MLB power rankings: Now or never as top prospect arrives for contender
September got here in a hurry, no? And for Major League Baseball teams, it’s going to evaporate even quicker.
With just 23 to 25 games left, it’s past time for teams to make a move, and with the calendar flipping and two extra roster spots available, a contender gasping for air isn’t above calling on a rookie for help. So welcome to Cincinnati, Sal Stewart, and say hello to Seattle, Harry Ford.
The top prospects arrived with the 28-man roster and in Stewart’s case, there was no time to wait around. He keyed a two-run rally with his first major league hit Sept. 1 and, even though the diamond is crowded in Cincy, he told reporters he’ll play ‘the batter’s box.’
Hey, the Reds will take any help they can get. A modest two-game winning streak – capped by a walk-off win over Toronto – ended a funk of eight losses in 10 games and kept them within four games of the Mets for the National League’s final wild-card berth. It also eased their fall in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings, falling two spots to No. 15.
In Seattle, Ford, a catcher, is blocked in the traditional sense by the great Cal Raleigh, but after mastering Class AAA – 16 homers, an .868 OPS – his bat can only help the Mariners, who hope not to be Texas toast by the end of the year – they’re 1 ½ games up on the Rangers for the last playoff spot, and three back of Houston for the AL West lead.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)
- Have lost nine of their last 15. Just a blip, right?
2. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
- Trea Turner shouldn’t be too far behind Kyle Schwarber on those NL MVP ballots.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)
- Bullpen ERA now a grim 4.12.
4. Detroit Tigers (-)
- Have lost eight of their last 13 against teams currently holding a playoff spot.
5. Chicago Cubs (-)
- Cade Horton should get a fair amount of Rookie of the Year love.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (+1)
- Tanner Scott, projected closer, has a 4.44 ERA.
7. Boston Red Sox (+1)
- It would be nice to figure out the Nos. 4-5 rotation slots. But they can make a playoff run simply with their Big Three.
8. San Diego Padres (-2)
- Jose Iglesias is the primary shortstop. They can only hope his Mets Magic lasts into this October, too.
9. New York Yankees (+2)
- Jose Caballero becoming more appealing as steadier shortstop option.
10. Houston Astros (-1)
- Luis Garcia posts a quality start (and a win) in first post-Tommy John outing.
11. New York Mets (+1)
- Juan Soto: 36 home runs, .915 OPS, 5.1 WAR. This is why you don’t waste your breath in April.
12. Seattle Mariners (-2)
- Their ‘major offensive addition’ of the off-season – Donovan Solano – doesn’t make it to September.
13. Kansas City Royals (+1)
- Playoff drive slowed by Seth Lugo’s uncharacteristic inability to get through five innings.
14. Texas Rangers (+1)
- How are these guys not 10 games out yet?
15. Cincinnati Reds (-2)
- If there’s such a thing as Tito Magic, this is the time of year it arrives.
16. San Francisco Giants (+4)
- Have homered in 15 consecutive games, which they haven’t done such Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001.
17. Cleveland Guardians (-1)
- Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz remain in limbo.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)
- Zac Gallen had 28 strikeouts, nine walks in August.
19. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)
- Reliever Jorge Alcala – claimed from Boston – making strong impression.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)
- Braves take Ha-Seong Kim’s $16 million 2026 commitment off their hands – and open up shortstop for Carson Williams.
21. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- Taylor Ward fortunate to emerge with minor injuries after slamming into scoreboard fence in Houston.
22. Miami Marlins (-)
- They’re a .493 team on the road, .456 in front of sparse crowds in Miami.
23. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Austin Riley’s season officially over after move to 60-day IL.
24. Minnesota Twins (+1)
- Byron Buxton (29 homers, 21 steals) has a shot at Twins’ first 30-30 season.
25. Athletics (+1)
- Swept Tigers right out of Yolo County in best series win of year.
26. Baltimore Orioles (-2)
- Jeremiah Jackson? He’s on a 33-for-97 heater as an Oriole.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Blue Jays), Tim Mayza (Phillies) waived and picked up by better teams.
28. Washington Nationals (-)
- Pretty neat: Battery of Andrew Alvarez, C.J. Stubbs debut on same day, help post shutout.
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
- This Colson Montgomery homer thing getting crazy: He’s gone deep in consecutive games six times.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
- A 116-loss pace as end of nightmare season approaches
