MLB Superstar Power Rankings: How All 30 Teams' Biggest Stars Stack Up So Far
As we churn past the one-week mark in May, the 2018 MLB season is officially heating up.
Let's take this opportunity to rank every team's biggest star, from No. 30 to No. 1.
First off, what defines a star? There's an undeniable amount of subjectivity involved, especially on clubs blessed with two or more exemplary performers.
In essence, it's a combination of ability, potential, track record and an indefinable something. Your results may vary, but we feel we've identified a credible candidate from every squad.
After that, it was a matter of ranking them based on their performance through May 7. It's a small sample, but it's enough to draw initial conclusions.
Nos. 30-21
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No. 30: Felipe Vazquez, LHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded outfielder and franchise icon Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants this winter and shipped ace Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros.
That leaves hard-throwing lefty reliever Felipe Vazquez as their de facto biggest star.
The 26-year-old posted a 1.67 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 75.1 innings last season. His ERA has climbed to 3.46 in 2018, though he's still missing bats with 15 punchouts in 13 frames.
No. 29: Matt Chapman, 3B, Oakland Athletics
The small-market Oakland Athletics are known for jettisoning stars to restock their farm system. Third baseman Matt Chapman may be in that boat in the near(ish) future.
For now, the 25-year-old is coming off a breakout 2017 in which he hit 14 home runs in 84 games. He's hitting a ho-hum .228 this season, but he has three doubles, three triples and six homers in 35 games.
Add his exemplary defense, and he's an unproven stud on the rise who could sail up these rankings with a hot month or two.
No. 28: Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals
After missing the first 20 games of the season with a knee injury, Salvador Perez has hit .273 in 55 at-bats for the Kansas City Royals.
Perez, who turns 28 on Thursday, remains among the top backstops in the game, and he's a leader on a Royals club that let center fielder Lorenzo Cain and first baseman Eric Hosmer walk via free agency.
The early disabled list stint calls his durability into question, however, as K.C. moves toward a seemingly inevitable rebuild.
No. 27: Brian Dozier, 2B, Minnesota Twins
In 2016, Brian Dozier became the fourth second basemen in MLB history to reach 40 home runs in a season. He followed that up with 34 home runs in 2017.
He's hit five home runs in 31 games with the Minnesota Twins but is also hitting .226 with a .290 on-base percentage.
Needless to say, those numbers need to improve for him to maintain his star rating.
No. 26: Marcell Ozuna, LF, St. Louis Cardinals
After coming over from the Miami Marlins for a rich package of prospects in December, Marcell Ozuna was supposed to be the lineup anchor the St. Louis Cardinals lacked.
The 27-year-old two-time All-Star hasn't lived up to expectations in the early going.
His power has been MIA, as he's managed only two home runs and a .618 OPS. There's every reason to assume he'll come around, but the Cards will wring their wings in the interim.
No. 25: Josh Donaldson, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays
It's been a dispiriting contract year for Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson. The three-time All-Star and 2015 American League MVP has played in only 17 games while battling shoulder issues and is hitting .224.
Donaldson has hit two home runs and a pair of doubles in five games since returning from the disabled list last week, which is good news for the Jays and possibly even better news for the 32-year-old's future bank account.
No. 24: Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers
A future Hall of Famer and four-time All-Star, Adrian Beltre is the alpha dog on the Texas Rangers roster even at age 39.
Troublingly, he hasn't played since April 24 because of a hamstring injury.
He could return soon, however, per Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News. And prior to his DL stint, he was hitting .310 with an .803 OPS.
No. 23: J.T. Realmuto, C, Miami Marlins
The Marlins spent the winter jettisoning stars, as they traded away their entire 2017 starting outfield and speed second baseman Dee Gordon.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto may be gone by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline or sooner, but for now, he's hitting .328 with a .950 OPS for the Fish after weathering an early back problem.
Expect suitors to line up for the 27-year-old.
No. 22: Aaron Nola, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies have gotten off to a strong start in the surprisingly deep National League East, thanks in no small part to burgeoning ace Aaron Nola.
In seven starts, the 24-year-old is 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA.
"So now [Nola] has this electric fastball whenever he needs it, he's got a changeup keeping hitters off balance and he's always got his go-to curveball," Phils skipper Gabe Kapler said, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. "It's a lot for a hitter to think about."
No. 21: Giancarlo Stanton, DH, New York Yankees
Giancarlo Stanton's New York Yankees tenure hasn't begun the way he hoped.
Through 34 games, he is hitting .227 with 53 strikeouts. He's heard boos from the Bronx faithful.
At the same time, he's the reigning NL MVP after clubbing 59 homers with the Marlins in 2017. Say what you want about Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius—Stanton is the Yanks' brightest star.
He has ample time to turn it around. For the moment, his brief tenure in pinstripes is mixed to say the least.
Nos. 20-11
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No. 20: Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .225. To call that uncharacteristic for the Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman is like saying Phoenix is slightly toasty in the summer.
