Your ultimate guide to fantasy baseball player rankings 2023: Top prospects at every position
The crack of the bat. The pop of the glove. The ding of the timer that signals you're on the clock. ... They're all among the unmistakable sounds of spring and they also serve as proof that fantasy baseball season is in the air.
USA TODAY is here to get you fully prepared for your fantasy drafts with exclusive rankings and essential information to help win your league championship.
Throughout spring training, this page will serve as the clearinghouse for all our fantasy baseball content and will be updated with new features and information you need to dominate your draft.
Click on any category to view the full player list or use the 'open all' button to see them all at once.
OVERALL RANKINGS: Top 200 players for 2023
Catcher rankings
An elite catcher can give fantasy teams a distinct edge on the competition, but thanks to some talented young backstops rising up through the ranks, the position seems to be deeper than ever this season.
1 J.T. Realmuto Phi
2 Will Smith LAD
3 Adley Rutschman Bal
4 Daulton Varsho-OF Tor
5 Salvador Perez KC
6 Willson Contreras StL
7 Alejandro Kirk Tor
8 MJ Melendez-OF KC
9 Sean Murphy Atl
10 Tyler Stephenson Cin
11 William Contreras Mil
12 Cal Raleigh Sea
13 Danny Jansen Tor
14 Travis d'Arnaud Atl
15 Christian Vazquez Min
16 Keibert Ruiz Was
17 Gabriel Moreno Ari
18 Yasmani Grandal CWS
19 Eric Haase Det
20 Jonah Heim Tex
21 Christian Bethancourt-1B TB
22 Jose Trevino NYY
23 Austin Nola SD
24 Elias Diaz Col
25 Logan O'Hoppe LAA
26 Carson Kelly Ari
27 Reese McGuire Bos
28 Francisco Mejia TB
29 Omar Narvaez NYM
30 Bo Naylor Cle
2023 catcher rankings: J.T. Realmuto, Adley Rutschman provide stability behind the plate
First base rankings
First base is traditionally a position where fantasy teams can find plenty of power. But if you miss out on the elite ones, there's still plenty of production available in the middle-to-late rounds.
1 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tor
2 Freddie Freeman LAD
3 Pete Alonso NYM
4 Paul Goldschmidt StL
5 Matt Olson Atl
6 Jose Abreu Hou
7 Vinnie Pasquantino KC
8 C.J. Cron Col
9 Nathaniel Lowe Tex
10 Ryan Mountcastle Bal
11 Christian Walker Ari
12 Anthony Rizzo NYY
13 Rowdy Tellez Mil
14 Andrew Vaughn-OF CWS
15 Brandon Drury-2B/3B LAA
16 Jose Miranda-3B Min
17 Josh Bell Cle
18 DJ LeMahieu-2B/3B NYY
19 Miguel Vargas LAD
20 Ty France Sea
21 Wil Myers-OF Cin
22 Jake Cronenworth-2B SD
23 Luis Arraez-2B Mia
24 Triston Casas Bos
25 Joey Meneses-OF Was
26 Seth Brown-OF Oak
27 Josh Naylor Cle
28 Trey Mancini-OF ChC
29 Brandon Belt Tor
30 Jared Walsh LAA
31 Isaac Paredes-2B/3B TB
32 Spencer Torkelson Det
33 Wilmer Flores-2B/3B SF
34 Garrett Cooper Mia
35 Joey Votto Cin
36 Matt Mervis Chc
37 Bobby Dalbec-3B Bos
38 Carlos Santana Pit
39 Harold Ramirez TB
40 Hunter Dozier KC
2023 first base rankings: With reigning MVP Paul Goldschmidt, position packs a punch
Second base rankings
Two players stand out above the crowd at second base. Marcus Semien and Jose Altuve combine power and speed at a position where most fantasy managers have to choose one or the other.
