MLB Position-by-Position Player Power Rankings, August Edition
It's time for an updated version of our position-by-position power rankings, as we enter the final two months of the 2015 MLB campaign.
The preseason rankings were released March 3, with subsequent versions published April 14 and June 2, so with two more months gone by, it's time for the latest update.
The following rankings take into account players' all-around offensive abilities, their defensive contributions as well as what they have meant to the success of their respective teams.
This is an overview of the top 10 players based solely on what they have done in 2015, so past success and/or expected regression do not play a factor.
It should be noted: These are not power rankings in the traditional sense where recent performance greatly influences position. Instead, it is simply meant as a "best of" so far in 2015, with the entire body of work this season taken into account.
On top of naming the top 10 overall players at each position, we've included a quick look at the top three rookie performers in an effort to shine more light on who may be the future at each spot.
Catchers
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Top 10 Catchers
| 1. Buster Posey, SF | .332 | .899 | 17 | 16 | 75 | 56 | 5.7 | 3 |
| 2. Russell Martin, TOR | .254 | .800 | 19 | 15 | 49 | 58 | 2.6 | 2 |
| 3. Yasmani Grandal, LAD | .295 | .912 | 11 | 15 | 41 | 39 | 2.2 | 8 |
| 4. Brian McCann, NYY | .254 | .799 | 12 | 18 | 65 | 44 | 1.8 | 6 |
| 5. Nick Hundley, COL | .303 | .815 | 16 | 9 | 39 | 40 | 2.1 | 7 |
| 6. Salvador Perez, KC | .249 | .685 | 15 | 16 | 46 | 32 | 1.9 | 5 |
| 7. Stephen Vogt, OAK | .260 | .781 | 15 | 14 | 59 | 44 | 2.5 | 1 |
| 8. Francisco Cervelli, PIT | .300 | .779 | 11 | 5 | 33 | 36 | 1.8 | 9 |
| 9. Derek Norris, SD | .238 | .686 | 22 | 12 | 51 | 47 | 1.9 | 4 |
| 10. Yadier Molina, STL | .282 | .675 | 18 | 2 | 38 | 26 | 1.3 | NR |
Position Overview
For much of the first half, Stephen Vogt was the easy choice as the best catcher in the league here in 2015.
However, he's hitting just .158/.184/.232 since the beginning of July, and that prolonged slump has sent him tumbling down the rankings as a result.
Meanwhile, Buster Posey has been red hot over that same stretch with a ridiculous .412/.430/.567 line that includes four home runs and 21 RBI. That's enough to propel him to the No. 1 spot and once again make him a legitimate NL MVP candidate.
Russell Martin, Yasmani Grandal, Nick Hundley, Francisco Cervelli and Derek Norris all joined new teams in the offseason, and all five guys earn a spot in the top 10.
Martin has proven to be a great signing for the Blue Jays, while Cervelli has been a suitable replacement for him in Pittsburgh at a fraction of the cost.
After posting a disappointing .692 OPS during his first season with the Yankees, Brian McCann has again been one of the elite offensive options at the position while continuing to hold his own behind the plate.
While they both have an OPS under .700, there are few catchers a team would rather have handling its staff than Salvador Perez and Yadier Molina. They find their way into the rankings more for their gloves than their offensive production.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. James McCann, DET | .278 | .730 | 14 | 5 | 25 | 22 | 1.4 | 1 |
| 2. J.T. Realmuto, MIA | .247 | .668 | 15 | 6 | 29 | 32 | 1.1 | NR |
| 3. Kyle Schwarber, CHC | .342 | 1.031 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 17 | 1.2 | NR |
First Basemen
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Top 10 First Basemen
| 1. Paul Goldschmidt, ARI | .339 | 1.033 | 24 | 22 | 78 | 68 | 6.2 | 1 |
| 2. Joey Votto, CIN | .306 | .960 | 20 | 19 | 51 | 59 | 4.8 | 9 |
| 3. Anthony Rizzo, CHC | .294 | .940 | 28 | 21 | 63 | 60 | 4.9 | 4 |
| 4. Mark Teixeira, NYY | .268 | .950 | 22 | 29 | 76 | 54 | 4.1 | 7 |
| 5. Miguel Cabrera, DET | .350 | 1.034 | 16 | 15 | 54 | 43 | 4.0 | 3 |
| 6. Adrian Gonzalez, LAD | .294 | .900 | 27 | 21 | 62 | 60 | 3.9 | 2 |
| 7. Eric Hosmer, KC | .319 | .851 | 21 | 11 | 58 | 61 | 2.9 | 8 |
| 8. Jose Abreu, CWS | .295 | .855 | 19 | 19 | 64 | 62 | 2.7 | 10 |
| 9. Albert Pujols, LAA | .257 | .835 | 14 | 30 | 66 | 61 | 2.9 | NR |
| 10. Chris Davis, BAL | .248 | .847 | 18 | 28 | 79 | 57 | 2.4 | NR |
Position Overview
A serious calf strain has sidelined Miguel Cabrera since July 3, or he would no doubt be in the running for the top spot in these rankings. As it is, he still checks in at No. 5 despite playing only 77 games on the year.
