Baseball is a unique team sport. Success involves contributions from a nine- or 10-player lineup every game. One player can’t win a World Series by himself. It requires teamwork and chemistry, although having a superstar or two helps.Each team has a star that excites fans throughout the season. More than almost any other sport, the fan favorite is important in baseball. He becomes the face of the franchise, the guy who delivers through thick and thin.These are the most valuable players on every major league team.
Bottom line:The 2018 Rookie of the Year is the undoubted superstar on a packed Braves roster.Freddie Freeman has been the best player for Atlanta for years, but this is Acuña’s team now and in the foreseeable future.
Career statisticsWAR: 65.7W-L: 187-118ERA: 3.39K/9: 8.22018 statisticsWAR: 4.8W-L: 15-11ERA: 3.21K/9: 8.6
Bottom line: Whether Zack Greinke has been worth his massive contract is up for debate, but it isn’t debatable that he is still one of the games best pitchers even at age 35.His pinpoint command means he rarely walks batters, and he couples his abilities on the mound with an impressive ability to field his position.In addition to his Cy Young and five All-Star appearances, he has five Gold Gloves on his trophy shelf.
Career statisticsWAR: 2.5AVG: .268HR: 51RBI: 141OPS: .7772018 statisticsWAR: -0.1AVG: .242HR: 24RBI: 58OPS: .715
Bottom line:The Orioles are in a rebuilding mode at the moment, especially after losing Manny Machado in 2018.They hope that some of the prospects they got back in their trades will be their best players in the future, but for now, it’s the 27-year-old slugger Mancini.
Career statisticsWAR: 35.2AVG: .303HR: 110RBI: 390OPS: .8882018 statisticsWAR: 10.9AVG .346HR: 32RBI: 80OPS: 1.078
Bottom line: The 2018 AL MVP and batting champion is on top of the baseball world.After winning a World Series title, in addition to his individual achievements, Mookie Betts is in a class of player occupied only by Mike Trout and Nolan Arenado as one of the best overall players in the game.
Age: 26Experience: 5 yearsRookie season: 2014Career statisticsWAR: 11.9AVG: .267HR: 81RBI: 269OPS: .7792018 statisticsWAR: 6.3AVG: .290HR: 34RBI: 111OPS: .881
Bottom line: This honor could have gone to Kris Bryant, but "El Mago" (Spanish for "the magician") takes the crown as the best Cubs player, based on his 2018 season in which he finished second in MVP voting to Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich.Baez reached career highs in home runs and RBIs and played dazzling defense at every infield position. The 26-year-old starts the 2019 season as the Cubs' starting shortstop and may remain there, even after Addison Russell returns from his suspension.
Career statisticsWAR: 18.7AVG: .295HR: 146RBI: 488OPS: .8692018 statisticsWAR: 1.7AVG: .265HR: 22RBI: 78OPS: .798
Bottom line: Jose Abreu had his worst major league season in 2018, but the White Sox are hoping the 32-year-old Cuban is not on the decline.Chicago is chock full of prospects like Yoan Moncada, who could take Abreu’s crown as the team's slugger as long as he doesn’t lead the majors in strikeouts like he did in 2018 with 217.
Career statisticsWAR: 58.8AVG: .311HR: 269RBI: 897OPS: .9572018 statisticsWAR: 3.5AVG: .284HR: 12RBI: 67OPS: .837
Bottom line: Perhaps the most underappreciated player in the game today, Joey Votto is an unbelievably disciplined hitter.During what was a down year for him offensively in 2018, he still led the league in on-base percentage (.417), something he’s done seven times in his career.He’s also made six All-Star teams and won the 2010 NL MVP.
Career statisticsWAR: 23.9AVG: .288HR: 98RBI: 310OPS: .8372018 statisticsWAR: 7.9AVG .277HR 38RBI 92OPS .871
Bottom line: One of the finest players in the game today, Francisco Lindor plays baseball with a giant smile plastered on his face.And it’s easy to see why when you look at the 25-year-old’s incredibly successful first four seasons in the big leagues.His power from both sides of the plate, and his dazzling defensive play at shortstop make him a perennial MVP candidate.
Career statisticsWAR: 33.1AVG: .291HR: 186RBI: 616OPS: .8862018 statisticsWAR: 5.6AVG: .297HR: 38RBI: 110OPS: .935
Bottom line: When the Rockies locked up Nolan Arenado to an eight-year, $260 million contract that pays him $32.5 million per season, the deal was seen as a win-win for both sides. That’s a testament to Arenado’s abilities.Arguably the second-best player in all of baseball, Arenado is a marvel to behold on defense at third base, winning a Gold Glove in all six seasons he’s played.And at the plate he’s led the National League in home runs three times and RBI twice.
