MLB Position-by-Position 2016 Player Rankings, 1st-Quarter-Mark Edition
Our position-by-position MLB player rankings will once again be a monthly staple throughout the 2016 campaign, and it's time for another update as we've reached roughly the quarter mark of the season.
The following takes 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 at each spot based solely on what they have done in 2016, so unlike in our preseason and March rankings, past success and future expectations did not play a part.
On top of naming the top 10 overall players at each position, we've included a quick look at who has fallen out of the rankings since last time as well as the top rookie performers in an effort to shine some light on who may be the future at each spot.
There's obviously some level of subjectivity with an exercise like this, and chances are no one will agree entirely with these rankings, but hopefully this can provide an overview of where things currently stand at each spot on the diamond.
Catchers
1 of 14
Top 10 Catchers
| 1. Jonathan Lucroy, MIL | .307 | .886 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 23 | 0 | 1.4 | 8 |
| 2. Yadier Molina, STL | .321 | .820 | 12 | 0 | 16 | 14 | -2 | 0.9 | 3 |
| 3. Salvador Perez, KC | .237 | .725 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 14 | 8 | 1.4 | 2 |
| 4. Wilson Ramos, WAS | .343 | .902 | 7 | 4 | 16 | 9 | -1 | 0.7 | 7 |
| 5. Welington Castillo, ARI | .290 | .836 | 6 | 7 | 20 | 15 | 2 | 1.0 | NR |
| 6. Brian McCann, NYY | .268 | .811 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 19 | -4 | 0.7 | 4 |
| 7. Buster Posey, SF | .274 | .763 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 19 | 1 | 0.8 | 1 |
| 8. Francisco Cervelli, PIT | .280 | .711 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 13 | 0 | 0.4 | 6 |
| 9. Chris Iannetta, SEA | .238 | .731 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0.9 | 10 |
| 10. J.T. Realmuto, MIA | .310 | .762 | 10 | 2 | 13 | 14 | -2 | 0.3 | NR |
No Longer Ranked: Jarrod Saltalamacchia (5), Stephen Vogt (9)
Position Overview
Mired by injury last season, Jonathan Lucroy has bounced back nicely to once again emerge as one of the best all-around backstops in the game.
It appears he'll be one of the few elite trade chips on the market this year after he made it clear back in January while talking with Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he's not interested in being part of a long rebuild in Milwaukee.
Not to be outdone, Yadier Molina has also rebounded from a rough season offensively, as he's improved his OPS from .660 last year to .820 so far this year. He remains a top-fight defensive backstop, so with his bat back on track, he's once again challenging for the top spot at the position.
Salvador Perez can make a strong case for being the game's top defensive catcher at this point, and he's an absolute horse to boot. He's caught 315 of 343 innings on the year and thrown out 57.7 percent of would-be base stealers in the process.
Wilson Ramos and Welington Castillo have both exceeded expectations offensively, while veterans Buster Posey and Brian McCann are capable of more than they've shown to this point but are still among the most productive players at the position.
The Mariners are getting good value out of the one-year, $4.25 million deal they gave Chris Iannetta during the offseason, as he's brought some stability to what was a revolving door at the position.
Losing Russell Martin prior to the 2015 season looked like a big blow for the Pirates, but they've found a terrific replacement in Francisco Cervelli. His strong play in Pittsburgh was recently rewarded with a three-year, $31 million extension.
Rounding out our rankings is J.T. Realmuto, who took over as the Marlins starting catcher early last season and is in the midst of breaking out for a Miami team that is playing well right now.
Rookie Rankings
- Tony Wolters, COL
- Trevor Brown, SF
- Brett Nicholas, TEX
First Basemen
2 of 14
Top 10 First Basemen
| 1 Anthony Rizzo, CHC | .259 | .971 | 9 | 11 | 34 | 29 | 2 | 1.4 | 3 |
| 2. Eric Hosmer, KC | .327 | .941 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 21 | -2 | 1.4 | 7 |
| 3. Chris Davis, BAL | .250 | .870 | 7 | 9 | 25 | 28 | 1 | 1.2 | 2 |
| 4. Brandon Belt, SF | .301 | .922 | 8 | 4 | 22 | 20 | -1 | 0.9 | 6 |
| 5. Miguel Cabrera, DET | .298 | .847 | 7 | 6 | 21 | 21 | 1 | 1.0 | 4 |
| 6. Chris Carter, MIL | .245 | .877 | 12 | 11 | 28 | 23 | 1 | 0.8 | NR |
| 7. Hanley Ramirez, BOS | .314 | .827 | 9 | 4 | 23 | 26 | -1 | 0.7 | NR |
| 8. Paul Goldschmidt, ARI | .228 | .836 | 5 | 8 | 23 | 23 | 5 | 1.1 | 1 |
| 9. Adrian Gonzalez, LAD | .282 | .770 | 6 | 4 | 20 | 14 | 1 | 0.7 | 5 |
| 10. Joe Mauer, MIN | .266 | .750 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 0.8 | 8 |
No Longer Ranked: Jose Abreu (9), Joey Votto (10)
Position Overview
After a slow start, Anthony Rizzo has been an absolute beast with a .311/.427/.678 line over his last 24 games. He's currently leading the NL with 34 RBI, and after finishing fourth in MVP voting last year, he looks like a legitimate candidate to win the award this season.
