A few weeks before Opening Day of the 2026 MLB season, we created our annual MLB Rank list of the top 100 players in baseball to answer the question: Who will be the best player in 2026?<\/p>\n
More than four months later, we asked 17 ESPN MLB experts to give their ranking of the top 50 players in the sport this season. We averaged those lists to create an in-season update to our MLB Rank that gives us a chance to take a look at more than just who has excelled this season.<\/p>\n
Our list features the MVPs and Cy Young Award winners you\u2019d expect, as well as the budding young megastars who have broken out this season and could dominate MLB for many years. However, because we asked voters to rank players based on their overall impact on the 2026 season — combining what they\u2019ve done with what we expect them to do the rest of the way — you will see players such as Aaron Judge<\/a>, typically in the conversation for No. 1, further down on our list.<\/p>\n So, who is No. 1? Where does the best player on your team rank? And how different does this top-50 list look compared with our top 100 at the beginning of the season? To go with our updated ranking, 10 of our voters also broke down what each player has done and what to expect over the final months of the season.<\/p>\n (All stats entering Wednesday.)<\/p>\n 1. Shohei Ohtani, DH\/SP, Los Angeles Dodgers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Ohtani began the year performing like one of the best pitchers in the sport, so much so that, through the first three months, the prospect of him winning the National League Cy Young Award seemed very real. But then his left knee began to irritate him, prompting him to take a step back on the mound. Ohtani has a 1.79 ERA and has struck out 27.9% of hitters, but he also has not pitched since July 3. Offensively, his power numbers and stolen-base totals are down from last year, but he still trails only Yordan Alvarez<\/a> and Pete Crow-Armstrong<\/a> for the major league lead in OPS.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: A fifth MVP in six years seemed like a given for Ohtani not too long ago. Now, given Crow-Armstrong\u2019s emergence — which includes elite defense at a premium position — it might come down to whether Ohtani returns to pitch. He has restarted his throwing progression and will continue to build up. The hope remains for him to pitch in the playoffs, but he has several steps to clear before then. One thing to keep in mind: Because he doesn\u2019t count as one of the Dodgers\u2019 pitchers, Ohtani can start major league games even if he\u2019s stretched out to only one or two innings initially, like he did last year. — Alden Gonzalez<\/p>\n 2. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Chicago Cubs<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Sometimes when a player is described as \u201cdoing it all,\u201d that\u2019s not always the case — but in Crow-Armstrong\u2019s world, he qualifies … and then some.<\/p>\n He\u2019s among the league leaders in OPS, stolen bases and outs above average. That\u2019s getting it done at the plate, on the bases and in center field, where he snatches would-be hits, much to the delight of Cubs pitchers. His 100 point increase in on-base percentage from last year tells the story of his season: He has become a disciplined hitter while retaining his thump.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: More of the same if he wants to \u201cdethrone\u201d Ohtani as NL MVP. That was the word PCA jokingly used at the All-Star Game, but it\u2019s no longer a joke. He should reach a 30-homer, 40-stolen-base season while arguably playing the best defense of anyone in the game — or at least anyone in the outfield. That should get him to the brink of winning the award, depending on if Ohtani pitches again. The Cubs have gotten Crow-Armstrong off his feet lately, allowing him to DH some since the team picked up Tyrone Taylor<\/a> at the trade deadline last week. A rejuvenated PCA for September could be the difference between an MVP and\/or a division title for the Cubs. — Jesse Rogers<\/p>\n 3. Yordan Alvarez, DH, Houston Astros<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Oh, you know, just chasing a Triple Crown, something only 10 players have accomplished a total of 12 times since 1920, with Miguel Cabrera in 2012 the only player to do it since 1967. Usually, the batting crown is the toughest of the three categories (batting average, home runs and RBIs), but Alvarez, with a .322 average, has a 15-point lead over Chandler Simpson<\/a>. After playing only 48 games in 2025, he has sat out only two in 2026.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: The Triple Crown itself would make this a historic season, but Alvarez is having one of the best offensive seasons of the century, ranking 12th since 2000 in wRC+ (with four Barry Bonds and three Aaron Judge<\/a> seasons among those ahead of him). Alvarez has come close to seasons like this but has often played second fiddle behind Judge on the AL leaderboard or sat out time because of injuries. If he can stay healthy, he can hold off Junior Caminero<\/a> and Ben Rice<\/a> in home runs and Dillon Dingler<\/a> in RBIs. — David Schoenfield<\/p>\n 4. Jacob Misiorowski, SP, Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Turn in one of the most revelatory pitching seasons we\u2019ve seen in decades. It\u2019s not just Misiorowski\u2019s big-league-best 1.76 ERA or his 204 strikeouts in 133 innings. It\u2019s the raw stuff, pure and high octane. No starter has ever thrown his fastball as hard as Misiorowski by average (100.6 mph) or maximum (105.5 mph). Batters are hitting .147 against him, the lowest average in the past century.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Misiorowski already has exceeded his career high in innings, and with seven weeks left in the season, the Brewers could ration his innings going forward, particularly considering they\u2019re aiming to play deep into October. If they do, the innings gap between him and Cristopher S\u00e1nchez could persuade some to stray from Misiorowski in NL Cy Young Award voting, though Misiorowski, for now, stands as an overwhelming favorite. — Jeff Passan<\/p>\n 5. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Despite some nagging injuries, Witt has continued to put up MVP-level numbers amid the ennui of a nondescript Royals season. To a larger extent than recent seasons, Witt\u2019s value has fallen more in the defense and baserunning buckets as opposed to a continued offensive evolution.<\/p>\n He has been good at the plate, to be sure, but he hasn\u2019t produced as much power as past seasons even with the shortened dimensions of a Kauffman Stadium altered last offseason in part to aid such qualities.