MLB Power Rankings have returned. This week, we’ll look at one player on every MLB team who has struggled and needs to step up the rest of the season.
NOTE: The St.Louis Cardinals will not appear on this list as all of their games were postponed last week.
- Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 10-3 | Previous: 3
Player who needs to step up: Cody Bellinger
The Dodgers earned a crucial series win over the San Diego Padres last week and they picked up the top spot here in Week 2. Reigning MVP Cody Bellinger hasn’t been himself at the plate so far as he’s recorded an OBP of .528 through 13 games.
- Minnesota Twins
Record: 10-4 | Previous: 2
Player who needs to step up: Miguel Sano
The Twins stayed hot last week as they earned series wins over the Indians and Pirates. While most of their hitters have played very well, Miguel Sano is in a slump. If he can find the 2019 version of himself, it will go a long way for this ballclub.
- New York Yankees
Record: 9-4 | Previous:1
Player who needs to step up: Gary Sanchez
After earning the No. 1 spot in Week 1, the Yankees fall two places after splitting a four-game series with the Phillies. Gary Sanchez has been atrocious at the plate to start the season, recording an OPS of .401. Yikes!
4. Chicago Cubs
Record: 10-3 | Previous: 7
Player who needs to step up: Kris Bryant
It was unclear how the Cubs would perform coming into the season, but their pitching has stepped up as the Cubs have explicit control of the NL Central. However, Kris Bryant has struggled and only has one home run in his first 13 games.
5. Atlanta Braves
Record: 9-5 | Previous: 5
Player who needs to step up: Ozzie Albies
As expected, the Braves have jumped out to a great start as they’ve won seven of their previous nine games. 23-year-old second baseman Ozzie Albies has not performed as well as expected, though, recording an OPS of .468 so far.
6. Oakland Athletics
Record: 10-4 | Previous: 14
Player who needs to step up: Marcus Semien
Per usual, the Athletics have established themselves as contenders while attracting little to no attention. They’ve done all that while former MVP candidate Marcus Semien has been in a brutal slump. If the A’s want to compete for a title, Semien needs to play better.
7. Colorado Rockies
Record: 10-3 | Previous: 13
Player who needs to step up: David Dahl
Despite having to play in Coors Field, the Rockies’ pitching staff has pitched very well so far this season as the Rockies possess the top spot in the NL West. David Dahl has struggled at the plate, recording an OPS of .598 through 13 games.
8. Houston Astros
Record: 6-7 | Previous: 4
Player who needs to step up: Lance McCullers Jr.
While Jose Altuve and Yuli Gurriel have struggled, the player who most needs to step up is Lance McCullers Jr. McCullers was expected to be a reliable third pitcher for the Astros, but he has struggled in his first three starts. With Justin Verlander out, the Astros really need him to pitch better.
9. Cleveland Indians
Record: 8-7 | Previous: 9
Player who needs to step up: Francisco Lindor
The Indians have gotten off to a solid start as they took three of four from the Reds last week. All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has struggled at the plate as he’s recorded an OPS of .677 through 15 games.
10. Miami Marlins
Record: 7-1 | Previous: NR
Player who needs to step up: Corey Dickerson
Surprise, surprise. Despite low expectations and 20 of their players coming down with COVID-19, the Marlins have the best record in MLB. The reality is that every player has stepped up for this team. By default, Corey Dickerson, who has been below-average, gets this pick for the Marlins.
11. San Diego Padres
Record: 8-6 | Previous: 6
Player who needs to step up: Manny Machado
After a 6-2 start, the Padres have struggled, losing four of their last six games. Manny Machado has failed to be a reliable power bat in the Padres’ lineup. If this team wants to have any chance at making the playoffs, he needs to perform better.
12. Chicago White Sox
Record: 8-6 | Previous: 20
Player who needs to step up: Edwin Encarnacion
Despite several players struggling at the plate, the White Sox pitching has helped them get off to a solid start. Edwin Encarnacion has struggled with his new team as he only has one home run in 30 at-bats this season.
13. Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 6-7 | Previous: 8
Player who needs to step up: Charlie Morton
For the Rays to have a chance at winning a title this year, Charlie Morton has to be a real ace in their rotation. Through three starts, he has struggled while allowing nine earned runs in 14.2 innings of work.
14. Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 5-6 | Previous: 10
Player who needs to step up: Christian Yelich
After missing several games due to the Cardinals contracting COVID-19, the Brewers went 2-3 last week. Christian Yelich needs to play better; simple as that. The former MVP has recorded an OBP of .630 through 10 games, a mark that isn’t good enough.
