All 30 MLB starting lineups, ranked

The annual reload of the Dodgers offense obtained a significant increase with the signing of star first baseman Freddie Freeman. He joins a protracted record of offensive stars that embody Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Max Muncy, Will Smith, and Justin Turner. A.J. Pollock rebounded with good well being final season, and their pairing of Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux supplies the defensive versatility that the group covets. The wild card within the lineup stays heart fielder Cody Bellinger, who has seen his numbers miraculously plunge since profitable MVP three years in the past.

How do you substitute a former MVP like Freddie Freeman? On-base and energy machine Matt Olson is a pleasant comfort prize. The group has additionally seen nice growth from Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Dansby Swanson, whereas famous person Ronald Acuna Jr. is predicted to return from ACL surgical procedure in Might. The returns of Eddie Rosario, Marcell Ozuna, and Adam Duvall to the outfield present loads of energy, and Travis d’Arnaud is often a plus hitter on the catcher spot. With good well being, the Braves are extremely able to difficult the Dodgers for many runs within the NL once more.

Changing shortstop Carlos Correa shall be no small feat, however the lineup that led MLB in runs final season stays largely intact. It is laborious to discover a harder high six within the order than Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Yuli Gurriel, and Kyle Tucker. That group might be even higher this season if Bregman is ready to keep wholesome and regain the MVP-level capacity he confirmed in previous seasons. Centerfield might be a timeshare, because it was late final season after Myles Straw was traded. Jeremy Pena is an intriguing shortstop prospect who’s the most effective candidate to interchange Correa, whereas Martin Maldonado and Jason Castro are extra of a defensive group to man catcher and the ninth spot within the order.

Toronto completed third in runs scored final yr, and appears primed for an additional big yr. The lack of Marcus Semien is considerably offset by the addition of energy hitter Matt Chapman at third base, and the group additionally hopes for a rebound season from Cavan Biggio. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer, and Teoscar Hernandez are able to MVP seasons, whereas Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is an above-average hitter in left discipline. The group is bullish on Alejandro Kirk, who will share time between catcher and DH, and Danny Jansen additionally made some progress offensively final season.

The mixture of nice participant growth and monetary flexibility has made Boston one of many elite lineups in baseball. Final yr’s core stays, together with superstars Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, and J.D. Martinez, and the Crimson Sox made a really notable addition by signing former Rockies shortstop Trevor Story to an enormous deal. Enrique Hernandez, Alex Verdugo, and Bobby Dalbec stay league-average hitters for his or her positions, at worst. Boston is hoping for rebounds from Christian Vazquez and Jackie Bradley Jr. to finish the lineup, however Kevin Plawecki and Jarren Duran are effective fallback choices.

The Yanks made some important adjustments to their lineup this spring, and it stays to be seen if they’re for the higher. Gone are Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit, and Gio Urshela, however the group has added Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rotvedt. The group shall be offensively challenged at catcher if they do not make one other transfer, however they appear sturdy at each different spot. Anthony Rizzo was introduced again to play first base, and he is simply an appetizer for the primary course that’s Aaron Decide, Joey Gallo, and Giancarlo Stanton in the course of the order. Gleyber Torres is hoping to get again on observe after hitting 38 house runs in 2019, and he is nonetheless solely 25. Aaron Hicks ought to rove across the outfield when he is wholesome, whereas two-time Batting Champ DJ LeMahieu will down the identical across the infield.

Mets proprietor Steve Cohen clearly is not shy about spending cash, and he opened his pockets to signal Starling Marte, Mark Canha, and Eduardo Escobar this offseason after bringing in Francisco Lindor and James McCann final yr. Brandon Nimmo stays an on-base machine atop the lineup when he is wholesome, and former Rookie of the 12 months Pete Alonso is without doubt one of the high energy hitters in MLB. The group is hoping for rebound seasons from Robinson Cano and Jeff McNeil to finish the lineup, however they’ve effective fallback choices with J.D. Davis and Dominic Smith.

The White Sox return most of final yr’s core that produced the fifth most runs within the AL and have greater hopes if Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez can keep wholesome. The group additionally has different famous person offensive gamers like Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, and Yoan Moncada, Andrew Vaughn, and Gavin Sheets as potential property, as properly. Chicago introduced in veteran Josh Harrison to shore up second base, whilst his .741 OPS final season was sub-par for the place. The White Sox lineup might simply be part of the elite with some higher luck this season.

