Fantasy baseball managers are used to ranking players. It’s part of the process. However, fantasy ranks don’t always represent a player’s true value. They capture a particular set of stats, which, while important, don’t always tell the whole story. The most glaring omission is defense, which any general manager will tell you is as important as offense if you play “up the middle.” Pitchers can’t always control wins, and ERA can be misleading depending on the defense behind you, the ballpark you play in, and the strength of your schedule.
Thus, our annual Top 100 Players in Baseball list aims to celebrate the best players across all facets of the game. To do so, we must look beyond the raw numbers and attempt to ascertain which players bring the most value to their teams. This list is not just for the 2024 season; it includes some players dealing with injuries. Rather, the goal is to highlight the best players on the planet.
Methodology
We began with Fangraph’s WAR (fWAR), which attempts to do precisely what we want—put a player’s total value into one statistic. For batters, it includes the player’s defensive and baserunning contributions in addition to their hitting and is adjusted by their position. For pitchers, the focus is on FIP rather than ERA, which neutralizes the defense behind them. It also adjusts for their home park and is scaled to innings pitched. In addition to looking at all facets of the game, using fWAR allows us to compare players at different positions.
Along with fWAR, we pulled in PLV, Pitcher List’s newest stat. PLV seeks to measure the quality of each hurler’s pitch and each batter’s reaction to it. Put simply, it measures whether the pitcher made a quality pitch and if the batter’s decision-making and results were above the norm. More detail on fWAR and PLV is available by clicking the links above.
We didn’t want to focus exclusively on 2023, so we also looked at the 2022 data and projections for 2024. Each dataset was weighted similarly initially but adjusted for certain players for various reasons—rookies, injuries, etc. Also, in addition to the total fWAR, we looked at their fWAR per game played. Let’s call it the Mike Trout rule—we didn’t want to over-penalize studs who’ve had difficulty staying healthy.
That’s all, folks; let’s get to the fun stuff. In descending order, here are our Top 100 MLB Players for 2024:
The Tenth Decile (100-91)
100. James Outman (LAD) – OF
99. Chas McCormick (HOU) – OF
98. Zack Gelof (OAK) – 2B
97. Evan Carter (TEX) – OF
96. Lars Nootbaar (STL) – OF
95. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (MIA) – OF
94. Patrick Bailey (SFG) – C
93. George Springer (TOR) – OF
92. Ian Happ (CHC) – OF
91. Christian Yelich (MIL) – OF
Four 2023 rookies made the list in the tenth decile: James Outman, Zack Gelof, Evan Carter, and Patrick Bailey. If not for Corbin Carroll, Outman may have been the NL Rookie of the Year last season. Gelof was one of the few bright spots for the A’s last year after he was called up mid-season. Carter played so well in September that he made the postseason roster for the Rangers, where he continued to shine. Bailey is a defensive stud, flashing the third-highest DRS among catchers with 750+ innings in 2023.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., George Springer, and Ian Happ were on the 2023 Top 100 list, while Chas McCormick, Lars Nootbaar, and Christian Yelich are new. McCormick and Nootbar combined power, speed, and defense to crash the party, while Yelich had his best season since 2019, trading in massive power for OBP and speed.
The Ninth Decile (90-81)
90. Carlos Rodón (NYY) – SP
89. Randy Arozarena (TBR) – OF
88. Zach Eflin (TBR) – SP
87. Gleyber Torres (NYY) – 2B
86. Nolan Jones (COL) – OF
85. Matt McLain (CIN) – 2B/SS
84. Emmanuel Clase (CLE) – RP
83. Carlos Correa (MIN) – SS
82. Byron Buxton (MIN) – OF/DH
81. Max Scherzer (TEX) – SP
Two more rookies, Nolan Jones and Matt McLain, crash the list in this group after posting impressive offensive numbers in 2023. Both appear poised to continue their success. After breaking out with the Rays, Zach Eflin is also new to the Top 100. Eflin had a top-ten fWAR among starters last year and a PLV higher than the likes of Kevin Gausman, Luis Castillo, and Blake Snell.
Scherzer, Buxton, Correa, and Rodon returned to the list but dropped precipitously from their 2023 rankings after subpar seasons by their standards. Rodon had an especially rough year, posting a negative fWAR in his 14 starts, but he gets the benefit of the doubt after his stellar 2022. Randy Arozarena, Gleyber Torres, and Emmanuel Clase are also holdovers, though they rank similarly to last year.