Eric Hosmer has emerged as a leader for the Royals during their recent run of success, and after setting new career highs in RBI (93), runs scored (98) and OPS (.822) last season, he's on his way to even better numbers this year.
Slugger Chris Davis is having another impact season at the plate, and at least here in the early going he's getting the bat on the ball a bit more with a 28.4 percent strikeout rate that would be his lowest since he joined the Orioles.
The Giants gave Brandon Belt a five-year, $72.8 million extension during the offseason, and it's been a solid investment to this point with terrific all-around numbers.
It's been more of the same from Miguel Cabrera, Paul Goldschmidt and Adrian Gonzalez as they remain elite run producers and top options at the position, while a move to first base has seemingly rejuvenated Hanley Ramirez offensively.
Perhaps the biggest surprise here is Chris Carter, who has always had big-time power but didn't always make enough contact to utilize it. The Brewers gave him a one-year, $2.5 million deal after the Astros non-tendered him, and he has a chance to be a valuable trade chip if he keeps it up.
The final spot goes to Joe Mauer, who was recently moved to the leadoff spot in the Twins lineup, where his .383 on-base percentage can be put to better use.
Rookie Rankings
- Dae-ho Lee, SEA
- Tyler White, HOU
Second Basemen
3 of 14
Top 10 Second Basemen
| 1. Jose Altuve, HOU | .348 | 1.058 | 17 | 9 | 26 | 38 | 3 | 3.3 | 1 |
| 2. Robinson Cano, SEA | .301 | .934 | 11 | 12 | 36 | 26 | 2 | 2.2 | 3 |
| 3. Daniel Murphy, WAS | .395 | 1.036 | 13 | 5 | 25 | 22 | -1 | 1.8 | 4 |
| 4. Ben Zobrist, CHC | .328 | .947 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 29 | 1 | 1.8 | NR |
| 5. Ian Kinsler, DET | .319 | .921 | 9 | 10 | 24 | 37 | 4 | 2.4 | 2 |
| 6. Dustin Pedroia, BOS | .299 | .826 | 9 | 6 | 20 | 30 | 5 | 1.5 | NR |
| 7. Logan Forsythe, TB | .308 | .922 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 1.8 | NR |
| 8. Jean Segura, ARI | .335 | .872 | 10 | 5 | 22 | 21 | 3 | 1.6 | 5 |
| 9. Chase Utley, LAD | .286 | .808 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 20 | -1 | 1.1 | NR |
| 10. J. Schoop, BAL | .256 | .759 | 6 | 7 | 23 | 14 | -2 | 0.2 | NR |
No Longer Ranked: Jason Kipnis (6), Dee Gordon (7), DJ LeMahieu (8), Starlin Castro (9), Joe Panik (10)
Position Overview
Narrowing down the league's second basemen to just 10 is tougher than ever these days, and as a result, there was a good deal of turnover on this list over the last month.
Jose Altuve is still an easy choice for the top spot, though. He's currently leading the AL in on-base percentage (.437), doubles (17), runs scored (38) and stolen bases (15). But the big surprise has been his power, as his nine home runs are already closing in on his career-high (15), and he also leads the league in OPS (1.058).
After a mediocre first half last season (.660 OPS, 6 HR), Robinson Cano turned things around after the All-Star break (.926 OPS, 15 HR), and that's carried over into a big start this season as he leads the AL in home runs (12) and RBI (36).
Daniel Murphy and Ben Zobrist both cashed in and changed teams in free agency, and they've made a good first impression on their new clubs. The same goes for Jean Segura, who has benefited from a change of scenery after struggling with the Brewers the past couple years.
Last season, Ian Kinsler led all second basemen with a 6.0 WAR thanks to his unique combination of power, speed and defense, and he's well on his way to another solid showing in that department.
Veterans Dustin Pedroia and Chase Utley are no longer the focal points of their respective teams, but they still have plenty left in the tank and have proven to be strong options for a pair of contenders.
Logan Forsythe was the surprise breakout player at the position last season, and he's backed that up with a strong first two months. This year's breakout star could be Jonathan Schoop, as he's an up-and-coming impact bat in a good Orioles offense.
Rookie Rankings
- Jorge Polanco, MIN
- Yadiel Rivera, MIL
- Cristhian Adames, COL
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Third Basemen
4 of 14
Top 10 Third Basemen
| 1. Manny Machado, BAL | .318 | .998 | 15 | 11 | 25 | 30 | 1 | 2.4 | 1 |
| 2. Nolan Arenado, COL | .305 | .991 | 7 | 13 | 33 | 30 | 8 | 2.5 | 3 |
| 3. Travis Shaw, BOS | .318 | .940 | 13 | 6 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 2.2 | 8 |
| 4. Matt Carpenter, STL | .246 | .881 | 8 | 8 | 26 | 26 | 3 | 1.5 | 5 |
| 5. Josh Donaldson, TOR | .253 | .855 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 34 | 1 | 1.6 | 2 |
| 6. Martin Prado, MIA | .371 | .851 | 8 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 1.5 | NR |
| 7. Todd Frazier, CWS | .230 | .824 | 4 | 12 | 32 | 24 | -1 | 1.4 | NR |
| 8. Nick Castellanos, DET | .350 | .977 | 9 | 8 | 30 | 19 | -5 | 1.3 | NR |
| 9. Adrian Beltre, TEX | .271 | .782 | 9 | 7 | 27 | 18 | 4 | 1.4 | 4 |
| 10. Kris Bryant, CHC | .278 | .842 | 10 | 7 | 26 | 27 | -1 | 1.1 | 6 |
No Longer Ranked: Mike Moustakas (7), Eugenio Suarez (9), Yunel Escobar (10)
Position Overview
If the season ended today, there's a good chance Manny Machado would be your AL MVP. The 23-year-old has taken his game to another level since the beginning of last season, and he now belongs squarely in the conversation for best all-around player in baseball.
