MLB: Power Rankings Vol. 1

We are only 20+ games into the MLB season as it is April 30, but the league's echelon is starting to take form. In last year's Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and Vol. 3, the Chicago Cubs held the No. 1 spot en route to their first World Series title in 108 years.

POWER RANKINGS VOL. 1:

1. New York Yankees (15-7): New York started off the season losing 4-out-of-5 games to Tampa Bay and Baltimore, but since then, they've gone on winning streaks of eight and four games. Aaron Judge is batting .301, to go along with 10 home runs. The Yankees look like they may be the team to beat in the AL East, after most expected that to be the rival Boston Red Sox.

2. Washington Nationals (16-8): Washington went on a seven-game winning streak versus the Phillies, Braves, and Mets. Ryan Zimmerman has been on an absolute tear during April, going for 27 runs batted in and a scorching .417 batting average. The Nationals are going to be near the top of these rankings for much of the season because of how balanced they are on both sides of the ball.

3. Colorado Rockies (16-9): Colorado's been successful early this season mainly in part because of their pitching staff's improvement, which allows a 1.33 WHIP and .255 OBA. And Antonio Senzatela has a 2.81 ERA. The Rockies are an unfamiliar name in the top-5 of the MLB's best teams, but if their production level stays this high, they'll be impossible to ignore.

4. Houston Astros (15-9): Houston looks like the team that we expected them to be last season, and George Springer has been the catalyst, hitting seven home runs, to go with 14 RBI. Dallas Keuchel has returned to form as well, with a 1.22 ERA and four wins. If they can start getting a little more help from All-Stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correra, they're climb to the top spot could be within reason.

5. Chicago White Sox (13-9): Chicago has gotten off to a similar start as 2016, in which they were the No. 2 in our MLB Power Rankings Vol. 1, after a 22-10 start. However, they dropped down to No. 19 in Vol. 2. I expect them to do the same in 2017. I'm not quite sure how this team will play come fall time, but I'm pretty certain that they won't be vying for a playoff spot in a matter of months.

6. Chicago Cubs (13-10): Chicago hasn't been as dominate to start the season as they were during their 2016 World Series season, but the Cubs are still in first place in the NL Central. Anthony Rizzo has six home runs and 17 runs batted in during the first 23 games. I expect the Cubs to improve a little more, as they should take home the NL Central crown for the second year in a row, especially with how weak the division has looked.

7. Baltimore Orioles (14-8): Baltimore won their first four games of the season and 7-out-of-10, against the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Red Sox. Dylan Bundy has been dynamite on the young season, picking up three victories, 23 strikeouts, and a 1.65 ERA. The Orioles are only a couple of strides behind the New York Yankees and it should be fun watching them try to close that gap while holding off the Boston Red Sox at the same time.

8. Cleveland Indians (13-10): Cleveland's offense can't keep up with their defense, but when it does, the Indians should take off like they did in 2016. For now, Cleveland is tied for fifth in the MLB with 13 quality starts and eighth in the MLB with a 1.24 WHIP. The Indians don't quite look like they did in 2016, but like the Chicago Cubs, they'll likely get back into form sooner rather than later.

9. Arizona Diamondbacks (15-11): Arizona has been good to start the year, and I know it's only 26 games in, but they've been one of the more complete teams. The Diamondbacks are second in the league with 139 runs and 13th in the league with a 4.03 ERA. It's been interesting to see the changes in the NL West, as the Colorado Rockies and Arizona are leading the division, following years of domination by the San Francisco Giants.

10. St. Louis Cardinals (12-11): St. Louis most likely won't win the NL Central because of the Cubs, but a Wild Card slot is probable. Newcomer Dexter Fowler leads the team with four home runs, but he's struggled with just a .233 batting average. If he can improve a little bit, and the pitching staff can offer Carlos Martinez some assistance, the Cardinals may be in position to reach the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.

11. Philadelphia Phillies (11-11)

12. Los Angeles Angels (13-13)

13. Boston Red Sox (12-11)

14. Minnesota Twins (11-11)

15. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-12)

16. Miami Marlins (10-12)

17. Milwaukee Brewers (12-13)

18. Texas Rangers (11-13)

19. Detroit Tigers (11-12)

20. Pittsburgh Pirates (11-12)

21. Atlanta Braves (10-12)

22. Tampa Bay Rays (12-13)

23. Oakland Athletics (11-13)

24. San Diego Padres (10-16)

25. New York Mets (10-13)

26. Cincinnati Reds (10-13)

27. Seattle Mariners (11-14)

28. Kansas City Royals (7-15)

29. San Francisco Giants (9-16)

30. Toronto Blue Jays (7-17)

IF THE PLAYOFFS BEGAN TODAY:

AL East: New York Yankees (15-7)

AL West: Houston Astros (15-9)

AL Central: Chicago White Sox (13-9)

AL Wild Card: Baltimore Orioles (14-8)

AL Wild Card: Cleveland Indians (13-10)

NL East: Washington Nationals (16-8)

NL West: Colorado Rockies (16-9)

NL Central: Chicago Cubs (13-10)

NL Wild Card: Arizona Diamondbacks (15-11)

NL Wild Card: St. Louis Cardinals (12-11)

Photo Credit: Yanks Go Yard and Fast Philly Sports.