Top 10 best players in 2023 MLB season

The MLB 2023 season is in the history books. As the year comes to an end, fans are already getting excited for the new 2024 season. Teams are fighting each other to land some star players to bolster their squad for the future.

Like every season, the year 2023 saw several ups and downs. In a year where some big teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox struggled to live up to their expectation, some teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Baltimore Orioles surprised fans with their performances.

This season also saw several marquee names shine brighter than ever throughout the season with their individual performances. Let’s delve deep into it and check out some of the top players in MLB for the 2023 season.

Top 10 best players this season

10) Luis Arraez

This might come as a surprise to many but Luis Arraez starts at number 10 on this list. The Miami Marlins second baseman enjoyed a great batting season in 2023 and was at one stage batting above an average of .400.

It was perhaps expected that as the season went on, his average would take a hit. He eventually ended the campaign with a .354 average, the best in the whole league. In a season where he hit 10 home runs and collected 69 RBIs, Arraez also became the first Marlins player to hit for the cycle when he completed this feat against the Philadelphia Phillies in April.

9) Spencer Strider

The Atlanta Braves had one of the best regular seasons in their history. The 2021 World Series winner seemed poised to run away with the World Series title as they tore apart teams in the league. As their offense exploded on the opposition, their defense was led by Spencer Strider. The Braves ace breathed fire every time he took to the mound.

Strider kept on pitching with consistency causing havoc in the batter’s box. He ended the season with the most wins and strikeouts in the league. In 32 starts he pitched with an ERA of 3.86 and finished the year with a 20-5 record along with 281 strikeouts.

8) Gunnar Henderson

As mentioned above, some teams surprised everyone this year. The Baltimore Orioles were one of the teams who went from losing over 100 games in 2021 to finishing the 2023 season as division winners with 101 wins. A major part in this resurgence was played by Gunnar Henderson.

The 22-year-old young sensation had a great first year and was named the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year. The O’s third baseman collected 28 home runs and 82 RBIs while showcasing his excellent skills to the fans. He started off slowly but picked up the pace in the middle of the season and did not look back since then.

7) Corbin Carroll

From one Rookie of the Year to another one. While Henderson took home the honor in the American League, it was Corbin Carroll who took home the prize from the National League. The Arizona Diamondbacks rookie was an integral member of their squad that reached the World Series.

The young left outfielder showcased his excellent defensive skills and batting prowess as he helped the D-backs throughout the season. Like Henderson, he was too named the unanimous National League Rookie of the Year. Though he was unable to land the World Series ring, his 25 home runs and 76 RBIs made the D-backs a serious threat in 2023.

6) Blake Snell

The second pitcher on this list is Blake Snell. The current free agent had another solid year from the mound with the San Diego Padres. Ever since making his way to San Diego, Snell has continued to improve from season after season and showcased his dominance through pitching this season.

The 31-year-southpaw finished the year with a 14-9 record. However, his ERA of 2.25 was the lowest in the entire league. This enabled him to pick up his second career Cy Young Award, five years after he won his first with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018. Teams are now chasing after him and are hoping to land one of the best pitchers on their roster.

5) Gerrit Cole

Continuing the pitcher dominance in this list, at number five is none other than New York Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole. Considered as one of the best pitchers of this generation, Cole once again excelled in the pitching department for his side.

Unfortunately for him, his team did not have a great season as the Bronx Bombers struggled heavily throughout the year. Despite this, he kept on fighting and earned his third Cy Young Award with a 15-4 record along with 222 strikeouts and 2.63 ERA. The Yankees fans would be hoping Cole can continue to deliver for them in the upcoming years as well.

4) Matt Olson

Joining Spencer Strider as the second Braves player is Matt Olson. The first baseman brought in to fill the vacant spot of Freddie Freeman has continued to impress with his hitting abilities. This season he was one of the several Braves stars who took the league by storm through his batting.

Olson would become the only player this season to hit over 50 home runs. He would go on to break a franchise record for the most home runs in a season when he slammed his 52nd bomb of the season. The 29-year-old also had the most RBIs in the year with a total of 139.

3) Adolis Garcia

There was perhaps no one more hotter than Adolis Garcia during the postseason. The Texas Rangers right fielder elevated himself from a normal player to a legend in Rangers history as he played a crucial part in their World Series triumph this season.

Important contributions against the Houston Astros in a heated ALCS rivalry matchup earned him the MVP award for the series. His legend further grew when he hit the walk-off home run against the Arizona D-backs in Game 1 of the World Series. He could have even won the MVP award of the season if it was not for the two ahead of him.

2) Ronald Acuna Jr.

Coming in at the number two spot is another Braves man, Ronald Acuna Jr. Since his debut in the league, Acuna Jr has shown off his immense talent that has mesmerized the audience. He once again did the same as he recorded one of the greatest individual seasons of all time.

This season saw the MLB implement new rules in field shifts and large bases. Acuna Jr. took full advantage of this as he kept on raking home runs and stealing bases. He became the first player of the 40-70 club (40 home runs and 70 RBIs). The Venezuelan international batted with an average of .337, the second-best in the league with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases. He was thus unanimously named the National League Player of the Year.

1) Shohei Ohtani

There could only be one number in every department and this year’s best player is none other than Shohei Ohtani. Could there be anyone else above him? The Japanese two-way phenom is described as the best player on the planet and his performances speak volumes for them.

Not only can he slam the ball out of the park, he can leave the batters confused with his impressive pitching. While he suffered an elbow injury in August that ended his season early, the two-way star did more than enough to earn his place in the number-one spot.

44 home runs, 95 RBI with 167 strikeouts saw him earn several awards including his second unanimous AL MVP of the Year award. This is the reason why the LA Dodgers splashed the cash to get him on their roster.

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