On the NL side of things, it's another young star making waves in 25-year-old Nolan Arenado. After leading the NL in home runs (42) and RBI (130) while also winning his third straight Gold Glove last year, it's been more of the same in 2016.
The rising star is Travis Shaw, who beat out Pablo Sandoval for the starting gig in Boston and has run with that opportunity. The 26-year-old gives the team another young offensive weapon for the present and future alongside the likes of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley.
Reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson is having another strong season, while stalwarts Matt Carpenter, Todd Frazier and Adrian Beltre all find themselves among the top 10 at the position once again as well.
Martin Prado put together a decent first season in Miami with a .288 average and a 3.1 WAR, but he's back to being a true impact bat this year with a .371 average that ranks third in the NL.
The Tigers might have rushed Nick Castellanos to the majors as a 22-year-old back in 2014, but his experience at the highest level seems to be paying off now. He hinted at a big season to come with an .800 OPS and 31 extra-base hits in the second half last year, and he's delivered.
Kris Bryant claims the final spot, and while he may not have huge numbers just yet, improving his strikeout rate from 30.6 percent as a rookie to 20.0 percent this year should pay off in the long run.
Rookie Rankings
- Cheslor Cuthbert, KC
- Colin Walsh, MIL
Shortstops
5 of 14
Top 10 Shortstops
| 1. Xander Bogaerts, BOS | .339 | .889 | 14 | 4 | 22 | 31 | 1 | 2.2 | 10 |
| 2. Aledmys Diaz, STL | .376 | 1.051 | 14 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 0 | 2.0 | 8 |
| 3. Trevor Story, COL | .277 | .935 | 10 | 11 | 28 | 25 | 3 | 1.5 | 9 |
| 4. Corey Seager, LAD | .290 | .853 | 11 | 7 | 21 | 25 | 1 | 1.6 | NR |
| 5. Carlos Correa, HOU | .273 | .829 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 22 | -6 | 1.2 | 1 |
| 6. Addison Russell, CHC | .254 | .787 | 6 | 4 | 28 | 16 | 4 | 1.1 | NR |
| 7. Zack Cozart, CIN | .320 | .829 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 22 | 5 | 1.2 | 4 |
| 8. Francisco Lindor, CLE | .325 | .813 | 8 | 3 | 18 | 25 | 3 | 1.8 | 3 |
| 9. Brandon Crawford, SF | .250 | .742 | 9 | 5 | 21 | 15 | 7 | 1.1 | 2 |
| 10. Jonathan Villar, MIL | .285 | .778 | 11 | 1 | 12 | 17 | 2 | 1.0 | NR |
No Longer Ranked: Elvis Andrus (5), Jose Iglesias (6), J.J. Hardy (7)
Position Overview
After a somewhat disappointing rookie campaign, Xander Bogaerts took a huge step forward last season as he raised his average by 80 points (.240 to .320) and his OPS by 116 points (.660 to .776).
He also put to rest any questions about his defensive abilities at the shortstop position, and he's well on his way to an even better year at the plate here in his age-23 season. Alongside outfielder Mookie Betts, he represents the face of the franchise post-David Ortiz.
Up next in the rankings is a pair of rookies who have begun their MLB careers with a bang in Aledmys Diaz and Trevor Story.
Both players have delivered on the "next man up" philosophy. Diaz has played his way into an everyday role after Jhonny Peralta was lost to a thumb injury, while Story is in the lineup in place of the suspended Jose Reyes.
While it's Diaz and Story who have made headlines early, there's still a good chance that Corey Seager winds up being the top rookie shortstop by season's end. After hitting .337 with a .986 OPS in 113 plate appearances down the stretch last season, he's starting to heat up here in 2016.
The Reds were without Zack Cozart for all but 53 games last season as he dealt with a knee injury, but he's returned strong and, if nothing else, is turning himself into a viable trade chip.
Addison Russell, Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor were all part of last year's impressive rookie class, and all have flashed star potential during their brief time in the majors.
Russell in particular has turned heads of late, hitting .304/.381/.536 since the calendar turned over to May. Some have compared him to Barry Larkin in the past, and he's starting to deliver on that potential.
Brandon Crawford remains a solid two-way player for the Giants, while Jonathan Villar has proven to be more than just a place holder for top prospect Orlando Arcia with a .778 OPS and an NL-best 13 stolen bases to earn him the final spot.