The Eighth Decile (80-71)
80. Devin Williams (MIL) – RP
79. Pete Alonso (NYM) – 1B
78. J.P. Crawford (SEA) – SS
77. Ketel Marte (ARI) – 2B
76. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) – SP
75. Dylan Cease (CHW) – SP
74. Max Fried (ATL) – SP
73. Luis Arraez (MIA) – 2B
72. Sonny Gray (STL) – SP
71. Tyler Glasnow (LAD) – SP
Pete Alonso’s power numbers were as good as ever in 2023, but his average dipped to .217, and his K% moved in the wrong direction. Still, he’s a strong candidate to bounce back. J.P. Crawford was sneaky good last year, trailing only Corey Seager and Bobby Witt Jr. in OPS among shortstops (500+ plate appearances).
Ketel Marte, Luis Arraez, and Sonny Gray crash the Top 100 this year on the heels of their stellar 2023 seasons. Marte bounced back after a rough 2022 and was huge in the D’Backs run to the World Series. Arraez flirted with .400 for much of the season before settling for a batting title. Gray had the second-best fWAR in the AL and the best ERA (2.79) of any starter who didn’t win a Cy Young award (min. 150 innings).
The Seventh Decile (70-61)
70. Cody Bellinger (CHC) – OF/1B
69. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) – TOR
68. Justin Steele (CHC) – SP
67. Isaac Paredes (TBR) – 3B
66. Luis Castillo (SEA) – SP
65. Justin Verlander (HOU) – SP
64. Ozzie Albies (ATL) – 2B
63. Matt Chapman (SFG) – 3B
62. Blake Snell (FA) – SP
61. Willy Adames (MIL) – SS
A few names pop out in this group, starting with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. We ranked Vlad 20th last season on the premise that while his 2022 numbers were down from his monster 2021, they were still strong. However, his production dipped further last season, and now we’re wondering if 2021 was the anomaly. This notion and his subpar defense at first base make it hard to know what to expect from him going forward.
The other unexpected name is Isaac Paredes. The 25-year-old exploded onto the scene last season with 31 HR, 98 RBI, and a .250/.352/.488 slash line. He didn’t strike out much (18.2%), walked a lot (10.2%), and wasn’t helped by BABIP (.257). In addition, Paredes’ Hitter Performance (PLV) in 2023 was in the 90th percentile. The projections see some decline, but not much. Time will tell if he deserves this ranking.
The Sixth Decile (60-51)
60. Corbin Burnes (BAL) – SP
59. Jonah Heim (TEX) – C
58. Christian Walker (ARI) – 1B
57. George Kirby (SEA) – SP
56. Pablo López (MIN) – SP
55. Ha-Seong Kim (SDP) – SS
54. Framber Valdez (HOU) – SP
53. Adolis García (TEX) – OF
52. Tarik Skubal (DET) – SP
51. William Contreras (MIL) – C/DH
Is Corbin Burnes‘ fall from five to 60 too severe? Perhaps, but his FIP was 3.81, his K% dropped by 1.5 batters per nine, and his 4.96 PLV was below average. Much of the sixth decile is comprised of players new to the list this year. Jonah Heim and William Contreras were among the best defensive catchers in the league and produced in the batter’s box. Ha-Seong Kim may be one of the most underrated hitters in MLB after posting 17 HRs, 38 SBs, and a .260/.351/.398 line in 2023. He also played excellent defense at second base and will slide over to shortstop this year.
The other three newcomers were all starting pitchers: George Kirby, Pablo López, and Tarik Skubal. Kirby proved his rookie season in 2022 was no fluke. Lopez moved to the AL, discovered the “sweeper,” and had one of the best PLVs in baseball. Skubal only threw 80 innings, but he was spectacular. The Tigers’ lefty ranked in the 95th percentile or better in several categories, including ERA, WHIP, xERA, FIP, xFIP, K%, H/9, HR/9, ICR (Ideal Contact Rate), SwStr%, and CSW%. It will be fun to see what he can do in 2024.
The Top 50
50. Nolan Arenado (STL) – 3B
After an MVP-caliber 2022, Arenado had one of his worst offensive seasons in 2023. In addition, his stalwart defense was ordinary by most measures, and he didn’t take home a Gold Glove for the first time in his career. At 32, the question is whether a lingering back injury was to blame for his woes last year or if this is the start of a gradual decline. Time will tell, but it would be unwise to bet against him.
