{"id":814479,"date":"2026-07-21T14:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/814479\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T14:00:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T14:00:18","slug":"mlb-power-rankings-all-eyes-are-on-these-players-heading-into-the-second-half","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/814479\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB Power Rankings: All eyes are on these players heading into the second half"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every week,\u200b we\u200b ask a selected group of our baseball\u200b writers\u200b \u2014 local and national \u2014 to rank the teams from first to worst<\/a>. Here are the collective results. <\/p>\n

The All-Star Game is a moment in time, an arbitrary not-even-that-close-to-the-midpoint time to decide who\u2019s been the best so far this season. At this point in 2025, David Peterson was an All-Star for the Mets \u2014 and Juan Soto was not. (Since then, Soto has been a top-five hitter in the sport, and Peterson a bottom-five pitcher.)<\/p>\n

There\u2019s still plenty of season to be played, plenty of time for players to change or further the story of their own individual campaigns, whether they spent their break in Philadelphia or not. This week, we\u2019re looking at which player each team needs to be an All-Star in the second half of the season \u2014 the guy who can take his team to loftier heights, who can rebound to show he\u2019s still got it, or who can continue a breakout that changes the way we think about him into the future.<\/p>\n

Stats are through Monday morning unless otherwise noted.<\/p>\n

Record: 63-38
Last Power Ranking: 1<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Kyle Tucker<\/p>\n

The Dodgers entered the second half with the best record in baseball. The offense ranks first in OPS. The pitching staff ranks third in ERA. They are the back-to-back champs and a three-peat looks within reach. They are doing all of this during a season in which Blake Snell has thrown three innings, Edwin D\u00edaz has a 10.50 ERA and Tucker is performing like a league-average hitter. The Dodgers expected far better than a 100 OPS+ when the club splurged on him last winter. Maybe he will crank it up in time to learn a lesson about creating a legacy in Los Angeles: with the Dodgers, only October really matters. \u2014 Andy McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 63-37
Last Power Ranking: 2<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Christian Yelich<\/p>\n

Last week, Cody Bellinger was named All-Star Game MVP<\/a>, providing a stark reminder that, at one point, Belli vs. Yeli was a thing, and that the latter was primed for face-of-MLB stardom. That\u2019s before multiple back injuries sapped him of his power and availability. A year ago, it seemed like Yelich had turned a corner, though it might\u2019ve been a mirage. The DH entered the break with a 96 wRC+, striking out more than he ever has in a full 162-game season. Milwaukee has managed to win without him, as it\u2019s had to do for some time, but the Yeli of yore could be a massive boon for a club that is oh so close to a World Series appearance. \u2014 Johnny Flores Jr.<\/p>\n

Record: 56-44
Last Power Ranking: T-5<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Jazz Chisholm Jr.<\/p>\n

At the risk of getting ahead of ourselves, it looks as if Chisholm may fall just a touch shy of that 50-50 proclamation he made before the season. To this point, it hasn\u2019t been the platform year the second baseman would have liked, though the second half and a likely shot at October can change that narrative rather swiftly. With Aaron Judge sidelined for who knows how much longer, the Yankees need Chisholm as much as ever. And he could use a big finishing kick to the year to enter free agency on a high note. \u2014 Tim Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 58-41
Last Power Ranking: 3<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/p>\n

Atlanta doesn\u2019t need anything extraordinary from its star; it simply needs Acu\u00f1a to be Acu\u00f1a on the field. When he plays this season, the Braves are 37-16. When he doesn\u2019t, they\u2019re 20-25. When Acu\u00f1a last played on June 9, his team had a nine-game lead in the National League East. As of this writing, it\u2019s down to three over a Phillies team that has been excellent since late April. It was a nice weekend for Atlanta\u2019s offense, but getting Acu\u00f1a back \u2014 and that should happen in the next week or so \u2014 can bring it back to its usual level among the top lineups in the game. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 57-42
Last Power Ranking: 4<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: A trade deadline acquisition for the lineup<\/p>\n

