MLB Power Rankings 2024: Astros, Padres, Royals Rise; Cubs, Rangers Continue to Slide

With the calendar flipping from June to July, a flurry of activity is right around the corner, with the annual MLB draft, All-Star Game and MLB trade deadline all coming up in the next few weeks.

The divide between contenders and non-contenders is starting to take shape, though there is still room for a hot streak or a cold spell to shift a team from one column to the other before the trade deadline on July 30.

The Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres all made significant progress toward solidifying their standing as contenders with strong showings last week, while the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers have fallen far enough to at least consider selling if things don't improve quickly.

For now, here's an updated look at where all 30 teams stand.

30. Colorado Rockies (28-55)

Previous Rank: 29

Last Week: 0-2 @ HOU, 1-2 @ CWS

Star of the Week: SP Kyle Freeland (1 GS, ND, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K)

The Rockies finished tied for the worst record in baseball with a 7-20 showing in June, and they ended the month with a thud when they lost two of three to the Chicago White Sox. Pitchers Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber could be on the move at the deadline, while catcher Elias Díaz is a lock to be dealt in the final year of his contract.

29. Chicago White Sox (24-62)

Previous Rank: 30

Last Week: 0-3 vs. LAD, 1-0 vs. ATL, 2-1 vs. COL

Star of the Week: SP Garrett Crochet (2 GS, 2 ND, 12.2 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 17 K)

The White Sox won a series! In fact, they won three games in a row last week, and their two victories over the Colorado Rockies gave them their first outright series win since way back on May 15. Garrett Crochet struck out 11 batters over seven strong innings on Sunday, and the club plans to limit his innings going forward ahead of an almost certain deadline deal.

28. Oakland Athletics (30-56)

Previous Rank: 27

Last Week: 0-3 @ LAA, 1-2 @ ARI

Star of the Week: DH Brent Rooker (7-for-23, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI)

With a 7-20 record in June, the Athletics have crashed back to earth after looking mildly competitive with a 19-22 record through their first 41 games. Slugger Brent Rooker has an .842 OPS with 15 doubles, 15 home runs and 47 RBI, and in a thin market for impact bats, he could be a popular name at the deadline.

27. Miami Marlins (30-54)

Previous Rank: 28

Last Week: 1-2 @ KC, 2-2 @ PHI

Star of the Week: SP Valente Bellozo (1 GS, ND, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K)

The Marlins have now used 14 different starting pitchers this season after 24-year-old Valente Bellozo made his MLB debut with five scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. How far will they go in tearing down the roster at the deadline?

26. Detroit Tigers (38-46)

Previous Rank: 25

Last Week: 1-2 vs. PHI, 1-3 @ LAA

Star of the Week: SP Tarik Skubal (1 GS, W, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)

The Tigers have lost six of their last seven series, with the lone exception coming at home against the Chicago White Sox. And after climbing as high as No. 11 in the rankings earlier this year, they have now slipped to the bottom tier of teams. Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty have been as good a one-two punch as any in baseball atop the rotation, but the offense has again been one of the worst in baseball.

25. Los Angeles Angels (36-47)

Previous Rank: 26

Last Week: 3-0 vs. OAK, 3-1 vs. DET

Star of the Week: SP Davis Daniel (1 GS, W, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K)

With a 15-11 record in June, the Angels are starting to show some signs of life, and there is now a timetable for Mike Trout to return, with the 11-time All-Star hoping to be back on the field in late July. Will their solid play of late convince them to hold onto trade chips like Tyler Anderson, Luis Rengifo and Taylor Ward?

24. Texas Rangers (38-46)

Previous Rank: 19

Last Week: 0-3 @ MIL, 1-3 @ BAL

Star of the Week: SP Andrew Heaney (2 GS, W, L, 12.0 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 14 K)

What happens if the Rangers end up being sellers at the trade deadline? With a 4-11 record in their last 15 games, that has suddenly become a real possibility, and that could mean Max Scherzer is on the move again this summer. Pitchers Michael Lorenzen, Andrew Heaney, Kirby Yates, David Robertson and José Leclerc are also potential trade chips.

23. Chicago Cubs (39-46)

Previous Rank: 20

Last Week: 1-3 @ SF, 1-2 @ MIL

Star of the Week: 2B Nico Hoerner (10-for-29, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 SB)

The Cubs have not had a winning streak longer than two games since April 26, starting the season 17-9 before stumbling to a 22-37 record since that strong start. With a minus-30 run differential and an ugly 17-28 record away from Wrigley Field, this really doesn't look like a team capable of contending in 2024.