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: The Royals have been out of the race for some time, but if you think that might translate to any kind of lesser effort on Witt\u2019s part, you haven\u2019t been watching. His jump throw to nab Alex Bregman<\/a> last week was sublime and evidence that no matter what is going on around him, tuning in to see Witt is always going to be worth it. — Bradford Doolittle<\/p>\n 6. Cristopher S\u00e1nchez, SP, Philadelphia Phillies<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: S\u00e1nchez has had a couple of memorable missteps this season — you might remember a certain All-Star Game start in his home ballpark? — but on the whole he has maintained similar excellence to that of his 2025 Cy Young runner-up campaign.<\/p>\n He leads all pitchers in WAR (6.6), after doing the same last year (8.1), and he had a 50\u2154 scoreless innings streak in May — which was the longest by a left-hander.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: For all his efforts these past two seasons, S\u00e1nchez might again have to settle for Cy Young runner-up status, as Misiorowski is regarded as the heavy favorite. S\u00e1nchez\u2019s All-Star struggles haven\u2019t carried into second-half games, as his ERA is 2.12 and his strikeout rate 30.6% since. He and fellow staff ace Zack Wheeler<\/a> will play big parts in the Phillies\u2019 quest for October and a championship, which remains a realistic goal (4.8% implied odds). — Tristan Cockcroft<\/p>\n 7. Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Caminero\u2019s rise in becoming one of baseball\u2019s premier power hitters continues this year, through a test of plate discipline. Mentor Albert Pujols challenged him to keep his focus in the strike zone, and his walk rate has improved dramatically — going from 6.3% in 2025 to almost double that, 12.5%, so far this season. His strikeout rate has also steadily dropped over his four-year major league career: 22.2%, 21.5%, 19.1%, 18.5%<\/p>\n What to expect from here: He\u2019s just 23 years old and is closing in on his 100th career homer for a Rays team that sits atop the American League. Caminero has greatness ahead. — Buster Olney<\/p>\n 8. James Wood, RF, Washington Nationals<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Nobody has scored more runs. Wood, who\u2019s currently out because of an oblique injury, scored his most recent run — his 100th, and in only 114 games — on Aug. 1. Despite his being sidelined, nobody else is close.<\/p>\n The leadoff hitter for baseball\u2019s top run-scoring offense who also leads the league in walks and is a top-five player in OPS, Wood will no longer threaten to become the first player to score 150 runs in a season since Jeff Bagwell in 2000, but he might earn down-ballot MVP votes.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Oblique injuries often take significant time to heal, but the Nationals say that Wood\u2019s case is mild and that they expect him to return to the top of the lineup soon. By most measures, Wood, in his third season, has been a top-five hitter this season, perhaps a future MVP contender. Any postseason hopes for Washington depend on Wood and shortstop CJ Abrams<\/a> producing. — Eric Karabell<\/p>\n 9. Cam Schlittler, SP, New York Yankees<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: His first full major league season has been a monumental success. Relatively unhyped when he debuted last July, Schlittler has quickly established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball with a 2.36 ERA across 24 starts this season. He peppers the strike zone with three high-octane fastballs — his cutter has allowed him to take a leap forward this year — and complements them with a curveball he\u2019s throwing with more confidence. His superpower? Combining his 30.8% strikeout rate, which ranks fourth in baseball, with a 5.6% walk rate that ranks eighth.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Schlittler is currently the slight favorite to win AL Cy Young over Dylan Cease<\/a>. Whether he claims the award will come down to how the Yankees handle this workload. Schlittler\u2019s 139\u2154 innings is 10 shy of the career high he set across three levels last season.<\/p>\n There\u2019s an added stress taking the ball every five days deep into a major league season as the stakes increase with the Yankees looking to chase the Rays for the AL East title. Schlittler, who has shown an ability to rebound from duds, will be tested. If he passes, he\u2019ll have a Cy Young Award to add to his r\u00e9sum\u00e9. — Jorge Castillo<\/p>\n 10. Chris Sale, SP, Atlanta Braves<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: He has perhaps solidified his status as a future Hall of Famer with another Cy Young-caliber season. He hasn\u2019t been Misiorowski, but Sale is third among starters in ERA, fifth in strikeout rate, sixth in lowest OPS allowed and fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has given up more than three runs only once and has ceded zero runs or one run in 11 of his 21 starts. He appears headed for his eighth top-five Cy Young finish.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Sale has now surpassed 61 career WAR — tied with Don Drysdale and likely to pass CC Sabathia, Juan Marichal, Dennis Eckersley and Dazzy Vance by season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n The biggest thing, though: staying healthy for October. When Sale finally won his Cy Young in 2024, he developed back spasms and skipped his final start and then didn\u2019t pitch in Atlanta\u2019s wild-card series loss to San Diego. With a safe lead in the NL East, look for the Braves to give Sale some extra days of rest down the stretch. — Schoenfield<\/p>\n 11. Dylan Cease, SP, Toronto Blue Jays<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: In a season in which so much has gone wrong for the Blue Jays, the investment in Cease paid off in his first year in Toronto, with the right-hander contending with Cam Schlittler<\/a> for the Cy Young Award as the pair are tied atop the AL in bWAR (4.9).Cease, a first-time All-Star in 2026, leads the league in strikeouts (191) in what has been his best season since 2022.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: After making a run to the World Series last year, the Blue Jays sit at the bottom of the division with a 12.4% chance of making the playoffs, according to Fangraphs. Even if October isn\u2019t in his cards this season, Cease figures to be a leader of this staff for years to come. — Olney<\/p>\n 12. CJ Abrams, SS, Washington Nationals<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: He has become the middle-of-the-order force the Nationals believed he could be. At 25, Abrams is squarely in his prime, and he has already set career highs in home runs (28) and RBIs (an MLB-leading 89). A notoriously poor performer in the second half, Abrams is carrying an OPS nearly 200 points higher since the break than his split before this season, and he finds himself in the top 10 in baseball in home runs, RBIs, wOBA and wRC+ — and 11th in stolen bases.