2024 Vendetta MLB Power Rankings: July

2024 Vendetta MLB Power Rankings: July

We are now a week away from the 2024 MLB All-Star break in Arlington, Texas! It’s power ranking time! This month, it will be just me who did the rankings. I have the executive decision over all 30 teams! Without further ado, let’s jump into it!

(Editor’s note: All stats are updated through July 8.)

30. Chicago White Sox

Last Month: 30

The White Sox are on pace to win less than 50 games for only the third time in franchise history, but the second time since 2019. They remain at the bottom of our power rankings, but have gotten an encouraging boost from rookie arm Drew Thorpe, who was acquired in the Dylan Cease trade after being flipped from New York in the Juan Soto deal. He’s only allowed north of two earned runs twice in 26.2 innings, fanning 18 batters with a 112 ERA+ and a 1.13 WHIP.

29. Miami Marlins

Last Month: 29

The Marlins have MLB’s second-worst record (11-21) with the worst run differential (minus-65) since the start of June. They recently DFA’d infielder Tim Anderson after signing him to a one-year deal this offseason. He had a .463 OPS with only three doubles and zero home runs in 241 plate appearances. After dealing Luis Arraez in May, they could look to move off a ton of players, such as Jazz Chisholm, Tanner Scott or Jesus Luzardo ahead of the August trade deadline. 

Tim Anderson Designated By Marlins

28. Colorado Rockies

Last Month: 28

The Rockies are in ever-so-familiar position entering the summer at the bottom of the national league totem pole. They have a pair of intriguing pitchers in Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill, in addition to infielder Ryan McMahon, who they may not look to move off of. Why that’s the case? Your guess is as good as mine. This team isn’t going anywhere any time soon and should look to sell as much as it can. 

27. Oakland Athletics

Last Month: 21

The Athletics completely embarrassed the Orioles Saturday, scoring 19 runs–including 10 over the first two innings and 12 over the first four. As the great John Sterling would say: “That’s baseball, Suzyn.” 

26. Los Angeles Angels

Last Month: 27

Anthony Rendon recently returned to the lineup and Mike Trout is expected to be back later this month, barring any setbacks. It hasn’t been an encouraging season for the Halos–what’s new?–as they’re 16 games under .500 and only four games ahead of the Athletics for last in the AL West. It was an encouraging month for Logan O’Hoppe, but they were near the bottom-third in offense in the month of July and the third-worst pitching staff. Not great, Bob!

Kevin Pillar “98% sure” He’ll Retire After This Season

25. Toronto Blue Jays

Last Month: 17

Whew. The Blue Jays have fallen off. Who knows what the future holds for Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. If you told me both got traded, I wouldn’t be surprised; I also wouldn’t be shocked if neither were moved. The questions don’t end there, as Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Turner and Yimi Garcia, among others, could be on their way out as well. It’s time for a reset in Toronto.

24. Chicago Cubs

Last Month: 16

The Cubs have been one of baseball’s worst teams over the last two months of the season, going 18-32 since May 12, including 14-19 since the start of June with a minus-13 run differential over that span. At least Michael Busch has rekindled something after his mid-season struggles … but they haven’t gotten much else at the dish outside of Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. Shota Imanaga is still on track to finish atop the NL Rookie of the Year race, sporting a 3.16 ERA with a 3.39 FIP after a disastrous June 21 start (3.0 IP, 10 ER) against the New York Mets.

23. Detroit Tigers

Last Month: 14

There was a lot of hype surrounding southpaw starter Tarik Skubal heading into the 2024 season, and he’s done nothing to prove those supporters right! He owns a 2.37 ERA, 2.54 FIP, MLB-best 0.9 WHIP and a 30.5 K% rate through 110.0 innings (18 starts) this season. That includes a dominant seven-inning, 13-strikeout performance Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds on 93 pitches. 

22. Washington Nationals

Last Month: 25

The Nationals recently called up top prospect James Wood, a top-15 prospect in baseball heading into the 2024 season. He mashed with Triple-A Rochester–recording a 1.058 OPS with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs across 52 games–and has been fairly productive through his first eight MLB games (.276/.400/.414 slash line; 138 OPS+). The Nationals have a promising foundation with Wood and CJ Abrams, who’s been a top-10 SS in MLB this season and was named to the NL All-Star team this week.

Nationals To Promote James Wood To Majors

21. Texas Rangers

Last Month: 13

The 2024 season continues to be a stark stepback for the reigning World Series champion Rangers, who have below .500 since May 20. They have won four straight and will have a pivotal series against the red-hot Astros and Orioles to salvage their season before it’s potentially too late. If not, don’t be surprised if they’re one of the biggest sellers come late July and early August.

