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The 2024 MLB season is quickly approaching. Both the National and American League are full of stars — both veterans and youngsters. These are the 25 Best MLB Players Entering 2024.
25. Zac Gallen
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2023 Stats: 17-9, 3.47 ERA, 220 SO, 1.119 WHIP
Zac Gallen is often overlooked despite Arizona’s pennant win. The 28-year-old starting pitcher is coming off his best year as a pro. After a tough ’21, he rebounded remarkably in ’22, landing fifth in Cy Young voting with a stellar 2.54 ERA. In ’23, he climbed to third in Cy Young voting, leading the D-Backs through the National League playoff bracket and into the World Series. His diverse pitch arsenal, notably his spin-heavy fastball and cutter, keeps hitters guessing. Gallen’s mastery solidifies him as a premier league talent.
24. Fernando Tatis Jr.
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2023 Stats: 25 HR, 78 RBI, 148 H, 29 SB, .257/.322/.449
San Diego’s electric outfielder is coming off his worst season at the plate to date. And, he still managed to slug 25 homers, hit well above league average, and finish in the top-15 in NL MVP voting. Tatis’ floor is higher than most players’ ceilings. From ’19-’21, Tatis was among the most potent sluggers in baseball. He led the National League with 42 HR in 2021 and was awarded a Silver Slugger in ’20 and ’21. Though he struggled (by his standards) at the plate last year, he emerged as one of the league’s stingiest defenders. Moving him from shortstop ended up being a genius move for the Padres, as Tatis was able to unleash his incredible speed en route to capturing a Gold Glove for his play in right field.
23. Corbin Burnes
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2023 Stats: 10-8, 3.39 ERA, 200 SO, 1.069 WHIP
Corbin Burnes has been a dominant force on the mound since making his debut in 2018. Transitioning to a full-time starter during the shortened 2020 season, Burnes has finished in the top-8 of Cy Young voting since converting to a starter. Burnes won the Cy in 2021 with the Brewers — but he is now set for a new challenge. The ace is now a member of the upstart Orioles. Fortunately, renovations made to Camden Yards ahead of the 2023 season are favorable to pitchers. Burnes should compete for his second Cy in Year 1 with the O’s.
22. Corbin Carroll
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2023 Stats: 25 HR, 76 RBI, 161 H, 116 R, 54 SB, .285/.362/.506
The defending NL Rookie of the Year was an absolute sensation for the Diamondbacks. Carroll wasted no time asserting himself as one of the top all-around players in the game. It’s rare to see a rookie with no obvious flaws in his profile. Carroll has a strong hit tool, can draw walks, has plenty of power despite his slender frame, and is one of the fastest runners in the league. The bright lights did not rattle Carroll during the Diamondbacks’ postseason run, as he registered a .273 BA and stole five bags during Arizona’s World Series run. It’s going to be an absolute treat to watch his career unfold over the next decade.
21. Kyle Tucker
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2023 Stats: 29 HR, 112 RBI, 163 H, 30 SB, .284/.369/.517
The Astros have been able to extend their championship window thanks to players like Kyle Tucker. The former first-round pick debuted back in 2018 – the year after Houston won its first title. He didn’t become a full-time starter until the shortened 2020 campaign and hasn’t looked back since. Last year, Tucker led the AL in RBI (112) en route to finishing fifth in MVP voting. After hitting 30 HR in each of the previous two seasons, Tucker fell one homer short of joining the 30-30 club in ’23 (set a career-high with 30 swipes). Still just 27 years old, Tucker will be a star for the Astros for years to come.
20. Marcus Semien
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2023 Stats: 29 HR, 100 RBI, 185 H, 122 R, 14 SB, .276/.348/.478
Even after helping Texas win a World Series, Marcus Semien is still among the game’s most underrated players. He’s finished in the top-3 of AL MVP voting in three of the last five seasons. There aren’t many defenders more reliable at both spots in the middle infield. Semien had developed into an excellent defensive shortstop during his time in Oakland and won his first Gold Glove at second base for the Blue Jays. For those who love advanced stats, Semien led the league in total WAR last year (7.4) and has three seasons compiling at least 7.0 WAR. Dependable as they come, Semien is an absolute iron man for the defending champions.