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Abrams can lose the zone and get swing-happy when he\u2019s pressing, and in August, he has struck out 16 times in 39 at-bats and drawn no walks. The separator this season is the avoidance of prolonged slumps, and the sooner Abrams recognizes how strongly walks correlate with success, the likelier he\u2019ll be to finish the season as he began it. — Passan<\/p>\n 13. Dillon Dingler, C, Detroit Tigers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Dingler had already established himself as a good-field\/average-hit backstop entering this season. But an explosion with the bat, combined with continued sterling defense, has made him more than baseball\u2019s best catcher this season — it has made him one of the best players in MLB, full stop. Per Fangraphs, he ranks third in WAR among all position players, and among catchers, he\u2019s getting close to doubling up second-place Gabriel Moreno<\/a>.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: At this point, we can kind of forget what we thought Dingler was when the season began. His production, a pleasant surprise early, has only become more accomplished as the season has progressed. At this point, his fWAR ranks third on the single-season list of Detroit\u2019s proud lineage of catchers, one that includes Mickey Cochrane, Bill Freehan, Rudy York, Ivan Rodriguez and Lance Parrish. With six weeks left in the season, Dingler might well pass two Freehan seasons (1967 and 1968) as the best by a Tigers catcher. — Doolittle<\/p>\n 14. Matt Olson, 1B, Atlanta Braves<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Olson has rebounded from a pair of disappointing-by-his-standards seasons to hit 35 home runs (tied for the MLB lead), six more than he did in either of the past two, while also being tied atop the majors in doubles (29) and leading the NL in total bases (258). He has also extended his remarkable consecutive games played streak, which over the weekend reached the 900-game threshold and now ranks eighth longest in history.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: All of Olson\u2019s underlying metrics are as gaudy as they\u2019ve been at any point previously in his career, and he has an outstanding stretch-run track record.<\/p>\n Among active players, his 68 homers in the month of September trails only Giancarlo Stanton<\/a> (79) and Aaron Judge<\/a> (71), and his .919 OPS is seventh among those with at least 500 plate appearances. Olson could help carry the Braves to a runaway NL East title and, perhaps, the league\u2019s No. 1 seed. — Cockcroft<\/p>\n 15. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: He leads all rookies in WAR (5.0) after opening the season as the consensus No. 2 prospect in the sport behind Konnor Griffin<\/a> and has the fifth-best WAR in baseball. I noted at the time that Griffin had the edge due to the physical upside while McGonigle was more polished, but I wasn\u2019t expecting a five-win season from him. The way to big WAR totals without giant tools is being well-rounded; McGonigle has more walks than strikeouts with a solid power\/speed combination and strong defensive and baserunning value.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: He has a little more power in there, and I could see McGonigle settling in at 18-to-22 homers per season with a bit less control of the strike zone, but that\u2019s more of a choice than untapped potential. Somehow, at age 21 in his rookie season, it feels as if we\u2019re seeing most of what can be expected from McGonigle, with the challenge being how long he can live up to this high bar he has set for himself. — Kiley McDaniel<\/p>\n 16. Brice Turang, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Turang might well be the most unsung great player in the major leagues. That he is indeed great can no longer be in doubt. For two years, he has been the full package — an all-around hitter with power, contact and patience, a top-tier baserunner and an elite-level defender. He might not have Jose Ramirez<\/a>\u2019s power upside, but you can see a similar trajectory taking shape — a star on a standout team who doesn\u2019t get enough attention even as he fills up the stat line year after year.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Turang is a consistent, durable performer whose excellence just keeps piling up. He\u2019s on pace for 5.8 fWAR, a figure that would slot him second on the Brewers\u2019 list for second baseman, behind Rickie Weeks in 2010. For hard-nosed Turang, you know none of that matters. Only what happens after the regular season counts. If the Brewers finally break through with the franchise\u2019s first title, you can be sure that Turang will be at the center of the charge. — Doolittle<\/p>\n 17. Otto Lopez, SS, Miami Marlins<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Lopez, a top player for the overachieving, contending Marlins, is among the MLB leaders in batting average, hits, doubles and bWAR. An elite contact hitter, he traded fly balls and walks for ground balls and doubles, which seems counterintuitive to success, but few would argue the results. Lopez is quite distinctive. He hit .246 last season, and now he might win a batting title and flirt with 200 hits, 100 runs and 30 stolen bases.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: One of the top seasons ever for a Marlins hitter should continue. Lopez earned his first All-Star berth by hitting .334 entering the break, though an unlucky BABIP has slowed him down since then. Perhaps the BABIP gods, who aided him with a .370 figure before the break, will smile again and help Lopez as he seeks to become the third Marlin (Luis Arraez<\/a>, Dee Strange-Gordon) to win a batting title. — Karabell<\/p>\n 18. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Blake Snell<\/a> and Tyler Glasnow<\/a> have sat out significant time because of injuries, Ohtani has been bothered by discomfort in his left knee, and in the midst of that there\u2019s Yamamoto, the only one among the Dodgers\u2019 four front-line starters from last October to go pole to pole, continuing to marvel outsiders with his durability. He took a massive step forward in 2025, his second year since coming from Japan, finishing third in NL Cy Young Award voting before doing what nobody imagined in the World Series — recording the last eight outs of Game 7 on zero days\u2019 rest.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: The Dodgers traded for Tarik Skubal<\/a>, winner of the last two AL Cy Young Awards, yet it would surprise no one if Yamamoto were their choice for Game 1 of their first playoff series. He has cemented himself as the ace of this Dodgers staff. And though he won\u2019t win the Cy Young in a year in which Misiorowski and S\u00e1nchez have been so dominant, the thought by many is that Yamamoto eventually becoming the first Japanese-born pitcher to win the award is an inevitability. We are watching a master craftsman at the peak of his powers. — Gonzalez<\/p>\n 19. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Cincinnati Reds<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: He\u2019s getting to his immense power more often. De La Cruz is already at 20 home runs, only six short of beating his career high, and his slugging percentage has hovered around .500 all year. He also has been more disciplined, bumping his walk rate to nearly 11%. After a poor fielding season in 2025, De La Cruz has likewise rebounded in the field. All told, he is one of the best all-around players in baseball — and, unlike most players near the apex of this list, has plenty of room to get better.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: At 24 years old, De La Cruz remains one of the game\u2019s most irresistible talents. The size, the power, the speed, the position, the switch-hitting — everything is there for him to launch himself into top-five player territory. Cutting down the strikeouts would help. As would improving on his left-handed stroke, which has a .774 OPS compared with 1.092 from the right side. Perhaps it\u2019s best put this way: De La Cruz is very good; greatness is coming. — Passan<\/p>\n 20. Ben Rice, 1B\/DH, New York Yankees<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: A former 12th-round pick out of Dartmouth, Rice has emerged as one of baseball\u2019s premier hitters in his second full big league season. He ranks in the top 10 in the majors in home runs, wRC+ and slugging. But his production has dipped in Aaron Judge<\/a>\u2019s absence. Through May 31, he had batted .306 with 17 home runs and a 1.056 OPS in 54 games. Since then, he\u2019s batting .214 with 15 home runs and a .754 OPS in 59 games**. Defensively, Rice, a catcher through the minor leagues, grades out as a poor first baseman; his minus-7 DRS is tied for last among 28 first basemen with at least 450 innings logged at the position, and his minus-5 OAA is tied for 23rd.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Rice has recently become the Yankees\u2019 everyday designated hitter with the acquisition of Luis Garcia<\/a> Jr., though that would change if Giancarlo Stanton<\/a> comes off the injured list. At the plate, Rice is 2-for-26 with a .418 OPS in August**. Stanton\u2019s return — and perhaps Cody Bellinger<\/a>\u2019s return — would allow manager Aaron Boone the opportunity to give Rice an occasional day off, which could help him recover his early season form down the stretch and into October. — Castillo<\/p>\n 21. Tarik Skubal, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: His run of Cy Young Awards will come to an end after a choppy season, which, of course, included being traded. But it\u2019s his elbow injury that really stunted his year, making him look more human than normal.<\/p>\n Still, it has been a good season for Skubal — if not outstanding — as evidenced by his 2.93 ERA. That number inflated after his first home start with the Dodgers, in which he gave up three runs over five innings. His first two outings with his new team are indicative of his season — good-to-very good but not great.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: It\u2019s not impossible to squint and see the best version of Skubal down the stretch — especially with free agency looming. The further he gets from his elbow procedure, the better he should be. But he\u2019ll need to settle in with his new team and find a rhythm before we can expect the old Skubal to return. Good might be good enough for the Dodgers, but great means a bigger payday for Skubal at the end of the season. — Rogers<\/p>\n 22. Willson Contreras, 1B, Boston Red Sox<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Acquired from the Cardinals in the offseason, Contreras is having his best offensive season at age 34. He\u2019s the top power and RBI source in a Boston lineup that struggled to score runs until its hot streak and ranks among the AL leaders in on-base and slugging percentage. He still has one of the fastest bats in the league and his 21 hit by pitches helps boost his OBP.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Contreras was locked in during July, hitting .323 with an OPS over 1.100. His clutch hitting has also been key all season long, as he has hit .326 with a 1.066 OPS with runners in scoring position and performed well in other clutch metrics. It might be hard to keep up those numbers, but for a lineup that doesn\u2019t hit a lot of home runs, if the Red Sox are to chase down the Yankees for second place in the division (catching the Rays is probably too much to ask at this point), Boston will need Contreras to keep driving in runs. — Schoenfield<\/p>\n 23. Mason Miller, RP, San Diego Padres<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Early in the season, it looked as if Miller had broken baseball. Over his first outings, he registered 27 strikeouts in 13\u2153 scoreless innings with two walks and three hits allowed. It was not fair. He has come back to the surface of the planet somewhat, though his sub-1.00 ERA is still too good to say that planet is Earth. The Padres have a spotty history at most spots, but their tradition of high-quality closers traces to the acquisition of Rollie Fingers in the 1970s. Miller might be the best yet of a group that includes three Hall of Famers in Fingers, Goose Gossage and Trevor Hoffman.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Miller has been scored upon in only five outings this season and continues to look all but untouchable. The Padres aren\u2019t a shoe-in to earn a spot in the NL playoff bracket — they currently have 53% playoff odds, per Fangraphs — but if they get there, Miller looms as a bogeyman lurking in the anxieties of every opponent. If the Padres somehow get it together and race to their first championship, there is little doubt that it will end with Miller mowing down yet another helpless batter. — Doolittle<\/p>\n 24. Chase Burns, SP, Cincinnati Reds<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: The first impression that Burns emanates in any conversation: He is very serious about his craft, and he wants to be great. And so far in his very young major league career, he is great, using a devastating slider to complement his fastball. An All-Star this year, he has been one of Cincinnati\u2019s best players, with a 2.61 ERA.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Burns will get a lot of down-ballot support in the NL Cy Young voting, with the fifth-most WAR in the league, the fourth-best ERA and tied for the second-most wins. And remember — he\u2019s only 23 years old. — Olney<\/p>\n 25. Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies <\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Has Schwarber been the best version of himself this year? Probably not, yet he\u2019s still hitting around .250 and is tied for the league lead in homers. But he\u2019s on pace to break his single season high in K\u2019s (215) as he might reach 200 before the end of the month. That has been the big difference for him this season: His strikeout rate is the highest of his career by a country mile. That doesn\u2019t mean he hasn\u2019t been effective. It just means he probably has left some RBI chances on the bases.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Is it possible Schwarber\u2019s K rate comes down while keeping his power intact? Of course, this is Kyle Schwarber<\/a> after all. But the trend so far hasn\u2019t been kind to him. Fifty home runs to go with 230 or more strikeouts is a real possibility for him. That would break the single-season record for most K\u2019s, but it also give him a second consecutive season of 50 homers. The former mark is a near lock, while the latter one will necessitate a good seven weeks from him to get there. — Rogers<\/p>\n 26. Corbin Carroll, RF, Arizona Diamondbacks<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: A casual glance at Carroll\u2019s statistics paint the picture of a down year by his standards, largely because of a midsummer slump — he has batted .170 with a .636 OPS in the months of July and August. But all of the ingredients to superstardom remain bubbling beneath the surface, from his major league-leading 13 triples and his pace for a fourth consecutive 20\/20 campaign, to his continued growth against left-handed pitching (his .407 wOBA against them is fourth best among qualified lefties).<\/p>\n What to expect from here: With Carroll, it\u2019s always a worry whether an undisclosed injury could be influencing any of his extended slumps, as was the case in late 2023 (shoulder). He did leave a July game because of a hyperextended elbow, but if we assume he\u2019s OK, there\u2019s little in his underlying metrics to say he\u2019s any different than the player who earned NL Rookie of the Year honors (2023), a Silver Slugger (2025) and went 30\/30 a year ago. A big finish could be ahead. — Cockcroft<\/p>\n 27. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF, Boston Red Sox<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: As one of the premier defenders in baseball, the floor for Rafaela was always considered high. His offense, always streaky, would determine the ceiling. This season, the ceiling is MVP-caliber-high.<\/p>\n At the plate, Rafaela, a first-time All-Star, is slashing .287\/.324\/.469 with 16 home runs and an AL-high 28 doubles. He\u2019s a top-tier baserunner with 16 steals. In center field, as always, he remains elite with 14 outs above average and 16 defensive runs saved. The total package has produced 4.1 fWAR, good for tied for seventh in the AL. The Red Sox have had several players star during their historic turnaround, and Rafaela is at the top of the list.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: This isn\u2019t just another hot stretch for Rafaela. He has been raking for essentially half of a season. In 78 games since May 5, he\u2019s batting .295 with 15 home runs and an .827 OPS. He\u2019s 13-for-44 with four home runs in August. He\u2019s an all-around dynamo. If he continues producing at the plate, a top-five MVP finish is very possible. — Castillo<\/p>\n 28. Zack Wheeler, SP, Philadelphia Phillies<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Wheeler sat out the end of last season and the first few weeks of this season because of thoracic outlet syndrome, and given that he turned 36 years old a month after his return, some in the industry wondered if his decline would be coming this year. To the contrary, he has picked right up where he left off with nearly identical peripherals to last season, on pace for his eighth 4-plus-win season in the past nine years, only falling short of that mark in the shortened 2020 season.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Again, he\u2019s 36, so this can\u2019t go on forever — but if he can perform near this level for three or four more seasons, Cooperstown becomes a distinct possibility. It goes without saying that he\u2019d be part of a formidable playoff rotation if the Phillies qualify for the postseason. — McDaniel<\/p>\n 29. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Seasons change, years pile on, rivers widen valleys, and Frederick Charles Freeman keeps hitting. The velocity and movement of today\u2019s pitchers have made this a very unwelcoming era for aging hitters, but Freeman, 37 years old next month, is on pace to reach a .300 batting average — still his greatest measure of success — for the ninth time in his career. So many of the star hitters in the Dodgers\u2019 lineup have fluctuated throughout the season, and yet Freeman has remained steady. It\u2019s a reminder that his approach — rooted in attempting to hit a line drive over the shortstop\u2019s head with every swing — should age gracefully.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: It seemed unfathomable to think Freeman would ever come close in L.A. to matching his success as a member of the Braves. And yet, it\u2019s at least close. Freeman\u2019s production with the Dodgers won\u2019t ever match what he amassed through 12 years in Atlanta, but some of the moments that will be remembered most will have occurred while suiting up for the Dodgers in October — the walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series on a hobbled ankle, the home run to end an 18-inning thriller in Game 3 of the 2025 version.<\/p>\n October has clearly become Freeman\u2019s time to shine. Soon, he\u2019ll attempt more heroics with a three-peat on the line. — Gonzalez<\/p>\n 30. Andy Pages, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Pages slumped so badly last October that he was benched in the middle of the World Series. But he came off the bench to make a game-saving catch in Game 7, and he followed that by putting together an impressive start to 2026. Through the end of May, the 25-year-old was slashing .294\/.343\/.538 while being the only player to reach 50 RBIs, propelling him to his first All-Star appearance. His production took a step back in June and July, but overall, he has avoided the dramatic slumps that defined his 2025.