Best Player at Each Position Ahead of 2026 MLB Season

by Sam Cox | by Tyler Doty

image Best Player at Each Position Ahead of 2026 MLB Season
Who are the best players at each position in 2026? Some are obvious, while other positions could provoke more debate.

The start of the 2026 MLB season is a matter of days away. This time of year is packed with player rankings, from top 100 lists to debates over the best prospects in the sport.

Certain names crop up over and over in such discussions. We know who the best hitters and pitchers are, but what about the stars at their respective positions?

There are certain roles that get overlooked, so we’re making sure every position is represented by picking the best player at each position ahead of the 2026 MLB season.

Catcher: Cal Raleigh

A former Gold Glove winner coming off a 60-homer season was a no-brainer. Cal Raleigh had arguably the best hitting season by a catcher in MLB history and would have won MVP in most other seasons.

While Raleigh was a distance ahead of the chasing pack in 2025, there are a few elite catchers scattered across the big leagues that could close the gap in 2026.

Honorable mentions: Will Smith, Alejandro Kirk, William Contreras, Shea Langeliers

First Baseman: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Four primary first basemen had more fWAR than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2025, but Guerrero is projected for 1.2 fWAR more than any other first baseman in 2026 and had a stellar postseason.

This was one of the most difficult positions to decide on. There are at least five first basemen that could claim to be the best in baseball right now.

Honorable mentions: Nick Kurtz, Rafael Devers, Matt Olson, Bryce Harper

Second Baseman: Ketel Marte

WAR numbers might favor Brice Turang and Nico Hoerner. Ketel Marte, though, was clearly the best offensive second baseman in 2025 and his underlying numbers suggest that level of production should be maintained in 2026.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has an outside shot at a 40-40 season, which would vault him above Marte. Brendan Donovan has gone under the radar in recent years and should have a big year in Seattle.

Honorable mentions: Brendan Donovan, Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Third Baseman: José Ramírez

It feels like José Ramírez’s greatness won’t be properly appreciated until he retires. The Guardians star is coming off a 30-homer, 44-stolen base campaign, making it seven full seasons in a row that he’s gone at least 20-20.

There was a notable decline in bat speed, but that’s not enough to knock Ramírez off top spot. He’s the most complete and best third baseman in the sport.

Honorable mentions: Alex Bregman, Manny Machado, Junior Caminero, Matt Chapman

Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr.

Bobby Witt Jr. has been worth 20.6 bWAR across the last three seasons. He’s gone back-to-back with the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger and boasts a 155 OPS+ since the beginning of the 2024 campaign.

There are other great shortstops around. None can match Witt’s combination of availability, speed, power, contact, and defense.

Honorable mentions: Francisco Lindor, Gunnar Henderson, Corey Seager

Left Field: Juan Soto

If it wasn’t for a position change, Juan Soto would’ve had to settle for an honorable mention spot in right field. Soto, though, is clearly the sport’s premier left fielder, despite his defensive limitations.

Only one hitter is projected for a higher wRC+ mark in 2026.

Honorable mentions: Wyatt Langford, James Wood, Riley Greene

Center Field: Julio Rodríguez

No other everyday center fielder is within 12 points of Julio Rodríguez’s projected wRC+ mark. Somehow, crushing 32 home runs and stealing 30 bases was somewhat underappreciated in J-Rod’s 2025.

He’s also one of the best defenders in the sport. His underlying numbers suggest he’s been a bit unlucky at the plate over the last couple of years, so he could be in the MVP mix in 2026.

Honorable mentions: Byron Buxton, Jackson Merrill

Right Field: Aaron Judge

Four of the 10 best hitters in baseball, per their projected wRC+, are going to be primary right fielders in 2025. That excludes an elite player in Corbin Carroll.

This is the strongest position in baseball at the moment with an array of superstars, yet there was no debate over who deserved top spot. Aaron Judge is in a league of his own.

Honorable mentions: Ronald Acuña Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Kyle Tucker, Corbin Carroll

Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani

Kyle Schwarber had a runner-up finish in the MVP race. George Springer had the best offensive season of his career. Yordan Alvarez is one of the five best hitters in baseball.

And yet, none can topple Shohei Ohtani’s unrelenting grip on being the best DH in the majors.

Honorable mentions: Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Schwarber, George Springer

Starting Pitcher: Tarik Skubal

This really came down to Tarik Skubal against Paul Skenes. Skubal’s slightly longer track record – and a pair of Cy Young Awards – gave him the nod over the Pirates’ ace, but that could change quickly.

Skenes is on a historic pace and is rightly the preseason favorite for the NL Cy Young.

Honorable mentions: Paul Skenes, Garrett Crochet, Logan Webb, Bryan Woo

Relief Pitcher: Mason Miller

It’s not just about hard-throwing closers in the battle to be MLB’s best reliever. Tyler Rogers’ consistency, durability, and elite numbers mean he warranted consideration alongside Mason Miller, Andrés Muñoz, Edwin Diaz, and Jhoan Duran.

Relievers are notoriously volatile, so this really could change dramatically in the next few months. For now, Miller is the most dominant reliever in the game, but his rivals aren’t far behind.

Honorable mentions: Tyler Rogers, Edwin Diaz, Jhoan Duran, Andrés Muñoz