Who is ready for baseball? Pitchers and catchers will officially report to Spring Training this week and the first preseason games are just over two weeks away. While there were many free agent signings during the offseason, several key players are still waiting to find a home.
Where will J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, Jake Arrieta, and others land this season? Time will tell. In the meantime, let’s look at the first edition of the 2018 MLB power rankings heading into spring training.
Houston Astros the easy No. 1
How can the Astros not be No.1 heading into 2018?
The pitching rotation is a fantasy player's dream. They can hit, run, field and execute. What else is there to say? It is very hard to repeat not just in baseball, but in sports in general. If the Astros stay healthy, they should be holding up another World Series trophy this fall.
2. NY Yankees -- The Yankees went to the ALCS last season in a year that many thought was a rebuilding season. They added Giancarlo Stanton. They are going to be good. Really good.
3. Washington Nationals -- This is it, Washington. Time to stand up or get ready to wonder why the team gave Max Scherzer $200 million. Bryce Harper is ready to bolt in 2019. It is now or never for the Nats to make a run at the World Series.
4. LA Dodgers -- Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. They are stacked once again heading into 2018, but can they finally deliver?
5. Chicago Cubs -- Signing Yu Darvish helps, but they need to find one more big bat. Maddon has done a great job since taking over the reigns.
6. Milwaukee Brewers -- Watch out for the Brew Crew!
Adding Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain is going to make the Brewers a serious contender in 2018.
7. Cleveland Indians -- The Tribe should own the AL Central once again in 2018, but stranger things have happened. Sometimes having the pressure of “the can’t miss team,” can work against you.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks -- They need to re-sign J.D.
Martinez. They could be dangerous.
9. L.A. Angels -- They traded for Justin Upton, Ian Kinsler and signed Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani. They could be the best in the west in 2018.
10. Minnesota Twins - They keep getting overlooked, but off of a great 2017, Minnesota will be good once again in 2018.
Best of the rest
With the anticipation of a new season, many fans have several questions about his or her favorite team. Will the Tigers be as bad as experts predict? Can the Brewers or Giants make the postseason after their key offseason signings? How long will it take before Derek Jeter can build a winner in Miami? The answers will unfold as the season progresses.
That being said, here is the best of the rest of the 2018 MLB preseason power rankings.
11. St. Louis Cardinals
12. Boston Red Sox
13. San Francisco Giants
14. Colorado Rockies
15. Texas Rangers
16. NY Mets
17. Toronto Blue Jays
18. Seattle Mariners
19. Tampa Bay Rays
20. Oakland A’s
21. Philadelphia Phillies
22. Atlanta Braves
23. Pittsburgh Pirates
24. Baltimore Orioles
25. Chicago White Sox
26. Cincinnati Reds
27. Detroit Tigers
28. San Diego Padres
29. Kansas City Royals
30. Miami Marlins