This is our eighth edition of the Hitter Power Rankings this season, and one hitter has clearly established himself as the man to beat.
That would be Aaron Judge. While the Yankees slugger missed out on our debut rankings way back in April, he since has appeared in the top 10 seven straight times. And today is his third appearance in the No. 1 spot, while no other player has done so more than once.
These rankings take into account both season-long excellence and recent performance, along with compelling storylines and a bit of ¡°fun factor.¡± And for most of 2022, Judge has checked all of those boxes. Here is a look at the latest Hitter Power Rankings.
All stats entering play Thursday.
1) Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees (Last poll: 8)
DraftKings MVP odds: -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
There isn¡¯t a whole lot of suspense left in the Major League home run race, so now the big question is whether Judge can get to 60. Only five players have ever done that, and no one has since Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa in 2001. Also very much in play: the AL record of 61 homers, still held by Roger Maris.
2) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers (6)
DraftKings MVP odds: (7-1)
To say that Freeman¡¯s adjustment to L.A. after 12 seasons in Atlanta has been smooth would be an understatement. He continues to give opposing pitchers headaches, racking up an MLB-best 122 hits through Wednesday. Over his last 34 games entering Thursday, Freeman was batting .391/.447/.714 with 10 homers.
3) Austin Riley, 3B, Braves (1)
DraftKings MVP odds: 10-1
Judge is the only Major League hitter with more total bases this season than Riley, who has racked up 27 doubles and 28 homers. Riley is slashing an absurd .413/.455/.859 with 10 big flies in July, putting himself in the thick of the NL MVP conversation.
4) Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals (3)
DraftKings MVP odds: -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
He easily leads National League hitters in batting average (.335), OBP (.417), slugging (.619) and OPS+ (194). Goldschmidt had eight hits, five homers and 10 RBIs over his past four games before missing the Cardinals¡¯ series in Toronto.
5) Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets (not ranked)
DraftKings MVP odds: 15-1
While Alonso might have fallen short in his quest for a third straight Home Run Derby title, he is enjoying arguably his best season. The Polar Bear sports a career-high 154 OPS+ and leads the Majors in RBIs (84), which gives him a shot at MLB's first 140-RBI season since 2009 (Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard).
6) Yordan Alvarez, OF/DH, Astros (7)
DraftKings MVP odds: 14-1
A hand issue put Alvarez on the injured list for a couple of weeks but did little to slow his momentum. In his first seven games back, all he did was go 6-for-17 (.353) with seven walks, two doubles, three homers and a 1.520 OPS. Alvarez still led MLB in OPS+, with a 203 mark -- more than twice league average -- entering Thursday¡¯s action.
7) Juan Soto, OF, Nationals (2)
DraftKings MVP odds: 40-1
The Soto trade rumors will continue flying fast and furious up to Tuesday¡¯s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, but it remains to be seen if the 23-year-old will actually move. If he does get dealt to a more robust lineup, perhaps Soto will see a few more pitches to hit. Entering Thursday, his 84 walks led the Majors -- by a whopping 27 over the Dodgers¡¯ Max Muncy.
8) Julio Rodr¨ªguez, OF, Mariners (10)
DraftKings MVP odds: 100-1
Umm, did you see the Home Run Derby? No, J-Rod didn¡¯t win. (The guy above did). But he stole the show regardless, putting a national audience on notice that a new superstar has arrived. After missing Seattle¡¯s first four games coming out of the break, Rodr¨ªguez picked up where he left off, homering in his first two back in the lineup.
9) Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles (not ranked)
DraftKings MVP odds: 100-1
The rookie has done more than just find his footing in the big leagues after his initial struggles. Before getting a day off Thursday, he was batting .455 in his past eight games. Since June 10 (when he played his 16th MLB game), Rutschman owns a .931 OPS and ranks in the top 10 in the Majors in WAR, per FanGraphs.
10) Teoscar Hern¨¢ndez, OF, Blue Jays (not ranked)
DraftKings MVP odds: 100-1
It hasn¡¯t been the smoothest season for Hern¨¢ndez, who missed a few weeks early on with an oblique strain and then struggled upon his return. But in his past 50 games through Wednesday, Hern¨¢ndez batted .325/.370/.593 to boost the Toronto lineup.
Also receiving votes: Jos¨¦ Abreu (White Sox), Luis Arraez (Twins), Matt Carpenter (Yankees), Matt Chapman (Blue Jays), Willson Contreras (Cubs), Rafael Devers (Red Sox), Ty France (Mariners), Adolis Garc¨ªa (Rangers), Carson Kelly (D-backs), Ketel Marte (D-backs), Jose Miranda (Twins), Albert Pujols (Cardinals), Corey Seager (Rangers), Mike Trout (Angels), Trea Turner (Dodgers), Ram¨®n Ur¨ªas (Orioles)
Voters: David Adler, Nick Aguilera, Doug Gausepohl, Thomas Harrigan, Sarah Langs, Ted Lee, Mike Petriello, Manny Randhawa, Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru, Andrew Simon