No team is as stratified as the Rays, who are getting top-line production from Junior Caminero, Yandy D\u00edaz and Jonathan Aranda in the lineup \u2014 and not so much from everyone else. It\u2019s an offense screaming for one more productive hitter, be it on the middle infield or in the corner outfield. Because if Tampa Bay doesn\u2019t make that kind of addition, it will be banking on that trio \u2014 and its three All-Stars on the pitching staff \u2014 to maintain this high pace all year. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 56-44
Last Power Ranking: T-5<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Alex Bregman<\/p>\n

A year after striking out on the third baseman, the Cubs ponied up the cash and the contract demands to land Bregman. At times during the first half, Chicago probably wished it hadn\u2019t. The 32-year-old is currently in the midst of the worst offensive season of his career, his 97 wRC+ sitting three points below league average. There have been some flashes, including a 10-game stretch to close the first half, and the defense is still solid, but Bregman has otherwise been a non-factor for a Cubs team with major October aspirations. Fortunately, a hot start plus some historic contributions from Pete Crow-Armstrong have the Cubs in wild-card territory, but a contributing Bregman could mean the difference between hosting a series at Wrigley Field in October and playing on the road. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 56-45
Last Power Ranking: 7<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Trea Turner<\/p>\n

Turner is one of the easiest choices on the board as one of the sport\u2019s biggest underperformers to this point this season. The 33-year-old is on pace for less than one win above replacement this season (according to FanGraphs). That\u2019s about a typical month\u2019s worth of production from him. (Entering the season, he\u2019d generated one WAR every 27 games throughout his career.) If he is anything resembling his usual self, the Phillies can mount as serious a challenge to the Dodgers as anyone in the National League. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 52-49
Last Power Ranking: 8<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Jakob Marsee<\/p>\n

Marsee looked like a future All-Star during his outstanding debut late last season. He hasn\u2019t been able to carry that over into this year, with an average still sitting below .200 and fewer extra-base hits this season than last \u2014 despite almost twice the number of games. Although Esteury Ruiz is starting to push Marsee for some time in center field, the best version of the Marlins still has Marsee in the everyday lineup. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 51-48
Last Power Ranking: 16<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Roman Anthony<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just as we and every caller on The Sports Hub could have told you entering the season: The Red Sox needed to insert Anthony Seigler in the leadoff spot, and then it would all come together! Boston is on a 14-game win streak and is the hottest team in the sport, and right now, all seems well in its world. But when the air comes out of that balloon a bit, the best thing that can happen for the Sox is the return of their most-ballyhooed prospect in the surnamed Anthony, who still has an uncertain timeline. Anthony sure looked the real deal in half a season last year, and if he\u2019s anything like that down the stretch, this offense looks more and more capable of capitalizing on one of the game\u2019s best pitching staffs. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 53-46
Last Power Ranking: 9<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Anthony Kay<\/p>\n

After two seasons in Japan, where he posted a 2.84 ERA in 48 games, the White Sox signed Kay to a two-year, $12 million contract with a mutual option for the 2028 season. So far, his return stateside has been a mixed bag of sorts. Entering Monday, Kay had a 4.24 ERA over 20 games (18 starts), though xERA (5.34) and FIP (5.08) suggest he\u2019s been a bit worse than advertised. There have been some highlights, like six scoreless innings against the Guardians in June, as well as some lowlights, like a six-run blowup against the Phillies, also in June.<\/p>\n

Kay also leads the league with 18 hit-by-pitches. Any more and he\u2019s putting himself in territory<\/a> with guys named James McJames and Phenomenal Smith. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 52-49
Last Power Ranking: 12<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Paul Skenes<\/p>\n

Wait, are we really suggesting that the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner needs to pick it up? Yes, and hear me out. Over his last 11 starts before Sunday, dating back to mid-May, Skenes posted a 4.94 ERA, allowing 32 runs on 62 hits, including 7 home runs. In those 11 starts, Pittsburgh has gone 2-9. For reference, last season, over 32 starts, Skenes allowed 41 runs and 11 home runs.<\/p>\n

He could be on his way to correcting things, as he tossed seven innings of one-run ball on Sunday. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 51-50
Last Power Ranking: 10<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Brendan Donovan<\/p>\n

