The MLB season is nearly halfway over, which means it’s time to take a look at the top players around the league at every position. Many of the usual stars are still dominating, but there’s a few new faces making waves around the league.
The 2016 MLB season has been one with its fair share of strange storylines. From the Philadelphia Phillies surprisingly hot start to the Minnesota Twins intense regression, there’s been no shortage of things to monitor this year.
As expected, the Chicago Cubs have been baseball’s best team, but the San Francisco Giants are close behind in yet another even year. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians are riding the momentum of the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA title to the top of the AL Central, while the Kansas City Royals look ready to strike at any moment.
Many of the league’s top stars like Mike Trout and Jose Altuve are continuing their reign of dominance, while reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper is dealing with a mini-slump.
The league’s youth movement is still garnering lots of attention, too. Kris Bryant‘s touted power in the minor leagues is coming to fruition while Xander Bogaerts is arguably the league’s best all-around hitter.
Washington Nationals’ second baseman David Murphy is still riding his playoff high from last October, while the team’s catcher, Wilson Ramos, is in the midst of a breakout season.
Each player in this list will be ranked on this season’s production, the potential to continue playing well down the stretch and their contributions to their team’s success. Sorry, Wil Myers.
Here’s a look at the top player at every position, excluding pitcher, as the All-Star break approaches.
Next: Catcher
Catcher
Wilson Ramos
A strong argument can be made for Buster Posey as the league’s top catcher this season, but Ramos’ production has been consistent since the start of the season. Whereas Posey was a mere average hitter to start the season, Ramos has been among the league leaders in batting statistics since the onset of the season.
With only a .229/.258/.358 slash line last season and a career-worst 20 percent strikeout rate, Ramos looked to be nothing more than a defense first catcher who occasionally produces at the plate.
But this season, the 28-year-old has turned a corner. A refined approach at the plate has led to career-best numbers across the board without sacrificing defense. Ramos is currently slashing .336/.386/.548 with 12 homers and 44 RBI.
While he’s typically struggled against righties in seasons past, this year Ramos is crushing them. He’s currently hitting .362 with nine home runs and 15 walks against right-handed pitchers. Ramos has also been solid against lefties, too, as he’s hitting a respectable .250.
Much of Ramos’ success this season can be attributed to his newfound discipline at the plate. Along with his high strikeout numbers last season, he rarely walked. This season, however, he’s only striking out 12.1 percent of the time while drawing walks in 7.6 percent of his at-bats.
His dependable defense has been consistent this season, as well. A 3.8 defensive WAR isn’t as impressive as the 11.1 mark he posted last season, but it’s solid nonetheless.
Ramos has been one of the main contributors to a Nationals team currently fighting off the Mets atop the NL East.
Honorable Mentions: Buster Posey, Jonathan Lucroy, Salvador Perez, J.T. Realmuto
Next: First Base
First Base
Anthony Rizzo
With Paul Goldschmidt in the midst of a relatively down year for his standards, first base has been wide open when it comes to contenders for the best player at the position. While Wil Myers currently has the highest WAR among first basemen (3.3), his production has done little to help a laboring San Diego Padres roster.
There’s plenty of solid offensive players at first base; with Eric Hosmer, Miguel Cabrera, Chris David and Freddie Freeman, just to name a few. However, none has had more impact on their team than Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
Despite a slow start to the season, Rizzo maintained his approach at the plate and broke out in June. The 26-year-old hit .378 with eight home runs and 21 RBI while drawing nearly as many walks (14) as strikeouts (17).
During that stretch, he raised his overall slash line to .283/.403/.576 all while striking out only 14 percent of the time. What’s more impressive is that Rizzo is exceeding with a relatively low .275 BABIP. If that number rises down the stretch, his numbers could be eye-popping.
In the midst of his slow start, Rizzo maintained his power – and is now on pace to set a career-high, which was previously 32 in 2014.
Rizzo’s defense at first base ranks among the better players in the field, although it’s nothing spectacular. His 6.7 UZR/150 is solid, and he’s already managed 6 defensive runs saved – which puts him on pace to break last year’s number of 10.
Rizzo has quickly evolved into an all-around force on the best team in the National League.
Honorable Mentions: Eric Hosmer, Miguel Cabrera, Freddie Freeman
Next: Second Base
Second Base
Jose Altuve
Not choosing David Murphy here is somewhat of an outrage, but it makes Jose Altuve’s season that much more impressive. Murphy is among the batting leaders in every major category, but Altuve is just slightly better at the plate and on the field.
After seeing his average dip to .313 in 2015 from .341 the previous season, it looked as if Altuve was coming down to Earth to become yet another great hitter at second base. But the 2016 version of Altuve is making a strong argument to be not only the best hitter, but player, in the game.
Still just 26, Altuve is maintaining a monstrous line of .355/.428/.575 with 14 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He’s also walking more than ever with a 10.5 percent rate while striking out less than nine percent of the time (!).
