MLB Position-by-Position Player Rankings, September Edition
Position-by-position MLB power rankings have once again become a staple this year, and now that we've reached the final month of the season, it's time for another update.
My preseason rankings came out March 7, with subsequent updates coming April 17, June 3, July 4, July 11 and August 6.
What follows is a look at the best players at each position based on their performance this season. Past reputation and future projections mean nothing here; it's all about what these guys have done in 2014.
I have taken into account players' all-around offensive abilities, their defensive contributions and what they have meant to the success of their respective teams.
Included in my statistics is each player's Baseball-Reference.com's wins above replacement or WAR. While WAR is a useful stat in gauging a player's value, it is not the be-all, end-all stat that some view it as. As such, do not expect this to simply be a list of the top 10 in WAR at each position.
With that said, here is a look at the best players each position has to offer here in September, as we enter the stretch run and teams try to shore up a playoff spot.
Catchers
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Top 10 Catchers
| 1. Jonathan Lucroy, MIL | .297 | .836 | 46 | 13 | 60 | 67 | 5.6 | 1 |
| 2. Buster Posey, SF | .305 | .841 | 25 | 19 | 78 | 64 | 4.2 | 8 |
| 3. Devin Mesoraco, CIN | .277 | .884 | 21 | 20 | 65 | 44 | 4.0 | 2 |
| 4. Russell Martin, PIT | .288 | .823 | 16 | 8 | 52 | 40 | 4.7 | 5 |
| 5. Yan Gomes, CLE | .291 | .805 | 23 | 17 | 55 | 55 | 4.2 | 3 |
| 6. Salvador Perez, KC | .269 | .725 | 26 | 16 | 63 | 52 | 3.8 | 4 |
| 7. Evan Gattis, ATL | .269 | .831 | 17 | 21 | 51 | 39 | 2.3 | 6 |
| 8. Derek Norris, OAK | .273 | .792 | 19 | 10 | 49 | 40 | 3.1 | 7 |
| 9. Yadier Molina, STL | .285 | .740 | 16 | 7 | 32 | 33 | 2.5 | 10 |
| 10. Chris Iannetta, LAA | .260 | .798 | 22 | 7 | 39 | 38 | 2.4 | NR |
Position Overview
Jonathan Lucroy remains atop the catcher rankings, as he has put together a fantastic all-around season, and he enters the final month as a legitimate NL MVP candidate. There's a good chance he'll become the first catcher ever to record 50 doubles in a season.
Buster Posey is the big riser here, as he has caught fire in the second half, helping the San Francisco Giants turn things around in the NL West race. He too could work his way into the NL MVP picture if he keeps producing like he has the past month.
Devin Mesoraco continues to get high marks on the strength of his impressive power, while the same goes for Evan Gattis to a lesser extent. On the flip side, Salvador Perez earns his place in the top 10 as much on his production at the plate as for his impressive defense.
Russell Martin continues to boost his free-agent stock with a big contract year, while Yan Gomes has already cashed in with a six-year, $23 million deal at the beginning of the year that is looking like a steal.
Derek Norris and Chris Iannetta have certainly played a significant role in the AL West race with their offensive production, while Yadier Molina is finally back healthy and ready to play a major role of his own in the St. Louis Cardinals' push for the NL Central title.
First Basemen
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Top 10 First Basemen
| 1. Jose Abreu, CWS | .322 | .985 | 32 | 33 | 99 | 71 | 4.9 | 1 |
| 2. Miguel Cabrera, DET | .307 | .872 | 43 | 19 | 94 | 86 | 3.7 | 3 |
| 3. Anthony Rizzo, CHC | .278 | .889 | 23 | 30 | 71 | 81 | 3.8 | 5 |
| 4. Paul Goldschmidt, ARI | .300 | .938 | 39 | 19 | 69 | 75 | 4.4 | 2 |
| 5. Edwin Encarnacion, TOR | .261 | .913 | 24 | 29 | 79 | 63 | 3.0 | 4 |
| 6. Freddie Freeman, ATL | .289 | .859 | 38 | 17 | 69 | 88 | 3.3 | 8 |
| 7. Adrian Gonzalez, LAD | .278 | .796 | 35 | 19 | 92 | 66 | 2.8 | NR |
| 8. Albert Pujols, LAA | .272 | .790 | 32 | 24 | 83 | 74 | 3.4 | 10 |
| 9. Lucas Duda, NYM | .251 | .821 | 22 | 26 | 77 | 63 | 3.2 | 7 |
| 10. Mike Napoli, BOS | 251 | .803 | 19 | 17 | 53 | 47 | 3.2 | NR |
Position Overview
Jose Abreu has played out of his mind in his first season stateside, as he has not only made a quick adjustment after his defection from Cuba, but he has also immediately become one of the best all-around hitters in the game.
