MLB Network kicked off its annual tradition of ranking the “Top 10 Players Right Now” at each position on Tuesday night when it rolled out its list of the game’s best relief pitchers in the first installment of 10 weeknight specials.
Using rankings based on past player performance, a number of offensive and defensive metrics, both advanced data and traditional numbers, and analysis by the MLB Network research team, “The Shredder” gave us its input (output?) on which players are the 10 best at their positions right now.
Here’s the full schedule of when each position ranking will be unveiled:
Wednesday: Right fielders
Thursday: Center fielders
Jan. 17: Left fielders
Jan. 18: First baseman
Jan. 19: Third basemen
Jan. 25: Second basemen
Jan. 26: Shortstops
Feb. 1: Starting pitchers
Feb. 2: Catchers
Here’s a look at the lists so far:
Edwin Díaz, who hadn’t made the list since checking in at No. 4 entering 2019, not only returns to the top 10, but takes over the top spot following his remarkable 2022 campaign. He’s joined by five other newcomers, while Emmanuel Clase moved up two spots to No. 2.
1. Edwin Díaz, NYM (Last year: Not ranked)
2. Emmanuel Clase, CLE (4)
3. Devin Williams, MIL (3)
4. Evan Phillips, LAD (NR)
5. Jhoan Duran, MIN (NR)
6. Ryan Pressly, HOU (5)
7. Andrés Muñoz, SEA (NR)
8. Liam Hendriks, CWS (2)
9. Jason Adam, KC (NR)
10. Ryan Helsley, STL (NR)
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