MLB Power Rankings: Biggest Surprises? Biggest disappointments?

After the opening weekend in early April, we put everything together our first Power Rankings of the year.

We couldn’t collect much at the time. The Pirates and Orioles started 1-2, while the Cardinals were 2-1. The Mets and Guardians, meanwhile, started hot 3-1.

It is clear that a lot can change.

Here are the teams that have risen – and fallen – the most since our first ranking almost two months ago.

(Keep scrolling down for the full list of weekly Power Rankings.)

THE JUMPING

Baltimore Orioles (+18)
Starting rank: 20
Current rank: 2

The Orioles have a 4.76 starters ERA. How do they do this? Well, they can hit, they can run, and the back of their bullpen is as terrifying as it is in baseball. If you don’t know Yennier Canó yet, it is time to pay attention. Baltimore just swept the Blue Jays and has now won 15 games at home, 15 games away and 15 games against teams over .500.

Arizona Diamondbacks (+14)
Starting position: 22
Current rank: 8

Most assumed the NL West would be a two-team race; they didn’t assume the young, fast D-backs would be one of those two teams. They are in the top 10 in OPS and steals, have multiple rookies making a positive impact, have a potential Cy Young Award winner in Zac Gallen, and are 1.5 games behind in first place.

Texas Rangers (+10)
Starting position: 14
Current rank: 4

Everyone knew the potential of the renewed rotation. But this offense? My God. The Rangers did little to take on that side in free agency, but their .798 OPS ranks second in the sport. The Rays are the only team to have scored more runs, reached base more often and had a better run difference than the Rangers, who held up well after Corey Seager’s hamstring injury and now do the same with Jacob deGrom on the shelf.

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Rangers’ Corey Seager hits five-run 2nd inning vs. Rockies with two-run HR

Boston Red Sox (+9)
Starting place: 18
Current rank: 9

The Boston Red Sox have recorded the most doubles in the sport and are close behind the Rays and Rangers among the American League leaders in runs scored. Their outfield has the second most wins over substitution in MLB. Chaim Bloom’s decision to sign Masatoka Yoshida seems wise, while Alex Verdugo and Jarren Duran exceed expectations. Meanwhile, Justin Turner is still in his late 30s.

Tampa Bay rays (+6)
Starting ranking: 7
Current rank: 1

They are the best baseball team. They’ve been the best baseball team all year. Whether their pitching can hold up amidst a bevy of injured starters is a fair question, but their hitting – THEIR HITTING! – could help carry them to a divisional crown. They already have 91 homers; no other team has 80.

THE WATERFALLS

Not all disappointments are created equal. For this exercise, we’ll divide these five teams into two groups: those showing signs of life and those still trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

Signs of life!

St. Louis Cardinals (-12)
Starting place: 8
Current rank: 20

As this month began, the Cardinals were winding down an eight-game losing streak and telling everyone that their biggest free agent asset would no longer be attractive to them. Boy, how a few weeks can change things. Willson Contreras is already behind the plate and the Cards have won 11 of their past 14 games with series wins against the Cubs, Red Sox, Brewers and Dodgers.

Paul DeJong’s three-run shot gives Cardinals 10-3 lead over Dodgers

New York Mets (-10)
Starting ranking: 4
Current rank: 14

Maybe a few walk-offs will change the mojo in Queens. The Mets took a run from the top baseball team this week to begin their first winning streak of the month, which is both a step in the right direction and a representation of how poorly May started for the most expensive baseball team.

No signs of life!

San Diego Padres (-16)
Starting ranking: 5
Current ranking: 21

Remember when the Padres were 18-15 and looked rejuvenated by the return of Fernando Tatís Jr.? That feels like a while ago. San Diego has dropped 11 of the past 14 games and is struggling to provide offense with what should be a powerful lineup. It doesn’t help that Manny Machado is now on the injured list.

Cleveland Guardians (-11)
Starting ranking: 11
Current ranking: 22

I’m not sure which fact is more astonishing: that the Guardians started Sunday with a worse record than the Tigers or that they are only a handful of games away from first place. As bad as it’s been – they have the fewest home runs and the second lowest OPS in the sport – a good week and the Guardians could be contenders again in the dismal AL Central. But at some point, that good week has to come.

Chicago White Sox (-8)
First ranking: 17
Current ranking: 25

OK, sure, you could argue that after 5-1 weeks they belong in the “signs of life” camp. But remember, those five wins were against the team directly above them on this list and the Kansas City Royals. The start of the year has been so terrible that we need to see more than a handful of games before we believe their season can be revived.

Is Judge MLB’s Leading Hitter? Cardinals playoff hope, Padres disappointment

And now, on to the full weekly ranking:

1) Tampa Bay rays (34-14; last week 1)

2) Baltimore Orioles (31-16; LW 4)

3) Atlanta Braves (29-17; LW 3)

4) Texas Rangers (29-17; LW 6)

5) Houston Astros (27-19; LW 10)

6) New York Yankees (29-20; LW 7)

7) Los Angeles Dodgers (29-19; LW 7)

8) Arizona Diamondbacks (27-20; LW 9)

9) Boston Red Sox (26-21; LW 12)

10) Toronto Blue Jays (25-22; LW 5)

11) Angels from Los Angeles (25-23; LW 16)

12) Milwaukee Brewers (25-21; LW 11)

13) Minnesota twins (25-22; LW 8)

14) New York Mets (25-23; LW 20)

15) San Francisco Giants (22-24; LW 22)

16) Sailors from Seattle (22-24; LW 15)

17) Philadelphia Phillies (22-24; LW 14)

18) Miami Marlins (24-23; LW 21)

19) Pittsburgh Pirates (24-22; LW 13)

20) St. Louis Cardinals (21-27; LW 25)

21) San Diego Padres (21-26; LW 17)

22) Cleveland Guardians (20-26; LW 19)

23) Detroit Tigers (20-24; LW 24)

24) Chicago Cubs (20-26; LW 18)

25) Chicago White Sox (19-29)

26) Colorado Rockies (19-28; LW 26)

27) Cincinnati Reds (19-27; LW 23)

28) Washington nationals (20-27; LW 27)

29) Kansas City Royals (14-34; LW 29)

30) Oakland Athletics (10-38; LW 30)

Rowan Kavner covers the Dodgers and NL West for FOX Sports. Previously, he was the editor of the Dodgers’ digital and print publications. Follow him on Twitter @RowanKavner.