19. Francisco Lindor
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2023 Stats: 31 HR, 98 RBI, 153 H, 108 R, 31 SB, .254/.336/.470
After coming over from Cleveland three years ago, some believed Lindor wasn’t living up to his lofty contract. Well, the last two seasons have quieted even his loudest critics. Lindor has appeared in 321 out of a possible 324 games for New York over the last two years and has been among the most well-rounded baseball players in the league during that span. In 2023, he was one of four players to join the 30-30 club. He accomplished that feat while also being one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. Lindor just turned 30 years old, and still has plenty of room to grow. His .254 average is not emblematic of his career (lifetime .274 hitter). If that number rises in ’24, Lindor will emerge as one of the top hitters in the league.
18. Adley Rutschman
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2023 Stats: 20 HR, 80 RBI, 163 H, .277/.374/.435
Adley Rutschman, the No. 1 pick in 2019, is already a star. The former Oregon State Beaver great is one of the cornerstones of a Baltimore franchise that appears poised to compete for the American League pennant for years to come. Rutschman is at the top of his craft behind the plate and with a bat in his hands. He hits for power and average and has a strong arm and quick release while trying to throw out baserunners.
17. Spencer Strider
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2023 Stats: 20-5, 3.86 ERA, 281 SO, 1.093 WHIP
Spencer Strider has quickly become one of the best pitchers in baseball. Following a rookie season in 2022 in which he went 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA and 202 SO in 131.2 IP, Strider became an All-Star and Cy Young candidate last year. The flamethrower fanned an MLB-high 281 batters and also led the league in wins (20), FIP (2.85) and SO9 (13.5). Atlanta’s ace went 0-2 in the NLDS against Philadelphia, but he will surely redeem himself in 2024. Strider is a future Cy Young winner.
16. Austin Riley
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2023 Stats: 37 HR, 97 RBI, 179 H, 117 R, .281/.345/.516
The powerful righty has been one of the best third basemen in baseball for three years in a row. Hitting in the middle of Atlanta’s stacked lineup, the Braves routinely called upon Riley to deliver in clutch situations. And, more often than not, Riley responded to the call. Entering his age 27 season, Riley will only continue to get better as his career progresses. Riley has hit at least 33 HR in the past three seasons and has played in all but eight games. Since 2021, Riley has averaged 36 HR and 99 RBI while slashing .286/.354/.525 — pretty damn good.
15. Matt Olson
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2023 Stats: 54 HR, 139 RBI, 172 H, 127 R, .283/.389/.604
Freddie Freeman remains one of the best players in baseball, but Matt Olson was simply sensational for the Braves last season. In his second year manning first base for Atlanta, Olson set career-highs with 54 HR, 139 RBI, a .283 BA, and a. 389 OBP. In addition to those marks, Olson led the National League with a .604 SLG. Despite his incredible numbers, Olson finished fourth for the NL MVP behind teammate Ronald Acuna Jr. as well as Mookie Betts and Freeman.
14. Julio Rodriguez
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2023 Stats: 32 HR, 103 RBI, 180 H, 37 SB, .275/.333/.485
J-Rod’s rookie year in 2022 was something special. Rodriguez provided plenty of highlights (both at the plate and in the field) and registered a .905 OPS. Since 2000, only six rookies have had an OPS above .905. Five of those players went on to win MVP (Trout, Bellinger, Judge, Pujols, and Abreu) and the last is a two-time All-Star with two Home Run Derby wins (Alonso). Seattle’s star struggled through mid-July in Year 2 (13 HR, .244 BA on July 22), but he turned it on down the stretch. J-Rod hit .321 the rest of the way and nearly led the Mariners back to the playoffs. His all-around ability is not matched by many players in the world.