Altuve’s understanding of opposing pitchers and plate discipline is unmatched by any other hitter in the league, and he may wind up being a once in a generational hitter. And just when it seemed as if Altuve had peaked, he added power to his game. His 14 homers are one away from his career high of 15, set last season, and put him on pace for at least 23.
As he’s improved at the plate, he’s managed to revamp his defense. While he was once a liability at second with a -14.7 UZR/150 in 2014, he’s now transformed into one of the better defenders at the position by utilizing his speed. His 5’6″ frame doesn’t offer much in the way of freakish athleticism, but he makes up for it by hustling around the diamond.
Altuve may never reach 56 stolen bases again or even 30 home runs, but he manages to find a way to address any and all shortcomings in his game.
Honorable Mentions: David Murphy, Robinson Cano, Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia
Next: Third Base
Third Base
Josh Donaldson
If Manny Machado hadn’t been moved to shortstop for much of the season, he’d likely garner strong consideration here. But with Josh Donaldson dominating in the same fashion as he did in 2015, it was a clear choice.
While Donaldson struggled in May, his performance in April and June was enough to keep him as the Blue Jays most productive player for most of the season. He has a .289 average with a .975 OPS and 20 home runs while driving in 55 runs already.
Plus, like most players on this list, he’s striking out less and walking more. The hitters equivalent of perfection.
While his offense has been once again dominant, he’s still the best defensive third baseman in the league. His 10.5 UZR/150 and 4 DRS are both among the best at the position, and he looks poised to continue thriving as he enters his thirties.
There isn’t much else to say about Donaldson – which is a testament to his manner on the field. Nolan Arenado and Matt Carpenter have both looked dominant this season, but their seasons don’t match what Donaldson has done.
Honorable Mentions: Nolan Arenado, Matt Carpenter, Jake Lamb
Next: Shortstop
Shortstop
Xander Bogaerts
While Machado has been nothing short of excellent for the Baltimore Orioles this season, Xander Bogaerts has solidified his status as the best hitting shortstop in the league while also emerging as a defensive threat.
The league’s crop of young shortstops continue to make headlines as Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa and Corey Seager make advances in their games, but Bogaerts looks to be the most refined player of the bunch.
Bogaerts has seen his average dip in recent weeks, and it’s quite the accomplishment to have people be disappointed in a .333 mark. His .391 OBP and .480 slugging percentage are both career-highs, and only demonstrate the advances he’s made with plate discipline and in the power department.
After being prone to strikeouts in his first full season, Bogaerts has slowed down his approach and now consistently draws walks while seldom striking out. At the same time, he’s steadily making strides as a power hitter. He already has 21 doubles after hitting 35 last season, and now has nine homers – which puts him on pace to easily top his career-high of 12.
His approach at the plate has become more pull heavy, but he’s still managing to drive the ball to all areas of the field at a consistent rate.
While many projected Bogaerts to move from shortstop, he’s looked plenty comfortable at the position with his 6’1″ frame. He owns a 7.3 UZR/150 this season, but has a -7 DRS.
Bogaerts looks the part of a superstar once his power fully develops – and at only 23, he’s well on his way to achieving the feat.
Honorable Mentions: Manny Machado, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa
Next: Outfielders
Outfield
Since some of the league’s best outfielders shift between various positions, there won’t be specific left, center or right fielders here.
Mike Trout
With Mike Trout’s continued dominance, his play has somewhat been overlooked for the past two seasons. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been anything short of outstanding.
This season, he’s finally escaped the strikeout bug and has managed to increase his average to a career-best .327. With a 1.002 OPS, 17 homers and 12 steals, Trout is once again proving he’s the league’s best player.
He’s already stolen more bases than last season, and while he may not eclipse 100 RBI, his impact on the Los Angeles Angels is unmatched.
Bryce Harper
If you disregard the low – for Harper’s standards – .261 average, Harper is in the midst of a fantastic season. His .402 OBP and .485 SLG are down from his sky high numbers last season, but they’re still among the best in the league.
Harper likely won’t break 50 homers this year like many had hoped, but his 17 to this point are an indication that he can reach 40 when he inevitably heats up in the weeks to come. Rather surprisingly, he already has 11 steals – which signal his all-around contribution at the plate.
Defensively, he’s making all the necessary plays while staying out of harms way in right field. Harper will raise his average down the stretch, it just may not be enough to match Trout’s numbers.
Ian Desmond
Saying that Ian Desmond is among the best outfielders in the game to a casual fan would likely get you laughed out of a room. But, as what’s been a surprise to everyone, it’s true. Desmond has reinvented himself with the Texas Rangers as an outfielder capable of playing solid defense in center and left field while thriving at the plate.
The 30-year-old is slashing .317/.371/.525 with 15 homers, 14 steals and 52 RBI while hitting near the top of the Rangers lineup.
While his 23.5 strikeout percentage is rather high, it hasn’t impeded his ability to get on base and hit for power.
Desmond has come a long way from being a struggling shortstop with the Nationals in a short amount of time to emerge as one of the league’s best outfielders. What a strange season it’s been.
Honorable Mentions: Mookie Betts, Starling Marte, Carlos Gonzalez, [insert 10 different player names here]