2024 MLB Power Rankings: Week 18

Every week, the Pitcher List team will publish an update to our power rankings, reviewing the biggest risers and fallers of the past seven days. This time, we are previewing each team’s outlook for the upcoming season. As always, the full rankings can be found at the bottom of this article … but where’s the fun in that?

 

Movin’ On Up

 

Seattle Mariners

 

Record: 57-53

Rank change: +3

 

The Mariners are finally being listed as a riser after several weeks in the falling category. Their fall was justifiable as their offense continued to struggle despite having arguably the best rotation in baseball. Injuries and underperformance put their offense in the bottom half of the league in many of the major offensive metrics in July. However, Seattle made some impressive trades at the deadline and boosted their lineup which had been a drag on an otherwise elite pitching staff.

Seattle acquired Randy Arozarena, Justin Turner, JT Chargois, and Yimi García shortly before the trade deadline. Arozarena is a huge power piece to this offense where only Cal Raleigh had over a .200 ISO. Randy had a .183 ISO and .315 wOBA in exactly 100 games with Tampa Bay this year. The 29-year-old also has proven success in the postseason, having one of the best postseasons of all time in 2020. Speaking of veteran presence, the 39-year-old Turner has a 16-year baseball career that includes a World Series ring under his belt. J.P. Crawford and Julio Rodríguez were placed on the injured list shortly before these acquisitions and their return will only bolster this lineup even further.

The bullpen depth should be a big support system for their rotation. Garcia has a 2.45 ERA this year and the 23-year-old Chargois sports a 3.40 mark. Seattle is third in MLB in xFIP at a collective 3.81, they have the lowest walk-rate with a 2.37 BB/9, and they have just a 1.02 Hr/9, the sixth-best mark in the league. I believe the new acquisitions can keep the 57-53 Mariners competitive with the first-place Astros in the AL West.

 

Hittin’ the Skids

 

Detroit Tigers

 

Record: 52-58

Rank change: -2

 

The 52-58 Tigers were sellers at the trade deadline. They dealt Jack Flaherty, who was one of the most desired pieces at the trade deadline, to the Dodgers for a couple of prospects. They also parted ways with Mark Canha and Andrew Chafin. They held on to Tarik Skubal, who has been arguably the best pitcher in the American League, however, Jack Flaherty and his 2.95 ERA are no longer a part of this club.

With Riley Greene on the injured list with a right hamstring strain, this lineup has some of the most unrecognizable names in the league. This is also an incredibly young roster; yesterday, Gio Urshela was the only player in the starting lineup over the age of 30. Detroit’s offense was actually about league-average across the board in July, but their decisions at the trade deadline admit their unwillingness to try and compete in the tough AL East. They are currently 8.5 games back in surprisingly one of the best divisions in all of baseball.

They still possess the aforementioned Skubal, but their rotation now looks questionable after that. Kenta Maeda was sent to the bullpen after being one of the worst starting pitchers this year and Reese Olson has a walk problem and a 3.97 xFIP on the year. The hope for this team in the future is Greene, Skubal, and Spencer Torkelson should he return from the minors and live up to his potential. They also acquired shortstop Trey Sweeney, the 20th overall pick in the 2021 draft, from the Dodgers in exchange for Jack Flaherty. 2024 is not the year for the Tigers but the future looks bright.

 

Week 18 Power Rankings