June Edition of MLB's 10 Best Players at Each Position in 2024
Who are the best of the best at each position across Major League Baseball during the 2024 season?
That's the question at hand each month with our positional player rankings, casting aside previous performance and future expectations to focus solely on production during the current season.
With two months in the books, there is a decent sample size of data to pull from, and surprising hot starts are turning into legitimate breakout seasons for a number of players across baseball.
Along with updated lists from the May version of this article, there is also a "utility player" list this time around. The other major change is splitting what had previously just been "relief pitchers" into "setup relievers" and "closers" to double the number of bullpen arms being recognized.
Let the debate begin.
Note: Included in parenthesis after each player's name is where they ranked in last month's version of this article, which can be found here.
Catchers
1 of 14
Top 10 Catchers
1. William Contreras, MIL (2)
2. Salvador Pérez, KC (1)
3. Will Smith, LAD (3)
4. Adley Rutschman, BAL (6)
5. Ryan Jeffers, MIN (4)
6. Connor Wong, BOS (9)
7. Shea Langeliers, OAK (NR)
8. Cal Raleigh, SEA (8)
9. J.T. Realmuto, PHI (NR)
10. Patrick Bailey, SF (10)
Notes
-After finishing 11th in NL MVP voting and winning NL Silver Slugger honors last year, William Contreras is off to an even better start this year. The 26-year-old is hitting .311/.382/.481 for a 145 OPS+ with 15 doubles, eight home runs, 44 RBI and an NL-leading 48 runs scored in 60 games.
-The A's acquired Shea Langeliers in the deal that sent Matt Olson to Atlanta, and after a 22-homer season last year, he is developing into a more well-rounded offensive player. He has trimmed his strikeout rate from 29.2 to 25.5 percent and improved his batted-ball metrics across the board, including a .515 expected slugging percentage that ranks in the 91st percentile.
First Basemen
2 of 14
Top 10 First Basemen
1. Bryce Harper, PHI (6)
2. Freddie Freeman, LAD (3)
3. Christian Walker, ARI (2)
4. Josh Naylor, CLE (1)
5. Ryan Mountcastle, BAL (4)
6. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (NR)
7. LaMonte Wade Jr., SF (8)
8. Rhys Hoskins, MIL (NR)
9. Pete Alonso, NYM (5)
10. Matt Olson, ATL (NR)
Notes
-Bryce Harper hit .313/.407/.583 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 113 plate appearances in May, leapfrogging several other standout hitters to move into the No. 1 spot. He is also posting strong defensive metrics (3 DRS, 1.8 UZR/150) in his first season as an everyday first baseman.
Second Basemen
3 of 14
Top 10 Second Basemen
1. Ketel Marte, ARI (2)
2. José Altuve, HOU (1)
3. Brice Turang, MIL (3)
4. Marcus Semien, TEX (4)
5. Luis Arraez, SD (10)
6. Andrés Giménez, CLE (6)
7. Nolan Gorman, STL (NR)
8. Bryson Stott, PHI (NR)
9. Ozzie Albies, ATL (5)
10. Nico Hoerner, CHC (9)
Notes
-Following a huge 2023 postseason that saw him set a new MLB record with a 20-game hitting streak in the playoffs, Ketel Marte has picked up right where he left off. The 30-year-old has a 136 OPS+ with 14 doubles, 12 home runs, 32 RBI and 3.1 WAR in 59 games.
-A standout defender as a rookie who hit just .218 with a 60 OPS+ in 137 games, Brice Turang has raised his OPS by nearly 200 points this season. The 24-year-old is hitting .298/.364/.408 for a 121 OPS+ with 15 extra-base hits and 20 steals in 56 games, and he has taken over as Milwaukee's primary leadoff hitter.
