For the first time in the official MLB Power Rankings era, the Baltimore Orioles are at the top.
That’s right: after being historically bad from 2017 to 2021, the team’s ascent began in 2022 with a record above .500.
The O’s kept growing in 2023 and led the American League with 101 wins.
Now, according to the league’s official site, they are the best and hottest team in baseball.
“A new team atop this week’s power rankings … for the first time ever. Welcome to No. 1, @Orioles!” MLB tweeted, with the rest of this week’s rankings.
A new team atop this week's power rankings … for the first time ever 👀
Welcome to No. 1, @Orioles! pic.twitter.com/G8lc7rpf52
— MLB (@MLB) May 13, 2024
The O’s have an impressive collection of young talent.
Last year, people were right to point at their never-ending supply of position players: Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Heston Kjerstad, Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, Jackson Holliday, Ryan Mountcastle, and more.
This year, their rotation has peaked and it’s currently a top unit, too, showcasing elite pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, and John Means, among others.
The current version of the Orioles, one that leads the American League with a 26-13 record, has virtually no weaknesses.
It took some time (and a forward-thinking general manager in Mike Elias) to get to this point, but the O’s are officially the best team in the league as of Monday, at least according to the most recent power rankings.
The Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees, in that order, complete the top five.
All of them have a potential argument to be ranked higher: their presence and current level make the league more competitive.
NEXT: Graphic Highlights Must-See Power Of The Orioles Offense