49. Zac Gallen (ARI) – SP
How good is Zac Gallen? The Diamondbacks’ ace finished third in the NL Cy Young voting, but his ERA was a run higher in the second half, and he struggled in the playoffs. Perhaps he wore down after a career-high 210 regular-season innings and another 33.2 in October and November. Many of Gallen’s stats rank in the good, but not great, range, but his 3.26 FIP and .301 BABIP indicate he wasn’t just lucky.
48. J.T. Realmuto (PHI) – C
Like Arenado, Realmuto’s offense and defense cratered in 2023 after arguably his best year in 2022. The two-time gold glover had a negative DRS last season, and his .762 OPS was his lowest since 2015. Perhaps the Phillies’ run to the 2022 World Series took a toll on the soon-to-be-33-year-old catcher, who may need some days at DH this season.
47. Cal Raleigh (SEA) – C
Only Realmuto caught more innings than Raleigh last year, who rewarded the Mariners with solid defense and powerful offense. Raleigh led all catchers in HRs and ISO, which compensated for his lackluster .232 average. He’s not going to win any batting titles, but the backstop was the Mariner’s third-best offensive player last season behind Julio Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford.
46. Nico Hoerner (CHC) – 2B
Hoerner crashes the Top 100 after a second-straight season of superior defense and excellent offense. After posting a DRS of 10 at shortstop in 2022, Hoerner shifted to second base last year and won a Gold Glove. At the plate, he slashed .283/.346/.383, scored 98 runs, and stole 43 bases. Only Mookie Betts and Marcus Semien had a higher fWAR among second basemen than Hoerner’s 4.7 in 2023.
45. Andrés Giménez (CLE) – 2B
Speaking of defense, no one is currently better at the keystone than Andrés Giménez. Gimenez won a second-straight Gold Glove in 2023 after posting an otherworldly 23 DRS, the second-highest in all of MLB (to Fernando Tatis Jr., in case you were wondering). Gimenez’s average dropped off last season from a BABIP inflated .297 in 2022, but his counting stats—home runs, runs, RBI, and stolen bases—were similar.
44. Logan Webb (SFG) – SP
Webb has the sixth-highest fWAR among starting pitchers over the last two seasons. He’s not a strikeout artist but makes a living inducing ground balls at a high rate, thanks to his stellar changeup and sinker. Webb is also a workhorse, tossing 408 innings in 2022 and 2023, trailing only Sandy Alcantara and Gerrit Cole.
43. Paul Goldschmidt (STL) – 1B
Goldy slid a long way from last year’s fresh-off-his-MVP season rank of 15. His numbers were solid in 2023 but far from his 2022 heights. His batting average dropped by .49 points. He hit ten fewer home runs, drove in 35 fewer runs, and had the lowest OPS (.810) since his rookie season. At 36, his best days are probably behind him, but like his teammate Nolan Arenado, we wouldn’t write him off just yet.
42. Brandon Nimmo (NYM) – OF
Many will disagree about Nimmo’s ranking, as his fantasy ranking is nowhere near this vicinity. But Nimmo contributes much to his team’s success (and yes, I know the Mets struggled last year). His OBP% is elite, he has good pop in his bat, and he plays nearly every day. His defense in centerfield was adequate, and this season, with the Mets’ addition of Harrison Bader, he’ll move to leftfield, where he should excel. Nimmo’s 2023 PLV ranked high due primarily to his excellent strike zone judgment and decision-making, and fWAR over the past two seasons ranks 25th among hitters.
41. Luis Robert Jr. (CHW) – OF
Luis Robert Jr. finally stayed healthy last season and was one of the only bright spots on a Chisox team that won a mere 61 games. Robert slugged 38 HRs, scored 90 runs, stole 20 bases, and had a .542 SLG. In addition, he was an excellent defender, posting a DRS of 6, fifth-best among centerfielders. His plate discipline needs to improve—he strikes out too much and rarely walks—but undoubtedly, he’s one of MLB’s most exciting players.