Remember that guy? Gold Glover in 2022. All-Star in 2025. Plays all the positions. Gets on base, hits a bunch of doubles. The Mariners saw Donovan as the last piece of the puzzle for a team that finished one victory shy of the World Series. At this point, they would settle for seeing any version of him at all. Donovan has not played since May. He has been sidelined with a hamstring strain related to offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia. The Mariners have been waylaid by injuries this season. But the American League West is still there for the taking, especially if they can get healthy. Or if, you know, the version of Cal Raleigh from 2025 ever makes an appearance. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 51-48
Last Power Ranking: 11<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Matthew Liberatore<\/p>\n

In any other year, providing extended runway to a former top pitching prospect as they navigated the workload of a starter would be fine. Except the Cardinals, despite signaling for a rebuild over the winter, aren\u2019t in any other year. St. Louis entered the All-Star break just one game back of the third wild-card spot. October is a real possibility for these Cards, and giving Liberatore a go every fifth day is on the verge of becoming untenable. That\u2019s especially true if St. Louis takes a middle-level approach at the deadline, likely sending away Dustin May and adding around the margins, putting even more need on solid starting pitching. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 53-48
Last Power Ranking: 13<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Kyle Manzardo<\/p>\n

Only one first baseman (Ildemaro Vargas) entered the break with a lower wRC+ than Manzardo\u2019s 91, and none were worth less fWAR than the 25-year-old. For a Cleveland club that needs all the offense it can muster, those aren\u2019t good looks. It\u2019s unlikely that the Guardians will move on from Manzardo, and even less so that they\u2019d pursue a serious deadline upgrade, meaning Manzardo has to pick it up. It doesn\u2019t help that Rhys Hoskins has been just as bad, leaving very little room for reprieve. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 50-50
Last Power Ranking: 14<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Wyatt Langford<\/p>\n

With Corey Seager back on the injured list, Texas needs Langford to put it all together. He hinted at his offensive potential in 2024 and 2025. This has been his most productive season at the plate, with nine homers and an .819 OPS. The presence of Josh Jung, Joc Pederson and Brandon Nimmo means Langford won\u2019t have to go it alone. But when the Rangers chose him with the No. 4 pick in 2023, the organization envisioned him as a hitter who could carry a lineup. The opportunity is there. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 51-50
Last Power Ranking: 15<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Keibert Ruiz<\/p>\n

We could pick any number of Nationals breakout bats here, be it CJ Abrams doing this for the full 162 this time or Luis Garc\u00eda Jr. hitting 35 homers or Curtis Mead bopping 30. But when in doubt, go with the guy already signed to the long-term contract extension \u2014 the guy who seemed like a lost cause and a cautionary tale at the start of the season. Instead, Ruiz is in the midst of the best season of his career and looking like an actual part of the present and future for a team on the way up. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 51-49
Last Power Ranking: 17<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Corbin Burnes<\/p>\n

The Diamondbacks may be past the point of hoping for better from Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Kelly finished the first half with a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts. A 6.34 ERA in 19 outings earned Gallen the humbling first-half National League Cy Yuk award given out by our Jayson Stark<\/a>. Perhaps the club will experience better luck if Burnes can make it back this season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. A shoulder strain delayed Burnes\u2019 rehab, but he resumed a throwing program before the All-Star break. If he could make it back by September, Arizona could surely use him. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 47-53
Last Power Ranking: 19<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Justin Verlander<\/p>\n

Since signing a one-year, $13 million deal before spring training, Verlander has made a grand total of one start for Detroit, and it was on the road. Whenever the 43-year-old comes off the 60-day IL, he\u2019s not expected to magically steer the Tigers to October \u2014 though wouldn\u2019t that be neat. With time ticking on Verlander\u2019s final season, it\u2019s all about the firsts and lasts. His first start back at Comerica Park since 2017, his final road trip, his final batter faced, etc. Verlander was already a first-half All-Star by way of commissioner Rob Manfred\u2019s \u201cLegend\u201d pick. He has a chance to be a second-half All-Star, too. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 49-51
Last Power Ranking: 22<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Manny Machado<\/p>\n

