We are nearly two weeks away from Opening Day 2025. The best the MLB has to offer will be presented to viewers worldwide on March 27, 2025. Before first pitch, I ranked the top 25 players in the game we call “America’s Pastime”.
Will your favorite player make the list? Let’s find out!
Shohei Ohtani
The MLB’s most talented player in recent years has become the face of the league, and he is not even a U.S. citizen yet. Last year, Shohei Ohtani traveled 31 miles north to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. On December 11, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million dollar contract, which was the largest contract in professional sports history at the time of the signing. In 2024, the two-way superstar was limited to just hitting, serving as the Dodgers designated hitter as he recovered from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. People questioned if Ohtani could win an MVP award as a hitter alone, he had a historic response to the doubters.
Ohtani finished the regular season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. He is the first player in MLB history to hit 50+ home runs and steal 50+ bags. He also became a World Series Champion in his first ever postseason appearance.
Ohtani will return to the DH position to start 2025, while pursuing a return to the bump.
Aaron Judge
Who could win the MVP award after batting .197 through his first 33 games? The captain can.
In 2022, Aaron Judge was named the 16th captain in New York Yankees history after a historic MVP season. He hit a league-leading 62 long balls, while slashing .311/.425/.686, resulting in Judge winning his first MVP award. In 2024, he topped his first MVP campaign by slashing .322/.458/.701, while adding a league-leading 58 home runs and a career-high 144 RBI.
In May 2024, Judge had one of the best months in MLB history. He slashed .361/.479/.918 with 14 home runs and 26 extra base hits, which is the most by a Yankee in a calendar month since Joe DiMaggio in July 1937.
Last year, the Yankees made it to the World Series, losing to the Dodgers in 5 games. Judge has struggled mightily in the postseason throughout his career, and with Soto leaving in free agency, Judge has to perform in the playoffs if the Yankees want to win another pennant.
Bobby Witt Jr.
After signing an 11-year, $288 million contract, Bobby Witt Jr. has played his best ball of his short career. The third-year man and former Perfect Game All-American slashed .332/.389/.588 with 88 extra base hits.
It was a year of firsts for Witt in 2024. Witt won his first batting title, his first golden glove, his first silver slugger, and was elected to his first All-Star Game. He also became the first shortstop in MLB history to have multiple 30 home run, 30 stolen base seasons and he has done it in consecutive seasons.
In 2024, the 24-year old superstar was critical to the Royals clinching a postseason berth for the first time in nine years. The Royals have him locked up for another ten years, we will see how they plan to build around their franchise player.
Juan Soto
The most disciplined hitter in baseball inked the richest contract in professional sports history this past offseason, signing a 15-year, $765 million contract to join the New York Mets. In 2024, Soto was traded to the New York Yankees. According to USA Today, the Yankees are the 4th most valuable sports organization in the world and Soto had one year to prove that he was worth a lucrative deal in the future. Most people would feel an immense amount of pressure in those circumstances.
Not Soto.
In 2024, Soto set career-highs in hits (166), runs (128), and home runs (41). Soto carried the load offensively for the Yankees in the postseason too. Slashing playoff career-highs in batting average (.327), on-base percentage (.469), and slugging percentage (.633). He also finished top three in MVP voting.
Soto has been clutch in his postseason career and in Game 5 of the ALDS he showed once again why he is one of the most elite hitters in today’s game. With the score tied 2-2 in the 10th inning, Soto launched a three-run home run to send the Yankees to their first World Series in 15 years.
Soto is now bringing his talents 10 miles south to Citi Field where he will join a Mets team fresh off an NLCS appearance.
Yordan Alvarez
In 2024, Alvarez was not talked about much, but once again produced great numbers. He slashed .308/.392/.567 with 35 home runs, while playing over 140 games for only the second time in his career. He also hit 30+ home runs for the fourth consecutive year, while striking out under 100 times. He is the one of three players to achieve that feat in 2024 (min. 400 at-bats).
Alvarez may see more action at designated hitter this year with All-Star Jose Altuve getting reps in left field in spring camp. Alvarez has never missed the postseason in his career. Let’s see if he can continue that trend in 2025.
Freddie Freeman
The 2024 World Series MVP powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to their second title in 4 years. But nobody would have thought it would be Freeman after what he went through in 2024. In August, Freeman missed eight games after his son Max was rushed to the hospital. Max was later diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
He would battle adversity throughout the year and still slash .282/.378/.476 with 22 home runs. This past season was considered a down year for Freeman who hit under .300 for only the second time in the last nine seasons.
Freeman would make up for his down year by making World Series history. In Game 4 of the World Series, Freeman hit a home run in his sixth consecutive World Series game, dating back to Game 5 of the 2021 World Series. Freeman’s biggest home run of the streak was a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.
The 35-year-old is currently the MLB’s active hits leader and is entering his 16th season.
