THE TOP TEN PLAYERS IN THE MLB RIGHT NOW
10. Yordan Alvarez
Left Fielder, Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez has been the focal point of the Houston Astro’s offense but has had a rough start since winning over 100 games last season. Alvarez currently has 55 RBIs which puts him second in the association, and 17 home runs which also places top 10 in the association. He was also top five in the association for both on-base plus slugging and slugging percentages. Alvarez is coming off a World Series triumph in 2022 and is about to hit his prime, and the Astros will be heavily reliant on his hitting to get back to competing for a second title.
9. Bo Bichette
Shortstop, Toronto Blue Jays
Bo Bichette is the primary batter on a stacked Blue Jays squad, one of the best offenses in the MLB this season, hitting the association’s second-best batting average. Bichette currently leads the league in At Batts with 291 and currently leads the AL in batting average at 0.316. Additionally, Bichette has also scored 43 RBIs and 14 Home Runs. Bichette also posted a 3.1 WAR, the fourth highest in the association. Therefore, Bichette will have to play a major role if the Blue Jays want to succeed in the playoffs.
8. Luis Arraez
Second Baseman, Miami Marlins
Luis Arraez was traded to the Miami Marlins from the Minnesota Twins during the offseason, and since then, he has been lights out from the plate. Arraez leads the National League and the association in Batting Average at 0.382, which is far higher than any other player in the league. Additionally, Arraez leads the association in On Base Percentage at 0.431. Though he has only hit 30 RBIs and 1 Home Run, he is the primary batter on a Miami Marlins team that has drastically improved to the fourth-best record in the National League. Therefore, expect the Marlins to continue to remain competitive with Arraez as their leader for years to come.
7. Shohei Ohtani
Designated Hitter/Starting Pitcher, Angels of Anaheim
Shohei Ohtani has continued to replicate the same individual success from last year into this year. Ohtani scored 50 RBIs and 20 Home Runs this season, placing top five in the association for both categories. Ohtani was also near the top of the league in On Base and Slugging Percentage and top three in slugging percentage. Additionally, the Angels of Anaheim are a top-five team in the league in RBIs and Home Runs. However, the biggest issue with Ohtani is that his stats haven’t translated well into team success he is a one-man show on a team ranked sixth in a tightly stacked American League. Therefore, this is a season where Ohtani must prove to viewers that he is ready to lead his team on the biggest stage.
6. Aaron Judge
Right Fielder, New York Yankees
Aaron Judge just came off an MVP season in the National League and hasn’t disappointed a season after so far, having scored 40 RBIs and 19 Home Runs, with his 19 Home Runs placing top five in the association. Additionally, Judge leads the association in slugging percentage with 0.674 and On Base Plus Slugging Percentage at 1.078. As a team, the Yankees are the fourth-ranked team in the AL this year and have trended downward since winning 99 games last year. Therefore, Judge is the face of a storied franchise with high expectations, and the fans will be counting on him to lead the offense if the Yankees want to compete in the playoffs.
5. Marcus Semien
Second Baseman, Texas Rangers
Marcus Semien has established himself as the primary hitter on a loaded Rangers bullpen that leads the league in Batting Average, RBIs, and Hits, and On Base Percentage. Semien has the second most At Bats in the association with 278 and has scored 51 RBIs which is top five in the association and 9 Home Runs. The Rangers are a top three-seeded team in the American League, and Semien is the face of an emerging powerhouse looking to make a deep run in the playoffs.
4. Freddie Freeman
First Baseman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Freddie Freeman has continued to play consistently during his first season with the Dodgers. He is the lead batter on a Dodgers team with aspirations of competing for a World Series but is currently seeded third in the National League. Freeman was one of the association's most featured batters, has the second-highest batting average, and is in the top three for both On Base Percentage and On Base Plus Slugging Percentage. He is currently top five in WAR with 3.0, and the Dodgers will need Freeman to step up if they want to go back to the World Series.
3. Wander Franco
Shortstop, Tampa Bay Rays
Wander Franco is the most valuable player for a Tampa Bay Rays team which currently holds the best record in the association. Franco is currently top three in the league in stolen bases and is the Ray’s most featured batter. He has scored 32 RBIs and 8 Home Runs, but his good hitting combined with his value as a skilled base runner has given him a WAR of 3.7, which currently leads the association. Although the Rays have an array of strong hitters and pitchers, Franco is their most versatile player and will play a key factor in the Rays competing for a World Series Title in the near future.
2. Ronald Acuna Jr.
Right Fielder, Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuna Jr. is the lead batter for the National League Leader Atlanta Braves and is top three in the association for batting average, stolen bases, and WAR with 3.3. He is also top five in At Bats, On Base Percentage, and On Base Percentage plus Slugging. Acuna also scored 44 RBIs and 15 Home Runs and leads the association in total bases. As a team, the Braves are top five in batting average and top three in home runs. Acuna’s efficient hitting and fluid base running will be needed greatly for the Braves to win the National League and compete for a World Series.
1. Corbin Carroll
Left Fielder, Arizona Diamondbacks
Corbin Carroll is having a breakout year for the Diamondbacks and has become one of the league's top batters, currently second in the association in On Base Plus Slugging Percentage and WAR with 3.5. He is also top five in slugging and total bases in the association. Carroll is the most efficient batter on a Diamondbacks bullpen that currently ranks top three in the association in Batting Average and top five in RBIs. Carroll has scored 35 RBIs and 14 Home Runs and is the key to the Diamondback’s emerging success and helping them reach the top spot in the NL and make a deep run in the playoffs.