Phillies baseball head Dave Dombrowski wasn’t messing round this spring, including large boppers Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber to a lineup that already included reigning MVP Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Rhys Hoskins. It is practical to count on 150-plus house runs from that group, and second baseman Jean Segura stays a effective offensive contributor. Nevertheless, the again one-third of the lineup is considerably of a query mark. Alec Bohm struggled each offensively and defensively final season and exhibiting properly in his 2020 rookie season. Didi Gregorius was in clear decline final yr and has high prospect, Bryson Stott, respiratory down his neck. The middle discipline job might be musical chairs all yr, with Matt Vierling, Adam Haseley, Mickey Moniak, and Odubel Herrera vying for the job.

The Rays sport one of many deepest lineups in baseball, and likewise one of many most cost-effective. The highest 4 within the lineup are often some mixture of Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, Wander Franco, and Austin Meadows, a quartet that may hit for energy and steal bases. Ji-Man Choi has accomplished simply sufficient to carry the primary base job, whereas Yandy Diaz is an on-base machine who appears to be like like he might hit extra energy than has truly been the case to this point. Mike Zunino returned to offensive asset final yr, hitting 33 house runs, whereas outfielders Kevin Kiermaier and Manuel Margot present extra defensively than offensively. As normal, the Rays’ farm system makes the group far more succesful later within the yr with high prospects Vidal Brujan, Xavier Edwards, and Josh Lowe knocking on the door.

If solely the Angels might keep wholesome. They obtained an MVP season out of Shohei Ohtani final season, however accidents to high-priced stars Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon prevented the lineup from being elite. Jared Walsh has gone from minor league veteran to elite energy hitter at first base, and Max Stassi has seen an analogous growth observe. You outfield corners Brandon Marsha and Jo Adell convey big upside, with veteran Justin Upton offering the occasional lengthy ball. Contact hitters Tyler Wade, Matt Duffy, and David Fletcher shore up the center however are beneath common offensively.

After buying and selling Jose Berrios and shedding Kenta Maeda to damage, the thought was that Minnesota would rebuild in 2022. As an alternative, they appear primed to compete once more after signing Byron Buxton to an extension and giving Carlos Correa a record-breaking contract. The Twins make use of large energy potential round them with Miguel Sano, Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Alex Kirilloff, and Gary Sanchez, with Luis Arraez and Gio Urshela additionally exhibiting formidable offensive capacity. There is not a transparent gap within the lineup, and prospects Jose Miranda, Trevor Larnach, and Royce Lewis have the potential to make it even deeper.

Milwaukee pieced collectively a lineup that completed above common with 738 runs scored final season regardless of main struggles from the outfielders, together with Christian Yelich. After two years of struggles, the previous MVP cannot be counted on for middle-of-the-order manufacturing. He does get ample help from Kolten Wong, Willy Adames, Rowdy Tellez, and Luis Urias to make up for the decline. The group added large energy with Hunter Renfroe and Andrew McCutchen in the course of the offseason, and Keston Hiura stays a wild card who has 30 house run potential if he can present his rebound early in Spring Coaching is actual.

The Padres lineup might battle within the first half of the season after famous person shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. suffered a wrist damage, however there are nonetheless high quality hitters from high to backside. Manny Machado is the centerpiece of the lineup with out Tatis, and he is supported properly by Trent Grisham, Jake Cronenworth, and Luke Voit. Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers have been disappointments relative to their huge contracts, however neither hitter is a free-out. Austin Nola and Jurickson Profar are shopping for time for high prospects Luis Campusano and Robert Hassell.

The Giants rode platoons and veteran resurgences to complete second within the NL in runs scored final season, however a repeat shall be very troublesome following Buster Posey’s retirement. The group is hoping Evan Longoria, Brandon Belt, and Brandon Crawford proceed their constructive momentum, they usually’ve added some energy to help them with Joc Pederson. The DH is a wonderful growth to get Darin Ruf within the lineup recurrently, and Mike Yastrzemski nonetheless supplies plus energy within the outfield. Tommy La Stella is able to mashing towards right-handers if he is wholesome, and is in a stable platoon with Wilmer Flores. The catcher spot is an apparent downgrade with rookie Joey Bart, however he is proven large energy within the minors.

