Newest Place-by-Place Participant Rankings, September Version

Who’re one of the best of one of the best throughout Main League Baseball throughout the 2023 season?

That is the query we got down to reply every month with our position-by-position participant rankings, casting apart earlier manufacturing and future expectations to focus solely on manufacturing throughout the present season of play.

The newest model of our participant rankings was printed on Aug. 4, and with one other month of baseball accomplished, there’s loads of shuffling to be executed at every place.

The ultimate month of the 2023 season is right here, and as playoff and award races warmth up throughout baseball, now could be the proper time to try the main contenders for this yr’s All-MLB workforce with a rundown of one of the best gamers at every place.

Let the talk start.

Be aware: Included in parenthesis after every participant’s title is the place they ranked in final month’s model of this text, which may be discovered here.

Prime 10 Catchers

1. Sean Murphy, ATL (1)
2. Will Smith, LAD (3)
3. Adley Rutschman, BAL (4)
4. Jonah Heim, TEX (2)
5. William Contreras, MIL (5)
6. Cal Raleigh, SEA (8)
7. Patrick Bailey, SF (7)
8. J.T. Realmuto, PHI (10)
9. Willson Contreras, STL (NR)
10. Yainer Diaz, HOU (NR)

Notes

–Sean Murphy leads all catchers in OPS+ (140) and he’s tied with Will Smith for the lead in WAR (3.8), as he has been a official secondary star behind Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson on a loaded Atlanta Braves roster. He has additionally been one of many most valuable defensive catchers in baseball.

-It seemed like Jonah Heim would miss vital time when he suffered a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist on the finish of July, however he returned simply two weeks later. Nonetheless, the AL All-Star Sport starter is hitting simply .150/.209/.225 in 43 plate appearances since he returned to motion.

-Rookies Patrick Bailey and Yainer Diaz have each made a significant impression for contending groups. Bailey has been arguably one of the best defensive catcher in baseball, whereas Diaz has a 122 OPS+ with 19 dwelling runs in 88 video games, although he has cut up his time comparatively evenly between catcher and designated hitter.

Prime 10 First Basemen

1. Freddie Freeman, LAD (1)
2. Matt Olson, ATL (2)
3. Yandy Díaz, TB (3)
4. Christian Walker, ARI (5)
5. Paul Goldschmidt, STL (6)
6. Nathaniel Lowe, TEX (4)
7. Pete Alonso, NYM (7)
8. Triston Casas, BOS (10)
9. Josh Naylor, CLE (8)
10. Ryan Mountcastle, BAL (NR)

Notes

-With a .338 common, Freddie Freeman is slowly chasing down Luis Arraez within the NL batting title race, and he leads the NL in hits (178), doubles (51) and complete bases (308). He has an actual shot at turning into the primary participant to tally 60 doubles since Joe Medwick and Charlie Gehringer in 1936.

-Slugger Matt Olson leads the NL in dwelling runs (43) and RBI (112), and he has additionally recorded a career-high 14.7 percent stroll price en path to a .379 on-base proportion. Can he break Andruw Jones single-season franchise file of 51 dwelling runs?

–Ryan Mountcastle is hitting .353/.425/.561 with seven dwelling runs and 25 RBI in 41 video games because the All-Star break to push his method into the highest 10 at a deep place. The 26-year-old has a 120 OPS+ with 20 doubles, 18 dwelling runs and 65 RBI on the yr.

Prime 10 Second Basemen

1. Marcus Semien, TEX (3)
2. Luis Arraez, MIA (1)
3. Bryson Stott, PHI (5)
4. Ketel Marte, ARI (2)
5. Ozzie Albies, ATL (4)
6. Nico Hoerner, CHC (6)
7. Gleyber Torres, NYY (7)
8. Nolan Gorman, STL (5-UT)
9. Edouard Julien, MIN (10)
10. Jose Altuve, HOU (NR)

Notes

–Marcus Semien has already logged his fourth 5-WAR season within the final 5 years, posting a 118 OPS+ with 32 doubles, 20 dwelling runs, 81 RBI and 99 runs scored. The 32-year-old has additionally put collectively one other Gold Glove-caliber season defensively (13 DRS, 2.4 UZR/150) at second base.

-After hitting .383 throughout the first half of the season, Luis Arraez is batting simply .281/.301/.395 because the All-Star break. That mentioned, he nonetheless leads the majors with a .349 batting common, and he’s hitting an absurd .430 in 111 plate appearances with runners in scoring place.

-Up-and-comer Nolan Gorman bounced round between second base, third base and designated hitter over the primary few months of the season. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old has performed completely second base because the All-Star break, so we have shifted him to this record to mirror that change.