Miguel Cabrera is posting his usual elite power numbers, but he's still driving in a ton of runs, and his 43 doubles lead the American League. He'll likely still see plenty of MVP support, though he could split votes with teammate Victor Martinez.
Injuries have bumped Paul Goldschmidt and Edwin Encarnacion down the list, with Goldschmidt done for the season at this point with a fractured hand. That has allowed Cubs breakout star Anthony Rizzo to slide into the No. 3 spot at the position.
Freddie Freeman and Adrian Gonzalez remain rock-solid performers on contending teams, while Albert Pujols looks like the front-runner for AL Comeback Player of the Year as he's been a plus run-producer in the middle of a very good Los Angeles Angels lineup.
Lucas Duda has been one of the better breakout stories of the year, as the New York Mets look to have made the right choice in trading away Ike Davis. Mike Napoli rounds out the list, as he's put up terrific on-base numbers and remains a plus fielder from a metrics standpoint with six defensive runs saved (DRS) and a 6.3 UZR/150, via FanGraphs.
Second Basemen
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Top 10 Second Basemen
| 1. Robinson Cano, SEA | .321 | .848 | 31 | 12 | 71 | 71 | 5.8 | 1 |
| 2. Jose Altuve, HOU | .340 | .828 | 39 | 7 | 47 | 76 | 4.9 | 2 |
| 3. Brian Dozier, MIN | .242 | .764 | 31 | 20 | 61 | 98 | 4.8 | 6 |
| 4. Dustin Pedroia, BOS | .280 | .720 | 32 | 7 | 51 | 71 | 4.9 | 4 |
| 5. Ian Kinsler, DET | .280 | .732 | 35 | 13 | 76 | 88 | 4.5 | 3 |
| 6. Chase Utley, PHI | .276 | .762 | 29 | 11 | 71 | 67 | 3.5 | 5 |
| 7. Neil Walker, PIT | .275 | .803 | 20 | 18 | 61 | 58 | 2.3 | 9 |
| 8. Daniel Murphy, NYM | .301 | .768 | 34 | 9 | 53 | 73 | 2.2 | 8 |
| 9. Dee Gordon, LAD | .284 | .700 | 18 | 2 | 29 | 74 | 2.0 | 7 |
| 10. Howie Kendrick, LAA | .276 | .697 | 26 | 5 | 56 | 72 | 3.5 | NR |
Position Overview
Second base has been one of the deepest positions in baseball this season, but it's clearly a two-man battle for the top spot between Robinson Cano and Jose Altuve, two very different players.
Altuve is a sparkplug who's leading all of baseball in hits, batting average and pacing the AL with 50 steals, while Cano is the rare middle-of-the-order run-producer at the position. Cano gets the top spot once again, but it's by the slimmest of margins.
Brian Dozier became just the 14th second baseman to post a 20-20 season this year, earning him a spot ahead of steady veteran producers Dustin Pedroia, Ian Kinsler and Chase Utley who have all been solid once again.
Neil Walker has some of the best power at the position, Daniel Murphy has elite contact skills and Dee Gordon leads all of baseball with 58 steals in what has been a coming-out party after two disappointing seasons.
Howie Kendrick rounds out the list on the strength of his all-around game, just ahead of Milwaukee Brewers youngster Scooter Gennett.
