Reaction
What immediately jumps out is that not a single player from MLB’s best team, the Milwaukee Brewers (76-44), made the list. I can’t wrap my head around that, especially given the resurgent season Christian Yelich is having. Yelich's consistency lands him a spot over Washington's James Wood, who has struggled mightily post-All-Star break.
I was also surprised to see Rays All-Star third baseman Junior Caminero omitted. Caminero's .300 on-base percentage is an area he needs to improve, but the 22-year-old ranks sixth in MLB in home runs (34) and ninth in RBI (84), while boasting a low strikeout rate (20.4%) compared to his peers.
At a minimum, the case for Caminero can be made at the expense of fellow third baseman Matt Chapman. While Chapman's Gold Glove-level defense is unquestioned, his offensive game pales in comparison. Caminero's absence could look somewhat egregious by season's end.
Of course, Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani will fuel much of the debate. It's difficult to find fault in Judge's standing at No. 1. He's inarguably the greatest offensive force of his generation, and is in the midst of another historic campaign, one that should result in a second straight AL MVP award.
That said, Ohtani's elite skills as both a pitcher and hitter are something only Babe Ruth can truly relate to. The fact he can hit 50+ home runs while also mowing down opposing lineups is unfathomable in today’s game. Throw in his base stealing ability (59 steals in 2024), and it can be said that Ohtani has redefined what it means to be an all-around player.
Like Judge, Ohtani's also on track to claim a second consecutive MVP, which would make him just the second player in MLB history to win four or more in a career, joining Barry Bonds. Simply put, we may never see anything like this again.
You can’t go wrong with either superstar, but in my view, Ohtani’s unmatched two-way excellence makes him the best player in baseball.
