We'll start with some more obvious candidates before working our way down to some surprises.


1. Shohei Ohtani
Only one man takes the top spot. Fresh off a record breaking 50-50 season as a pinch hitter where he won the lot, Shohei will look to keep his unbelievable batting numbers going whilst he also returns to the pitching mound. Quite simply, there has not been a player like him. A remarkable wRC+ of 181.0 last year with the bat, can Shohei return and shine with the ball to crown himself as quite possibly the greatest baseball player of all time?

2. Juan Soto
A contract which will get to $800 million for him to cross the New York divide and join the Mets. That type of contract will bring extraordinary pressure, it will be fascinating to see how he will cope, and to see whether he can drive the Mets to World Series success.

3. Ronald Acuña Jr.
We are quick to forget in baseball, but this MVP cannot be overlooked. In 2023 he was phenomenal and deservedly the MVP after the first 40-70 season in history. Beset by injuries last year, his Braves team really suffered. Can he return to his former glory? If he can, do not rule the Braves out.

4. Roki Sasaki
Another Dodgers player, another phenomenal talent. Just 23, Sasaki has decided to come over early and take his shot at the MLB. Essentially on a minor league deal, an absolute bargain for the Dodgers who he chose after having his pick of all the teams, Sasaki as a 100mph fast ball and an unhittable splitter. Can he produce in the big leagues? A Skenes v Sasaki shootout for best young pitcher? Yes please.

5. Corbin Burnes
Things are heating up in the desert of Arizona. Despite just running out of steam towards the last couple of weeks last year and missing out on the postseason, they suffered a slow start and then became one of the leading teams in baseball in the second half of the season. They have a fairly stocked team, but they shocked the baseball world by clinching the free agent signing of leading ace Corbin Burnes on a 6 year $210 million deal. Can Burnes, who is a reliable arm, lead the Diamondbacks back to the postseason?

6. Randal Grichuk
A real knuckleball in the list. Mr. Grichuk was our standout pick of underpriced free agents in 2025. Grichuk had a great 2024 albeit with limited PA. His TBO9 (an obscure stat which we made up) was 2.48 which put his up with players who are paid a heck of a lot more than him (e.g. per game he produced 0.02 more bases than Mookie Betts and only 0.09 less than Gunnar Henderson). Can this journeyman reproduce his form on his 1 year $5 million deal for the Diamondbacks?

7. Kyle Tucker
Kyle Tucker is one of the best batters in baseball. Teams should have been falling over themselves to sign him, once the Astros made clear that they were open for a trade. He was injured and missed a big chunk of last year, but he was the 3rd best batter (min 300PA) in baseball behind Judge and Ohtani. He was better than Soto, better than Bobby Witt Jr, better than Yordan, Ozuna, Guerrero Jr and the rest. It is impressive stuff. Tucker ended up at the Cubs who coughed up a one year $16.5 million deal to avoid arbitration. The Cubs haven't done too much else to get people excited (and have already lost their first series 2-0 against the Dodgers), so it could be another disappointing season. However, with Tucker, they just might have some reason to be hopeful.

8. Paul Skenes
The best pitcher in baseball. He even was above Tarik Skubal in the end based on TBA9 (don't ask) allowing 11.64 bases per 9 IP compared to Skubal's 11.91 and was #1 for pitchers who pitched over 100 innings. Not bad for a rookie. Can he keep up his brilliance? Unfortunately he will be stuck at an underfunded and unimaginative Pirates team for the next 5 years, with little hope for the postseason. However, Skenes himself will be well worth the watch.

9. Mike Trout
Trout should always be on a list like this, always. He is still one of the best when fit, and it is a tragedy of Greek proportions that he will likely stay with the Angels for his career. Make the most of being able to watch one of the best to swing a bat whilst you can. Fingers crossed he can stay fit, and you never know, he might just carry those Angels on his broad shoulders to October.