MLB Network Nailed Their Annual Top 100 List; Shohei Ohtani Is The Best Player In Baseball
MLB Network wrapped up their top 100 list yesterday and I have to say, I think they got it right again. I figured they would fall into the Aaron Judge trap and vote him as #1 overall but that wasn't the case. Shohei Ohtani has been crowed the best player in baseball for the second year in a row and rightfully so. He's the best, he's the most talented player we've ever seen and probably ever will see. Every game he does something that we've never seen before and it's incredible to watch a guy basically be Giancarlo Stanton at the plate and Max Scherzer on the mound. Video game stuff every night. The whole list was put together great, but I do have some issues with the top 10.
Shohei they nailed, it's perfect. Judge at 2 is right, until Trout can show us that the can stay healthy and play over 150 games I'm not sure you can put him above Judge or Ohtani. Mookie Betts at 4 is a stretch I think, he's very, very good.....but Manny Machado should be above Betts. Maybe it's the Dodger blue that got him that high, and I'm not saying he isnt a top 10 player because he is. But I would have Manny at 4.
Nolan and Goldy seem right at 6 and 7 but I'd put Yordan Alvarez over José Ramirez at 8. Yordan is a weapon. An absolute weapon. He also has to show he can stay healthy but I think he's top 8. Freeman at 10 is fine, he's a really fun and good player. Top 10 is good but I'd rearrange it a tad. But again I am happy that they got it right with Shohei at the top.
Some other notes from the list, Trea Turner at 11 is fantastic. Feels like he always kind of slides under the radar but he's got a fantastic game. He can do it all. Juan Soto had an awful year last year and he is still ranked 12th, that may be the lowest we ever see him. 13-15 being Sandy Alcantara, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, terrible news for NL East hitters. Julio Rodriguez at 16 is probably the lowest we'll see him, the kid is a stud. Bryce at 17 seems wild too, he's much higher when fully healthy.
Carlos Correa is ranked 22nd and has paperclips taped together in his ankle, something is disconnected there. Tatis Jr. fell down to 26 with his PED suspension and injury, look for him to bounce way back. It is kind of weird seeing Jacob deGrom at 28, but again you have to stay healthy and he just can't. Kyle Tucker is another super underrated guy, top 30 for him seems right, maybe a tad higher. Lot of Astros love already on there.
Yankees getting the love with Cole and Rodón at 37-38, decent for your ace and 2. José Abreu at 40 seems high? I'd maybe drop him a little bit.
Adley at 41 has me all warm and fuzzy. He may be top 25 at this time next year, book it. Schwarber at 44 is interesting too. I thought he'd get more love but really the only thing he can do is hit bombs. Doesn't hit for average or play great defense so it makes sense. If Buxton could ever stay healthy he'd be much higher. He has an insane skillset. Marcus Semien was awful to start the season and rebounded quite nicely so it's nice to see him jump back up the board.
Not going to do a full rundown of the 100 but I think the rest of the list was pretty good. Nice to see something MLB related not be complete and total trash!