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Third Basemen
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Top 10 Third Basemen
| 1. Josh Donaldson, OAK | .255 | .807 | 26 | 26 | 89 | 81 | 6.9 | 1 |
| 2. Adrian Beltre, TEX | .323 | .873 | 27 | 17 | 69 | 68 | 6.0 | 2 |
| 3. Kyle Seager, SEA | .278 | .823 | 27 | 22 | 85 | 60 | 5.5 | 3 |
| 4. Anthony Rendon, WAS | .277 | .798 | 35 | 18 | 73 | 98 | 4.8 | 4 |
| 5. Nolan Arenado, COL | .296 | .837 | 32 | 15 | 56 | 55 | 3.9 | 8 |
| 6. Todd Frazier, CIN | .275 | .786 | 20 | 23 | 70 | 73 | 4.1 | 5 |
| 7. Pablo Sandoval, SF | .288 | .765 | 24 | 15 | 64 | 64 | 4.0 | 6 |
| 8. Matt Carpenter, STL | .274 | .759 | 32 | 7 | 53 | 89 | 3.0 | 7 |
| 9. Aramis Ramirez, MIL | .303 | .803 | 19 | 14 | 61 | 45 | 2.2 | NR |
| 10. Trevor Plouffe, MIN | .252 | .744 | 39 | 12 | 69 | 60 | 3.2 | NR |
Position Overview
Some argue that Josh Donaldson has quickly gone from underrated to overrated in the past year, but it's hard to make a case for anyone else to be in the top spot. Not only does he lead the position in home runs and RBI, but he's also tops with 21 DRS and second to Chase Headley with a 13.5 UZR/150, per FanGraphs.
If anyone else could claim the top spot, it would be Adrian Beltre, who is again putting up elite offensive numbers as he continues to build an intriguing Hall of Fame case.
"If there's any justice in this world, Adrian Beltre's head will one day adorn a plaque at the National Baseball Hall of Fame," wrote Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com.
A trio of up-and-coming stars are next on the list, as Kyle Seager has taken the next step this season, while Anthony Rendon and Nolan Arenado have built on strong rookie seasons. Arenado missed 37 games with a fractured finger, or he'd likely be challenging for the No. 2 spot, thanks to his elite defense.
Todd Frazier has dropped off after a big first half but still has strong numbers, while Pablo Sandoval has picked things up after the break and is only adding to his free-agent value.
Matt Carpenter remains one of the best table-setters in the game, Aramis Ramirez hit .380 with a .961 OPS in August, and Trevor Plouffe pops onto the list in the No. 10 spot with a position-best 39 doubles.
Shortstops
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Top 10 Shortstops
| 1. Jhonny Peralta, STL | .269 | .801 | 35 | 18 | 62 | 53 | 5.7 | 2 |
| 2. Troy Tulowitzki, COL | .340 | 1.035 | 18 | 21 | 52 | 71 | 5.6 | 1 |
| 3. Alexei Ramirez, CWS | .282 | .734 | 30 | 13 | 64 | 71 | 3.2 | 4 |
| 4. Starlin Castro, CHC | .292 | .777 | 33 | 14 | 65 | 58 | 2.1 | 5 |
| 5. Hanley Ramirez, LAD | .264 | .790 | 28 | 13 | 60 | 53 | 2.4 | 3 |
| 6. Jimmy Rollins, PHI | .247 | .724 | 22 | 17 | 55 | 75 | 3.6 | 6 |
| 7. Erick Aybar, LAA | .286 | .715 | 27 | 6 | 58 | 68 | 3.4 | 8 |
| 8. Ian Desmond, WAS | .249 | .725 | 19 | 22 | 81 | 58 | 1.9 | 7 |
| 9. Andrelton Simmons, ATL | .244 | .627 | 15 | 7 | 43 | 42 | 2.9 | 9 |
| 10. Zack Cozart, CIN | .228 | .578 | 17 | 3 | 35 | 45 | 2.7 | 10 |
Position Overview
Whereas second base is one of the stronger positions in the league this year, shortstop may be the weakest, and we have a new No. 1 at the position in Jhonny Peralta.
With Troy Tulowitzki out for the year, Peralta has managed to jump him, thanks to a red-hot bat in the second half and some surprisingly good defense to boot. His 18 DRS and 14.7 UZR/150 both rank third at the position, according to FanGraphs.
Alexei Ramirez has put together a nice season with 19 steals to go along with his 30 doubles and 13 home runs, and the Chicago White Sox opted to hold onto the veteran as opposed to potentially selling high on him.
Starlin Castro bounced back nicely from a dismal 2013, though his season may be over following a high ankle sprain. Hanley Ramirez and Ian Desmond both earn a spot on the list, thanks to their offensive production, but both are having somewhat disappointing seasons.
Veterans Jimmy Rollins and Erick Aybar have contributed their usual mid-level production, while Andrelton Simmons (23 DRS, 16.2 UZR/150) and Zack Cozart (19 DRS, 16.0 UZR/150) round out the list as the two best defensive players at the position, according to FanGraphs' metrics.
