3)

I know it’s only the first week of the season, but the Blue Jays are looking to take the “third best team in the AL East” title away from the Rays.

 

21. Cleveland Indians (2-4)

How ’bout that Chris Perez, huh?

 

22. Baltimore Orioles (1-5)

Arguably the worst offensive team in the AL so far. The O’s have only scored 19 runs so far this year.

 

23. San Diego Padres (2-4)

Not a very good offensive team. Can’t blame it on Chase Headley (11 hits) or Adrian Gonzalez (8 hits) though. My fifth place NL West preseason ranking for the Padres is looking pretty good so far.

 

24. Chicago Cubs (2-4)

Lack of offense. The Cubbies have only scored 18 runs in their first six games. That’s the second-lowest total in the majors entering Monday.

 

25. Kansas City Royals (2-4)

The Angels are the only AL team to give up more runs (44) than the Royals (41).

 

26. Seattle Mariners (2-5)

Not sure if the return of Cliff Lee will make that much of a difference for the Mariners’ pitching woes. Other than Felix Hernandez, who do they really have in the rotation?

 

27. Pittsburgh Pirates (3-3)

The Bucs lost their pitching staff!! Somebody go find them!

 

28. Washington Nationals (3-3)

Only the Pirates have given up more runs than the Nationals.

 

29. Los Angeles Angels (2-5)

I wonder if the Angels are missing John Lackey yet? I bet they are. The Angels have given up an AL-worst 44 runs so far this year.

 

30. Houston Astros (0-6)

The Astros are not playing well offensively. Pretty much the only reason why they’re still winless. Their pitching staff isn’t too hot either. The Pirates are the only NL team to give up more runs than the Astros so far this year.

 

 

Carter’s 2010 MLB Award Races:

 

AL Most Valuable Player

1. Magglio Ordonez (DET): .462 avg., 12 hits, 2 HR, 6 RBIS

2. Miguel Cabrera (DET): .522 avg., 12 hits, 2 HR, 8 RBIS

3. Hideki Matsui (LAA): .370 avg., 10 hits, 2 HR, 5 RBIS

4. Nelson Cruz (TEX): .450 avg., 9 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBIS

5. Alex Gonzalez (TOR): .346 avg., 9 hits, 4 HR, 4 RBIS

 

NL Most Valuable Player

1. Matt Holliday (STL): .423 avg., 11 hits, 3 HR, 6 RBIS

2. Ryan Howard (PHI): .357 avg., 10 hits, 3 HR, 10 RBIS

3. Jeff Francoeur (NYM): .476 avg., 10 hits, 2 HR, 6 RBIS

4. Albert Pujols (STL): .375 avg., 9 hits, 4 HR, 10 RBIS

5. Ian Stewart (COL): .391 avg., 9 hits, 2 HR, 5 RBIS

 

AL Cy Young Award

1. Jered Weaver (LAA): 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 13 strikeouts

2. Dallas Braden (OAK): 1-0, 2.77 ERA, 12 strikeouts

3. Kevin Millwood (BAL): 0-1, 2.13 ERA, 11 strikeouts

4. Shaun Marcum (TOR): 0-0, 3.46 ERA, 11 strikeouts

5. James Shields (TB): 0-0, 3.97 ERA, 11 strikeouts

 

NL Cy Young Award

1. Roy Halladay (PHI): 2-0, 0.56 ERA, 17 strikeouts

2. Tim Lincecum (SF): 2-0, 1.29 ERA, 17 strikeouts

3. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL): 2-0, 1.50 ERA, 13 strikeouts

4. Dan Haren (ARZ): 1-1, 3.95 ERA, 13 strikeouts

5. Charlie Haeger (LAD): 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 12 strikeouts

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