Third Basemen
4 of 14
Top 10 Third Basemen
1. José Ramírez, CLE (10)
2. Isaac Paredes, TB (4)
3. Jordan Westburg, BAL (2)
4. Alec Bohm, PHI (1)
5. Rafael Devers, BOS (8)
6. Joey Ortiz, MIL (NR)
7. Ryan McMahon, COL (3)
8. Josh Smith, TEX (7)
9. Matt Chapman, SF (NR)
10. Josh Rojas, SEA (9)
Notes
-The debate between José Ramírez (147 OPS+, 13 2B, 16 HR, 57 RBI, 2.3 WAR) and Isaac Paredes (151 OPS+, 11 2B, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 1.8 WAR) for the top spot is a good one, and those two will battle it out with Orioles breakout youngster Jordan Westburg (149 OPS+, 23 XBH, 36 RBI, 2.5 WAR) for the starting nod in the All-Star Game.
-Lost in the shuffle of standout rookie pitchers Paul Skenes, Shōta Imanaga, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jared Jones, third baseman Joey Ortiz is having a season worthy of NL Rookie of the Year consideration as well. The centerpiece of the Corbin Burnes trade package is hitting .289/.390/.497 for a 151 OPS+ with 19 extra-base hits and 1.8 WAR in 53 games.
Shortstops
5 of 14
Top 10 Shortstops
1. Gunnar Henderson, BAL (2)
2. Mookie Betts, LAD (1)
3. Bobby Witt Jr., KC (4)
4. Corey Seager, TEX (NR)
5. Anthony Volpe, NYY (8)
6. Willy Adames, MIL (7)
7. Ezequiel Tovar, COL (NR)
8. Elly De La Cruz, CIN (3)
9. Masyn Winn, STL (9)
10. Jeremy Peña, HOU (10)
Notes
-The trio of Gunnar Henderson (175 OPS+, 30 XBH, 4.1 WAR), Mookie Betts (164 OPS+, 26 XBH, 3.5 WAR) and Bobby Witt Jr. (153 OPS+, 31 XBH, 3.6 WAR) all have a strong case for ranking among the 10 best players in the sport right now. All three also have strong defensive metrics on top of their elite offensive production.
-Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams looked like a breakout star during the first month of the season when he hit .295/.373/.619 with 16 extra-base hits, but his production cratered in May. The 23-year-old batted a punchless .205/.216/.304, and he fell from No. 5 in last month's rankings to unranked.
Left Fielders
6 of 14
Top 10 Left Fielders
1. Jurickson Profar, SD (4)
2. Steven Kwan, CLE (3)
3. Riley Greene, DET (2)
4. Christian Yelich, MIL (NR)
5. Taylor Ward, LAA (NR)
6. Daulton Varsho, TOR (7)
7. Tyler O'Neill, BOS (2-RF)
8. Colton Cowser, BAL (1)
9. Alex Verdugo, NYY (8)
10. Bryan Reynolds, PIT (NR)
Notes
-The one-year, $1 million deal that Jurickson Profar signed in February to rejoin the Padres is shaping up to be the steal of the offseason. The former No. 1 overall prospect in baseball is hitting .330/.426/.495 for a 169 OPS+ with 19 extra-base hits and 2.0 WAR in 63 games.
-Veteran Christian Yelich missed 23 games with a lower back strain in late April and early May, but he has put up elite numbers when healthy, hitting .313/.397/.531 with 14 extra-base hits, eight steals and 1.2 WAR in 34 games. His 163 OPS+ is his highest since 2019 when he finished runner-up in NL MVP voting.
Center Fielders
7 of 14
Top 10 Center Fielders
1. Aaron Judge, NYY (5)
2. Jarren Duran, BOS (NR)
3. JJ Bleday, OAK (7)
4. Jake Meyers, HOU (NR)
5. Cody Bellinger, CHC (9)
6. Jazz Chisholm Jr., MIA (NR)
7. Mike Trout, LAA (1)
8. Brenton Doyle, COL (2)
9. Michael Harris II, ATL (3)
10. Julio Rodríguez, SEA (NR)
Notes
-Slugger Aaron Judge leads the AL in OPS+ (200), doubles (18), home runs (21), walks (48), total bases (144) and slugging percentage (.658), putting together an MVP-caliber start to the season. He has also posted strong defensive metrics (2 DRS, 5.3 UZR/150) while making the full-time shift to center field to accommodate the additions of Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo.
