Who is MLB's best player? Let's ask the players themselves

During Spring Training, MLB.com beat writers surveyed their clubhouses, asking players for their opinions on a range of topics. Well over 100 players participated, in exchange for anonymity. In the leadup to Opening Day, MLB.com is publishing a series of stories based on the results of that survey.

Today’s topic: Best player

It takes a special talent to leave some of the best players in the world in awe.

The superstars below certainly fit the bill. These five came up the most when their peers were asked to name MLB’s best player.

1. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, Dodgers
Ohtani was an overwhelming choice in our survey, with nearly two-thirds of respondents picking him as MLB’s best player. The percentage might have been even higher if Ohtani wasn’t taking a year off from pitching to recover from right elbow surgery.

This pick is not really a surprise. Ohtani is a one-of-a-kind superstar, showing the ability to be an elite slugger and a frontline starting pitcher, all rolled into one. In the past three years, he won two unanimous American League MVP Awards and finished second the year he didn’t win.

Ohtani was rewarded for his incredible run of dominance this past offseason, when he became a free agent and signed a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers.

Here’s a sample of some of the comments we received from Ohtani’s awestruck peers:

“The things that he's doing, it's crazy.”

“Everybody's on the same page -- we're watching history.”

“There's not a single human on Earth that can do what he does."

"He's not fair."

“He's the best baseball player, I think, ever.”

2. Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, Braves
The reigning National League MVP was a popular pick among players who didn’t go with Ohtani.

Possessing a rare combination of skills, Acuña has proven to be one of the top players in the game since his debut in 2018. The Braves outfielder was set back by a torn ACL in his right knee in 2021, but he remarkably returned to action less than a year after his injury and went on to make history in 2023, becoming the fifth member of the 40-40 club and the first player to record at least 40 homers and 70 steals in a season.

“Ohtani is the obvious answer, but I'm taking Acuña,” said one AL outfielder. “I think it's incredible how he came back from a major injury and be as dynamic as he still is, that's special. Just his game overall, his blend of speed and power, is amazing. To be that fast and that powerful at the same time, what a special blend.”

3. (tie) Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees
One of baseball’s most feared sluggers, Judge has hit more homers than anyone else since his 2017 rookie season, when he set a then-rookie-record with 52 dingers. His .993 OPS across 2017-23 was second only to Mike Trout’s 1.032 among qualifying batters.

Judge reached his apex in 2022, winning AL MVP honors after breaking Roger Maris’ league record for homers. The Yankees outfielder finished the season with 62 homers -- one more than Maris hit in 1961 -- plus an MLB-leading 131 RBIs, 133 runs and 1.111 OPS.

“He's just an unbelievable player,” said one AL first baseman. “He's got a really fine-tuned approach. The guy can rake.”

Judge was actually on pace to make another run at 60 homers last year, but he injured his right big toe when he crashed into the outfield fence at Dodger Stadium while making a highlight-reel catch on June 3 and ended up missing 42 games.

3. (tie) Corey Seager, SS, Rangers
The fact that Seager only played 119 games last season and still finished second behind Ohtani in the AL MVP Award voting speaks to how great he was, when healthy.

Seager had one of the best offensive seasons by a shortstop in MLB history, slashing .327/.390/.623 with 33 homers, 42 doubles and 96 RBIs over 536 plate appearances.

The veteran then continued to burnish his postseason resume, earning World Series MVP honors for the second time in his career while helping the Rangers win it all.

5. Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers
"[Betts’] ability to play the game at such a high level as consistently and as long as he's done it is hard to ignore,” said one AL relief pitcher who picked the Dodgers superstar as the best player in the game.

Indeed, Betts is now 31 years old and has been in the Majors for a decade, but he’s showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, 2023 was one of the best seasons of his big league career.

Betts placed second behind Acuña in the NL MVP Award race after hitting .307 with 39 homers, 107 RBIs, 126 runs, 14 steals and a .987 OPS over 152 games.

He also showed his defensive versatility, playing 70 games at second base and 16 at shortstop to give the Dodgers’ infield a much-needed boost. The veteran has six Gold Glove Awards in the outfield, but he is expected to be the Dodgers’ new starting shortstop in 2024.

Others receiving votes: Corbin Carroll (AZ), Freddie Freeman (LAD), José Ramírez (CLE), Julio Rodríguez (SEA), Marcus Semien (TEX), Mike Trout (LAA)