The Top 10 Most Productive Active Offensive Players in Baseball: A Data-Driven Analysis (Part 2)
So, last week I stated that I want to do a 2-part series listing the greatest players in baseball history. As you are well aware, last week I focused on all-time great offensive players with the plan on focusing on all-time great pitchers this week. However, I did not want to leave out the active players, so I had a change of heart. I have decided on a 4-part series (hold your applause) looking at all-time greats AND active players both hitters and pitchers. Using the same data-driven methodology I applied to rank the greatest offensive players of all time; I’ve now identified the most productive active hitters in the game today.
As with the all-time hitters, this analysis combines seven key metrics: OPS+, On-Base Percentage (OBP), Slugging Percentage (SLG), Total Bases, Weighted Runs Created (wRC), Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and Batting Average.
As with the all-time list, OPS+ is weighted more heavily because it accounts for differences in ballparks and eras, giving a clearer picture of a player’s offensive impact, and that is considered the gold standard for hitting statistics. Points were assigned to the top 15 players in each category, with higher rankings earning more points.
Moreover, I understand that many of these players have not had the longevity as some other players. However, like most baseball statistics, I am going off of a minimum of 3,000 plate appearances.
After tallying the totals, the 10 most productive offensive players currently active in baseball emerged.
10. José Altuve (37 points)
Key Stats: Career .307 BA, 3412 Total Bases
Altuve is a model of consistency and versatility. A career .300 hitter with an OPS+ of 134, he’s been a cornerstone of the Astros’ success for over a decade. His ability to combine contact hitting, power, and baserunning secures him a spot in the top 10.
9. Shohei Ohtani (41 points)
Key Stats: 160 OPS+, .575 SLG
Shohei Ohtani’s offensive production is as jaw-dropping as his two-way talent. His OPS+ of 160 reflects his dominance at the plate, and his ability to hit for power, especially as a part-time DH, places him among the best in the game. However, he only ranks highly in OPS+, SLG %, and wRC. He isn't ranked in the top 15 in any other category that I use which explains the shock at him ranking number 9.
8. Ronald Acuña Jr. (48 points)
Key Stats: Career .389 OBP, 139 OPS+
Acuña’s combination of power, speed, and on-base ability has made him one of the most dynamic players in baseball. With an OPS+ of 139 and a knack for filling up the stat sheet, he’s already proven to be one of the most electrifying offensive players of his generation.
7. Paul Goldschmidt (50 points)
Key Stats: 139 OPS+, 3,634 Total Bases
The reigning NL MVP, Goldschmidt has been a model of consistency throughout his career. With a career OPS+ of 139, which ranks 8th among active players, and an excellent combination of power and contact, his offensive productivity remains elite as he enters the latter stages of his career.
6. Bryce Harper (53 points)
Key Stats: 143 OPS+, .389 OBP
Bryce Harper has lived up to the hype that surrounded him as a teenager. With two MVP awards and a career OPS+ of 143, Harper’s ability to rise to the occasion in big moments continues to make him a generational talent.
5. Mookie Betts (54 points)
Key Stats: .294 BA, 69.6 WAR
Betts’ offensive production is matched only by his defensive brilliance. His OPS+ of 138 and career .373 OBP highlight his ability to get on base and drive in runs, all while being one of the game’s most consistent players. Most importantly, Mookie Betts’ 69.6 WAR ranks 1st among active players. You truly cannot replace his productivity.
4. Juan Soto (57 points)
Key Stats: 160 OPS+, .421 OBP
At just 25 years old, Soto’s production already rivals that of some Hall of Famers. His 160 OPS+ and .421 career OBP (ranks number 1 among active players) underscore his unparalleled plate discipline and offensive upside. His ability to get on base and hit the long ball is what earned him his massive contract this off-season. Soto is poised to dominate for years to come.
3. Aaron Judge (71 points)
Key Stats: 173 OPS+, .604 SLG, 174 wRC+
The 2022 AL MVP and home run king, Aaron Judge is a force of nature at the plate and well on his way to becoming an all-time great hitter and could be the best right-handed hitter of all-time. His 173 OPS+ is tied for 1st among active players and ranks 8th all-time. It also highlights his extraordinary combination of power and efficiency, and his ability to dominate games single-handedly makes him a true superstar.
2. Freddie Freeman (77 points)
Key Stats: 3,866 Total Bases, .300 BA, .387 OBP
Freddie Freeman’s offensive consistency is unmatched. With a career OPS+ of 142 and a .387 OBP, Freeman is one of the most complete hitters in baseball. Whether it’s driving in runs or setting the table, Freeman excels in every offensive category and is ranked in the top 15 in every category I use except for SLG.
1. Mike Trout (83 points)
Key Stats: 173 OPS+, .411 OBP, .581 SLG, 169 wRC+
No active player comes close to matching Mike Trout’s sustained dominance. Like Judge, Trout is well on his way to becoming an all-time great hitter and, with Judge, could challenge Rogers Hornsby for the best right-handed hitter of all-time. Trout ranks highly in every one of my categories except for WAR. His 173 OPS+ is tied with Judge for the highest of any active hitter, and his ability to excel in every facet of the game—power, contact, patience, and baserunning—cements his place as the best offensive player in baseball today. Someone get this man a ring!!
This list highlights the cream of the crop among today’s active offensive players. From Trout’s all-around brilliance to Soto’s unparalleled discipline, these players represent the gold standard of productivity in the modern game.
Of course, no ranking is definitive—especially when it comes to current players who are still writing their stories. Who do you think deserves to make the list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
(All data sourced from Baseball-Reference.com and StatMuse.com.)