2018 MLB Pre-Spring Training Power Rankings

Spring training is getting underway, and while there are still some big free agents yet to find teams, it’s time to look at where everyone stands as spring approaches. These will get more in depth before the regular season, and players like Jake Arrieta, Eric Hosmer, and J.D. Martinez should all be signed by then.

 

1. Houston Astros

The defending champs have much of the squad returning and added Gerrit Cole from the Pirates, so they are looking like the favorites to get back to the World Series.

 

2. New York Yankees

Fireworks at Yankee Stadium should happen on a regular basis with Giancarlo Stanton now in the lineup with Aaron Judge. If the pitching performs, the Yankees might be the best team in the majors.

 

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

From top to bottom, the Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball thanks to a mix of veterans and young but experienced talent. They are as good a bet as anyone to make the postseason.

 

4. Washington Nationals

Superstar outfielder Bryce Harper is entering the final year of his contract, and it feels like the Nats might need to win it all to keep him around. Perhaps they’ll dip into the remaining free agent pool to bolster the roster for a run.

 

5. Cleveland Indians

The loss of Carlos Santana will probably hurt, but the lineup should be able to pick up the slack. Also, the Indians have one of the best pitching staffs out there.

 

6. Chicago Cubs

Yesterday’s signing of Yu Darvish will keep the Cubs’ rotation strong, but they might miss the postseason experience and success of Jake Arrieta.

 

7. Los Angeles Angels

Of all the teams in baseball, the Angels might have done the most to become legitimate World Series contenders this year—with the signing of Japanese pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani being the biggest move.

 

8. Milwaukee Brewers

While the Angels made some big moves, the Brewers made power moves of their own by acquiring Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich. Taking everything into account (including defense), the Brewers might have the best outfield in the majors.

 

9. St. Louis Cardinals

Like their division rival Brewers, the Cardinals took advantage of the Marlins’ fire sale by adding Marcell Ozuna to play left field, giving the lineup a huge boost.

 

10. Boston Red Sox

Aside from a manager switch to Alex Cora, who everyone seems to be excited about, the Red Sox didn’t do much this offseason. However, the roster was already among the most talented in the MLB.

 

11. Arizona Diamondbacks

J.D. Martinez remains unsigned, and he was a big part in the second half last season for Arizona. They are probably the favorite to re-sign him.

 

12. Minnesota Twins

They missed on both Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish, but there is still hope for the Twins to add a pitching piece. And they might need to after Ervin Santana’s finger injury that’ll keep him out for up to three months.

 

13. Colorado Rockies

Pitching is the concern for the Rockies, as the offense should put up numbers again this season.

 

14. Texas Rangers

Texas always seems to compete somehow, but they’ll need the starting pitching staff to step up behind Cole Hamels.

 

15. Seattle Mariners

They were seen by many as the favorites for Ohtani, and it has to hurt losing out on him to the Angels, but there is reason for optimism in Seattle. Dee Gordon in centerfield will be something to watch.

 

16. San Francisco Giants

A sleeper team heading into spring training is the Giants. They added two big-time veterans in Evan Longoria and former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen, so don’t be surprised if they are really competitive this year.

 

17. Kansas City Royals

Manager Ned Yost helped his team remain competitive last year, but they already lost Lorenzo Cain and could also lose both Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas.

 

18. Philadelphia Phillies

Carlos Santana will lengthen Philadelphia’s lineup, which already had some exciting young players. The rotation needs consistency from some of the young guys behind Aaron Nola.

 

19. New York Mets

With their talented pitching staff, there is a ton of upside for the Mets, but we’ve seen the considerable downside, too.

 

20. Baltimore Orioles

Manny Machado looks like he’ll remain in Baltimore at least to the deadline, and he’s playing shortstop for the team. Buck Showalter is one of the MLB’s best managers, which is a big plus.

 

21. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto still has the pieces to compete in the AL, and Curtis Granderson seems like he’ll fit right into their lineup as someone that can hit bombs.

 

22. Pittsburgh Pirates

They don’t have Andrew McCutchen anymore, but the Pirates still have an athletic outfield led by Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco.

 

23. Atlanta Braves

For a while last season, the Braves were competitive in the National League, and they’ll look to keep it up through a full season now.

 

24. Tampa Bay Rays

Stalwart Evan Longoria is out, and Chris Archer could be next, but the Rays typically battle in the AL East.

 

25. Cincinnati Reds

For the Reds to compete, Anthony DeSclafani or someone else is going to need to elevate the pitching staff.

 

26. Oakland Athletics

Stephen Piscotty exploding with a few other guys to lead the A’s into the playoff conversation would not be surprising.

 

27. Chicago White Sox

The young talent for the White Sox is exciting, but they probably aren’t ready to seriously compete quite yet.

 

28. San Diego Padres

Freddy Galvis is an underrated piece that was added this offseason by the Padres, and getting Eric Hosmer would give them another big boost. But right now, they might not be contenders in a tough division

 

29. Detroit Tigers

Veteran Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez could lead a proud bunch that surprises, but they aren’t considered among the strongest teams in the MLB.

 

30. Miami Marlins

Derek Jeter has promptly gotten rid of the team’s best players in a complete rebuild, so this is likely to be a painful couple of years for the Marlins.