All-Star sluggers highlight Hitter Power Rankings

Many of the top performers of the first half will soon be traveling to Seattle to take part in next Tuesday’s All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.

Ten of the best bats from that contingent are also part of an even more select group: those named to our latest Hitter Power Rankings. This is a crew that includes seven sluggers voted in as All-Star starters and a couple who will be taking their cuts in Monday’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby.

We’ll soon see which of these premier players lights it up under the national spotlight. But for now, here is a look at our latest rankings, via an MLB.com panel that considered track record, season-long excellence and recent performance.

1. Shohei Ohtani, Angels (Last poll: 1)
Ohtani remains at the top here after also finishing sixth in our most recent Starting Pitcher Power Rankings. While a blister unfortunately will keep him off the mound at the All-Star Game, Ohtani is still slated to start at DH for the American League. Few hitters in MLB history have put together the type of June Ohtani just did at the plate: .394/.492/.952 with 15 homers and 29 RBIs in 27 games.

2. Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves (3)
This is the sixth straight time Acuña has been in the top three, indicative of his consistent excellence this season. He recently became the first player in AL/NL history with at least 40 steals, 20 homers and 50 RBIs before the All-Star break.

3. Luis Arraez, Marlins (2)
Did Arraez just reach the halfway point in his pursuit of .400? Perhaps. But even if he falls short of that incredibly challenging feat, he still can make history in terms of his lead in the batting title race.

4. Matt Olson, Braves (not ranked)
Olson has long looked like a guy who could win a home run title someday, and this just might be the year. After bashing 11 big flies in June, he now leads the NL and trails only Ohtani across the Majors.

5. Corbin Carroll, D-backs (4)
Just four years ago, Arizona picked Carroll 16th overall in the 2019 Draft out of Lakeside High School in Seattle. Next Tuesday, Carroll will be a starting NL outfielder in the All-Star Game back in his hometown -- which also will host the 2023 Draft, starting Sunday.

6. Corey Seager, Rangers (7)
One of four Texas position players to earn All-Star starts via the fan vote, Seager has put up the biggest numbers on a Rangers offense that is leading the Majors in runs per game. Only a stint on the injured list earlier this year has slowed down Seager, who would be leading the AL batting race if he had enough at-bats to qualify.

7. Mookie Betts, Dodgers (not ranked)
There’s nothing new about Betts being an All-Star, as this is his seventh straight selection (not counting 2020, when there was no Midsummer Classic.) What is new is Betts taking part in the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career. Entering Wednesday, Betts was on pace for 44 homers this season, which would smash his previous best of 35 set last year.

8. Luis Robert Jr., White Sox (not ranked)
For a few years now, we’ve been waiting to see what the ultra-talented Robert could do in a full, healthy season. Well, so far in 2023, we’re seeing it. Through Tuesday, the 25-year-old Cuba native was slugging .580 with 25 homers, on his way to a spot in the Derby.

9. Juan Soto, Padres (10)
At this point, Soto leading the Majors in walks is basically automatic. But if you thought he was just taking his base, think again. After a slow start, Soto boasts an OPS over 1.000 since April 29.

10. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6)
No Dodgers first baseman had been voted in to start the All-Star Game since Steve Garvey in 1980. Freeman put an end to that drought and is on track to bat at least .300 for the eighth time in his career. Miguel Cabrera is the only other active player who can match that total.

Also receiving votes: Yandy Díaz (Rays), José Ramírez (Guardians), Elly De La Cruz (Reds), Marcus Semien (Rangers), Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres), Wander Franco (Rays), Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) and Randy Arozarena (Rays)

Voters: David Adler, Brett Blueweiss, Paul Casella, Doug Gausepohl, Thomas Harrigan, Sarah Langs, Travis Miller, Ricardo Montes de Oca, Brian Murphy, Sweeny Murti, Manny Randhawa, Efrain Ruiz, Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru, Andrew Simon, David Venn