MLB Power Rankings - August 28th

1. Atlanta Braves
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
5. St. Louis Cardinals
6. Texas Rangers
7. Pittsburgh Pirates
8. Tampa Bay Rays 
9. Oakland Athletics
10. Cincinnati Reds

Cardboard Sports Blog

     The Braves are still holding on to the top spot, but Detroit could just as easily be #1 in the rankings.

   

Cardboard Player Spotlight: Chris Davis

Chris Davis

1B - Baltimore Orioles

Notable Stats - 2013

• OPS: 1.214     1st in AL
• SLG: .766    2nd in AL
• HR: 19     1st in AL
• RBI: 50     2nd in AL     
• BB: 29     7th in AL
• AVG: .359     2nd in AL

Age: 27

Debut: 2008

     With all the hype about guys like Miguel Cabrera, guys like Chris Davis are a little overshadowed. Davis is putting together a monster season so far, with a massive .766 slugging percentage to lead the big leagues by far. His 19 homers puts him on pace to hit well over 50 this year as well.

     Overall, is Davis keeps up the numbers, he has a legitimate shot at an All Star appearance, Silver Slugger, and an AL MVP award for 2013.

Cardboard Player Spotlight: Justin Upton

Justin Upton

OF - Atlanta Braves

Notable Stats - 2013

• OPS: 1.042     2nd in NL
• SLG: .639    2nd in NL
• HR: 14     1st in NL
• RBI: 28     8th in NL     
• BB: 29     3rd in NL

Age: 25

Debut: 2007

    Justin Upton is making a solid case for himself for National League MVP, if he keeps up his current production, that is. Both Justin and his older brother B.J. were sent to Atlanta before the season, while Justin has continued his success, B.J. is batting a sub-500 OPS, in other words, less than half of his brother's.

    You can also argue that, without Justin Upton, the Braves would not be close to where they are now. Oh and, he is only 25... so he isn't in his prime yet.

Cardboard Player Spotlight: Hisashi Iwakuma

Hisashi Iwakuma

SP - Seattle Mariners

Notable Stats - 2013

• ERA: 1.74     4th in AL
• WHIP: 0.74     1st in AL
• IP: 51 2/3     6th in AL
• SO: 51     7th in AL
• OPS Against: .477     1st in AL

Age: 32

Debut: 2012

    Iwakuma has been flat out dominant this 2013 season, going 4-1 in 8 starts for the Mariners. He has surgical control of four pitches, including a 89-92 mph fastball and an extremely nasty splitter.

     If Iwakuma can keep up this level of play for a whole 162 games, he has a very legitimate shot at his first Cy Young.