There hasn’t been a #1 ranked hitter in my rankings besides Mike Trout since he went down with an injury at the beginning of August 2018. His replacement, Mookie Betts was in the thick of his AL MVP/World Series campaign and the difference between them wasn’t that vast anyway.
This year, the 2018 NL MVP who everyone was sure was going to regress has done just the opposite and started off even hotter than anyone anticipated. Christian Yelich has tied Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez with 14 HRs to begin the season. To top both of those jabronis, Yelich has also stolen 6 bases. Just to whet the appetites of Yelich owners — A-Rod went on to win the AL MVP that season while Pujols was the runner-up in his season. Yes, I know that Cody Bellinger is beating Yelich in some statistical categories already this season, but forgive me if I believe more in Yelich’s .350 AVG right now over Bellinger’s .420.
Top 100 Hitters
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 1 | Christian Yelich | OF | MIL | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | Mike Trout | OF | LAA | 1 | -1 |
| 3 | Cody Bellinger | 1B/OF | LAD | 5 | 2 |
| 4 | Javier Baez | 2B/SS/3B | CHC | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | Mookie Betts | OF | BOS | 3 | -2 |
| 6 | Ronald Acuna Jr. | OF | ATL | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | J.D. Martinez | OF | BOS | 7 | 0 |
| 8 | Trevor Story | SS | COL | 11 | 3 |
| 9 | Nolan Arenado | 3B | COL | 9 | 0 |
| 10 | Jose Altuve | 2B | HOU | 10 | 0 |
Notes: I had Trevor Story ranked exactly 8th in my pre-season rankings with a lot of hesitation due to his 2017 stats. I dropped Story out of the top-10 after he only hit .209 in the first 12 games of the season to try and save face a bit. He’s hit .349 since then so look how smart and fearless I am! It’s been Trout/Betts at 1 and 2 since I started writing this column last year, but Betts has started this season pretty slow with only 5 HRs, 1 SB and a .267 AVG so far. Could Betts be suffering through a bit of a World Series hangover? You don’t have to look too far back (2017) when Betts hit .264 with a .268 BABIP. This year his BABIP is .267 — maybe this is just natural year-to-year fluctuations.
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 11 | Khris Davis | DH | OAK | 13 | 2 |
| 12 | Paul Goldschmidt | 1B | StL | 16 | 4 |
| 13 | Bryce Harper | OF | PHI | 14 | 1 |
| 14 | Anthony Rendon | 3B | WAS | 15 | 1 |
| 15 | Manny Machado | SS | SD | 8 | -7 |
| 16 | Adalberto Mondesi | SS | KC | 23 | 7 |
| 17 | Freddie Freeman | 1B | ATL | 17 | 0 |
| 18 | Rhys Hoskins | OF | PHI | 21 | 3 |
| 19 | Juan Soto | OF | WAS | 19 | 0 |
| 20 | Tim Anderson | SS | CHW | 42 | 22 |
Notes: I can’t ignore Tim Anderson anymore. I want to — but I can’t just yet. A career .258 hitter all of a sudden hitting over .400? Chill. However, I can’t deny the power/speed threat even if that batting average humanizes to his normal numbers. While I was only ignoring Anderson — I was actively rooting against Mondesi going into this season due to the countless times I said I thought he was going to be a bust. My main concerns were his plate discipline and approach, but he’s making solid contact for a .290 AVG. The 32:5 K/BB ratio still is hideous, but maybe he’s good enough, fast enough and doggone it I was wrong about him.
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 21 | Whit Merrifield | 2B | KC | 22 | 1 |
| 22 | Alex Bregman | 3B/SS | HOU | 12 | -10 |
| 23 | Marcell Ozuna | OF | StL | 32 | 9 |
| 24 | Domingo Santana | OF | SEA | 35 | 11 |
| 25 | George Springer | OF | HOU | 33 | 8 |
| 26 | Mitch Haniger | OF | SEA | 34 | 8 |
| 27 | Eddie Rosario | OF | MIN | 39 | 12 |
| 28 | Tommy Pham | OF | TBR | 31 | 3 |
| 29 | Lorenzo Cain | OF | MIL | 30 | 1 |
| 30 | Francisco Lindor | SS | CLE | 38 | 8 |
Notes: Bregman’s tumble in these rankings isn’t because he’s been bad necessarily — and the fact that I have him so high should reflect that. However, only 4 HRs and 1 SB are pretty unspectacular for a guy some people had tabbed as an MVP Candidate. He’ll still be okay by season’s end, but for now, he’ll stay in this range. Look at all these great outfielders! From Ozuna to Cain you can’t really go wrong with any of them and that’s why they’ve all gotten a bump this week. Lindor should climb a little bit, however, how high depends on the health of his legs. I’m not convinced he’ll steal over 20 bases this season.
