the subsequent MLB season is correct across the nook as soon as it turns into time to rank the Prime 100 Gamers Proper Now. And that point is right here.
MLB Community’s manufacturing and analysis workforce has as soon as once more ranked the perfect gamers within the Majors utilizing a formulation that differs from “The Shredder,” which was used to find out the Community’s rankings for the highest 10 gamers at every place.
Right here’s a have a look at who simply made the lower.
1) Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers (2024 rank: 4)Any inkling of doubt as as to whether Ohtani would be capable of win a 3rd MVP Award with out having the ability to pitch was put to relaxation in resounding vogue when the two-way famous person made historical past throughout a season during which he was restricted to designated hitter duties. In his first yr with the Dodgers, Ohtani turned the primary participant in MLB historical past to hit not less than 50 dwelling runs (54) and steal not less than 50 bases (59) in the identical season. Total, he hit .310/.390/.646 and posted the very best bWAR (9.2) by a full-time DH in MLB historical past. All of it resulted in his third unanimous MVP Award as he enters the 2025 marketing campaign seeking to return to his two-way dominance.
2) Aaron Choose, RF, Yankees (2024 rank: 3)In some way, after a record-setting 2022 season during which he established a brand new AL single-season mark for dwelling runs by smashing 62, Choose delivered an excellent higher general efficiency in ’24. He eclipsed his 2022 offensive numbers in batting common (.322), on-base proportion (458), slugging proportion (.701, making him the primary participant to slug over .700 since 2004), OPS+ (223), walks (133) and whole bases (392). He additionally launched an MLB-leading 58 homers. Whereas Ohtani could also be the perfect all-around participant within the sport, Choose is undoubtedly probably the most feared hitter.
3) Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals (2024 rank: 20)Witt made an enormous leap up this checklist from final yr, leaping 17 spots all the way in which to No. 3. And for good purpose — the Royals’ younger famous person shortstop adopted up an amazing 2023 sophomore season with an MVP-caliber efficiency in ’24. In his age-24 marketing campaign, he led the Majors by hitting .332 and gathering 211 hits whereas posting a .977 OPS (171 OPS+) with 32 homers and 31 steals, marking his second straight 30-30 season. He did all of that whereas taking part in spectacular protection at quick, successful his first profession Gold Glove Award. He completed runner-up to Choose in AL MVP balloting.
4) Juan Soto, RF, Mets (2024 rank: 7)There are numerous causes to think about Soto one of many best gamers within the sport, and amongst its most elite hitters. This offseason, we acquired 765 million extra — as in, a file 15-year, $765 million contract to affix the Mets after a sensational 2024 marketing campaign with the crosstown Yankees. He belted a career-high 41 dwelling runs with a .989 OPS final season, ending third in AL MVP voting and propelling the Yanks to the World Collection for the primary time in 15 years when he delivered a go-ahead three-run homer within the tenth inning of Sport 5 of the ALCS towards the Guardians. Soto is one in every of eight gamers in MLB historical past with an OPS+ of 160 or higher by way of his age-25 season (minimal 3,000 plate appearances by way of age-25 season) — the others are Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Mike Trout, Jimmie Foxx, Albert Pujols, Tris Speaker and Rogers Hornsby.
5) Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers (2024 rank: 2)Betts’ 2024 season was restricted by a damaged left hand he suffered when he was hit by a pitch in mid-June. Nonetheless, he belted 19 dwelling runs with an .863 OPS to associate with his typically stellar protection at two positions, starting the season at shortstop and ending in proper area. He earned his eighth All-Star choice, seventh Silver Slugger Award and MVP votes regardless of solely taking part in in 116 video games. Maybe no participant within the sport along with his caliber of offensive functionality is as defensively versatile as Betts, who’s coming into his age-32 marketing campaign in 2025.