1 Marcus Semien Tex
2 Jazz Chisholm Mia
3 Andres Gimenez Cle
4 Ozzie Albies Atl
5 Tommy Edman-SS StL
6 Max Muncy-3B LAD
7 Jose Altuve Hou
8 Jeff McNeil-OF NYM
9 Gleyber Torres NYY
10 Brandon Lowe TB
11 Brandon Drury-1B/3B LAA
12 Josh Rojas-3B Ari
13 Ketel Marte Ari
14 Thairo Estrada-SS SF
15 Jonathan India Cin
16 Whit Merrifield-OF Tor
17 Vaughn Grissom Atl
18 DJ LeMahieu-1B/3B NYY
19 Jake Cronenworth-1B SD
20 Luis Arraez-1B Mia
21 Luis Urias-SS/3B Mil
22 Jean Segura Mia
23 Bryson Stott-SS Phi
24 Jorge Polanco Min
25 Kolten Wong Sea
26 Isaac Paredes-1B/3B TB
27 Chris Taylor-OF LAD
28 Brendan Donovan-3B/OF StL
29 Jon Berti-3B Mia
30 Wilmer Flores-1B/3B SF
31 Christopher Morel-OF ChC
32 Luis Rengifo-3B LAA
33 Trevor Story Bos
34 Luis Garcia-SS Was
35 Nick Gordon-OF Min
36 Jonathan Schoop Det
37 Tony Kemp-OF Oak
38 Aledmys Diaz-OF Oak
39 Joey Wendle-SS/3B Mia
40 Christian Arroyo Bos
2023 second base rankings: Marcus Semien, Jose Altuve form exclusive top tier
Shortstop rankings
The biggest question at shortstop is how much of an impact Fernando Tatis Jr. will make after missing all of 2022 due to injuries and a PED suspension that will carry over into this season.
1 Trea Turner Phi
2 Bo Bichette Tor
3 Francisco Lindor NYM
4 Fernando Tatis Jr.-OF SD
5 Bobby Witt Jr.-3B KC
6 Corey Seager Tex
7 Dansby Swanson ChC
8 Xander Bogaerts SD
9 Tim Anderson CWS
10 Wander Franco TB
11 Tommy Edman-2B StL
12 Carlos Correa Min
13 Oneil Cruz Pit
14 Jeremy Peña Hou
15 Willy Adames Mil
16 Amed Rosario Cle
17 Nico Hoerner ChC
18 Thairo Estrada-2B SF
19 Javier Baez Det
20 Adalberto Mondesi Bos
21 Luis Urias-2B/3B Mil
22 Anthony Volpe NYY
23 Bryson Stott-2B Phi
24 Ha-seong Kim-3B SD
25 CJ Abrams Was
26 Oswald Peraza NYY
27 Elvis Andrus CWS
28 Ezequiel Tovar Col
29 Jorge Mateo Bal
30 Miguel Rojas LAD
31 Luis Garcia-2B Was
32 Royce Lewis Min
33 J.P. Crawford Sea
34 Brandon Crawford SF
35 Brice Turang Mil
36 Isiah Kiner-Falefa NYY
37 Joey Wendle-2B/3B Mia
38 Elly De La Cruz Cin
39 Paul DeJong StL
40 Kyle Farmer-3B Min
2023 shortstop rankings: How big a risk is Fernando Tatis Jr.? Is Corey Seager primed for big year?
Third base rankings
After the top six or seven, the talent level at third base drops off quickly. If you don't pounce early, you face the possibility of waiting until much later to fill the position.
1 Jose Ramirez Cle
2 Manny Machado SD
3 Rafael Devers Bos
4 Bobby Witt Jr.-SS KC
5 Austin Riley Atl
6 Nolan Arenado StL
7 Alex Bregman Hou
8 Gunnar Henderson Bal
9 Max Muncy-2B LAD
10 Eugenio Suarez Sea
11 Matt Chapman Tor
12 Jordan Walker StL
13 Alec Bohm Phi
14 Brandon Drury-1B/2B LAA
15 Jose Miranda-1B Min
16 Ke'Bryan Hayes Pit
17 Josh Rojas-2B Ari
18 DJ LeMahieu-1B/2B NYY
19 Ryan McMahon Col
20 Anthony Rendon LAA
21 Luis Urias-2B/SS Mil
22 Justin Turner Bos
23 Ha-seong Kim-SS SD
24 Yandy Diaz TB
25 Yoan Moncada CWS
26 Brendan Donovan-2B/OF StL
27 Josh Jung Tex
28 Isaac Paredes-1B/2B TB
29 Eduardo Escobar NYM
30 Jon Berti-2B Mia
31 Spencer Steer Cin
32 Jeimer Candelario Was
33 Josh Donaldson NYY
34 Wilmer Flores-1B/2B SF
35 David Villar SF
36 Brian Anderson-OF Mil
37 Luis Rengifo-2B LAA
38 Joey Wendle-2B/SS Mia
39 Patrick Wisdom ChC
40 Brett Baty NYM
2023 third base rankings: Jose Ramirez remains the definition of consistency
Outfield rankings
Aaron Judge was not only the American League MVP last season, he was the fantasy one as well. Ronald Acuña Jr., Julio Rodriguez and Kyle Tucker are rare five-category players who should also go in the top six overall.
