This past week, the folks at MLB network aired a 5 part series reveling their Top 100 Right Now. Ranking players, especially when you are compiling a list across all positions, can get pretty subjective. Heck, even the hosts of the show were complaining about the list at times. For example, the leagues home run leader, Mark Trumbo with 47 bombs, didn’t make the list. The list can be found at
http://m.mlb.com/network/shows/?id=mlbn_top100
The criteria used to determine the top 100 major league baseball players “right now”, meaning heading into 2017, consisted of their stats from the last 3 seasons, 2017 projections, as well as accolades and positions. Previous stats seem to help, but several players, like the Cubs Kyle Schwarber and Indians Michael Brantley hardly played in 2016. Several others were rookies in 2016 and played less than half a season, such as the Yankees Gary Sanchez and Nationals Trea Turner. So you can see how subjective this can get. Also remember that the difference between players say ranked 30 and 80 could be very close, we should not look at it as “50 spots”. The difference between the those ranked 80 to 100 and those left off the list can also be very very small.
With the advent of sabermetrics, new “catch all” metrics, Like WAR (Wins Above Replacement), have been used to evaluate a players “complete” contribution to a team in relation to other players. However, even if we thought these numbers were 100% accurate, it doesn’t guarantee the same players will preform at the same levels for 2017. Improvement and regression is always going to subjective and that’s why some love these lists and some hate them.
The World Series Champion Chicago Cubs landed 9 players on the list with the highest ranked player being the National League MVP Kris Bryant at number 4. Here are the Cubs and their rankings:
4 – Kris Bryant
16 – Anthony Rizzo
28 – Jake Arrieta
29 – Jon Lester
59 – Kyle Hendricks
69 – Ben Zobrist
72 – Kyle Schwarber
85 – Wade Davis
87 – Addison Russell
Three other teams had 8 players on the list, Boston, Cleveland, and Washington, while San Diego and Philadelphia didn’t have anyone make the list. Just think how guys like the Padres Wil Myers and the Phillies Odubel Herrera and Ceaser Hernandez feel. They were all ranked in the top 50 of position players by WAR. In fact Jean Segura of Arizona and Jose Ramirez of the Indians were also left of the list and ranked in the top 30 by WAR. So much for sabermetrics ruling the rankings. Here is look at how the rankings breakdown by each position.
Starting Pitchers – 23 (2, 14, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 43, 47, 48, 50, 59, 64, 67, 68, 75, 77, 78, 86, 95, 96, 100)
Relief Pitchers – 7 (38, 39, 52, 65, 81, 82, 85)
Catchers – 7 (17, 53, 80, 90, 97, 98, 99)
First Basemen – 13 (6, 10, 13, 16, 18, 26, 58, 66, 70, 79, 83, 91, 93)
Second Basemen – 9 (5, 15, 31, 35, 49, 55, 63, 69, 76)
Third Basemen – 9 (3, 4, 7, 12, 27, 37, 56, 57, 94)
Short Stop – 9 (11, 19, 20, 42, 44, 45, 87, 88, 89)
Left Field – 6 (21, 32, 71, 72, 74, 84)
Center Field – 8 (1, 33, 36, 40, 41, 46, 61, 62, 73, 92)
Right Field – 7 (8, 9, 22, 34, 51, 54, 60)
I found it interesting how each position ranked. The starting pitchers are spread pretty evenly throughout the list. Meanwhile only two relievers made the top 50 and only one catcher. The third baseman are highly regarded as 4 of the 9 are in the top 12 and the short stops to be ranked into three groups, 3 in the top 20, 3 in the 40’s and 3 in the 80’s. The first basemen are also highly thought of with 5 in the top 18.
Only two pitchers made the top 20, Clayton Kershaw (2) and Max Scherzer (14). Both of them were joined by a teammate in the top 20, with the Dodgers Corey Seager (11) and the Nationals Bryce Harper (9). Only two other teams have two players in the top 20, the Astros Jose Altuve (5) and Carlos Correa (20) and the Cubs Kris Bryant (2) and Anthony Rizzo (16).
Since this list has already been out there for a few days a lot of opinions have already been aired. Here were two that I’d like to share and then address:
“What, no Javy Baez?”
While Baez had an incredible run through the playoffs with some spectacular defensive plays and a several timely hits, his wRC+ (weight runs created plus) for 2016 was just 94 or below average. Jason Kipnis had the lowest wRC+ of 117 of the 9 second baseman that did make the list. The other 8 all were over 120. A better case could have been made for the Philly Ceaser Hernandez. Maybe next year Javy…
“Rizzo not in the top 10?”
We’ve already suggested the subjectivity of this ranking. Think of it terms of a draft, where everyone is available. If we created a league with 30 teams, I would have no problem picking in the top 20. You want Trout, I have no problem taking Correa. You get Kershaw at two, I have no problem with Fransico Lindor at 18.
While many arguments can be made for the order of the top players, I don’t think there is much dispute that for one year, here in 2017, each of these 20 guys are franchise type players that every team would want. It is just exciting that as the list extends to 100 how awesome it is to see so many Chicago Cubs. No wonder they won the World Series, here’s to hoping they win it again.
