Will a September surge upend Hitter Power Rankings?

The calendar has flipped to September, time is running out on the regular season, and at this point, the top half of the Hitter Power Rankings is fairly solidified. The 1-6 spots have been occupied by the same sluggers in both our last two editions, albeit in a slightly different order, and that includes a core of four superstars who have ranked highly more or less all season long.

And yet, we also have four newcomers this week, three of whom are making their season debuts here. Can they keep that momentum going at this late stage?

That remains to be seen, but in the meantime, here is the latest edition of the Hitter Power Rankings. As always, our MLB.com panel considered career track record, season-long performance and recent success in casting their votes. (All stats are through Tuesday’s games.)

1. Aaron Judge, Yankees (Last poll: 1)
Nobody has been able to budge Judge from the No. 1 spot. This is his eighth straight time with at least a share of first place, going back to late May. Judge is chasing 60-plus home runs for the second time in three years, but the focus on big flies is almost obscuring the fact that his overall offensive performance is historically great, putting his name alongside those of Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle.

2. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (4)
Ohtani is chasing history of his own. He's already the first player with a 43-homer, 43-steal season, and 50-50 is well within his sights. He also ranks second in the Majors in both categories. Even his dog is a star.

3. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals (2)
Witt has entrenched himself in the top three, placing there in four straight polls. How? By taking a very good season and making it legendary. After slashing an excellent .323/.369/.558 in the first half, Witt is at a ridiculous .379/.448/.734 clip since the All-Star break, with an MLB-high 4.1 WAR, per FanGraphs.

4. Juan Soto, Yankees (3)
Soto has not ranked outside the top five all season long, and for good reason. In addition to his typically sparkling OBP, Soto is closing in on 40 homers (for the first time in his career) and 100 RBIs. It’s also hard to believe that he will still be just 25 years old until Oct. 25 -- one reason why his impending free agency is going to be extremely lucrative.

5. Yordan Alvarez, Astros (6)
Is the amazing Alvarez still not getting enough recognition? Thanks to a .347/.442/.653 line in 84 games since May 19, his OPS+ this season is up to 174 (fifth in the Majors). This would be his third straight season with at least a 170 OPS+ and 30-plus homers. The only other hitters to do that from ages 25-27? Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Frank Thomas and Mike Trout.

6. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (5)
It’s going to be an interesting winter for the Blue Jays, and Guerrero’s sensational season offers one reason for optimism. As of now, Vlad’s 171 OPS+ ranks fourth on Toronto’s single-season franchise list -- one spot ahead of his 167 from 2021. Going back 100 games to May 10, Guerrero is slashing .358/.422/.634, vying with Alvarez for the title of the most productive hitter in the Majors (non-Judge division).

7. Francisco Lindor, Mets (not ranked)
Lindor is forcing himself into the NL MVP Award conversation, and he has done the same with the Hitter Power Rankings, appearing in the top 10 for the first time this season. The switch-hitter has locked in his fifth career 30-homer campaign as a shortstop and has a good shot to go 30-30 for the second straight year. Like some of his counterparts above, he also has raised his game as the season has progressed. With a .314/.371/.595 line since the All-Star break, a slow April is far in the rearview mirror.

8. Brent Rooker, A’s (not ranked)
This is only Rooker’s second Hitter Power Rankings appearance of the season, perhaps because it’s easy to fly below the radar in Oakland. But Rooker’s 170 OPS+ would be the highest by a qualified A’s hitter since Jason Giambi in 2001. He’s been even better than that since July 1, hitting .340/.416/.670 over that stretch, with 46 RBIs in 51 games.

9. Jackson Chourio, Brewers (not ranked)
It’s easy to lose patience when a highly touted young prospect goes through some early struggles, but to their credit, the Brewers did not do so with Chourio. After landing a record-setting contract and making the team’s Opening Day roster at age 20, Chourio carried a .581 OPS through the end of May. All he’s done since then is slash .320/.375/.554 with 14 homers, 53 RBIs and 13 steals in 75 games. Chourio’s confidence has grown to the point that he’s now calling his shots and delivering for a first-place Brewers club that looks ready to charge into October.

10. Lawrence Butler, A’s (not ranked)
Two A’s hitters in the top 10? You better believe it. After all, this is a rising young squad that entered Wednesday 31-22 since July 1, the second-best record in the AL over that span. And Butler has stepped up as Rooker’s Bash Brother, a shocking turn of events considering he posted a .582 OPS as a rookie last season (42 games) and owned a .555 mark this year when he was sent back to Triple-A in mid-May. But Butler returned about a month later, and since July 1, he’s right there with Rooker as one of baseball’s best hitters. The 24-year old has a .323/.360/.702 line with 19 homers in 53 games over that span.

Others receiving votes: José Ramírez (Guardians), Marcell Ozuna (Braves), Gunnar Henderson (Orioles), Jarren Duran (Red Sox), Corbin Carroll (D-backs), Bryce Harper (Phillies), Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Willy Adames (Brewers), Rafael Devers (Red Sox), Joc Pederson (D-backs)