Counting down the top players in baseball: Nos. 100-81
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You know the next MLB season is right around the corner once it becomes time to rank the Top 100 Players Right Now. And that time is here.
MLB Network¡¯s production and research team has once again ranked the very best players in the Majors using a formula that differs from "The Shredder," which was used to determine the Network¡¯s rankings for the top 10 players at each position.
This year¡¯s countdown began on Thursday with the unveiling of players Nos. 81-100.
Here's the rest of MLB Network's Top 100 Players Right Now schedule (all times ET):
Nos. 80-61: Feb. 4 at 9 p.m.
Nos. 60-41: Feb. 5 at 9 p.m.
Nos. 40-21: Feb. 11 at 8 p.m.
Nos. 20-11: Feb. 12 at 8 p.m.
Nos. 10-1: Feb. 13 at 8 p.m.
No. 81-No. 90
There are a bunch of players in this range who are coming off breakout campaigns. That includes burgeoning stars such as Mark Vientos, Bryce Miller and Lawrence Butler. And then there is Jurickson Profar, whose breakout season came in his 11th year in the Majors. The Braves¡¯ new outfielder set career highs across the board during his age-31 season, earned a Silver Slugger Award and received his first All-Star selection. Luis Arraez is just in front of Profar here. The Padres infielder slipped 40 spots from last year¡¯s rankings despite winning a batting title for the third consecutive season.
81. Mark Vientos, 3B, Mets (2024 rank: no rank)
82. Royce Lewis, 3B, Twins (2024 rank: 95)
83. Luis Arraez, 1B, Padres (2024 rank: 43)
84. Jurickson Profar, LF, Braves (2024 rank: no rank)
85. Isaac Paredes, 3B, Astros (2024 rank: 78)
86. Willson Contreras, C, Cardinals (2024 rank: 82)
87. Bryce Miller, SP, Mariners (2024 rank: no rank)
88. Justin Steele, SP, Cubs (2024 rank: 64)
89. Kerry Carpenter, RF, Tigers (2024 rank: no rank)
90. Lawrence Butler, RF, Athletics (2024 rank: no rank)
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No. 91-No. 100
The No. 100 player is also the game¡¯s No. 1 prospect. Roki Sasaki has the skills to be one of the league's best pitchers this season. The same goes for the player directly in front of him on this list, Jacob deGrom. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has thrown only 105 1/3 innings over the past three seasons due to injuries, but the projections believe he can still be elite. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, top-10 players two years ago, now find themselves next to each other in the 90s. They are on the back end of their decorated careers while 2024 rookies Masyn Winn, James Wood and Wyatt Langford all appear to have a bright future.
91. Brandon Nimmo, LF, Mets (2024 rank: 70)
92. Ian Happ, LF, Cubs (2024 rank: no rank)
93. Dansby Swanson, SS, Cubs (2024 rank: 67)
94. Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals (2024 rank: no rank)
95. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Cardinals (2024 rank: 33)
96. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Yankees (2024 rank: 36)
97. Wyatt Langford, LF, Rangers (2024 rank: no rank)
98. James Wood, LF, Nationals (2024 rank: no rank)
99. Jacob deGrom, SP, Rangers (2024 rank: no rank)
100. Roki Sasaki, SP, Dodgers (2024 rank: no rank)
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