Diamondbacks remain top-15 in MLB Power Rankings

Staying competitive in the National League Wild Card race, the Arizona Diamondbacks have posted a 6-3 record since the All-Star break, putting them just half a game behind the Mets for the third Wild Card spot.

Of their three losses, two were due to bullpen struggles: Justin Martinez blew a save against the Cubs, and Paul Sewald did the same against the Pirates.

In various power rankings, the Diamondbacks were consistently ranked between the 11th and 14th spots, a range they have occupied frequently this season.

Matt Snyder at CBS Sports focused on Ketel Marte, ranking the D-backs 11th. Snyder commented:

“I realize he won’t win it, but Ketel Marte needs to be in the MVP conversation. He’s doing it all, and that shows up in WAR, where he trails only Shohei Ohtani.”

Marte’s five-game hitting streak ended on Sunday, but he only had one plate appearance in the Diamondbacks’ loss, coming in a pinch-hit role in the ninth inning. In the series against the Royals, Marte recorded two hits and a home run in each game.

Gabe Lacques at USA Today highlighted the Diamondbacks’ new bullpen acquisition, A.J. Puk. The D-backs were ranked 13th, up one spot in Lacques’ list:

“A.J. Puk strikes out four of the first seven batters he faces as a D-back.”

At Clutch Sports, Jackson Roberts kept the Diamondbacks at 14th, noting that while the team sacrificed significantly to acquire Puk, his presence strengthens their bullpen for a potential October run:

“The Diamondbacks are right where they want to be. They quietly ripped off four straight wins this week, though they blew a golden opportunity to make it five. And while trading for A.J. Puk may have cost the D-Backs far more than your average trade for a lefty middle reliever, Puk undeniably makes this bullpen much more viable in the event of another October run.”

The top team in these power rankings varied, with the Phillies holding the crown in two, and the Guardians taking #1 in the Clutch Sports power rankings.