Rookie Rankings
- Aledmys Diaz, STL
- Trevor Story, COL
- Corey Seager, LAD
Left Fielders
6 of 14
Top 10 Left Fielders
| 1. Ryan Braun, MIL | .364 | 1.004 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 21 | 4 | 1.7 | 3 |
| 2. Starling Marte, PIT | .326 | .853 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 21 | 5 | 1.7 | 1 |
| 3. Christian Yelich, MIA | .322 | .955 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 24 | 0 | 1.6 | 2 |
| 4. Adam Duvall, CIN | .272 | .873 | 12 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 1.0 | NR |
| 5. M. Saunders, TOR | .311 | .911 | 9 | 6 | 13 | 19 | -3 | 0.9 | NR |
| 6. M. Conforto, NYM | .281 | .878 | 11 | 6 | 21 | 18 | 2 | 1.0 | 4 |
| 7. Melvin Upton, SD | .274 | .794 | 5 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 1.5 | NR |
| 8. Ian Desmond, TEX | .275 | .808 | 10 | 6 | 25 | 30 | 2 | 1.2 | NR |
| 9. Colby Rasmus, HOU | .234 | .782 | 6 | 8 | 30 | 14 | 2 | 1.0 | 5 |
| 10. Matt Holliday, STL | .250 | .810 | 12 | 6 | 21 | 16 | -3 | 0.3 | 8 |
No Longer Ranked: Brett Gardner (6), Angel Pagan (7), Alex Gordon (9), Justin Upton (10)
Position Overview
Ryan Braun was a shell of his MVP self in his return from a performance-enhancing-drug suspension in 2014, but he picked up his production again last season and has returned to elite form here in 2016.
He's in the first season of a five-year, $105 million extension he signed all the way back in 2011, so trading him won't be easy for the rebuilding Brewers, but it's not nearly as improbable as it seemed a few years ago.
Close behind him is the young duo of Starling Marte and Christian Yelich, both of whom play second fiddle to superstar teammates in the same outfield but are terrific all-around players in their own right and are en route to the best seasons of their respective careers.
The Reds entered the season with no clear-cut starter in left field, hoping that one of a handful of guys would step up, and Adam Duvall has done just that. The 27-year-old had an .823 OPS and 30 home runs in Triple-A last year, so his offensive production isn't a huge surprise. However, he's been better than expected defensively as a third baseman by trade.
Knee issues limited Michael Saunders to just nine games last season, but the offseason trade of Ben Revere meant he returned to an everyday job. His .381 on-base percentage has earned him some time in the leadoff spot.
In perhaps the biggest shock of the season so far, Melvin Upton has been the more productive Upton brother. Despite having two years and $31.9 million left on his contact, he could be a useful trade chip for the Padres.
Michael Conforto is a budding star in the middle of the Mets lineup, while Colby Rasmus and Ian Desmond are both currently playing on one-year deals and could potentially cash in on a weak free-agent market.
The final spot goes to Matt Holliday, who remains a steady run producer for the Cardinals. He's in the final guaranteed year of his contract with a $17 million option for next season, so he could find himself on the open market as well next winter.
Rookie Rankings
- Jeremy Hazelbaker, STL
- Joey Rickard, BAL
Center Fielders
7 of 14
Top 10 Center Fielders
| 1. Mike Trout, LAA | .320 | .975 | 8 | 9 | 28 | 26 | 1 | 2.6 | 1 |
| 2. Dexter Fowler, CHC | .319 | .962 | 14 | 3 | 19 | 27 | 3 | 2.1 | 4 |
| 3. Y. Cespedes, NYM | .289 | 1.024 | 6 | 13 | 33 | 23 | -2 | 1.4 | 3 |
| 4. Jackie Bradley, BOS | .338 | .997 | 10 | 7 | 32 | 21 | -3 | 1.6 | NR |
| 5. Odubel Herrera, PHI | .333 | .901 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 25 | -2 | 1.5 | 7 |
| 6. Marcell Ozuna, MIA | .302 | .867 | 5 | 7 | 21 | 23 | -4 | 0.7 | NR |
| 7. Joc Pederson, LAD | .261 | .941 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 20 | -5 | 0.7 | 6 |
| 8. Chris Owings, ARI | .285 | .756 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 16 | 8 | 1.5 | NR |
| 9. A. McCutchen, PIT | .248 | .808 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 26 | -2 | 0.7 | 2 |
| 10. Kevin Pillar, TOR | .256 | .671 | 12 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 1.3 | 9 |
No Longer Ranked: Delino DeShields (5), Lorenzo Cain (8), Adam Jones (10)
Position Overview
Mike Trout is once again putting up impressive numbers out of the No. 3 spot in the Angels lineup, despite the fact that the team's cleanup hitters are batting a combined .217/.298/.388 on the year. At some point, he'll need some protection.
The Cubs didn't re-sign Dexter Fowler until Feb. 25 with a one-year, $13 million contract, but he's been an integral part of their early success with a .443 on-base percentage out of the leadoff spot that ranks third in the NL.
Slugger Yoenis Cespedes has split his time between center field (27 games) and left field (16 games), but he's played enough center to qualify here and currently ranks as the best power option at the position.
Jackie Bradley was a glove-first outfielder when he broke into the league, but he's now showing enough with the bat to not only justify everyday playing time but to look like a star in the making in Boston.
The Phillies hit on Rule 5 pick Odubel Herrera last season, but a .387 BABIP left him looking like a prime regression candidate. Instead, an improved approach and a huge uptick in his walk rate from 5.2 to 16.7 percent has left him as the best hitter on the team.