40. Xander Bogaerts (SDP) – 2B/SS
Bogaerts started and finished hot in his first season in San Diego, with a .914 OPS in April and a 1.122 in September. In between, though, his production was relatively average. Petco Park is a far more difficult stadium to hit in than Fenway, but in the end, Bogaerts acquitted himself well, slashing .285/.350/.440. His defense at SS was subpar by most measures but not as terrible as many portray. Moving to second base this year is probably more about the excellence of Ha-Seong Kim than the insufficiencies of Bogaerts.
39. Royce Lewis (MIN) – 3B
Lewis has played in only 70 games at the major-league level due primarily to a series of injuries. However, the former #1 overall pick showed his promise last season when he slashed .309/.372/.548 and generated a 2.4 fWAR in only 58 games. Extrapolated over an entire season, that’s a top-ten fWAR among hitters. Of course, there’s no guarantee he would have sustained that pace, but PLV supports his output as his HP of 133 ranked eighth among players who saw as many pitches as he did last year. Lewis appears to be a budding superstar if he can stay on the field.
38. Aaron Nola (PHI) – SP
Nola’s numbers slipped last season after leading MLB in fWAR in 2022. His 4.46 ERA was ugly, but his 4.03 FIP and 3.67 xERA indicate he pitched better than his results. PLV supports this also, as his 5.15 ranked in the 84th percentile. The question is whether the 2024 version of Nola will be closer to 2022 or 2023. The projections all support a rebound, which would again put him among the elite starters.
37. Rafael Devers (BOS) – 3B
Rafael Devers is such a good hitter that his 33 HR, 100 RBI, and .851 OPS in 2023 seemed disappointing. He’s an elite hitter who should continue to rake for the Sox for a long time, given his shiny new ten-year contract. The only knock on the slugger is his defense at third base, highlighted by an ugly -9 DRS. His defensive deficiencies don’t matter to fantasy managers, but they count in real baseball, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Boston eventually moves him to first base or DH.
36. Gerrit Cole (NYY) – SP
Based exclusively on his 2023 Cy Young-winning campaign, Cole might be the highest-ranked pitcher in our Top 100. However, his 3.3 fWAR in 2022 wasn’t inspiring, last season’s FIP and xERA were a fair bit higher than his ERA, and now his 2024 is in doubt. Before the injury, most projections had his ERA climbing back to the mid-3.00 range in 2024. Cole is among the best starters in the game when healthy, but it isn’t easy to rank him under the circumstances.
35. Bo Bichette (TOR) – SS
A leg injury slowed Bichette in the second half of 2023 after he slashed .317/.346/.496 before the All-Star break. Even with the time missed, Bichette was among the best shortstops in MLB last year. Bichette checks all the boxes. He hits for average and power, steals bases, and is excellent on defense. He looks primed for a big 2024.
34. Bryce Harper (PHI) – 1B/DH
Hopefully, moving to first base full-time will help keep Harper on the field. He’s a dynamic offensive force but played in only 225 games the past two seasons. In 2021, when he played in 141 games, he was the NL MVP, and his OPS hasn’t been below .877 since 2016. Harper has shined the past two postseasons, with 11 HRs and 21 RBI in 30 contests. If he can stay on the field, the Phillies will be contenders again.
33. Dansby Swanson (CHC) – SS
You have to appreciate defense to understand Swanson’s ranking this high. He’s a good offensive player, getting on base and having 20+ HR power, but he’s a great defender. Last year, Swanson led all shortstops with an 18 DRS and won his second-straight Gold Glove. With him at short and Hoerner at second, the Cubbies’ up-the-middle infield defense is second to none.
32. Will Smith (LAD) – C
Will Smith has quietly emerged as one of the NL’s best catchers. Last season, he led all catchers in DRS, and his .808 OPS over the past two seasons is surpassed only by the Contreras brothers and Adley Rutschman. Smith’s production tailed off in the second half of 2023 when his OPS dropped from .889 to .701 and his BB/K from 1.13 to 0.38. Many catchers struggle down the stretch due to the wear and tear of a season, though, so there’s no reason to expect that 28-year-old will slow down anytime soon.
31. Yandy Díaz (TBR) – 1B
Was Yandy Díaz’s 2023 breakout for real? Maybe not. His .367 BABIP led the AL, and seven of his career-high 22 HRs came before May 1. But even if the HRs and BA drop a bit, you still have a dangerous hitter. Diaz had the sixth-highest HP in MLB last season (1,500+ pitches) and was well above average in every PLV category except Power. His Strikezone Judgment and Decision Value were among the league leaders, furthered by his career 12.2% BB% and 14.9% K%. Diaz is an on-base machine who ranked third in Hard Contact % last season. He’s no fluke.
