Yankees dominate Dodgers with 3 of the top 5 hitters in MLB rankings
MLB has released its highly-anticipated hitter power rankings as the 2024 World Series draws closer. To say that this edition of the Fall Classic contains the most power in recent memory might be an understatement.
Power, not only in terms of fame, but in terms of the game has been highlighted in the rankings.
Here's a closer look at the top five hitters list ahead of the 2024 MLB World Series.
Top 5 MLB hitters rankings as Yankees dominate list
#5. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
In his eighth postseason appearance, Mookie Betts will be relied upon to do the heavy lifting for the Los Angeles Dodgers to supplement superstar Shohei Ohtani. Across his illustrious playoff career, Betts has smashed eight home runs with 30 RBIs while batting .258.
He currently boasts a .295/.404./659 line with four home runs and 12 RBIs. Fans can expect nothing but greatness from the former World Series champion.
#4. Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees
Stanton is the name associated with power. In his postseason career, the former Marlin has compiled 16 home runs, 35 RBIs and an OPS of 1.019. He is no spring chicken and has had his fair share of bumps along the way. In this postseason, he has tallied a total of five home runs with 11 RBIs and is top three when it comes to barrel rate with 21.1% for both the regular and postseason.
#3. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
The top three on this list can seriously be intertwined if not for the slight stats that the top two had better than Aaron Judge. The Yankees captain has amassed a league-leading 58 home runs this year, just two years removed from his AL-record-breaking 62 home run season.
He might have struggled a bit in this year's playoffs. But given that he also led the MLB in wRC+ with 218 and a barrel rate of 26.3%, one can assume that Judge will turn things around in his first World Series appearance.
#2. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
From the AL leader in home runs, we now go to the NL leader in home runs. Shohei Ohtani ranks second behind Judge in home runs, wRC+, and barrel rate this season.
What gave Ohtani the edge over Judge is his slash line of .286/.434/.500 in his first postseason run this year. Who could also forget how much of a menace he is when there are runners in scoring positions? Ohtani has batted 18-for-23 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs in RISP situations dating back to Sept. 19.
#1. Juan Soto, New York Yankees
One might question themselves as to why Juan Soto got the nod on top of Judge and Ohtani in this list. However, it is criminal to overlook the stellar form that the Dominican star has been in this postseason.
Apart from the example above wherein he worked Cleveland's Hunter Gaddis into throwing a softball, Soto has been in prime form. He owns a postseason slash line of .333/.439/.667 with an OPS of 1.106.
He also finished just below both Judge and Ohtani in wRC+ and fourth in barrel rate behind the pair and his teammate Stanton. If consistency and patience are the name of the game, expect Soto to deliver for the New York Yankees.
MLB MVPs in full display
For the first time in MLB history, five MVPs will feature in a World Series. Shohei Ohtani leads the list being a two-time AL MVP. While Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Giancarlo Stanton own an MVP award each.
There had only been nine times wherein four MVPs were featured in the World Series before, with the most recent in 1971.
Game 1 of the 2024 World Series is set to take place on Friday at Dodger Stadium. Who do you think will win the ultimate prize this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.