Elite defender Kevin Pillar is still a somewhat underrated offensive player for the Blue Jays, while Andrew McCutchen remains the face of the Pirates and one of the few true five-tool threats in the game today.
Marcell Ozuna and Joc Pederson both endured trying seasons in 2015 with Ozuna falling out of favor and earning a demotion, and Pederson hitting .178/.317/.300 in the second half, but they're back to making an impact this year.
The true newcomer here is Chris Owings, who made the move from middle infield to center field in Arizona after A.J. Pollock was lost for the season. Manning a position he had never played as a pro, he's tied for the position lead with eight DRS.
Rookie Rankings
- Trayce Thompson, LAD
- Mallex Smith, ATL
- Tyler Naquin, CLE
Right Fielders
8 of 14
Top 10 Right Fielders
| 1. Bryce Harper, WAS | .254 | 1.040 | 6 | 11 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 1.9 | 1 |
| 2. Adam Eaton, CWS | .312 | .841 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 19 | 15 | 3.0 | NR |
| 3. Stephen Piscotty, STL | .318 | .875 | 11 | 5 | 23 | 27 | 8 | 2.0 | NR |
| 4. Gregory Polanco, PIT | .305 | .922 | 16 | 4 | 20 | 28 | 0 | 1.3 | 7 |
| 5. G. Springer, HOU | .259 | .834 | 6 | 9 | 25 | 27 | 5 | 1.8 | NR |
| 6. Josh Reddick, OAK | .315 | .829 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 20 | 1 | 1.4 | NR |
| 7. Mark Trumbo, BAL | .304 | .951 | 5 | 12 | 29 | 23 | -4 | 0.8 | 8 |
| 8. Hunter Pence, SF | .298 | .884 | 7 | 7 | 31 | 24 | -5 | 0.9 | NR |
| 9. G. Stanton, MIA | .221 | .835 | 5 | 11 | 25 | 20 | 0 | 0.8 | 5 |
| 10. Mookie Betts, BOS | .262 | .765 | 8 | 7 | 28 | 33 | 5 | 1.8 | 10 |
No Longer Ranked: Jose Bautista (2), Carlos Gonzalez (3), J.D. Martinez (4), Yasiel Puig (6), Nick Markakis (9)
Position Overview
Teams have wanted nothing to do with Bryce Harper so far this season, as he's already walked 45 times in his first 167 plate appearances. He's still done his fair share of damage, though.
At this point, it's fair to say the 23-year-old is the most feared hitter in baseball and is more than willing to take his walks if pitchers decide to work around him. His NL-best .455 on-base percentage is proof of that.
While Harper still earns the top spot here, it's Adam Eaton who is currently leading not just right fielders but all of baseball with a 3.0 WAR. He's been solid offensively, but it's his defense that is driving that number as the move from center field has gone incredibly well and he leads the majors with 15 DRS.
After a standout rookie season, Stephen Piscotty has stepped into a featured role with the Cardinals this season and shined. He's currently hitting .475 with runners in scoring position, and leads the majors with 19 such hits.
Gregory Polanco and George Springer both looked like potential breakout stars heading into the season, and they've delivered on those expectations so far. Polanco has moved out of the leadoff spot in the Pirates order and down into more of a run production role, and he leads the NL with 16 doubles.
There were rumblings of a potential extension for Josh Reddick this offseason, but the A's have yet to pull the trigger on locking him up. As a result, he profiles as an intriguing trade chip and one of the top bats on the upcoming free-agent market.
Meanwhile, Mark Trumbo ranks as one of the better discounts in baseball, as the Orioles are paying him just $9.15 million after acquiring him in an offseason deal with the Mariners.
Hunter Pence, Giancarlo Stanton and Mookie Betts claim the final three spots, ahead of Jose Bautista and Carlos Gonzalez. All five of those players are more than capable of making a significant climb here between now and the next time these rankings are released.
Rookie Rankings
- Nomar Mazara, TEX
- Travis Jankowski, SD
Designated Hitters
9 of 14
Top 5 Designated Hitters
| 1. David Ortiz, BOS | .312 | 1.044 | 16 | 10 | 34 | 20 | 1.6 | 1 |
| 2. Victor Martinez, DET | .331 | .909 | 11 | 5 | 22 | 17 | 1.1 | 4 |
| 3. Nelson Cruz, SEA | .283 | .896 | 8 | 8 | 26 | 20 | 1.5 | 2 |
| 4. Byung-ho Park, MIN | .241 | .869 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 19 | 1.0 | NR |
| 5. Edwin Encarnacion, TOR | .241 | .762 | 10 | 8 | 30 | 18 | 0.2 | 3 |
No Longer Ranked: Prince Fielder (5)
Position Overview
So why exactly is David Ortiz retiring?
The 40-year-old has been the most productive hitter in the league's highest-scoring offense (5.85 runs per game), and he currently leads the AL in slugging percentage (.652).
A monster 2014 season earned Victor Martinez a four-year, $68 million extension from the Tigers, but he fell off dramatically last season as his OPS plummeted from .974 to .667.
He's back to raking once again this season, though, and his return to form has proven to be a far bigger addition to the Detroit lineup than free-agent signing Justin Upton.