22. Cincinnati Reds (39-45)

Previous Rank: 23

Last Week: 1-2 vs. PIT, 2-2 @ STL

Star of the Week: 2B Jonathan India (14-for-26, 10 2B, 5 RBI, 2 SB)

The middle infield tandem of Jonathan India and Elly De La Cruz (10-for-30, 3 2B, 2 3B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 SB) did a great job setting the table offensively out of the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the Cincinnati lineup, but the team continues to lack middle-of-the-order punch. With 40 stolen bases in 84 games, De La Cruz has been running wild on the bases all season.

21. Washington Nationals (39-44)

Previous Rank: 17

Last Week: 0-3 @ SD, 1-2 @ TB

Star of the Week: SP Jake Irvin (1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K)

The Nationals were all the way up to No. 12 in the rankings just two weeks ago, but a 4-8 record in their last 12 games and four straight series losses during that stretch has dropped them out of the Top 20 once again. Top prospect James Wood is expected to make his MLB debut on Monday, and he could immediately become the team's biggest power threat.

20. Toronto Blue Jays (38-45)

Previous Rank: 22

Last Week: 1-1 @ BOS, 2-2 vs. NYY

Star of the Week: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (13-for-26, 5 2B, 4 HR, 17 RBI)

After a slow start to the season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit .318/.354/.607 with seven doubles, eight home runs and 25 RBI in June. His offensive surge was not enough for the Blue Jays to avoid an 11-16 record last month, and Toronto is still shaping up to be a seller at the trade deadline.

19. Pittsburgh Pirates (40-43)

Previous Rank: 21

Last Week: 2-1 @ CIN, 1-2 @ ATL

Star of the Week: SP Luis Ortiz (1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)

Who would have guessed three months into the season that the Pirates would rank sixth in the majors with a 3.59 ERA from the starting rotation? They might not be ready to make the jump to legitimate contention quite yet, but thanks to the trio of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller atop the starting rotation, they could hover around the .500 mark the rest of the way.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-43)

Previous Rank: 16

Last Week: 1-2 vs. MIN, 2-1 vs. OAK

Star of the Week: 2B Ketel Marte (9-for-21, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

Ketel Marte hit .341/.431/.637 with 13 extra-base hits and 20 RBI in 25 games in June, and he has already racked up 4.2 WAR through 79 games. The D-backs went 16-11 last month even with the pitching staff struggling to a 5.14 ERA, so don't count this team out once some of its arms get healthy.

17. New York Mets (40-41)

Previous Rank: 18

Last Week: 2-0 vs. NYY, 1-2 vs. HOU

Star of the Week: 3B Mark Vientos (6-for-18, 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI)

Will a .500 record be enough to convince the Mets to buy at the trade deadline, or at least to hold onto their current roster? Their next 18 games are against the Nationals (x7), Pirates (x4), Marlins (x4) and Rockies (x3), so that stretch is their chance to claw back into contention ahead of the deadline.

16. San Francisco Giants (41-44)

Previous Rank: 24

Last Week: 3-1 vs. CHC, 2-1 vs. LAD

Star of the Week: 3B Matt Chapman (10-for-26, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI)

The Giants snapped a five-game losing streak on Monday and put together an impressive week overall, improving to 25-19 at Oracle Park in the process. Now they'll put that momentum to the test on the road against the Braves and Guardians, but they'll have to do it without Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores, who both landed on the injured list last week.

15. Tampa Bay Rays (42-42)

Previous Rank: 15

Last Week: 2-1 vs. SEA, 2-1 vs. WAS

Star of the Week: SP Taj Bradley (2 GS, W, ND, 11.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 19 K)

With Jeffrey Springs and Shane Baz both working their way back from injury, the Rays face a roster crunch in the starting rotation, which could add a few significant names to the summer trade market. According to Will Sammon, Katie Woo and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Aaron Civale and Zack Littell are viewed as the most likely candidates to be dealt.

14. St. Louis Cardinals (43-40)

Previous Rank: 13

Last Week: 2-1 vs. ATL, 2-2 vs. CIN

Star of the Week: SP Lance Lynn (2 GS, 2 W, 12.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K)

The Cardinals finished third in the majors with a 3.46 ERA in June, and they made up significant ground in the standings along the way. They enter play on Monday with a two-game cushion for the third NL wild-card spot, and they are the only team in baseball with a winning record and a negative run differential (-40).

