In this edition of MLB power rankings, we’ll look at one player on every MLB team who could win an award this season.
The St. Louis Cardinals were not included in this power ranking due to their COVID-related inactivity.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 14-7 | Previous: 1
Award Winner: Dustin May (Rookie of the Year)
For the second straight week, the Dodgers earn the top spot on the list as they continue to play well. Rookie Dustin May has been great in the absence of Clayton Kershaw. Through four starts, he has an ERA of 2.75, helped by his filthy two-seam fastball.
2. New York Yankees
Record: 13-6 | Previous: 3
Award Winner: Aaron Judge (MVP)
Prior to getting injured, Aaron Judge had been the favorite to win MVP in this shortened season. However, he’ll likely miss time, and in a shortened season, he can’t afford to miss too many games and still be in contention for the award.
3. Chicago Cubs
Record: 13-4 | Previous: 4
Award Winner: Yu Darvish (Cy Young)
The Cubs remain red hot as they have the best record in MLB through 17 games. After down years in 2018 and 2019, Yu Darvish has regained his Texas Rangers form. He flirted with a no-hitter on Thursday, allowing just one hit in seven innings.
4. Oakland Athletics
Record: 14-6 | Previous: 6
Award Winner: Bob Melvin (Manager of the Year)
Per usual, the Oakland Athletics don’t have any players who are frontrunners for awards. However, they are one of the best teams in MLB. Give Bob Melvin some respect as he’s the current frontrunner to win Coach of the Year.
5. Minnesota Twins
Record: 12-7 | Previous: 2
Award Winner: Randy Dobnak (Rookie of the Year)
Despite making nine appearances in 2019, Randy Dobnak still qualifies as a rookie for 2020. So far, he’s a top candidate to win Rookie of the Year. Through four starts, he’s allowed all of two runs and does a great job preventing baserunners.
6. Colorado Rockies
Record: 12-7 | Previous: 7
Award Winner: Charlie Blackmon (Batting Title)
Charlie Blackmon is off to an incredible start and could also be an MVP candidate. After starting the year 34-for-76 at the plate, he’s a clear favorite to win the NL batting title.
7. Tampa Bays Rays
Record: 12-9 | Previous: 13
Award Winner: Nick Anderson (Reliever of the Year)
The Rays have arguably the best bullpen in MLB as several of their relievers have been shut-down pitchers this season. Nick Anderson has been the best of the bunch as he’s yet to allow a run in 6.1 innings of work with two saves.
8. Cleveland Indians
Record: 11-9 | Previous: 9
Award Winner: Shane Bieber (Cy Young)
This one was an easy selection. Shane Bieber is not just a candidate to win Cy Young, he’s the favorite. In four starts this season, he’s allowed only five runs in 27.2 innings of work while striking out 43 batters.
9. Miami Marlins
Record: 9-4 | Previous: 10
Award Winner: Jesus Aguilar (Comeback Player of the Year)
Despite their hot start, the Marlins don’t have many strong award candidates. However, Jesus Aguilar could win Comeback Player of the Year. An All-Star in 2018, Aguilar struggled in 2019 but is off to a hot start this season.
10. Atlanta Braves
Record: 11-10 | Previous: 5
Award Winner: Max Fried (Cy Young)
After a great start to the season, the Braves have hit a minor slump, losers of four straight games. However, Max Fried has been great as he’s allowed only four runs in 22.2 innings of work.
11. San Diego Padres
Record: 11-10 | Previous: 11
Award Winner: Fernando Tatis Jr (MVP)
It can’t be emphasized enough that Fernando Tatis Jr. is only 21 years old. With an OPS of 1.032 through his first 21 games, Tatis Jr. has established himself as a top candidate to win NL MVP in 2020.
12. Houston Astros
Record: 9-10 | Previous: 8
Award Winner: Andre Scrubb (Rookie of the Year)
The Astros have been largely disappointing this year and don’t have many strong award candidates as a result. Andre Scrubb, however, has been immaculate out of the pen as he’s yet to allow a run in 8.2 innings of work.
13. Baltimore Orioles
Record: 11-8 | Previous: 20
Award Winner: Brandon Hyde (Manager of the Year)
It’s understandably stunning to see the Orioles this high on the power ranking. However, they deserve respect after starting the year 11-8. If they make the playoffs, Brandon Hyde should be a top candidate to win AL Manager of the Year.
14. Chicago White Sox
Record: 10-9 | Previous: 12
Award Winner: Alex Colome (Reliever of the Year)
As teams become more analytical, the desire for a shutdown closer has become less important. However, the White Sox have themselves a great ninth-inning man in Alex Colome. He’s yet to allow a run in eight innings of work with five saves.
