We’re closing in on Spring Training, and before you know it, Opening Day will be upon us. There will be superstar performances, awe-inspiring home runs, jaw-dropping defensive gems and much more in 2024.
But before we get to all that, we ask the question: Who are the 100 best players in MLB right now? MLB Network is revealing its list through this year’s Top 100 Players Right Now series, which began on Tuesday and runs through Feb. 21.
The remaining scheduled air times for the countdown are as follows:
Here is a recap of the names and rankings revealed so far:
The brothers Contreras — one a newcomer to the list and one who returns nine spots lower than in 2023 — are ranked No. 81 and No. 82. A lot of players who were unranked last year have made the list in this echelon, including Rockies left fielder Nolan Jones (20 homers and 20 steals in 106 games), Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (.842 OPS, 20 homers) and left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who helped the Rangers win the first World Series title in franchise history after being traded from St. Louis to Texas.
81. William Contreras, C, Brewers (2023 rank: no rank)
82. Willson Contreras, C, Cardinals (2023 rank: 73)
83. Marcell Ozuna, DH/OF, Braves (2023 rank: no rank)
84. Seiya Suzuki, RF, Cubs (2023 rank: no rank)
85. J.D. Martinez, DH, free agent (2023 rank: no rank)
86. Anthony Santander, RF, Orioles (2023 rank: no rank)
87. Nolan Jones, LF, Rockies (2023 rank: no rank)
88. Ha-Seong Kim, 2B, Padres (2023 rank: no rank)
89. Matt Chapman, 3B, free agent (2023 rank: 75)
90. Jordan Montgomery, SP, free agent (2023 rank: no rank)
Montgomery’s rotation mate in Texas last season, Nathan Eovaldi, breaches the Top 100 thanks to an All-Star campaign in his first year with the Rangers. Dylan Cease, who has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, falls 37 spots on the heels of a season in which his ERA doubled over 2022, when he finished runner-up in AL Cy Young Award balloting. Young catchers Cal Raleigh and Gabriel Moreno join the list, as does a pair of young Reds — Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz are two members of an exciting young core in Cincinnati.
91. Nathan Eovaldi, SP, Rangers (2023 rank: no rank)
92. Dylan Cease, SP, White Sox (2023 rank: 55)
93. Cal Raleigh, C, Mariners (2023 rank: no rank)
94. Gabriel Moreno, C, D-backs (2023 rank: no rank)
95. Royce Lewis, 3B, Twins (2023 rank: no rank)
96. Josh Naylor, 1B/OF, Guardians (2023 rank: no rank)
97. Triston Casas, 1B, Red Sox (2023 rank: no rank)
98. Nathaniel Lowe, 1B, Rangers (2023 rank: 70)
99. Matt McLain, INF, Reds (2023 rank: no rank)
100. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds (2023 rank: no rank)