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 31 | Andrew Benintendi | OF | BOS | 24 | -7 |
| 32 | Xander Bogaerts | SS | BOS | 28 | -4 |
| 33 | Carlos Correa | SS | HOU | 29 | -4 |
| 34 | Eugenio Suarez | 3B | CIN | 27 | -7 |
| 35 | Jose Ramirez | 3B | CLE | 25 | -10 |
| 36 | Charlie Blackmon | OF | COL | 36 | 0 |
| 37 | Trea Turner | SS | WAS | 37 | 0 |
| 38 | Daniel Murphy | 1B/2B | COL | NA | |
| 39 | Ozzie Albies | 2B | ATL | 40 | 1 |
| 40 | Pete Alonso | 1B | NYM | 63 | 23 |
Notes: Jose Ramirez Watch! He continues to tumble. Since last week he’s stolen 3 bases (yay!) but only had 5 hits in 6 games (boo!) Welcome Pete Alonso to the top 40. I’m still a little nervous that he’ll go through the same bumps that everyone rookie goes through, but he’s been pretty fantastic so far for the Amazin’s.
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 41 | Joey Gallo | 1B/OF | TEX | 70 | 29 |
| 42 | Matt Chapman | 3B | OAK | 47 | 5 |
| 43 | Michael Brantley | OF | HOU | 51 | 8 |
| 44 | David Peralta | OF | ARI | 52 | 8 |
| 45 | Elvis Andrus | SS | TEX | 62 | 17 |
| 46 | Yoan Moncada | 2B | CHW | 69 | 23 |
| 47 | Gleyber Torres | 2B | NYY | 43 | -4 |
| 48 | Wil Myers | 3B/OF | SD | 48 | 0 |
| 49 | Aaron Judge | OF | NYY | 18 | -31 |
| 50 | Starling Marte | OF | PIT | 20 | -30 |
Notes: Gallo is still striking out in 35% of his ABs, but he’s upped his walk rate by 5% and his hard contact rate is at a phenomenal 65%. Anyone who drafted him late because he can’t hit over .210 must be loving this Gallo. Here’s the Moncada we were all hoping for! He’s striking out 11% less than 2018 and is riding a .377 BABIP to the highest average of his career. Time will tell if he is the 30/30 prospect everyone projected him as a few years ago — but this is a great first step.
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 51 | Giancarlo Stanton | OF | NYY | 26 | -25 |
| 52 | Michael Conforto | OF | NYM | 44 | -8 |
| 53 | Jean Segura | SS | PHI | 45 | -8 |
| 54 | Edwin Encarnacion | 1B | SEA | 49 | -5 |
| 55 | Vlad Guerrero Jr. | 3B | TOR | 72 | 17 |
| 56 | Mike Moustakas | 3B | MIL | 50 | -6 |
| 57 | J.T. Realmuto | C | PHI | 53 | -4 |
| 58 | Yasmani Grandal | C | MIL | 54 | -4 |
| 59 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | SS | SD | 77 | 18 |
| 60 | Jose Abreu | 1B | CHW | 65 | 5 |
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 61 | Josh Donaldson | 3B | ATL | 55 | -6 |
| 62 | Stephen Piscotty | OF | OAK | 71 | 9 |
| 63 | Kris Bryant | 3B/OF | CHC | 41 | -22 |
| 64 | Corey Seager | SS | LAD | 46 | -18 |
| 65 | Nelson Cruz | DH | MIN | 80 | 15 |
| 66 | Anthony Rizzo | 1B | CHC | 56 | -10 |
| 67 | Nick Castellanos | OF | DET | 57 | -10 |
| 68 | Justin Turner | 3B | LAD | 59 | -9 |
| 69 | Max Muncy | 1B/3B | LAD | 61 | -8 |
| 70 | Austin Meadows | OF | TBR | 64 | -6 |
Notes: Quick — everyone yell at me in the comments for not making Vlad Guerrero a top-5 ranked player! Even Mike Trout hit .220 over his first 40 games. I want him to be the best hitter of all time too — but let’s let him get some ABs first. See also: Tatis Jr. Hopefully you bought low on Nelson Cruz after he hit 1 HR in his first 41 ABs because he now has 4 in this last week and *NBA JAM voice* “he’s heating up!”
