We are nearing summer as the Major League Baseball season rolls on. It’s time to break down the best players at each position. Here are our 2024 American League rankings for the best players at each position.
Catcher
1) Adley Rutschman (Orioles) – He has lived up to his hype as a top prospect and continues to rake at the Major League level. He has the best WAR amongst catchers for a reason.
2) Salvador Perez (Royals) – Don’t tell Perez about father time, he doesn’t care. He is hitting well above .300 and is hitting for a ton of power in that lineup.
3) Logan O’Hoppe (Angels) – Not a lot of positives for the Angels but he is one of them, impressing with his bat but also coming on with his glove, O’Hoppe ranks at the top in caught stealing.
First Baseman
1) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) – He is still at the top for first baseman in the AL. Vladdy Jr. rakes and it’s as simple as that. He has the highest batting average among first basemen and the highest OPS. His homers are down but I have a feeling they’ll pick up.
2) Ryan Mountcastle (Orioles) – He isn’t a household name yet, but Mountcastle is putting together a second straight impressive season. Second highest in fielding percentage and best offensive WAR.
3) Josh Naylor (Guardians) – You want your first baseman to hit for power and Naylor is already over the 15 home run mark in 2024. There is no one close to him in RBIs.
Second Baseman
1) Marcus Semien (Rangers) – Semien is an RBI machine in the middle of Texas’ lineup and has the highest WAR at the position while adding excellent defense.
2) Jose Altuve (Astros) – Father time ignored again with Altuve who leads in batting average, OPS, and slugging at the position.
3) Andres Gimenez (Guardians) – They love this guy in Cleveland as he provides a lot of pop with his bat, improved defense could skyrocket him.
Third Baseman
1A) Rafael Devers (Red Sox) – Devers is a household name at the position and a top hitter in the Bigs. He has an OPS over .915 which is elite hitting.
1B) Jose Ramirez (Guardians) – These two are interchangeable at the top as Ramirez racks up home runs and WAR. He’ll drive in a ton of runs every year.
3) Jordan Westburg (Orioles) – Newcomer to the list as Westburg has really emerged with his bat this year and is tied for the highest WAR at the position.
Shortstop
1) Gunnar Henderson (Orioles) – He’d be my MVP pick at this point. He has the highest WAR in the bigs among all players, he’s hitting for insane power, and is really productive with his glove.
2) Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals) – If you’re starting a franchise, you want this guy on your team. Huge OPS, huge WAR, and will swipe bags left and right.
3) Corey Seager (Rangers) – Corey Seager is Mr. Reliable and he only gets better in the postseason. He started the season a bit slow but is on fire now. Expect the numbers to continue to rise for a big season at short in Texas.
Left Field
1) Brent Rooker (A’s) – Rooker has emerged as a top talent in the outfield and is one of Oakland’s few good players. He is hitting for major power this season and killing opposing pitchers in a ballpark that isn’t all that hitter friendly.
2) Alex Verdugo (Yankees) – The Yanks have loved this trade so far as Verdugo hits for big time average and has a perfect fielding percentage and second-best defensive WAR.
3) Steven Kwan (Guardians) – When healthy, he is likely higher on this list. Kwan does a little bit of everything with his bat, glove, and speed.
Center Field
1) Aaron Judge (Yankees) – No one is topping Your Honor here. He had an ice-cold start but is now on a tear, hitting with an OPS over 1.000 and getting closer to 20 home runs.
2) Jarren Durran (Red Sox) – Durran has turned into a really nice center fielder for Boston who has the second-highest WAR and is a menace on the basepaths and on defense.
3) Julio Rodriguez (Seattle) – Not that he’s not amazing, but I think we are all expecting slightly more from JRod’s bat this season, and I’m sure he will heat up.
Right Field
1) Kyle Tucker (Astros) – He doesn’t seem to be from this planet at this point with the best WAR, nearly 20 home runs, and a massive slugging percentage. Tucker is perfect in right on defense and the best hitter the Astros have at this point.
2) Juan Soto (Yankees) – New York fans have loved this trade; they just better pray they can lock him down at the end of the season as he has been the Yankees best player.
3) Wilyer Abreu (Red Sox) – The Sox rolled the dice going with Abreu in right to begin the year and it’s paid off. He has the highest defensive WAR but also hits it well with the second-best average at the position and third best WAR.
Designated Hitter
1) Yordan Alvarez (Astros) – Alvarez is one of the best designated hitters in the bigs and he’s putting up huge numbers again with a nice OPS and plenty of total bases.
2) Ryan Jeffers (Twins) – Jeffers splits time at catcher and DH. He is hitting for big time power with more than 12 jacks and has a great OPS.
3) Giancarlo Stanton (Yankees) – Tons of whiffs from the former MVP but there is no denying that he can still get a hold of it, which is exactly what you want from a DH.
Starting Pitchers
1) Tarik Skubal (Tigers) – He has been sensational for the Tigers and could wrap up a Cy Young. Skubal has the lowest WHIP and one of the highest WARs.
2) Seth Lugo (Royals) – A name you didn’t expect to see here. Lugo has been the surprise of the season, highest WAR for pitchers and lowest ERA in the league.
3) Lucas Gil (Yankees) – The Yanks needed a pitcher to step up with Gerrit Cole out and Gil has been the guy. 1.99 ERA and a ton of Ks.
Relief Pitchers
1) Emmanuel Clase (Guardians) – He could win the Cy Young as a closer, leading the league with 17 saves and has the highest WAR for relievers.
2) Mason Miller (Athletics) – He has been electric and went through most of May without allowing a single run. He throws hard and gets the Ks in bunches.
3) Clay Holmes (Yankees) – The Yanks have yet again found a shutdown closer as Holmes has 16 saves and has hardly allowed runs.