MLB Best Tools 2023: Managers, Scouts & Executives Vote On Baseball’s Best Talent
Image credit: Julio Rodriguez (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
National League
POWER TRIO
For half a decade, three of the brightest young talents in baseball have called the National League home. All three came up so early that none is more than 25 years old.
League MVP candidate Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Braves won a trio of Best Tools categories this year: Best Hitter, Most Exciting Player and Best Outfield Arm. He placed second in Best Power.
Acuña has fared well in Best Tools voting in the past but had never won a category.
Padres outfielder Juan Soto won Best Strike-Zone Judgment for a third consecutive season, picking up the mantle from Joey Votto, who won the category in eight of the previous nine seasons.
The Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. has returned to form this season after missing 2022 with injuries and a PED suspension. The erstwhile shortstop was recognized at his new position of right field as Best Defensive Outfielder and with a second-place finish in Best Outfield Arm.
Best Hitter
1. Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
3. Luis Arraez, Marlins
Best Power
1. Matt Olson, Braves
2. Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
3. Pete Alonso, Mets
Best Bunter
1. TJ Friedl, Reds
2. Corbin Carroll, D-backs
3. Geraldo Perdomo, D-backs
Best Strike-Zone Judgment
1. Juan Soto, Padres
2. Luis Arraez, Marlins
3. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
Best Hit-And-Run Artist
1. Luis Arraez, Marlins
2. Nico Hoerner, Cubs
3. Jeff McNeil, Mets
Best Baserunner
1. Corbin Carroll, D-backs
2. Trea Turner, Phillies
3. Christian Yelich, Brewers
Fastest Baserunner
1. Elly De La Cruz, Reds
2. Corbin Carroll, D-backs
3. Trea Turner, Phillies
Most Exciting Player
1. Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
2. Elly De La Cruz, Reds
3. Corbin Carroll, D-backs
Best Pitcher
1. Zac Gallen, D-backs
2. Spencer Strider, Braves
3. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Best Fastball
1. Spencer Strider, Braves
2. Zack Wheeler, Phillies
3. Camilo Doval, Giants
Best Curveball
1. Blake Snell, Padres
2. Charlie Morton, Braves
3. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Best Slider
1. Alexis Diaz, Reds
2. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
3. Spencer Strider, Braves
Best Changeup
1. Devin Williams, Brewers
2. Logan Webb, Giants
3. Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
Best Control
1. Logan Webb, Giants
2. Zac Gallen, D-backs
3. Aaron Nola, Phillies
Best Pickoff Move
1. Max Fried, Braves
2. Taijuan Walker, Phillies
3. David Peterson, Mets
Best Reliever
1. Josh Hader, Padres
2. Alexis Diaz, Reds
3. Devin Williams, Brewers
Best Defensive C
1. Patrick Bailey, Giants
2. Sean Murphy, Braves
3. JT Realmuto, Phillies
Best Defensive 1B
1. Christian Walker, D-backs
2. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
3. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
Best Defensive 2B
1. Ha-Seong Kim, Padres
2. Nico Hoerner, Cubs
3. Ozzie Albies, Braves
Best Defensive 3B
1. Nolan Arenado, Cardinals
2. Manny Machado, Padres
3. Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates
Best Defensive SS
1. Dansby Swanson, Braves
2. Francisco Lindor, Mets
3. Willy Adames, Brewers
Best Infield Arm
1. Elly De La Cruz, Reds
2. Casey Schmitt, Giants
3. Manny Machado, Padres
Best Defensive OF
1. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
2. Joey Wiemer, Brewers
3. Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Best Outfield Arm
1. Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
2. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
3. Nolan Jones, Rockies
Best Manager
1. Craig Counsell, Brewers
2. Brian Snitker, Braves
3. Torey Lovullo, D-backs
American League
TWO LEGIT
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez are the first players in history to hit at least 20 homers and steal at least 20 bases in their first two MLB seasons.
