2024 MLB Power Rankings

Hey there, baseball fans! The 2023 MLB season was a wild ride, wasn't it? We saw some teams crush it, while others didn't quite live up to the hype. But now it's time to look ahead to 2024 and figure out where everyone stands. That's right, it's time for our MLB power rankings!

We've gone through all the stats, analyzed the rosters, and even peeked into our crystal ball to give you our take on who's hot and who's not. From the powerhouse Yankees and Dodgers to the up-and-coming Orioles and Mariners, we've got you covered.

So, grab your peanuts and crackerjacks, and let's dive into our 2024 MLB power rankings!

Top 5 Teams

Atlanta Braves 

The Braves are coming off a monster 2023 season where they won 104 games. Their lineup is stacked with heavy hitters like Austin Riley, who smashed 45 home runs, and Matt Olson, who drove in 120 runs. Even without Freddie Freeman, this team just keeps mashing. Their pitching staff is no joke either, with Max Fried and Spencer Strider leading the charge. If they can get some solid innings from their back-end starters, watch out!

Baltimore Orioles 

The Orioles surprised everyone in 2023, winning 101 games and taking the AL East crown. Their success is all about home-grown talent. Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman are the real deal, and they're just getting started. On the mound, Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez proved they can hang with the big boys. This young squad is hungry and ready to make a deep postseason run.

Los Angeles Dodgers 

The Dodgers just keep finding ways to win. They hit the 100-win mark again in 2023, thanks to big seasons from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. The only question mark is their starting rotation. They'll need Walker Buehler to come back strong from Tommy John surgery and hope that guys like Lance Lynn and Ryan Pepiot can hold it down. But with that lineup, they'll always be a force to be reckoned with.

Tampa Bay Rays 

The Rays just keep chugging along, winning 99 games in 2023 despite losing some key pitchers to injury. Zach Eflin proved to be a great addition, going 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA. And watch out for Curtis Mead, their top prospect who tore it up in September. The Rays always seem to find a way to win, and 2024 should be no different.

Milwaukee Brewers 

The Brewers won 92 games in 2023, and it all starts with their pitching. Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, and Brandon Woodruff form a three-headed monster that strikes fear into any lineup. Their bullpen was also lights out, posting the second-lowest ERA in the league. The only thing holding them back is their inconsistent offense, but if they can get some timely hits, they'll be a tough out in the playoffs.

Teams 6-10

Philadelphia Phillies 

The Phillies made some noise in 2023, winning 90 games and earning a wild-card spot. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber get most of the headlines, but don't sleep on Bryson Stott, who had a 4.4 WAR and played a mean second base. On the mound, Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola are as solid as they come, and Cristopher Sanchez was a nice surprise with a 3.44 ERA in 18 starts.

Houston Astros 

The Astros just keep finding ways to win, even as their core gets older. They won 90 games in 2023, thanks to a potent lineup and a solid trio of starters in Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and Justin Verlander. But they did struggle down the stretch, going just 3-9 at one point. If they can find another ace to replace Verlander when he hangs 'em up, they'll be right back in the mix.

Texas Rangers 

The Rangers turned some heads in 2023, winning 90 games and making a push for the AL West crown. Their offense was on fire, ranking 3rd in the league in OPS. Corey Seager led the way with a 6.2 WAR, despite missing 43 games. If they can shore up their bullpen and add another solid starter, they could make some real noise in 2024.

Minnesota Twins 

The Twins rode their starting pitching to an 87-win season in 2023. Their rotation, led by Sonny Gray and Pablo Lopez, posted a league-best 3.82 ERA. The lineup has plenty of pop, ranking 7th in OPS, but they need to hit for a higher average (21st in MLB). If Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis can stay healthy and they can find some more consistent bats, watch out.

Arizona Diamondbacks 

The D-backs took a big step forward in 2023, winning 84 games and just missing out on a wild-card spot. Corbin Carroll looks like a star in the making, and the lineup is starting to come together. The only question mark is their rotation - they need a solid No. 3 starter to slot in behind Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. If they can find that missing piece, they could be a dark horse in the NL West.

Teams 11-20

Toronto Blue Jays 

The Blue Jays had a solid 2023 season, winning 89 games and earning a wild-card spot. But considering their talent, it feels like an underachievement. They had the 4th-best team ERA (3.78) and the 11th-best OPS (.764), but still finished 12 games behind the Orioles in the AL East. If they can avoid those costly losing streaks and play to their potential, they could easily be a 95-win team in 2024.