With Cabrera missing so much time, Diamondbacks star Paul Goldschmidt is an easy choice for the top spot once again. Outside of Washington's Bryce Harper, he's probably been the most productive player in the National League this season.
Close behind him is a budding superstar in Anthony Rizzo, who has emerged as the leader of a young Cubs roster, and a pair of veterans in the midst of impressive bounce-back seasons in Joey Votto (.799 OPS, 1.9 WAR in '14) and Mark Teixeira (.711 OPS, 1.0 WAR in '14).
Adrian Gonzalez slumped a bit leading up to the All-Star break, but he's hitting .356/.457/.576 in the second half and is well on his way to his usual solid numbers across the board.
Jose Abreu has taken a step back after a huge season last year, and a lot of that has to do with a lack of protection in the lineup around him. On the flip side, Chris Davis is enjoying a nice bounce-back campaign, setting himself up for a lucrative run at free agency.
Eric Hosmer has used his success last October as a jumping-off point for what is shaping up as the best season of his career, while Albert Pujols just keeps plugging along with his 13th 30-homer season.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Ben Paulsen, COL | .300 | .865 | 13 | 8 | 34 | 28 | 1.3 | NR |
| 2. Justin Bour, MIA | .250 | .768 | 11 | 10 | 32 | 20 | 0.1 | 1 |
| 3. Jason Rogers, MIL | .236 | .644 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 10 | -0.4 | NR |
Second Basemen
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Top 10 Second Basemen
| 1. Jason Kipnis, CLE | .326 | .878 | 31 | 6 | 39 | 66 | 4.8 | 1 |
| 2. Ian Kinsler, DET | .295 | .768 | 26 | 5 | 47 | 64 | 4.1 | 5 |
| 3. Brian Dozier, MIN | .248 | .815 | 28 | 23 | 57 | 76 | 2.6 | 4 |
| 4. Joe Panik, SF | .309 | .816 | 25 | 7 | 35 | 56 | 3.3 | 7 |
| 5. DJ LeMahieu, COL | .322 | .796 | 15 | 4 | 42 | 61 | 3.3 | 10 |
| 6. Dee Gordon, MIA | .329 | .754 | 16 | 1 | 25 | 48 | 2.7 | 2 |
| 7. Kolten Wong, STL | .268 | .740 | 20 | 11 | 44 | 54 | 2.6 | 3 |
| 8. Jose Altuve, HOU | .294 | .750 | 21 | 9 | 48 | 56 | 2.3 | 9 |
| 9. Devon Travis, TOR | .304 | .859 | 18 | 8 | 35 | 38 | 2.5 | 8 |
| 10. Neil Walker, PIT | .268 | .743 | 24 | 10 | 42 | 49 | 1.5 | NR |
Position Overview
After hitting .240/.310/.330 last year on his way to a 0.7 WAR, Jason Kipnis has returned healthy in 2015 and put up numbers that make him an easy choice for the top spot among second basemen.
Ian Kinsler has been his usual productive self at the plate, while also leading all second basemen with 13 defensive runs saved (DRS).
Last year's NL Gold Glove-winner, DJ LeMahieu, is the only other player at the position with double-digit runs saved at 10 DRS, and he's picked up his offensive game as well. He doesn't offer much pop, but a Gold Glove-caliber defender with a .300 average provides plenty of value.
In the power department, Brian Dozier is in a league of his own at this point. He's already tied his previous career high with 23 long balls, and that number is more than double the next closest total among our top 10.
That total belongs to Kolten Wong, who may just be scratching the surface of his offensive potential and could turn into a perennial 20/20 threat. He's joined by Joe Panik and Devon Travis in representing the future of the position.
Jose Altuve has fallen off quite a bit from his 2014 numbers but remains one of the best contact/speed threats in the game, and he leads the AL with 28 stolen bases. Dee Gordon is actually tops at the position with 34 steals, but that's a distant second to Cincinnati's Billy Hamilton (51) for the NL lead.
Pirates stalwart Neil Walker rounds out the top 10, as he's a key run producer on one of the best teams in the league.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Devon Travis, TOR | .304 | .859 | 18 | 8 | 35 | 38 | 2.5 | 1 |
| 2. Addison Russell, CHC | .235 | .662 | 18 | 7 | 28 | 33 | 1.4 | NR |
| 3. Cory Spangenberg, SD | .254 | .660 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 21 | 0.9 | NR |
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Third Basemen
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Top 10 Third Basemen
| 1. Josh Donaldson, TOR | .292 | .924 | 29 | 29 | 80 | 77 | 5.7 | 1 |
| 2. Manny Machado, BAL | .291 | .870 | 20 | 23 | 56 | 68 | 5.5 | 9 |
| 3. Nolan Arenado, COL | .273 | .867 | 26 | 26 | 80 | 61 | 4.1 | 3 |
| 4. Todd Frazier, CIN | .264 | .856 | 30 | 27 | 68 | 62 | 3.3 | 2 |
| 5. Justin Turner, LAD | .323 | .950 | 20 | 13 | 44 | 36 | 3.7 | 10 |
| 6. Matt Duffy, SF | .310 | .814 | 19 | 9 | 51 | 47 | 3.6 | NR |
| 7. Matt Carpenter, STL | .263 | .824 | 26 | 15 | 55 | 62 | 2.7 | 4 |
| 8. Kris Bryant, CHC | .246 | .786 | 16 | 14 | 61 | 55 | 2.7 | 6 |
| 9. Kyle Seager, SEA | .269 | .771 | 24 | 16 | 44 | 55 | 3.1 | 8 |
| 10. Mike Moustakas, KC | .282 | .761 | 18 | 10 | 39 | 45 | 2.6 | 5 |
Player Overview
A pretty compelling case can be made for both Josh Donaldson and Manny Machado as the top third baseman in the league right now, and Nolan Arenado is not far behind.