José Ramírez
In 2024, Cleveland’s switch-hitting third baseman finished his 12th season in the big leagues and has quietly become one of the best hitters in the game. In 2024, Ramírez was one home run and one double away from becoming the second player in MLB history to record 40 home runs, 40 doubles, and 40 steals in a single season. Ramírez earned his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance and fifth Silver Slugger Award, which is most by any player in Guardians’ franchise history.
The 31-year-old has four years remaining on his contract. Let’s see how Ramírez climbs up the ranks in Guardians’ franchise history as his career continues.
Tarik Skubal
In 2024, the Detroit Tigers clinched a postseason berth for the first time in a decade and their ace played a huge part in making that happen. Skubal was unanimously awarded the AL Cy Young Award after he captured the Triple Crown of pitching. He led the league in wins (18), earned run average (2.39), and strikeouts (228). Skubal is the fifth Tiger in franchise history to win the Cy Young Award. The first since Max Scherzer did it in 2013.
Skubal avoided arbitration this upcoming season and is set to make $10.15 million in 2025. Another great season will set him up to get a long-term deal in Detroit sooner than later.
Mookie Betts
Betts is one of the most dynamic players in the game today. He is not the biggest guy, but he is extremely athletic and will take you deep if you sleep on him at the dish. Betts only played 116 games, which is the fewest games he has played in a season in his career. He was sidelined for nearly two months after being struck in the hand by a 98 MPH fastball that broke his left hand, but he did not miss a beat when he returned. In his first seven games back, he slashed .357/.379/.607.
Betts still popped 19 homers and played over 100 innings in three different positions. Betts earned All-Star honors for the eighth year in a row and his seventh Silver Slugger of his career. Betts is as reliable as they come. Last season, Betts added another championship to his hall of fame resume.
Francisco Lindor
Rounding out the top 10 is the 2024 runner-up in NL MVP voting. Shortstop Francisco Lindor took some time getting adjusted to the bigger market in New York, but now he has arrived. Last year, Lindor played his best baseball as a Met, slashing .273/.344/.500 with 33 home runs and 29 stolen bases. Lindor slugged over .500 for the first time since 2019.
According to Baseball Savant, Lindor also was in the 96th percentile in field run value. Lindor is widely considered one of the best shortstops in today’s game and he showed why in the last game of the regular season with a playoff berth on the line. Lindor drilled a two-run home run to give the Mets the lead in the 9th inning. That swing would propel the Mets to the postseason. The Mets would ride that momentum all the way to the NLCS where they would lose to the Dodgers in six games.
The Mets have signed their biggest free agent acquisition in Juan Soto this offseason. The Mets are looking to win now and Lindor will play a critical role in the team’s success going forward.
Bryce Harper
The Phillies’ superstar played over 140 games for the first time since his 2021 NL MVP season. In 2024, Harper slugged 30 home runs and 42 doubles, tying a career-high in doubles.
2024 Stats (league-wide): 42 2B (7th), .898 OPS (10th) , 30 HR (T-20th)
2024 Accolades (selection): All-Star (8x), Silver Slugger (4x)
Ketel Marte
The Diamondbacks star second baseman played his best season since 2019, where he was an All-Star. Marte slugged a career-high 36 home runs and played good defense at second base in 2024.
2024 Stats: .932 OPS (7th), 36 HR (10th), .292 AVG (T-12th)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (2x), Silver Slugger (1x), MVP finalist (3rd)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero rebounded from a down year in 2023 improving in all statistical categories, while coming one hit shy of 200 on the season. He was also one of three players who batted at least .320 and hit 30+ home runs in 2024. The others were Bobby Witt Jr. (MVP runner-up) and Aaron Judge (MVP winner).
2024 Stats: .323 AVG (2nd), .940 OPS (6th), 103 RBI (13th)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (4x), Silver Slugger (2x)
Paul Skenes
Not only does he look intimidating on the mound with his 6’6”, 260 pound frame, he has the stuff to back it up. Skenes would have a rookie season for the ages in 2024 as he would set the Pirates’ rookie record for strikeouts (170) and walk only 32 batters in 133 innings pitched. He would also become the first rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Hideo Nomo in 1995.
2024 Stats: 23 starts, 11-3, 1.96 ERA, 170 SO (Not qualified for league leaderboard)
2024 Accolades: Rookie of the Year, All-Star (1x), Cy Young Award finalist (3rd)
Gunnar Henderson
Henderson followed up his spectacular rookie season with an All-Star season that solidified him as the best shortstop under 25 we have in the game today. The 23-year old holds the Orioles franchise record for single season home runs by a shortstop with 37 and he is only in year three.
2024 Stats: 37 HR (9th), .893 OPS (11th), 7 3B (11th)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (1x)
Corey Seager
The Rangers’ shortstop dropped off statistically from last year, but still had a good season. In 2024, Seager hit 30+ home runs for the third consecutive season. Seager has entered himself into an elite power hitter tier. Since becoming a Ranger in 2022, Seager has averaged 515 at-bats, 32 home runs, and only 96 strikeouts.