Left Fielders
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Top 10 Left Fielders
| 1. Alex Gordon, KC | .279 | .814 | 29 | 19 | 65 | 76 | 5.9 | 3 |
| 2. Michael Brantley, CLE | .311 | .864 | 37 | 18 | 86 | 83 | 5.0 | 1 |
| 3. Justin Upton, ATL | .285 | .874 | 30 | 26 | 91 | 70 | 4.1 | 5 |
| 4. Yoenis Cespedes, BOS | .263 | .770 | 32 | 21 | 91 | 81 | 4.3 | 9 |
| 5. J.D. Martinez, DET | .307 | .901 | 27 | 19 | 63 | 45 | 3.0 | 4 |
| 6. Brett Gardner, NYY | .269 | .784 | 20 | 16 | 56 | 81 | 4.4 | 2 |
| 7. Corey Dickerson, COL | .311 | .946 | 24 | 22 | 68 | 67 | 3.1 | 7 |
| 8. Seth Smith, SD | .279 | .853 | 27 | 12 | 42 | 51 | 3.6 | 6 |
| 9. Melky Cabrera, TOR | .302 | .811 | 35 | 16 | 73 | 80 | 3.0 | 8 |
| 10. Matt Holliday, STL | .266 | .797 | 33 | 16 | 81 | 72 | 2.5 | NR |
Position Overview
Alex Gordon has jumped into the top spot, thanks to a big month of August, and he could be a legitimate top-five finisher in AL MVP voting if the Kansas City Royals hold on and reach the playoffs. On top of his offense, he's head and shoulders above the rest of the position defensively with 21 DRS and a 25.1 UZR/150, per FanGraphs.
Michael Brantley drops to No. 2, but he has earned every bit of the recognition he's received this year, as he's been one of the league's breakout stars at the plate. Justin Upton is not far behind, as he's been on fire at the plate recently and is in line for the best offensive numbers of his career.
Yoenis Cespedes leads all of baseball with 15 outfield assists, and he's also done a terrific job sliding into the cleanup spot in the Red Sox lineup and protecting David Ortiz.
"I’ve seen better pitches to hit," Ortiz told Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. "He’s a really good player and a threat. Looking forward, it’s going to be fun next year having him there for the whole year. He makes me better. He makes Nap better. He makes everybody better."
J.D. Martinez has been one of the best scrapheap finds of all time after being released by the Houston Astros earlier this season, while Corey Dickerson and Seth Smith have also well-exceeded expectations.
Brett Gardner has added some surprising pop to his speed and defense this year, Melky Cabrera has bounced back nicely in his second season in Toronto, and Matt Holliday is as hot as any player in baseball right now and earns the final spot over Christian Yelich and Starling Marte.
Center Fielders
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Top 10 Center Fielders
| 1. Mike Trout, LAA | .285 | .920 | 35 | 31 | 98 | 92 | 6.6 | 1 |
| 2. Andrew McCutchen, PIT | .303 | .926 | 33 | 21 | 72 | 72 | 5.1 | 2 |
| 3. Adam Jones, BAL | .286 | .787 | 26 | 24 | 81 | 79 | 4.2 | 4 |
| 4. Carlos Gomez, MIL | .282 | .827 | 29 | 21 | 65 | 85 | 3.7 | 3 |
| 5. Juan Lagares, NYM | .284 | .711 | 21 | 4 | 44 | 43 | 5.7 | 8 |
| 6. Adam Eaton, CWS | .310 | .791 | 23 | 1 | 34 | 64 | 4.8 | 5 |
| 7. Jacoby Ellsbury, NYY | .285 | .778 | 26 | 14 | 65 | 65 | 3.4 | 10 |
| 8. Denard Span, WAS | .298 | .762 | 36 | 4 | 32 | 85 | 3.2 | NR |
| 9. Lorenzo Cain, KC | .298 | .738 | 25 | 3 | 42 | 43 | 3.9 | 7 |
| 10. Billy Hamilton, CIN | .267 | .684 | 25 | 6 | 46 | 71 | 2.7 | 9 |
Position Overview
Detractors will point to a .285 batting average and a career-high 153 strikeouts as an argument against Mike Trout winning AL MVP, but he's clearly been the best player on the best team in baseball. The Angels not making the playoffs worked against him the past two years, and it should work similarly in his favor this time around.
