Throughout Spring Coaching, MLB.com beat writers surveyed their clubhouses, asking gamers for his or her opinions on a variety of matters. Effectively over 100 gamers participated, in alternate for anonymity. Within the leadup to Opening Day, MLB.com is publishing a sequence of tales primarily based on the outcomes of that survey.
Right now’s matter: Finest participant
It takes a particular expertise to go away among the greatest gamers on the planet in awe.
The superstars beneath definitely match the invoice. These 5 got here up essentially the most when their friends had been requested to call MLB’s greatest participant.
1. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, DodgersOhtani was an amazing selection in our survey, with almost two-thirds of respondents choosing him as MLB’s greatest participant. The proportion might need been even larger if Ohtani wasn’t taking a yr off from pitching to get well from proper elbow surgical procedure.
This choose is just not actually a shock. Ohtani is a one-of-a-kind famous person, displaying the power to be an elite slugger and a frontline beginning pitcher, all rolled into one. Prior to now three years, he received two unanimous American League MVP Awards and completed second the yr he didn’t win.
Ohtani was rewarded for his unbelievable run of dominance this previous offseason, when he grew to become a free agent and signed a report 10-year, $700 million cope with the Dodgers.
Right here’s a pattern of among the feedback we obtained from Ohtani’s awestruck friends:
“The issues that he is doing, it is loopy.”
“All people’s on the identical web page — we’re watching historical past.”
“There’s not a single human on Earth that may do what he does.”
“He is one of the best baseball participant, I feel, ever.”
2. Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, BravesThe reigning Nationwide League MVP was a well-liked choose amongst gamers who didn’t go along with Ohtani.
Possessing a uncommon mixture of abilities, Acuña has confirmed to be one of many high gamers within the sport since his debut in 2018. The Braves outfielder was set again by a torn ACL in his proper knee in 2021, however he remarkably returned to motion lower than a yr after his harm and went on to make historical past in 2023, turning into the fifth member of the 40-40 membership and the primary participant to report no less than 40 homers and 70 steals in a season.
“Ohtani is the apparent reply, however I am taking Acuña,” stated one AL outfielder. “I feel it is unbelievable how he got here again from a serious harm and be as dynamic as he nonetheless is, that is particular. Simply his sport total, his mix of pace and energy, is superb. To be that quick and that highly effective on the similar time, what a particular mix.”
3. (tie) Aaron Choose, OF, YankeesOne of baseball’s most feared sluggers, Choose has hit extra homers than anybody else since his 2017 rookie season, when he set a then-rookie-record with 52 dingers. His .993 OPS throughout 2017-23 was second solely to Mike Trout’s 1.032 amongst qualifying batters.
Choose reached his apex in 2022, successful AL MVP honors after breaking Roger Maris’ league report for homers. The Yankees outfielder completed the season with 62 homers — yet one more than Maris hit in 1961 — plus an MLB-leading 131 RBIs, 133 runs and 1.111 OPS.
“He is simply an unbelievable participant,” stated one AL first baseman. “He is obtained a extremely fine-tuned strategy. The man can rake.”
Choose was truly on tempo to make one other run at 60 homers final yr, however he injured his proper huge toe when he crashed into the outfield fence at Dodger Stadium whereas making a highlight-reel catch on June 3 and ended up lacking 42 video games.
3. (tie) Corey Seager, SS, RangersThe proven fact that Seager solely performed 119 video games final season and nonetheless completed second behind Ohtani within the AL MVP Award voting speaks to how nice he was, when wholesome.
Seager had among the best offensive seasons by a shortstop in MLB historical past, slashing .327/.390/.623 with 33 homers, 42 doubles and 96 RBIs over 536 plate appearances.
The veteran then continued to burnish his postseason resume, incomes World Collection MVP honors for the second time in his profession whereas serving to the Rangers win all of it.
5. Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers”[Betts’] capacity to play the sport at such a excessive stage as constantly and so long as he is achieved it’s exhausting to disregard,” stated one AL aid pitcher who picked the Dodgers famous person as one of the best participant within the sport.
Certainly, Betts is now 31 years previous and has been within the Majors for a decade, however he’s displaying no indicators of slowing down. In reality, 2023 was among the best seasons of his huge league profession.
Betts positioned second behind Acuña within the NL MVP Award race after hitting .307 with 39 homers, 107 RBIs, 126 runs, 14 steals and a .987 OPS over 152 video games.
He additionally confirmed his defensive versatility, taking part in 70 video games at second base and 16 at shortstop to offer the Dodgers’ infield a much-needed increase. The veteran has six Gold Glove Awards within the outfield, however he’s anticipated to be the Dodgers’ new beginning shortstop in 2024.
Others receiving votes: Corbin Carroll (AZ), Freddie Freeman (LAD), José Ramírez (CLE), Julio Rodríguez (SEA), Marcus Semien (TEX), Mike Trout (LAA)