15. Washington Nationals
Record: 4-6 | Previous: 12
Player who needs to step up: Trea Turner
It’s been a struggle for the reigning champs, who are playing without Juan Soto in the lineup. Notably, the team got blown out as they lost 11-0 to the Orioles on Friday. Trea Turner has provided next to nothing so far for the Nationals, and he needs to play better, especially with Soto out.
16. Detroit Tigers
Record: 6-5 | Previous: 15
Player who needs to step up: Matthew Boyd
Several players have already stepped up for the Tigers, most notably JaCoby Jones and Spencer Turnbull. A player who has not is pitcher Matthew Boyd. Through three starts, he’s struggled, allowing 15 earned runs in 14.2 innings of work.
17. Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 3-4 | Previous: NR
Player who needs to step up: Rhys Hoskins
After having 10 games postponed, the Phillies finally returned to action as they split a four-game series with the Yankees. Once seen as a perennial MVP candidate, Rhys Hoskins looks lost at the plate with only three hits in his first 22 at-bats.
18. Cincinnati Reds
Record: 6-8 | Previous: 19
Player who needs to step up: Eugenio Suarez
After hitting 49 home runs in 2019, Eugenio Suarez does not look like the same player for the Reds. Through 14 games, his OBP is at an abysmal mark of .489, while he only has one home run.
19. Boston Red Sox
Record: 5-8 | Previous: 18
Player who needs to step up: Andrew Benintendi
Most of their relievers are candidates for this nod, but Andrew Benintendi has been one of the worst hitters in MLB through 13 games. The former top prospect is two-for-33 and has an OPS of .370 so far.
20. Baltimore Orioles
Record: 6-7 | Previous: 24
Player who needs to step up: Austin Hays
Despite expectations of being the worst team in MLB, the Orioles have gotten off to a solid start. Second-year center fielder Austin Hays has struggled, recording an OPS of .460 through 13 games.
21. New York Mets
Record: 5-9 | Previous: 17
Player who needs to step up: Edwin Diaz
This was an obvious selection. The Mets gave up a lot to get Edwin Diaz, and he has struggled during his tenure with the Mets. The team needs him to be a reliable closer if they want to have a chance at making the playoffs.
22. Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 4-7 | Previous: 16
Player who needs to step up: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Is it time to start getting nervous about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? No. However, he needs to improve upon how he’s performed so far this season. Only having one home run in 46 at-bats won’t cut it for the former top prospect.
23. San Francisco Giants
Record: 6-9 | Previous: 22
Player who needs to step up: Hunter Pence
After a 5-4 start, the Giants have fallen into a slump, losers of five of their last six games. Hunter Pence has struggled mightily in his return to the Giants as he’s a horrific one-for-29 at the plate so far.
24. Los Angeles Angels
Record: 5-8 | Previous: 27
Player who needs to step up: Justin Upton
Shohei Ohtani would have earned the nod for the Angels, but it’s unclear if he’ll continue to pitch this season. Meanwhile, Justin Upton recorded an abysmal OPS of .431 through 13 games.
25. Kansas City Royals
Record: 5-10 | Previous: 26
Player who needs to step up: Adalberto Mondesi
After a terrible start, the Royals have gotten themselves on the right track, winners of three straight. Adalberto Mondesi has struggled through the first 15 games of the season. He needs to step up if the Royals are going to have any chance at making the postseason.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 5-9 | Previous: 25
Player who needs to step up: Eduardo Escobar
After having a breakout year in 2019, Eduardo Escobar has struggled mightily to start this season. With three teams off to hot starts in the NL West, the Diamondbacks need to make a move quickly if they want to have a chance at making the playoffs.
27. Texas Rangers
Record: 4-8 | Previous: 23
Player who needs to step up: Rougned Odor
Coming into the year, 2020 was seen as a make or break campaign for Rougned Odor. So far, he has been far from encouraging as he’s recorded an OPS of .426 with only one home run through nine games.
28. Seattle Mariners
Record: 5-10 | Previous: 21
Player who needs to step up: Yusei Kikuchi
For the Mariners to have any chance at making the postseason, their starting rotation needs to step up. That notably includes Yusei Kikuchi, who has allowed nine earned runs in 15.1 innings of work this season.
29. Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 3-11 | Previous: 28
Player who needs to step up: Bryan Reynolds
For the second straight week, the Pirates earn the bottom spot on the list as they’ve struggled so far in 2020. After a great rookie season, Bryan Reynolds has not been able to live up to the hype as he’s recorded an OPS of .634 through 14 games.
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