MLB Now's Top 10 Right Now! series returns Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. ET on MLB Network
Brian Kenny hosts primetime countdown series as the best relief pitchers, right fielders and center fielders are unveiled this week
MLB Network analysts & variety of guest panelists featured across ten episodes, Including Bob Costas, Joe Posnanski and Jayson Stark
January 9, 2023 ¨C MLB Now¡¯s Top 10 Right Now! series, counting down the 10 best players at each position, returns Jan.10 with relief pitchers at 8 p.m. ET. Hosted by Brian Kenny, the 13th edition of the series begins with relief pitchers Tuesday, followed by right fielders this Wednesday and center fielders Thursday. Featuring 10 episodes over the next four weeks, the complete schedule for the series can be seen here and below. The Shredder, MLB Network¡¯s statistical algorithm that operates without emotion or bias, will reveal the top 10 at each position, plus insight will be provided by MLB Network analysts, including Ron Darling, Cliff Floyd, Mike Lowell, Cameron Maybin, Dan O¡¯Dowd, Jake Peavy, Carlos Pe?a, Anthony Recker and Tom Verducci. For Maybin, Peavy and Recker, it will mark the first time they have contributed to the series.
To preview the series, Kenny said, ¡°This a true test for comparative analysis. As Mike Tyson said, ¡®Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth.¡¯ Well, for this series, everyone has a plan, until they make their own top 10. No punches will be thrown, but there will be spirited debate. I can guarantee you that.¡±
?A variety of guest panelists will contribute throughout the series, including Bob Costas (MLB Network), Alex Fast (Pitcher List), Rob Friedman (Pitching Ninja), Hannah Keyser (Yahoo! Sports), Keith Law (The Athletic), baseball historian Joe Posnanski and Jayson Stark (The Athletic). Each episode will also include a sabermetrics-focused roundtable featuring former SABR President Vince Gennaro, MLB.com writer and editor Sarah Langs, and MLB.com analyst Mike Petriello.
Each ranking of MLB Now¡¯s Top 10 Players Right Now! considers player performance over the last three seasons, offensive and defensive metrics, Statcast data and traditional numbers, and expert analysis by the MLB Network research team. The number one ranked player at each position from the Top 10 Right Now! series leading into Opening Day 2022 featured J.T. Realmuto (Phillies / Catchers), Freddie Freeman (Dodgers / First Basemen), Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks / Second Basemen), Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres / Shortstops), Jos¨¦ Ram¨ªrez (Guardians / Third Basemen), Jesse Winker (Brewers / Left Fielders), Mike Trout (Angels / Center Fielders), Juan Soto (Nationals / Right Fielders), Jacob deGrom (Mets / Starting Pitchers) and Josh Hader (Brewers / Relief Pitchers). Fans and viewers can submit their own Top 10 Right Now! ranking on social media using #Top10RightNow. Prior to each new countdown episode, MLB Network will reveal the number 10 ranked player on social media ahead of its 8 p.m. ET airing.
MLB Network Analyst Twitter accounts:
Jake Peavy, Cliff Floyd, Cameron Maybin, Carlos Pe?a, Mike Lowell, Anthony Recker