MLB spring training is only a few weeks away. Starting today, we’re going to start ranking each position in baseball. First up is the most stacked position group — baseball’s top outfielders.
The position is loaded, including three of the last four Rookie of the Year winners. Let’s look at the top 10 outfielders for 2024, starting with No. 10.
10. Adolis Garcia
Ranking baseball’s top 10 outfielders is very difficult, and many players came to mind when discussing this list. Adolis Garcia put together a strong 2023 season for the World Series champion Texas Rangers. His 39 home runs was tied for seventh in baseball, and he drove in 107 runners — tied for sixth-most in the league last year. Garcia was tied with Mookie Betts for both of those categories. Additionally, his stellar play elevated during the Rangers’ World Series run. His eight postseason home runs are tied for second-most in a single postseason run.
9. Mike Trout
It feels very strange to see Mike Trout’s name not at No. 1 on a ranking list. For the past decade, Trout has been the best player in MLB. He will eventually be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Still, last season’s 82 games showcased the first true sign of regression from him. It’s the first season since 2012 where he may not be in the MVP conversation when he’s on the field. Still, I think he’ll provide a tremendous impact for the Los Angeles Angels, who just lost the game’s most talented player.
8. Kyle Tucker
Kyle Tucker has been one of baseball’s most underrated players, especially the last three seasons. Since the start of 2021, Tucker has played in 149 games per season, smashes 30 home runs with 100+ RBI and has underrated speed on the base paths. Part of the reason Tucker doesn’t get the love he deserves is because plays for the Houston Astros. Houston has a plethora of talent, and has made deep playoff runs in every season Tucker has dominated. The lineup remains deep as ever, and Tucker will continue to perform like one of the baseball’s best outfielders.
The 2019 NL MVP won the National League Comeback Player of the Year award for his 2023 season with the Chicago Cubs. From 2020-2022, Bellinger was one of the most underperforming stars in baseball, but he rebounded with 26 home runs, a career-high .307 batting average and stellar defense. While he plays both center field and first base, Bellinger is likely to slot into the outfield wherever he lands. Bellinger, a Scott Boras agent, remains unsigned a few weeks before spring training starts. The Cubs still remain the favorites to land Bellinger, who looks to build momentum from his successful season at Wrigley Field.
The reigning unanimous National League Rookie of the Year was a big reason for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ miraculous World Series trip last season. Carroll is one of the fastest players in baseball, and his 54 stolen bags rank second in a single season in Diamondbacks history. Pair that with 25 home runs and an NL-leading 10 triples, Carroll finished 5th in NL MVP voting in 2023. The Diamondbacks are parlaying their successful season by adding more impactful pieces to the roster, and Carroll is primed for even more success in 2024.
Fernando Tatis Jr. finds himself 5th on this list after an interesting 2023 season. Of course, injuries and a PED suspension helped him miss the entire 2022 campaign, but the Padres signing free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts pushed Tatis Jr. to the outfield for last season. While he didn’t have as much of an offensive impact as he normally would, Tatis Jr. emerged as one of baseball’s best defenders in right field. His stellar play earned him both the Gold Glove Award and the Platinum Glove Award. I think his offense will return to its pre-2022 form this season, while also contributing great defense in right field. Overall, he’ll contribute like one of baseball’s best outfielders.
4. Aaron Judge
It’s truly difficult to rank Aaron Judge this low. However, the three players above him are significantly younger and in the middle of their prime. Still, when Judge is on the field, he’s truly one of the best sluggers in baseball. He missed over a third of the season in 2023, but his right foot injury was so rare that it’s hard to put that against him. The Judge broke Roger Maris’ 61-year-old American League home run record in 2022, and he was nearly on pace to slug 60 again during the 2023 season. Additionally, the Yankees made a blockbuster trade to acquire Juan Soto, who will appear on this list. Both players’ gravity in the lineup will provide must-watch baseball in the Bronx during the 2024 season.
The face of Seattle Mariners baseball has put together two incredible seasons to begin his career. The 2022 American League Rookie of the Year Award, two All-Star appearances and Silver Slugger Awards. Additionally, at only 21 and 22 years old, he’s put together two seasons that earned him top-10 voting for MVP. There may be better players who rank worse than him on this list, but I’m predicting an MVP-caliber season from Rodriguez in 2024. He will make the American League West even more competitive between the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and the Mariners.
2. Juan Soto
The second New York Yankee on this list, Juan Soto has been one of the best hitters in baseball since he made his debut in 2018. Last season, he played in all 162 games for the San Diego Padres and led MLB with 132 walks. After a blockbuster trade to the New York Yankees during the offseason, Soto will pair up with Aaron Judge — one baseball’s best outfielders of the last half-decade. Soto has finished top-six in MVP voting three separate times during his career, and my prediction is that he wins the award in the American League this season.
1. Ronald Acuña Jr.
The reigning unanimous National League Most Valuable player is the best outfielder heading into 2024. It’s a rarity to have such power and speed combined with one player. In fact, including Acuña, only five players have put together a 40 home run, 40 stolen base season. In 2023, he made a completely different club — the 40-70 club. He smashed 41 home runs and stole 73 bases in the 2023 campaign. Additionally, Acuña led the NL in at-bats, runs, hits, on-base percentage and OPS. The scariest part for opposing pitchers: he’s only 26 years old and will be terrorizing the league for the next 10+ years.
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