20. Tampa Bay Rays

Last Month: 22

Infielder Isaac Parades was named to his first career All-Star game this week, and it’s well-deserved. He’s been one of their most consistent bats over the last two seasons, clubbing 45 home runs with 145 RBIS and a .832 OPS (133 OPS+) over that span. The Rays closed June off on a strong note, going 9-4 over their final 13 with series wins over the Twins, Pirates, Mariners and Nationals. Though they’ve started July off slowly, including getting swept by the Rangers over the weekend. Their next three series? Against the Yankees (twice) and Guardians. Let’s see what they’re made of.

19. Pittsburgh Pirates

Last Month: 23

Paul Skenes continues to dominate major league hitters, striking out 78 hitters with a 33.6 strikeout rate over 59.0 innings. He hasn’t had an outing this season allowing more than three earned runs–doing so only twice in 10 starts. I’d like to see this team in a postseason series because of Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller. That’s not fun for opposing hitters. I just don’t know how attainable that goal is for the Bucs.

18. San Francisco Giants

Last Month: 15

Over a 34-game sample from 2022-23, Heliot Ramos flashed a .158/.220/.250 slash line with five extra-base hits, one home run and two RBIs. In 2024, the outfielder owns a .299/.370/.517 slash line with 10 doubles, 12 home runs and 41 RBIs in an everyday role. He’s been one of the biggest bright spots for a Giants team trying to scratch and claw their way in the NL Wild Card race–though their disastrous pitching hasn’t helped outside of now-All-Star Logan Webb.

17. Cincinnati Reds

Last Month: 18

The Reds are one of two teams who are five games or more below .500 and own a four games or better expected-win-loss record (based on run differential). They are 43-48 at the time of this publishing with a 48-43 expected W-L. They’re 4.5 games out of the third Wild Card spot–it could be worse, but based on math, it could also be a lot better.

16. St. Louis Cardinals

Last Month: 20

Hold up now, the NL Central race may not be completely over. Well, it is the NL Central we are talking about here–it’s never technically over until it is. The Cards went 16-12 in the month of June and are victors in five of their first seven in July–having won series against the Nationals, Pirates, Braves and Giants. Not the stiffest competition, I know. But those are series you have to take care of if you’re serious about making the postseason.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks

Last Month: 19

The Diamondbacks’ pitching staff has been a bottom-four practically all season, but are still 2.5 games out of the Wild Card race and are just one game below .500 as we approach the All-Star break. Their offense has scored at least seven runs in five of their last six games and has been a top-5 unit since the start of June. Christian Walker has clubbed 11 home runs over that span while outfielder Randal Grichuk has been an unsung hero at times this season.

Ketel Marte is Playing His Best Baseball Right Now

14. New York Mets

Last Month: 26

Francisco Lindor’s shaken off a slow start, owning a .924 OPS with 14 extra-base hits and four homers over his last 21 games. They’re still a couple of games out of the third-and-final wild card spot. New York’s had the third-best offense since the start of June, and are getting very good production from Lindor, Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Alvarez, among others. They may not be looking to sell after all, but we’ll see.

Frank The Tank Embarrasses Himself In Front Of The Mets

13. Seattle Mariners

Last Month: 10

The Mariners’ anemic offense continues to be shadowed–to some extent–by their dominant pitching staff, who own the second-best ERA, fifth-best FIP and ninth-best strikeout rate since the start of June. It’s befuddling how mediocre Julio Rodriguez, Ty France, Cal Raleigh and Mitch Haniger have all been this season. Nobody can get on base. That’s a problem.

12. San Diego Padres

Last Month: 12

San Diego dropped their series over the weekend against the Diamondbacks. But it was 10-3 over their previous 13 games and capped off June 15-13 with a plus-26 run differential. Rookie Jackson Merrill carries a .993 OPS over his last 30 games with nine home runs, 17 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs. Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Kyle Higashioka also had terrific months, helping spearhead baseball’s sixth-best offense over that span. 

11. Boston Red Sox

Last Month: 11

The Red Sox have continued to outperform expectations midway through the season. They are nine games above .500 and are just 7.5 games back of the first-place Orioles for the division. I will be interested to see how they approach this deadline as buyers or sellers. They could sell off Kenley Jansen or Tyler O’Neill, but could also look to add to their pitching staff.

