The New York Yankees have been one of the best teams across MLB for the majority of the 2024 season, and it's reflected in the power rankings.
While the recent series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers is likely to serve as a small blemish in an otherwise fantastic season, the Yankees are still viewed as either the top team or one of the top teams going into the middle of June.
Entering Tuesday, the Yankees have the best record in the American League and are just slightly behind the Philadelphia Phillis, who currently hold the best MLB record in terms of winning percentage.
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Here's a look at where the experts have the Yankees in the most recent power rankings:
Yankees reign supreme in latest MLB power rankings
Will Leitch, MLB.com | Yankees power ranking: No. 2
In the recent power rankings from the league's official site, the Yankees come in second behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who have held the top spot for the majority of the season. Leitch acknowledges the star power of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, but also questions whether more is needed around them.
"It is perhaps time to have a serious conversation about Anthony Rizzo. He is 1-for-29 in June and is putting up, by far, the worst numbers of his career: His OBP is 80 points lower than his career average," Leitch wrote.
The Athletic | Yankees power ranking: No 1
The trio of The Athletic's MLB staff—Rustin Dodd, Chad Jennings and Kaitlyn McGrath—have the Yankees sitting atop the mountain even after the series loss to the Dodgers. Jennings noted what the Yankees rotation has done with ace Gerrit Cole and wonders if even better days are ahead when he returns.
"He’ll step into a rotation that’s been excellent even without him. The Yankees missed the playoffs last year. Could a healthy Cole make the regular season a cakewalk this year?" wrote Jennings.
Fangraphs | Yankees power ranking: No. 1
Fangraphs doesn't do any write-ups for their power rankings, but the Yankees still sit at the top spot. Using their Elo rating system, which they define as "an elegant solution that measures teams’ relative strength and is very reactive to recent performance," the Yankees have a rating of 1,624—the only team above 1,600 in this latest rendition.
Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY | Yankees power ranking: No. 1
Even after the series against the Dodgers, the Yankees hold the top spot in the power rankings here. Lacques gives a one-sentence shout-out to the hero of Sunday night's win over the Dodgers saying, "All Trent Grisham does is hit go-ahead home runs," in reference to his huge three-run home run Sunday night.
Matt Snyder, CBS Sports | Yankees power ranking: No. 1
Snyder also has the Yankees holding the top spot, but he also shares a concern about the recent downward trend from Anthony Rizzo. "I fear that my man Anthony Rizzo is cooked, meaning first base is the weak spot for the Yanks," wrote Snyder.
Hopefully, the two days off in a row will help Rizzo get his mind right.
MORE: Anthony Rizzo out of Yankees lineup amid struggles
ESPN | Yankees power ranking: No. 1
The MLB staff at ESPN has the Yankees holding the top spot. ESPN analyst Jorge Castillo heaped praise on the pitching staff, especially rookie sensation Luis Gil as the replacement for Gerrit Cole. "[Cole's] rotation replacement, meanwhile, might start the All-Star Game. Luis Gil is 8-1 with a 1.82 ERA -- the second-best mark in the majors -- across 12 starts."
For more Yankees coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
