Athletics (23-22)
Good: The A’s are at the top of the division with solid batting led by C Shea Langeliers and 1B Nick Kurtz. Young SS Jacob Wilson is heating up after an inconsistent start. 2B Zack Gelof has rebounded playing in a platoon with veteran addition 2B/OF Jeff McNeil playing well also. 2nd year OF Carlos Cortez has played well so far. The team has good all-around power. The starting pitching has been good with a rebound season from veteran Aaron Civale. The bullpen has been ok.
Bad: OF’s Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler have been cold with some power with Bulter as a long-term piece and Rooker as a player with trade value. 2nd year OF Tyler Soderstrom has taken a step back. The team could use another starting pitcher and bullpen help; this might be the year to move Rooker.
Mariners (22-25)
Good: OF’s Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena have led the way. 2nd year 2B Cole Young has played well so far. Veteran 1B Josh Naylor has heated up after a slow start and signing a new deal. OF Luke Raley has played well with good power. Addition 2B/OF Brendan Donovan has played well. OF/DH Dominic Canzone has played well. Starting Pitchers George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and Emerson Hancock have played well. The bullpen has been ok.
Bad: The bats have struggled including C Cal Raleigh coming off a historic season. Veteran C/DH Mitch Garver continues to struggle. Addition OF Rob Refsnyder has struggled. The SS position has struggled with Leo Rivas and the return of J.P. Crawford. Starting Pitchers Bryan Woo and Luis Castillo have struggled, especially Castillo. The team could use a right-handed SS to help platoon Crawford, a backup Catcher, a backend starting Pitcher, and bullpen help.
Rangers (21-24)
Good: The Rangers are improving after a slow start and injuries led by a rebound season by 3B Josh Jung. Trade acquisition OF Brandon Nimmo has played. 2B/OF Ezequiel Duran has played well. The team has shown good power. The starting pitching has played well led by veteran and future Hall of Famer Jacob DeGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and pickup MacKenzie Gore. The bullpen has played very well.
Bad: Veteran SS Corey Seager and struggled and dealt with injuries. OF Wyatt Langford has been injured. The Catcher position has struggled after a good start by veteran addition Danny Jansen. Young OF Evan Carter has struggled after a good start. The team could use a Catcher, a consistent bat, and a veteran starter to add to the mix.
Astros (19-28)
Good: OF Yordan Alvarez is becoming a household name as the league been planned with his consistent bat and power. 1B Christian Walker has played well with good power. Young SS Braden Shewmake has played well. Veteran 2B/OF Jose Altuve and 3B Isaac Paredes have played well also. The team has shown very good power. The starting Pitching has been led by 3rd year P Spencer Arrighetti and Peter Lambert. The bullpen has been above average.
Bad: Injuries with SS/3B Carlos Correa injured and SS Jeremy Pena. 2nd year OF Cam Smith cooled off after a hot start. The starting pitching has been bad along with addition Tatsuya Imai. The bullpen could use some help also. The team could use Pitching help.
Angels (16-30)
Good: OF Mike Trout is playing is a top level leading the team. OF Jo Adell has played well showing good power. 3B Oswald Peraza has had a solid rebound season after being waived by the Yankees along with SS/2B Vaughn Grissom from the Red Sox. Veteran 1B Nolan Schanuel has played well along with veteran addition OF/2B Adam Frazier. SS Zach Neto and veteran OF Jorge Soler have shown good power along with the team overall. The starting pitching has been above average led by a good season by Ace Jose Soriano in his 4th season. The bullpen has been ok.
Bad: The team is falling behind and Trout has been in trade rumors. Addition OF Josh Lowe has struggled. Veteran 3B Yoan Moncada has struggled after a good start. The team could use upgrades at Pitcher starting and bullpen, with the addition of some consistent bats.
