MLB Network's Top 10 Players Right Now at every position

MLB Network continued its annual tradition of ranking the “Top 10 Players Right Now” at each position.

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Using rankings based on past player performance, a number of offensive and defensive metrics, both advanced data and traditional numbers, and analysis by the MLB Network research team, “The Shredder” produced its list of the 10 best players at each position right now.

The 10-show rollout concluded with the top relief pitchers being announced on Feb. 1.

Here’s a look at the list for every position.

Top 10 relief pitchers

One of the most unpredictable positions each season, this year is no different with half of the top 10 made up of newcomers. That said, Devin Williams remained the model of consistency, with the Brewers’ shutdown closer finally claiming the top spot after three straight years of checking in at No. 3 on the list. Last year’s No. 1 reliever, Edwin Díaz, checks in at No. 6 as he eyes a comeback campaign after being sidelined for the entire 2023 season.

RELIEF PITCHERS

1. Devin Williams, MIL (3)
2. Ryan Helsley, STL (10)
3. Pete Fairbanks, TB (NR)
4. Evan Phillips, LAD (4)
5. Jhoan Duran, MIN (5)
6. Edwin Díaz, NYM (1)
7. Bryan Abreu, HOU (NR)
8. David Bednar, PIT (NR)
9. Chris Martin, BOS (NR)
10. José Alvarado, PHI (NR)

Top 10 third basemen

The top four third basemen from a season ago are once again the top four this season, albeit in a different order. Braves slugger Austin Riley moved up two spots to take over the No. 1 spot from Manny Machado, who dropped to No. 3. José Ramírez remained second on the list, while Rafael Devers once again rounded out the top four.

THIRD BASEMEN

1. Austin Riley, ATL (Last year: 3)
2. José Ramírez, CLE (2)
3. Manny Machado, SD (1)
4. Rafael Devers, BOS (4)
5. Alex Bregman, HOU (6)
6. Gunnar Henderson, BAL (NR)
7. Nolan Arenado, STL (5)
8. Max Muncy, LAD (8)
9. Isaac Paredes, TB (NR)
10. Justin Turner, TOR (7)

Top 10 center fielders

Mike Trout’s reign atop the center fielder rankings has come to an end heading into 2024, with the Angels superstar dropping three spots to No. 4 following a couple of injury-hampered seasons. As for the new No. 1, Aaron Judge -- who was ranked the top right fielder last season -- assumes the top spot ahead of Mariners superstar Julio Rodríguez. As always, there’s no shortage of talent in center field, with Luis Robert Jr., Michael Harris II, Byron Buxton and Cedric Mullins also returning to the list for another year.

CENTER FIELDERS

1. Aaron Judge, NYY (Last year: No. 1 RF)
2. Julio Rodríguez, SEA (3)
3. Luis Robert Jr., CWS (8)
4. Mike Trout, LAA (1)
5. Michael Harris II, ATL (5)
6. James Outman, LAD (NR)
7. Byron Buxton, MIN (2)
8. Cedric Mullins, BAL (7)
9. TJ Friedl, CIN (NR)
10. Brandon Marsh, PHI (NR)

Top 10 left fielders

Yordan Alvarez retained the top spot in left field for a second straight year, but there was plenty of movement behind him thanks to position switches and emerging stars. With Juan Soto transitioning to right field and three center fielders from a season ago -- Brandon Nimmo, Bryan Reynolds and Chas McCormick -- sliding over to left field, this set of rankings looks vastly different heading into 2024.

LEFT FIELDERS

1. Yordan Alvarez, HOU (Last year: 1)
2. Brandon Nimmo, NYM (No. 4 CF)
3. Nolan Jones, COL (NR)
4. Bryan Reynolds, PIT (No. 6 CF)
5. Chas McCormick, HOU (No. 10 CF)
6. Randy Arozarena, TB (5)
7. Lars Nootbaar, STL (NR)
8. Christian Yelich, MIL (NR)
9. Matt Wallner, MIN (NR)
10. Kyle Schwarber, PHI (3)

Top 10 first basemen

Already one of the tightest battles year after year, first base became even more competitive with two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star Bryce Harper joining the mix. Harper debuts at No. 2 on the first basemen rankings after making the permanent move from right field. Freddie Freeman, meanwhile, supplanted Paul Goldschmidt atop the list.