30. Gunnar Henderson (BAL) – SS/3B
The start of Gunnar Henderson’s Rookie-of-the-Year campaign did not go according to plan. Through May, he was batting .201 with a .702 OPS. From June through September, though, Henderson showed why he was such a highly regarded prospect, slashing .276/.322/.534 with 23 dingers. He’s aggressive at the plate, but his K% dropped dramatically as the season wore on, and he was solid on defense at shortstop and third base. Henderson should continue to improve and looks like a cornerstone player for Baltimore for years to come.
29. Trea Turner (PHI) – SS
Like Henderson, Trea Turner got off to a slow start in 2023 but resembled the player the Phillies signed to a $300m contract in the second half. The shortstop slugged 16 HRs, scored 51 runs, stole 11 bases, and drove in 44 after the All-Star break while slashing .292/.348/.554. However, defensively, he struggled. Turner led the NL in errors and had an abysmal -12 DRS in 2023. Errors have been a problem for him for a while now, and the Phillies may eventually want to move him off shortstop if he doesn’t turn things around.
28. Michael Harris II (ATL) – OF
A back injury limited Harris to 25 at-bats in April last year and probably contributed to his rough May, when he hit only .167 with a .534 OPS. From June forward, Harris resembled the 2022 rookie-of-the-Year, slashing .311/.341/.510 with 11 HRs and 11 SBs. He’s also an excellent defender with one of the best centerfield arms in the National League. Harris does a little of everything for Atlanta and is another weapon in MLB’s best lineup.
27. Bobby Witt Jr. (KCR) – SS
If Witt plays this season like he did in the second half of 2023, he may crack the top ten next year. The 23-year-old shortstop had the eighth-best fWAR after the All-Star break last season, slashing .301/.343/.563 with 16 HRs, 49 runs, 49 RBI, and 22 SBs in 68 games. He nearly accomplished a 30 HR / 50 SB season, missing by one stolen base. Witt is the complete package, a perennial all-star in the making. No wonder the Royals signed him to an eleven-year, $288m contract this offseason.
26. Manny Machado (SDP) – 3B
Machado had a down year by his standards in 2023 and still slugged 30 dingers and drove in 91. His average and power dipped last season as he was hindered by an elbow injury, which required surgery this offseason. The stellar defender may start the season DHing, but all indications suggest he’ll be back at third base before long. The veteran is only one season removed from a second-place NL MVP finish and is still only 31.
25. Alex Bregman (HOU) – 3B
Since hitting 41 home runs in 2019, Alex Bregman’s power numbers have dropped into the ordinary arena. However, don’t let that fool you into thinking he isn’t still an excellent offensive player. Bregman walked more than he struck out in 2023, leading MLB with a 1.06 BB/K ratio. Further evidence of his ability to make excellent decisions in the batter’s box comes from his PLV DV (Decision Value) of 128, which ranked 6th among hitters who saw a minimum of 1,500 pitches. Bregman may no longer be a 40+ home run hitter, but he helps his team win by getting on base, scoring, driving in runs, and playing excellent defense.
24. Fernando Tatis Jr. (SDP) – OF
How good an athlete is Fernando Tatis Jr.? In his first season as a right fielder, he won the NL Platinum Glove, awarded to the best defender in the league regardless of position. Tatis had a DRS of 29 to lead MLB. Offensively, his numbers regressed from 2021, after he missed all of 2022 due to injuries and a PED suspension, but they were still excellent. Tatis slugged 25 HRs and stole 29 bases, but his average dropped to .257 and his OPS to .770. The 25-year-old has already had a roller-coaster career, and it’s just beginning.
23. Kevin Gausman (TOR) – SP
Over the past two seasons, Kevin Gausman has the highest fWAR among pitchers in MLB. His 2.68 FIP over that span is 0.36 lower than any other pitcher, and he posted a 3.25 ERA and 11.1 K/9. The only knock on him is a relatively high BB%, but Gausman is a strike-getter, with a CSW% in the 90th percentile. The Blue Jays offense hasn’t done him many favors, providing him with only 12 wins in 31 starts per season since his arrival. Gausman has deserved better, and his wins could skyrocket this season with a bit more support.
