With the season in full swing, let's go over each MLB team this year, their roster, and how good they are/will be.

American League

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

      Currently one of the overall best teams in the MLB, the 19-10 Baltimore Orioles dominate across the box score. Being 7-3 in the past ten games, this Orioles squad knows how to do everything. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore's main shortstop/third-basemen, currently leads the team in RBIs and Home Runs, cementing himself as the best of the best this season. From the bullpen comes pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, boasting 4 wins already this year and an elite ERA of 3.71. It is safe to say this team is top notch in every category.

New York Yankees

      Probably the most fabled and impressive franchise in sports, the New York Yankees have started off hot this season. Although only 5-5 in their last ten games, they currently maintain a 19-12 overall record and hope to keep climbing. With the offseason acquisition of Juan Soto, the Yankees hold a dominant trio of Soto, Judge and Cole. Currently, Aaron Judge holds a .207 batting average, however, the chance of him rising in that category is very high. Juan Soto actually has a .287 batting average, which ranks top twenty in the league and demonstrates the depth of this Yankee squad.

Boston Red Sox

      Although they were bottom of the AL East last year with a 78-84 record, the Red Sox have started off hot this year, sitting currently at 17-10. Led by veteran third baseman Rafael Devers, who currently has a .282 batting average, this Red Sox team has a lot of young talent, which could prosper into a quite shocking and successful season. Brayan Bello leads the bullpen with a 3-1 record and a 3.04 ERA, and gives the team a needed bost of energy and hope every time he steps on that mound.

Toronto Blue Jays

       So far this season, the MLB's only Canadian team is struggling so far. Sitting at a losing record of 14-15 with a 3-7 last ten record, the Blue Jays are sitting at the fourth place spot in the AL East and the near bottom of the American League as a whole. Designated hitter Justin Turner leads the pack when it comes to batting average as well as RBIs, with .298 and 15 for the respective categories. Jose Berrios lead the Blue Jays with a shocking 1.44 ERA, yet strikeouts are topped by Yusei Kikuchi with 36. At this point, the Blue Jays definitely have strong players all around, yet whether they can put that together to win is all up to the team as a whole.

Tampa Bay Rays

      Currently the bottom of the AL East, the 14-18 Tampa Bay Rays have dropped severly in success early in this 2024 season. To start, the Rays have found a major issue when it comes to hitting this season, with last year's batting average leader already having dropped from .330 last year to .211 this year, whilst leading in at-bats. From the mound comes two pitchers, Ryan Pepiot and Zack Littell, who both maintain ERAs in the 3s, yet the drop off occurs fast from that stat, along with wins. As we can see, the Rays have the core players which could make a winning roster, yet whether they can come together and stretch out a winning season is another question.

Al Central

Cleveland Guardians

      Coming from a 76-86 record in the 2022-2023 season, Cleveland's finest has started off on fire this season, and have no signs of stopping. Leading the AL Central with a 20-10 record, Left Fielder Steven Kwan turns the gears offensively for this team, maintaining a .360 batting average and a .403 on base percentage. RBIs are in good hands as well, with first baseman Josh Naylor and third baseman Jose Ramirez tied at 24, which sits at 4th in the American League. Tanner Bibbee leads Cleveland in both ERA (3.45) and strikeouts (35), yet with the most wins comes Logan Allen, with three. At the end of the day, how this team maintains this hot start will dictate their season, and they definitely have plenty of manpower to do so.

Kansas City Royals

      Just behind the Guardians sits the Kansas City Royals at 19-13, a big upgrade from their abysmal 56-106 record in 2023. Leading this Royals team offensively is definitely catcher Salvador Perez, with a current .355 batting average, .418 on-base percentage, and 27 RBIs (first in the AL). Behind Perez comes shortstop Bobby Witt with a .320 batting average and an impressive 27 runs scored, all while having played all 32 games this season. When it comes to who steps on the rubber, righty Seth Lugo leads the AL in wins at 5, and also sits at third place for ERA with a absurd 1.60. This team is top tier when it comes to talent, and I believe there is no question of whether this team will continue to find success, yet time will tell.

