We’re nearly halfway through the 2020s, which means it’s time to look at MLB’s best players of the decade so far. Who’s dominated the baseball world from 2020 through 2024? Let’s break it down position by position.
Behind the plate, J.T. Realmuto of the Phillies stands alone. While other catchers might hit better, nobody matches his all-around game. He’s been rock-solid with a bat (15% better than league average) and caught over 1,100 innings twice since 2020.
At first base, Freddie Freeman’s been absolutely crushing it. Playing for both the Braves and Dodgers, he’s hit .313 with 116 homers and an incredible 189 doubles. Plus, he snagged the NL MVP award in the shortened 2020 season.
Marcus Semien’s been the decade’s best second baseman so far. He’s not just great with the glove – he’s averaged 26 homers and 13 stolen bases per full season. What really sets him apart? He rarely hits into double plays and seems to never take a day off.
The hot corner belongs to José RamÃrez of the Guardians, and it’s not even close. He’s been a machine, hitting .278 with power and speed to spare. He averages 29 homers and 25 steals per full season.
Francisco Lindor edges out some tough competition at shortstop. Playing for both Cleveland and the Mets, he’s done it all – 120 OPS+, 118 homers, 92 steals, and fantastic defense at baseball’s most demanding position.
The outfield’s been dominated by three incredible talents:
Aaron Judge has been absolutely ridiculous, hitting .298 with 205 homers. Two MVP awards and an AL home run record will do that.
Mookie Betts started the decade helping the Dodgers win it all in 2020, and he’s still going strong. He’s not just a great hitter – he’s baseball’s best baserunner and can play pretty much anywhere on the field.
Juan Soto, now baseball’s newest $765 million man, might be the best pure hitter we’ve seen in years. Get this: he’s walked more times (582) than he’s struck out (465). That’s unheard of these days.
But the decade’s most remarkable player? That’s Shohei Ohtani. As a DH alone, he’s hit .280 with 185 homers and 123 steals. Oh, and he’s also been an ace pitcher when healthy. Three MVPs in four years tells you all you need to know.
On the mound, Zack Wheeler’s been the decade’s best starter. His 2.92 ERA leads all qualified pitchers, and he’s eaten up innings like nobody else except his teammate Aaron Nola.
Corbin Burnes grabs the second starter spot, just barely beating out Gerrit Cole. His numbers are jaw-dropping: 2.88 ERA and top-10 Cy Young finishes every year this decade.
Closing games? Emmanuel Clase’s been untouchable for Cleveland. An ERA of 1.62 over nearly 300 innings is just ridiculous for a reliever.