The young superstars are also decorated in American League Best Tools voting.
Witt was voted Fastest Baserunner as a rookie in 2022 and repeated in 2023. This year he added second-place finishes in the Best Baserunner and Best Defensive Shortstop categories.
Rodriguez placed third in the Most Exciting Player category in both 2022 and 2023, adding a second-place finish for Best Defensive Outfielder.
Best Hitter
1. Shohei Ohtani, Angels
2. Corey Seager, Rangers
3. Bo Bichette, Blue Jays
Best Power
1. Shohei Ohtani, Angels
2. Aaron Judge, Yankees
3. Luis Robert Jr., White Sox
Best Bunter
1. Andres Gimenez, Guardians
2. Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays
3. Esteury Ruiz, Athletics
Best Strike-Zone Judgment
1. Yandy Diaz, Rays
2. Jose Ramirez, Guardians
3. Ryan Noda, Athletics
Best Hit-And-Run Artist
1. Steven Kwan, Guardians
2. Andres Gimenez, Guardians
3. Whit Merrifield, Blue Jays
Best Baserunner
1. Esteury Ruiz, Athletics
2. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
3. Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays
Fastest Baserunner
1. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
2. Esteury Ruiz, Athletics
3. Jorge Mateo, Orioles
Most Exciting Player
1. Shohei Ohtani, Angels
2. Luis Robert Jr., White Sox
3. Julio Rodriguez, Mariners
Best Pitcher
1. Gerrit Cole, Yankees
2. Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays
3. Framber Valdez, Astros
Best Fastball
1. Jhoan Duran, Twins
2. Felix Bautista, Orioles
3. Gerrit Cole, Yankees
Best Curveball
1. Framber Valdez, Astros
2. Tyler Glasnow, Rays
3. Jhoan Duran, Twins
Best Slider
1. Shohei Ohtani, Angels
2. Dylan Cease, White Sox
3. Matt Brash, Mariners
Best Changeup
1. Shane McClanahan, Rays
2. Pablo Lopez, Twins
3. Trevor Richards, Blue Jays
Best Control
1. George Kirby, Mariners
2. Zach Eflin, Rays
3. Framber Valdez, Astros
Best Pickoff Move
1. Taylor Clarke, Royals
2. Tanner Bibee, Guardians
3. Zack Greinke, Royals
Best Reliever
1. Felix Bautista, Orioles
2. Matt Brash, Mariners
3. Ryan Pressly, Astros
Best Defensive C
1. Jonah Heim, Rangers
2. Adley Rutschman, Orioles
3. Jose Trevino, Yankees
Best Defensive 1B
1. Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers
2. Anthony Rizzo, Yankees
3. Yandy Diaz, Rays
Best Defensive 2B
1. Marcus Semien, Rangers
2. Andres Gimenez, Guardians
3. Taylor Walls, Rays
Best Defensive 3B
1. Matt Chapman, Blue Jays
2. Jose Ramirez, Guardians
3. Alex Bregman, Astros
Best Defensive SS
1. Wander Franco, Rays*
2. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
3. Javier Baez, Tigers
* Baseball America asked managers to submit Best Tools surveys by Aug. 4. Ten days later, the Rays placed Wander Franco on the restricted list as MLB investigated accusations of inappropriate relations with a minor. The investigation is ongoing.
Best Infield Arm
1. Matt Chapman, Blue Jays
2. Carlos Correa, Twins
3. Eugenio Suarez, Mariners
Best Defensive OF
1. Kevin Kiermaier, Blue Jays
2. Julio Rodriguez, Mariners
3. Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays
Best Outfield Arm
1. Adolis Garcia, Rangers
2. Alex Verdugo, Red Sox
3. Kevin Kiermaier, Blue Jays
Best Manager
1. Bruce Bochy, Rangers
2. Kevin Cash, Rays
3. Dusty Baker, Astros