It isn’t an amazing signal for the Cardinals that they scored solely 706 runs final season regardless of sturdy seasons from Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Tyler O’Neill, and Dylan Carlson. The group hasn’t been capable of get dependable manufacturing from Paul DeJong or Harrison Bader up the center, whereas Yadier Molina has seen higher days offensively. Tommy Edman’s maintain on the leadoff spot is shaky after his OBP hovered round .300 final season, because the group might actually use large seasons from high prospects, Nolan Gorman and Juan Yepez.

GM Jerry Dipoto outdid himself with the additions of Adam Frazier, Jesse Winker, and Eugenio Suarez to a lineup that already included spectacular hitters Ty France and Mitch Haniger. Shortstop J.P. Crawford is lastly beginning to come into his personal as a daily, hitting .273 final season, and Abraham Toro confirmed plus energy after being added from Houston. The catcher duo of Tom Murphy and Luis Torrens has been plus offensively in spurts. The X-factor might be younger Jarred Kelenic, a former elite prospect who lastly got here on late final season. Fellow high outfield prospect Julio Rodriguez is not far behind.

The Cubs enter the season with solely two of the identical gamers from final yr’s Opening Day lineup. These two gamers, Willson Contreras and Ian Happ are in the course of the order, however there may be some potential round them. Minor league veterans Rafael Ortega, Frank Schwindel, and Patrick Knowledge impressed final season, and can hopefully construct on their breakouts. Large-money Japanese signing Seiya Suzuki provides excessive hopes within the outfield, whereas younger contact hitters Nick Madrigal and Nico Hoerner ought to be capable of maintain their very own within the infield. The depth has additionally been helped by the additions of Andrelton Simmons, Jonathan Villar, Yan Gomes, and Clint Frazier. There aren’t many positive issues in Chicago, however the group does not lack upside.

Dropping franchise gamers Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story within the final two offseasons has plagued Colorado’s lineup, however they’ve made an effort to fill these holes by including Kris Bryant and Randal Grichuk. The infield can be formidable with C.J. Cron, Brendan Rodgers, Ryan McMahon, and Jose Iglesias across the diamond. Elias Diaz’s 18 house runs final season had been a nice shock, and Charlie Blackmon began to rebound within the second half of final season after a sluggish begin. The suitable discipline place is prone to be a battle between Sam Hilliard and Connor Joe, who might complement one another with completely different offensive skillsets, and Garrett Hampson is a succesful utilityman who might play nearly anyplace on the sector. Nook infield prospect Elehuris Montero might add a jolt together with his large energy in some unspecified time in the future this season.

Reds possession has confronted criticism for chopping prices, together with the current trades of Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez. That transfer actually damage the lineup, however the Reds ought to nonetheless be capable of rating their fair proportion of runs this season with Jonathan India, Joey Votto, and Tyler Stephenson among the many high offensive threats at their positions. The Reds even have formidable veterans like Mike Moustakas, Tommy Pham, and Colin Moran, who’ve been sturdy offensive producers at their finest. Cincinnati is ready to play platoons within the outfield with Tyler Naquin, Nick Senzel, Jake Fraley, and Aristides Aquino, they usually probably have an analogous plan at DH (Colin Moran) and shortstop (Kyle Farmer and Donovan Solano) till teen Jose Barrero returns from a wrist damage. The shortage of total energy is a significant concern that might maintain the Reds again in 2022.

The event and arrival of KC’s high prospects might decide the standard of the offense this season. Particularly, Bobby Witt Jr., Nick Pratto, and M.J. Melendez have an opportunity to make up the center of the order for years to return. Within the meantime, Salvador Perez emerged because the premier power-hitting catcher in baseball final season, and Whit Merrifield is a sport table-setter within the leadoff spot. Andrew Benintendi obtained again on observe after getting traded out of Boston, and fellow outfielder Kyle Isbel has fascinating energy and pace. The Royals are hoping rebound seasons from Adalberto Mondesi, Carlos Santana, and Hunter Dozier can full the lineup.

The Diamondbacks lineup had an inflow of youth final season, and that ought to proceed this yr with Seth Beer, Alek Thomas, and Corbin Carroll finally including to Daulton Varsho and Pavin Smith. Ketel Marte stays the centerpiece of the lineup, whereas David Peralta, Christian Walker, and Nick Ahmed are in decline. Whereas nonetheless probably a backside 10 run manufacturing lineup, the younger gamers do give Arizona some hope.

