MLB: Picking the best player at each position for 2022

The MLB All-Star game is where the so-called best players come together and play a game. However, sometimes it can be seen as a popularity vote instead of a greatness vote. With the 2022 regular season coming to an end, it is a good time to create the best lineup with the best players in the game of this season. All of these decisions are difficult, however it is still one amazing lineup.

Here are the best players at each position across MLB

Catcher: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

With two games left for the Dodgers, they are currently at league-high 110 wins. Winning that many games does not come from just one or two players, but with every single player. Amongst all of the MLB catchers, Smith has the most RBI, second-most homers, and third-most hits. Defensively, Smith has the third-lowest errors amongst the starting catchers with just three, and has only allowed four passed balls all season.

When you think of the Dodgers, you think of Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, and Freddie Freeman, but Will Smith has had a lot to do with their 110 wins.

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals

First base has three tough choices. Between Freddie Freeman, Pete Alonso, and Paul Goldschmidt, Goldschmidt is the best all-around player at first this season. One of the candidates for the National League MVP, Goldschmidt has the second-best batting average among first basemen, second-most RBI, and third-most hits. Defensively, Goldschmidt is tied with just one other player with the lowest errors. The Cardinals are a very good team, and what Goldschmidt has been doing this year is a major reason why.

Second Base: Jeff McNeil, New York Mets

The Mets are a very good team, but McNeil is usually not one of the first few names thought of when talking about the Mets. Between Max Scherzer, Jacob DeGrom, Pete Alonso, and Edwin Diaz, Jeff McNeil belongs in their category for this season. The pure contact second baseman does not hit home runs, which may be one of the reasons he is not getting as much recognition as he should. McNeil has the highest batting average amongst second basemen, the most hits, and second-most doubles. Defensively, compared to everyday second basemen, he has the lowest errors with three.

Jeff McNeil is one of those players that may not get the recognition due to his lack of home runs, with just eight, but he gets on base, as he is tied seventh in runs scored.

Third Base: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

Jose Ramirez is the best all-around third baseman in all of baseball. A little over a month ago, the pick probably would have been Nolan Arenado or Austin Riley, but Ramirez is once again proving that he is one of the best in the game. Batting .280, Ramirez has the most RBI amongst all third basemen … and it isn’t close. The Guardians can easily credit their September dominance and ability to make the playoffs because of Ramirez’s play.

Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox

Bogaerts has been dominating all year long, both at the plate and in the field. Currently, he has the highest batting average amongst shortstops, highest OBP, and third-most doubles. Defensively, he has the third-fewest errors with 10. Shortstops will always have higher error numbers. One of the other top shortstops this year, Trea Turner, had 16 errors, and the league high is Javier Baez at 26.

The Bogaerts talk is just beginning. He could opt-out of his contract and hit free agency. As much as the best shortstop free agent (Corey Seager) last season got paid (10 years, $325 million), it will be interesting to see what happens with Bogaerts.