MLB Power Rankings: Week Seventeen Update

The intro is dedicated to Nick Kurtz.

The 22-year-old rookie had perhpas the greatest night at the plate in major league history. He went 6-for-6 at the plate with four homers, 19 total bases, and six runs scored. It was only the 20th time in history a player had hit four homers in one game, only the ninth time in history that someone had scored nine runs, and his 19 total bases tied Shawn Green for the most in a single game in MLB history.

Now, with that out of the way, on to the top-10 teams in week 17. (We skipped the week 16 update in favor for the trade deadline update.)

1. Astros

The ‘Stros got out the break with a series loss to the Mariners, but corrected ship quickly. They went to Arizona and swept the Diamondbacks, giving all the buyers hope to steal some players from the Snakes.

But besides the 4-2 start in their first two series in the second half, the Astros are nothing to scoff at. They have the second-best record in the American League (60-44), have a five-game lead over the M’s atop the division, and should be getting shortstop Jeremy Peña (.322/.378/.489 in 82 games) and Yordan Alvarez should both return before the end of August.

2. Cubs

The North Side has a lot going for them in the baseball landscape. Sure, they gave up a division lead to Milwaukee, but they’re only one game back, and the roster itself is loaded.

Everyone in the lineup is an above-average hitter according to OPS+ except Matt Shaw, plus the rotation has held up to get the Cubs to 60-43 as of July 26. If this team acquires two starters to add to the rotation at the deadline, they’ll easily slide to the top of the National League.

Also as a side note, Pete Crow-Armstrong might end up the 2025 NL MVP. He’s got an .860 OPS, has slugged 27 homers, and leads the NL with 6.0 bWAR.

3. Dodgers

Right before and after the All-Star break was cruel to the Dodgers. Firstly, they were swept twice by the Brewers, finishing the season a crisp 0-6 against the Brew Crew. They’re 5-11 dating back to July 4.

Secondly, the reliable All-Stars in their lineup aren’t hitting. Mookie Betts (.679) at the end of July has a lower OPS than Anthony Volpe (.693), Teoscar Hernández has a 107 OPS+, and Freddie Freeman is slashing .228/.296/.307 in his last 30 games.

The Dodgers after the deadline will be retooled, and we’ll all look back at this in October and laugh at the “struggling Dodgers” storyline. But right now, the facts are the facts. They need help. And they’re so loaded with talent that they’re still No. 3 on the list.

4. Brewers

Milwaukee had hung around the top of the NL Central the entire season, but with a dominant showing against the Dodgers, they’ve overtaken Chicago for first place.

The lineup is producing runs the old-fashioned way. Infield singles and stolen bases. It hasn’t been pretty, and dare I say reliably, but the results are undeniable. The Crew is eighth in runs (490), 11th in walks (348), and tied for second in stolen bases (118). The rotation has also been dominant, and has an NL-best 3.33 ERA, helping the club to their 30-14 record dating back to June 1.

5. Tigers

Detroit’s taken quite the fall.

The Tigers looked like the clear best team in baseball, but it’s anything and everything but good in the D. The Tigers are 1-11 in their last 12 games, and their reliable pitching has averaged 6.92 runs allowed in that stretch. The one promising thing going for the Tigers is that every team in baseball has had their brutal stretch. The Mets in June, the Phillies in May, the Dodgers now. Unfortunately, the Tigers have to take their lumps.

6. Phillies

The Phils started the second half stale, but bounced back with a series win over the Red Sox and a dominant 12-5 win over the Yankees.

The rotation continues to dominate, and the Phils have a Cy Young favorite in Zack Wheeler (2.39 ERA) and MVP finalist in Kyle Schwarber (36 homers). This club is loaded, and with Bryce Harper back and a couple future moves at the deadline, this team is positioned well to win the NL East for a consecutive year.

7. Mets

Like the Phillies, the Mets are also positioned well to win the NL East. In fact, they’re in first place and riding a five-game win streak into Saturday morning

Francisco Lindor burst out of his slump Friday with a home run against Logan Webb, and the bottom of the order has finally proven they belong in the big leagues. Brett Baty especially has played up to his first-round expectations, logging an .835 OPS with three homers in July.

While the rotation was a major league best for the majority of the first half, it’s taken some hits heading into August. Griffin Canning is out for the year, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, and Kodai Senga spent time on the injured list, and Clay Holmes is starting to wear down in his first year as a starter. For this team to keep up with the Phillies, they’ll need more starting arms at the deadline.

8. Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are on one heck of a hot streak.

They’ve gone 18-4 in their last 22 games, beating dominant teams in the Yankees, Giants, and Tigers along the way. They hold the best record in baseball at 62-42, and haven’t shown any reasons for slowing down.

The offense has been carried by George Springer and his .881 OPS, plus Vladimir Guerrero‘s strong .291/.393/.453 slashline. The pitching has also got by, and Chris Bassitt continues to defy the gods of time with his 3.88 ERA at 36.

The Jays have now won 16 games in three consecutive months, and barring a major collapse, look postseason bound. They’ll be tested in early August, where they have nine straight games against the Dodgers, Cubs, and Rangers.

9. Mariners

Seattle officially made a splash Thursday.

They acquired Josh Naylor, plugging one of two massive holes in their infield. He’ll slot nicely in with their righty-dominant lineup featuring Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez.

Plus, it’ll help the rotation that’s been above average but human this season. Bryan Woo leads the pack with a 2.91 ERA. This team is again loaded to make a postseason push, and hopefully, with another move to bolster the Naylor acquisition, they’ll hold onto a wild-card spot they find themselves currently in.

10. Yankees

It’s been a rough go-around for the Yanks.

They were swept by the Blue Jays to start July, then lost a series again to their division rivals to start the second half. The defense has been the culprit of the struggle lately, and was on full display in their recent series in Toronto.

Add the fact that Aaron Judge is sidelined with an elbow injury, and it would be fair to say that they’re approaching rock bottom. The Bombers are still in the first wild card, and have a lineup filled with above-average OPS+’s, but losing an MVP and Cy Young caliber pitcher in Gerrit Cole in the same season could lead to a dismal second half and season.

Rest of the Field

11. Padres
12. Red Sox
13. Rangers
14. Rays
15. Giants
16. Reds
17. Cardinals
18. Guardians
19. Diamondbacks
20. Royals
21. Angels
22. Twins
23. Marlins
24. Braves
25. Athletics
26. Orioles
27. Pirates
28. Nationals
29. White Sox
30. Rockies

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