Cleveland has remained very quiet this offseason, which is a priority for a lineup that was properly beneath league common final season. Jose Ramirez stays a 30/30 succesful famous person at third base, and energy hitters Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley are able to 30-plus homers. The Guardians even have athleticism atop the order with Myles Straw and Amed Rosario. It is the underside 4 hitters within the lineup there which might be a priority, with Andres Gimenez nonetheless chopping his tooth offensively and the outfield corners shaky with Bradley Zimmer, Josh Naylor, Oscar Mercado, and Steven Kwan. Catcher can be an enormous subject with Austin Hedges posting a futile .249 on-base share for his profession.

Washington has arguably the most effective hitter on this planet in Juan Soto, however the lineup is up and down round him. The clear pluses on offense embody Josh Bell, Nelson Cruz, and Keibert Ruiz, however the lineup is way from established round them. Cesar Hernandez is coming off a down yr, notably within the second half, and Alcides Escobar in all probability would not be enjoying recurrently on the opposite 29 groups. Outfielders Victor Robles and Lane Thomas may not be long-term regulars, however they need to see their fair proportion of enjoying time in Washington. The Nats are nonetheless ready on third baseman Carter Kieboom to develop, however he is combating damage this spring.

The Tigers scored extra runs than solely three AL groups final season, however they’ve motive to count on higher in 2022. They began their offensive off proper by signing shortstop Javier Baez, who does not present a lot on-base capacity however makes a distinction with energy and pace. Akil Baddoo and Robbie Grossman impressed as regulars final season, and Jeimer Candelario is a keeper after main the group with a .794 OPS final season. Miguel Cabrera and Jonathan Schoop stay 20-plus house run threats, and the lineup might get an inflow of youth when elite prospects Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene arrive ahead of later. Tucker Barnhart is a defensive specialist behind the plate, and Eric Haase confirmed off plus energy that might fill in at catcher or the outfield when somebody wants a day without work.

Miami’s 623 runs scored final season was solely higher than Pittsburgh. They’ve made strides to assist by including outfielders Avisail Garcia and Jorge Soler in free company, who ought to be part of Garrett Cooper, Jesus Sanchez, and Jesus Aguilar to offer plus energy in the course of the batting order. No participant on the group has extra upside than Jazz Chisholm, however he did little or no offensively final season after April. Brian Anderson and Miguel Rojas are attempting to rebound from injury-plagued seasons, and new catcher Jacob Stallings is extra of a defensive participant.

The Rangers made big headlines by signing center infielders Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to large contracts within the offseason, however the lineup stays incomplete. Nathaniel Lowe did set up himself as a effective common final yr, and Mitch Garver can say the identical behind the plate. Adolis Garcia struggled to get on base regardless of exhibiting nice athleticism in heart discipline final season. Veterans Kole Calhoun, Brad Miller, and Willie Calhoun have been shaky regulars not too long ago, and the third base place is up for grabs after high prospect Josh Jung suffered a significant shoulder damage.

The Orioles lineup appears to be like barely higher than it did getting into final season after breakout years from Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle, however there stay too many holes for the rebuilding group. The again half of the lineup has its fair proportion of questions, with Ramon Urias, Rougned Odor, Robinson Chirinos, and Kelvin Gutierrez exhibiting themselves as fringe main leaguers who’ve a lot larger roles on a foul group. Trey Mancini, Anthony Santander, and Austin Hays do present confirmed energy, however their energy might take a giant hit with Camden Yards transferring the fences again.

The Pirates completed lifeless final in runs final season, and there have not been many adjustments getting into Opening Day. Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes stay the very best upside gamers, however the remainder of the lineup is full of veterans who might solely discover alternatives in Pittsburgh or uncooked younger gamers. Daniel Vogelbach and Yoshi Tsutsugo are succesful energy hitters, whereas the again half of the lineup that features Ben Gamel, Roberto Perez, Kevin Newman, and Cole Tucker leaves a lot to be desired offensive. Followers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of high prospect Oneil Cruz, who’s a pure shortstop with 20/20 upside and is now getting work within the outfield.

Oakland’s lineup is a multitude after their spring firesale, and the group may not be accomplished. They misplaced Mark Canha in free company and traded nook infielders Matt Olson and Matt Chapman this spring. The A’s are left with none clear offensive property, although a number of gamers like Sean Murphy, Seth Brown, Kevin Smith, and Cristian Pache present intrigue. Veterans Elvis Andrus, Eric Thames, and Jed Lowrie might see common at-bats regardless of being on their final leg. Oakland might additionally give common enjoying time to on-base asset Tony Kemp up the center, together with lefty masher Chad Pinder.