Detroit Tigers

      Similar to the Red Sox, Detroit sits at third in the AL Central this year with an 18-13 record, and they hope to bump that up as the season continues. All around this team definitely has consistency and an even skill level, yet whether they have the leadership and talent to hit the next level is questionable. Hitting wise, this team is very consistent through the order, with most batting averages sitting in the .200s. Tarik Skubal leads the bullpen in ERA at 1.72, yet strikeouts are manhandled by Jack Falherty, with a jaw-dropping 50 already (also 1st in AL). This Detroit team has always been middle of the pack in the AL Central, yet whether they can get over the hump will be interesting to see.

Minnesota Twins

      Although they led the AL Central last year with an 87-75 record, Minnesota sits at a mere 4th place with a 17-13 record, yet they are on a hot streak. Being 10-0 in their past ten games, the Twins' chance at rising in the divisional standings quickly is almost a certainty. From the plate comes designated hitter Ryan Jeffers, who maintains a .300 average and 19 RBIs, and he seems to be the main offensive weapon for this Twins squad. Although their hitting might be in the rough, they seem to be seeing success from the mound, with Joe Ryan being their key piece. Through 6 games, he has held a 3.38 ERA and a sixth place in the AL 41 strikeouts, showing that this team has the pieces to win games.

Chicago White Sox

      Similar to 2023, the Chicago White Sox may be playing the worst baseball in the American League right now. Sitting at 6-25 overall and 3-7 in their last ten, this team has no life what-so-ever. Right-fielder Gavin Sheets leads the crew in Batting Average at .267, while Left-fielder Andrew Benintendi leads the scoring side of the box score with 13 RBIs. Pitching-w-se, Erik Feede leads the team with a 2.60 ERA and two wins, which are not a commodity for this team. At the end of the day, there is not much to write about a team who its at 6-25 and cannot buy success at all.

Al West 

Texas Rangers

      The reigning champs, and the new beasts of Texas, this Rangers group leads the AL West so far through about 40 games, and for good reason. Hoping to go for another championship, this team is highly motivated and ready to win. The leader offensively seems to be Adolis Garcia, who leads the team with 30 RBIs and keeps a very strong .268 batting average. Pitching wise, Jon Gray keeps the most consistent ERA with 2.60, which sits top ten currently in the AL and keeps the team in close games. Whether or not this team can go back-to-back is not for me to decide, but I think they have a chance.

Seattle Mariners

      Currently #2 in the AL West, this Seattle Mariners squad continues to maintain a winning culture this season, and everything seems to stay at that current pace. While they have sat middle of the pack for the past few years, this Mariners team has the offensive and defensive tools to make a postseason push this year. The biggest contributor so far this season from the box is catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the team in RBIs at 22 and sits at an average .209 batting average. From the mound comes Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert, who both boast over 50 strikeouts and tie in the lead with 3 wins so far. Safe to say Seattle is in good hands. 

Oakland Athletics

      The most polarizing situation in the league comes from the Bay Area in the city of Oakland, where an Athletics team fights to stay in town. Although they sit at a below par 18-21, this team still plays with hope and with wit compared to last years 50-112 showing, and this pays dividends to the fight this city gives to their squad. It sucks that this team is leaving this year, yet I believe it is important to notice just how strong and just how motivated this team is to give the most to it's fans.

Los Angeles Angels

      Seen as a prison for talent, the Anaheim locals are yet to see success from their hometown squad. Although they did lose Shohei Ohtani to the bright lifghts of LA, this team still cannot win in any scenario. When it gets this far down in the rankings, there is nt much to highlight especially with superstar Mike Trout injured and choosing surgery over actually playing. They have had talent for years now, and the very little conversion rate proves that this team may forever be a lost cause.

Houston Astros

      I find it funny how quickly a team can fall into chaos and despair, as seen especially with this Astros squad. This team has been the best of the best since I was in elementary school, yet now they sit below the previously two worst teams in the division, and some of the worst in the American League. Currently sitting at an atrocious 13-24, this Houston team is eight games back and does not seem to have the urge or fire to catch up. However, there is something to be said for how strong this team has been, and if they can get back to that performance is the big question.

~Tyler Rath