While MJ is handling the AL, I have the pleasure of examining the NL squads. Here is PnR's first week of NL Power Rankings:
NL Power Rankings (May 16, 2007)
Team Name/Record/This Week/Last Week/Comments
Mets/26-14/1/-/Weekend sweep of the Brewers solidified the Mets as the front-runner one quarter through the season. Perez and Maine remain huge question marks the rest of the way, but the offense should churn out 5-7 runs a night.
Braves/25-16/2/-/Weathered Wickman's injury admirably, and fortunately Smoltz looks like he will be back shortly. It's time for the other Jones to lead the offense for a while.
Brewers/26-15/3/-/Rough weekend in New York. Minny skid means we could see both Gallardo and Braun sooner rather than later.
Dodgers/25-16/4/-/Solid at the plate; solid on the mound. Ranked 4th or higher in the NL for BA, OBP, SB, ERA, BAA, OPS Against, SV, and QS. Oh, and 5th in WHIP.
Padres/22-19/5/-/Peavy making a case for best pitcher in the NL. Nice to see a strong start after last seasons irregularities.
Astros/20-19/6/-/Oswalt and Lincy square off tonight. Can anyone slow down Hunter Pence?
Diamondbacks/22-20/7/-/Chris B. Young (a PnR favorite) looks like he's heating up. If only Stephen Drew could do the same...
Giants/19-20/8/-/Cain, Zito, Lowry, Lincy and Morris -- in five weeks we may find this is the best rotation in baseball. Clear, Cream, Pills, Shakes or Veggies -- whatever you're thoughts on the matter, here's hoping in five years we can all look back and recognize how incredibly good Bonds truly is.
Phillies/20-21/9/-/Cole Hamels and Brett Myers are each thriving in their new role -- ace and closer, respectively. Want to know something scary? Howard's power numbers are actually ahead of where they were last year at this time.
Cubs/18-21/10/-/Made a nice run, but took a huge step back today allowing 5 in the bottom of the ninth. If Hill, Marquis and Lilly don't keep up their unexpected dominance, we could see the Cubies free-falling down the Ranks.
Marlins/18-23/11/-/We all knew there would be some regression this year, but the Fish have to be disappointed with this start. On the bright side, Cabrera is still raking.
Pirates/18-22/12/-/Sluggish offense makes it unlikely the Pirates will compete in a weak NL Central. Ranked 12th or lower in the NL in BA, R, OBP, SLG and OPS.
Rockies/17-24/13/-/Tulowitzki making a case for staying in the two slot -- Dirtbag finally starting to catch his bat up with his defense. Hirsch has been a nice surprise, but expect a bumpy ride throughout the season.
Reds/16-25/14/-/Hamilton has been fun; the pitching staff has not. With Homer Bailey struggling with his command in Louisville, maybe Reds fans should start counting down the days until the Votto era instead.
Cardinals/16-22/15/-/So this is what an unimproved, aging World Series champ looks like, huh?
Nationals/15-26/16/-/I wish there was something nice to write...I'm excited for the new stadium?
NL MVP: Jose Reyes, Mets (.337/.411/.533, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 35 R, 7 3B, 23 SB)
NL Cy Young: Jake Peavy, Padres (5-1, 1.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, .194 BAA)
NL RoY: Hunter Pence, Astros (.354/.391/.662, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 10 of 23 hits have gone for extra bases)
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2 comments:
We agree right down the line. Although at this point in the season, I'd probably give Josh Hamilton the NL RoY. I wouldn't bet against Pence the rest of the way but for the first six weeks, Hamilton's been doing a bit more damage (especially when you consider where he came from).
I disagree with Hamilton as the frontrunner. True, he had a great start, and it's a great story. His numbers, however, are slightly behind Pence.
Hamilton (.265/.341/.530, 8 HR, 18 RBI)
They aren't BAD numbers, they're just not as impressive as Pence. I expect there will be some regression, but as of this week Pence is the best of the rookie class in the NL, in my opinion.
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