Goldschmidt also has seven doubles, two triples and four home runs among his 27 hits, so he hasn't forgotten how to strike the ball with authority.
As the D-backs try to slither to supremacy in the NL West, they're crossing their fingers, tails and other appendages for a full-blown Goldy explosion.
No. 19: Chris Archer, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays
The bad news? Tampa Bay Rays ace Chris Archer has a 5.32 ERA in eight starts and has yielded 52 hits in 45.2 frames.
The good news? He's averaged a robust 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings, and his 3.57 xFIP suggests a degree of misfortune.
Archer needs to nudge his ERA downward if he's going to help the Rays mount a postseason push or serve as summer trade bait. Even as things stand, he's among the game's most enticing arms.
No. 18: Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
An oblique injury slowed Christian Yelich in April, but the 26-year-old remains the centerpiece of the Milwaukee Brewers after they acquired him from Miami this winter.
Overall, Yelich is hitting .281 with an .806 OPS. In May, he's hitting .316 with a .960 OPS.
"The Brewers are a good, young team. All you can ask for is the chance to win," Yelich said, per Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I was excited for the fresh start. The new opportunity."
No. 17: Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers
Miguel Cabrera endured his worst MLB season in 2017. It was reasonable to wonder if the all-time great and Detroit Tigers franchise backbone was finished.
In 26 games, Cabrera let his bat do the talking with a .323 average and .924 OPS.
A hamstring injury tossed a wet blanket on the inspiring comeback narrative. Assuming Cabrera can return to the field, he remains a decent bet to put up high-caliber stats.
No. 16: Robinson Cano, 2B, Seattle Mariners
Speaking of veteran infielders with a realistic crack at Cooperstown, Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano is hitting .283 with an .817 OPS.
Those figures are below his career averages of .304 and .848, but Cano is a key cog in a Mariners offense that ranks fifth in baseball with a .750 OPS.
No. 15: Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox
There's an army of young talent nipping at Jose Abreu's ankles. Soon enough, the Cuban slugger will be replaced as the ChiSox's top star. Until then, he's doing his part with seven home runs in 31 games.
The 31-year-old isn't set to reach free agency until after the 2019 campaign, meaning he could be a valuable trade chip for the rebuilding South Siders.
No. 14: Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves
Like the White Sox, the Atlanta Braves are laden with up-and-coming studs. Also like the White Sox, their biggest star plies his trade at first base.
With a .307 average and .950 OPS, Freddie Freeman is in the thick of the Braves' potent offensive attack.
In his age-28 season, he's also primed to be a leader on one of baseball's most intriguing clubs.
No. 13: Eric Hosmer, 1B, San Diego Padres
After a slow start with the San Diego Padres, Eric Hosmer has begun living up to the eight-year, $144 million deal he signed with the Friars this offseason.
Hosmer's .908 OPS ranks fourth among qualified first basemen, and he's tallied five home runs and 11 doubles.
"I realize how the season goes," Hosmer said, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "You feel like a majority of times you're battling to tread water. Then there are times that you're hot that you're making the most of it."
No. 12: Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
The words "Clayton Kershaw" and "biceps tendinitis" sent a shudder through a Los Angeles Dodgers fanbase that's already watched its team go 15-19 one season after marching to Game 7 of the World Series.
Kershaw's injury is indeed troubling. The 30-year-old has earned the benefit of the doubt, however, with three career Cy Young Awards and a 2.86 ERA before he went on the shelf.
Kershaw will eventually cede the title of best pitcher in baseball. Whether we've reached that point is TBD.
No. 11: Noah Syndergaard, RHP, New York Mets
On the subject of best-pitcher-in-baseball contenders, Noah Syndergaard is back.
After missing most of 2017 with a torn lat muscle, Thor has struck out 54 in 46.2 innings and has a 3.09 ERA for the New York Mets. His average fastball has clocked in at 98.2 mph.
The Mets' success rests on the health and effectiveness of their starting rotation. So far, so good for Syndergaard.
No. 10: Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants
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Despite being without ace Madison Bumgarner (finger) for the entire season thus far and losing co-ace Johnny Cueto to a sprained elbow, the San Francisco Giants are above .500. That's thanks to an offense that has risen from the ashes of a disastrous 2017, when the Giants finished dead last in home runs and OPS.
It's also thanks to the continued excellence of Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III, who remains the best catcher in baseball until further notice.
In 29 games, Posey is hitting .317 with an .827 OPS while providing a consistent, steady presence behind the dish.
At some point, the 31-year-old will need to transition to another position (likely first base) to save his legs. Thankfully, we haven't reached that point yet.
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No. 9: Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
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After finishing second in NL MVP voting last season, Joey Votto stumbled off the starting blocks in 2018.
On April 10, the Cincinnati Reds first baseman was hitting .231 with a .279 on-base percentage and no extra-base hits.
