Pro-GM Power Rankings - Episode 10

[Buster Olney]

Pro-GM Power Rankings
Episode: 10
Week: 18

Rising	Falling
Atlanta Braves (+3)	Los Angeles Dodgers (-3)
New York Mets (+2)	Cleveland Indians (-2)
Texas Rangers (+2)	New York Yankees (-2)

We've made it to episode 10 of our first season of the Pro-GM Power Rankings! For teams that are still in the race for a playoff spot, I've added a feature that lists the team's key player going into our last few weeks. For teams already out of the race (or unlikely to make the playoffs), I'll list the team's key player for the 2018 season.

Let's get right to it...

Key games to keep an eye on this week...

American League

• Tampa Bay Rays (14-2-1) vs Los Angeles Angels (13-4)
• Seattle Mariners (10-6-1) vs Chicago White Sox (12-3-2)

National League

• Philadelphia Phillies (12-4-1) vs Atlanta Braves (10-7)

1. Toronto Blue Jays (14-2-1)  
Last Week: 1
Key Player: Yoenis Cespedes
The Blue Jays are having no trouble keeping the intensity up despite having nothing left to prove in the regular season, blanking the A's 12-0 in week 17. Cespedes doesn't currently start for the team every week, but we've seen him have ridiculous hot stretches in the past. He's had his injury issues this year, but if healthy and hitting well, he could win a matchup for the Jays against tough teams like the Cubs or Reds in the World Series.

2. Chicago Cubs (17-0)  
Last Week: 2
Key Player: Kevin Gausman
The Cubs are trying their hardest to reclaim the #1 spot in the rankings (yeah I'm arrogant enough to think owners actually care that much about my rankings), beating the Cards 11-0-1. Gasuman is no doubt the biggest x-factor going into the playoffs for the Cubs. If he can pitch even remotely like he has the last four starts, a sub 2.000 era, this Cubs team looks a lot more dangerous.

3. Cincinnati Reds (16-1)  
Last Week: 3
Key Player: Salvador Perez
The top 3 stays the way it was last week, with the Reds also doing what was expected beating the lowly Brewers. Perez looks like he'll be out a bit, and how he plays once he's back will either really help or hurt the Reds in the NL playoffs. Reds fans will be hoping he knocks off any rust that builds after his DL stint.

4. Baltimore Orioles (13-4)  
Last Week: 4
Key Player: Kyle Schwarber
The Orioles are looking very strong as they continued to beat quality opponents, defeating the Indians in week 17. Schwarber is obviously one of the biggest x-factors on this team. He's played well despite sitting at times against lefties, but if he can return to an everyday role and keep the power coming the Orioles will be very dangerous in the playoffs.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (14-2-1)  
Last Week: 6
Key Player: Alex Bregman
Trout has been an absolute beast whenever healthy and hit .455 with 3 homers, 1 SB, and 6 BB in last week's rout of the Yankees. Bregman has been one of the hottest hitters in the league since the ASB, and his week 17 outburst of .385, 2 homers, 3 SB, and 4 BBs would really change a playoff series.

6. Chicago White Sox (12-3-2) 
Last Week: 7
Key Player: Masahiro Tanaka
The White Sox made plenty of moves at the deadline, pushing them ahead of the Angels in the rankings. Tanaka, one of the key pieces brought in at the deadline, has alternated great and awful starts almost all year, but has been a bit more consistent since the all star break. If Tanaka can perform like the ace he's capable of being, the White Sox may not be that much of an underdog against the other top AL teams.

7. Los Angeles Angels (13-4)  
Last Week: 6
Key Player: Michael Fulmer
The Angels move to 13-4 with an easy win over Kansas City. Fulmer has struggled over the last month (4.99 ERA) and is currently on the DL. If the Angels, whose pitching is already an achilles heel, want to make noise in the playoffs they'll really need Fulmer to perform like he has the last year and a half.

8. Colorado Rockies (14-3)  
Last Week: 8
Key Player: Justin Upton
Strong pitching led the Rockies to an easy win over the Marlins in week 17. Upton has always teased of his upside throughout his career, but hasn't been able to put together a superstar level season. That being said, when he's hot he's hot and right now he's locked in at the plate with four homers last week. That's the kind of hot streak that can take the Rockies deep into the playoffs.

9. Seattle Mariners (10-6-1) 
Last Week: 10
Key Player: Stephen Strasburg
It was a much needed bounceback win for the Mariners, despite it coming against the Twins. Even with the win, the Mariners lost Belt, Grandal, and Jay Bruce to injuries. Strasburg's injury isn't supposed to be serious which is great, but you'd like to see him back sooner rather than later for this Mariners team as they battle for a playoff spot.

10. Philadelphia Phillies (12-4-1)  
Last Week: 9
Key Player: Tim Beckham
That was an extremely disappointing week for the Phillies as they tied with the Mets. That being said, the Mets played great all week with 8 homers and a 2.55 ERA. After being traded to the Orioles, Tim Beckham has been on some kind of hot streak, hitting .591/.609/1.227 with three home runs and five RBI over the last seven days. If he can keep that up, the Phillies will have an impact bat in their relatively weak lineup.

11. Atlanta Braves (10-7) 
Last Week: 14
Key Player: Danny Salazar
Make that a 4 game winning streak for the Braves after an easy win over the Nationals. Salazar has been an ace his last few starts and if he can keep this going the Braves should make the playoffs without much problem. Once they're in, they'll need his continued dominance to make noise.

12. Detroit Tigers (9-8) 
Last Week: 11
Key Player: Mark Trumbo
The Tigers are running out of time to make an actual playoff run as they lose a game to the current #6 seed Mariners after losing to the White Sox. Injuries are really taking their toll on the team, but when Trumbo comes back he could provide a big boost by going on a power surge.