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 71 | Willson Contreras | C | CHC | 74 | 3 |
| 72 | Andrew McCutchen | OF | PHI | 66 | -6 |
| 73 | Victor Robles | OF | WAS | 84 | 11 |
| 74 | Trey Mancini | OF/1B | BAL | 85 | 11 |
| 75 | Jason Heyward | OF | CHC | 86 | 11 |
| 76 | Jonathan Villar | 2B | BAL | 81 | 5 |
| 77 | Paul DeJong | SS | STL | 89 | 12 |
| 78 | Maikel Franco | 3B | PHI | 90 | 12 |
| 79 | David Dahl | OF | COL | 67 | -12 |
| 80 | Yasiel Puig | OF | CIN | 68 | -12 |
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 81 | Joey Votto | 1B | CIN | 58 | -23 |
| 82 | Josh Bell | 1B | PITT | NA | |
| 83 | Matt Carpenter | 1B/3B | StL | 60 | -23 |
| 84 | Gary Sanchez | C | NYY | 73 | -11 |
| 85 | Shohei Ohtani | DH | LAA | 76 | -9 |
| 86 | Luke Voit | 1B | NYY | NA | |
| 87 | Christian Walker | 1B | ARI | NA | |
| 88 | Brandon Lowe | 2B | TBR | 100 | 12 |
| 89 | Joc Pederson | OF | LAD | NA | |
| 90 | Robinson Cano | 2B | NYM | 78 | -12 |
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Last | Change |
| 91 | Wilson Ramos | C | NYM | 82 | -9 |
| 92 | Dee Gordon | 2B/OF | SEA | 83 | -9 |
| 93 | Nomar Mazara | OF | TEX | 95 | 2 |
| 94 | Mallex Smith | OF | SEA | 75 | -19 |
| 95 | Kolten Wong | 2B | StL | 88 | -7 |
| 96 | Enrique Hernandez | 2B/SS/OF | LAD | 92 | -4 |
| 97 | Eduardo Escobar | SS/3B | ARI | 93 | -4 |
| 98 | Aaron Hicks | OF | NYY | 94 | -4 |
| 99 | Travis Shaw | 2B/3B | MIL | 79 | -20 |
| 100 | Dan Vogelbach | 1B | SEA | 99 | -1 |
Notes: Am I the crazy one for not being fully convinced that Trey Mancini is a .300+ hitter? No — you are, you’re the crazy one! His .413 BABIP is the 4th highest in the league — time to sell SO unbelievably high right now. Here are a few guys who are officially on notice: Joey Votto, Robinson Cano, Mallex Smith, and Travis Shaw. By this time next week I’ll be just as full of anxiety about Game of Thrones and these guys will be just as full of anxiety about falling off my top 100 list.
Don’t pay too much attention to the change column this week — there were a lot of movers/shakers/rank correctors that it looks like I’m low on somebody — but it’ll normalize next week. Rankings are hard!
Love this weekly update Kulg. Thanks for the effort!
FYI – Piscotty is at 62 and 82 on your list.
Piscotty doesn’t know… Piscotty doesn’t know…
Schrodinger’s outfielder. He’s both better and worse than the previous week so long as you don’t open the box and look as his stats.
What happens is I copy/paste a guy and then delete him at his original position. Sometimes I mess up on the google sheet.
how can piscotty be 62 and 82
Great stuff!
Dynasty trade I’ve been offered:
I give Suarez/AHicks
I get TShaw/Realmuto.
Thanks!
Gosh… As of right now I think I like the suarez/Hicks side.
Clearly you like Eduardo Escobar at 97, is it time to cut bait with Peraza?
OPS league with relevant stats being AVG/OPS/K/SB/HR/R/RBI.
I think so.
How would you rate Eroy for rest of year; how long do you think he’ll be out and is there risk he might be shuttled back to minors when he returns?