At this point it's fair to assume Arenado (18 DRS, 15.2 UZR/150) will win his third straight NL Gold Glove, while Donaldson (8 DRS, 9.9 UZR/150) and Machado (13 DRS, 15.3 UZR/150) look like the front-runners on the AL side. The combination of middle-of-the-order production and elite defense all three guys provide puts them squarely among the best players baseball.
Not far behind them is Todd Frazier, who has emerged as the face of the franchise in Cincinnati after putting on a show during the All-Star festivities.
After starring as a utility man last year, Justin Turner has stepped into an everyday role for the Dodgers this season and continues to impress. Since the start of 2014, he's hit .332/.396/.526 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI in 542 at-bats.
Rookies Matt Duffy and Kris Bryant have taken on significant run-production roles in the middle of two contending teams' lineups. Bryant may have the higher ceiling, but Duffy is having the better season so far.
Matt Carpenter and Kyle Seager continue to be two of the more consistent, and perhaps most overlooked, players in the game, while Mike Moustakas has built off a strong performance last October and finally proven himself as a plus everyday option.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Matt Duffy, SF | .310 | .814 | 19 | 9 | 51 | 47 | 3.6 | NR |
| 2. Kris Bryant, CHC | .246 | .786 | 16 | 14 | 61 | 55 | 2.7 | 1 |
| 3. Maikel Franco, PHI | .282 | .829 | 20 | 12 | 45 | 40 | 1.3 | NR |
Shortstops
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Top 10 Shortstops
| 1. Brandon Crawford, SF | .264 | .811 | 20 | 18 | 67 | 53 | 4.9 | 1 |
| 2. Carlos Correa, HOU | .286 | .892 | 14 | 13 | 34 | 30 | 2.9 | NR |
| 3. Xander Bogaerts, BOS | .312 | .746 | 22 | 3 | 51 | 50 | 3.1 | NR |
| 4. Troy Tulowitzki, TOR | .299 | .832 | 21 | 14 | 58 | 56 | 2.4 | NR |
| 5. Jhonny Peralta, STL | .286 | .803 | 21 | 16 | 55 | 46 | 2.6 | 2 |
| 6. Andrelton Simmons, ATL | .254 | .647 | 15 | 3 | 30 | 48 | 2.7 | 4 |
| 7. Jose Iglesias, DET | .313 | .751 | 15 | 2 | 21 | 33 | 1.9 | 3 |
| 8. Adeiny Hechavarria, MIA | .274 | .676 | 15 | 5 | 42 | 45 | 1.8 | 6 |
| 9. Alcides Escobar, KC | .276 | .654 | 17 | 2 | 36 | 55 | 1.4 | NR |
| 10. Nick Ahmed, ARI | .229 | .629 | 10 | 7 | 26 | 37 | 2.2 | NR |
Player Overview
Shortstop remains the weakest position in baseball in 2015, but Brandon Crawford has separated himself from the pack with a breakout season at the plate. He has steadily improved at the dish each year since taking over as the starter in 2012, but he's made a big jump this season to elite-level production at the position.
That being said, don't expect him to hold the top spot for long, because the Astros look to have a special player on their hands in Carlos Correa. The 20-year-old has just 199 at-bats under his belt but has already hit 14 doubles and 13 home runs with an eye-popping .892 OPS. He's a superstar in the making.
Xander Bogaerts has started to turn potential into production this season after a relatively disappointing rookie campaign (.240 BA, .660 OPS). His lack of power is a bit puzzling, but that should come with time.
Beyond that emerging trio are veterans Troy Tulowitzki and Jhonny Peralta, who remain two of the better offensive options at the position. Moving to a contender seems to have provided a shot in the arm for Tulo, as he's posted a .983 OPS in eight games with the Blue Jays.
The bottom half of the rankings show the value defense carries at the position, and Andrelton Simmons (18 DRS, 14.2 UZR/150) and rookie Nick Ahmed (15 DRS, 16.1 UZR/150) have been the cream of the crop from a metrics standpoint.
