We are just days away from the Opening Day of the MLB’s 2023 season! It is time to start our weekly power rankings. Here are the MLB Power Rankings for week 0 based on roster strength, pitching depth, roster health, and season expectations.
1. New York Yankees
With Aaron Judge coming off a monster season, and some young blood in the lineup, the Yankees are primed for a World Series Run. There is a concern with the pitching rotation, but there is plenty of muscle to carry this team.
2. San Diego Padres
An argument could be made for the Padres to be number one. They have a stacked lineup that will get better once Fernando Tatis returns from suspension. The pitching rotation is solid, the biggest question is will closer Josh Hader return to form or continue his struggles from last season.
3. Philidelphia Phillies
Missing their biggest star Bryce Harper, should not hurt so bad since the addition of Trea Turner in the offseason. The Phillies also have four pitchers with closer experience which should bolster the bullpen this season.
4. New York Mets
The Mets went all in with older pitchers, entrusting their rotation to Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. The offense is full of power and potential which starts the Mets close to the top of the Power Rankings this week.
5. Houston Astros
The Astros would be closer to the top had Jose Altuve not been injured. This team is still a tough team and the defending champs. Even with losing their leader, this team is great.
6. Atlanta Braves
Questions surround Atlanta with the loss of Dansby Swanson, and young gun Vaughn Grissom starting the year in the minors. They do return a solid OF led by Ronald Acuna Jr, and a pitching staff that consistently overachieves.
7. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have high expectations of adding balance to a team led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Jays added veteran pitcher Chris Bassitt to a solid rotation, and seek to take the AL East throne this season.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers off-season was defined by subtraction for the first time in a while. Throw in the injury to Gavin Lux, and the Dodgers have a lot of questions this year. They still have a solid team but will be chasing San Diego this year in the West.
9. St. Lous Cardinals
The Cardinals have a team full of solid veterans like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. They replace Yadier Molina with Willson Contreras which will be a step up from last season. If the pitching staff can pull their weight, the Cards could be headed to the World Series at the season’s end.
10. Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians have one of the best players in the league Jose Ramirez. The strength of this team is its rotation. Cleveland should be the favorite in the AL Central and could make a deep run this year.
11. Tampa Bay Rays
12. Milwaukee Brewers
13. Seattle Mariners
14. Minnesota Twins
15. Chicago White Sox
16. Los Angeles Angels
17. Arizona Diamondbacks
18. Texas Rangers
19. Boston Red Sox
20. Baltimore Orioles
21. San Francisco Giants
22. Miami Marlins
23. Chicago Cubs
24. Colorado Rockies
25. Kansas City Royals
26. Cincinnati Reds
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
28. Detroit Tigers
29. Washington Nationals
30. Oakland Athletics
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