B/R's MLB 30 in '30 Predicting the Best Overall Players in 2030
Welcome to the Bleacher Report MLB 30 in '30 series, where we look ahead five years to the 2030 season and predict who will be the 30 best players at each position.
It's time to wrap things up with a prediction of the top 30 players who will represent the best of the best across all positions in 2030.
This final list is the culmination of our position-by-position rankings, which ran through catchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen, shortstops, outfielders and pitchers.
A lot can change over the next five years, and we'll revisit this list when the time comes to look back on all the hits and misses of these projections. For now, though, let this serve as a potential glimpse into the future of baseball.
Catch Up on the B/R 30 in '30 Series
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In case you missed any of the position-by-position rankings articles for the 30 in '30 series and want to catch up, here are all of the links:
Nos. 30-26
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30. 2B Travis Bazzana, Cleveland Guardians
2030 Age: 27
Bazzana played his way to being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft by hitting .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs and 66 RBI in 60 games during his junior season at Oregon State. He has an extremely high floor and the potential to be an offensive star, and the fact that he landed in a Cleveland organization with a strong track record for developing middle infield talent is a nice bonus.
29. 1B Munetaka Murakami, Yakult Swallows (Japan)
2030 Age: 30
Murakami is the next Japanese League star set to make a splash stateside, and the expectation is that he will be posted this coming winter. He has slugged 223 home runs over the last six seasons, including a 56-homer, 134-RBI performance during his age-22 season in 2022. He has played primarily third base in Japan, but he fits better across the diamond at first base where he can focus on his offensive game.
28. RHP Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers
2030 Age: 27
The Tigers have been extremely cautious with Jobe's development, and he has yet to throw 100 innings in a season, setting a new career high last year with 97.1 frames combined between the minors, majors and postseason. Eventually they are going to turn him loose, and he ticks all the boxes to be a bona fide ace and perennial Cy Young contender once that time comes.
27. 2B Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles
2030 Age: 26
After landing in the big leagues with a thud last year, Holliday has taken a significant step toward living up to his top-prospect billing this year. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft is hitting .275/.323/.434 for a 120 OPS+ with 15 extra-base hits in 195 plate appearances. He is the third-youngest player to appear in a big league game so far this year, so there is still plenty of time for him to reach his potential.
26. 2B Kristian Campbell, Boston Red Sox
2030 Age: 28
No player in professional baseball did more to raise their stock last year than Campbell, who hit .330/.439/.558 with 32 doubles, 20 home runs and 77 RBI in 115 games across three minor league levels. A fourth-round pick in 2023, he went from under-the-radar to top 10 prospect in all of baseball to starting second baseman on the Opening Day roster in the blink of an eye. The league has adjusted since his hot start, but he has the tools to counter with adjustments of his own.
Nos. 25-21
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25. 3B Sebastian Walcott, Texas Rangers
2030 Age: 24
Still growing into his 6'4", 190-pound frame, Walcott has tremendous offensive potential, and he took a big step toward turning that into on-field production last year when he hit .265/.344/.452 with 34 doubles, nine triples, 11 home runs, 56 RBI and 27 steals in 121 games while closing out the year at Double-A. With Corey Seager blocking his path and a high likelihood he outgrows shortstop anyway, third base or right field is his most likely future defensive home.
24. 3B Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves
2030 Age: 33
Riley has a game that will likely age better than most as a well-rounded offensive player who is more than just an all-or-nothing slugger and does not rely heavily on his speed or athleticism. He logged three straight 30-homer, 6-WAR seasons before dealing with injuries in 2024. And with a 10-year, $212 million deal that runs through 2032, he should be a staple in the Atlanta lineup.
23. RHP Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds
2030 Age: 27
With a fastball that touches 102 mph, a wicked slider and an athletic 6'3", 210-pound frame, Burns has the potential to be baseball's next superstar on the mound. The No. 2 overall pick went 10-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 191 strikeouts in 100 innings last spring at Wake Forest, and he has continued mowing down hitters in his pro debut this year, logging a 2.21 ERA and a 65-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 40.2 innings between High-A and Double-A.
22. 1B Jac Caglianone, Kansas City Royals
2030 Age: 27
Caglianone posted a ridiculous .419/.544/.875 line with 35 home runs in 66 games at the University of Florida last spring while also tallying 83 strikeouts in 73.2 innings on the mound, but he has turned his full attention to hitting. Already knocking on the MLB door, he is batting .326/.387/.599 with 14 home runs and 53 RBI in 46 games between Double-A and Triple-A, and he could be a perennial threat for the home run title in his prime.
21. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers
2030 Age: 31
Yamamoto won the Eiji Sawamura Award—the Japanese League equivalent of the Cy Young Award—in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before signing a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers last offseason. He pitched well while navigating injuries as a rookie, and he is pitching at an elite level this year with a 1.97 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 75 strikeouts in 64 innings while stepping into the role of staff ace amid multiple injuries.