Career statisticsWAR: 4.2AVG: .274HR: 93RBI: 387OPS: .7822018 statisticsWAR: 2.9AVG: .298HR: 23RBI: 89OPS: .854
Bottom line: Miguel Cabrera is the best Tigers player over the course of his career, but he’s been injured so much recently that he can’t be the best current player.Nicholas Castellanos has been a consistent hitter for Detroit in his six seasons with the club.He’ll look to pair with some of the team’s younger players on a Tigers team trying to return to winning ways.
Career statisticsWAR: 35.1AVG: .316HR: 97RBI: 464OPS: .8182018 statisticsWAR: 5.2AVG: .316HR: 13RBI: 61OPS: .837
Bottom line: It’s kind of an impossible task choosing between Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander or Carlos Correa. The Astros are stacked.Bregman was the team MVP last season, but Altuve is the team’s veteran leader and has won three batting titles along with the 2017 AL MVP, so he gets the edge here.
Career statisticsWAR: 11.0AVG: .293HR: 33RBI: 167OPS: .7802018 statisticsWAR: 5.5AVG .304HR12RBI 60OPS .806
Bottom line: Whit Merrifield didn’t make the majors until he was 27, but he’s been a consistent performer for the Royals ever since.The 2018 seasons was his best, leading the majors in stolen bases with 45 and hits with 192.The fan favorite even received some MVP votes despite playing for a team that won 58 games.
Career statisticsWAR: 24.1AVG: .292HR: 93RBI: 405OPS: .8302018 statisticsWAR: 4.5AVG: .312HR: 14RBI: 52OPS: .924
Bottom line: On a Dodgers team stacked with high-paid talent and highly touted prospects, the best player remains the ever-consistent Justin Turner.Hurt for much of the 2018 season, he still managed to have a great year when he was on the field.Time and time again in the Dodgers’ National League pennant-winning runs in 2018 and 2017, Turner has been the man who's delivered a big hit.
Career statisticsWAR: 64.3AVG: .307HR: 240RBI: 648OPS: .9902018 statisticsWAR: 10.2AVG: .312HR: 39RBI: 79OPS: 1.088
Bottom line: Mike Trout has been so good for such a long time that baseball pundits are running out of ways to describe him.He’s without a doubt the best player in the game.And he's never finished worse than fourth in the MVP voting in his eight seasons as a big leaguer.
Career statisticsWAR: 0.8W-L: 28-33ERA: 4.45K/9: 6.12018 statisticsWAR: 1.0W-L: 9-12ERA: 3.98K/9: 6.1
Bottom line: The Marlins traded away the 2017 National League MVP in Giancarlo Stanton and the future 2018 National League MVP in Christian Yelich in the 2017-18 offseason.Then they traded their best player from 2018, J.T. Realmuto, in the 2019 offseason.They obviously hope those trades will have netted them future superstars, but for now, the Marlins' best player is Jose Ureña, one of the only remaining solid players after the fire sale.
Career statisticsWAR: 26.2AVG: .297HR: 95RBI: 403OPS: .8382018 statisticsWAR: 7.6AVG: .326HR: 36RBI: 110OPS 1.000
Bottom line: The 2018 NL MVP had an incredible first season with the Brewers.Christian Yelich won the NL batting title and led the league in slugging and OPS.He also led the Brewers to the NL Central crown, hitting for the cycle twice in a span of 19 days.
Career statisticsWAR: 8.8AVG: .280HR: 74RBI: 237OPS: .7842018 statisticsWAR: 3.6AVG .288HR 24RBI 77OPS .803
Bottom line: The slugging left fielder had a breakout season in 2017 and continued that in 2018.In both seasons he added 30-plus doubles to his 20-plus home runs, despite missing several games in the 2018 season due to injuries.Rosario should be entering his prime in the next few seasons if he can stay healthy.
Career statisticsWAR: 27.2W-L: 55-41ERA: 2.67K/9: 10.02018 statisticsWAR: 9.6W-L: 10-9ERA: 1.70K/9: 11.2
Bottom line: The 2018 Cy Young winner had one of the most dominating seasons in the history of baseball, and somehow only won 10 games. He had no run support all season.DeGrom only gave up 48 runs in 217 innings. He and the Mets hope they can produce some more runs for him in the 2018 season and beyond.
Career statisticsWAR: 39.2AVG: .268HR: 305RBI: 772OPS: .9052018 statisticsWAR: 4.0AVG: .266HR: 38RBI: 100OPS: .852
Bottom line: Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge? Picking the best player in this stacked Yankees lineup is not easy.Stanton gets the nod because his 2018 season was a "disappointment," and he still managed to slug 38 dingers and drive in 100 runs.Going forward, he’ll be looking to replicate his 2017 season when he hit a whopping 59 home runs.
