MLB Power Rankings - Fourth of July Style

Nearly half way through the MLB regular season, we have learned quite a bit about the make-up of baseball as it takes shape after the "Steroid ERA."

1. Pitching is back
2. Speed is important
3. Young players make BIG impacts!

Since the last version of the ManSpeak's MLB Power Rankings, we have seen shifts in the landscape of the top teams.  Although if you remember in our team's to watch segment, I predicted a few teams that would sneak into the Top 5. 

Let's take a look at how the MLB Power Rankings stand as of the Fourth of July. 

1. New York Yankees (50-31, 1st place AL East)

Well, here we are at basically the mid-point and to nobody's surprise, the Yankees are parked in first place in the NL East and have the best record in all of baseball. 

Yes, Alex Rodriguez's, Derek Jeter's, C.C. Sabathia's, Mark Teixeira's and Mariano Rivera's are still there putting up their usual ho-hum numbers.  But, the reason this team is so good is because of a few of the so-called "Role Players."

Robinson Cano is second in MLB in batting average at .343 and has put together an MVP caliber season with 16 HR's and 55 RBI's.  Cano, once a highly touted prospect in the organization, has certainly started to live up to the billing this season and looks to continue to get better as he benefits from the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium.

Another surprise, and often forgotten, has been the unbelievably consistent play of Nick Swisher.  Pegged as the proto-typical "Money Ball" type player when with the Oakland A's, Swisher, batting in the 2nd spot, is hitting .293 with 13 HR's and 47 RBI's.  More importantly, Swisher has an on base percentage of .373, which is amazingly vital for this offense to produce.

Finally, Brett Gardner has been an unbelievable replacement for the departed Hideki Matsui.  While not supplying the pop (5 HR's), Gardner gives the Yankees an element that they have been missing over recent seasons.  SPEED!  Gardner is hitting .319,  has swiped 24 bags, and scored 53 runs.  Quite impressive for a guy that hits 8th or 9th in the lineup. 

2. Atlanta Braves (48-34, 1st place NL East)

The Atlanta Braves were one of the many "Sexy Picks" by the so-called experts at the beginning of the season.  For once, it looks as if the experts got it right.

Throughout a season that may be long-time manger Bobby Cox and future hall of fame 3b Chipper Jones' last, the Braves have been successful because of their outstanding pitching.

Tim Hudson has returned from Tommy John surgery to lead a pitching staff that is deep, experienced, and has a nice mix of power and finesse.  Hudson, named to the National League all-star team, has posted an 8-4 record with a 2.44 ERA.  Other starters that have been solid for the Braves include Derek Lowe (9-6, 4.53 ERA), and Tommy Hanson (8-5, 4.19 ERA).  Not to mention that young-stud and the 2009 leader of the staff Jair Jurrjens is back from injury, the Braves will look to pitch themselves to the post-season.

But don't forget about the offense.  NL All-star reserve Martin Prado (.335 avg, 7 HR's) leads the offense as the top of the order.  And likely comeback player of the year Troy Glaus (.260 avg, 14 HR's, 56 RBI's) has provided the middle of the line-up stability that it desperate needs. 

Oh, and don't forget about all-star snub Billy Wagner (5-0, 17 saves, 1.35 ERA).  The Braves are for real. 

3. Texas Rangers (48-33, 1st place AL West)

After an injury riddled season, Josh Hamilton is once again an MVP candidate as he puts together another impressive season and adds to his already made-for TV story.  Hamilton has bashed 20 HR's and 61 RBI's while hitting .339 and playing a gold glove caliber center-field.

Hamilton isn't the only stalwart back on his game this season for the Rangers.  Vlad Guerrero, serving as DH and recently named to the AL All-star team, is hitting stride for stride next to Hamilton with a .330 avg, 18 HR's, and a MLB leading 70 RBI's. 

When you think about this Rangers offense, you think scary good.  2B Ian Kinsler (.299 avg, 8 steals), 3B Michael  Young (.307 avg, 11 HR's, 51 RBI's), OF Nelson Cruz (.313, 10 HR's), and SS Elvis Andrus (.289 avg, 22 steals) all give the Rangers a line-up that can not be matched by anybody.

And the pitching, maybe, just maybe, could be good enough for a deep post-season run in the heart of Texas.  If anything else, the Rangers will be fun to watch. 

4. San Diego Padres (49-33, 1st place NL West)

Talk about just trucking alone.  The Padres were one of our surprise teams at the beginning of the season, but I didn't think that they could keep this pace up and continue to lead the NL West. 

I'm not sure if it is because the rest of the teams in the division are incompetent or if the Padres are really that good, but once again, PITCHING has put the Padres in position at the mid-point of the season for a playoff run. 

Mat Latos (9-4, 2.62 ERA), Clayton Richard (6-4, 2.74 ERA) and Wade LeBlanc (4-6, 3.10 ERA) lead this youthful, ubber-talented starting staff.  While these young guns in the rotation get all of the credit in San Diego, their bullpen has been absolutely unbelievable.  Heath Bell (23 saves, 1.72 ERA), Luke Gregorson (38 appearances, 2.23 ERA), and Mike Adams (40 appearances, 2.25) have been work-horses behind the rotation.

The offense is among the worst in all of MLB, but Adrian Gonzalez doesn't seem to mind.  Despite hitting in the worst ball park and having a supporting cast looks like AAA team in most organizations, Gonzalez is one of the favorites at this point for the NL MVP.  He's hitting .291 with 16 HR's and 51 RBI's.  The numbers are impressive, but he is everything to this offense, which is a stat that really can't be measured.

If the bullpen holds up and the Padres are able to pull off a deal to bolster the line-up, San Diego may see a few playoff games come October. 

5. Boston Red Sox (49-33, 2nd place, AL East)

All of the talk at the beginning of the season was about how far behind the Red Sox had fallen behind the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.  Well, that talk doesn't matter anymore because of the solid pitching of Jon Lester (10-3, 2.76 ERA, 118 SO) and Clay Bucholz (10-4, 2.45 ERA) and resurgent David Ortiz (17 HR's, 54 RBI's), the Red Sox find themselves back in the playoff hunt and only 1.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL East. 

It should be challenging for the Red Sox going forward though, as catcher's Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek as well as fan-favorite 2b Dustin Pedroia all have recently gone on the DL.  This offense is deeper than anybody who knows a hoot gives them credit for, as Adrian Beltre (.341 avg, 12 HR's) and J.D. Drew (.281 avg, 10 HR's) have stepped up in a major way. 

When all the injured stars come back and if Boston is still within striking distance of the Yankees, watch out!

Teams to Watch

Cincinnati Reds (47-36, 1st place NL Central)

Joey Votto and Scott Rolen have this offense pounding out runs against all opposition.  Leading the NL Central in front of a St. Louis Cardinals team that is inconsistent, the Reds could sneak into the playoffs and bring havoc to October

Tampa Bay Rays (48-33, 3rd place AL East)

Despite some tempers in the clubhouse and some recent struggles, the Rays can still pitch.  David Price gets better with each start and Rafael Soriano has been a source of consistency at the back end of the bullpen. 

You think my Power Rankings are wrong?  Let me see your top 5.  Leave a comment below!