13. Boston Red Sox (44-39)

Previous Rank: 9

Last Week: 1-1 vs. TOR, 1-2 vs. SD

Star of the Week: 3B Rafael Devers (8-for-18, 2B, 4 HR, 6 RBI)

The Red Sox could benefit from the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays both opting to sell at the trade deadline, and they continue to reside on the fringe of AL wild-card contention. With 4.3 WAR in 81 games, outfielder Jarren Duran has been one of baseball's biggest breakout stars, leading the AL in doubles (23) and triples (10).

12. Houston Astros (42-41)

Previous Rank: 14

Last Week: 2-0 vs. COL, 2-1 @ NYM

Star of the Week: SP Spencer Arrighetti (1 GS, W, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K)

Thanks to a seven-game winning streak and a weekend series win over the Mets, the Astros are officially above .500 for the first time all season entering play on Monday. Young pitchers Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti have done an admirable job propping up an injury-plagued starting rotation.

11. Atlanta Braves (46-36)

Previous Rank: 6

Last Week: 1-2 @ STL, 0-1 @ CWS, 2-1 vs. PIT

Star of the Week: SP Chris Sale (1 GS, L, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K)

It's going to be interesting to see how aggressively the Braves pursue outside additions at the trade deadline. With Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider both out for the season, the ceiling on this season has been lowered, but they still look like a clear playoff contender and adding another bat in the outfield and arm in the rotation could go a long way.

10. Seattle Mariners (47-39)

Previous Rank: 8

Last Week: 1-2 @ TB, 1-2 vs. MIN

Star of the Week: SP George Kirby (1 GS, W, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)

Expect a busy trade season for the Mariners:

With a starting rotation that stacks up to any in baseball, finding an impact bat to bolster the lackluster offense could be the missing piece in them making a legitimate playoff push.

9. San Diego Padres (46-42)

Previous Rank: 12

Last Week: 3-0 vs. WAS, 2-1 @ BOS

Star of the Week: SP Dylan Cease (1 GS, W, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K)

It's been a collection of unlikely standouts for the Padres of late, with Matt Waldron (6 GS, 2.45 ERA, 36.2 IP), Michael King (6 GS, 2.67 ERA, 33.2 IP), Kyle Higashioka (17 G, 1.131 OPS, 8 HR, 19 RBI) and Jackson Merrill (28 G, .996 OPS, 9 HR, 20 RBI) among the team's most productive players in June. With a 9-2 record in their last 11 games, they have matched their season-high ranking in the No. 9 spot this week.

8. Minnesota Twins (47-37)

Previous Rank: 10

Last Week: 2-1 @ ARI, 2-1 @ SEA

Star of the Week: OF Byron Buxton (8-for-19, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI)

The Twins have won five of their last six series, but they are still facing a seven-game deficit in the AL Central standings and have a less-than-stellar 17-25 record against teams with a winning record. Top prospect David Festa made his MLB debut on Thursday, allowing seven hits and five runs in five innings to pick up the victory against the D-backs.

7. Milwaukee Brewers (50-34)

Previous Rank: 7

Last Week: 3-0 vs. TEX, 2-1 vs. CHC

Star of the Week: OF Jackson Chourio (8-for-22, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

Still only 20 years old, rookie Jackson Chourio was Milwaukee's most productive hitter in June, batting .315/.363/.534 with four doubles, four home runs and 16 RBI, and he is starting to get more looks further up the batting order. The job this team has done piecing together a starting rotation behind ace Freddy Peralta has been extremely impressive, and veteran Dallas Keuchel is the latest stopgap solution.

6. Kansas City Royals (47-39)

Previous Rank: 11

Last Week: 2-1 vs. MIA, 3-1 vs. CLE

Star of the Week: SP Seth Lugo (2 GS, 2 W, 12.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 18 K)

The Royals stumbled through a 3-11 stretch of games, but they righted the ship in convincing fashion over the weekend by taking three of four from the first-place Guardians. With Michael Wacha back healthy, the better-than-expected starting rotation is again at full strength, and two strong starts last week have Seth Lugo again sporting a 2.17 ERA.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers (52-33)

Previous Rank: 4

Last Week: 3-0 @ CWS, 1-2 @ SF

Star of the Week: SP Gavin Stone (1 GS, W, 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)

The Dodgers rank second in the majors with a plus-119 run differential, which was bolstered by outscoring the White Sox by an 11-3 margin with a pair of shutouts. Rookie Gavin Stone was responsible for one of those shutouts with his first career complete game, and he is now 9-2 with a 2.73 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 89 innings over 15 starts.