Speaking of free-agent signings, the four-year, $12 million deal the Twins gave Byung-ho Park is looking awfully good right now. That should help to further solidify the standing of top Korean players looking to make the jump to MLB, as he's followed up the standout performance of Jung-ho Kang.
Nelson Cruz is not quite off to the torrid start we've seen the past two seasons, but he remains an impact bat in the middle of the Mariners lineup and important protection for Cano.
Rounding out the list is Edwin Encarnacion, who has not been his usual self just yet but has proven capable of lengthy hot streaks in the past. Even off to a slow start, his 30 RBI rank fifth in the AL.
Rookie Rankings
- Byung-ho Park, MIN
Utility Players
10 of 14
Top 5 Utility Players
| 1. Sean Rodriguez, PIT | .308 | 1.025 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0.8 | NR |
| 2. Brandon Drury, ARI | .311 | .871 | 10 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 0.1 | NR |
| 3. Eduardo Nunez, MIN | .340 | .860 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 15 | 0.2 | NR |
| 4. Jose Ramirez, CLE | .317 | .804 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 15 | 0.7 | NR |
| 5. Derek Dietrich, MIA | .290 | .887 | 7 | 2 | 16 | 9 | 0.7 | NR |
Position Overview
In this section, we're looking for players who have played at least three different positions this season, with the two corner outfield spots counting as one and the same since most players who can play one can play both.
Players who receive everyday at-bats without a clearly defined position and true bench players who have made the most of their limited playing time were both considered.
After Josh Harrison shined in a utility role in 2014 and Kang made a major impact while bouncing between shortstop and third base last year, it's once again a Pirates player atop these rankings in Sean Rodriguez.
He's been used regularly as a late-inning defensive replacement for John Jaso at first base, but he has also seen time at shortstop (5), second base (5), third base (4), left field (2) and right field (2).
The 31-year-old has received just 62 plate appearances, but his 1.025 OPS speaks for itself.
Next up is rookie Brandon Drury, who has forced his way into semi-regular playing time in the outfield after spending most of his time in the minors at second and third base. He's not a standout defensively by any means, but the Diamondbacks will continue to find ways to get his bat in the lineup.
Eduardo Nunez has seemingly always been a little better than most utility infielders but not quite good enough to lock down an everyday role. An injury to third baseman Trevor Plouffe and a revolving door at shortstop has afforded him some extra playing time early.
After keeping the shortstop position warm for Francisco Lindor last year, Jose Ramirez has carved out a niche as an oft-used bench player this year with significant time at third base (20) and in left field (16). He's also played one game each at second base and shortstop.
Rounding out this list is Derek Dietrich, who has seen the bulk of the playing time at second base for the Marlins since Dee Gordon was suspended. He'll likely profile strictly as a second baseman next time we do these rankings, but with time spent at third base (7) and first base (2), he's still a utility guy for the time being.
Rookie Rankings
- Brandon Drury, ARI
- Ronald Torreyes, NYY
Right-Handed Starting Pitchers
11 of 14
Top 10 Right-Handed Starting Pitchers
| 1. Jake Arrieta, CHC | 7-0 | 1.29 | 0.839 | .153 | 55 | 2.4 | 1 |
| 2. Danny Salazar, CLE | 4-2 | 1.80 | 1.000 | .157 | 61 | 2.5 | 9 |
| 3. Noah Syndergaard, NYM | 4-2 | 2.19 | 0.994 | .227 | 65 | 2.1 | 2 |
| 4. Aaron Nola, PHI | 3-2 | 2.89 | 0.849 | .188 | 58 | 1.5 | NR |
| 5. Vincent Velasquez, PHI | 5-1 | 2.42 | 0.993 | .191 | 59 | 1.4 | NR |
| 6. Steven Wright, BOS | 3-4 | 2.52 | 1.081 | .202 | 47 | 1.4 | NR |
| 7. Felix Hernandez, SEA | 3-3 | 2.47 | 1.196 | .206 | 42 | 0.9 | 3 |
| 8. Stephen Strasburg, WAS | 6-0 | 2.95 | 1.073 | .220 | 65 | 1.5 | 4 |
| 9. Jordan Zimmermann, DET | 6-2 | 2.45 | 1.164 | .248 | 37 | 1.7 | 7 |
| 10. Chris Tillman, BAL | 6-1 | 2.61 | 1.161 | .213 | 53 | 2.0 | NR |
No Longer Ranked: Max Scherzer (5), Sonny Gray (6), Jose Fernandez (8), Gerrit Cole (10)
Position Overview
After his historically dominant second-half performance last year, Jake Arrieta has picked up right where he left off with a terrific start to 2016.
He recorded his second career no-hitter on April 21 against the Reds, and he currently leads the NL in wins (7), ERA (1.29) and hits per nine innings (4.6) as he looks to repeat as the NL Cy Young winner.
Somewhat overshadowed by teammates Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco last season, Danny Salazar was awfully good in his own right as he went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA and 195 strikeouts. It seems the 26-year-old is only getting better.
Noah Syndergaard similarly took a back seat to Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom as a rookie last season, but the 6'6" right-hander has absolutely overpowered hitters this year. His average fastball velocity of 98.0 mph is tops among all starters, and he pairs it with a 91.6 mph slider.