-After three seasons serving as a fourth outfielder, Jake Meyers was named Houston's starting center fielder before the start of spring training, and he has taken that opportunity and run with it. The 27-year-old has a 135 OPS+ with six home runs and 23 RBI, and he has tallied 1.5 WAR in 53 games.
Right Fielders
8 of 14
Top 10 Right Fielders
1. Juan Soto, NYY (1)
2. Kyle Tucker, HOU (3)
3. Fernando Tatis Jr., SD (6)
4. Teoscar Hernández, LAD (5)
5. Wilyer Abreu, BOS (8)
6. Adolis García, TEX (4)
7. Kerry Carpenter, DET (NR)
8. Anthony Santander, BAL (NR)
9. Mike Tauchman, CHC (7)
10. Max Kepler, MIN (NR)
Notes
-While teammate Aaron Judge leads the AL in home runs, Juan Soto is currently pacing the AL batting title race, hitting .322/.417/.614 for a 189 OPS+ that includes 17 home runs, 53 RBI and 3.5 WAR in 61 games. Will the Yankees make a push to lock him up long-term before he hits the open market?
-Rookie Wilyer Abreu is hitting .272/.344/.485 for a 130 OPS+ with 14 doubles, six home runs and 22 RBI in a 1.9-WAR start to the season, and strong batted-ball metrics back up the sustainability of his hot start. The 24-year-old has moved into the No. 2 spot in the batting order.
Designated Hitters
9 of 14
Top 10 Designated Hitters
1. Shohei Ohtani, LAD (2)
2. Marcell Ozuna, ATL (1)
3. Brent Rooker, OAK (9)
4. Yordan Alvarez, HOU (5)
5. Joc Pederson, ARI (7)
6. Kyle Schwarber, PHI (NR)
7. Giancarlo Stanton, NYY (8)
8. Mark Canha, DET (4)
9. J.D. Martinez, NYM (NR)
10. Andrew McCutchen, PIT (NR)
Notes
-There is no wrong answered between Shohei Ohtani (179 OPS+, .322/.392/.596, 33 XBH, 14 HR, 38 RBI, 3.1 WAR) and Marcell Ozuna (181 OPS+, .313/.390/.611, 29 XBH, 17 HR, 53 RBI, 2.2 WAR) for the No. 1 spot among designated hitters. Both are squarely in the NL MVP race and have been two of the most productive offensive players in the sport.
-After signing late, J.D. Martinez missed the first 24 games of the regular season getting into shape for the season, but he has quickly made up for lost time. The 36-year-old is hitting .278/.331/.476 for a 136 OPS+ with eight doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI in 137 plate appearances.
Utility Players
10 of 14
Top 10 Utility Players
1. David Fry, CLE (NR)
2. Edmundo Sosa, PHI (NR)
3. Luis Rengifo, LAA (8-2B)
4. Davis Schneider, TOR (NR)
5. Dylan Moore, SEA (NR)
6. Connor Joe, PIT (10-1B)
7. Matt Vierling, DET (NR)
8. Willi Castro, MIN (NR)
9. Richie Palacios, TB (NR)
10. Mauricio Dubón, HOU (NR)
Notes
-A 28-year-old journeyman who made his MLB debut last season, David Fry has started games at catcher, first base, left field and designated hitter for the Guardians and put up huge offensive numbers. He is hitting .355/.493/.636 for a 226 OPS+ with six doubles, eight home runs and 27 RBI in 41 games.
-Edmundo Sosa has done a fantastic job filling in for an injured Trea Turner at shortstop for the Phillies, hitting .306/.375/.597 in 81 plate appearances in May. He will return to a super-utility role once Turner is back in action, giving the NL East leaders a versatile weapon who could move all over the field.