Andrew McCutchen is a close second here, as the reigning NL MVP figures to factor heavily into the discussion once again if the Pittsburgh Pirates can pull off a comeback and work their way into the playoffs.
Adam Jones and Carlos Gomez are both dynamic offensive players at the heart of a contenders lineup, and beyond those two there is a significant drop-off at the position offensively.
Adam Eaton, Jacoby Ellsbury and Denard Span earn a spot, thanks to their above-average production at the plate, while Juan Lagares (29 DRS, 34.6 UZR/150) may be the best defensive player at any position this season.
Lorenzo Cain (13 DRS, 16.7 UZR/150) and Billy Hamilton (9 DRS, 19.5 UZR/150) have also been great with the glove, according to FanGraphs. Hamilton also has an impressive 55 steals, but he's been caught 21 times, and his offensive game still needs a lot of work as a .304 OBP out of the leadoff spot doesn't cut it.
Right Fielders
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Top 10 Right Fielders
| 1. Giancarlo Stanton, MIA | .295 | .968 | 29 | 36 | 102 | 86 | 6.4 | 1 |
| 2. Jose Bautista, TOR | .286 | .917 | 24 | 29 | 84 | 81 | 4.3 | 3 |
| 3. Hunter Pence, SF | .295 | .828 | 29 | 19 | 69 | 100 | 4.0 | 5 |
| 4. Jason Heyward, ATL | .273 | .750 | 23 | 11 | 55 | 68 | 6.4 | 4 |
| 5. Yasiel Puig, LAD | .296 | .865 | 33 | 13 | 59 | 73 | 3.7 | 2 |
| 6. Jayson Werth, WAS | .288 | .839 | 31 | 16 | 76 | 74 | 3.3 | 8 |
| 7. Kole Calhoun, LAA | .280 | .784 | 26 | 13 | 47 | 69 | 3.1 | 9 |
| 8. Ryan Braun, MIL | .275 | .807 | 27 | 18 | 77 | 65 | 1.1 | 6 |
| 9. Marlon Byrd, PHI | .266 | .777 | 24 | 25 | 78 | 69 | 3.4 | 7 |
| 10. Nick Markakis, BAL | .279 | .730 | 26 | 12 | 44 | 68 | 1.2 | NR |
Position Overview
Will the Miami Marlins' surprise run at a winning record be enough to make Giancarlo Stanton a legitimate threat to win NL MVP honors in a wide-open field? The numbers are certainly there, as he leads the NL in home runs and RBI, but Paul Goldschmidt did the same thing a year ago for a .500 Arizona Diamondbacks team and finished second in the voting.
Jose Bautista and Hunter Pence are both having great seasons at the plate as probably the best hitters on their respective teams, while Jason Heyward cracks the top five on the strength of his glove (33 DRS, 26.7 UZR/150), which is the best at the position by a long shot, according to FanGraphs.
Yasiel Puig drops to fifth after a miserable month of August where he hit just .216 with zero home runs and four RBI. He could soon be passed by Jayson Werth, who is having another nice season for the NL East-leading Washington Nationals.
Kole Calhoun has quietly enjoyed a breakout year out of the leadoff spot for the Angels, while Marlon Byrd has defied the odds and somehow been a good signing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Ryan Braun is not the dynamic player he was two years ago, but he's still productive, with Nick Markakis also proving he has plenty left in the tank atop the Baltimore Orioles' lineup.
Designated Hitters
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Top 5 Designated Hitters
| 1. Victor Martinez, DET | .332 | .966 | 28 | 28 | 90 | 75 | 4.4 | 1 |
| 2. Nelson Cruz, BAL | .257 | .839 | 25 | 36 | 91 | 77 | 3.4 | 2 |
| 3. David Ortiz, BOS | .261 | .864 | 25 | 30 | 95 | 53 | 2.5 | 3 |
| 4. Chris Carter, HOU | .231 | .822 | 19 | 35 | 82 | 63 | 1.9 | 5 |
| 5. Adam Dunn, OAK | .226 | .795 | 17 | 22 | 58 | 45 | 0.5 | 4 |
Position Overview
This used to be a two-man race for the top spot between Victor Martinez and Nelson Cruz, but there is little doubt that it's Martinez who has been the game's top DH.
He's been huge stepping into the cleanup spot in the Detroit Tigers' lineup, and dating back to the second half of last season when he led all of baseball with a .361 average, he's been one of the best hitters in the game.