Rounding out the top five is a pair of young Phillies starters in Aaron Nola and Vincent Velasquez. The team's early-season success has been the biggest surprise in baseball, and those two leading the way in the rotation has been a major factor.
Another unexpected entrant in these rankings is knuckleballer Steven Wright, who only broke camp with a spot in the Red Sox rotation because Eduardo Rodriguez suffered a knee injury. A 3.29 FIP and an impressive 6.5 hits per nine innings suggests his surprise performance could be legit.
From there we finally get into more names you'd expect to see with Felix Hernandez, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. The Nationals recently locked up Strasburg with a huge seven-year, $175 million extension, as they're banking on him staying healthy going forward.
The No. 10 spot goes to Chris Tillman, who has been the one constant in a shaky Orioles staff, as he edges out Jason Hammel, Joe Ross, Taijuan Walker, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija and several others.
Rookie Rankings
- Kenta Maeda, LAD
- Jon Gray, COL
- Ross Stripling, LAD
Left-Handed Starting Pitchers
12 of 14
Top 10 Left-Handed Starting Pitchers
| 1. Clayton Kershaw, LAD | 6-1 | 1.67 | 0.700 | .181 | 88 | 2.8 | 1 |
| 2. Chris Sale, CWS | 8-0 | 1.67 | 0.758 | .167 | 53 | 2.6 | 2 |
| 3. Jose Quintana, CWS | 5-2 | 1.54 | 0.987 | .215 | 47 | 2.3 | 7 |
| 4. Jon Lester, CHC | 4-2 | 1.88 | 0.968 | .206 | 51 | 1.8 | 4 |
| 5. Drew Pomeranz, SD | 4-4 | 1.96 | 1.065 | .173 | 56 | 1.5 | NR |
| 6. Gio Gonzalez, WAS | 3-1 | 1.86 | 1.097 | .222 | 40 | 1.6 | 8 |
| 7. Madison Bumgarner, SF | 5-2 | 2.45 | 1.176 | .228 | 71 | 1.2 | 9 |
| 8. Rich Hill, OAK | 6-3 | 2.54 | 1.128 | .196 | 59 | 1.4 | NR |
| 9. Jaime Garcia, STL | 3-3 | 2.86 | 1.033 | .182 | 51 | 0.7 | NR |
| 10. Steven Matz, NYM | 5-1 | 2.86 | 1.183 | .254 | 35 | 1.0 | NR |
No Longer Ranked: Dallas Keuchel (3), Cole Hamels (5), David Price (6), J.A. Happ (10)
Position Overview
Clayton Kershaw may have settled for a third-place finish in NL Cy Young voting last season, but he's still the consensus best pitcher in baseball, and he's done nothing to make people think otherwise so far this season.
His numbers are once again fantastic across the board, but the ones that really jump off the page are his 88 strikeouts versus just four walks. That's a 22-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, which would shatter the previous record of 11.63-to-1 set by Phil Hughes in 2014.
Not to be outdone, Chris Sale is having a dynamite season in his own right, as he's the early front-runner for AL Cy Young honors. He struggled through a down season of sorts last year pitching in front of the worst defense in baseball, but he's back to dominating this year.
He's not the only southpaw pitching well in Chicago, though, as teammate Jose Quintana and the Cubs' big addition from a year ago, Jon Lester, also currently sport sub-2.00 ERAs and are duking it out for the title of best No. 2 starter in baseball.
Drew Pomeranz was once one of the top pitching prospects in baseball after going No. 5 overall in the 2010 draft. He's bounced around since, but he finally seems at home in San Diego after being acquired in an offseason deal with the A's.
Gio Gonzalez had an MLB-high .341 BABIP last season, and some improved luck has translated to a great start. It's been more of the same from Madison Bumgarner, who now has some help in the form of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija.
Rich Hill has been well worth the one-year, $6 million gamble so far for the A's, Jaime Garcia has managed to stay healthy for the Cardinals, and Steven Matz has slotted nicely as the next young ace in the Mets rotation.
Rookie Rankings
- Steven Matz, NYM
Non-Closer Relievers
13 of 14
Top 10 Non-Closer Relievers
| 1. Will Harris, HOU | 19 | 0-1 | 11 | 0.46 | 0.661 | 9.2 | 1.1 | NR |
| 2. Kelvin Herrera, KC | 21 | 0-1 | 10 | 0.89 | 0.984 | 10.2 | 0.9 | 10 |
| 3. Hector Neris, PHI | 23 | 1-1 | 11 | 1.44 | 0.720 | 11.9 | 1.2 | NR |
| 4. Erasmo Ramirez, TB | 17 | 6-1 | 5 | 1.89 | 0.810 | 6.8 | 1.4 | NR |
| 5. David Phelps, MIA | 21 | 2-2 | 9 | 1.50 | 0.958 | 10.5 | 1.0 | NR |
| 6. Shawn Kelley, WAS | 18 | 1-0 | 3 | 0.00 | 0.857 | 12.9 | 0.9 | NR |
| 7. Ryan Buchter, SD | 20 | 1-0 | 7 | 0.47 | 0.947 | 11.8 | 0.8 | NR |
| 8. Seung-hwan Oh, STL | 19 | 1-0 | 5 | 1.31 | 0.823 | 11.8 | 0.7 | NR |
| 9. Nick Vincent, SEA | 17 | 2-1 | 7 | 1.72 | 0.766 | 11.5 | 0.7 | NR |
| 10. Brad Brach, BAL | 17 | 3-0 | 4 | 1.29 | 0.857 | 10.3 | 1.0 | NR |
No Longer Ranked: Dellin Betances (3)
Position Overview
Last time around, we simply did one slide for "relief pitchers" in general, so that's why you see so many guys on this list who were previously unranked.
