Here’s a look at my 20-16 power rankings for the 2015 MLB season.
Kicking it off at #20 is the –
#20) Cincinnati Reds
Getting rid of the Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon in the Winter meetings, The reds aquired Marlon Bryd to fill the spot in LF. The Reds are hoping the back end of the rotation can pull through. They still have the talent to contend this season. And they have yet to make a significant addition to a bullpen that ranked 26th in the league with a 4.11 ERA last year. If Votto can stay healthy, this team has a very good chance of staying on top in the division.
Projected 2015 Lineup
CF Billy Hamilton
3B Todd Frazier
1B Joey Votto
C Devin Mesoraco
RF Jay Bruce
2B Brandon Phillips
LF Marlon Byrd
SS Zack Cozart
Pitcher
Projected 2015 Rotation
SP Johnny Cueto
SP Homer Bailey
SP Mike Leake
SP Tony Cingrani
SP Anthony DeSclafani
MR Manny Parra
MR Jumbo Diaz
MR Burke Badenhop
MR Paul Maholm
SU Sam LeCure
CL Aroldis Chapman
19) San Francisco Giants
Even tho they Won the world series last year. They lost a big part of there team in losing Pablo Sandoval and Michael Morse but replacing them with Casey McGehee. Its a step back but hopefully he can put up some of the same numbers he did with the Marlins last season and play good defense.
The pitching staff is very questionable with re-signing Jake Peavy and having him behind 39 yr old Tim Hudson. Matt Cain (returning from shoulder surgery) and Tim Lincecum (4.76 ERA since 2012) behind ace Madison Bumgarner. That’s a rotation that could fall apart with a quick snap of your fingers. It has shown in the past from four these pitchers.
Projected 2015 Lineup
CF Angel Pagan
2B Joe Panik
C Buster Posey
1B Brandon Belt
RF Hunter Pence
3B Casey McGehee
SS Brandon Crawford
LF Norichika Aoki
Pitcher
Projected 2015 Rotation
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Tim Hudson
SP Matt Cain
SP Jake Peavy
SP Tim Lincecum
MR Hunter Strickland
MR Javier Lopez
MR Yusmeiro Petit
MR Sergio Romo
SU Jeremy Affeldt
CL Santiago Casilla
18) Cleveland Indians
Still looking for a #2 starter for there rotation, who can prove to be a consistent pitcher in the big league is a big need for this team. Cleveland is hoping that Salazar and Carrasco can bounce back and become the Pitchers they are hoping to turn out to be.
Keeping Jason Kipnis healthy, and having working with Cleveland’s Super star in Michael Brantley will help keep this team going and contending with other teams in the AL Central. Adding Brandon Moss will give them some power and protection around Brantley and Santana in the middle of that lineup.
Projected 2015 Lineup
CF Michael Bourn
2B Jason Kipnis
LF Michael Brantley
1B Carlos Santana
RF Brandon Moss
C Yan Gomes
DH Nick Swisher
SS Jose Ramirez
3B Lonnie Chisenhall
Projected 2015 Rotation
SP Corey Kluber
SP Carlos Carrasco
SP Danny Salazar
SP Trevor Bauer
SP Gavin Floyd
MR Kyle Crocket
MR Nick Hagadone
MR Marc Rzepczynski
MR Scott Atchison
SU Bryan Shaw
CL Cody Allen
17) San Diego Padres
The worst offense in baseball by a landslide last season, the San Diego Padres have completely overhauled their lineup with the additions of Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Wil Myers and Derek Norris. This is a total flip flop from last season.
With having the #4th ranked pitching last season was a bonus. But adding James Shields to bolster the rotation more is going to be a good plan for the Padres.
A few things they have to worry about is that can Matt Kemp stay healthy and can Wil Myers play Center Field? Will James Shields be the Big Time Player that he’s supposed to be. This is the First time Shields has pitched for a National League team. Will he be able to switch over?
Projected 2015 Lineup
3B Yangervis Solarte
CF Wil Myers
RF Matt Kemp
LF Justin Upton
1B Yonder Alonso
2B Jedd Gyorko
C Derek Norris
SS Alexi Amarista
Pitcher
Projected 2015 Rotation
SP James Shields
SP Tyson Ross
SP Andrew Cashner
SP Ian Kennedy
SP Brandon Morrow
MR Odrisamer Despaigne
MR Nick Vincent
MR Shawn Kelly
MR Dale Thayer
SU Kevin Quackenbush
CL Joaquin Benoit
16) New York Mets
Moving at least one starter from the trio of Jon Niese, Bartolo Colon and Dillon Gee is still on the offseason to-do list, as the Mets have an enviable amount of starting pitching depth and more on the way in the form of prospects Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz.
Having Matt Harvey returning doesn’t mean that they are an instant contender for the playoffs, but it gives them an upside and a better chance of doing so. Who knows it Harvey will be the same Harvey before tommy john surgery.
Keeping new outfielder for the Mets, Michael Cuddyer healthy and getting All-Star David Wright back on track will be key moves for the team. This team has holes all over but if the players step up to be what they are suppose to do, they can be a good average team and contend.
Projected 2015 Lineup
CF Juan Lagares
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Lucas Duda
RF Michael Cuddyer
LF Curtis Granderson
C Travis d’Arnaud
SS Wilmer Flores
Pitcher
Projected 2015 Rotation
SP Matt Harvey
SP Jon Niese
SP Jacob deGrom
SP Zack Wheeler
SP Bartolo Colon
MR Sean Gilmartin
MR Vic Black
MR Carlos Torres
MR Josh Edgin
SU Jeurys Familia
CL Jenrry Mejia
That’s 20-16 Power rankings for the 2015 season. 15-11 will be up shortly.