Prime 10 Third Basemen

1. José Ramírez, CLE (1)
2. Austin Riley, ATL (5)
3. Isaac Paredes, TB (3)
4. Alex Bregman, HOU (10)
5. Matt Chapman, TOR (2)
6. Jeimer Candelario, CHC (4)
7. Rafael Devers, BOS (9)
8. Nolan Arenado, STL (8)
9. Manny Machado, SD (7)
10. Josh Jung, TEX (6)

Notes

-With a uncommon mixture of energy (22 HR), velocity (21 SB) and high quality protection (3 DRS, 1.6 UZR/150), José Ramírez has been probably the most well-rounded third baseman in baseball this season. He continues to supply at an elite stage, regardless of restricted manufacturing round him within the Cleveland lineup

–Alex Bregman is properly on his solution to his greatest season since 2019 when he completed runner-up in AL MVP voting. The 29-year-old has a 123 OPS+ with 23 doubles, 22 dwelling runs and 90 RBI in 134 video games, and his 4.4 WAR is only a tick beneath what he posted in 21 extra video games a yr in the past.

-Rookie Josh Jung has been sidelined since Aug. 6 with a fractured left thumb, and he has coughed up his standing as AL Rookie of the Yr front-runner within the course of. There may be nonetheless an opportunity he may return earlier than the tip of the common season.

Prime 10 Shortstops

1. Corey Seager, TEX (2)
2. Bobby Witt Jr., KC (6)
3. Francisco Lindor, NYM (4)
4. Bo Bichette, TOR (3)
5. Dansby Swanson, CHC (5)
6. Matt McLain, CIN (7)
7. J.P. Crawford, SEA (8)
8. Geraldo Perdomo, ARI (9)
9. Orlando Arcia, ATL (10)
10. Trea Turner, PHI (NR)

Notes

-Regardless of enjoying in simply 90 of 133 video games for the Texas Rangers this season, Corey Seager has put collectively an MVP-caliber efficiency. Within the second season of a 10-year, $325 million contract, he’s hitting .346/.411/.651 for a 185 OPS+ with 35 doubles, 25 dwelling runs and 80 RBI, and he leads all AL place gamers with 6.0 WAR.

-Former prime prospect Bobby Witt Jr. resides as much as his celebrity potential, hitting .314/.351/.623 with 13 dwelling runs and 11 steals in 42 video games because the All-Star break as the largest vibrant spot on a foul Kansas Metropolis Royals workforce. He’s engaged on a 27-homer, 38-steal, 4.0-WAR season.

-Veteran J.P. Crawford is quietly having one of the best season of his profession, hitting .268/.385/.421 for a 127 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 12 dwelling runs, 44 RBI and 4.1 WAR. His stroll price has spiked from 11.3 to 15.6 percent this yr, and he has been probably the most constant offensive performer on the Mariners roster this season.

Be aware: Wander Franco has been excluded from these rankings, however he would have ranked No. 5 based mostly on his on-field manufacturing.

Prime 10 Left Fielders

1. Corbin Carroll, ARI (2)
2. Juan Soto, SD (1)
3. Randy Arozarena, TB (4)
4. Christian Yelich, MIL (3)
5. Ian Happ, CHC (6)
6. Austin Hays, BAL (8)
7. Bryan Reynolds, PIT (NR)
8. Masataka Yoshida, BOS (5)
9. Tommy Pham, ARI (9)
10. Steven Kwan, CLE (10)

Notes

-The talk between Corbin Carroll (139 OPS+, 56 XBH, 23 HR, 41 SB, 4.9 WAR) and Juan Soto (148 OPS+, 52 XBH, 25 HR, 80 RBI, 4.1 WAR) for the No. 1 spot is an efficient one. Soto has been the higher offensive participant, however Carroll has been the higher all-around participant because of his velocity and protection.

-Rookie Masataka Yoshida is hitting simply .255/.281/.386 because the All-Star break, and his OPS has dropped greater than 200 factors relative to his stellar first-half manufacturing. With restricted worth outdoors of what he does within the batter’s field, he has been only a 1.3-WAR participant this yr, which barely cracks the top 20 amongst left fielders.

-With 19 DRS and 1.6 dWAR, Steven Kwan has been the most effective defensive outfielders in baseball as soon as once more this season. The 2022 rookie standout can also be hitting .271//.337/.379 for a 101 OPS+ and he has once more been one of many league’s hardest punchouts with a 10.3 percent strikeout price.