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: When he\u2019s right, Pages is one of the game\u2019s most dynamic forces, bringing top-shelf power, impressive center-field range and one of the sport\u2019s best throwing arms. On the outside, he is an afterthought on a team loaded with stars. But he continues to occupy the No. 2 spot of the Dodgers\u2019 lineup, flanked by Ohtani and Freeman. Pages doesn\u2019t draw many walks and often chases too much, so he\u2019s always prone to more dramatic highs and lows. The Dodgers hope he continues to temper that. — Gonzalez<\/p>\n 31. Jesus Luzardo, SP, Philadelphia Phillies<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: He has put up the best season of his career — and, outside of the season\u2019s first month, arguably the second-best year of any pitcher. Since April 21, Luzardo\u2019s 2.45 ERA is the fifth best in baseball, his 121 innings the third most and his 146 strikeouts the second most. With his fastball sitting at a career-best 97 mph, he has a career-high strikeout rate and career-low walk and home run rates. S\u00e1nchez and Wheeler are undeniable aces. Luzardo belongs in that conversation with them.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Still only 28 years old, Luzardo is throwing fewer four-seam fastballs and leaning heavily on his slider (38.1% of his pitches) and sinker, which has become a true weapon. The stuff, the control, the 50-plus% ground ball rate, the peripherals that suggest even better days are ahead — Luzardo is on the cusp of reaching another echelon in his career after signing a five-year, $135 million contract extension in March. Everything is there for him to be one of the best pitchers in baseball. — Passan<\/p>\n 32. JJ Wetherholt, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Pacing NL rookies with over 4.0 WAR**, in a commanding lead for NL Rookie of the Year after opening the season as the seventh-best prospect in baseball. Wetherholt\u2019s sales pitch was being well-rounded and polished — and that\u2019s what he has delivered, including a borderline shocking double-digit positive defensive showing at second base that makes up for some of his bad ball-in-play luck at the plate.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Wetherholt wasn\u2019t higher ranking because his physical tools and stature are good, not great: average-or-so speed and power at a listed 5-foot-9, 190 pounds. That said, his hit tool, pitch selection and feel for getting to his power, speed and defensive ability on the field are excellent, and they show us what his ceiling will look like, even at the traditional pre-peak age of 23 years old. Wetherholt and Kevin McGonigle<\/a> now join a group of modern short-but-polished-and-optimized All-Star infielders that includes Jose Altuve<\/a>, Mookie Betts<\/a>, Dustin Pedroia and others. — McDaniel<\/p>\n 33. Paul Skenes, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Disappointed? Skenes entered this season with a ridiculous 1.96 career ERA, earning NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and following it up in 2025 with an NL Cy Young Award. Many viewed him as the best pitcher in baseball. Instead, Skenes has seen his ERA rise to more than double his career mark. His July ERA (6.25) and WHIP (1.54) were bad, and his fastball velocity is down. Is he hurt? The Pirates cannot afford it.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: One would typically predict Skenes would soon get back on track and dominate, but the man with the 1.96 career ERA before 2026 does not boast an ERA better than 2.87 in any month this season. Bad luck is some factor, as a top-10 FIP proves, but luck doesn\u2019t always even out. Skenes isn\u2019t necessarily bad, but the Pirates need the old Skenes. Recent results fail to elicit optimism. — Karabell<\/p>\n 34. Parker Messick, SP, Cleveland Guardians<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: I was bullish on Messick\u2019s potential when he was called up to the big leagues, moving him into the middle third of the Top 100 because of his standout feel and changeup along with average-to-above other elements on his scouting card.<\/p>\n He has now made just short of a full season worth of starts (30) in his career, racking up 176\u2153 innings with an ERA and three ERA estimators all under 3.40. Though he doesn\u2019t look or throw like a front-line starter, he\u2019s performing like one right away in the big leagues, and as a lefty at that.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: It doesn\u2019t feel as if his highs can get that much higher than this, but don\u2019t count out the players who figure out how to outperform projections at every stop. The Guardians might have just developed their best starter in recent memory, eclipsing Gavin Williams<\/a>, Tanner Bibee<\/a> and even the highs of Shane Bieber<\/a>. — McDaniel<\/p>\n 35. Juan Soto, LF, New York Mets<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Soto has been the best hitter in the NL this season when healthy — emphasis on the \u201cwhen healthy.\u201d He paces the league with a .408 OBP and 159 wRC+ among hitters with at least 350 plate appearances. But he has been limited to 359 plate appearances because of two calf strains in a disappointing season for the Mets. He was in the running for another top-three MVP finish until he landed on the IL again because of a right calf strain in late July. Though Soto remains a top-five hitter in baseball, he also remains a below-average defender — with a move from right field to left field this season — and his baserunning took a significant step back.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Soto last played a game on July 24. He has said he wants to return this season, but a timetable remains unclear. The Mets could take a cautious approach — he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain — without a postseason berth on the table. But if Soto is healthy and adamant, he\u2019ll probably push to play. — Castillo<\/p>\n 36. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Between a slow start and a potential season-ending injury, Kurtz\u2019s second major league season was a mishmash. But before he went on the injured list at the outset of August, he did plenty to affirm his standing as a dangerous power hitter. After a rookie campaign that saw him unanimously win Rookie of the Year, Kurtz has an adjusted OPS of 141 and 3.7 bWAR.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Though the A\u2019s have a lot of roster questions as they move forward, given that Kurtz is still just 23 years old, they can feel confident about this: Kurtz will be a force for them in the years ahead. — Olney<\/p>\n 37. Luis Arraez, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Arraez has more WAR this season (2.8) than he did in the previous two combined (2.5), thanks mostly to his huge defensive strides at second base. After never having a positive outs above average at the position in any of his seven previous big league seasons, Arraez has a whopping 11 OAA there in 2026. Oh, and let\u2019s not overlook his consistent excellence hitting for average: He\u2019s third in the majors in the category (.314), with a second-best 143 hits.