MLB Power Rankings Week 15: Where teams stand ahead of All-Star break
The All-Star break is almost upon us, when the baseball world will pause to watch some of the biggest names in baseball participate in the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.
The break might be a welcome reset for a number of clubs such as the Yankees, Mariners and Royals, who have all dropped more than half of their games since mid-June and hope to stop their respective skids. On the other hand, teams like the Phillies, Guardians, Orioles and Red Sox are all riding hot streaks that they’ll try to continue in the second half.
So, where do all 30 clubs stand ahead of some of the most anticipated baseball events of the summer?
Our expert panel has combined to rank every team based on a combination of what we’ve seen so far and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that is a full baseball season. We also asked ESPN MLB experts David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo to weigh in with an observation for all 30 teams.
The Phillies lead all teams with seven All-Star selections, setting a franchise record. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Alec Bohm were elected as starters, while starting pitchers Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suarez made it along with relievers Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm. The Phillies had never had six All-Star reps before, with five making it on six different occasions, most recently in 2011 (Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco).
Turner becomes the first Phillies shortstop to make it since Jimmy Rollins in 2005 and the first to start since Rollins in 2002. Wheeler has already said he won’t pitch in the game, but Suarez says he wants to pitch. Harper just came off the injured list, but if he does start at first base, he’d be the first Phillies starter at first since John Kruk in 1993. — Schoenfield