Prime 10 Heart Fielders

1. Julio Rodríguez, SEA (4)
2. Luis Robert Jr., CWS (1)
3. Chas McCormick, HOU (5)
4. Brandon Nimmo, NYM (6)
5. Michael Harris II, ATL (NR)
6. Brandon Marsh, PHI (9)
7. Lars Nootbaar, STL (10)
8. Mike Trout, LAA (3)
9. James Outman, LAD (NR)
10. Adam Duvall, BOS (NR)

Notes

-It is a coin toss between Julio Rodríguez (130 OPS+, .286/.346/.482, 56 XBH, 35 SB, 5.1 WAR) and Luis Robert Jr. (136 OPS+, .271/.325/.561, 69 XBH, 17 SB, 5.4 WAR) for the highest spot amongst heart fielders. With a ridiculous .429/.474/.724 line in August that coincided with the Mariners setting a franchise file for wins in a month, J-Rod will get the nod.

-Apologies Atlanta Braves followers, Michael Harris II deserved to be on this record final time round. The reigning NL Rookie of the Yr acquired off to a rocky begin this season, however he now has a 110 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 12 dwelling runs, 20 steals and a pair of.7 WAR in 109 video games.

-In 71 video games, Adam Duvall has posted a 145 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 18 dwelling runs and 50 RBI, making him some of the productive run producers in baseball on a prorated foundation. The 34-year-old is enjoying on a one-year, $7 million deal and may very well be making a case for a multiyear contract this winter.

Prime 10 Proper Fielders

1. Ronald Acuña Jr., ATL (1)
2. Kyle Tucker, HOU (2)
3. Adolis García, TEX (3)
4. Fernando Tatis Jr., SD (4)
5. Lane Thomas, WAS (5)
6. Anthony Santander, BAL (7)
7. Alex Verdugo, BOS (6)
8. Josh Lowe, TB (NR)
9. Teoscar Hernández, SEA (NR)
10. Aaron Decide, NYY (10)

Notes

-Can Ronald Acuña Jr. maintain on to win NL MVP honors? The 25-year-old has performed at an elite stage all season, and he’s properly on his solution to turning into the primary 30-homer, 60-steal participant in MLB historical past, hitting .334/.416/.567 with 31 doubles, 29 dwelling runs, 79 RBI, 119 runs scored and 61 steals in a 6.5-WAR season.

-A tip of the cap to Fernando Tatis Jr. for making a completely seamless transition to being a full-time outfielder after years as a shortstop. Together with posting a 117 OPS+ that features 28 doubles, 20 dwelling runs, 67 RBI and 23 steals, he additionally leads all proper fielders with 24 DRS whereas racking up 11 outfield assists.

-It has been an up and down season for Teoscar Hernández, which is lower than superb for a participant set to hit free company for the primary time this winter. That mentioned, he hit .365/.396/.654 with 9 doubles, seven dwelling runs and 22 RBI in August, and he may enhance his free company inventory significantly with extra of the identical in September.

Prime 10 Designated Hitters

1. Shohei Ohtani, LAA (1)
2. Yordan Alvarez, HOU (2)
3. Bryce Harper, PHI (8)
4. Jorge Soler, MIA (5)
5. Justin Turner, BOS (6)
6. Marcell Ozuna, ATL (NR)
7. Brent Rooker, OAK (4)
8. J.D. Martinez, LAD (3)
9. Brandon Belt, TOR (NR)
10. Andrew McCutchen, PIT (7)

Notes

-Even when he had not thrown a single pitch this season, Shohei Ohtani would nonetheless be the AL MVP front-runner. The game’s greatest celebrity is hitting .307/.410/.661 for a 183 OPS+ with 25 doubles, eight triples, 44 dwelling runs, 95 RBI, 101 runs scored, 19 steals and 5.9 WAR as a hitter.

-Regardless of lacking 39 video games with a proper indirect harm, Yordan Alvarez remains to be a simple selection for the No. 2 spot on this record. The Houston Astros slugger is hitting .292/.397/.572 with 23 dwelling runs and 77 RBI in 87 video games, and he’s 12-for-24 with two dwelling runs and 9 RBI in his final 5 video games as he gears up for a giant closing month.

-It has been a yr of milestones for Andrew McCutchen, who has surpassed 2,000 hits, 1,000 walks, 400 doubles and a pair of,000 video games performed over the course of the 2023 season. There may be nonetheless a minimum of one large milestone on deck, as he sits one dwelling run away from 300.