Jose Iglesias, Adeiny Hechavarria and Alcides Escobar all bring similar skill sets to their respective teams as plus defenders capable of hitting for a solid average but providing little in the way of power.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Carlos Correa, HOU | .286 | .892 | 14 | 13 | 34 | 30 | 2.9 | NR |
| 2. Nick Ahmed, ARI | .229 | .629 | 10 | 7 | 26 | 37 | 2.2 | NR |
| 3. Francisco Lindor, CLE | .258 | .669 | 7 | 5 | 19 | 16 | 0.7 | NR |
Left Fielders
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Top 10 Left Fielders
| 1. Yoenis Cespedes, NYM | .294 | .828 | 31 | 18 | 66 | 66 | 4.2 | 6 |
| 2. Brett Gardner, NYY | .285 | .820 | 23 | 11 | 49 | 72 | 3.7 | 7 |
| 3. Starling Marte, PIT | .289 | .787 | 20 | 13 | 56 | 52 | 3.2 | 5 |
| 4. Randal Grichuk, STL | .292 | .922 | 20 | 13 | 40 | 39 | 3.0 | NR |
| 5. Michael Brantley, CLE | .303 | .828 | 30 | 8 | 57 | 42 | 2.5 | 4 |
| 6. Gerardo Parra, BAL | .322 | .869 | 25 | 9 | 31 | 58 | 1.8 | NR |
| 7. Justin Upton, SD | .249 | .753 | 11 | 18 | 57 | 54 | 3.3 | 1 |
| 8. David Peralta, ARI | .281 | .850 | 18 | 10 | 50 | 42 | 2.4 | NR |
| 9. Alex Gordon, KC | .279 | .852 | 13 | 11 | 39 | 32 | 2.5 | 2 |
| 10. Melky Cabrera, CWS | .283 | .723 | 23 | 7 | 54 | 49 | 1.7 | NR |
Player Overview
With Alex Gordon missing significant time with a groin strain and Michael Brantley's power numbers dropping significantly, the door is open for someone else to claim the title of top left fielder in the league this year.
At the moment, Yoenis Cespedes is a relatively easy choice for the top spot. He's improved his triple-slash numbers across the board and grades out as one of the better defenders at the position (11 DRS, 21.3 UZR/150). All of that should add up to a big payday this offseason.
Starling Marte (12 DRS, 15.0 UZR/150) is probably his biggest competition for top defensive honors at the position, and he's enjoying a solid season at the plate as well. However, he gets edged out for the No. 2 spot by Brett Gardner, who finally made his first All-Star appearance this year.
Also looking to cash in as a free agent this coming offseason is Justin Upton, whom San Diego somewhat surprisingly didn't deal at the deadline. He's putting up his usual solid power numbers but is also back to running with 17 stolen bases, as he may eclipse his previous career high of 21.
Rookie Randall Grichuk has been huge for the Cardinals in place of the injured Matt Holliday (quad strain), and if the season ended today he'd have a strong case for NL Rookie of the Year honors.
As far as under-the-radar performers are concerned this season, Gerardo Parra (.869 OPS) and David Peralta (.850 OPS) rank near the top of the list. They check in at 17th and 24th, respectively, in OPS among qualified players, ahead of the likes of Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki, Albert Pujols, Adam Jones and many other bigger names.
Rounding out the list is Melky Cabrera, who was hitting just .261/.304/.339 at the All-Star break but has turned things around nicely with a .370/.409/.642 line in the second half.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Randal Grichuk, STL | .292 | .922 | 20 | 13 | 40 | 39 | 3.0 | NR |
| 2. Preston Tucker, HOU | .266 | .789 | 17 | 10 | 28 | 30 | 0.8 | NR |
| 3. Delino DeShields, TEX | .265 | .750 | 14 | 0 | 20 | 48 | 1.2 | NR |
Center Fielders
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Top 10 Center Fielders
| 1. Mike Trout, LAA | .303 | 1.005 | 19 | 32 | 68 | 76 | 6.7 | 1 |
| 2. Lorenzo Cain, KC | .306 | .853 | 24 | 11 | 46 | 68 | 5.6 | 2 |
| 3. A.J. Pollock, ARI | .305 | .818 | 23 | 11 | 47 | 69 | 4.7 | 4 |
| 4. Andrew McCutchen, PIT | .291 | .886 | 25 | 16 | 68 | 59 | 3.2 | 5 |
| 5. Adam Jones, BAL | .282 | .803 | 19 | 17 | 51 | 54 | 3.1 | 6 |
| 6. Kevin Kiermaier, TB | .244 | .674 | 20 | 4 | 21 | 41 | 4.6 | 10 |
| 7. Charlie Blackmon, COL | .293 | .830 | 21 | 13 | 46 | 65 | 2.5 | NR |
| 8. Mookie Betts, BOS | .265 | .755 | 25 | 10 | 48 | 52 | 3.9 | NR |
| 9. Joc Pederson, LAD | .221 | .802 | 17 | 21 | 43 | 51 | 2.3 | 3 |
| 10. Kevin Pillar, TOR | .267 | .685 | 20 | 7 | 39 | 53 | 3.1 | NR |
Player Overview
Not a tough choice for the top spot here, as Mike Trout just keeps doing Mike Trout things. He currently leads the AL in home runs (32), slugging (.611) and WAR (6.7).
Lorenzo Cain has proven his breakout season last year was no fluke while adding more power and improving his walk rate (4.8 to 6.5 percent). Throw in his elite defense in center field (15 DRS, 16.7 UZR/150), and he has to be considered a dark-horse AL MVP candidate.
Another well-rounded player at the position is A.J. Pollock, who had what would have been a breakout season last year cut short by a fractured hand that cost him 79 games. On top of the above numbers, he's added 23 stolen bases and stellar defense (11 DRS, 16.8 UZR/150).
