2014 MLB Power Rankings Week 11

For the second straight week I need to start this off on a somber note. Earlier today San Diego Padres legend Tony Gwynn passed away after complications from cancer. Gwynn spent his entire 20-year career in San Diego and though he never captured a World Series crown (his teams lost twice in the Fall Classic) he is an icon in San Diego sports history. He won eight batting titles and hit over .300 every year save his rookie campaign. His 3,141 career hits are good for 19th all-time. The 15-time All-Star was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007,his first year on the ballot, while receiving 97.6% of the vote. Gwynn was truly one of the greatest hitters I have ever seen. Mr. Padre will be missed by all.

*Note ~ As always all records and stats are through Sunday's games.

1. Oakland A's (42-27) ~ Josh Donaldson burst onto the scene last year with 24 homers and 93 driven in en route to a fourth place finish in American League MVP voting. So far this year he is sitting at 17 long balls and 51 driven in. His batting average is way down (.301 last year to .250 this year) but he could make a serious charge at MVP if he keeps it up. (Last Week's Ranking 2)

2. San Francisco Giants (43-27) ~ It all came crashing down this week as the Giants lost six of seven to Washington and St. Louis. Even after that dreadful week San Fran still boasts the best record in the bigs. (LWR 1)

3. Milwaukee Brewers (41-29) ~ I continue to wait for the glass slipper to wear off but it doesn't seem to be happening. In a weakened National League Central it looks like the Brew Crew is here to stay. (LWR 3)

4. Toronto Blue Jays (41-30) ~ Since coming off the disabled list Casey Janssen has solidified the back end of the Jays bullpen allowing only two earned runs in 14 innings. (LWR 4)

5. Los Angeles Angels (37-31) ~ Living on the East Coast I don't see many Angels games, however, they were in Atlanta this weekend taking on my Braves and if Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton stay healthy the rest of the season that will be the best 2-3-4 in any lineup in baseball. (LWR 5)

6. Detroit Tigers (36-29) ~ Will the real Joe Nathan please stand up? Detroit's bullpen is a mess and Nathan is a big part of it. His strikeouts (7.7 per nine) are down, his walks (4.7 per nine) are up and he has already given up more runs (18) this season than in all of 2013 (10). (LWR 6)

7. Atlanta Braves (36-32) ~ This is fun. Second baseman Tommy La Stella has more hits (23) in only sixteen starts than incumbent Dan Uggla had (20) in thirty-two starts. (LWR 7)

8. St. Louis Cardinals (37-32) ~ Everyone wondered where Matt Adams' power was after the hulking first baseman had a mere three home runs in hist first 52 games. Apparently it was on the disabled list as he has slugged a home run in each of his first three games since being activated, doubling his season output. (LWR 13)

9. Washington Nationals (35-33) ~ The battle for first place in the NL East heats up again this week as the Nats will play host to the Braves for a four-game set beginning Wednesday. (LWR 8)

10. Los Angeles Dodgers (37-34) ~ Backstop A.J. Ellis has been activated from the DL but he hasn't been much of a factor offensively this year slashing a putrid .196/.388/.235. His numbers have fallen off a cliff since the start of 2013. (LWR 10)

11. Miami Marlins (35-33) ~ The Marlins have called up top prospect Andrew Heaney to help out with the rotation. The ninth overall pick in the 2012 draft was 7-2 in the minors between AA and AAA this season. (LWR 9)

12. Baltimore Orioles (35-33) ~ Well, it's official. Matt Wieters will need Tommy John surgery and he will miss the rest of the season. It wasn't a surprise but it isn't good news either. (LWR 11)

13. New York Yankees (35-33) ~ Is the Captain gearing up for one last run? Derek Jeter is hitting .400 over the last week. (LWR 14)

14. Kansas City Royals (36-32) ~ Nothing like a seven-game winning streak to make this four-game set in Detroit interesting. KC is only 1 1/2 games behind the Tigers for first place in the AL Central. (LWR 20)

15. Seattle Mariners (35-34) ~ The first base situation in Seattle has become so bad they have called up former top prospect/bust Jesus Montero to man the position. He is currently owned in 0.2% of fantasy leagues. (LWR 12)

16. Colorado Rockies (34-35) ~ Colorado is 3-0 in a make or break stretch against the Giants and Dodgers on the road. Another sweep and the Rockies are right back in the NL West discussion. (LWR 16)

17. Pittsburgh Pirates (34-35) ~ Gregory Polanco is here and he's spectacular. The rookie has a hit in each of his first six games a a big leaguer including a five hit night capped with a go-ahead home run in extra innings. Quite the week for the future All-star. (LWR 22)

18. Cincinnati Reds (33-35) ~ Joey Votto and Mat Latos were both activated from the disabled list this week. The Reds will need big things from them and the rest of the cast if they are going to make a move in the NL Central. (LWR 15)

19. Texas Rangers (34-35) ~ The Rangers need to follow the Rockies lead as they too are on a six-game road trip against two teams they are trailing in the division; the Angels and A's. (LWR 17)

20. Cleveland Indians (35-35) ~ It's the Michael Brantley and Corey Kluber show in Cleveland. Brantley leads the team in most offensive categories while Kluber leads in most pitching categories. (LWR 19)

21. Minnesota Twins (32-35) ~ The Twins have to be one of the biggest surprises this year and what is even more surprising is they are contending without much help from their best player. Joe Mauer is not having a typical Mauer season as he is slashing a mere ..261/.342/.335 which is a far cry from his career line of .320/.401/.461. (LWR 21)

22. Boston Red Sox (31-38) ~ Shane Victorino could return this week to a lineup that is in the bottom third of baseball in most major offensive categories. (LWR 23)

23. Chicago White Sox (33-37) ~ Chris Sale has an otherworldly 0.61 WHIP on the season. ZERO POINT SIXTY ONE. Think about that. (LWR 18)

24. Houston Astros (32-39) ~ Jose Altuve has been the man this season for Houston. He is hitting a robust .318 and leads the NL in stolen bases with 24. He will be this young team's leader for the next few years. (LWR 25)

25. New York Mets (31-38) ~ If it is a rebuilding year and two of your top players are in their 40's (Bartolo Colon and Bobby Abreu) what does that really say about how things are going? (LWR 24)

26. Philadelphia Phillies (29-38) ~ Now that Jimmy Rollins is the franchise leader in hits will he waive his no-trade clause and bolt Philly? (LWR 29)

27. Arizona Diamondbacks (30-42) ~ Hey, at least they don't have the most losses in all of baseball anymore! (LWR 27)

28. San Diego Padres (29-40) ~ I really hope the Padres decide to wear a number 19 patch the rest of the season to honor the late Tony Gwynn. (LWR 26)

29. Chicago Cubs (28-39) ~ Is it time for the Cubs to start selling off some of their players? (LWR 28)

30. Tampa Bay Rays (27-43) ~ We know the Cubs will be sellers. The Rays on the other hand are more of a mystery in that regard. (LWR 30)