Miami Marlins 

The Marlins surprised a lot of people in 2023, winning 84 games and sneaking into the playoffs. They finally got some offensive help from Luis Arraez (.316 BA) and Jorge Soler (32 HR). But their real strength is still their pitching, with Eury Perez and Jesus Luzardo leading the way. If their young arms continue to develop, they could be a force in the NL East.

Seattle Mariners 

The Mariners just missed out on the playoffs in 2023, winning 88 games but falling one game short of a wild-card spot. They've got a great core in place with Julio Rodriguez and a solid rotation. But their offense was inconsistent, and they got off to a slow start. If they can find a way to score more runs and avoid those early-season slumps, they should be right in the mix for a playoff spot in 2024.

San Diego Padres 

The Padres were one of the most disappointing teams of 2023. Despite a star-studded roster, they won just 82 games and missed the playoffs. Something just doesn't seem to be clicking with this group. They might need to consider trading one of their big names (Soto, Machado, Tatis Jr.) to shake things up. If they can find the right mix, they've got the talent to be a contender.

Chicago Cubs 

The Cubs took a step forward in 2023, winning 83 games and flirting with a wild-card spot. They've got a solid core in place with Seiya Suzuki and Justin Steele, and Pete Crow-Armstrong looks like a future star. But their late-season collapse in September was concerning. If they can bounce back from that and play more consistent baseball, they could be a sleeper team in the NL Central.

Cincinnati Reds 

The Reds surprised a lot of people in 2023, winning 82 games and hanging around the wild-card race for most of the season. Their young players really stepped up, with eight rookies combining for 13.2 WAR. But their starting pitching is still a question mark. If they can upgrade their rotation and get more consistency from their lineup, they could be a fun team to watch in 2024.

New York Yankees 

The Yankees were a bit of a mess in 2023. They won 82 games but never really seemed to get on track. Their lineup had plenty of power (9th in OPS) but not much else (29th in batting average). The pitching was solid (10th in team ERA), and the bullpen was lights out (1st in ERA). But something just feels off with this team. They need to find a better balance and get more production from their star players if they want to get back to the top of the AL East.

Detroit Tigers 

The Tigers took a big step forward in 2023, winning 78 games and showing some promise for the future. Their starting rotation, led by Eduardo Rodriguez and Tarik Skubal, was a bright spot. And Spencer Torkelson finally started to live up to the hype, hitting 34 homers. But the offense as a whole is still a work in progress. If they can continue to develop their young talent and add a few more pieces, they could be a team to watch in the AL Central.

Cleveland Guardians 

The Guardians took a step back in 2023, winning just 76 games after making the playoffs the year before. Their pitching was still solid, ranking 9th in team ERA. But the offense was a disaster, finishing dead last in OPS. They've got some good young arms in their rotation, which could make someone like Shane Bieber expendable in a trade. If they can find a way to score more runs, they could bounce back in 2024.

Pittsburgh Pirates 

The Pirates showed some flashes in 2023, winning 76 games and hanging around the wild-card race for a while. They've got a couple of All-Stars in Mitch Keller and David Bednar, and their top prospect, Paul Skenes, could be in the majors soon. But the offense is still a mess, ranking 28th in OPS. If they can find a way to generate more runs, they could be a pesky team in the NL Central.

Teams 21-30

San Francisco Giants 

The Giants took a step back in 2023, winning just 79 games after making the playoffs the year before. Their pitching was still solid, ranking 11th in team ERA (4.12). But the offense struggled mightily, scoring just 4.1 runs per game (26th in MLB). If they can find a way to generate more offense and give their pitchers some run support, they could be a team to watch in the NL West.

Boston Red Sox 

The Red Sox were in the playoff hunt for most of 2023, but a disastrous 9-19 September left them on the outside looking in. The offense was solid, ranking 12th in OPS (.751) and 8th in runs scored (4.9 per game). But the pitching staff let them down, ranking 21st in team ERA (4.58). If they can find some more consistency on the mound and avoid those late-season collapses, they could be a contender in the AL East.

New York Mets 

The Mets were one of the biggest disappointments of 2023, winning just 74 games despite a massive payroll. The pitching staff was a mess, ranking 25th in team ERA (4.85) and 28th in WHIP (1.43). And despite some big names in the lineup, the offense was just middle of the pack, ranking 15th in OPS (.740). If they can find a way to get more out of their high-priced talent and develop some of their young players, they could bounce back in 2024.

