MLB · 2 hours ago

Power Ranking the Top 10 Players in the MLB Divisional Series

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

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MLB’s postseason heats up with the start of the Divisional Round. From MVP candidates to proven playoff performers, here are the top ten players to watch.

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1. Shohei Ohtani

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Position: DH/SP

Key Notes: Another absurd two-way year with 55 HR and a 1.014 OPS at the plate, plus a 2.87 ERA on the mound; confirmed Game 1 starter against Philly. No other team in this round has a single piece that swings the odds more.

2. Aaron Judge

Team: New York Yankees

Position: OF

Key Notes: Arguably the game’s most lethal hitter (.331 AVG, 1.144 OPS, 53 HR this season). He tilts a series by himself.

3. Tarik Skubal

Team: Detroit Tigers

Position: SP

Key Notes: As dominant as it gets (2.21 ERA, 241 K, 0.89 WHIP); tied a Tigers playoff record with 14 K’s in Game 1 of the Wild Card. Ace-of-aces stuff.

4. Cal Raleigh

Team: Seattle Mariners

Position: C

Key Notes: Greatest offensive season ever by a catcher (60 HR, 125 RBI); power and clutch hitting make him as dangerous as anyone.

5. Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Position: SP

Key Notes: True No. 1 form (2.49 ERA, 201 K, 0.99 WHIP) and delivered in the Wild Card clincher (6.2 IP, 0 ER, 9 K). That profile plays big in a five-game series.

6. Kyle Schwarber

Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Position: DH

Key Notes: MLB RBI leader (132) with 56 HR and a .928 OPS in 2025; a true masher who crushed lefties this year (.964 OPS) and brings legit October fear factor (21 career postseason HR).

7. Freddie Freeman

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Position: 1B

Key Notes: Still a metronome in the heart of LA’s order (.295/.369/.500, .869 OPS). Hyper-reliable in big at-bats.

8. Bryce Harper

Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Position: 1B

Key Notes: .844 OPS in ’25 plus a career 1.016 postseason OPS. Few hitters shift October leverage like Harper.

9. George Springer

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Position: DH/OF

Key Notes: A throwback season (.309 AVG, .959 OPS) and a proven October operator. One of the game’s most dangerous leadoff men (61 career leadoff HR).