Andrew McCutchen and Adam Jones remain the faces of their respective franchises, and they have once again been steady middle-of-the-order producers.
He hasn't received quite as much attention as he did during a breakout 2014 season, but Charlie Blackmon actually has better numbers across the board this year. He's also running more, as his 29 steals rank third in the NL.
The future at the position is bright with Mookie Betts and Joc Pederson both establishing themselves as significant contributors, though Pederson has slumped badly of late and slips down the rankings as a result.
Kevin Kiermaier earns a spot on defensive prowess alone, as he leads all of baseball in DRS (28) and UZR/150 (41.8), and it's not particularly close in either category. Kevin Pillar also grades out as a plus defender (16 DRS, 8.3 UZR/150) and snags the final spot, though some of that comes from his time in left field.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Joc Pederson, LAD | .221 | .802 | 17 | 21 | 43 | 51 | 2.3 | 1 |
| 2. Billy Burns, OAK | .296 | .717 | 12 | 2 | 20 | 45 | 1.6 | NR |
| 3. Odubel Herrera, PHI | .283 | .739 | 22 | 5 | 29 | 39 | 1.1 | NR |
Right Fielders
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Top 10 Right Fielders
| 1. Bryce Harper, WAS | .330 | 1.119 | 25 | 29 | 68 | 70 | 7.1 | 1 |
| 2. Nelson Cruz, SEA | .324 | .985 | 18 | 31 | 67 | 59 | 4.5 | 2 |
| 3. J.D. Martinez, DET | .286 | .902 | 18 | 29 | 71 | 67 | 4.1 | NR |
| 4. Giancarlo Stanton, MIA | .265 | .952 | 12 | 27 | 67 | 47 | 3.8 | 5 |
| 5. Jose Bautista, TOR | .235 | .860 | 19 | 24 | 75 | 68 | 2.5 | NR |
| 6. Jason Heyward, STL | .285 | .775 | 23 | 9 | 35 | 51 | 3.7 | NR |
| 7. Carlos Gonzalez, COL | .279 | .864 | 20 | 22 | 56 | 55 | 2.4 | NR |
| 8. Ryan Braun, MIL | .273 | .841 | 22 | 19 | 63 | 64 | 2.5 | 4 |
| 9. Curtis Granderson, NYM | .260 | .797 | 21 | 17 | 41 | 59 | 3.3 | NR |
| 10. Kole Calhoun, LAA | .277 | .768 | 18 | 15 | 59 | 49 | 2.8 | NR |
Player Overview
If the season ended today, the 205 OPS+ put up by Bryce Harper would be tied for the 40th-best single-season mark ever. Not too shabby for a 22-year-old, and easily enough to make him the top offensive performer of 2015.
While the Mariners have struggled to find consistent offensive production, it's no fault of free-agent signing Nelson Cruz. After leading all of baseball with 40 home runs last season, he's in line for even better numbers this year after signing a four-year, $57 million deal.
J.D. Martinez looked like a prime regression candidate after his out-of-nowhere performance in 2014, but he's having a fantastic season once again and is just entering his prime at the age of 27.
A hand injury has limited Giancarlo Stanton to 74 games, but his numbers were good enough pre-injury that he still earns the No. 4 spot on the strength of just 279 at-bats.
Jose Bautista, Ryan Braun and a healthy Carlos Gonzalez remain top-tier offensive producers, while Curtis Granderson has also returned to productivity after a disappointing debut (.227 BA, .714 OPS) with the Mets last year.
The Cardinals gave up Shelby Miller to land Jason Heyward during the offseason, and after a slow start at the plate, the move is finally starting to pay off as he's hitting .326/.395/.489 over his last 50 games. He's also been his usual dynamic self defensively (13 DRS, 17.4 UZR/150), as he looks to win a third Gold Glove.
Kole Calhoun rounds out the list, and his consistent production has been huge for an Angels team that has struggled at times offensively.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Yasmany Tomas, ARI | .295 | .751 | 17 | 6 | 39 | 31 | 0.3 | NR |
| 2. Steven Souza, TB | .214 | .705 | 11 | 15 | 34 | 47 | 0.5 | 1 |
| 3. Jorge Soler, CHC | .262 | .698 | 17 | 5 | 30 | 29 | -0.2 | NR |
Designated Hitters
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Top 5 Designated Hitters
| 1. Alex Rodriguez, NYY | .278 | .917 | 16 | 24 | 62 | 64 | 3.1 | 2 |
| 2. Prince Fielder, TEX | .327 | .893 | 22 | 16 | 63 | 53 | 2.1 | 1 |
| 3. Kendrys Morales, KC | .286 | .796 | 28 | 12 | 74 | 46 | 1.1 | 3 |
| 4. David Ortiz, BOS | .244 | .806 | 19 | 21 | 60 | 43 | 1.2 | NR |
| 5. Jimmy Paredes, BAL | .283 | .753 | 15 | 10 | 41 | 43 | 0.9 | 4 |
Position Overview
Few expected Alex Rodriguez to be anything more than a passable everyday designated hitter, but the 40-year-old has surprised everyone with an incredibly productive season. His .917 OPS ranks ninth among all qualified players, and he's second to Mark Teixeira in home runs and RBI on the Yankees.