6) Francisco Lindor, SS, Mets (2024 rank: 25)Lindor is one other participant who made a quantum leap within the rankings, vaulting up 19 locations to No. 6. He was the center and soul of a 2024 Mets squad that made a stunning run to the NLCS towards the eventual World Collection champion Dodgers. Lindor acquired off to a sluggish begin — on Could 21, he was hitting .198/.271/.349. However from there, he caught hearth and by no means appeared again, posting a .945 OPS with 26 dwelling runs and 23 steals to enhance his nice protection at shortstop. He got here up with large hits down the stretch, together with a go-ahead two-run homer within the ninth inning of the penultimate sport of the common season to carry the Mets into the postseason.
7) Yordan Alvarez, LF, Astros (2024 rank: 8)Alvarez entered final season having been restricted by accidents over a lot of the primary 5 years of his Main League profession. However in 2024, he performed in a career-high 147 video games and hit .308/.392/.567 with 35 homers for Houston. The hulking slugger garnered his third profession All-Star choice and continued to show why he is without doubt one of the most harmful hitters within the sport. Alvarez’s high quality of contact metrics recommend he was even higher than his precise numbers present — his .595 anticipated slugging proportion was almost 30 factors increased than the precise determine and ranked within the 99th percentile of certified hitters.
8) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers (2024 rank: 5)Freeman had a difficult yr, and the challenges went means past the sector. In early August, his son, Max, was recognized with Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Freeman needed to depart the Dodgers to be with him. Fortunately, docs instructed Freeman and his household that Max would make a full restoration. On the sector, he continued to provide, if not on the stage he has in latest seasons — he completed with an .854 OPS with 22 homers through the common season. However then he hit one of the crucial memorable dwelling runs in postseason historical past in Sport 1 of the World Collection, a walk-off grand slam that set the tone for a five-game Dodgers victory.
9) José Ramírez, 3B, Guardians (2024 rank: 14)Ramírez continues to be persistently wonderful, and he turned in one other prodigious offensive marketing campaign in 2024, ending fifth in AL MVP voting. He completed one double and one dwelling run shy of turning into solely the second participant in MLB historical past to have not less than 40 doubles, 40 homers and 40 steals in the identical season. Had it not been for a rainout on the ultimate day of the common season, J-Ram would possibly very properly have joined Alfonso Soriano (2006) in that unique membership. Heading into the ’25 season, he’s the premier third baseman within the sport.
10) Gunnar Henderson, 3B, Orioles (2024 rank: 34)Henderson leapt 24 spots because of an enormous season on the plate following a Rookie of the 12 months efficiency in 2023. He produced an .893 OPS with 37 dwelling runs and 21 steals to complete fourth in AL MVP balloting. He additionally produced 9.2 bWAR, turning into simply the fifth participant this century to provide 9 or extra bWAR in his age-23 season or youthful. What’s superb is, Henderson truly slowed down within the second half of the season — previous to the All-Star break, he had 28 homers with a .956 OPS. If he can sustain that stage of manufacturing over a whole season, look out.
A pair of left-handers and a flamethrowing phenom who took the baseball world by storm final yr have crashed the Prime 100 celebration among the many high 20.
Reigning Cy Younger Award winners Tarik Skubal (No. 11) and Chris Sale (No. 20) be a part of the checklist because of dominant performances in 2024. Skubal helped the Tigers attain the postseason for the primary time in a decade by main the AL with a 2.39 ERA and main the Majors with 228 strikeouts. Sale, in the meantime, was named the NL Comeback Participant of the 12 months after posting an MLB-best 2.38 ERA and main the NL with 225 strikeouts.
They’re joined by Paul Skenes (No. 15), who took dwelling NL Rookie of the 12 months honors following a dominant debut season during which he pitched to a 1.96 ERA and struck out 33% of opposing batters.
Gamers on this group who made huge jumps from the prior yr’s rankings embody Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (up 39 spots) and D-backs star second baseman Ketel Marte (up 47 spots).
11. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers (2024 rank: no rank)12. Bryce Harper, 1B, Phillies (2024 rank: 11)13. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays (2024 rank: 52)14. Kyle Tucker, RF, Cubs (2024 rank: 23)15. Paul Skenes, SP, Pirates (2024 rank: no rank)16. Ronald Acuña Jr., RF, Braves (2024 rank: 1)17. Corey Seager, SS, Rangers (2024 rank: 6)18. Ketel Marte, 2B, D-backs (2024 rank: 65)19. Zack Wheeler, SP, Phillies (2024 rank: 28)20. Chris Sale, SP, Braves (2024 rank: no rank)
Newcomers on this group are star outfielders Jackson Merrill of the Padres (No. 24) and Jarren Duran of the Pink Sox (27). Merrill completed second in NL Rookie of the 12 months Award balloting after posting an .826 OPS with 24 homers — 5 of which had been game-tying or go-ahead homers within the ninth inning or later, a file for a participant 21 years previous or youthful (since not less than 1961).
Duran, in the meantime, had a memorable yr of his personal, main the Majors with 48 doubles and 14 triples whereas additionally stealing 34 bases for Boston. He was the MVP of the All-Star Sport, launching a two-run homer that proved to be the distinction within the AL’s 5-3 win.
A participant who made an enormous leap into this echelon is Brewers catcher William Contreras, who shot up 53 spots to No. 28 after serving to the Brewers win an NL Central title by producing an .831 OPS with 23 dwelling runs. He completed fifth in NL MVP voting.
21. Rafael Devers, 3B, Pink Sox (2024 rank: 32)22. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF, Padres (2024 rank: 26)23. Julio Rodríguez, CF, Mariners (2024 rank: 10)24. Jackson Merrill, CF, Padres (2024 rank: no rank)25. Corbin Burnes, SP, D-backs (2024 rank: 29)26. Gerrit Cole, SP, Yankees (2024 rank: 9)27. Jarren Duran, LF, Pink Sox (2024 rank: no rank)28. William Contreras, C, Brewers (2024 rank: 81)29. Manny Machado, 3B, Padres (2024 rank: 24)30. Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros (2024 rank: 22)
Two gamers improved their rankings dramatically on this grouping — shortstop Elly De La Cruz of the Reds (up 69 spots to No. 31) and third baseman Matt Chapman of the Giants (up 49 locations to No. 38). And the Brewers’ Jackson Chourio makes his debut on the checklist at No. 40.
De La Cruz made historical past (one thing he’s not unaccustomed to) final yr by turning into the primary shortstop and the fifth participant general in MLB historical past to hit not less than 25 homers and steal not less than 65 bases in the identical season (25 homers, 67 steals). He additionally turned the youngest to take action, at 22 years previous.
Chapman, in the meantime, had a bounce-back season on the plate after his offensive output had declined within the previous years. He posted a .790 OPS with 27 homers and performed his typically glowing protection at third base, successful his fifth Gold Glove Award.
In his rookie season, Chourio acquired off to a sluggish begin however turned issues round midseason. On June 1, he was hitting .207/.251/.323 with 5 homers. From there by way of the top of the season, he posted an .888 OPS with 16 homers to assist Milwaukee win a division title. He then hit .455 with a pair of homers within the NL Wild Card Collection towards the Mets.
31. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds (2024 rank: 100)32. Corbin Carroll, RF, D-backs (2024 rank: 18)33. Austin Riley, 3B, Braves (2024 rank: 15)34. Matt Olson, 1B, Braves (2024 rank: 13)35. Trea Turner, SS, Phillies (2024 rank: 16)36. Blake Snell, SP, Dodgers (2024 rank: 30)37. Alex Bregman, 3B, free agent (2024 rank: 44)38. Matt Chapman, 3B, Giants (2024 rank: 89)39. Mike Trout, CF, Angels (2024 rank: 12)40. Jackson Chourio, LF, Brewers (2024 rank: no rank)
Willy Adames parlayed a profession yr on the plate right into a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Giants. He additionally crashed the Prime 100 checklist at No. 41. The veteran shortstop belted 32 homers and drove in 112 runs for the Brewers in 2024.
