Top 20 Best MLB Players of This Year

Top 20 Best MLB Players of This Year

Hello there, baseball fans! It’s time for us to take a look at this year’s top MLB players. Stay tuned to find out if your favorite player made it onto our updated list of the Top 20 MLB Players of 2022 or not.

The oldest major professional league in the world, Major League Baseball (MLB), has a total of 30 teams.

Half of the teams compete in the American League (AL), with 15 competing in the National League (NL) (AL).

The MLB is a sport that requires flawless dexterity and control from pitchers to hitters. So without further ado, let’s get started with the Top 20 MLB Players of 2022.

Our list was put together using a variety of reliable online resources, including MLB.com and ESPN.

More Face About Top 20 Best MLB Players of This Year

20. Manny Machado

July 6, 1992 – birth (30 years old)
The third baseman position (3B)
Manny Machado finally found his rhythm in the 2020 season after a rocky start to his San Diego tenure.

Furthermore, Machado is attempting to duplicate his outstanding statistics from last season.

In addition, the Padres’ third baseman was vicious in 2020, producing a stellar.304/.370/.580 line that included 16 home runs.

In addition, Machado’s strong defense and good hitting helped him place third in the “NL MVP Voting.”

19. DJ LeMahieu

Born: 13 July 1988 (24 years old)
David John LeMahieu, better known by his stage name DJ LeMahieu, is an infielder with the New York Yankees and an orchestrator on the field.

LeMahieu, known as “machine,” has consistently lived up to his moniker by putting in outstanding performances each season.

The athlete, who was born in California, also placed twice as a top five Most Valuable Player.

He also has the highest major league batting average in 2020.

LeMahieu has demonstrated no signs of slowing down in the league despite his advanced age.

18. Walker Buehler

Birth date: July 28, 1994 (28 years old)
Position: Pitcher, starting (SP)
Walker Anthony Buehler, a professional baseball player who is ranked #18 on our list of the top MLB players of 2022, took a break after the league’s suspension in 2020.

Given these circumstances, it makes sense that Buehler took some time to catch up to the league’s high standards.

Buehler began to play well and find his form throughout the postseason, though.

He surrendered only five runs and struck out 39 batters in 25 innings following his type of mini-comeback.

Buehler aspires to continue his postseason success in 2021, which would enhance his résumé and significantly improve the Dodgers’ season.

17. José Ramrez

September 17, 1992 – birth (29 years old)
The third baseman position (3B)
José Enrique Ramrez has a little frame, but he is a strong hitter with the ability to steal bases frequently.

Ramirez’s numbers match his prowess on the field, as he placed in the top three in the MVP voting each of the previous four years. Ramirez, a 7 WAR player in 2017 and 2018, will also be a tremendous asset in the 2021 season with his hard-hitting.

16. Trevor Bauer

On 17 January 1991 (31 years old)
Position: Pitcher, starting (SP)
Trevor Andrew Bauer is the current starting pitcher for the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers after inking a massive three-year, $102 million contract with the team.

The former Reds pitcher outperformed all of his league rivals in 2020, winning the Cy Young Award (NL).

All eyes will be on Bauer as the 2021 season approaches to see how well he can mesh with the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup.

However, the brilliant pitcher may be expected to have another outstanding year as he attempts to repeat his 1.73 ERA season.

15. Anthony Rendon

On June 6th, 1990 (32 years old)
The third baseman position (3B)
Anthony Michael Rendon is a top-tier professional who consistently produces Gold Glove-level performances week in and week out.

He possesses dazzling abilities and a quick mind.

Making contact has proven to be as difficult as ever, but Rendon has a +24 strikeout rate relative to his walks.

14. Shane Bieber

The 31st of May 1995 (27 years old)
Position: Pitcher, starting (SP)
Shane Robert Bieber, who has become one of the top pitchers in the last two years, comes in at number 14 on our list.

Bieber hopes to build on his successful 2020 season in the ongoing 2021 season.

Additionally, Bieber had a 1.63 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 12 starts for the year 2020.

Even though he was unable to win the American League MVP, he ultimately won the 2020 Cy Young Award (AL).

13. Alex Bregman

The 30th of March, 1994 (28 years old)
The third baseman position (3B)
The third baseman for the Houston Astros is Alexander David Bregman, aka “A-Breg” in Major League Baseball.

Alex aspires to put the past behind him and build on a successful season going into 2022 after a disastrous 2020.

It would be naïve to assume that despite a disappointing performance last season, his finest days are behind him.

It won’t be long before Bregman returns to his typical form after the talented baseman wowed the league with hits that looked like missiles.

12. Cody Bellinger

The 13th of July, 1995 (27 years old)
Positions: First Baseman and Outfielder (OF) (1B)
One of the league’s most gifted fielders, Cody James Bellinger possesses lightning-quick speed, terrific power, and a fine plus arm.

The 2019 season would have to be considered the year that best exhibited Cody Bellinger’s genius.

Bellinger also finished the season with an MVP award after enticing the field with his precise load and swing right.

Bellinger is still a top athlete aiming for a successful 2022 season, despite several issues contributing to his shorter, below-average 2020 season.

11. Nolan Arenado

Born on 16 April 1991 (31 years old)
The third baseman position (3B)
Nolan James Arenado, a baseball player now playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, is another third baseman on our list.

It is important to note that despite having the worst season of his career in 2020, he played nearly the entire previous season despite experiencing pain in his AC joint.

According to sources, Arenado has fully healed from his injury, so the Cardinals will look to rely on him going forward.

Additionally, we could get to see Arenado return to his spectacular best.