Cruz leads the AL with 36 home runs, but his average has steadily dropped in the second half, and a case can be made for David Ortiz to occupy the second spot at this point as he has similar numbers across the board.
Chris Carter climbs into fourth after exploding for an MLB-best 12 home runs in August. He could make a serious push for the AL home run title if he stays hot.
Adam Dunn rounds out the list for lack of a better option, though his .795 OPS is solid. He could make a significant impact down the stretch for the Oakland A's after being acquired ahead of the Aug. 31 waiver deadline.
Utility Players
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Top 5 Utility Players
| 1. Josh Harrison, PIT | .310 | .849 | 31 | 13 | 46 | 65 | 4.8 | NR |
| 2. Ben Zobrist, TB | .272 | .761 | 31 | 9 | 44 | 74 | 4.3 | NR |
| 3. Justin Turner, LAD | .327 | .852 | 16 | 5 | 33 | 40 | 3.6 | NR |
| 4. Stephen Vogt, OAK | .303 | .813 | 10 | 9 | 32 | 25 | 1.5 | NR |
| 5. Brock Holt, BOS | .282 | .711 | 23 | 3 | 28 | 66 | 2.2 | NR |
Position Overview
It was pointed out in more than a few comments last time around that Josh Harrison was unfairly excluded from these rankings, due to the fact that it's hard to identify him with any one position. So, this time around, we've added a "utility player" slide to the mix.
To be eligible, a player has to have played 10-plus games at three different positions and cannot be clearly identified with any one position. For example, Martin Prado has played double-digit games at three positions, but he's clearly a third baseman with 106 games played there.
The resulting list was fronted by the aforementioned Harrison, who is coming off of NL Player of the Month honors and should receive some NL MVP consideration.
Ben Zobrist has long been considered the most versatile player in the game, and this year is no different. His power numbers are down, but he's still producing at a high level, while seeing time at second, shortstop and both corner-outfield spots.
Justin Turner saw extended action at third base when Juan Uribe was on the disabled list, but he has returned to his super-utility role since his return, playing all over the infield and continuing to put up terrific numbers.
Stephen Vogt is not a prototypical utility guy, as his games have come at catcher, first base and right field, but that versatility has allowed the A's to get his bat in the lineup on a regular basis.
Rounding out the list is Red Sox rookie Brock Holt, who has fallen off in the second half but is still having a terrific year as one of the few bright spots for Boston.
Right-Handed Starting Pitchers
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Top 10 Right-Handed Starting Pitchers
| 1. Felix Hernandez, SEA | 14-5 | 2.18 | 0.898 | .199 | 209 | 6.4 | 1 |
| 2. Johnny Cueto, CIN | 16-8 | 2.26 | 0.971 | .195 | 205 | 5.5 | 2 |
| 3. Corey Kluber, CLE | 13-9 | 2.58 | 1.126 | .237 | 215 | 5.5 | 4 |
| 4. Adam Wainwright, STL | 16-9 | 2.69 | 1.067 | .226 | 153 | 4.3 | 3 |
| 5. Hisashi Iwakuma, SEA | 13-6 | 2.90 | 0.972 | .236 | 127 | 3.5 | NR |
| 6. Zack Greinke, LAD | 13-8 | 2.72 | 1.155 | .245 | 182 | 4.0 | 8 |
| 7. Max Scherzer, DET | 15-5 | 3.26 | 1.151 | .236 | 220 | 5.3 | 9 |
| 8. Garrett Richards, LAA | 13-4 | 2.61 | 1.038 | .201 | 164 | 4.4 | 5 |
| 9. Jake Arrieta, CHC | 8-5 | 2.81 | 1.057 | .213 | 139 | 3.9 | 7 |
| 10. Rick Porcello, DET | 15-9 | 3.10 | 1.144 | .254 | 109 | 4.9 | NR |
Position Overview
There is little question King Felix deserves the top spot, as he has been the best pitcher in baseball this season not named Kershaw. No one wants to face him in a one-game playoff if the Seattle Mariners come away with one of the AL wild-card spots.
Johnny Cueto is a close second, as he's been a stud this year after a lat injury limited him to just 11 starts a year ago. That makes him the front-runner for NL Comeback Player of the Year and the leading candidate to finish second to Kershaw in NL Cy Young voting.