A few gamers who’re making their debut among the many high 100 are left-hander Cole Ragans of the Royals (No. 43) and slugging outfielder Brent Rooker of the Athletics (46). Ragans loved a breakout season for Kansas Metropolis in 2024, ending fourth in AL Cy Younger Award voting with a 3.14 ERA and 29% strikeout charge in an All-Star marketing campaign.
Rooker was a late bloomer, however in ’23, he slugged his means into the collective baseball consciousness, smashing 30 homers in an All-Star season. He topped that final yr, when he launched 39 homers with a .927 OPS, over 100 factors higher than his ’23 OPS of .817.
41. Willy Adames, SS, Giants (2024 rank: no rank)42. Carlos Correa, SS, Twins (2024 rank: 68)43. Cole Ragans, SP, Royals (2024 rank: no rank)44. Max Fried, SP, Yankees (2024 rank: 48)45. Framber Valdez, SP, Astros (2024 rank: 55)46. Brent Rooker, LF, Athletics (2024 rank: no rank)47. Marcell Ozuna, DH, Braves (2024 rank: 83)48. Christian Walker, 1B, Astros (2024 rank: 58)49. Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets (2024 rank: 37)50. Logan Webb, SP, Giants (2024 rank: 42)
The arrow is pointing means up for many of the gamers on this group. Anthony Santander, Dylan Stop and Cal Raleigh all climbed 30-plus spots from the place they ranked in 2024. In the meantime, Teoscar Hernández, Riley Greene, Garrett Crochet and Emmanuel Clase made even better leaps since they had been exterior of the highest 100 final yr. Hernández and Santander had been two of the most important bats on the free-agent market this offseason after bashing 33 and 44 homers, respectively.
Crochet, who was acquired by way of commerce by the Pink Sox in December, registered a 12.9 Ok/9 charge in 146 innings with the White Sox final yr. And all Clase did was writer one of many high seasons by any reliever, highlighted by a 0.61 ERA by way of 74 1/3 regular-season frames.
51. Logan Gilbert, SP, Mariners (2024 rank: no rank)52. Teoscar Hernández, RF, Dodgers (2024 rank: no rank)53. Anthony Santander, RF, Blue Jays (2024 rank: 86)54. Riley Greene, LF, Tigers (2024 rank: no rank)55. Dylan Stop, SP, Padres (2024 rank: 92)56. Garrett Crochet, SP, Pink Sox (2024 rank: no rank)57. Emmanuel Clase, RP, Guardians (2024 rank: no rank)58. Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles (2024 rank: 19)59. Cal Raleigh, C, Mariners (2024 rank: 93)60. Will Smith, C, Dodgers (2024 rank: 45)
Japanese aces Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga sit shoulder to shoulder within the rankings after profitable debut seasons. In addition to successful the World Collection with the Dodgers, Yamamoto recorded a 3.00 ERA and 105 strikeouts over a 90-inning span shortened by a shoulder harm. Imanaga, whose 21% strikeout-minus-walk charge was eighth-best amongst certified starters, completed among the many high 5 within the NL Cy Younger and Rookie of the 12 months voting.
In a debut of a special kind, Michael King excelled in his first season each as a full-time beginning pitcher and as a member of the Padres. He struck out 201 batters and had a 2.95 ERA. He’s simply in entrance of Hunter Greene, who had a 2.75 ERA throughout 150 1/3 innings and tied for the MLB lead with 6.3 bWAR.
61. Christian Yelich, LF, Brewers (2024 rank: 72)62. Marcus Semien, 2B, Rangers (2024 rank: 21)63. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, Dodgers (2024 rank: 61)64. Shota Imanaga, SP, Cubs (2024 rank: no rank)65. Kyle Schwarber, DH, Phillies (2024 rank: 57)66. Steven Kwan, LF, Guardians (2024 rank: no rank)67. Michael Harris II, CF, Braves (2024 rank: 50)68. Byron Buxton, CF, Twins (2024 rank: no rank)69. Michael King, SP, Padres (2024 rank: no rank)70. Hunter Greene, SP, Reds (2024 rank: no rank)
AL Cy Younger Award runner-up Seth Lugo checks in at No. 74, two spots forward of 2023 NL Cy Younger finalist Zac Gallen, who tumbles 45 spots from final yr. Two of the latest Yankees, Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams, are additionally discovered right here. Williams didn’t make his 2024 debut till late July due to a again harm, however he did file a 1.25 ERA over 22 regular-season appearances. Nonetheless, he wasn’t fairly as dominant as Athletics nearer Mason Miller, who struck out 41.8% of the batters he confronted.
