Cincinnati Reds pitching coach/director of pitching Derek Johnson (36) visits Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (21) at the mound in the first inning during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, April 22, 2022, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
St Louis Cardinals At Cincinnati Reds April 22 4445
This is how the MLB Power Rankings look in the final week of the first month of the season.
The 2022 MLB season is young and the contenders and pretenders have yet to separate themselves fully. In the final days of April, however, we have a clearer picture of which teams made the right offseason moves and which ones hope their weaknesses wouldn’t become permanent scars. The MLB Power Rankings of all 30 teams now have more legitimacy than just what was expected across the league as was the case during the first look at where teams stood two weeks ago.
Still only a handful of games into the year, the hierarchy should continue to shift drastically from week to week. A single injury can completely ruin a club’s hopes and dreams of a parade. A smart promotion of a hot-hitting minor league can do the complete opposite.
As we near the end of the first month of the MLB season, let’s check in on how the MLB Power Rankings look.
30) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds
So much for any hope that this team could turn things around despite going into semi-fire sale mode. The Cincinnati Reds have gotten off to a miserable start and ownership doesn’t seem to care. Look for this to turn into one of those circus-like seasons where everyone becomes available at the trade deadline and stars like Joey Votto are rumored to be on the move.
The Reds have been both bad and injured to start the season. Their last place spot in the MLB Power Rankings may only get more cemented unless they start hitting or pitching. Right now, they aren’t doing much of either.
29) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
Don’t expect the Baltimore Orioles to climb up the MLB Power Rankings very far at all this season. Early struggles on offense have placed them right where they should spend most of the year: near the bottom of the MLB ranks.
They are experimenting a ton with the starting rotation and bullpen. Bruce Zimmermann has come from out of nowhere to find success. Perhaps there are some good storylines for the Orioles this year even without much winning.
28) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks
A huge challenge for the Arizona Diamondbacks to climb up the MLB Power Rankings will be the division they play in. The other four clubs have played well in the early part of the year. The same hasn’t been true for the Diamondbacks. They should be able to pile up losses. Yet another season of losing 100 games feels very likely.
In a twist few would have predicted, it’s actually the pitching performing well while the bats have been relatively silent. The starting rotation has looked like one of the better ones in the league. It may be the only reason why they aren’t completely out of the playoff race just yet.
27) MLB Power Rankings: Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers had a busy offseason but neglected to overhaul their questionable starting rotation. The star power they added to the infield with Corey Seager and Marcus Semien doesn’t look like it will be enough to compete for a playoff spot. They should still be able to avoid another 100-loss season. This is hardly what fans could have hoped for from the franchise.
The Rangers play in an already difficult division. It won’t get easier and this early hole they have put themselves in could be a sign of worse things to come.
26) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
Usually a sneaky team in the National League, the Miami Marlins should have a goal of finishing close to .500 this season. Probably a little shy of reaching 81 wins, the 2022 campaign should be their chance to build and maybe get back into the playoff picture.
Derek Jeter’s sudden departure in the preseason was a negative piece of Marlins news heading into the year. A stellar year from their young pitchers can quickly turn the headline of the season around. So far, results have been mixed and the Marlins look like they’ll battle for fourth place in the division.