Corey Kluber jumps Adam Wainwright, as Kluber has continued his emergence as one of the game's elite arms, while Wainwright has dealt with some dead arm and has a 4.82 ERA since the All-Star break.
Hisashi Iwakuma and Zack Greinke have again given their respective teams a legitimate second ace, while Max Scherzer has some competition for the title of ace on the Tigers, thanks to the acquisition of David Price and a breakout season from Rick Porcello.
Garrett Richards drops after suffering a season-ending knee injury, but his numbers are still good enough to earn him a spot in the top 10. The same goes for Jake Arrieta, who missed time early and has made just 22 starts but has been too good to overlook.
Henderson Alvarez, Alex Cobb, Yu Darvish, Doug Fister, Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, Tanner Roark, Tyson Ross, Jeff Samardzija, Julio Teheran, Jered Weaver and Jordan Zimmermann all received consideration as well.
Left-Handed Starting Pitchers
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Top 10 Left-Handed Starting Pitchers
| 1. Clayton Kershaw, LAD | 17-3 | 1.70 | 0.827 | .191 | 202 | 7.4 | 1 |
| 2. Chris Sale, CWS | 11-3 | 2.11 | 0.940 | .202 | 178 | 5.5 | 2 |
| 3. Jon Lester, OAK | 13-10 | 2.54 | 1.096 | .236 | 191 | 3.7 | 5 |
| 4. Madison Bumgarner, SF | 16-9 | 2.97 | 1.084 | .237 | 199 | 3.1 | 7 |
| 5. Cole Hamels, PHI | 8-6 | 2.50 | 1.152 | .232 | 165 | 5.3 | 4 |
| 6. Danny Duffy, KC | 8-11 | 2.42 | 1.075 | .201 | 108 | 3.4 | NR |
| 7. David Price, DET | 13-10 | 3.25 | 1.070 | .239 | 232 | 3.6 | 6 |
| 8. Alex Wood, ATL | 10-10 | 2.92 | 1.152 | .241 | 142 | 2.8 | NR |
| 9. Hyun-Jin Ryu, LAD | 14-6 | 3.18 | 1.157 | .251 | 129 | 2.5 | 10 |
| 10. Dallas Keuchel, HOU | 10-9 | 3.03 | 1.194 | .254 | 131 | 4.3 | 9 |
Position Overview
Who else but Clayton Kershaw for the top spot? It's scary how much better his numbers would be if not for an April start where he went 1.2 innings and allowed seven earned runs. In his other 22 starts, he is 16-2 with a 1.34 ERA.
Chris Sale looks like the only real competition to Felix Hernandez for AL Cy Young at this point, as he's enjoying a career year and just keeps getting better atop the White Sox staff.
It's no surprise to see veterans Jon Lester, Madison Bumgarner, Cole Hamels and David Price on the list once again this year, as they are four of the best lefties of this generation.
Danny Duffy and Alex Wood have both spent time in the bullpen this season, but they are indispensable to their team's respective rotations at this point.
Hyun-Jin Ryu is a rock-solid No. 3 starter behind Kershaw and Greinke in the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation, while Dallas Keuchel has been one of the biggest out-of-nowhere stories of 2014 after entering the year 9-18 with a 5.20 ERA in his first two seasons.
Mark Buehrle, Wei-Yin Chen, Scott Kazmir, James Paxton, Jose Quintana, Drew Smyly, Jason Vargas and Tsuyoshi Wada all received consideration as well.
Non-Closer Relievers (Fewer Than 10 Saves)
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Top 10 Non-Closer Relievers
| 1. Wade Davis, KC | 60 | 8-2 | 29 | 0.73 | 0.827 | 13.1 | 3.4 | 2 |
| 2. Dellin Betances, NYY | 61 | 5-0 | 19 | 1.44 | 0.765 | 13.6 | 3.3 | 3 |
| 3. Pat Neshek, STL | 63 | 7-1 | 21 | 1.37 | 0.661 | 9.3 | 2.5 | 1 |
| 4. Darren O'Day, BAL | 58 | 4-1 | 22 | 1.34 | 0.895 | 9.6 | 2.4 | 5 |
| 5. Tony Watson, PIT | 65 | 10-1 | 29 | 1.68 | 1.010 | 9.2 | 2.1 | 6 |
| 6. J.P. Howell, LAD | 62 | 3-3 | 25 | 1.21 | 1.030 | 8.7 | 1.9 | NR |
| 7. Joaquin Benoit, SD | 50 | 4-2 | 16 | 1.58 | 0.818 | 10.5 | 1.6 | 8 |
| 8. Kelvin Herrera, KC | 60 | 3-2 | 17 | 1.37 | 1.112 | 7.9 | 2.3 | NR |
| 9. Kevin Jepsen, LAA | 66 | 0-1 | 20 | 2.03 | 0.988 | 10.5 | 1.6 | 9 |
| 10. Andrew Miller, BAL | 63 | 5-5 | 19 | 2.13 | 0.873 | 14.1 | 1.4 | NR |
Position Overview
At any given time there are about 180 non-closer relievers active around the MLB, so there are no shortage of options to fill these 10 slots.
