AL West
Rangers
Good: The team is at the top of the AL West which most people didn’t expect. The pitching has played well overall led by ace Nathan Eovaldi and a healthy Jacob DeGrom. The bats have played well led by SS Corey Seager. Signing veteran P Patrick Corbin before anybody else could was a very smart move and he has been productive.
Bad: The additions of 1B/3B Jake Burger and OF/DH Joc Pederson haven’t worked out, not even from a power standpoint. 2B Marcus Semien is off to a slow start as a usually consistent player. OF Adolis Garcia is slowing down after a good start. OF Evan Carter is injured again. The Kumar Rocker experiment hasn’t worked out so far with a high ERA, but he has the talent.
Mariners
Good: The starting pitcher which they rely on is playing well. Veteran 2B Jorge Polanco is back to form after a surprise down season last year. Catcher Cal Raleigh is hot and a top homerun threat again. 3B/OF Dylan Moore has started the season hot and is playing the lead off spot which is tough for most. The team can still takeover the division.
Bad: The bullpen/relief pitching. OF’s Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena have been active but are hitting below .200 as top players on the team. 1B/OF Luke Raley has gotten off to a slow start again batting under .200. DH/C Mitch Garver is still ice cold after a down season last year. The team needs a bat or two, preferably at 1B, and should have got one in the offseason as the production isn’t there. Luis Castillo is the only starting pitcher they may be willing to move but he has been up and down hurting his value.
Astros
Good: Star player Jose Altuve has made the transition to LF and is playing well. Starting P Hunter Brown has taken the next step and is looking like the ace. The starting pitching has played well so far including ace Framber Valdez and Hayden Wesneski who was acquired in the Kyle Tucker trade. Rookie 3B/OF Cam Smith is getting valuable time, also acquired in the trade. SS Jeremy Pena continues to play well as one of the top players on the team.
Bad: Big free agent signing 1B Christian Walker is off to a slow start hitting under .200 and not showing much power. Star OF Yordan Alvarez is off to a slow start and that could also be due to the losses of Tucker and Bregman. Catcher Yainer Diaz hasn’t hit with power or consistency this year, also batting under .200. Starting P Ronel Blanco is off to a slow start, after transitioning nicely to starter last season. The bullpen has struggled. The team could use another bat or two and a relief pitcher.
Angels
Good: The team has been competitive with the veteran additions and a healthy Mike Trout who has been hot with homeruns. The bats have hit with a lot of power hitting a lot of homeruns early. The starting pitching has been better than expected. SS Zach Neto is back from injury.
Bad: While the bats have been hitting for power, the batting averages haven’t been good. The bullpen/relief pitching has been horrible, outside of Closer Kenley Jansen. 3B Yoan Moncada is hurt again despite the change of scenery. Free agent addition Catcher Travis D’Arnaud has been injured and unproductive, despite playing well last season.
Athletics
Good: The emergence of 1B Tyler Soderstrom who has been a solid power bat and rookie SS Jacob Wilson who has been getting on base consistently. OF’s Brent Rooker and Lawrence Bulter continue to play well. The pitching staff has played well overall. They have one of the best Closers in baseball in Mason Miller.
Bad: The team is at the bottom of the division already with the teams above being very competitive. Early injury to 2B Zack Gelof after a bad year 2. While both units are playing well, they could use another good bat and starting pitcher, maybe Gelof will be the bat.