The underside of this group options two of the longest-tenured catchers within the sport, Salvador Perez and J.T. Realmuto. Perez returns to the Prime 100 Gamers Proper Now after a two-year absence whereas Realmuto makes the checklist for the eighth straight yr.
71. Tyler Glasnow, SP, Dodgers (2024 rank: 74)72. Cody Bellinger, CF, Yankees (2024 rank: 51)73. Seiya Suzuki, RF, Cubs (2024 rank: 84)74. Seth Lugo, SP, Royals (2024 rank: no rank)75. George Kirby, SP, Mariners (2024 rank: 75)76. Zac Gallen, SP, D-backs (2024 rank: 31)77. Devin Williams, RP, Yankees (2024 rank: 59)78. Mason Miller, RP, Athletics (2024 rank: no rank)79. Salvador Perez, C, Royals (2024 rank: no rank)80. J.T. Realmuto, C, Phillies (2024 rank: 46)
There are a bunch of gamers on this vary who’re coming off breakout campaigns. That features burgeoning stars resembling Mark Vientos, Bryce Miller and Lawrence Butler. After which there may be Jurickson Profar, whose breakout season got here in his eleventh yr within the Majors. The Braves’ new outfielder set profession highs throughout the board throughout his age-31 season, earned a Silver Slugger Award and acquired his first All-Star choice. Luis Arraez is simply in entrance of Profar right here. The Padres infielder slipped 40 spots from final yr’s rankings regardless of successful a batting title for the third consecutive season.
81. Mark Vientos, 3B, Mets (2024 rank: no rank)82. Royce Lewis, 3B, Twins (2024 rank: 95)83. Luis Arraez, 1B, Padres (2024 rank: 43)84. Jurickson Profar, LF, Braves (2024 rank: no rank)85. Isaac Paredes, 3B, Astros (2024 rank: 78)86. Willson Contreras, C, Cardinals (2024 rank: 82)87. Bryce Miller, SP, Mariners (2024 rank: no rank)88. Justin Steele, SP, Cubs (2024 rank: 64)89. Kerry Carpenter, RF, Tigers (2024 rank: no rank)90. Lawrence Butler, RF, Athletics (2024 rank: no rank)
The No. 100 participant can be the sport’s No. 1 prospect. Roki Sasaki has the abilities to be one of many league’s finest pitchers this season. The identical goes for the participant straight in entrance of him on this checklist, Jacob deGrom. The 2-time Cy Younger Award winner has thrown solely 105 1/3 innings over the previous three seasons on account of accidents, however the projections imagine he can nonetheless be elite. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, top-10 gamers two years in the past, now discover themselves subsequent to one another within the 90s. They’re on the again finish of their embellished careers whereas 2024 rookies Masyn Winn, James Wooden and Wyatt Langford all seem to have a shiny future.
91. Brandon Nimmo, LF, Mets (2024 rank: 70)92. Ian Happ, LF, Cubs (2024 rank: no rank)93. Dansby Swanson, SS, Cubs (2024 rank: 67)94. Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals (2024 rank: no rank)95. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Cardinals (2024 rank: 33)96. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Yankees (2024 rank: 36)97. Wyatt Langford, LF, Rangers (2024 rank: no rank)98. James Wooden, LF, Nationals (2024 rank: no rank)99. Jacob deGrom, SP, Rangers (2024 rank: no rank)100. Roki Sasaki, SP, Dodgers (2024 rank: no rank)