13. Trea Turner
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2023 Stats: 26 HR, 76 RBI, 170 H, 30 SB, .266/.320/.459
If you sign an 11-year/$300 million contract, you are probably pretty good at your craft. Trea Turner made waves in the 2022 offseason when he signed with the defending National League champion Phillies. Turner is an elite shortstop capable of beating teams with his bat and his legs. He went through a terrible stretch in his first year with the club — but by the end of the season, he was playing up to his contract. Through August 3, Turner hit .235 with 10 HR and 34 RBI. Over his final 44 games, the star slashed .337/.389/.668 with 16 HR and 42 RBI.
12. Jose Ramirez
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2023 Stats: 24 HR, 80 RBI, 172 H, 28 SB, .282/.356/.475
Ramirez has been one of the top position players in the sport for nearly a decade. The 5-foot-9 infielder generates immense power in his compact frame and has good speed — over 200 HR and 200 SB for his career. JoRam has finished in the top-10 for the American League MVP six times dating back to 2017 and has four finishes in the top-4. The star certainly could use some help in Cleveland. He has been intentionally walked 42 total times in the past two years, leading the league on both occasions.
11. Juan Soto
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2023 Stats: 35 HR, 109 RBI, 156 H, 97 R, 12 SB, .275/.410/.519
There are not many better pure hitters in baseball than Juan Soto. The combo of massive power plus elite discipline makes him an impossible matchup for pitchers. Soto is perfectly content drawing out long at-bats, and striking when he receives the pitch he was ultimately looking for. Soto never appeared to be completely comfortable in 2022 or 2023, but we are betting on a huge year with the Yankees in ’24. The young star led MLB in walks for the third year in a row (132) and boosted his BA by nearly 40 points last season. The 25-year-old should feast at Yankee Stadium.
10. Gerrit Cole
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2023 Stats: 15-4, 2.63 ERA, 222 SO, 0.981 WHIP
Since joining the Bronx Bombers, Cole has four top-10 Cy Young finishes in as many years and has collected 816 punch-outs in 664 innings pitched. After a so-so (by his standards) 2022, Cole was dominant in ’23 en route to his first Cy Young. Cole’s 2.63 ERA led the American League, and he also paced the league in IP (209.0), shutouts (two), WHIP (0.981) and H9 (6.8). Cole can dominate any given game and he is vital to New York’s chances of returning to the postseason and making some noise in October.
9. Corey Seager
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2023 Stats: 33 HR, 96 RBI, 156 H, .327/.390/.623
The game’s premier shortstop resides in Texas. If there was any doubt as to who the best shortstop in the game was ahead of the 2023 season, there is no doubt now. The only thing that could slow down Seager last season were nagging injuries. In 119 games, Seager hit .327 with 33 HR, 96 RBI and posted a 6.9 WAR. If not for the sensation that is Shohei Ohtani, Seager would have won the American League MVP. However, we are certain he is happy with how the season ended. Seager guided Texas to its first World Series triumph and won his second WS MVP. After hitting a homer in Game 7 of the ALCS, Seager launched three more bombs in the World Series. October is Seager’s time to shine.
8. Bryce Harper
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2023 Stats: 21 HR, 72 RBI, 134 H, 11 SB, .293/.401/.499
In 2023, Bryce Harper returned from Tommy John surgery earlier than expected and helped Philadelphia reach the NLCS for the second season in a row. Limited to playing DH and first base, Harper got off to a bit of a slow start at the plate — but his power returned in the summer and the team flourished. Harper is electric at the plate and his energy makes a large impact on his teammates. Like another star player we will discuss shortly, Harper has been asked to switch positions ahead of the new season. Harper will be Philadelphia’s everyday first baseman in 2024. Will he make a run for a third MVP?
7. Yordan Alvarez
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2023 Stats: 31 HR, 97 RBI, 120 H, .293/.407/.583
Yordan Alvarez is one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Houston’s superstar has been a stud since his debut in 2019 — he won Rookie of the Year thanks to hitting .313 with 27 HR in 87 games — and he is only getting better. Last season, slashed .293/.407/.583 with a 0.990 OPS. The great slugger took his game to another level in the postseason, as well. In the ALDS, Alvarez smacked four home runs to help Houston dispatch Minnesota in four games. He hit two more homers against Texas in the ALCS and finished the playoffs with a .482 BA.