Right-Handed Starting Pitchers
11 of 14
Top 10 Right-Handed Starting Pitchers
1. Seth Lugo, KC (NR)
2. Tanner Houck, BOS (3)
3. Luis Gil, NYY (NR)
4. Zack Wheeler, PHI (1)
5. Tyler Glasnow, LAD (8)
6. Corbin Burnes, BAL (7)
7. José Berríos, TOR (4)
8. Reynaldo López, ATL (NR)
9. Reese Olson, DET (NR)
10. Javier Assad, CHC (NR)
Notes
-Who would have guessed Seth Lugo (12 GS, 1.72 ERA, 78.1 IP), Tanner Houck (12 GS, 1.85 ERA, 78.0 IP) and Luis Gil (11 GS, 1.99 ERA, 63.1 IP) would be headlining the list of right-handed starting pitchers? Lugo and Houck are tied with Zack Wheeler and José Berríos for the MLB lead with 10 quality starts, while Gil has an MLB-best .135 opponents' batting average.
-One of the best active pitchers to never make an All-Star team, Tyler Glasnow has a 3.04 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a NL-leading 95 strikeouts in 74 innings in his first season with the Dodgers. The five-year, $136.5 million extension he signed after he was acquired looks like a wise move.
Left-Handed Starting Pitchers
12 of 14
Top 10 Left-Handed Starting Pitchers
1. Ranger Suárez, PHI (1)
2. Tarik Skubal, DET (2)
3. Shōta Imanaga, CHC (3)
4. Chris Sale, ATL (9)
5. Tyler Anderson, LAA (4)
6. Garrett Crochet, CWS (NR)
7. Max Fried, ATL (NR)
8. Bailey Falter, PIT (NR)
9. Carlos Rodón, NYY (7)
10. Cole Ragans, KC (8)
10. Austin Gomber, COL (NR)
Notes
-Ranger Suárez (12 GS, 1.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 74.0 IP) and Tarik Skubal (12 GS, 1.97 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 73.0 IP) have both shown flashes of frontline production in the past, but they have emerged as bona fide aces this year. They lead their respective leagues in WHIP and are squarely in the Cy Young conversations.
-The Pirates acquired Bailey Falter from the Phillies in an under-the-radar deal at the deadline last year, and he has a 3.22 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 64.1 innings over his first 11 starts this season. The 27-year-old is controllable through the 2028 season.
Setup Relievers
13 of 14
Top 10 Setup Relievers
1. Matt Strahm, PHI
2. Hunter Harvey, WAS
3. Jeff Hoffman, PHI
4. Yimi García, TOR
5. Bryan Hudson, MIL
6. Hunter Gaddis, CLE
7. JoJo Romero, STL
8. Danny Coulombe, BAL
9. Luke Weaver, NYY
10. Jeremiah Estrada, SD
Notes
-Left-hander Matt Strahm had a 3.29 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 108 strikeouts in 87.2 innings serving as a swingman for the Phillies last season, and he has been virtually untouchable in the second season of his two-year, $15 million deal. He has a 0.75 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and a 34-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 24 innings.
-The Padres claimed Jeremiah Estrada off waivers from the Cubs shortly after the 2023 season ended, and he has allowed just even hits and one earned run over 18.2 innings of relief this year. Armed with a fastball averaging 97.0 mph and a splitter generating a 50.0 percent whiff rate, he has struck out 30 of the 70 batters he has faced.
Closers
14 of 14
Top 10 Closers
1. Emmanuel Clase, CLE (8)
2. Robert Suárez, SD (2)
3. Mason Miller, OAK (1)
4. Andrés Muñoz, SEA (NR)
5. Clay Holmes, NYY (4)
6. Ryan Helsley, STL (5)
7. Kyle Finnegan, WAS (9)
8. Evan Phillips, LAD (6)
9. Kirby Yates, TEX (3)
10. Trevor Megill, MIL (NR)
Notes
-After a rocky 2023 season where he finished with a career-high 3.22 ERA and tallied 12 blown saves, Emmanuel Clase has been lights out slamming the door for the Guardians. The flame-thrower has a 0.31 ERA, 0.61 WHIP and an AL-leading 18 saves in 21 chances as he looks to make a third straight All-Star appearance.
-With 50 saves and a 3.61 ERA in 201 appearances over the past three seasons, Kyle Finnegan has not exactly come out of nowhere, but he has gone from solid late-inning option to elite closer in 2024. The 32-year-old has a 1.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 16 saves in 18 chances for a better-than-expected Nationals team.
Rankings reflect statistics through Monday, June 4th.
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