"It almost seems unfair to include Ohtani on this list. At times, it feels as if he belongs in a category all his own. He has claimed four MVPs in the past five seasons, all of them unanimously. And now, somehow, the thought is that Ohtani can elevate to an even higher level."
"However, the exercise raised a host of other questions around how to compare players who have vastly different but still important roles across the sport. How do you match up a two-way generational talent such as Shohei Ohtani against another starting pitcher, or the best sluggers in the game? How do you rank players who don't have much (or any) major league experience?"
ESPN compiled its annual top 100 MLB players list for the 2026 season by aggregating rankings from more than two dozen baseball experts. The ranking process highlighted the challenge of comparing players across different roles—two-way talents like Shohei Ohtani, starting pitchers, sluggers, relievers, and prospects with limited major league experience. The final list encompasses MVP and Cy Young Award winners, veterans building Hall of Fame careers, and young megastars poised to dominate baseball for years. Ohtani emerged as the clear top-ranked player, having won four unanimous MVP awards in five seasons. ESPN's expert panel, including Jeff Passan, Buster Olney, and others, provided detailed analysis explaining each player's ranking and expectations for the upcoming season.
Read at ESPN.com
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