Position by Position: Breaking Down the Top Fantasy Baseball Rankings for 2023
As the 2022 fantasy baseball season comes to a close, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s draft. With that in mind, let’s take a position-by-position look at the top fantasy baseball rankings for the 2023 season.
CATCHERS:
1. J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia Phillies)
2. Willson Contreras (Chicago Cubs)
3. Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals)
4. Gary Sanchez (New York Yankees)
5. Yasmani Grandal (Chicago White Sox)
Realmuto continues to be the cream of the crop at the catcher position. His combination of power, speed, and high batting average make him a top-tier fantasy option. Contreras and Perez are also solid choices with consistent production, while Sanchez and Grandal offer power potential but come with higher strikeout rates.
FIRST BASEMEN:
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
2. Freddie Freeman (Atlanta Braves)
3. Pete Alonso (New York Mets)
4. Paul Goldschmidt (St. Louis Cardinals)
5. Matt Olson (Oakland Athletics)
Guerrero Jr. has emerged as a legitimate superstar, and his power numbers are off the charts. Freeman remains a consistent force, while Alonso’s raw power and ability to drive in runs make him a valuable fantasy commodity. Goldschmidt and Olson offer a blend of power and average, making them reliable options.
SECOND BASEMEN:
1. Ozzie Albies (Atlanta Braves)
2. Jose Altuve (Houston Astros)
3. Whit Merrifield (Kansas City Royals)
4. Marcus Semien (Toronto Blue Jays)
5. Brandon Lowe (Tampa Bay Rays)
Albies tops the second base rankings with his well-rounded skill set of power, speed, and solid batting average. Altuve is still an elite option but may be on the decline. Merrifield’s speed is his biggest asset, while Semien and Lowe provide a good mix of power and average.
THIRD BASEMEN:
1. Rafael Devers (Boston Red Sox)
2. Alex Bregman (Houston Astros)
3. Yoan Moncada (Chicago White Sox)
4. Kris Bryant (San Francisco Giants)
5. Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles Angels)
Devers has established himself as one of the premier fantasy options at third base with his power and run production. Bregman is a consistent performer, while Moncada’s power and speed combo makes him an intriguing choice. Bryant and Rendon both come with injury concerns but can still provide solid production when healthy.
SHORTSTOPS:
1. Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego Padres)
2. Xander Bogaerts (Boston Red Sox)
3. Bo Bichette (Toronto Blue Jays)
4. Francisco Lindor (New York Mets)
5. Trea Turner (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Tatis Jr. is quickly becoming the face of fantasy baseball and offers an incredible blend of power, speed, and average. Bogaerts is a steady option with consistent production, while Bichette’s power and ability to drive in runs make him a perennial top pick. Lindor and Turner provide a combination of power and speed, although Turner’s value may depend on his batting placement in the Dodgers’ lineup.
OUTFIELDERS:
1. Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves)
2. Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers)
3. Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)
4. Juan Soto (Washington Nationals)
5. Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)
Acuna Jr. stands atop the outfield rankings with his immense power, speed, and overall athleticism. Betts and Trout have been reliable fantasy studs for years, but injuries have plagued Trout recently. Soto is an up-and-coming superstar with tremendous hitting ability, while Yelich aims to bounce back from a down year but remains a dangerous fantasy asset.
STARTING PITCHERS:
1. Jacob deGrom (New York Mets)
2. Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees)
3. Walker Buehler (Los Angeles Dodgers)
4. Shane Bieber (Cleveland Guardians)
5. Max Scherzer (Los Angeles Dodgers)
DeGrom continues to dominate opposing hitters and solidifies himself as the top starting pitcher in fantasy baseball. Cole remains a strikeout machine, while Buehler’s elite control and ability to pitch deep into games make him an excellent option. Bieber and Scherzer are both former Cy Young winners and offer a mix of strikeouts and solid ratios.
CLOSERS:
1. Liam Hendriks (Chicago White Sox)
2. Josh Hader (Milwaukee Brewers)
3. Aroldis Chapman (New York Yankees)
4. Raisel Iglesias (Los Angeles Angels)
5. Craig Kimbrel (Chicago White Sox)
Hendriks has established himself as a dominant closer, racking up saves and strikeouts. Hader is a strikeout artist and offers excellent ratios. Chapman remains a reliable source of saves, while Iglesias and Kimbrel provide saves and solid strikeout numbers.
These rankings are based on projections and previous performances, with the understanding that injuries, roster changes, and breakout performances can significantly impact fantasy baseball rankings. As the 2023 season approaches, be sure to stay on top of player news and adjust your draft strategy accordingly.