It's still tough to narrow down the 180 or so non-closer relievers employed around the league at any given time to just 10, but there are a handful of guys who have separated themselves from the pack in the early going.
The top spot goes to Will Harris, who posted a 1.90 ERA in 68 appearances for the Astros last season after being claimed off waivers. He's been one of the best bargain-bin finds in recent years and continues to be a reliable option in Houston.
Kelvin Herrera was an All-Star last season, and with Ryan Madson and Greg Holland both gone from the Royals bullpen, he's become even more important.
Perhaps the biggest surprise on this list is Hector Neris, who has pitched his way into being the primary setup man in Philadelphia. He leads the NL with 23 appearances and has helped bring stability to a Phillies bullpen that was in complete flux at the start of the year.
Erasmo Ramirez and David Phelps are both capable of starting but currently find themselves in important bullpen roles. Their versatility makes them an invaluable asset to their respective pitching staffs.
Shawn Kelley has made good on his three-year, $15 million contract so far, while Seung-hwan Oh has made a smooth transition from the Japanese League for the Cardinals after inking a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
Ryan Buchter was a 33rd-round pick back in 2005, and he spent time with the Nationals, Cubs, Braves, Dodgers and Cubs again before finally finding a home in San Diego.
Once teammates on the Padres in 2012 and 2013, Nick Vincent and Brad Brach are now standout relievers for the Mariners and Orioles, respectively.
Rookie Rankings
- Ryan Buchter, SD
- Seung-hwan Oh, STL
- Mychal Givens, BAL
Closers
14 of 14
Top 10 Closers
| 1. Fernando Rodney, SD | 16 | 10/10 | 0.00 | 0.875 | 9.6 | 0.8 | NR |
| 2. Kenley Jansen, LAD | 17 | 13/13 | 0.55 | 0.490 | 9.9 | 0.9 | 2 |
| 3. Zach Britton, BAL | 17 | 11/11 | 1.59 | 0.588 | 10.6 | 0.9 | NR |
| 4. Hector Rondon, CHC | 16 | 7/7 | 1.26 | 0.558 | 15.1 | 0.6 | NR |
| 5. Alex Colome, TB | 16 | 10/10 | 1.56 | 0.856 | 12.5 | 0.7 | NR |
| 6. A.J. Ramos, MIA | 18 | 12/12 | 1.59 | 1.118 | 12.2 | 0.7 | NR |
| 7. Jeurys Familia, NYM | 19 | 13/13 | 2.45 | 1.145 | 7.4 | 0.5 | NR |
| 8. Andrew Miller, NYY | 17 | 6/7 | 1.08 | 0.720 | 16.7 | 1.0 | 3 |
| 9. Craig Kimbrel, BOS | 19 | 11/12 | 2.50 | 0.778 | 14.5 | 0.7 | 8 |
| 10. Jeanmar Gomez, PHI | 22 | 16/17 | 2.66 | 1.183 | 6.5 | 0.8 | NR |
No Longer Ranked: Wade Davis (1), Roberto Osuna (4), Mark Melancon (6), Trevor Rosenthal (7), David Robertson (9)
Position Overview
First and foremost, a closer's job is to save games, and that is reflected in the rankings above.
Andrew Miller might still be the best all-around reliever in baseball, and he's back to a setup role now. But for the sake of these rankings, he's still a closer. With one blown save, he slots below a number of guys who have nailed down all of their opportunities.
The top spot instead goes to Fernando Rodney, who is a perfect 10-of-10 on save chances and has yet to allow an earned run in 16 innings of work after signing a one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason.
Kenley Jansen and Zach Britton both feature one standout pitch—Jansen with his cutter and Britton with his sinker—and both continue to dominate opposing hitters, even when they know what's coming.
Setup men to begin last season, Hector Rondon and A.J. Ramos have since emerged as two of the top bullpen arms in the NL and in all of baseball for that matter.
Alex Colome has been lights out filling in for the injured Brad Boxberger in Tampa, while Craig Kimbrel has proven to be worth the steep price the Red Sox paid to acquire him.
Jeurys Familia continues to be a steady presence at the back of the Mets bullpen, while the division rival Phillies shuffled through a handful of closers before landing on Jeanmar Gomez, who now leads all of baseball with 16 saves.
It's worth noting that Cody Allen (9 SV, 3 L, 4.34 ERA, 1.232 WHIP) and Brad Ziegler (8 SV, 2 L, 2.60 ERA, 1.615 WHIP) have both converted all of their save chances, but rough peripheral numbers kept them from cracking the list. Save conversion was a huge factor here, but it wasn't the only factor.
Rookie Rankings
- None
All standard statistics and WAR totals courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, while advanced stats come via FanGraphs. Stats are updated through Wednesday, May 18.
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