15. Detroit Tigers
Record: 9-8 | Previous: 16
Award Winner: Spencer Turnbull (Cy Young)
With other elite candidates in Shane Bieber and Gerrit Cole, it’s unlikely that Spencer Turnbull will ultimately win Cy Young this year. However, he’s been great as he carries an ERA of 2.00 through his first three starts.
16. New York Mets
Record: 9-12 | Previous: 21
Award Winner: Jacob deGrom (Cy Young)
When in doubt, label Jacob deGrom a Cy Young candidate. He’s a two-time winner who, despite struggling with blisters, has been great through his first four starts this year. He’s only allowed six runs in 22 innings of work.
17. Cincinnati Reds
Record: 9-11 | Previous: 18
Award Winner: Trevor Bauer (Cy Young)
Trevor Bauer is the frontrunner for NL Cy Young. After a down year in 2019, Bauer has only allowed two runs in his first three starts while striking out 32 batters.
18. Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 8-10 | Previous: 14
Award Winner: Josh Hader (Reliever of the Year)
The Brewers don’t have any standout award candidates so far, so Josh Hader earns this selection. In five appearances, he’s been great out of the bullpen as he hasn’t allowed a hit in 5.1 innings of work.
19. Washington Nationals
Record: 7-10 | Previous: 15
Award Winner: Juan Soto (MVP)
This one may be difficult because Juan Soto missed the Nationals’ first eight games due to COVID-19. However, since returning, he’s been insane with an OPS of 1.401 through 36 plate appearances.
20. Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 6-9 | Previous: 17
Award Winner: JT Realmuto (MVP)
The Phillies need to give JT Realmuto a long-term deal. In 14 games this season, he already has eight home runs while continuing to play elite defense. It would be a shame for the organization if he left in free agency after an MVP-caliber season.
21. Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 9-11 | Previous: 26
Award Winner: Starling Marte (Batting Title)
After a slow start, the Diamondbacks finally strung together wins last week. While he needs Charlie Blackmon to cool down, Starling Marte could win the batting title this season. Through 20 games, Marte has 26 hits in 80 at-bats for a batting average of .325.
22. Texas Rangers
Record: 9-9 | Previous: 27
Award Winner: Lance Lynn (Cy Young)
The Rangers have struggled at the plate but are being carried by their pitching staff so far this season. In the absence of Corey Kluber, Lance Lynn has stepped up big time. He’s allowed only four runs in 32.2 innings of work for an ERA of 1.11.
23. Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 7-9 | Previous: 22
Award Winner: Bo Bichette (MVP)
While unlikely, Bo Bichette is a dark-horse MVP candidate for this season as he’s started off the year on a tear. Through 13 games, he has an OPS of 1.065, including five home runs and 13 runs batted in.
24. Kansas City Royals
Record: 8-11 | Previous: 25
Award Winner: Salvador Perez (Comeback Player of the Year)
After missing the entire 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery, Salvador Perez has come back hot in 2020. Behind the dish, he’s still one of the best in the league. At the plate, he’s off to a sweet start as he’s recorded an OPS of .890.
25. San Francisco Giants
Record: 8-13 | Previous: 23
Award Winner: Donovan Solano (NL Batting Title)
If you thought Donovan Solano would be an award candidate this season, no one would have believed you. In 63 at-bats, Solano has the second-highest batting average in MLB (only behind Charlie Blackmon) with 28 hits so far.
26. Los Angeles Angels
Record: 7-13 | Previous: 24
Award Winner: Mike Trout (MVP)
When in doubt, label Mike Trout an MVP candidate. Since the birth of his son, Trout has been on an absolute tear with seven home runs in the past 10 games. However, the rest of this team has struggled around Trout.
27. Boston Red Sox
Record: 6-14 | Previous: 19
Award Winner: Phillips Valdez (Rookie of the Year)
This season has been an absolute disaster for the Red Sox, who have lost five consecutive games. Despite drawing little to no attention, Phillips Valdez has been great out of the bullpen as he’s only allowed one run in 12.1 innings of work.
28. Seattle Mariners
Record: 7-14 | Previous: 28
Award Winner: Kyle Lewis (Rookie of the Year)
On a team with next to nothing to be excited about, Kyle Lewis has been their lone bright spot so far this year. As a rookie, Lewis has an OPS of .920 in 20 games, including four home runs.
29. Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 4-14 | Previous: 29
Award Winner: Nobody knows
Easily the worst team in MLB, the Pirates don’t have any players in any award conversations. All that’s left for the Pirates is hope that Bryan Reynolds will break out this season.
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