22. Sean Murphy (ATL) – C
Sean Murphy was on MVP pace in the first half of 2023. At the All-Star break, he was slashing .306/.400/.999 with 17 HRs and 55 RBI while providing Gold Glove-caliber defense. He slumped after the break and began to lose playing time to Travis d’Arnaud in the second half (though his offense wasn’t any better). At the end of the season, Murphy had only caught 866 innings, the thirteenth-highest among all backstops, yet he had the fifth-highest fWAR. Atlanta had the luxury of a proven backup catcher and a substantial divisional lead down the stretch, so perhaps they were saving Murphy for the playoffs. But their postseason run lasted only four games, with Murphy starting twice.
21. Spencer Strider (ATL) – SP
Don’t be fooled by Strider’s 3.86 ERA from last season. His FIP was 2.85, he struck out 281 batters, and he won 20 games. Only Zack Wheeler had a higher fWAR. Strider led the league in K%, SwStr%, and CSW%, finishing in the 95th percentile or higher in PLV, FIP, xFIP, and xERA. He’s got the best four-seamer in baseball, an excellent slider, a work-in-progress changeup, and he doesn’t need much else, though he appears to be working on a curveball this spring. Strider has quickly and somewhat unexpectedly established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball.
20. Marcus Semien (TEX) – 2B
Semien’s career started well but kicked into overdrive in 2019. He’s finished third in the AL MVP vote three times since then, including last year when he slashed .276/.348/.478, slugged 29 HRs, scored 122 runs, drove in 100, and stole 14 bases for the World Champion Rangers. He’s also an iron man, missing only one game over the last three seasons. Adding to his offense, Semien is one of MLB’s best defensive second basemen, posting a 16 DRS in 2023. This guy is the Rangers’ rock and shows no sign of slowing down.
19. Matt Olson (ATL) – 1B
Matt Olson led MLB in home runs (54) and RBI (139) last season, was second in ISO (.321), and third in runs (127) and SLG (.604). In terms of PLV, Olson had the sixth-highest Power ranking (131), the tenth-ranked HP (128), and was thirteenth in SZ Judgment (123). He anchored the best lineup and baseball last season and was also one of the best defenders at his position. Atlanta let a future Hall of Fame first baseman go two seasons ago, but they may have replaced him with another one.
18. Austin Riley (ATL) – 3B
Across the diamond from Olson, somewhat shadowed by his famous teammates, Austin Riley keeps putting up numbers. Since becoming a regular in 2021, Riley has only missed eight games and has averaged 36 HRs, 99 RBI, and 99 runs while slashing .286/.354/.525. He has finished no worse than seventh in the NL MVP voting each season and is in the Top 12 hitters in fWAR, SLG, doubles, home runs, runs, and RBI. He’s solid on defense, monstrous on offense, and deserves more credit than he gets.
17. Zack Wheeler (PHI) – SP
If you are a fan of fWAR, you appreciate how good Zack Wheeler has been since arriving in Philadelphia in 2020. His 19.3 fWAR over the past four seasons is 1.4 higher than Corbin Burnes’s, who is second on the list. PLV also loves Wheeler, who has ranked among the league leaders since the stat’s inception. The five pitches he throws with regularity ranged from good to elite on the PLV scale in 2023 despite a seemingly high 3.61 ERA. Wheeler’s FIP and xERA were nearly a half-run lower last season, perhaps driven by a relatively high BABIP and low LOB%. It’s no wonder Philadelphia gave him an enormous three-year extension this offseason.
16. Kyle Tucker (HOU) – OF
Kyle Tucker does a bit of everything for the Astros. High OBP? Check – .369 last season. Power? Check – 59 dingers over the past two seasons. Speed? Check – 55 stolen bases in 2022 and 2023 combined. Defense? Check – he won a Gold Glove in 2022. Tucker is not only fantasy gold but also one of the all-around players in MLB. He was in the 90th percentile in nearly every offensive category last season, including runs, HR, RBI, stolen bases, BA, OBP, SLG, wOBA, BB, doubles, and triples. The Astros would be wise to extend him.
15. José Ramírez (CLE) – 3B
Like Tucker, José Ramírez quietly goes about his business, checking all the boxes along the way. The Guardians’ star, who took less money to stay in Cleveland, fills the stat sheet methodically and consistently. Over the past three seasons, he’s hit 36, 29, and 24 home runs, scored 111, 90, and 87 runs, had 103, 126, and 80 RBI, stole 27, 20, and 28 bases, and posted a .893, .869, and .831 OPS. His power dipped a bit in 2023, but he remains one of the most complete players in MLB.