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Nos. 20-16
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20. 1B Tyler Soderstrom, Las Vegas Athletics
2030 Age: 28
Soderstrom went No. 26 overall in the 2020 draft on the strength of, arguably, the best hit tool in that year's prep class, and he broke through last season with a 114 OPS+ in 213 plate appearances. Still only 23 years old, he has settled in as one of the Athletics' primary offensive contributors, and his strong surface-level numbers this year are backed by elite batted-ball metrics.
19. 3B Marcelo Mayer, Boston Red Sox
2030 Age: 27
The Red Sox's best future infield alignment might end up being Triston Casas at first base, Kristian Campbell at second base, Franklin Arias at shortstop and Mayer at third base. The longtime top prospect has played a solid shortstop throughout his time in the minors, but his strong arm, significant offensive ceiling and lack of quick-twitch athleticism make him a better fit at the hot corner long-term.
18. RHP Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
2030 Age: 30
Greene did not always miss bats at a rate that matched his electric stuff early in his career, but he turned a corner last year with a 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 169 strikeouts in 150.1 innings while trimming his opponents' batting average from .253 to .183. An elite athlete who was a first-round talent as a shortstop coming out of high school, he has picked up right where he left off with a terrific start to the 2025 campaign.
17. OF Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
2030 Age: 29
After racking up 65 extra-base hits, 54 steals and 5.3 WAR to run away with 2023 NL Rookie of the Year honors, Carroll dealt with a bit of a sophomore slump during the first half last year, but he rebounded with a strong second half to cement his status as one of the game's brightest young stars. He is putting up MVP-caliber numbers in the early going this year, carrying a 143 OPS+ with 10 doubles, six triples, 16 home runs, 35 RBI and nine steals in 56 games.
16. OF Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs
2030 Age: 33
Is a $500 million payday on the horizon for Tucker this offseason? His first and perhaps only season with the Cubs is off to a fantastic start, as he sports a 159 OPS+ with 12 home runs, 15 steals and 2.3 WAR through 56 games. One of the sport's true five-tool talents, he provides value in such a wide variety of ways that he should continue to be an elite player into his mid-30s.
Nos. 15-11
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15. 1B Bryce Eldridge, San Francisco Giants
2030 Age: 25
One of baseball's elite power-hitting prospects, Eldridge hit .291/.374/.516 with 27 doubles, 23 home runs and 92 RBI in 116 games across four minor league levels last year. The towering 6'7" slugger is now knocking on the MLB door in his age-20 season, batting .294/.361/.532 with 14 extra-base hits over 122 plate appearances at Double-A.
14. OF Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox
2030 Age: 26
The highest-ranked player on this list who has yet to make his MLB debut, Anthony is baseball's consensus No. 1 prospect for a reason. With a .318/.450/.528 line and 19 extra-base hits in 222 plate appearances at Triple-A, he has nothing left to prove in the minors, and Red Sox fans are getting increasingly impatient for his arrival in the majors. He could be a perennial .300 hitter and 30-homer threat once he settles in.
13. OF Wyatt Langford, Texas Rangers
2030 Age: 28
Langford played 44 games in the minors after going No. 4 overall in the 2023 draft, then played his way onto the 2024 Opening Day roster. The University of Florida product posted a 112 OPS+ with 25 doubles, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 19 steals and 3.9 WAR in 134 games as a rookie, showcasing legitimate five-tool talent and franchise player potential. He has a 123 OPS+ with 10 home runs, 10 steals and 2.0 WAR through 47 games this year.
12. OF Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
2030 Age: 31
From an MVP-caliber season in 2022 when he slugged 42 home runs and racked up 6.6 WAR, to a 2023 season spent on the sidelines recovering from an injury and serving a PED suspension, it's been a wild ride since Tatis made his MLB debut in 2019. Since returning from his suspension, he has developed into one of baseball's best defensive outfielders while continuing to showcase 30/30 potential offensively. It's easy to forget he is still only 26 years old.
11. Juan Soto, New York Mets
2030 Age: 31
It's been a rocky start to Soto's tenure with the Mets after signing a 15-year, $765 million deal during the offseason, but he still has a 115 OPS+ and 1.5 WAR through 55 games. Francisco Lindor went through a similar adjustment period after he joined the Mets. And with a long track record of elite offensive production, there is no reason to think Soto will not get back to his previous form in short order while continuing to build a Hall of Fame resume.
Nos. 10-6
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10. LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
2030 Age: 33
Skubal is the best pitcher in baseball right now, backing up his unanimous 2024 AL Cy Young performance with even better numbers, including a 2.49 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and a 92-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 68.2 innings over his first 11 starts. He also has less mileage on his arm than most elite pitchers his age, which should help him age better into his mid-30s. What sort of payday awaits when he reaches free agency for the first time after the 2026 season?
9. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
2030 Age: 31
Poised to be the top free agent on the market this winter, Guerrero inked a 14-year, $500 million extension in April that will keep him in a Blue Jays uniform through his age-40 season in 2039. After a down year in 2023, he posted some of the best numbers of his career last season, hitting .323/.396/.544 for a 165 OPS+ with 44 doubles, 30 home runs, 103 RBI and 6.2 WAR.
8. SS Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
2030 Age: 28
One of the most dynamic all-around athletes in the sport, De La Cruz posted a 118 OPS+ with 36 doubles, 10 triples, 25 home runs, 76 RBI, 105 runs scored, 67 steals and 5.2 WAR during his first full season in the big leagues last year. Improving his defensive game and cutting down his strikeout rate will be the next step in his development, and he might be the most likely candidate to join Shohei Ohtani in the newly formed 50/50 club.
7. OF Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres
2030 Age: 27
Merrill would have taken home NL Rookie of the Year honors in almost any other season a year ago, hitting .292/.326/.500 for a 128 OPS+ with 31 doubles, 24 home runs, 90 RBI and 4.4 WAR while finishing runner-up to Paul Skenes. He also learned to play center field on the fly and has quickly developed into a solid defender at the position, but it's his bat that will make him a star. He has a .330/.371/.530 line and 151 OPS+ over 124 plate appearances to begin his sophomore campaign.
6. OF Julio Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners
2030 Age: 29
Rodríguez racked up 11.8 WAR during his first two seasons in the big leagues, winning 2022 AL Rookie of the Year honors and following that up with a 30/30 season and a fourth-place finish in AL MVP balloting. He had a down year by his own lofty standards in 2024, but he was still a 4.3-WAR player while finishing on a hot streak. He could be a perennial MVP candidate for the next decade.
Nos. 5-1
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5. OF James Wood, Washington Nationals
2030 Age: 27
Wood logged a 127 OPS+ over 336 plate appearances as a rookie last year, but just scratched the surface of his vast offensive potential. The 6'7" slugger is hitting .287/.380/.569 for a 167 OPS+ with 14 doubles, 15 home runs and 40 RBI in 55 games this season, and he could be on his way to the first of many 30-homer campaigns. His combination of hit tool, light-tower power and athleticism give him arguably the highest offensive ceiling in baseball right now.
4. SS Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
2030 Age: 29
After winning 2023 AL Rookie of the Year honors unanimously and following it up with a 9.1-WAR performance last year, Henderson has firmly established himself as one of the game's top young superstars. With a 118 OPS+ and 1.8 WAR through 48 games this season, he has been one of the few bright spots on a disappointing Orioles team, and it will be interesting to see what the next few years hold for him if they don't quickly right the ship.
3. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
2030 Age: 28
The Cubs have been lacking a true face of the franchise in recent years and thought they had found one with their trade for Kyle Tucker during the offseason, but there is a strong case to be made that Crow-Armstrong has leapfrogged him into that role with his early breakout performance. His 3.2 WAR trails only Aaron Judge among all players, he is on the short list for the title of best defensive player in baseball, and he has a 142 OPS+ with 15 home runs, 50 RBI and 16 steals.
2. RHP Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
2030 Age: 28
A true generational talent on the mound, Skenes has a 2.03 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 247 strikeouts in 208.1 innings over his first 35 starts in the big leagues. With a strong 6'6", 260-pound frame, an electric arsenal of pitches and no major injury history, he is as safe a bet as there is on the mound to be a star for the next decade. The question is what uniform he will be wearing in 2030, and how much longer he will be calling Pittsburgh home.
1. SS Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
2030 Age: 30
Witt made steady and significant improvement during his first three years in the majors, culminating in a huge 2024 campaign in which he hit .322/.389/.588 for a 172 OPS+ with 211 hits, 45 doubles, 11 triples, 32 home runs, 109 RBI, 125 runs scored, 31 steals and 9.4 WAR. The eventual arrival of Jac Caglianone will provide him with some much-needed protection in the Kansas City lineup as he takes aim at being the team's best homegrown player since George Brett and one of the true faces of baseball in the coming years.
Projected 2030 All-MLB Team Roster
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To slap a bow on the B/R 30 in '30 series, here is a quick glance at the top-ranked player at each position, which gives us the projected 2030 All-MLB team:
C Adley Rutschman, BAL
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., TOR
2B Kristian Campbell, BOS
3B Marcelo Mayer, BOS
SS Bobby Witt Jr., KC
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC
OF James Wood, WAS
OF Julio Rodríguez, SEA
DH Shohei Ohtani, LAD
SP Paul Skenes, PIT
SP Tarik Skubal, DET
SP Hunter Greene, CIN
SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, LAD
SP Chase Burns, CIN
RP Tink Hence, STL
RP Andres Muñoz, SEA
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.jpg?w=600 "Biggest Winners and Losers After 30 Games ⚾")