Career statisticsWAR: 11.7AVG: .263HR: 38RBI: 108OPS: .8372018 statisticsWAR: 8.2AVG .278HR 24RBI 68OPS .864
Bottom line: Matt Chapman hasn’t even played 250 career games, yet those who watch him every day already place him among the greatest defensive third basemen ever.A wizard at the hot corner, Chapman isn’t too bad at the plate either, improving his average from .234 in his rookie season to .278 in 2018.
Career statisticsWAR: 27.4AVG: .279HR: 184RBI: 521OPS: .9002018 statisticsWAR: 1.3AVG: .249HR: 34RBI: 100OPS: .889
Bottom line: The Phillies landed one of the two biggest free agents in the 2018-19 offseason in Bryce Harper (in addition to some other additions) . He instantly slots in as their best player, even after a down season for him in 2018.Harper already has an MVP and six All-Star appearances under his belt.The Phillies hope his 13 seasons in Philadelphia will resemble his MVP year more than his most recent effort.
Career statisticsWAR: 26.2AVG: .286HR: 85RBI: 338OPS: .7832018 statisticsWAR: 3.7AVG: .277HR: 20RBI: 72OPS: .787
Bottom line: A two-time Gold Glove winner in the outfield, Starling Marte was one of the leaders of the Pirates, who were surprising contenders in the 2018 season.Marte also has some pop with the bat to go along with his excellent defense and hit a career-high 20 home runs in 2018.
Career statisticsWAR: 33.8AVG: .282HR: 175RBI: 513OPS: .8222018 statisticsWAR: 5.7AVG: .297HR: 37RBI: 107OPS .905
Bottom line: The Padres lured the immensely talented Manny Machado out to San Diego with a huge contract and the potential of playing alongside some exciting prospects like Fernando Tatis Jr.Machado’s defensive abilities combined with his prowess at the plate remind many of Alex Rodriguez, so it only makes sense that he got A-Rod money.
Career statisticsWAR: 41.3AVG: .306HR: 133RBI: 635OPS: .8402018 statisticsWAR: 2.9AVG: .284HR: 5RBI: 41OPS: .741
Bottom line: Buster Posey is 31 with 10 seasons under his belt, so his abilities are fading some, and he plays first base as much as he catches these days.But he’s still the leader of the Giants and one of the best players in San Francisco history.The six-time All-Star likely will be a Hall of Famer when he retires, for leading the team to three World Series titles and winning a batting title, Rookie of the Year and MVP awards.
Career statisticsWAR: 9.2AVG: .278HR: 47RBI: 157OPS: .8392018 statisticsWAR: 6.1AVG .285HR 26RBI 93OPS .859
Bottom line: The Mariners traded away several of their best players in the offseason, but Mitch Haniger remained.It’s a good thing for Seattle since he was far and away their best performer in the 2018 season.The right fielder is a good hitter with some pop and makes dynamic plays in the outfield.
Career statisticsWAR: 25.9AVG: .274HR: 133RBI: 485OPS: .8472018 statisticsWAR: 4.9AVG: .257HR: 36RBI: 81OPS: .897
Bottom line: Matt Carpenter’s month of July in the 2018 season got him into the NL MVP conversation after a dismal start to the season.He hit 11 home runs with a .333 batting average in the month, including a game in which he hit three home runs and two doubles in only six innings of work.
Career statisticsWAR: 9.4W-L: 32-20ERA: 2.95K/9: 9.92018 statisticsWAR: 7.5W-L: 21-5ERA: 1.89K/9: 11.0
Bottom line: One of the most surprising Cy Young winners in recent memory, Blake Snell came out of nowhere to dominate the American League in 2018.Pitching in the daunting AL East against the Red Sox and Yankees, Snell only allowed 41 runs in 31 games.
Career statisticsWAR: 30.0AVG: .275HR: 61RBI: 557OPS: .7042018 statisticsWAR: 1.7AVG: .256HR: 6RBI: 33OPS: .675
Bottom line: For the first time in his 10-year career, Andrus missed significant time in the 2018 season due to injury.Nevertheless, the 30-year-old shortstop is the unquestioned leader for the Rangers after the retirement of Adrian Beltre, and Andrus is the last member of the team who was part of the Rangers' 2010 and 2011 American League-pennant winning teams.He qualifies as the team’s best player for his leadership on a young squad and his overall body of work.
Career statisticsWAR: 14.3AVG: .261HR: 55RBI: 230OPS: .6962018 statisticsWAR: 2.5AVG: .252HR: 15RBI: 59OPS: .708
Bottom line: The Blue Jays are another rebuilding AL team, but they have retained some solid veteran pieces for now.Kevin Pillar is the best player more for his amazing glove in center field, where he makes the spectacular look routine on a nightly basis.
Bottom line: The loss of Bryce Harper in the offseason makes this an easy decision. the 2018 rookie phenom is the clear replacement for Harper.Soto’s potential seems unlimited after such a great season at only 19 years old.