14. Mike Trout (LAA) – OF
When healthy, Mike Trout remains one of baseball’s best hitters. In roughly half a season last year, Trout had 18 HRs, 54 runs, and 44 RBI with a .858 OPS. He’s not elite on defense in centerfield, but he holds his own and would probably benefit by moving to one of the corners. The problem, as all MLB fans know, is that Trout can’t stay on the field. He’s played in 237 games over the past three seasons, and though his injuries don’t appear chronic, it seems like the story is the same year in and year out. At 32, Trout should still have several good seasons left in him. Let’s hope so.
13. Corbin Carroll (ARI) – OF
Corbin Carroll’s rookie season was so good that it earned him MVP votes. Despite average defensive ratings, the D’Backs sensation had a stunning 6.0 fWAR, the fifth-highest in the NL. Carroll’s combination of power, speed, and an excellent approach make him a complete hitter. His presence and production in the postseason furthered the notion that his first season was no fluke and that he could handle the bright lights. Arizona fans will enjoy watching him for years to come.
12. Adley Rutschman (BAL) – C
Rutschman followed up his stellar rookie season with a just as good sophomore campaign. He led all catchers in RBI, and only William Contreras had more runs and a higher OPS. Rutschman’s 20 homers were tied for third among backstops behind Cal Raleigh and Salvador Perez. In addition to his offensive contributions, Rutschman is excellent behind the plate at baseball’s most important defensive position. PLV reveals excellent decision-making and superior contact ability that is rarely seen in a player at his position. Rutschman has quickly emerged as MLB’s best all-around catcher.
11. Jose Altuve (HOU) – 2B
Jose Altuve deserves more love. The Astros’ sign-stealing scandal tainted his 2017 MVP award, but he keeps hitting. Over the past three seasons, Altuve has slashed .294/.374/.513 and slugged 76 HRs in 377 games. In the 90 games he played in 2023, his 131 HP PLV was the ninth-highest in MLB. Altuve is treasured in Houston, where the franchise awarded him a five-year extension this offseason, which should allow him to retire in an Astros uniform.
10. Francisco Lindor (NYM) – SS
Francisco Lindor’s first year in New York didn’t go as planned, but in the past two seasons, he’s settled back into being one of the top players in the sport. No shortstop scored or drove in more runs than Lindor in 2022-2023 combined, and only Corey Seager hit more home runs. On defense, Lindor led all shortstops in UZR and assists last season, and he remains one of the best fielders at his position. Only four players had 30+ home runs and 30+ steals in 2023, and Lindor was one of them.
9. Juan Soto (NYY) – OF
After a rough 2022, by his elevated standards, Soto returned to being one of the best hitters in baseball in 2023. Playing in all 162 games, he finished among MLB leaders in most offensive categories, including HRs, runs, RBI, OBP, SLG, wOBA, and BB%. Soto drew 132 walks to lead baseball and had the second-best BB/K% to Luis Arraez (who doesn’t do much of either). This season, Soto moves from one of the worst parks for left-handed power in San Diego to one of the best in the Bronx. AL East pitchers, beware!
8. Julio Rodríguez (SEA) – OF
Julio Rodríguez suffered a “sophomore slump” in the first half of 2023, but he was so good after the All-Star break that he garnered MVP votes. JRod slashed .308/.363/.578 down the stretch with 19 dingers, 50 runs, 54 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. Still only 23, Rodriguez continues to improve, which is scary. The youngster hits the ball hard, with one of the highest Max EVs in the game, but is still learning plate discipline. Once he learns to lay off pitches out of the zone, the sky’s the limit.
7. Corey Seager (TEX) – SS
Corey Seager played in 119 regular season games in 2023 and had the seventh-highest fWAR in MLB. He also led the AL in doubles. In PLV terms, Seager led all hitters with an HP of 147, and his 137 Strikezone Judgment score was second. He shined again in the World Series, notching his second WS MVP. While it was once thought he’d need to move to third base, Seager has held his own defensively, proving to be an above-average shortstop. The only thing that has held him back over the years is injuries, which have cost him some or most of four of his eight seasons. Hopefully, they are behind him, and we can enjoy one of the best hitters in baseball.