He's since picked up the pace, raising his average to .282 and his OBP to .404 while smacking five home runs and five doubles.
The 34-year-old will continue to toil on a rebuilding club with zero postseason aspirations. However, reports of his demise were premature.
No. 8: Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs
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Kris Bryant was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2015. He was the NL MVP in 2016. Because of those lofty standards, the 29 homers and .295 average he produced in 2017 were a mild letdown.
In 28 games this season, Bryant owns a .290 average and five homers. He's one of the game's elite hitters and he plays on a legitimate World Series contender. But the Cubs—and the rest of us—are waiting for him to return to the otherworldly production he teased at in his first two campaigns.
The good news? Bryant boasts a 1.025 OPS with three home runs in May. In other words, liftoff could be imminent.
No. 7: Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros
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After making his fifth All-Star team and winning AL MVP honors in 2017, Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had a lot to live up to.
The diminutive Venezuelan is off to an excellent start. He's hitting .322 and is tied for the MLB lead with 48 hits.
His double play partner, shortstop Carlos Correa, could supplant him down the road as the Astros' biggest star. Center fielder George Springer may enter the conversation as well.
Until further notice, however, Altuve stands tall. Figuratively speaking, anyway.
No. 6: Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies
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Perhaps it's because he's played in only one postseason game. Perhaps it's because he compiles his stats at Mile High altitude. For whatever reason, it's easy to take Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado for granted.
Don't do it.
Through 30 games, Arenado is hitting .315 with a 1.021 OPS. He's one of the best all-around players in the game, with no qualifications required.
Oh, you need more? How about this: At age 27, Arenado has collected five Gold Gloves, three All-Star appearances and three top-10 MVP finishes.
The only other players to accomplish that feat through their age-26 season, per MLB.com's Chris Landers? Ken Griffey Jr. and Johnny Bench.
So...yeah.
No. 5: Bryce Harper, RF, Washington Nationals
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In what could be his final season with the Washington Nationals, Bryce Harper has endured some bad luck.
He's tied for second in the game with 12 home runs and owns a robust .979 OPS. His batting average, meanwhile, sits at a so-so .237.
That's due largely to a paltry .188 batting average on balls in play, which pales in comparison to his career BABIP of .317. HIs hard-contact rate, meanwhile, sits at 44.3 percent compared to a career mark of 34.8 percent.
Add it up, and you have an already good contract-year Bryce Harper who should soon make the leap to frighteningly great.
No. 4: Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians
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You could make a case for ace and two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber as the Cleveland Indians' biggest star.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor is eroding that case with a scalding start.
One of baseball's best defensive shortstops, the two-time All-Star and 2016 Gold Glove winner has flexed his muscles with eight home runs in 34 games and is tied for sixth in MLB with a 1.9 WAR, per FanGraphs.
It's a tough call between him and the Klubot, who owns a typically stellar 2.41 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 52.1 innings, but for now, we're giving the slight edge to Lindor, based in part on the 0.9 WAR edge he has on his rotation-fronting teammate this season.
No. 3: Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Orioles
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The Baltimore Orioles have limped out of the gate with an 8-26 record. Calls for a sell-off should increase as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches.
If so, the Orioles' hottest commodity will be Manny Machado.
Yes, Machado is an impending free agent and would thus be a highly expensive rental. He also could be worth it for a win-now contender with a need on the left side of the infield (cough, Los Angeles Dodgers).
Through 34 games, Machado is hitting .346 with a 1.054 OPS. His full-time conversion to shortstop has been mostly successful, but his long track record as a top-tier defensive third baseman only broadens his appeal.
For now, he's the most watchable part of a largely unwatchable Baltimore club.
No. 2: RF Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
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After finishing second in the 2016 AL MVP voting, Mookie Betts took a slight step back in 2017, though he still won a Gold Glove and cracked 24 homers.
So far in 2018, the Boston Red Sox right fielder is launching himself back into the MLB stratosphere.
Through 30 games, Betts paces baseball in average (.355), home runs (13) and OPS (1.252).
He's had a pair of three-homer games this season and owns four such outings in his young career, which pushes him past a guy named Ted Williams on the Red Sox's all-time three-homer-game list, per ESPN.com's David Schoenfield.
Any time a Boston player gets mentioned in the same sentence as Williams, it's safe to say said player is on the proper trajectory.
No. 1: Mike Trout, CF, Los Angeles Angels
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Mike Trout is boring—or at least predictable—in the best sense of the word.
Every year, we know he'll be great. Every year, he is. He doesn't boast the most compelling personality in baseball, but he owns the most impressive, unimpeachable skill set.
So far in 2018, he's got 12 home runs, a .336 average and 3.0 WAR, which leads MLB—if you required statistical evidence.
Which you don't, because he's Trout.
Oh, did we mention he's 26 years old? We're going to enjoy this guy for a long time—and that's predictably good for everyone.
All statistics current as of Monday and courtesy of FanGraphs and Baseball Reference.
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