Prime 10 Utility Gamers

1. Mookie Betts (1)
2. Ha-Seong Kim, SD (2)
3. Gunnar Henderson, BAL (3)
4. Cody Bellinger, CHC (2-CF)
5. Whit Merrifield, TOR (6)
6. Luke Raley, TB (4)
7. Spencer Steer, CIN (8)
8. Wilmer Flores, SF (9)
9. LaMonte Wade Jr., SF (7)
10. Christopher Morel, CHC (10)

Notes

Prime 10 Proper-Handed Beginning Pitchers

1. Gerrit Cole, NYY (1)
2. Luis Castillo, SEA (3)
3. Zac Gallen, ARI (6)
4. Logan Webb, SF (10)
5. Spencer Strider, ATL (5)
6. George Kirby, SEA (NR)
7. Kyle Bradish, BAL (NR)
8. Sonny Grey, MIN (NR)
9. Kevin Gausman, TOR (4)
10. Zack Wheeler, PHI (NR)

Notes

–Gerrit Cole has completed runner-up in Cy Younger voting twice, and inside the highest 5 three different occasions, so he has been knocking on the door to take dwelling the {hardware} for many of his profession. With a 2.95 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 188 strikeouts in an AL-leading 174 innings, he enters September because the AL front-runner.

-With a 2.54 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 49.2 innings because the All-Star break, Kyle Bradish has emerged because the workers ace the Baltimore Orioles have been missing throughout the first half of the season. The 26-year-old was acquired within the deal that despatched Dylan Bundy to the Los Angeles Angels previous to the 2020 season.

-The subsequent 10, listed alphabetically: Tanner Bibee (CLE), Corbin Burnes (MIL), Zach Eflin (TB), Logan Gilbert (SEA), Merrill Kelly (ARI), Pablo López (MIN), Charlie Morton (ATL), Shohei Ohtani (LAA), Kodai Senga (NYM), Justin Verlander (HOU).

Prime 10 Left-Handed Beginning Pitchers

1. Blake Snell, SD (1)
2. Justin Steele, CHC (4)
3. Framber Valdez, HOU (2)
4. Clayton Kershaw, LAD (7)
5. Eduardo Rodríguez, DET (6)
6. Jordan Montgomery, TEX (8)
7. Jesús Luzardo, MIA (5)
8. Andrew Abbott, CIN (9)
9. Shane McClanahan, TB (3)
10. Max Fried, ATL (NR)

Notes

–Blake Snell has not allowed greater than three earned runs in a begin since Might 19, going 10-3 with a 1.38 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 104 innings over his final 18 begins. That spectacular run has positioned him because the NL Cy Younger front-runner and despatched his inventory hovering forward of his first journey to free company this winter.

-Is there a extra underappreciated starter in baseball than Jordan Montgomery? The 30-year-old has been a dependable middle-of-the-rotation innings eater for a number of seasons, and he has a 3.19 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 152.1 innings.

-The subsequent 10, listed alphabetically: Logan Allen (CLE), Braxton Garrett (MIA), MacKenzie Gore (WAS), Yusei Kikuchi (TOR), Wade Miley (MIL), James Paxton (BOS), Cristopher Sánchez (PHI), Tarik Skubal (DET), Ranger Suárez (PHI), Brandon Williamson (CIN)

Prime 10 Aid Pitchers

1. Félix Bautista, BAL (1)
2. Devin Williams, MIL (5)
3. Josh Hader, SD (2)
4. Alexis Díaz, CIN (3)
5. Yennier Cano, BAL (7)
6. David Bednar, PIT (4)
7. Bryan Abreu, HOU (10)
8. Jordan Romano, TOR (NR)
9. Tanner Scott, MIA (NR)
10. Héctor Neris, HOU (NR)

Notes

-The Orioles bullpen was dealt a blow when Félix Bautista was sidelined by a UCL harm, however it’s been an excellent yr for the All-Star nearer. The 28-year-old has struck out 110 of the 237 batters he has confronted whereas posting a 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 16.2 Okay/9 with 33 saves in 56 video games.

-Left-hander Tanner Scott is having the most effective seasons that nobody is speaking about. In 60 appearances, he has 24 holds with a 2.48 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 12.3 Okay/9 whereas limiting opposing hitters to a .198 common. His 2.5 WAR ranks fifth amongst all relievers.

-The subsequent 10, listed alphabetically: Adbert Alzolay (CHC), Matt Brash (SEA), Aroldis Chapman (TEX), Camilo Doval (SF), Jhoan Durán (MIN), Raisel Iglesias (ATL), Kenley Jansen (BOS), Chris Martin (BOS), Joel Payamps (MIL), Evan Phillips (LAD).

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and correct by way of Wednesday’s video games.