Buster OlneyFeb 16, 2026, 11:00 PM
CloseSenior writer ESPN Magazine/ESPN.com
Analyst/reporter ESPN television
Author of “The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty”
Multiple Authors
As spring training camps begin, it is time to look at the state of baseball. As part of our 2026 MLB season preview, ESPN’s Buster Olney surveyed those around the industry to help him rank the top 10 players at every position as part of his annual positional ranking series.
The objective of this exercise is to identify the best players for the 2026 season, not who might be best in five years or over their career.
We will roll out a position per day over the next two weeks. Here’s the rollout schedule: starting pitchers (2/16), relievers (2/17), catchers, (2/18), first basemen (2/19), second basemen (2/20), third basemen (2/23), shortstops (2/24), corner outfielders (2/25), center fielders (2/26) and designated hitters (2/27).
Who are the best players today? Check out who makes the list at every position.
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