Who Were the Best and Worst MLB Players of 2024?

Baseball fans, brace yourself for the ultimate walk through the highs and lows of the 2024 MLB season. From jaw-dropping dominance to cringe-worthy collapses, we’re diving into the best and worst players at every position. And trust us, you won’t believe some of the names on this list. Without further ado, here’s a detailed breakdown of who ruled the diamond and who… well, struggled to find it.

The Worst Players by Position: What Went Wrong?

Sometimes in baseball, things just don’t go according to plan. Here are the players who unfortunately found themselves at the bottom of the pile in 2024:

Worst Catcher: Martín Maldonado

With a shockingly low .119 batting average and negative 1.3 WAR, Maldonado set the bar at rock bottom. Once heralded for his defense, he gave up five fielding runs and left us all wondering what happened.

Worst First Baseman: DJ LeMahieu

The Yankees’ $155 million investment dialed in a brutal .204 batting average with just seven extra-base hits, making him one of the biggest offensive liabilities of the season.

Worst Second Baseman: Brandon Drury

Drury’s 2024 will go down in history as one of the worst seasons ever for a second baseman. His negative two WAR and abysmal .455 OPS leave little doubt about his place on this unfortunate list.

More Disasters

Tim Anderson slugged a baffling .226 with almost identical batting and slugging averages, marking a dramatic fall from grace. Meanwhile, Noélvi Marte’s .210 average and negative 1.8 WAR made him a liability.

Outfield Woes

Headlining the outfield disasters, Pittsburgh’s Jack Suwinski barely managed a .182 batting average. Jordyn Walker and Nick Gordon also couldn’t shake their defensive struggles, offering little redeeming value.

On the Mound

If you thought the position players had it bad, pitchers like Bobby Miller (8.52 ERA) and Ty Blach (6.94 ERA) gave tough competition in the race to the bottom. Even marquee relievers like Scott McGough couldn’t dodge the “worst” label with a 7.44 ERA.

The Best of 2024: MVP-Level Performances

Now, let’s turn to the silver lining of the season—the superstars who reminded us why we love this game:

Best Catcher: Cal Raleigh

Raleigh smashed 34 homers and snagged both Gold and Platinum Gloves in 2024. While William Contreras offered stiff competition, Raleigh’s balance of elite defense and power edged him ahead.

Best First Baseman: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Rebounding with a phenomenal .940 OPS, Guerrero Jr. crushed 30 homers while proving he’s still among MLB’s elite batters.

Best Second Baseman: Ketel Marte

Crowning a spectacular season, Marte led second basemen in nearly every offensive category. His 6.5 Total Advanced Value (TAV) underscored just how critical he was for Arizona.

Death by Dominance

2024 was the year of Bobby Witt Jr. The Royals superstar almost mirrored a Mike Trout season at shortstop, slashing .332/.389/.588. And in center field, Aaron Judge’s ridiculous 1.2 OPS and 52 home runs cemented his reign.

King's of the Field

Outfielder Juan Soto didn’t miss a beat, blasting 41 homers and drawing over 129 walks en route to an 8.5 TAV. In the DH spot, Shohei Ohtani broke records yet again with a stunning 50-50 season.

Pitching Powerhouses

From Tarik Skubal’s league-leading 2.39 ERA to Emmanuel Clase's untouchable 0.61 ERA in the bullpen, pitchers shined almost as bright as the bats. Special mention goes to Zack Wheeler, whose pinpoint control earned him a career-best 2.57 ERA.

The Verdict

So there you have it—the best and worst MLB players of 2024, compiled into a list that’s as much a warning to underperformers as it is a celebration of greatness. Baseball, as unpredictable as ever, delivered yet another rollercoaster season. Who do you think will bounce back or stay dominant in 2025? Let us know in the comments!

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