Alex Cora Wants The Red Sox To Make Some Moves

10. Houston Astros

Last Month: 24

The Astros have been one of the hottest teams in MLB, winning six of their last nine and 13 of their last 17. They reside only two games back of the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West after being two games back on June 18. They’ve had one of MLB’s most productive offenses over that span, in large thanks to Yordan Alvarez, who has 10 home runs and 28 RBIs since the start of June. They’ve also gotten good production from their rotation plus Tayler Scott has emerged as a key piece in their bullpen.

9. Kansas City Royals

Last Month: 7

The Royals have three first-time All-Stars (four total) in Bobby Witt Jr.–an AL MVP candidate–Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans. Lugo has been one of MLB’s most consistent arms–leading the sport in ERA (2.21), innings (122.0) and ERA+ (193) through 19 starts. Ragans hasn’t been as dominant, but he’s still been the top-flight arm that Kansas City acquired midway through last year in the Aroldis Chapman trade.

8. Atlanta Braves

Last Month: 8

The Braves’ offense hasn’t been as dominant as it was this time last year. It doesn’t help when you’re missing one of the league’s best players in Ronald Acuna Jr. But they’re still the leader in the Wild Card race and 11 games over .500 in large part due to a dominant pitching staff. Chris Sale looks completely rejuvenated–carrying a 2.71 ERA, 2.25 FIP and a 32.7K% in his age-35 season–while Reynaldo Lopez owns a 1.71 ERA in 89.2 innings. The back of their bullpen–spearheaded by soon-to-be 41-year-old Jesse Chavez and 34-year-old closer Raisel Iglesias–has been rock solid as well.

7. Minnesota Twins

Last Month: 9

I’m enthralled by Royce Lewis’ power. He does not stop hitting home runs when he’s on the field. Though that’s the biggest issue: Being on the field. In 24 games this season, he had 10 home runs; that’s a 68-homer pace over 162 games, or 61 over 600 plate appearances. He hasn’t been the only one to flash light tower power since the start of June with Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Jose Miranda all flashing wRC+ of 169 or better over that span.

6. New York Yankees

Last Month: 1

The Yankees have the worst record in baseball since June 15, going 5-14. They still have a clear path to the postseason, but have warts all over the place in the lineup, rotation and bullpen. Carlos Rodon’s regressed, Juan Soto has cooled off and their bullpen has fallen apart over recent weeks. No team will be perfect over a 162-game season and the Yanks are far from it. At least Ben Rice has emerged to supplant an ice-cold (and injured) Anthony Rizzo, sporting a 151 OPS+ in 18 games. 

Michael Kay: Rant On Mets Broadcast Booth Is An Embarrassing Look

5. Milwaukee Brewers

Last Month: 6

Only three Brewer arms–Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea and Tobias Meyers–have been more than nine starts this season. Yet, they’ve still been a middle-of-the-pack rotation throughout much of the season. Their bullpen’s provided much-needed help and so have the bats. After a poor start, rookie outfielder Jackson Chourio went on a 12-game hitting streak (that was snapped on Sunday) and has a .325/.387/.494 slash line over his last 26 games, dating back to June 8.

4. Cleveland Guardians

Last Month: 4

Last year, it was Luis Arraez who flirted with .400 at a certain point during the summer. This year, it was Steven Kwan, who was hitting .398 (1.002 OPS) on June 17. He’s now dipped back down to a .358/.413/.529 OPS with a 162 OPS+  and a career-most nine home runs in 63 games. Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor are also one of two pairs of teammates (Juan Soto, Aaron Judge) with 20-plus home runs at 23 and 21, respectively. This is the most productive it’s had in nearly two decades and it’s the biggest reason why they crack the top-5 of this month’s power rankings.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

Last Month: 5

Shohei Ohtani is the only player in MLB with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, leading the NL in homers (28), slugging (.637), OPS (1.036) and OPS+ (191). Even when he’s not pitching, he’s one of the best players in MLB. They’re loaded. Let’s also shoutout starter Landon Knack, who’s filled in for Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who are both currently on the IL.

2. Baltimore Orioles

Last Month: 3

Despite losing starters Kyle Bradish and John Means for the season with inopportune showings from Jackson Holliday and Cedric Mullins, the Orioles are unquestionably the best team in the American League. Gunnar Henderson has been on an absolute terror all season while Jordan Westburg, Ryan O’Hearn and Adley Rutschmann, among others, have been phenomenal. Corbin Burnes has also been one of the best starters in the American League. They’re in a great position to go even bigger once the trade deadline arrives. 

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Last Month: 2

For the third straight month, we have a new No. 1 atop our power rankings! Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber have unfortunately landed on the injured list, but they are still 7.5 games up in the division. Trea Turner has a .926 OPS since returning from injury on June 17 while Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm have continued to outperform expectations on the mound.

Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber Placed on Injured List

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