FIRST BASEMEN

1. Freddie Freeman, LAD (Last year: 2)
2. Bryce Harper, PHI (No. 3 RF)
3. Matt Olson, ATL (6)
4. Paul Goldschmidt, STL (1)
5. Yandy Díaz, TB (NR)
6. Pete Alonso, NYM (5)
7. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., TOR (3)
8. Brandon Belt, FA (NR)
9. Christian Walker, AZ (NR)
10. Triston Casas, BOS (NR)

Top 10 second basemen

With Mookie Betts transitioning to a new position, there's a new superstar atop the list at second base. The NL MVP runner-up replaced Houston's Jose Altuve in the No. 1 spot, with Altuve dropping to No. 2. Marcus Semien moved up one spot to round out the top three, while five new players moved into the top 10 this year.

SECOND BASEMEN

1. Mookie Betts, LAD (Last year: No. 2 RF)
2. Jose Altuve, HOU (1)
3. Marcus Semien, TEX (4)
4. Luis Arraez, MIA (NR)
5. Ketel Marte, AZ (8)
6. Matt McLain, CIN (NR)
7. Andrés Giménez, CLE (3)
8. Edouard Julien, MIN (NR)
9. Zack Gelof, OAK (NR)
10. Nico Hoerner, CHC (NR)

Top 10 right fielders

No surprise here as Ronald Acu?a Jr. takes over the top spot following his historic season for the Braves that resulted in a unanimous NL MVP Award. That decision was made even easier by last year’s No. 1 right fielder (Aaron Judge) moving over to center field for this year’s rankings. Speaking of position switches and Yankees outfielders, Juan Soto – the No. 2 left fielder last year – checks in as the No. 3 right fielder this year. And if that wasn’t enough to show just how stacked this position group is, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year Award winner joins in at No. 4.

RIGHT FIELDERS

1. Ronald Acu?a Jr., ATL (Last year: 5)
2. Kyle Tucker, HOU (4)
3. Juan Soto, NYY (No. 2 LF)
4. Corbin Carroll, AZ (NR)
5. Fernando Tatis Jr., SD (9)
6. Seiya Suzuki, CHC (NR)
7. George Springer, TOR (6)
8. Teoscar Hernández, LAD (8)
9. Adolis García, TEX (NR)
10. Josh Lowe, TB (NR)

Top 10 shortstops

Corey Seager takes over the No. 1 spot after claiming his second World Series title -- and his second World Series MVP trophy -- in 2023. Last year’s top shortstop, Trea Turner, dropped to No. 5 following an up-and-down debut season in Philadelphia. Francisco Lindor jumped three spots to No. 2 and Dansby Swanson leaped into the top five, while three newcomers, including budding Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr., joined the list

SHORTSTOPS

1. Corey Seager, TEX (Last year: 4)
2. Francisco Lindor, NYM (5)
3. Xander Bogaerts, SD (3)
4. Dansby Swanson, CHC (6)
5. Trea Turner, PHI (1)
6. Bo Bichette, TOR (7)
7. Carlos Correa, MIN (2)
8. Willy Adames, MIL (NR)
9. Bobby Witt Jr., KC (NR)
10. J.P. Crawford, SEA (NR)

Top 10 catchers

After three straight years atop the list, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto dropped to No. 4 heading into 2024. The new No. 1 is young Orioles star Adley Rutschman, who takes over the top spot after a breakout season that included his first All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger Award and a ninth-place finish in AL MVP Award voting. Each of last year’s top six catchers remain on the list, while four newcomers joined the club.

CATCHERS

1. Adley Rutschman, BAL (Last year: 3)
2. Will Smith, LAD (2)
3. Sean Murphy, ATL (4)
4. J.T. Realmuto, PHI (1)
5. William Contreras, MIL (NR)
6. Willson Contreras, STL (5)
7. Alejandro Kirk, TOR (6)
8. Yainer Diaz, HOU (NR)
9. Cal Raleigh, SEA (NR)
10. Gabriel Moreno, AZ (NR)

Top 10 starting pitchers

There was plenty of turnover from a season ago, with six new pitchers joining the list – including the guy ranked No. 1. Gerrit Cole, who was No. 2 on this list entering the 2022 season before dropping out of the top 10 heading into ’23, jumped all the way to the top after taking home the AL Cy Young Award. Meanwhile, the NL Cy Young Award winner – Blake Snell – checked in at No. 5 after also missing out on this list a year ago. Zac Gallen, Spencer Strider, Logan Webb and Sonny Gray rounded out the newcomers for this season.

STARTING PITCHERS

1. Gerrit Cole, NYY (Last year: Not ranked)
2. Corbin Burnes, MIL (1)
3. Zac Gallen, AZ (NR)
4. Justin Verlander, HOU (2)
5. Blake Snell, FA (NR)
6. Zack Wheeler, PHI (8)
7. Spencer Strider, ATL (NR)
8. Logan Webb, SF (NR)
9. Max Fried, ATL (7)
10. Sonny Gray, STL (NR)