We like to mix it up a bit here at Three Up, Three Down. And we figured having a traditional power ranking every week wasn’t enough. We wanted to give you a source for finding the most powerful teams each week as well.
So here, in all its glory, is our first weekly installation of the “literal” power rankings. Which team has bashed the most home runs so far in the 2013 regular season?
The list might surprise you:
1. Colorado Rockies (21) — Leader: Dexter Fowler (6)
This is no surprise. The ball really carries in Denver. I heard Todd Helton once hit a wiffle ball into the upper deck at Coors Field.
2. Atlanta Braves (20) — Leader: Justin Upton (7)
For some reason, Upton decided to take out all of his aggression from his Arizona days in the first week and a half of 2013. Wrensanity, anyone?
3. Oakland A’s (19) — Leader: Coco Crisp (4)
That is the most “A’s” thing ever. Your home run leader is a speedy lead-off hitter who’s already on the shelf and forever on the trading block.
4. New York Yankees (18) — Leaders: Robinson Cano (3), Travis Hafner (3), Vernon Wells (3)
Now, Cano I can understand. But newly-signed Hafner and Wells pitching in a trey each? That short porch in right field must be really short.
5. Washington Nationals (17) — Leader: Bryce Harper (5)
Things are going to get a little awkward for all the Harper haters when he drops 40 this year. The defending NL Rookie of the Year is on fire to start the season.
6. Chicago White Sox (16) — Leader: Alex Rios (4)
So…you mean…Rios IS for real? That’s great for White Sox fans, but I’m sure Adam Dunn will be leading the pack here when all is said and done.
6. Cincinnati Reds (16) — Leader: Brandon Phillips (4)
A hot start to the season for Phillips could mean big things for Cincy. Except that they are under .500. Where is the rest of the pop?
6. Seattle Mariners (16) — Leader: Michael Morse (6)
This is the section where Jeremy gets to gloat. “Morse won’t do anything,” they said. “He’s overrated,” they said. Told. You. So.
9. Baltimore Orioles (15) — Leader: Chris Davis (6)
It’s weird — my cell phone keeps auto-correcting “Davis” to “Ruth” when I try to text or tweet about him. Maybe his .366 average and 19 RBI have something to do with it.
9. Cleveland Indians (15) — Leader: Mark Reynolds (5)
Naturally. If he wasn’t leading this category, Reynolds would be completely worthless. Believe it or not, though, Reynolds has only K’d 10 times in 10 games so far.
9. New York Mets (15) — Leader: John Buck (6)
That name atop the team’s leader board is preposterous, but this is baseball. Anything can happen. Buck is hitting over .300 with 19 RBI and is sure to reach his quota soon.
12. Chicago Cubs (14) — Leader: Anthony Rizzo (3)
Unfortunately for Cubs fans (really, what sentence about them hasn’t started that way since about 1908?), Rizzo’s three homers account for almost half of his hits (7).
12. Toronto Blue Jays (14) — Leaders: J.P. Arencibia (3), Jose Bautista (3), Colby Rasmus (3)
It’s a low number for the Canadian Yankees so far, but by the end of the year this team will be near the top of these rankings and Rogers Centre will be battered and bruised.
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (13) — Leaders: Paul Goldschmidt (2), Aaron Hill (2), Jason Kubel (2), A.J. Pollock (2), Martin Prado (2)
Really? You’re going to make me type out five names, D’Backs? That’s cute to share and all, but how about someone take the initiative here?
15. Boston Red Sox (12) — Leader: Will Middlebrooks (4)
Hey, I would have four home runs too if I jacked three in one game. Or something. Good for you, kid. Let’s just move on.
15. Houston Astros (12) — Leader: Chris Carter (4)
This is why they traded for Carter. He has unreal strength and could touch 30 jacks this year if he stays healthy. Oh, he has 19 strikeouts, too. But who doesn’t on the Astros?
15. Texas Rangers (12) — Leader: Ian Kinsler (4)
Not buying that Kinsler’s career isn’t dead. Jurickson Profar is hitting in a Kinsler costume.
18. Los Angeles Angels (11) — Leaders: Josh Hamilton (2), Chris Iannetta (2), Albert Pujols (2)
Ah, yes. Just the three names I expected to see leading this team in home runs!
18. Philadelphia Phillies (11) — Leaders: Dominic Brown (2), Laynce Nix (2), Chase Utley (2)
Ryan Howard conspicuously missing from this list. I will pat myself on the back for drafting Brown and Utley in my fantasy league. Brown’s hitting .244? Nevermind.
18. St. Louis Cardinals (11) — Leader: Matt Adams (3)
I don’t know how long Mike Matheny can keep Adams out of the lineup. Everything he touches turns to gold.
21. Detroit Tigers (10) — Leader: Prince Fielder (4)
Obviously. The big boy has been on a tear to start the year, and won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
22. Los Angeles Dodgers (9) — Leaders: Adrian Gonzalez (2), Juan Uribe (2)
Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Clayton Kershaw have combined to hit as many homers as Uribe. Ethier has one and Kemp has zero. You do the math.
23. Milwaukee Brewers (7) — Leader: Ryan Braun (2)
At least it’s the right guy leading the way for the Brewers. But every homer he hits is nullified by a blown save, methinks.
23. Minnesota Twins (7) — Leader: Josh Willingham (2)
One of the Killer J’s is doing his job, but why don’t I see Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau on this list?
23. San Francisco Giants (7) — Leader: Hunter Pence (4)
I called this, unfortunately. The Giants have a really underrated power presence in their lineup for a full year now. It might be their only power presence though.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (6) — Leaders: Andrew McCutchen (2), Michael McKenry (2)
McKenry heard we were putting this list together today and really wanted to be on it. So he hit two yesterday.
26. San Diego Padres (6) — Leaders: Yonder Alonso (2), Will Venable (2)
Carlos Quentin almost cracks this list with one home run and one mound charge. Doesn’t that count for something?
28. Kansas City Royals (4) — Leader: Billy Butler (2)
Surprisingly, the Royals are in second place because of their pitching so far! Who woulda thunk it? (Raises hand)
28. Tampa Bay Rays (4) — Leaders: Shelley Duncan (1), Kelly Johnson (1), Matt Joyce (1), Ben Zobrist (1)
Zobrist is the best player on this list, but Joyce has the best home run so far (a walk-off against the Orioles on April 3rd).
30. Miami Marlins (2) — Leaders: Greg Dobbs (1), Justin Ruggiano (1)
Oh, Stanton where art thou? This is probably for the best, as nobody should be subjected to seeing the god-awful home run structure at Marlins Park light up.
- Jeremy Dorn (@Jamblinman)
Tune in next week for the “literal” power rankings. You can follow @3u3d on Twitter and like Three Up, Three Down on Facebook.
