Astros Stars Dominate MLB Top 10 Position Rankings
MLB.com recently ranked the Top 10 players at every position in baseball. The Houston Astros were prominent in the rankings.
For the past few weeks, the site and MLB Network have partnered to publish the Top 10 players right now at each position. With the final drop of the Top 10 relief pitchers, that means all of the Top 10 rankings are out.
The rankings are based on data collected by the MLB Network research team. The rankings were based on past player performance, a number of offensive and defensive metrics, both advanced data and traditional numbers.
The Astros had a whopping eight players ranked on the Top 10 at their respective positions.
The Astros ranked No. 1 at their position included Yordan Alvarez, who was considered a left fielder for these rankings. He was also the No. 1 left fielder a year ago, even though he played more games at designated hitter than in the outfield. Interestingly, Chas McCormick, who was the No. 10 center fielder last season, was No. 5 in left field.
In the field, Jose Altuve was No. 2 at second base behind the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts. Altuve was No. 1 last season and his drop is likely due to missing more than two months due to injuries last season.
Also checking in at No. 2 at his position was right fielder Kyle Tucker, who was No. 4 last season. Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., the reigning National League MVP, was No. 1.
Alex Bregman was No. 5 at third base as he enters the final season of his contract. Atlanta’s Austin Riley was No. 1. Bregman moved up from one spot at No. 6 a season ago.
With a little more than a season under his belt, catcher Yainer Diaz was a bit of a surprise in these rankings, as he was No. 8 at catcher. Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman was No. 1.
On the mound, Justin Verlander was ranked No. 4 after being ranked No. 2 last season. Verlander returned to Houston in a trade at the deadline in August. He has a shot at being the Astros’ opening-day starter in March. Former Astros pitcher and current AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees was No. 1.
Bryan Abreu was ranked No. 7 among relief pitchers, with Milwaukee’s Devin Williams taking the top spot.
