To create our annual MLB Rank list of the top 100 players in the sport, we presented a panel of ESPN baseball experts with pairings upon pairings of the biggest names in the game and asked one simple question: Which player will be better in 2023? But it raises the question: How do you...
Hoffman bounced between the rotation and bullpen during the first seven years of his career in Colorado and Cincinnati, but he settled into a late-inning role with the Phillies in 2023, posting back-to-back stellar seasons (2.28 ERA, 184 ERA+), while making his first All-Star team in 202...
Some big names from this tier will have something to prove going into the 2023 season. Fernando Tatis Jr., who is down to No. 26 from No. 3 last year, will be eligible to return to action following an 80-game suspension for violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment progr...
And now the drop-off. The three players in this tier could be in any order and this grade means they are in the 125 to 190 area of a minor league prospect list, to illustrate how big of a drop-off this really is. Gonzalez is a super productive lefty-hitting shortstop from the SEC,...
say tiers 3 you pick Story as your 1 seed (H) and McMahon as your 2 seed (V), Tiers 4 you pick Hoskins as your 1 seed (H) and Tatis Jr. and your 2 seed (V). Tier 5 has Adam Eaton as the 1 seed (H) and Travis d’Arnaud as the 2 seed (V), with the 6th tier being...
Here's a complete list of players who are on both lists: Shohei Ohtani It's just him, alright, and this has much to do with the unreal run he went on between 2021 and 2023. He was second among hitters with a .964 OPS and third among pitchers with a .607 OPS allowed. He hit ...
Realmuto in the top tier, while breakout seasons from Jonah Heim, Gabriel Moreno and 2023 rookies Francisco Álvarez, Yainer Diaz and Logan O'Hoppe have breathed new life into the position. Players were ranked based on expectations for the 2024 season. Offensive and defensive contributions...
A few years ago, Hader looked likely to match or exceed that number, but an up-and-down 2022 followed by a 2023 where he posted an excellent ERA but struggled with command has me thinking he’ll land in the next tier down. That’s still a pretty good place to be; Hader is one ...
Wilson had been a third baseman in 2021, but provided Grand Canyon with solid defense at short in 2022 after transitioning to the position. His ability to control the zone and play sound defense on the left side of the infield should lead him to an early selection in the 2023 MLB ...
would see Rodriguez dealt for a controllable young pitcher. Of course, Sanchez’s addition could also mean that the Pirates have again changed their mind about Davis being an option behind the plate, as the former first overall pick played right field almost exclusively during his 2023 rookie ...