The Yankees face the Astros in their regular-season opening series.The rankings were based on data collected by the MLB Network research team. The rankings were based on past player performance, a number of offensive and defensive metrics, both advanced data and traditional numbersThe rankings were based on data collected by the MLB Network research team. The rankings were based on past player performance, a number of offensive and defensive metrics, both advanced data and traditional numbers
Aaron Judge was the top ranked center fielder, with Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez right behind him. Judge missed some time last year due to a toe injury, but still hit 37 home runs. In 2022, Judge beat Roger Maris’ American League record for most home runs in a season when he hit 6
MLB is ranking Judge at center field because the expectation is that he’ll move there after the trade for Juan Soto, who plays right field.Speaking of Soto, the new Yankees right fielder was ranked No. 3 at the position. Interestingly, Soto was the No. 2 ranked left fielder last season. He moves into the third spot behind reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. of Atlanta and Kyle Tucker of Houston, who nearly produced a 30/30 season in 202
The other Yankees player ranked No. 1 at his position is starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. He won the American League Cy Young for the first time in 2023 and, incredibly, wasn’t ranked in the Top 10 a season ago. He led the AL in ERA (2.63), ERA+ (165), innings pitched (209) and percentage of runners left on base (80.4%) last season.