6. Mike Trout
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2023 Stats: 18 HR, 44 RBI, 81 H, .263/.367/.490
Last year, we had Mike Trout ranked No. 2 behind Shohei Ohtani. One of the best players in the history of the game, Trout endured arguably the worst season of his career in 2023. A three-time American League MVP and four-time runner-up for the award, Trout’s health has been a lingering concern for a few years now. After appearing in just 36 games in 2021 due to a calf injury, Trout played in 119 games in ’22. Unfortunately, a wrist injury limited the star to 82 games last year. Trout’s .263 BA was his worst mark since he played 40 games as a 19-year-old — and his 104 strikeouts were a bit alarming. Still, a healthy Trout is one of the best players in the world. We are willing to bet on him until he proves he cannot perform.
5. Freddie Freeman
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2023 Stats: 29 HR, 102 RBI, 211 H, 23 SB, 131 R, .331/.410/.567
Following a great debut season with the Dodgers in 2022, Freeman was once again one of the best players in the world in 2023. The veteran led baseball with 59 doubles — narrowly missing out on becoming the first player since 1936 to hit 60 doubles in one season — and his .331 BA was the league’s third-best mark. Between his elite ability at the plate and reliable glove at first base, Freeman is easily one of the most valuable players in the league. Including his MVP season in 2020, Freeman has finished in the top-10 for MVP six seasons in a row.
4. Mookie Betts
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2023 Stats: 39 HR, 107 RBI, 179 H, 14 SB, 126 R, .307/.408/.579
After battling a painful hip injury for most of the 2021 season, Betts has turned it on the past two years. Before having a disastrous showing against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the postseason, Betts put together his best year as a Dodger. Betts hit a career-high 39 HR and played excellent defense in both right field and second base. The future Hall of Famer finished second to Ronald Acuna Jr. for the National League MVP. Betts’ versatility is a huge weapon for the Dodgers. This year, Betts will be tasked with being the everyday second baseman.
3. Aaron Judge
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2023 Stats: 37 HR, 75 RBI, 98 H, .267/.406/.613
In 2022, Aaron Judge went from being an All-Star level player to a man whose name will never be forgotten. New York’s star attraction set an American League record with 62 home runs and led baseball in a slew of categories. Judge paced baseball in runs (133), RBI (131), OBP (.425), SLG (.686), and OPS (1.111). Judge nearly captured the Triple Crown, as well.
Unfortunately, Judge’s ’23 campaign was hampered by a torn ligament in his toe that was the result of a collision with the outfield fence at Dodger Stadium. Judge remains one of the game’s elite players, but even he has admitted the toe is a lingering concern: “It’s going to be, I think, a constant maintenance … the rest of my career,” Judge said via The Associated Press. “Anything with injuries like that, you just got to stay on top of it so it doesn’t flare up again.”
2. Ronald Acuna Jr.
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2023 Stats: 41 HR, 106 RBI, 217 H, 73 SB, 149 R, .337/.416/.596
The reigning National League MVP, Ronald Acuna Jr. is already an incredibly accomplished player at such a young age. The four-time All-Star is the prototype of a five-tool player. Acuna is one of the best power-speed combos in the game today. In his first full season back following his recovery from a torn ACL, Acuna set the league on fire. In addition to hitting .337 with 41 HR, the star took full advantage of the new rules and swiped an absurd 73 bases. Acuna led baseball in hits, runs, stolen bases and OBP.
1. Shohei Ohtani
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2023 Stats (Batting): 44 HR, 95 RBI, 151 H, 20 SB, .304/.412/.654
2023 Stats (Pitching): 10-5, 3.14 ERA, 167 SO, 1.061 WHIP
Shohei Ohtani is in a class of his own. After winning the 2021 American League MVP, Ohtani was even better in ’22. And while Aaron Judge’s performance certainly warranted an MVP, Ohtani arguably was robbed of his second MVP in a row. In ’23, Ohtani left no doubt. In his last season with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani earned his second MVP. He launched an American League-best 44 HR and also paced the league in OBP, SLG and OPS. Tommy John surgery ended his year prematurely — robbing Ohtani of an opportunity to hit 50+ homers and also from taking the mound this season.