13. New York Mets (9-6-2) 
Last Week: 15
Key Player: Todd Frazier
A tie is better than a loss, especially against a quality Phillies team at the top of the NL East. Frazier hasn't had the kind of season he's known for, but his power should play well in pinstripes, especially in that stadium. He's yet to get hot in New York, but I like his chances. Once he does, the Mets could make that push these last few weeks for a wildcard spot.

14. Cleveland Indians (7-9-1) 
Last Week: 12
Key Player: Rougned Odor
The Indians ran into an Orioles buzzsaw this past week. The team overall still has potential, but trading Tanaka and Allen will make it that much tougher to make the playoffs. Odor has had a largely disappointing season, but the power has been there since the ASB. When his bat is hot, it's tough to find any other 2B that rivals his power and RBI potential.

15. New York Yankees (8-9) 
Last Week: 13
Key Player: Kyle Seager
The Yankees let a key opportunity to gain a game on other wildcard contenders slip by as they lost to the Rays. Seager has yet to go on a prolonged hot streak this season, but he has shown the ability in the past to rake up XBH. It's hard to see the Yankees make the playoffs without his production.

16. Pittsburgh Pirates (9-8) 
Last Week: 17
Key Player: Kolten Wong
The Pirates picked up a much needed win in week 17 to stay in the wildcard hunt. Next week's matchup against the Cubs doesn't look very promising. Kolten Wong is a key player for the rest of this year and beyond. He hasn't had as strong of a season in counting stats, but he's hit for a much higher average and could be the future at 2B for this team.

17. St. Louis Cardinals (10-7)
Last Week: 18
Key Player: Trea Turner
As expected, the Cardinals did not stand a chance against Chicago. They're in danger of falling out of the playoff race with a couple more losses, but if they can sneak in Turner could make them sneaky good. Keep in mind, this team was on a roll earlier in the year before injuries took wind out of their sails.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks (7-9-1) 
Last Week: 16
Key Player: Steven Matz
Worst loss of the season for the Diamondbacks as they lose a lot of ground in the playoff race vs the (now 3-14) Giants. Looking ahead to next season, Steven Matz coming back healthy and productive would be big for the rotation.

19. Texas Rangers (5-12) 
Last Week: 21
Key Player: Billy Hamilton
Another W for the Rangers, this time against the Red Sox. For 2018 and beyond, Hamilton's development could turn him into a fantasy stud, or make him a one category player. If he can develop more power or get on base more often, he would be a top 20 player with how he steals bases.

20. Oakland Athletics (3-14) 
Last Week: 20
Key Player: Joey Gallo
Joey Gallo has had a strong year in the power department, but is still struggling to make contact. His average doesn't look pretty, but looking ahead to 2018 I can see him easily putting up .250 with 30+ homers and 80+ RBI. With his ability to get on base through walks, he can make this As team very dangerous.

21. Washington Nationals (6-11) 
Last Week: 22
Key Player: Keon Broxton
Broxton has a lot of potential as a power/speed demon, but has struggled to stay consistent this season. With Gary Sanchez, Moncada, and Aaron Judge already in the lineup, Broxton's success or lack thereof in 2018 could determine if this team is ready to compete with the top AL teams.

22. Los Angeles Dodgers (5-10-2)
Last Week: 19
Key Player: Joc Pederson
What a weird game against San Diego as neither team met the minimum pitching requirements and the Dodgers failing to win one category, losing 5-0. Looking ahead, Pederson's ability to bounce back from a disappointing season will make a big difference in the lineup. He's a talented, young player, but has struggled with inconsistency and injuries this year. I expect him to figure it out next year.

23. Boston Red Sox (5-12) 
Last Week: 23
Key Player: Brandon Finnegan
Brandon Finnegan has essentially lost a year of development to injuries, but luckily he hasn't gained a year of service time. That being said, his ability to bounce back in 2018 could change the image of the rotation. When healthy, he could be a solid #2 starter.

24. San Diego Padres (6-10-1) 
Last Week: 25
Key Player: Byron Buxton
Buxton obviously has not had the type of season expected from a former #1 prospect. He's still very young, however, and I'm interested to see if he can develop into a more serviceable player in 2018. His upside is still enormous.

25. Houston Astros (5-12) 
Last Week: 24
Key Player: Nick Williams
Williams has been very solid thus far for the Phillies, but I'm excited to see what he can do with a full season.

26. Kansas City Royals (3-14) 
Last Week: 26
Key Player: Alex Meyer
Meyer has been a solid starter when healthy, but has only pitched 67.1 innings this season. If he can put together a full season with his current stats, Royals fans will be very happy.

27. San Francisco Giants (3-14) 
Last Week: 27
Key Player: Rafael Devers
Devers has played well since being called up and should get a full season at 3B for BOS in 2018. I want to see him make the necessary adjustments after he inevitably gets adjusted to by the rest of the league.

28. Milwaukee Brewers (3-13-1) 
Last Week: 28
Key Player: Tyler Glasnow
The former top prospect has killed lower level competition and subsequently killed in the major leagues so far in his career. He should improve on his 7.45 ERA next season with some adjustments.

29. Minnesota Twins (0-17) 
Last Week: 30
Key Player: Maikel Franco
This team is filled with talented players like Rosario, Duvall, and Ian Happ. Franco is also one of those talented players, but for a variety of reasons has not performed like he did in 2016. I fully expect him to bounce back in 2018.

30. Miami Marlins (0-17) 
Last Week: 29
Key Player: Tyler White
Hard to find too many players to be excited about in Miami, but White was a former spec that performed well in the minors. He's had a hot streak recently and while it's hard to see him being the 1B of the future in Houston, stranger things have happened. He has talent.