Also mounting a surprising comeback after spinal fusion surgery ended his season last year is Prince Fielder, as his .327 average is leading the AL batting-title race.
Kendrys Morales was saddled with a qualifying offer following the 2013 season and wound up sitting out half of 2014 as a result. When he finally did sign, he hit just .218 with a .612 OPS, but the Royals took a chance on him with a two-year, $17 million deal, and it's paid dividends. His 74 RBI are good for fifth in the AL.
At 39 years old, David Ortiz is obviously not the same player he once was, but he can still crush a mistake. He's authored the 14th 20-plus home run season of his career.
Jimmy Paredes rounds out the list on the strength of his red-hot start to the season, but he's hit just .204/.245/.269 with one home run and five RBI since the beginning of July.
Top Rookie
| Joey Butler, TB | .279 | .746 | 12 | 6 | 22 | 27 | 0.6 | 1 |
Utility Players
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Top 5 Utility Players
| 1. Logan Forsythe, TB | .280 | .814 | 21 | 13 | 50 | 45 | 4.0 | 6 (2B) |
| 2. Jung Ho Kang, PIT | .291 | .809 | 17 | 8 | 35 | 39 | 3.3 | 10 (SS) |
| 3. Brock Holt, BOS | .277 | .731 | 17 | 2 | 26 | 35 | 2.4 | NR |
| 4. Danny Espinosa, WAS | .246 | .722 | 16 | 10 | 29 | 45 | 1.6 | NR |
| 5. Chris Colabello, TOR | .315 | .851 | 13 | 10 | 41 | 40 | -0.2 | NR |
Position Overview
The "utility players" slide was created last year when there was nowhere to clearly place Pirates standout Josh Harrison, and there is another great example of versatility in Pittsburgh this season in rookie Jung Ho Kang. A shortstop by trade, he's actually spent more time at third base, with 55 of his 90 games coming at the hot corner.
He doesn't earn the top spot here, though, as that goes to Logan Forsythe. After opening the year as the everyday second baseman for the Rays, he saw significant time (21 games) at first base while James Loney was injured. He's also lined up at third base eight times.
Brock Holt is the only holdover from last year's group of versatile standouts, as he's continued to play all over the field for the Red Sox on his way to an All-Star nod this year. He's played second base (36), right field (17), third base (16), left field (12), shortstop (nine), first base (eight) and center field (two) so far this year.
Once the everyday second baseman for the Nationals, Danny Espinosa became a key contributor once again when Anthony Rendon was sidelined to begin the year. He's played primarily second (66) and third (16) but has also seen time at shortstop (seven), first base (five) and in left field (one).
Rounding out the list is Chris Colabello, who has played left field (33), first base (20) and right field (13) in an effort to get his bat in the lineup. His minus-2.3 dWAR is brutal, but he qualifies here nonetheless.
Top Rookie
| Jung Ho Kang, PIT | .291 | .809 | 17 | 8 | 35 | 39 | 3.3 | 10 (SS) |
Right-Handed Starting Pitchers
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Top 10 Right-Handed Starting Pitchers
| 1. Zack Greinke, LAD | 10-2 | 1.41 | 0.827 | .186 | 128 | 6.8 | 1 |
| 2. Max Scherzer, WAS | 11-8 | 2.31 | 0.846 | .193 | 181 | 5.2 | 2 |
| 3. Sonny Gray, OAK | 11-4 | 2.12 | 0.983 | .200 | 131 | 5.8 | 4 |
| 4. Jacob deGrom, NYM | 10-6 | 2.09 | 0.893 | .199 | 135 | 4.1 | 10 |
| 5. Chris Archer, TB | 10-8 | 2.54 | 0.989 | .207 | 180 | 3.8 | 7 |
| 6. Gerrit Cole, PIT | 14-5 | 2.29 | 1.100 | .241 | 138 | 3.2 | 8 |
| 7. Felix Hernandez, SEA | 13-6 | 3.13 | 1.148 | .234 | 140 | 3.7 | 6 |
| 8. Johnny Cueto, KC | 7-7 | 2.69 | 0.961 | .201 | 129 | 3.4 | NR |
| 9. Jake Arrieta, CHC | 12-6 | 2.50 | 1.002 | .209 | 152 | 3.8 | NR |
| 10. Shelby Miller, ATL | 5-8 | 2.44 | 1.157 | .226 | 114 | 4.0 | 3 |
Position Overview
Zack Greinke has played Robin to Clayton Kershaw's Batman since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, this season he's not only been the best pitcher on the staff, but also the best in all of baseball. His 45.2-inning scoreless streak was sheer dominance.
While Greinke has separated himself from the pack, there is a ton of talent behind him, led by $210 million man Max Scherzer. It's hard to say anyone is worth that kind of money, but he's been as good as the Nationals could have ever hoped when they made that financial commitment.
As though it were not already clear that the future of the league is in great hands with so many young studs on the mound, guys like Sonny Gray (25), Chris Archer (26) and Gerrit Cole (24) have all emerged as bona fide studs after showing flashes of greatness in the past.
