The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a season where they were one of the final two teams in baseball.
Also, by looking at their aggressive approach to free agency, this team got better over the offseason.
So why does MLB.com have the Phillies ranked sixth on their recent power rankings?
The first power rankings of 2023. pic.twitter.com/YmB92QXNpt
— MLB (@MLB) January 2, 2023
This seems like some major disrespect for a Phillies team that shocked the league with their postseason run last season.
It makes sense to have the Astros sitting first, especially after signing Jose Abreu in the offseason.
They will once again be very good and favorites to win the American League.
But, having the Mets above the Phillies seems outrageous.
New York had 101 wins last season and was a first-round exit in the playoffs.
It just seems like whatever the expectations are for the Mets before the season, they fail to meet them.
The Mets did have a strong offseason, adding Justin Verlander, Jose Quintana, and possibly Carlos Correa (whose deal is still pending).
But, you have to see it first with the Mets before crowning them the second-best team in baseball.
The Phillies are also ranked behind two teams they defeated in the playoffs, the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves.
San Diego added Xander Bogaerts, and the Braves added Sean Murphy, neither should put them over the Phillies.
The only reasonable explanation for the Phillies being that low is that Bryce Harper will miss the first few months of the season.
Without their best hitter, it might be difficult for the Phillies to score runs consistently early in the year.
But, Trea Turner can provide a similar spark to the lineup as Harper.
This Phillies team should once again compete for the NL Pennant, and be ranked higher on the 2023 power rankings.
