Detroit, February 11, 2026 — The debate rages on: who truly reigns supreme at each position in Major League Baseball? The rankings are always subjective, sparking passionate arguments among fans and analysts alike, but the data offers a compelling starting point.
The Top Players, According to the Numbers
A breakdown of MLB’s top talent, position by position, as assessed by advanced analytics.
- Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal tops the list for starting pitchers, fresh off back-to-back Cy Young Awards.
- Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh’s power at the plate makes him the clear choice behind the dish.
- Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman continues his consistent excellence, leading the way at his position.
- Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals leads all players in hits, solidifying his spot at the top.
- Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge’s dominant 2025 season cemented his position as the best in right field.
Determining the best player at each position isn’t simple, and the results will inevitably raise eyebrows. But the discussion is part of what makes baseball so captivating. The rankings are based on a system called “The Shredder,” a research team’s collective analysis using both traditional and advanced metrics, alongside previous player performance.
What makes a player truly the “best”? It’s a complex question, but the data points to a combination of consistent performance, impactful statistics, and overall contribution to team success.
Pitching Prowess: Skubal Leads the Way
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has earned the top spot among starting pitchers. The back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner and ERA champion has recorded 469 strikeouts since the start of 2024 – more than any other pitcher in the league. His 0.89 WHIP last season was the best in the Majors, and he led AL pitchers with a 6.5 bWAR. While Pirates righty Paul Skenes also deserves consideration, Skubal officially takes the crown.
Power and Durability: Raleigh Behind the Plate
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners is the clear choice at catcher. He became just the fourth AL player – and the first not from the Yankees – to hit 60 home runs in a season, driving in an AL-best 125 runs and finishing second in the AL MVP race. An impressive 49 of those home runs came while playing catcher, the most in a single season for a primary backstop. His .948 OPS was also the highest among qualified primary catchers, and he demonstrated remarkable durability, playing in 159 games, including 121 behind the plate.
Freeman’s Consistent Excellence at First
Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers continues to dominate at first base. The 16-year veteran and nine-time All-Star led all primary National League first basemen in average (.295) and on-base percentage (.367), finishing second in OPS (.869). Entering 2026, Freeman leads all active players in hits (2,431), runs (1,379), doubles (547), RBIs (1,322), and total bases (4,145). He also recorded 12 games with three or more hits in 2025, the second-highest total among all primary first basemen.
Marte Sets the Standard at Second
Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks has established himself as the offensive benchmark for modern second basemen, earning his second consecutive No. 1 ranking. He led all qualified second basemen last season in on-base percentage (.376), OPS (.893), and extra-base hits (56). His 145 OPS+ was significantly higher than any other player at the position. Over the past three seasons, he’s averaged nearly 30 home runs, 83 RBIs, and an .887 OPS.
Ramírez Remains the Complete Package at Third
José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians once again ranks as the top third baseman, consistently delivering a well-rounded performance. He led his peers in on-base percentage (.360), OPS (.863), and stolen bases (44), tying for the highest bWAR in the group (5.8). His seven outs above average on defense ranked in the 93rd percentile in MLB. He also recorded his second straight (and third overall) 30-30 season and finished third in AL MVP voting.
Witt Jr. Shines at Shortstop
Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, like Ramírez at third, is an elite five-tool player. His 184 hits last season led all shortstops and were the most in MLB, as were his 47 doubles. He also led shortstops in OPS (.852), slugging (.501), extra-base hits (76), stolen bases (38), and bWAR (7.1). Defensively, Witt’s 21 OAA were the most among MLB shortstops, contributing to a second-straight top-five finish in the AL MVP race.
Duran Brings Speed and Power to Left
Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox brings a dynamic combination of speed and extra-base power to left field. For a second straight season, he hit double-digit triples (an AL-best 13) along with 41 doubles and 16 home runs, following a 2024 season where he led MLB in both triples (14) and doubles (48). His exceptional sprint speed (29.1 mph) ranks in the 91st percentile in MLB, and his throwing arm is valued among MLB’s best (93rd percentile), preventing six extra runs since the start of 2024 – tied for the third most among outfielders during that span.
Rodríguez Continues to Impress in Center
Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners is again No. 1 after a third All-Star campaign in 2025, matching his career-high in home runs (32). He led all AL players in plate appearances (710) and led all primary center fielders in hits (174) and total bases (309), also recording his second 30-30 season. In the field, Rodríguez possesses elite range, posting 11 OAA and ranking in the 97th percentile in MLB, while his throwing arm averages 92.6 mph and ranks in the 95th percentile. His 6.8 bWAR was the highest among primary center fielders.
Judge’s Dominance in Right Field
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees continues to solidify his legacy. In 2025, he led all MLB hitters in average (.331), on-base percentage (.457), slugging percentage (.688), OPS (1.145), and OPS+ (215). He also hit 53 home runs and drove in 114 runs, earning his second straight and third overall AL MVP Award. His hard-hit rate was in the 99th percentile in MLB, and his 24.7 percent barrel rate was the best in baseball. He also accounted for four OAA in right field in 2025.
Chapman’s Resurgent Season in Relief
Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox had his best overall season in over a decade in 2025, posting a 1.17 ERA in 67 relief appearances and notching 32 saves. In his age-37 season – and his first All-Star season since 2021 – the lefty held opponents to a .132 average and had a 0.70 WHIP, both the best marks among relievers with at least 40 appearances. From July 23 to Sept. 10, Chapman retired 50 consecutive batters. Overall, he was worth a career-high 3.5 bWAR, the highest among MLB relievers.