The Mets rotation has been terrific, as expected, but few would have picked Jacob deGrom to emerge as the best arm on the staff. His sheer dominance in the All-Star Game opened some eyes, and while he may not have the same ceiling as a Noah Syndergaard at 27 years old, he's one of the game's best right now.
Felix Hernandez and Johnny Cueto have continued to impress after stellar performances last year and with impressive track records of success. Cueto will be key to the Royals' chances of returning to the World Series after the team acquired him at the deadline.
There was no shortage of options for the final two spots on the list, but we went with Jake Arrieta and Shelby Miller over names like Carlos Martinez, Matt Harvey, John Lackey, A.J. Burnett, Michael Wacha, Corey Kluber and several others.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Noah Syndergaard, NYM | 6-5 | 2.66 | 1.056 | .227 | 100 | 2.1 | NR |
| 2. Chris Heston, SF | 11-5 | 3.24 | 1.179 | .243 | 101 | 1.6 | NR |
| 3. Taylor Jungmann, MIL | 6-3 | 2.26 | 1.074 | .220 | 61 | 2.8 | NR |
Left-Handed Starting Pitchers
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Top 10 Left-Handed Starting Pitchers
| 1. Dallas Keuchel, HOU | 13-5 | 2.35 | 0.987 | .207 | 140 | 5.2 | 1 |
| 2. Clayton Kershaw, LAD | 9-6 | 2.37 | 0.912 | .199 | 192 | 4.3 | 9 |
| 3. Scott Kazmir, HOU | 6-6 | 2.08 | 1.054 | .206 | 114 | 4.0 | 8 |
| 4. David Price, TOR | 10-4 | 2.45 | 1.084 | .235 | 149 | 3.8 | 7 |
| 5. Francisco Liriano, PIT | 7-6 | 2.92 | 1.061 | .201 | 140 | 2.7 | 5 |
| 6. Hector Santiago, LAA | 7-5 | 2.78 | 1.175 | .229 | 122 | 2.4 | 2 |
| 7. Chris Sale, CWS | 9-7 | 3.52 | 1.077 | .233 | 186 | 2.2 | 6 |
| 8. Madison Bumgarner, SF | 12-6 | 3.28 | 1.101 | .242 | 148 | 2.1 | 4 |
| 9. Cole Hamels, TEX | 6-7 | 3.76 | 1.181 | .235 | 143 | 2.7 | 3 |
| 10. Mark Buehrle, TOR | 11-5 | 3.32 | 1.170 | .266 | 70 | 2.3 | NR |
Player Overview
After a slow start to the season, Clayton Kershaw again has a strong claim as the best pitcher in baseball. The reigning NL MVP is working on a 37-inning scoreless streak, and over his last 12 starts he's gone 7-3 with a 1.10 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 89.2 innings.
However, Dallas Keuchel still holds on to the top spot for the time being on the strength of his entire body of work in 2015. After coming out of nowhere to front the Astros staff last year, he's been even better this season for a contending Houston team.
Scott Kazmir, David Price and Cole Hamels all changed clubs at the deadline. Kazmir and Price will look to pitch their respective teams to an AL playoff spot, while the Rangers envision the one-two punch of Hamels and Yu Darvish leading to big things next year.
By far the biggest surprise in this group is Hector Santiago, who spent the past three seasons bouncing between the rotation and bullpen before emerging as an All-Star and the best pitcher on the Angels staff this year.
Chris Sale and Madison Bumgarner may not be putting up lights-out numbers overall, but both guys are capable of dominating on any given night. Sale leads the AL in strikeouts after rattling off a record-tying eight-game streak with double-digit punchouts.
The Pirates' decision to re-sign Francisco Liriano on a three-year, $39 million deal has been a terrific one to this point, and while Gerrit Cole has stepped into the role of staff ace, he gives the team a second front-line arm.
Veteran Mark Buehrle rounds out the list, as he's now won double-digit games in 15 straight seasons. With 59 more innings of work, he'll also have a 15-season streak of 200 or more innings pitched.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Andrew Heaney, LAA | 5-1 | 1.97 | 0.898 | .205 | 34 | 1.6 | NR |
| 2. Mike Montgomery, SEA | 4-4 | 3.07 | 1.192 | .223 | 56 | 1.7 | NR |
| 3. Robbie Ray, ARI | 3-6 | 3.01 | 1.186 | .244 | 63 | 1.2 | NR |
Non-Closer Relievers
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Top 10 Non-Closer Relievers
| 1. Wade Davis, KC | 46 | 7-1 | 16 | 0.60 | 0.806 | 10.1 | 2.5 | 2 (CL) |
| 2. Dellin Betances, NYY | 49 | 6-2 | 16 | 1.31 | 0.836 | 14.4 | 2.5 | 1 |
| 3. Carter Capps, MIA | 30 | 1-0 | 11 | 1.16 | 0.806 | 16.8 | 1.3 | NR |
| 4. Darren O'Day, BAL | 42 | 5-1 | 9 | 1.31 | 0.944 | 11.8 | 1.5 | 4 |
| 5. Kevin Siegrist, STL | 55 | 3-0 | 19 | 1.43 | 1.093 | 11.1 | 1.7 | NR |
| 6. Will Harris, HOU | 43 | 4-2 | 5 | 1.30 | 0.848 | 8.6 | 1.9 | 5 |
| 7. Joaquin Benoit, SD | 47 | 6-4 | 19 | 2.17 | 0.810 | 7.9 | 1.4 | NR |
| 8. Jake McGee, TB | 30 | 1-1 | 15 | 1.88 | 0.802 | 12.2 | 0.9 | NR |
| 9. Roberto Osuna, TOR | 46 | 1-4 | 7 | 2.22 | 0.925 | 9.8 | 1.5 | 6 |
| 10. J.P. Howell, LAD | 41 | 4-1 | 6 | 1.16 | 1.258 | 7.8 | 1.1 | NR |
Player Overview
At any given time there are about 180 non-closer relievers active around MLB, so there is no shortage of options to fill these 10 slots.