That being said, Wade Davis is an easy choice for the No. 1 spot, as he's having a historically good season out of the setup role. He's allowed just two extra-base hits, a pair of doubles, and opponents have hit .141 with a .377 OPS on the year against him.
Dellin Betances, Pat Neshek and Tony Watson all found their way into the All-Star Game this season and are more than deserving of mention here. Who would have guessed Watson would have the same number of wins as Francisco Liriano and Gerrit Cole combined heading into the final month?
Darren O'Day and Andrew Miller give the Orioles a dynamic one-two punch setting up Zach Britton, and the same can be said about Kelvin Herrera alongside the aforementioned Davis at the back of the Royals' bullpen.
Veterans Joaquin Benoit, J.P. Howell and Kevin Jepsen round out the list, though you could certainly make a case for a number of other players to be included here.
Closers
14 of 14
Top 10 Closers
| 1. Greg Holland, KC | 59 | 1-2 | 42/44 | 1.60 | 0.976 | 12.8 | 2.1 | 2 |
| 2. Huston Street, LAA | 52 | 1-1 | 35/37 | 1.01 | 0.843 | 8.8 | 2.7 | 1 |
| 3. J. Papelbon, PHI | 58 | 2-2 | 33/36 | 1.54 | 0.823 | 8.5 | 3.0 | 4 |
| 4. Jake McGee, TB | 64 | 4-1 | 15/16 | 1.29 | 0.857 | 11.4 | 3.0 | 6 |
| 5. Zach Britton, BAL | 62 | 3-2 | 32/35 | 1.87 | 0.861 | 7.6 | 2.0 | 7 |
| 6. Craig Kimbrel, ATL | 56 | 0-3 | 42/46 | 1.64 | 0.945 | 13.9 | 2.2 | 9 |
| 7. A. Chapman, CIN | 44 | 0-3 | 29/31 | 2.44 | 0.857 | 17.7 | 1.3 | 5 |
| 8. F. Rodney, SEA | 60 | 1-5 | 41/44 | 2.51 | 1.291 | 10.2 | 1.1 | NR |
| 9. Sean Doolittle, OAK | 54 | 1-3 | 20/23 | 2.28 | 0.705 | 13.0 | 1.4 | 10 |
| 10. D. Robertson, NYY | 51 | 2-4 | 35/38 | 2.92 | 1.032 | 13.6 | 1.1 | NR |
Position Overview
Let me preface this slide by saying that saves are not necessarily the best gauge of how good a closer is. Jim Johnson led the AL in saves a year ago, but he also blew an MLB-high nine saves and was nowhere close to a top-10 closer.
Instead, the focus here is on how dominant a closer has been in locking down the ninth inning, so ERA, WHIP and save percentage carry more weight than save total alone.
That said, Greg Holland and Huston Street have separated themselves from the pack at this point.
Jonathan Papelbon earns the No. 3 spot, ahead of a pair of guys in Jake McGee and Zach Britton who entered the year in a setup role but have been lights out since moving to the ninth.
Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman continue to put up video-game strikeout totals, Fernando Rodney has been an anchor at the back of the best bullpen in baseball, Sean Doolittle has a sparkling 0.705 WHIP, and David Robertson has done a fantastic job replacing the greatest of all time in Mariano Rivera.
That's right, no Trevor Rosenthal once again despite his NL-best 42 saves. His five blown saves are more than anyone on the above list, and his 3.38 ERA and 1.41 WHIP simply don't stack up. There was a good deal of anger over his exclusion last time around, so I just wanted to clarify why he wasn't in there this time.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted, and accurate through Wednesday, Sept. 3.
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