St. Louis Cardinals 

The Cardinals took a big step back in 2023, winning just 71 games after making the playoffs the year before. The offense started slow and never really got going, ranking 23rd in OPS (.719) and 24th in runs scored (4.3 per game). And the pitching staff was even worse, ranking 24th in team ERA (4.76). If they can find a way to replace some of their aging veterans and get more production from their young players, they could be a team to watch in the NL Central.

Washington Nationals 

The Nationals struggled in 2023, winning just 71 games. But there were some bright spots, especially in the rotation with MacKenzie Gore and Josiah Gray. The offense was led by Lane Thomas, who put up a solid .277/.351/.482 slash line. And they've got some exciting young prospects in James Wood and Dylan Crews. If those guys can make an impact in 2024, the Nats could be a team on the rise.

Los Angeles Angels 

The Angels were a disappointment once again in 2023, winning just 73 games. And with Shohei Ohtani's future uncertain and Mike Trout getting older, they could be in for a full rebuild. The only real bright spot is outfield prospect Nolan Schanuel, who looks like a future star. But it's going to take some time for this team to get back to contention.

Chicago White Sox 

The White Sox were a disaster in 2023, winning just 61 games and finishing in last place in the AL Central. The offense was a one-man show, with Luis Robert Jr. hitting 38 homers but not getting much help. And the pitching staff was a mess, ranking 29th in team ERA (5.18). If they can find a way to build around Robert and develop some of their young pitchers, they could be a team to watch in the future. But it's going to be a long rebuild on the South Side.

Kansas City Royals 

The Royals struggled mightily in 2023, winning just 56 games. They've got some exciting young players in Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino, but not much else. And the pitching staff was a disaster, ranking dead last in team ERA (5.46) and WHIP (1.54). If they can find a way to develop some of their young arms and surround their young hitters with some more talent, they could be a team to watch in the future. But it's going to take some time.

Colorado Rockies 

The Rockies had a historically bad 2023 season, winning just 59 games. The offense was surprisingly mediocre, ranking 20th in OPS (.717) and 26th in home runs (156) despite playing at Coors Field. And the pitching staff was a disaster, ranking dead last in team ERA (5.96) and 29th in WHIP (1.53). Until they find a new direction in the front office and start developing some pitching talent, it's going to be a long road back to contention for the Rockies.

Oakland Athletics 

The A's were the worst team in baseball in 2023, winning just 50 games. They traded away all their veteran talent and fielded a lineup of mostly minor leaguers. The only reason to watch this team was to see which young players might be part of the future. But with a potential move to Las Vegas on the horizon, it's hard to know what that future will look like. One thing is for sure: it's going to be a long rebuild in Oakland (or Vegas).

Conclusion

The 2023 MLB season was full of surprises, disappointments, and everything in between. We saw young teams like the Orioles and Marlins make unexpected runs to the playoffs, while perennial contenders like the Yankees and Mets struggled to find their footing.

Looking ahead to 2024, there are plenty of storylines to watch. Can the Braves maintain their dominance in the NL East? Will the Dodgers' starting rotation hold up? Can the Rays continue to work their magic despite a limited budget?

One thing is for sure: the competition will be fierce. With expanded playoffs and more teams than ever in the hunt, every game will matter. Teams like the Blue Jays, Mariners, and Padres will be looking to take the next step, while rebuilding teams like the Tigers and Guardians will be hoping to surprise some people.

Of course, there are also plenty of questions to be answered. Will Shohei Ohtani stay with the Angels, or will he be wearing a new uniform come Opening Day? Can the White Sox and Royals find a way to turn things around, or are they in for a long rebuild? Will the A's finally get a new stadium, or will they be playing in Las Vegas?

As we head into the offseason, there will be plenty of moves to be made. Teams will be looking to upgrade their rosters through free agency and trades, while also trying to develop their young talent. The trade deadline could be especially active, with teams like the Mariners and Padres potentially looking to make a big splash.

One thing is for sure: baseball is in a great place right now. With young stars like Julio Rodriguez, Gunnar Henderson, and Corbin Carroll emerging, and veteran stars like Mike Trout and Mookie Betts still doing their thing, there's no shortage of talent on the field. And with more parity than ever, any team can beat any other team on any given day.

So buckle up, baseball fans. The 2024 season is shaping up to be a wild ride. Whether your team is a contender or a pretender, there will be plenty of reasons to tune in and see how it all plays out. And who knows? Maybe we'll see a little magic along the way.