There is a new name at the top of the SB Nation New York MLB Power Rankings this week, and it’s a guy who has been noticeably absent from the New York Yankees offense most of the season. First baseman Mark Teixeira gets the No. 1 spot this week. Following are the complete rankings.
1. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees – The slugging first baseman finally showed signs of life over the past week, hitting .524 with four home runs and 10 RBI. Teixeira is now hitting .263 with nine homers and 30 RBI after watching his batting average hover in the .220-.230 range much of the season.
2. R.A. Dickey, New York Mets – Just another week in which the knuckleballer proved he belongs among the best in all of baseball. Dickey won two games over the last week in stunning fashion, giving up just one run over 14.1 innings and 21 strikeouts. The right hander’s record now stands at 7-1 to go along with his 3.06 ERA. — Ryan Jones
3. Johan Santana, New York Mets – He didn’t have his best stuff last Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he still managed to leave the game in the seventh inning with the Mets in a position to win the game. The bullpen couldn’t hold on, but in his next start on Saturday Santana wasn’t going to leave it to the pen again. This time he tossed a complete game, four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts to pick up his second win of the season. With Santana and Dickey at the front of the rotation, the Mets will be able to stay in the playoff hunt this summer. — Ryan Jones
4. Hiroki Kuroda, New York Yankees – Kuroda pitched eight scoreless innings to earn a 2-0 victory on the road against the Oakland Athletics last week. Impressive, especially since Kuroda had been 0-4 on the road prior to the game.
5. Vinny Rottino, New York Mets – Thanks to the constant stream of injuries, the 32-year-old has been given a chance to play and made the most of it this week. Rottino blasted his first career home run Saturday against the San Diego Padres and followed that up with a huge two-run shot against Cole Hamels Monday that tied the game up at 2. — Ryan Jones
6. Scott Hairston, New York Mets – With the rest of the lineup completely cold, Hairston joined Rottino in keeping the Mets in Monday’s game vs. the Phillies. After Hamels got the lead back, it was Hairston – also pressed into starting duty by injuries – he slammed a bomb off Hamels to tie things up again. He finished the week going 4-for-11, likely earning more starts. — Ryan Jones
7. Rafael Soriano, New York Yankees – Three saves in three opportunities last week without allowing a run in three innings. It is going to be hard for Yankees manager Joe Girardi to justify putting David Robertson back in the closer’s role whenever Robertson comes off the disabled list.
8 Kirk Nieuwenhuis, New York Mets – If there’s one player that deserves to stay in the lineup every day, it’s Captain Kirk. Not only has he been the best glove in the outfield, but the rookie has more than held his own at the plate, going 7-for-18. — Ryan Jones
9. Andy Pettitte/CC Sabathia, New York Yankees – These two veteran left-handers have to share this spot. They each earned victories last week with identical seven-inning, seven-hit, two-run performances.
10. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees – Only hit .286 last week, but he did pass George Brett for 14th place on the all-time hit list. Jeter has 3,156 hits and Cal Ripken Jr. (3,184) is Jeter’s next target.