MLB Network kicked off its annual tradition of ranking the “Top 10 Players Right Now” at each position on Tuesday night when it rolled out its list of the game’s best starting pitchers in the first installment of 10 weeknight specials.
Using rankings based on past player performance, a number of offensive and defensive metrics, both advanced data and traditional numbers, and analysis by the MLB Network research team, “The Shredder” produced its list of the 10 best players at each position right now.
Here’s the full schedule of when each position ranking will be unveiled:
Jan. 16: Right fielders
Jan. 17: Second basemen
Jan. 18: First basemen
Jan. 24: Left fielders
Jan. 25: Center fielders
Jan. 31: Third basemen
Feb. 1: Relief pitchers
Here’s a look at the lists so far:
Corey Seager takes over the No. 1 spot after claiming his second World Series title — and his second World Series MVP trophy — in 2023. Last year’s top shortstop, Trea Turner, dropped to No. 5 following an up-and-down debut season in Philadelphia. Francisco Lindor jumped three spots to No. 2 and Dansby Swanson leaped into the top five, while three newcomers, including budding Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr., joined the list
1. Corey Seager, TEX (Last year: 4)
2. Francisco Lindor, NYM (5)
3. Xander Bogaerts, SD (3)
4. Dansby Swanson, CHC (6)
5. Trea Turner, PHI (1)
6. Bo Bichette, TOR (7)
7. Carlos Correa, MIN (2)
8. Willy Adames, MIL (NR)
9. Bobby Witt Jr., KC (NR)
10. J.P. Crawford, SEA (NR)
After three straight years atop the list, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto dropped to No. 4 heading into 2024. The new No. 1 is young Orioles star Adley Rutschman, who takes over the top spot after a breakout season that included his first All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger Award and a ninth-place finish in AL MVP Award voting. Each of last year’s top six catchers remain on the list, while four newcomers joined the club.
1. Adley Rutschman, BAL (Last year: 3)
2. Will Smith, LAD (2)
3. Sean Murphy, ATL (4)
4. J.T. Realmuto, PHI (1)
5. William Contreras, MIL (NR)
6. Willson Contreras, STL (5)
7. Alejandro Kirk, TOR (6)
8. Yainer Diaz, HOU (NR)
9. Cal Raleigh, SEA (NR)
10. Gabriel Moreno, AZ (NR)
There was plenty of turnover from a season ago, with six new pitchers joining the list – including the guy ranked No. 1. Gerrit Cole, who was No. 2 on this list entering the 2022 season before dropping out of the top 10 heading into ’23, jumped all the way to the top after taking home the AL Cy Young Award. Meanwhile, the NL Cy Young Award winner – Blake Snell – checked in at No. 5 after also missing out on this list a year ago. Zac Gallen, Spencer Strider, Logan Webb and Sonny Gray rounded out the newcomers for this season.