There are plenty of candidates for a resurgence in San Diego. Fernando Tatis Jr. has lost his power. Xander Bogaerts\u2019 slugging potential may still be stuck on a luggage conveyor at Logan International Airport. Jackson Merrill keeps taking steps backward from his exceptional rookie campaign in 2024. Jake Cronenworth is stumbling through the worst offensive season of his career. At least Machado is trending upward. After a wretched start, he has posted an .801 OPS since June 1. As the Padres cling to relevance in the wild-card race, an extended revival from Machado would be quite helpful. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 49-52
Last Power Ranking: 21<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: The bullpen<\/p>\n

The spirit of this exercise is to identify one player who could and should pick it up for their team. But the Twins\u2019 bullpen as a whole has been so bad that it\u2019s worth breaking the rules to put a spotlight on an entire staff of underachievers. Whether it\u2019s Eric Orze and his 11.1 percent walk rate, Taylor Rogers\u2019 .966 OPS against right-handed batters or the many no-name guys simply filling a void, there\u2019s a lot of room for improvement. So much so that with a league-average \u2018pen, Minnesota would likely be in a three-way race with Chicago and Cleveland for the AL Central title. Instead, it\u2019s on the outside looking in. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 48-54
Last Power Ranking: 18<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Hunter Brown<\/p>\n

A shoulder strain limited Brown, who finished third in American League Cy Young voting last season, to seven outings in the first half. Since returning in June, he has been effective but not dominant. The Astros could use a bit more as they try to claw through the clump of mediocre teams bunched together in both the AL West and the wild-card race. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 46-54
Last Power Ranking: 20<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the wildest stat in baseball\u2019s first half was this: Guerrero did not hit a single home run in his home ballpark. The good news is he had also reached this point of July in 2021 without a home run at Rogers Centre. The bad news is the team didn\u2019t play there until the final days of July, and Guerrero had been lighting it up in Dunedin and Buffalo. Toronto stands right on the precipice of a deadline decision to go for it in a mediocre American League (despite currently sitting in last) or to take advantage of what could be a great sellers\u2019 market with some really strong walk-year assets. Guerrero\u2019s performance over the next couple weeks could be the biggest factor. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 49-52
Last Power Ranking: 23<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Gunnar Henderson<\/p>\n

This is the year of shortstop stepbacks, be it from Trea Turner in Philly, Francisco Lindor in Queens or Henderson in Baltimore. (Must be something in the Northeast.) Henderson has been healthy all season but not his usual self, carrying an OBP south of .300 deep into July. At 25, there shouldn\u2019t be this much concern about a second consecutive step down from his insane 2024 season. But the O\u2019s need Henderson to fuel a run in the here and now, and they could sure use some clarity about his long-term prospects when debating how much to invest in his future. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 45-54
Last Power Ranking: 25<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Eugenio Su\u00e1rez<\/p>\n

Needing some semblance of pop and not wanting to commit both dollars and years to any of the marquee free agents, the Reds instead turned back to old friend Eugenio Su\u00e1rez on a one-year deal. So far, that\u2019s looking like a major whiff. Su\u00e1rez, who clubbed 49 homers last season between Arizona and Seattle, entered the break with a wRC+ of 80. The last time his wRC+ was that low, Cincinnati shipped him off as part of several cost-cutting efforts. The under-the-hood numbers point to someone who isn\u2019t barreling or hitting the ball hard, the exact opposite of what he\u2019s being paid to do. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n

Record: 42-59
Last Power Ranking: 26<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Francisco Lindor<\/p>\n

The Mets could use just about anyone to play better in the second half than they did in the first, but no one means more to their long-term outlook right now than Lindor. His season has been interrupted by injuries and marred by uncharacteristic defensive lapses, to say nothing of the constant chatter about his relationship with Juan Soto. (They\u2019re in a better place<\/a>, they both say and most parties agree.) If Lindor looks like Lindor for the next two months, that can create a good deal more certainty about a Mets team hunting a bounceback in 2027. \u2014 Britton<\/p>\n

Record: 42-58
Last Power Ranking: 27<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Jung Hoo Lee<\/p>\n

