The Baseball Scholar

I may sound like a broken record but there are dozens of ways to evaluate a hitters ability. I prefer using advanced metrics because, while the math may be biased towards a skill or set of skills it removes individual preferences (I stubbornly like Joe DiMaggio over Ted Williams or vice versa, regardless of what numbers tell me). Below is a list of the best offensive players from the 2017 season based on wRC+. If you’re unfamiliar with the stat you should read about it here. I believe, as the article says, it is the most comprehensive offensive stat we have. Take a look at the names and the numbers and see if you agree.

• T – 10. Nelson Cruz



• Positions: Designated Hitter
• Teams: Seattle Mariner

Nelson Cruz

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
146	4.1	155	645	91	160	28	0	39	119	1	70	140	.288	.375	.549	.924

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• T – 10. Kris Bryant



• Positions: Third Base
• Teams: Chicago Cubs

Kris Bryant

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
146	6.1	151	665	111	162	38	4	29	73	7	95	128	.295	.409	.537	.946

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• T – 8. Jose Ramirez



• Positions: Third Base, Second Base
• Teams: Cleveland Indians

Jose Ramirez

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
148	6.9	152	645	107	186	56	6	29	83	17	52	69	.318	.374	.583	.957

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• T – 8. Tommy Pham



• Positions: Outfield
• Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Tommy Pham

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
148	6.4	128	530	95	136	22	2	23	73	25	71	117	.306	.411	.520	.932

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• 7.Justin Turner



• Positions: Third Base
• Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers

Justin Turner

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
151	5.7	130	543	72	147	32	0	21	71	7	59	56	.322	.415	.530	.945

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• 6. Freddie Freeman



• Positions: First Base
• Teams: Atlanta Braves

Freddie Freeman

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
152	4.5	117	514	84	135	35	2	28	71	8	65	95	.307	.403	.496	.989

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• 5. Giancarlo Stanton



• Positions: Outfield
• Teams: Miami Marlins

Giancarlo Stanton

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
156	7.6	159	692	123	168	32	0	59	132	2	85	163	.281	.376	.631	1.007

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• 4. Jose Altuve



• Positions: Second Base
• Teams: Houston Astros

Jose Altuve

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
160	8.3	153	662	112	204	39	4	24	81	32	58	84	.346	.410	.547	.957

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• 3. Joey Votto



• Positions: First Base
• Teams: Cincinnati Reds

Joey Votto

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
165	7.5	162	707	106	179	34	1	36	100	5	134	83	.320	.454	.578	1.032

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• 2. Aaron Judge



• Positions: Outfield
• Teams: New York Yankees

Aaron Judge

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
173	8.1	155	678	128	154	24	3	52	114	9	127	208	.284	.422	.627	1.049

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• 1. Mike Trout



• Positions: Outfield
• Teams: Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout

wRC+	WAR	G	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
181	6.7	114	507	92	123	25	3	33	72	22	94	90	.306	.442	.629	1.071

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