1 Aaron Judge NYY
2 Ronald Acuña Jr. Atl
3 Julio Rodriguez Sea
4 Kyle Tucker Hou
5 Juan Soto SD
6 Mookie Betts LAD
7 Yordan Alvarez Hou
8 Mike Trout LAA
9 Fernando Tatis Jr.-SS SD
10 Michael Harris II Atl
11 Luis Robert CWS
12 Randy Arozarena TB
13 Adolis Garcia Tex
14 Cedric Mullins Bal
15 Kyle Schwarber Phi
16 Teoscar Hernandez Sea
17 Daulton Varsho-C Tor
18 George Springer Tor
19 Starling Marte NYM
20 Eloy Jimenez CWS
21 Byron Buxton Min
22 Bryan Reynolds Pit
23 Corbin Carroll Ari
24 MJ Melendez-C KC
25 Tyler O'Neill StL
26 Jake McCarthy Ari
27 Nick Castellanos Phi
28 Anthony Santander Bal
29 Jeff McNeil-2B NYM
30 Taylor Ward LAA
31 Giancarlo Stanton NYY
32 Seiya Suzuki ChC
33 Christian Yelich Mil
34 Brandon Nimmo NYM
35 Ian Happ ChC
36 Steven Kwan Cle
37 Kris Bryant Col
38 Alex Verdugo Bos
39 Andrew Vaughn-1B CWS
40 Harrison Bader NYY
41 Cody Bellinger ChC
42 Whit Merrifield-2B Tor
43 Hunter Renfroe LAA
44 Lourdes Gurriel Ari
45 Mitch Haniger SF
46 Riley Greene Det
47 Ramon Laureano Oak
48 Jesse Winker Mil
49 Masataka Yoshida Bos
50 Wil Myers-1B Cin
51 Oscar Gonzalez Cle
52 Andrew Benintendi CWS
53 Lars Nootbaar StL
54 Austin Hays Bal
55 Michael Conforto SF
56 Manuel Margot TB
57 Brandon Marsh Phi
58 Joey Meneses-1B Was
59 Trent Grisham SD
60 Esteury Ruiz Oak
61 Seth Brown-1B Oak
62 Joc Pederson SF
63 Jorge Soler Mia
64 Joey Gallo Min
65 Mark Canha NYM
66 Randal Grichuk Col
67 Trey Mancini-1B ChC
68 Oscar Colas CWS
69 Adam Duvall Bos
70 Max Kepler Min
71 Michael Brantley Hou
72 Dylan Carlson StL
73 Kike Hernandez Bos
74 Edward Olivares KC
75 Jarred Kelenic Sea
76 Andrew McCutchen Pit
77 Lane Thomas Was
78 Austin Meadows Det
79 Chris Taylor-2B LAD
80 Charlie Blackmon Col
81 Tommy Pham NYM
82 Brendan Donovan-2B/3B StL
83 Leody Taveras Tex
84 Bryan De La Cruz Mia
85 Myles Straw Cle
86 Jake Fraley Cin
87 Chas McCormick Hou
88 A.J. Pollock Sea
89 Mike Yastrzemski SF
90 Jurickson Profar Col
91 Christopher Morel-2B ChC
92 Avisail Garcia Mia
93 Jose Siri TB
94 Nick Gordon-2B Min
95 T.J. Friedl Cin
96 Akil Baddoo Det
97 Alex Kirilloff Min
98 Oswaldo Cabrera NYY
99 Garrett Mitchell M
100 Bubba Thompson Tex
2023 MLB outfield fantasy rankings: Is Ronald Acuña Jr. poised to overtake Aaron Judge?
Designated hitter rankings
Bolstered by Bryce Harper, J.D. Martinez and Nelson Cruz, his year's crop of players who qualify only as a DH (by not playing 20 games at any position) is rather plentiful.