If Buster Posey wants to clear some salary, his roster features plenty of candidates. (Don\u2019t ask him how they got there. We\u2019re not here to talk about the past.) It may be challenging to find takers for Willy Adames or Matt Chapman. Recent history suggests a deal involving Rafael Devers remains within the realm of possibility \u2014 but don\u2019t count it. Lee, though, is only 27 and offers a productive, contact-based approach that could help enhance a contender\u2019s lineup. If, of course, that contender was willing to take on some portion of the $63 million Lee is owed during the next three seasons. So \u2026 yeah. Won\u2019t be easy. But then again, very little has come easy to the 2026 Giants. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 43-57
Last Power Ranking: 24<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Lawrence Butler<\/p>\n

The second season of Butler\u2019s seven-year, $65.5 million extension has not gone well. There were 257 players to receive at least 200 plate appearances in the first half. Butler\u2019s .591 OPS ranks 248th. (His teammate Jeff McNeil was No. 247, at .592.) The Athletics still envision Butler, a solid fielder who hit 43 combined home runs in 2024 and 2025, as part of their future. If he can aid their present, the team might still make a run at October. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 40-61
Last Power Ranking: 29<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Walbert Ure\u00f1a<\/p>\n

The player-development folks in Anaheim could use a victory. The farm system entered this season ranked 29th in the sport, according to Keith Law. Former general manager Perry Minasian tended to rush prospects to the majors, though assigning blame to those who work under owner Arte Moreno is always a challenge. Sam Blum has detailed<\/a> how the chaotic approach hampered the development of certain pitchers. So Ure\u00f1a, a hard-throwing rookie with a good changeup and a 2.88 ERA, has been a pleasant surprise. The underlying data suggests the second half may be less kind to the 22-year-old. (Those 5.1 walks per nine innings sure seem worrisome.) But, hey, an Angels fan can dream, right? \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 40-62
Last Power Ranking: 28<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Jimmy Herget<\/p>\n

During the winter, Colorado sent reliever Angel Chivilli to the Yankees for first baseman TJ Rumfield, who has been a pleasant surprise for the less-pitiful Rockies in 2026. Perhaps Paul DePodesta could flip another reliever for a blocked but useful prospect. It doesn\u2019t have to be this summer \u2014 the Rockies aren\u2019t rushing the rebuild. But if there is interest at the deadline in Herget, who does not throw hard but does miss bats, Colorado should take advantage. \u2014 McCullough<\/p>\n

Record: 41-60
Last Power Ranking: 30<\/p>\n

Second-half All-Star: Maikel Garcia<\/p>\n

A season ago, Garcia had a legitimate case for the AL\u2019s Silver Slugger award at third base. A season later, no such case exists. The third baseman has seen his hard-hit rate go from 45.1 percent in 2025 to 41.3 percent in 2026. He\u2019s still elite at not chasing or whiffing, and his squared-up percentage is among the best in the league. Yet, that hasn\u2019t translated to results. His lack of production is part of the reason why the Royals have gone from potential wild-card contender to one of the league\u2019s most disappointing clubs. \u2014 Flores<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Every week,\u200b we\u200b ask a selected group of our baseball\u200b writers\u200b \u2014 local and national \u2014 to rank…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":814480,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[558],"tags":[592,5654,4996,64,63,1186,5156,5158,5256,5257,5258,5259,5260,5163,5261,5262,1187,1188,5159,2364,591,1830,2704,2365,5160,1189,5157,5162,85,2366,1190,2367,5161,5264],"class_list":["post-814479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-athletics","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-baltimore-orioles","tag-boston-red-sox","tag-chicago-cubs","tag-chicago-white-sox","tag-cincinnati-reds","tag-cleveland-guardians","tag-colorado-rockies","tag-detroit-tigers","tag-houston-astros","tag-kansas-city-royals","tag-los-angeles-angels","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-miami-marlins","tag-milwaukee-brewers","tag-minnesota-twins","tag-mlb","tag-new-york-mets","tag-new-york-yankees","tag-philadelphia-phillies","tag-pittsburgh-pirates","tag-san-diego-padres","tag-san-francisco-giants","tag-seattle-mariners","tag-sports","tag-st-louis-cardinals","tag-tampa-bay-rays","tag-texas-rangers","tag-toronto-blue-jays","tag-washington-nationals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=814479"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814479\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/814480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=814479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=814479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=814479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}