That being said, the top two guys on this list are no-brainers, as Wade Davis and Dellin Betances are tied for the lead in WAR among all relievers, closer or otherwise.
Veteran Darren O'Day earned a spot on the AL All-Star roster, and on sustained success alone he was a deserving choice. Since the start of 2012, he's posted a 1.92 ERA, 0.941 WHIP and 69 holds in 247 appearances.
Perhaps the most intriguing reliever of the year has been Carter Capps and his funky delivery, in which he essentially jumps at the hitter. It's far from conventional, but it works, as evidenced by his MLB-best 16.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
Kevin Siegrist has bounced back nicely for the Cardinals after posting a 6.82 ERA over 37 appearances during an injury-plagued 2014.
Veterans Jake McGee and Joaquin Benoit both have some experience in the closer's role but have thrived in the eighth inning this season. That's where J.P. Howell has spent his entire career, and he's been a stud for the Dodgers once again.
Will Harris may have been the best waiver claim of the offseason after the Astros grabbed him from the Diamondbacks, while 20-year-old Roberto Osuna looks to have a very bright future for the Blue Jays.
Top 3 Rookies
| 1. Roberto Osuna, TOR | 46 | 1-4 | 7 | 2.22 | 0.925 | 9.8 | 1.5 | NR |
| 2. Hunter Strickland, SF | 30 | 2-1 | 12 | 1.82 | 0.978 | 10.3 | 0.9 | NR |
| 3. Chasen Shreve, NYY | 38 | 6-1 | 8 | 2.13 | 1.016 | 9.6 | 1.3 | NR |
Closers
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Top 10 Closers (10+ Saves)
| 1. Andrew Miller, NYY | 36 | 0-2 | 23/23 | 1.75 | 0.722 | 13.5 | 1.3 | 1 |
| 2. Mark Melancon, PIT | 51 | 2-1 | 34/35 | 1.44 | 1.020 | 6.3 | 1.9 | NR |
| 3. F. Rodriguez, MIL | 39 | 0-2 | 25/25 | 1.41 | 0.783 | 10.3 | 1.9 | 9 |
| 4. Zach Britton, BAL | 43 | 2-0 | 27/28 | 1.62 | 0.925 | 10.2 | 1.8 | NR |
| 5. A. Chapman, CIN | 47 | 3-4 | 23/24 | 1.74 | 1.221 | 16.2 | 1.8 | NR |
| 6. Brad Ziegler, ARI | 46 | 0-1 | 19/21 | 1.17 | 0.842 | 5.4 | 2.2 | NR |
| 7. Drew Storen, WAS | 42 | 1-0 | 29/31 | 1.56 | 0.917 | 11.2 | 1.8 | 3 |
| 8. T. Rosenthal, STL | 48 | 2-2 | 31/33 | 1.63 | 1.208 | 9.6 | 2.0 | 7 |
| 9. J. Papelbon, WAS | 40 | 2-1 | 19/19 | 1.69 | 0.984 | 8.9 | 1.4 | 8 |
| 10. Craig Kimbrel, SD | 44 | 1-2 | 31/33 | 2.76 | 1.063 | 12.3 | 0.8 | NR |
Player Overview
No position is more volatile on a year-in, year-out basis than closer, and the current top 10 is a perfect example of that.
Andrew Miller spent last season pitching in the eighth inning and now ranks as the top closer in the league, while Mark Melancon, Zach Britton, Drew Storen and Brad Ziegler have all stepped into the closer's job within the past year.
Storen has actually returned to a setup role after the Nationals acquired Jonathan Papelbon, but he still qualifies for the closer's list with more than 10 saves on the year.
Aroldis Chapman and Craig Kimbrel remain arguably the two most dominant bullpen arms in the league, and their strikeout numbers reflect that. But from a statistical standpoint others have been better in 2015.
He hasn't seen a ton of opportunities, but Francisco Rodriguez continues to dominate for the Brewers, leaving the two-year, $13 million deal he signed in the offseason looking like a steal.
In terms of improvement, Trevor Rosenthal has taken possibly the biggest step forward among closers. He saved 45 games last season but also suffered six blown saves, and a significantly improved walk rate (5.4 to 3.1 BB/9) has gone a long way this year.
Top Rookie
| Carson Smith, SEA | 48 | 1-5 | 10/12 | 2.89 | 0.985 | 11.8 | 1.1 | NR |
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted, and current through Wednesday, Aug. 5. WAR provided by Baseball-Reference.
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