6. Yordan Alvarez (HOU) – OF/DH
Yordan Alvarez was likewise slowed by injuries in 2023, but when he played, he was remarkable. In just under 500 plate appearances, Alvarez slugged 31 homers, scored 77 runs, and drove in 97 while slashing .293/.407/.583. Not bad for 70% of a season! He’s such a good hitter that he ranks eighth in fWAR over the past two seasons despite taking most of his at-bats at DH. Alvarez squares the ball up better than anyone not named Judge, with a combined 19.6% Barrel% in 2022-2023. He’s unusual in that he ranks high in Power and Contact on the PLV scale, a rare combination. Alvarez has Triple Crown potential if he can stay on the field all season.
5. Freddie Freeman (LAD) – 1B
Another great hitter, Freddie Freeman, has thus far refused to slow down despite just completing his 13th MLB season (excluding his 24 PAs in 2010). The 34-year-old is coming off arguably his best season yet, slashing .331/.410/.567 with 29 HRs, 131 runs, 102 RBI, and a career-high 23 stolen bases. The Dodgers first baseman was a doubles machine in 2023, notching 59 and falling one short of being the first player to hit 60 in a season since 1936. Freeman ranked high in every PLV category last season, notably Strikezone Judgement and Hitter Performance. His approach and execution at the plate are among the best in MLB, reflected by his 35.1% Ideal Plate Appearance (IPA%), which ranked fourth in the sport.
4. Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL) – OF
Acuna’s 2023 was historic as no player has hit 40+ home runs and stolen 70+ bases in a season. Perhaps more impressive, Acuna dropped his K% from 23.6% in 2022 to 11.4% in 2023, turning himself from a dangerous hitter to a nearly unstoppable one. The only things keeping him from being even higher on this list are relatively average defensive skills and a mediocre 2022 when he was coming back from his 2021 ACL tear. Unsurprisingly, PLV also loved Acuna’s 2023. His HP ranked third overall, and he had no weak spots—ranging from 112 to 140 in every category. Atlanta’s right fielder looks like a generational talent who could set many records before he’s through.
3. Mookie Betts (LAD) – 2B/OF
Last season, Mookie Betts finished in the top ten of several offensive categories, including home runs, runs, RBI, OBP, and OPS. In addition, the six-time Gold Glove-winning right fielder started 70 games at second base and 16 games at shortstop, where he more than held his own. Recently, Dave Roberts announced that Betts would be his shortstop this season, furthering what a valuable asset Betts is to his team. Mookie is a complete a ballplayer. He’s one of the best offensive players in MLB. His 2023 HP PLV of 140 was tied with Acuna, and he ranked among the league leaders in Decision Value. On top of that, he plays above-average to stellar defense at multiple positions. The man does it all on the diamond.
2. Aaron Judge (NYY) – OF
Coming off his historic 2022, Aaron Judge showed no signs of letting down to start 2023. Through May, roughly a third of the season, Judge was slashing .298/.410/.679 with 18 HRs and 39 RBI. Unfortunately, a toe injury sidelined him for most of the next two months, and he was visibly rusty upon his return to the lineup. However, he began to resemble himself down the stretch and should be good to start the season despite an abdominal injury this spring. Judge is MLB’s preeminent power hitter. His 168 PLV Power rating led the league by a fair margin in 2023 and was consistent with his 164 rating from 2022. He’s also an underrated defender, versatile enough to be penciled in as the Yankees’ centerfielder this year. When Judge plays an entire season, he’s an MVP candidate. Yankee fans hope this will be one of those years, and they are drooling at the thought of Soto and Judge hitting back-to-back this season.
1. Shohei Ohtani (LAD) – SP/DH
Despite being unable to pitch this season, Ohtani again tops our list. How could he not? The superstars’ combined fWAR last season was 1.5 wins above Acuna and Betts despite his not pitching after August 23 or hitting after September 3. Having Ohtani on your roster last season was the equivalent of a Matt Olson on offense and a Bailey Ober on the mound in terms of fWAR, even with the innings limitations. Ohtani led MLB in SLG and OPS in 2023 and had the second-highest PLVs in the HP and Power categories. He’s one of the game’s best hitters and, when healthy, pitchers. Ohtani is a marvel, a truly one-of-a-kind “unicorn.”
Acuna 4th seems lol
Pete Alonso…79th? You can’t be serious.