MLB Hitter Power Rankings From the 2024 MLB Season

Ranking of the best hitters in the MLB in 2024 as of August 5th.

MLB HITTER POWER RANKINGS

Hannah Zeilstra

8/5/20245 min read

Introduction

The 2024 MLB season has brought forth some phenomenal performances at the plate. As we delve into the MLB hitter power rankings, we take into account various statistics such as batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, on base plus slugging percentage, weighted on base average, and weighted runs created. As the weather get hotter the bats do as well. Lets take a look at the top hitters of the 2024 season as of August 5th:

Offensive Power Rankings 2024

#1 - OF Aaron Judge-New York Yankees
.322 AVG, .456 OBP, .701 SLG, 1.157 OPS, 216 WRC+, .476 wOBA

There was no doubt about who would come in at number 1 on these rankings. Judge has terrorized opposing teams all season and nobody can compare to his offensive prowess. He hit his 41st home run of the season last week, 8 more than second place Ohtani. He leads the MLB in every hitting stat imaginable. Rightly so, he has received the Barry Bonds treatment from the Blue Jays as of late. He was intentionally walked 4 times this weekend, 3 coming on Sunday. Judge appears to be unstoppable at the plate and there's no argument for who deserves the top spot.

#2- OF Juan Soto-New York Yankees
.310 AVG, .437 OBP, .598 SLG, 1.035 OPS, 190 WRC+, .438 wOBA

Perhaps getting overshadowed by his teammate, Soto has been the best hitter in the MLB outside of Judge. Soto does everything well in the box. He gets base hits, hits for power, and has elite plate discipline. Him and Judge are unmatched as the best duo in baseball right now. Soto will be set for free agency this off-season and has set himself up to receive a monster contract.

#3- DH Shohei Ohtani-Los Angeles Dodgers
.306 AVG, .396 OBP, .621 SLG, 1.018 OPS, 180 WRC+, .425 wOBA

The two-way superstar has not disappointed In his first season as a Dodger. He's the only player whose power numbers can challenge Judge's. Him and Judge are the only 2 MLB in the 100th percentile in average exit velocity, hard hit %, and barrel %. Ohtani isn't on the mound this year but has more than made up for it with his bat. It's difficult to win MVP as a DH but Ohtani is certainly in the conversation if not the top candidate.

#4- SS Bobby Witt Jr.-Kansas City Royals
.344 AVG, .390 OBP, .590 SLG, .980 OPS, 166 WRC+, .412 wOBA

The young Royals shortstop comes in at number 4. Bobby had an incredible month of July, boosting all of his offensive numbers. He received my AL player of the month recognition as well as MLB's. He would easily be the AL MVP if not for Judge and Soto. He is playing at an MVP level and Bobby Witt Jr. is going to be an overall juggernaut in the league for many years to come.

#5- 3B Rafael Devers-Boston Red Sox
.304 AVG, .381 OBP, .605 SLG, .987 OPS, 162 WRC+, .409 wOBA

Devers had a monster month of July and catapulted himself to top 5 in hitter power rankings. The Red Sox third baseman was having a good season prior to July with a 149 WRC+ but posted a 199 WRC+ in the month of July. I don't think Devers has gotten enough love for how good he has been this season. He has been a top third baseman for years and has done nothing but improve his stock this season so far.

#6- OF/DH Brent Rooker-Oakland Athletics
.290 AVG, .365 OBP, .591 SLG, .955 OPS, 167 WRC+, .402 wOBA

The 29 year old outfielder for the Athletics has put it all together this season. He has been a monster at the plate for Oakland this year and is a bright spot in an Oakland roster that doesn't have many. The one hole in Rooker's offensive toolkit is the strike out. He has a 30.3% strike out percentage this season which is in the bottom 8% of the MLB. Nevertheless Rooker has been a pleasant surprise for Oakland this year who hopes he keeps it up.

#7- DH Marcell Ozuna- Atlanta Braves
.300 AVG, .373 OBP, .580 SLG, .953 OPS, 162 WRC+, .403 wOBA

Ozuna has been huge for the Braves this season. His consistent offensive production has been crucial to keep this team afloat. They have been riddled by injuries and slumps from other players, but Ozuna has consistently been one of the best hitters in baseball all season. He leads the NL in RBI's and has been battling Ohtani for the NL homerun lead all season.

#8- SS Gunnar Henderson- Baltimore Orioles
.293 AVG, .379 OBP, .567 SLG, .946 OPS, 165 WRC+, .402 wOBA

Henderson is a headliner for an Orioles team with a surplus of young talent. Henderson had a 123 WRC+ last season and has broke out in a big way this season. He has solidified himself as a top shortstop in the game today. Something to watch is his July production was down. His WRC+ was just 116 and his OPS was down to .751 in July. I believe July was just a mini slump (if you can call above average hitting a slump) and we shouldn't be concerned. Especially since he has a 258 WRC+ in 18 plate appearances so far in August.

#9- 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.- Toronto Blue Jays
.316 AVG, .389 OBP, .537 SLG, .926 OPS, 160 WRC+, .395 wOBA

Despite the rumors of a potential trade, Vladdy has raked all season. In fact he had his best month of the season in July. Vladdy had a down year last year and possibly the biggest change is in his aggression at the plate. He has become more patient especially with the first pitch. He has only swung at 28.4% of first pitches this season, down 13% from last season. He cut down his chase rate 1.6% and even increased his swing percentage on pitches in the zone 1.6%. Vladdy is chasing less and attacking strikes more. This has led to Vladdy having his best season of his career since 2021.

#10- DH Yordan Alvarez- Houston Astros
.301 AVG, .383 OBP, .528 SLG, .911 OPS, 152 WRC+, .385 wOBA

The top 10 finishes with Yordan Alvarez. Alvarez Is a top 10 hitter in the MLB this year when having a down season by his standards. All of his offensive numbers are down from last season and definitely his best season in 2022. His hard hit % and barrel % are both down about 5%. Additionally he has chased more pitches than in the past. His out of zone swing percentage has gone up 4.4% from last season. These factors have resulted in less production from Alvarez but still well above average. Even in a "down" year Alvarez comes in as one of the best hitters in the MLB.

Honorable Mentions:
Jurickson Profar-San Diego Padres
Ketel Marte- Arizona Diamondbacks
Steven Kwan- Cleveland Guardians

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