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Recognizing Arraez\u2019s defensive strides, the Phillies acquired him at the deadline, then took a big chance by keeping him at second base while rearranging their other infield players around him. Whether that strategy pays off will have a huge say in how far the Phillies ultimately go in 2026, but Arraez at least gives them a consistent hitter — and potential batting champion, which would be his fourth in the past five years — out of the cleanup spot. — Cockcroft<\/p>\n 38. Drew Rasmussen, SP, Tampa Bay Rays<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: The most underrated pitcher in the majors is flying under the radar again. Rasmussen is 11-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 22 starts** as he closes in on a sixth consecutive season with an ERA under 3.00. Of course, injuries limited him in 2023-24, but he\u2019s on pace to pass his career high in innings of 150 set last season. He leads AL pitchers in lowest OBP allowed and is second behind Cease in OPS allowed.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: The Rays have pushed Rasmussen pretty hard this season, with all but three of his starts coming on four or five days of rest. They can\u2019t really afford to let up since they want to win the division and avoid the wild-card series, but keeping him healthy for October is certainly a huge priority. He\u2019s on a good roll right now, giving up seven hits in 20 innings over three straight scoreless outings**. It\u2019s quite the story for a pitcher who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries and then an internal brace procedure in 2023. — Schoenfield<\/p>\n 39. Hunter Goodman, C, Colorado Rockies<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Goodman entered pro ball in 2021 as a catcher from a mid-major college (Memphis) with questions about his bat-to-ball and defensive abilities. To a degree, those still exist, as he has a 33% strikeout rate and is a fine-but-not-great defender behind the plate. That said, he went from below average to basically average defensively and has hit 65 homers over the past two seasons. He offers a rare combination of catcher defense and middle-of-the-order power.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Next year will be Goodman\u2019s age-27 season, traditionally the peak for most players, on the heels of two 3-win (or so, depending on how he finishes this year) seasons. His ballooning strikeout rate is a concern for when his bat speed slows, but he probably has a number of years as one of the better power\/defensive value threats in the league. — McDaniel<\/p>\n 40. Bryce Harper, 1B\/RF, Philadelphia Phillies<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: He has helped keep the Phillies afloat not just through his talent but his availability. Harper has appeared in every game this season, and for someone who last played more than 145 games in 2019, the 33-year-old is thriving, even amid a post-deadline move from first base back to right field, where he last regularly played in 2021. Harper is walking more and on pace to hit the most home runs he has since \u201921, and without his bat in the middle of the lineup, the Phillies would be in real trouble.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: If Harper really does remain in Philadelphia\u2019s lineup every day for the rest of the season, it would be the first time in his career he played in all 162 games. More important, though, Harper is actually underperforming his expected numbers. Harper is primed for an excellent stretch run, and with a little more batted-ball luck than he has seen so far, he can be the one carrying the Phillies as the NL wild-card race heats up. — Passan<\/p>\n 41. Michael Harris II, CF, Atlanta Braves<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: After a rough first half of the 2025 season, Harris has continued the gains from the second half, and he is enjoying his best overall campaign since he was a rookie in 2022.<\/p>\n Always a stout defender, Harris has made key adjustments at the plate, trading ground balls for fly balls, hitting well against left-handers, greatly raising his average launch angle and his exit velocity has never been better.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Harris has settled in as the cleanup hitter for one of baseball\u2019s best teams. One of the most aggressive hitters in the league (few boast a lower walk rate), Harris has become a tougher out for pitchers, especially left-handers, and his next home run will register a career high. With career numbers far better post-break in his career, Harris might generate his best single-season WAR yet. — Karabell<\/p>\n 42. Aaron Judge, RF, New York Yankees<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Remember this is based on 2026 impact only. For six weeks, Judge\u2019s production resembled the historic output he compiled over the past two seasons. He was slashing .273\/.406\/.612 with 16 home runs in 46 games through May 16. Nothing screamed serious injury. But Judge had been playing with a stress reaction in a rib for nearly three weeks and an uncharacteristic slump followed. From May 17 through May 31, he batted .163 with one home run and a .528 OPS in 13 games.<\/p>\n It turned out that he could barely swing a bat. He had sustained a stress fracture in a rib diving for a ball on April 26 and played through it until he couldn\u2019t. After a series of tests, he was put on the injured list. The Yankees\u2019 offense, one of the best in baseball with him, has been one of the worst without him.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Judge last week remained adamant that he would return this season while acknowledging that he was running out of time. He was cleared for \u201clight activity\u201d — running and upper-body resistance exercise — last week after another scan of his rib showed more healing, but he still hasn\u2019t been given the green light for baseball activities. That next step would require another scan. A ramp-up would require significant time and the clock is ticking. — Castillo<\/p>\n 43. Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Perhaps the most shocking entry on our list, Rodriguez has had one of the most unexpectedly productive years of anyone in baseball. He\u2019s ninth in wins (11), fourth in quality starts (15), 10th in ERA and seventh in innings pitched (143\u2153), even if his underlying metrics scream \u201cpitching over his head\u201d — his ERA-FIP differential is third worst among qualifiers. And yet, Rodriguez has been remarkably consistent, with a sub-3.50 ERA in each of the season\u2019s first four months.