The MLB season opens tomorrow, which along with Super Bowl Sunday (not this year) is my favourite sports related day of the year.
So, I figured it is as good a time as any to post my top 10 players right now, so we can see how poorly my list ages (or doesn't) over the course of the season.
Counting down from 10 to 1:
- Tarik Skubal- SP Detroit Tigers
- The reigning American League CY Young winner and the best pitcher in baseball right now. Although Paul Skenes might have something to say about that this season.
- Jose Ramirez- 3B Cleveland Guardians
- One of the most consistent hitters and run producers of the last decade. Good range at third and a good baserunner. One of the best all around players in the game
- Yordan Alvarez- LF/DH Houston Astros
- Consistently one of the best hitters and sluggers in MLB. Would rank higher on the list if his defense and baserunning were better.
- Freddie Freeman- 1B Los Angeles Dodgers
- Hits for average, hits for power, is clutch in the playoffs, plays a good 1B and a damn likeable guy. The first of 3 Dodgers in the top 10 (ridiculous)
- Franciso Lindor- SS New York Mets
- Quite a turnaround for Lindor the last few seasons. He was one of the best players in the game early in his career but had a couple down years before rebounding with the Mets. Last season was especially impressive as he displayed average, speed, power and good defense.
- Bobby Witt Jr- SS Kansas City Royals
- He will probably never be number one on this list while Ohtani is playing but I expect we will see him at 2 within a couple years. One of the most dynamic young players in the game. Led the league in hits, average, had over 30 homers and 30 stolen bases and won a gold glove at Shortstop while doing it. Since this list is a "right now" list he probably should be 3 but I have to respect the career results of the next two guys.
- Mookie Betts- SS Los Angeles Dodgers
- RF, 2B, SS (what? SS?) doesn't matter. Put Mookie Betts wherever you want and he will produce at the plate, play excellent defense and be a team leader. Truly a five tool player still producing at an elite level at 32 years old. Willing to do anything to help the team win. He shouldn't be ahead of Witt but he should because he is a legend.
- Juan Soto- RF New York Mets
- Best Left Handed hitter in baseball not named Ohtani and probably the best LHH when Ohtani is splitting time as a pitcher/hitter. His defensive and baserunning leave you wanting but he has the best eye in baseball, hits for average, hits for power, gets clutch hits all from the left side. There are only a couple guys in baseball that can transform a lineup and make everyone around them better like Juan Soto. Oh and he is only 26, he should be just entering his prime.
- Aaron Judge- RF New York Yankees
- He moved to RF now but I won't hold that against him. It was impressive to see a giant human playing above average CF but the Yankees want to protect their investment and star so the move to RF makes sense. The best pure power hitter in the game. He somehow managed to have a better overall season at the plate last year than the 2022 season when he broke Maris' AL homerun record. He is a good base runner and good defender as well. If not for Ohtani, he would perennially be number 1.
- Shohei Ohtani- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Was there any doubt? I didn't think so. The two way superstar is so good that even though he didn't throw a pitch last year he still lands number one on the list because he had the first ever 50/50 season. Hitting 50 homers and stealing 50 bases. He will be back pitching in May and I fully expect a year from now when I do the top 10 players right now for the 2026 season he will be at number 1 again.
Let me know what you think about the list and what you would change?
Sats for all,
GR