Intercounty Baseball League Power Rankings - Week 3

Photo: Matt Hiscox

May 28, 2024

Official Intercounty Baseball League News Release

Every week, a panel of IBL media experts will submit their power rankings. These submissions will be averaged to determine the official power rankings for that week. These rankings only consider games results through Sunday, May 26.

1. Guelph Royals: The Royals remain undefeated and top the rankings this week. Joshua Garton is the leading candidate for May's Player of the Month with a .700 AVG, four home runs, and nine RBIs, leading a powerful offence that has already hit 11 home runs. Stellar pitching, particularly from Hector Yan, has bolstered their dominance. Guelph’s run differential is the best in the league, making them the team to beat early in the season.

2. London Majors: After receiving their first loss of the year, the Majors bounced back strong with an 8-5 win against Hamilton, keeping them high in the rankings. Starling Joseph and Victor Plaz delivered key hits, while Travis Keys pitched six solid innings. Despite a hiccup against Kitchener, London consistently scores runs and is proving to be a formidable team under manager Roop Chanderdat.

3. Barrie Baycats: With recent wins and strong pitching performances, Barrie is climbing the rankings. The return of Chris Lazar and the addition of Cesar Rosado has strengthened their pitching depth, crucial for their long-term success. Barrie needs to maintain this momentum as they face tougher opponents in the coming weeks.

4. Welland Jackfish: The defending champions are sitting at a .500 record, which is below expectations. Despite this, they have shown flashes of brilliance in both pitching and hitting. To reclaim the top spot, they need to find consistency. A split against Toronto and a win over Brantford have been key highlights so far.

5. Hamilton Cardinals: Hamilton had a mixed weekend, with a notable win against Chatham-Kent but losses to top teams. The team shows potential with hitters like Tyler Duncan, Dennis Dei Baning and Luis Bernardo. The team has had mental errors with some routine plays being missed. Hamilton is a young team and the inexperience has been apparent. To move up, they need to perform consistently against higher-ranked opponents.

6. Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto’s performance has been mixed, but their resilience is commendable. Wins against Welland and Kitchener highlight their potential. Key players like Johnathan Solazzo and Justin Marra need to maintain their form for the team to climb higher in the rankings.

7. Chatham-Kent Barnstormers: After a strong start, the Barnstormers have hit a rough patch with three consecutive losses. Consistent hitting from Seth Strong and a solid ERA from Aden Ryan are positives. However, they need to improve their overall performance and capitalize on upcoming games to regain their footing.

8. Brantford Red Sox: Brantford's first win against Kitchener and competitive games against stronger teams show promise. Their pitching has kept them in games, but the offence needs to carry them. The team faces a challenging schedule ahead, which will test their endurance and capabilities.

9. Kitchener Panthers: Kitchener’s struggles are evident with only one win on the season. Jose Vasquez’s excellent pitching has been a bright spot, but the team’s batting average and ERA need improvement. The return of key players like Blake Jacklin and Eric Martin may provide the boost they need to turn their season around. But the massive losses left by their 2023 All-Stars like Liam Wilson and Andy Leader leaves Panthers fans frustrated and confused about the future.