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: So which do you trust more, the metrics or the eye test? Rodriguez has never had an ERA-FIP differential this wide in 10 previous big league seasons, and his strikeout rate is a career worst (17.1%). His performance will have a big say in how far the Diamondbacks go, as he\u2019s probably their Game 1 starter for any playoff series, but any significant regression could sink them in what\u2019s a tight National League wild-card race. — Cockcroft<\/p>\n 44. Miguel Vargas, 3B, Chicago White Sox<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: It already has been a career year for Vargas as he exceeded his previous high for home runs in June. He has been as consistent a run producer for the White Sox as anyone when you consider Munetaka Murakami<\/a> sat out time because of an injury and Colson Montgomery<\/a> has had more of a bumpy ride. Vargas\u2019 .280 batting average with runners in scoring position has been a godsend for Chicago.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: He\u2019s hitting only .195 in the second half, but his power stroke hasn\u2019t slowed much. Vargas is destined to be a league-average hitter by batting average but well above that in slugging percentage. Power is what the White Sox are built on and it could provide to be a successful formula come October. He could also benefit from facing left-handed pitching brought in to face Murakami and Montgomery. Vargas is hitting .258 off lefties with a .523 slugging percentage. — Rogers<\/p>\n 45. Jordan Walker, RF, St. Louis Cardinals<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: The industry knock on Walker coming into this year was that he didn\u2019t take instruction, and that the once-touted prospect was too slow to make adjustments. But he has buried a lot of that reputation with a breakout season in 2026, with an OPS+ of 133, 83 RBIs, 23 home runs and 3.3 bWAR. The first-time All-Star also demonstrated a whole lot of moxie by staring down the Philadelphia crowd and winning the Home Run Derby last month.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: With his Cardinals at just a 6.5% chance of making the playoffs, Walker will focus on finishing strong. The performance question that looms over him now is whether he can affect more discipline in his approach and improve his 3-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio. — Olney<\/p>\n 46. Gabriel Moreno, C, Arizona Diamondbacks<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Moreno has already reached career highs in many offensive categories, including plate appearances, RBIs, runs, doubles and walks, and he might hit .300 for the first time. Moreno, at 26, is second among catchers in fWAR (behind only Dillon Dingler<\/a>), and typically hits third for a potential playoff entrant. An oblique injury sidelined him in April, but he has stayed healthy since.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: Few would regard Moreno as Arizona\u2019s top player, but here he is leading D-backs hitters in OPS and bWAR. Put simply, the Diamondbacks would be in big trouble without him. Moreno might never contribute big power numbers, but he makes contact, avoids strikeouts and he also could earn his second career Gold Glove. — Karabell<\/p>\n 47. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF, San Diego Padres<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Among the many surprising developments of this season, there might be nothing more surprising than this: Tatis, long one of the game\u2019s most dynamic players, went 55 games and 238 plate appearances before hitting his first home run. It arrived on the second-to-last day of May. Up to that point, he was getting on base at a .345 clip, but he was slugging only .307. Since then, he has been the Tatis we\u2019ve all come to know, slashing .292\/.357\/.496 after June 1.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: For much of this season, the Padres were kept above water by a dominant bullpen despite a shallow rotation and underperforming star hitters. They have since added Robbie Ray<\/a> and Casey Mize<\/a> to a rotation that could eventually get Joe Musgrove<\/a> back. And their offense is finally rounding back into shape. Manny Machado<\/a> got hot in July, Jackson Merrill<\/a> has been unstoppable in August, and Tatis is back to looking like a superstar. He\u2019ll be at the center of whatever happens moving forward. — Gonzalez<\/p>\n 48. Munetaka Murakami, 1B, Chicago White Sox<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: If not for his hamstring injury, Murakami could be leading the majors in home runs. As is, his 7.2% home run rate is second behind only Goodman. Yes, better than Schwarber or Alvarez.<\/p>\n That\u2019s how prolifically his power has translated after some questions coming into his rookie season. He has answered them all and then some: Murakami ranks third in walk percentage as well as second in strikeouts, making him the true 2026 three-outcome player.<\/p>\n What to expect from here: If he stays healthy, there is no reason to believe Murakami won\u2019t keep up the pace. Home run, strikeout or free pass is kind of his thing. It took a little time to find his groove after coming off the IL, but he has been much better over just the past few days — including collecting hits in six of his past eight games and belting his 25th and 26th home runs over the weekend against Cleveland. A 40-home run season is still an outside possibility despite sitting out over a month. — Rogers<\/p>\n 49. Wilyer Abreu, RF, Boston Red Sox<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Abreu has remained exactly as he has been, except he has been doing it more often this season. His slash numbers are indistinguishable from the past two seasons but after he appeared in only 132 games in 2024 and 115 last season, he\u2019s on pace to play 158 this season. His pro-rata defensive metrics are off the charts, as usual, and he\u2019s a shoe-in to win a third straight Gold Glove. With all of this going on, why does it seem as if so few realize that Abreu is indeed a bona fide big league star?<\/p>\n What to expect from here: You know that as long as Abreu is healthy, he\u2019ll keep doing what he does. Meanwhile, next to him, Rafaela has played like an All-Star. If some combination of Jarren Duran<\/a> and\/or Roman Anthony<\/a> can match the play of those two, this will be yet another version of a fully-stocked elite Red Sox outfield.<\/p>\n These groupings have included some of the most memorable units in baseball annals, tracing back to the dusty days of Hall of Famers Tris Speaker, Duffy Lewis and Harry Hooper. This might be the latest edition of something like that. — Doolittle<\/p>\n 50. Julio Rodriguez, CF, Seattle Mariners<\/p>\n What he\u2019s done so far: Like most of his teammates, it has been a disappointing season for J-Rod. The offensive numbers are down. The defensive metrics are way down (he struggled early in the season for some reason). He always gets off to slow starts, but we\u2019ve yet to see his usual summer surge at the plate. His average exit velocity and hard-hit rates have dropped as he has had trouble consistently squaring up the baseball.<\/p>\n