He was just dropped in one of my leagues (1 DL slot — currently with Jimmy Nelson). I could probably pick him up by dropping Buxton & Nelson (and then picking up Polanco). Would you?
I’m leaning “No” but I know you would welcome the chance to drop Buxton.
I think you have to stick with what you have.
Even if Buxton has broken my heart every year. Even the year he got MVP votes…
As for Eloy it wouldn’t surprise me if he missed a month and then found himself staying I’m AAA
Is AJ Pollock no longer in the top 100? Or am I just overlooking his name?
He sure ain’t. 2 HR, 0SB, 223 AVG. Count me out.
Have to be concerned with Justin Turner no? only 3 xbh in 96 at bats, hitting .271 with a .338 babip, so not getting unlucky. Samardzija is a good matchup tonight, he’s got to get going.
I definitely am. No sexy stats to speak of… The 271 average isn’t a complete disaster.
Hunter Dozier should be in the top 100.
Hell be here next week. He can’t be denied anymore.
I’m still worried his BABIP comes down, and I hope his k/rate stays down…
How could you POSSIBLY think…just kidding. Just want to say that I love the new commentary format. Keep up the great work
Haha thanks!
Everyone has their own ranking and value systems.
Tim Anderson over Bregman is a bit silly, don’t you think?
Anderson is better than Bregma ln In every category right now. As a Bregman owner I hope the season doesn’t end that way – but right now? Yes.
Dumb question but are these ROS rankings or just for week 5?
ROS but my rankings incorporates past performance, current stats and future potential.
How in the F&*** is this ROS? Sorry, i’ll continue to not come back here
I’m going to assume you didn’t notice Wil Myers went 3 for 21 last week with no home runs, ho extra base hits and no RBIs and no steals. All the in-depth stats say this is no fluke either. He’s crashing. SELL!!!!
True… But he’s a SS now!
Got benched Monday night and goes 0-for-3 tonight. I’m betting I see Mr. Myers drop in your rankings next week. He can’t hit.
David Peralta at 44 YIKES
400+ babip
feels like most of his homers came off Darvish and he only has 4total
and he can’t hit lefties worth squat
SELL hard , so very hard
Always good to evaluate who you should be selling high on. Before the back injury I was honestly considering selling high on Yelich since his value will never be higher.
Peralta is hitting a bunch of doubles and I’m actually into him this year.
Khris Davis should not be 11. He is so bad right now that ranking him there just feels wrong. I feel like the rest of your list is solid so there is that, but Davis isn’t even near top 50
When he gets that average back up to 247 and starts hitting HRs in bunches this week hell be fine.
Hey guys. Looking for a little advise. I was just offered his Jacob deGrom for my Daniel Murphy and Greg Holland. What’s your opinion on Jacob deGrom’s health. Thinking I should accept the offer.
I’m very worried about Degrom… I think last year’s full godlike season Must’ve taken a lot out of him… I’d buy with caution if I buy at all..
Aguilar finally went off tonight, Brian Dozier has shown some signs of life too, I know neither are on your list for good reason, but if you’re looking for 1 bench bat with the most ROS potential in a 10 team 5×5 OBP league, who would you want to take a chance on Aguilar, Bran Dozier, Josh Bell, Hosmer, Profar, Kike, Ketel or Eduardo Escobar? I realize based on your rankings it would be Bell, but I’m curious if you think one of the above can out perform Bell ROS? I already have positional flexibility so it’s more about overall production for my lineup.
Aguilar SHOULD outperform him. SHOULD. And I’m still a believer — a few weeks ago I said that his surface numbers weren’t matching up with his behind the scenes numbers — I’d go with Aguilar.
Thanks man, I really appreciate the help.
no Hunter Dozier?
Hell be here next week. He can’t be denied anymore.
I’m still worried his BABIP comes down, but I hope his k/rate stays down…
This isn’t ROS, is it?
The middle of April was rough for Gleyber Torres, but he’s working on a 6 game hitting streak, bringing his slash line to .264/.297/.455 in 119 plate appearances. I see the Reds are considering promoting Senzel for his major-league debut as soon as Friday. Apparently he’s learning center field, but he’s 2B in ESPN. Yahoo has Senzel as the current #1 propect. Should I hold on Torres or drop for Senzel if he comes up? Wait and see how Senzel does / if Gleyber improves?
Hold Torres. Find someone else to drop and get Senzel.