MLB power rankings: Now or never for Cincinnati Reds as top prospect arrives
September got here in a hurry, no? And forMajor League Baseballteams, it's going to evaporate even quicker. With just 23 to 25 games left, it's past time for teams to make a move, and with the calendar flipping and two extra roster spots available, a contender gasping for air isn't above calling on a rookie for help. So welcome to Cincinnati,Sal Stewart, and say hello to Seattle, Harry Ford. The top prospects arrived with the 28-man roster and in Stewart's case, there was no time to wait around. He keyed a two-run rally with his first major league hit Sept. 1 and, even though the diamond is crowded in Cincy, he told reporters he'll play "the batter's box." MLB IN SEPTEMBER:9 questions for baseball's final month Hey, the Reds will take any help they can get. A modest two-game winning streak - capped by a walk-off win over Toronto - ended a funk of eight losses in 10 games and kept them within four games of the Mets for the National League's final wild-card berth. It also eased their fall in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings, falling two spots to No. 15. In Seattle, Ford, a catcher, is blocked in the traditional sense by the greatCal Raleigh, but after mastering Class AAA – 16 homers, an .868 OPS – his bat can only help the Mariners, who hope not to be Texas toast by the end of the year - they're 1 ½ games up on the Rangers for the last playoff spot, and three back of Houston for the AL West lead. A look at our updated rankings: Have lost nine of their last 15. Just a blip, right? Trea Turner shouldn't be too far behind Kyle Schwarber on those NL MVP ballots. Bullpen ERA now a grim 4.12. Have lost eight of their last 13 against teams currently holding a playoff spot. Cade Horton should get a fair amount of Rookie of the Year love. Tanner Scott, projected closer, has a 4.44 ERA. It would be nice to figure out the Nos. 4-5 rotation slots. But they can make a playoff run simply with their Big Three. Jose Iglesias is the primary shortstop. They can only hope his Mets Magic lasts into this October, too. Jose Caballero becoming more appealing as steadier shortstop option. Luis Garcia posts a quality start (and a win) in first post-Tommy John outing. Juan Soto: 36 home runs, .915 OPS, 5.1 WAR. This is why you don't waste your breath in April. Their "major offensive addition" of the off-season - Donovan Solano - doesn't make it to September. Playoff drive slowed by Seth Lugo's uncharacteristic inability to get through five innings. How are these guys not 10 games out yet? If there's such a thing as Tito Magic, this is the time of year it arrives. Have homered in 15 consecutive games, which they haven't done such Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001. Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz remain in limbo. Zac Gallen had 28 strikeouts, nine walks in August. Reliever Jorge Alcala - claimed from Boston - making strong impression. Braves take Ha-Seong Kim's $16 million 2026 commitment off their hands - and open up shortstop for Carson Williams. Taylor Ward fortunate to emerge with minor injuries after slamming into scoreboard fence in Houston. They're a .493 team on the road, .456 in front of sparse crowds in Miami. Austin Riley's season officially over after move to 60-day IL. Byron Buxton (29 homers, 21 steals) has a shot at Twins' first 30-30 season. Swept Tigers right out of Yolo County in best series win of year. Jeremiah Jackson? He's on a 33-for-97 heater as an Oriole. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Blue Jays), Tim Mayza (Phillies) waived and picked up by better teams. Pretty neat: Battery of Andrew Alvarez, C.J. Stubbs debut on same day, help post shutout. This Colson Montgomery homer thing getting crazy: He's gone deep in consecutive games six times. A 116-loss pace as end of nightmare season approaches This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:MLB power rankings: Now or never for Reds as Sal Stewart arrives
MLB power rankings: Now or never for Cincinnati Reds as top prospect arrives September got here in a hurry, no? And forMajor League Baseball...
