The Baseball Scholar

Updated 11/16/2025

Major League Baseball as we know it, that is two leagues American and National, playing by the same rules with the champion from each squaring off against the other for baseball supremacy was born in 1901. Because of that these rankings only consider seasons and careers from 1901 and after. To be eligible a player has to have 1,500 career plate appearances.

If you don’t agree, leave a comment and let me know why.

1. Edgar Martinez



• Age: 24 – 41
• Years: 1987 – 2004
• Teams: Seattle Mariners

Edgar Martinez

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
68.34	147	2055	8672	7213	1219	2247	514	15	309	1261	49	30	1283	1202	.311	.417	.515	.932

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2. Paul Molitor



• Age: 21 – 41
• Years: 1978 – 1998
• Teams: Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins

Paul Molitor

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
75.42	122	2683	12160	10835	1782	3319	605	114	234	1307	504	131	1094	1244	.306	.366	.447	.814

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3. Shohei OhtaniActive



• Age: 23 – 30
• Years: 2018 – 2025
• Teams: Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
35.4	156	1018	4329	3730	708	1050	192	45	280	669	165	43	541	1104	.282	.374	.582	.957

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4. David Ortiz



• Age: 21 – 40
• Years: 1997 – 2016
• Teams: Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox

David Ortiz

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
55.43	140	2408	10091	8640	1419	2472	632	19	541	1768	17	9	1319	1750	.286	.379	.551	.930

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5. Yordan AlvarezActive



• Age: 22 – 28
• Years: 2019 – 2025
• Teams: Houston Astros

Yordan Alvarez

WAR	wRC+	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
24.3	163	677	2867	2455	429	728	156	6	170	493	9	2	346	566	.297	.389	.573	.961

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