The eight-time Golden Glove winner aspires to accomplish the same thing: straighten his shoulder and push past the competition.

10. Francisco Lindor

Date of birth: 14 November 1993 (28 years old)
Place: Shortstop (SS)
The tenth sportsperson on our list is a player who is well-known for his integrity on the field. Francisco Miguel Lindor, a shortstop with the Cleveland Indians and a two-time Gold Glove winner, is known by the nicknames “Paquito” and “Mr. Smile.”

Like Arenado, Lindor also had a below-average 2020 campaign, batting just 258 times for the year with eight home runs.

Even though the MLB circuit is well aware of his impressive credentials, the four-time All-Star enters the vital 2022 season expecting to get off to a fast start.

9. Christian Yelich

On 5 December 1991 (30 years old)
Fielder, outfield (OF)
Christian Stephen Yelich enters 2022 with a grudge and a desire to restore his lost shape.

Yelich, though, is in a difficult situation because of the increased pressure to perform.

However, as long as Yelich gets back to his old form, he may still frustrate his opponents.

The Brewers outfielder topped the National League in OPS throughout his first two seasons in Milwaukee before a dismal 2020.

8. Fernando Tatis Junior

February 2nd, 1999 (23 years old)
Positions: Outfielder and Shortstop (SS) (OF)
Fernando Gabriel Tats Medina Jr. has only played baseball in the Major League Baseball for one season, but he already has a $14 million deal.

Yet how? Oh, that’s easy. In the one season he has played in the MLB, Fernando has quickly broken important records.

Fernando is the first player to achieve this within the first 150 games with a.301/.374/.582 slash line, 39 home runs, 27 stolen bases, 8 triples, and a 7.0 Baseball-Reference WAR to his credit before turning 22.

7. Freddie Freeman

The 12th of September, 1989 (32 years old)
The first baseman position (1B)
The 2020 MVP of the Year, Frederick Charles Freeman, is ranked seventh.

Freeman displayed performances that he most likely cannot duplicate again by playing as if he were possessed.

There is, however, a teeny-tiny glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he’ll try it again.

Freeman recorded the greatest statistics of his career in 2020, with more walks than strikeouts.

After such a successful season, Freeman hopes to keep his winning ways going in 2022.

Additionally, Freddie Freeman’s Son: Surrogacy, Infertility & Net Worth has more information regarding Freeman’s life.

6. Jacob deGrom

Born on 19 June 1988 (34 years old)
Position: Pitcher, starting (SP)
Jacob Anthony deGrom had a fantastic season in 2020, coming close to winning his third straight Cy Young Award.

DeGrom expects to further dominate the field in 2022 with the better Mets lineup.

Additionally, the Mets’ supporters are anticipating what is ahead thanks to his gain in velocity this spring.

5. Gerrit Cole

The eighth of September 1990 (31 years old)
Position: Pitcher, starting (SP)
One of the best players the game has ever seen, Gerrit Alan Cole is known as MLB’s ace pitcher.

The ace pitcher played up to his billing in 2020, with a 2.84 ERA in 12 regular-season starts with 94 strikeouts over 73 innings despite having trouble with the stop-start nature of the Major League Baseball previous season.

The $324 million man also helped his squad to a 7-3 record last year.

4. Ronald Acua, Jr.

On 18 December 1997 (24 years old)
Fielder, outfield (OF)
Ronald José Acua Blanco Jr. has already made a name for himself in the MLB while being very young.

Ronald is a well-known power hitter who has already hit 14 home runs.

Additionally, he had a.250/.406/.581 line in 46 games the previous season.

3. Juan Soto

25 October 1998, birth date (23 years old)
Fielder, outfield (OF)
Juan José Soto Pacheco, who was born in the Dominican Republic, is well-known in Major League Baseball as the “Childish Bambino.”

It’s fair to say that Soto is regularly compared to Ted Williams, an MLB icon.

Williams hit.344/.442/.594 as a 21-year-old, then.406 as a 22-year-old, while Soto hit.351/.490/.695 as a 21-year-old, according to statistics.

Furthermore, Soto achieved those absurd results in just 47 games.

Soto is the most likely player to be the finest hitter anyone has ever seen, possessing the same caliber of skill and determination as Williams.

2. Mookie Betts

On 7 October 1992 (29 years old)
Fielder, outfield (OF)
The coaching staff of the Dodgers and the entire MLB circuit have been pleasantly pleased by Markus Lynn Betts, also known as Mookie Betts, for how good he is.

Betts has been a surprising revelation in the league thanks to his solid defensive outlook, methodical approach to working counts, and ideal setup to run the bases easily.

Aside from Mike Trout, his 38.4 FanGraphs WAR from 2015 to 2020 ranks second in the league.

1. Michael Trout

Born on 7 August 1991 (31 years old)
Fielder, outfield (OF)
Michael Nelson Trout (Mike Trout), who is already regarded as one of the all-time greats, dominates our list of the Top 20 MLB Players of 2022.

Mike Trout is still better than most players in the league, even on his worst day.

This was the situation the previous year when Trout had his poorest campaign since making his debut.

Trout still managed to place in the top five in the voting for the American League MVP despite all numbers falling off the board.

Trout’s “worst-season ranking” in the top five is a clear sign of his prowess on the field if there ever was one.

Also Read: Jalen Rose, Morgan Macgregor, Cassady McClincy

Conclusion

Even though athletes in every sport strive to be the best, relatively few achieve their goals.

Furthermore, it is much more true in the MLB, where winning at the greatest level necessitates detailed and flawless precision.

Even if MLB is a charming sport in and of itself, the players stated above overcame obstacles to become among the Top 20 MLB Players of 2022.