2024 Stats: .512 SLG (14th), .865 OPS (14th), 30 HR (T-20th)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (5x)
Kyle Tucker
In 2024, Tucker was limited to a career-low 78 games due to a fractured right shin that he suffered on June 3 after fouling a ball off his right shin. He would not make his return until September 6. When he did return, he gave the Astros the spark plug they were missing to push them into the playoffs. In the last 18 games, Tucker slashed .365/.453/.587 and finished the season pumping 23 home runs in only 277 at-bats.
On December 13, Tucker was traded to the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs hope that the acquisition of Tucker can bring them back to the playoffs for the first time in 4 years.
2024 Stats: 78 G, .289 AVG, .993 OPS, 23 HR (Not qualified for league leaderboard)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (3x)
18. Ronald Acuña Jr.
In 2025, Ronald Acuña Jr. will be returning from his second major injury in 4 years. On May 26, Acuña was attempting to steal third base when he suddenly slammed on the brakes to return back to second base. Acuña would never make it back to second. Acuña fell to the ground holding his left knee, rolling in pain. He would later be diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee on a freakish play. In 2021, Acuña tore his right ACL after attempting to make a play on a line drive in right field.
Acuña won the 2023 MVP award after becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season.
2024 Stats: 45 G, .255 AVG, 4 HR, 15 RBI (Not qualified for league leaderboard)
Zack Wheeler
Since Wheeler has become a Phillie in 2020 he has revitalized his career. A player who dealt with injuries early in his career, even sitting out the whole 2015 season after being diagnosed with a torn UCL has been remarkably healthy since signing with the Phils. Since 2021, Wheeler is averaging 31 starts, 190 innings pitched, and 212 strikeouts. Wheeler has also been the Cy Young Award winner runner-up twice (2021, 2024).
2024 Stats: 32 GS, 200 IP, 16-7, 2.57 ERA, 212 SO
2024 Accolades: All-Star (2x), Cy Young Award Finalist (2nd)
Rafael Devers
On September 24, Devers was shut down for the remainder of the season due to left shoulder inflammation. He was also dealing with a bruised knee throughout the season. The injuries did not stop him from producing a .871 OPS. The signing of Alex Bregman this offseason will give the Red Sox some flexibility and give Devers days off to rest his body if needed.
2024 Stats: .516 SLG (13th), .870 OPS (13th), 34 2B (19th)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (3x)
Corbin Burnes
In 2024, Burnes was elected to his fourth straight All-Star game and got his first All-Star game start of his career, this time as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. In December, the 2021 Cy Young Award Winner signed a six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which is the largest contract in franchise history.
2024 Stats: 32 GS, 194.1 IP, 15-9, 2.92 ERA, 181 SO
2024 Accolades: All-Star (4x)
Chris Sale
A spectacular season for Chris Sale, but an even better story. In 2024, the linky side-arm throwing lefty was traded to the Atlanta Braves after major injuries limited him to a total of only 151 innings pitched in the past 4 seasons. This was the third time Sale led the league in strikeouts in his hall of fame career with 225 and his first time winning the Triple Crown of pitching in his career.
2024 Stats: 29 GS, 177.2 IP, 18-3, 2.38 ERA, 225 SO
2024 Accolades: All-Star (8x), Cy Young Award Winner, Pitching Triple Crown Winner, Comeback Player of the Year
Jarren Duran
Credit: David Zalubowski / AP file
Duran looks like a football player in a baseball uniform on the diamond. His athletic frame and dynamic game makes fans have to stop what they are doing to watch. If the Red Sox are smart, they will keep Duran long-term.
2024 Stats: 48 2B (1st), 14 (1st), 111 R (8th)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (1x), All-Star Game MVP (1x)
William Contreras
Contreras is the best catcher in the game right now. He clearly has the best bat of any backstop. Since 2022, Contreras has averaged an OPS of .835, which is the highest OPS by a catcher in the last 3 seasons (avg. 450 AB per season). In 2024, he did regress behind the dish though. We’ll see if Contreras can put it all together in 2025.
2024 Stats: .365 OBP (T-16th), .281 (23rd), .831 (23rd)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (2x), Silver Slugger (2x)
Fernando Tatis Jr.
In 2024, Tatis had trouble staying healthy, only playing in 102 games. He still hit 21 home runs and played above average defense. Tatis is one of the most exciting players in the game today. We will see how many highlight reel plays Tatis has in store for us in 2025.
2024 Stats: .276 AVG, 21 HR, 49 RBI,.832 OPS (Not qualified for league leaderboard)
2024 Accolades: All-Star (2x)
Opening Day 2025 is Thursday, March 27th. The season starts in the Bronx with the Milwaukee Brewers on the road against last year’s AL pennant winners in the New York Yankees. First pitch is at 3:05 pm.
It is time to play ball!
Thank you for reading!
Elias Meredith
Comments