4. Cleveland Guardians (52-30)

Previous Rank: 5

Last Week: 2-1 @ BAL, 1-3 @ KC

Star of the Week: 3B José Ramírez (10-for-29, 3 2B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, SB)

The Guardians won seven straight series before dropping three of four to the division-rival Royals over the weekend, but it was still a solid week thanks to a series win on the road over the Orioles. Gavin Williams will make his 2024 debut on Wednesday after dealing with an elbow injury to start the year, and Triston McKenzie was optioned to the minors to make room for him on the roster.

3. New York Yankees (54-32)

Previous Rank: 3

Last Week: 0-2 @ NYM, 2-2 @ TOR

Star of the Week: OF Aaron Judge (11-for-21, 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI)

The Yankees are just 5-11 in their last 16 games, but they are still locked in a virtual tie atop the AL East standings with the Orioles. The offense needs someone to step forward as a consistent contributor outside of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, while the pitching staff took a major step backward with a 5.26 ERA in June that ranked 29th in the majors.

2. Baltimore Orioles (53-31)

Previous Rank: 2

Last Week: 1-2 vs. CLE, 3-1 vs. TEX

Star of the Week: SS Gunnar Henderson (11-for-28, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

The Orioles snapped a season-high five-game losing streak on Wednesday, then won three in a row against the Rangers to turn the tide. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson is hitting .288/.384/.604 with 26 home runs, which is tied with Shohei Ohtani for the second-highest total in the majors behind Aaron Judge. The 23-year-old has committed to participating in this year's Home Run Derby.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (55-29)

Previous Rank: 1

Last Week: 2-1 @ DET, 2-2 vs. MIA

Star of the Week: SP Cristopher Sánchez (1 GS, W, 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)

In his first start after signing a four-year, $22.5 million extension, left-hander Cristopher Sánchez twirled the first complete game shutout of his career. The Phillies lead the majors with a 3.08 ERA, and they have the top three qualified NL starters in ERA with Ranger Suárez (2.27 ERA, 103.0 IP), Sánchez (2.41 ERA, 93.1 IP) and Zack Wheeler (2.73 ERA, 105.2 IP).

Complete Rankings

1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Baltimore Orioles
3. New York Yankees
4. Cleveland Guardians
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
6. Kansas City Royals
7. Milwaukee Brewers
8. Minnesota Twins
9. San Diego Padres
10. Seattle Mariners
11. Atlanta Braves
12. Houston Astros
13. Boston Red Sox
14. St. Louis Cardinals
15. Tampa Bay Rays
16. San Francisco Giants
17. New York Mets
18. Arizona Diamondbacks
19. Pittsburgh Pirates
20. Toronto Blue Jays
21. Washington Nationals
22. Cincinnati Reds
23. Chicago Cubs
24. Texas Rangers
25. Los Angeles Angels
26. Detroit Tigers
27. Miami Marlins
28. Oakland Athletics
29. Chicago White Sox
30. Colorado Rockies

AL MVP

1. Aaron Judge, NYY
2. Gunnar Henderson, BAL
3. Juan Soto, NYY
4. Bobby Witt Jr., KC
5. Steven Kwan, CLE
6. Jarren Duran, BOS
7. José Ramírez, CLE
8. Kyle Tucker, HOU
9. Adley Rutschman, BAL
10. Yordan Alvarez, HOU

AL Cy Young

1. Seth Lugo, KC
2. Corbin Burnes, BAL
3. Tarik Skubal, DET
4. Tanner Houck, BOS
5. Logan Gilbert, SEA

AL Rookie of the Year

1. Luis Gil, NYY
2. Wilyer Abreu, BOS
3. Colton Cowser, BAL

*Note: Until decisive information is released to the contrary, I'm working under the assumption that Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller exceeded rookie eligibility limits in 2023 since his status is listed as such on his Baseball Reference page.

NL MVP

1. Shohei Ohtani, LAD
2. Bryce Harper, PHI
3. Freddie Freeman, LAD
4. Marcell Ozuna, ATL
5. Ketel Marte, ARI
6. Jurickson Profar, SD
7. Mookie Betts, LAD
8. Fernando Tatis Jr., SD
9. Brice Turang, MIL
10. Elly De La Cruz, CIN

NL Cy Young

1. Ranger Suárez, PHI
2. Zack Wheeler, PHI
3. Tyler Glasnow, LAD
4. Chris Sale, ATL
5. Cristopher Sánchez, PHI

NL Rookie of the Year

1. Paul Skenes, PIT
2. Shōta Imanaga, CHC
3. Jackson Merrill, SD