1 Shohei Ohtani LAA
2 Bryce Harper Phi
3 J.D. Martinez LAD
4 Matt Carpenter SD
5 Nelson Cruz SD
6 Shea Langeliers Oak
7 Francisco Alvarez NYM
8 Mitch Garver Tex
9 Daniel Vogelbach NYM
10 Darick Hall Phi
2023 DH fantasy baseball rankings: Target Shohei Ohtani, stash Bryce Harper
Starting pitcher rankings
Only eight pitchers reached the 200-inning mark last season, but 11 of them topped 200 strikeouts. Draft-day decisions on starting pitchers may come down to a choice of quantity vs. quality.
1 Corbin Burnes Mil
2 Gerrit Cole NYY
3 Sandy Alcantara Mia
4 Spencer Strider Atl
5 Justin Verlander NYM
6 Aaron Nola Phi
7 Shohei Ohtani LAA
8 Brandon Woodruff Mil
9 Shane McClanahan TB
10 Max Scherzer NYM
11 Jacob deGrom Tex
12 Kevin Gausman Tor
13 Shane Bieber Cle
14 Dylan Cease CWS
15 Max Fried Atl
16 Yu Darvish SD
17 Zack Wheeler Phi
18 Alek Manoah Tor
19 Julio Urias LAD
20 Luis Castillo Sea
21 Cristian Javier Hou
22 Zac Gallen Ari
23 Framber Valdez Hou
24 Carlos Rodon NYY
25 Clayton Kershaw LAD
26 Robbie Ray Sea
27 Logan Gilbert Sea
28 Logan Webb SF
29 Blake Snell SD
30 Hunter Greene Cin
31 Freddy Peralta Mil
32 George Kirby Sea
33 Lance Lynn CWS
34 Joe Ryan Min
35 Joe Musgrove SD
36 Jordan Montgomery StL
37 Lucas Giolito CWS
38 Tyler Glasnow TB
39 Nestor Cortes NYY
40 Luis Severino NYY
41 Chris Bassitt Tor
42 Chris Sale Bos
43 Kyle Wright Atl
44 Tony Gonsolin LAD
45 Brady Singer KC
46 Reid Detmers LAA
47 Kodai Senga NYM
48 Nick Lodolo Cin
49 Dustin May LAD
50 Jeffrey Springs TB
51 Jesus Luzardo Mia
52 Drew Rasmussen TB
53 Pablo Lopez Min
54 Luis Garcia Hou
55 Jack Flaherty StL
56 Charlie Morton Atl
57 Triston McKenzie Cle
58 Patrick Sandoval LAA
59 Grayson Rodriguez Bal
60 Nathan Eovaldi Tex
61 Jon Gray Tex
62 Jameson Taillon ChC
63 Marcus Stroman ChC
64 Zach Eflin TB
65 Alex Cobb SF
66 Sonny Gray Min
67 Tyler Anderson LAA
68 Miles Mikolas StL
69 Hunter Brown Hou
70 Tyler Mahle Min
71 Aaron Civale Cle
72 Carlos Carrasco NYM
73 Edward Cabrera Mia
74 Kenta Maeda Min
75 Sean Manaea SF
76 Lance McCullers Hou
77 Andrew Heaney Tex
78 Trevor Rogers Mia
79 Merrill Kelly Ari
80 Ranger Suarez Phi
81 Ross Stripling SF
82 Jose Urquidy Hou
83 Roansy Contreras Pit
84 Taijuan Walker Phi
85 Cal Quantrill Cle
86 Eduardo Rodriguez Det
87 Michael Kopech CWS
88 Jose Berrios Tor
89 Kyle Bradish Bal
90 Bailey Ober Min
91 Justin Steele ChC
92 Ken Waldichuk Oak
93 Eric Lauer Mil
94 Steven Matz StL
95 Alex Wood SF
96 Mitch Keller Pit
97 Jose Suarez LAA
98 Adam Wainwright StL
99 MacKenzie Gore Was
100 Mike Clevinger CWS
2023 starting pitcher rankings: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer give Mets two of the top 10
Relief pitcher rankings
As more MLB teams turn to closer committees, lock-down saves sources become more valuable. However, there's also a greater possibility of a setup man taking over as closer during the season.
1 Emmanuel Clase Cle
2 Josh Hader SD
3 Ryan Pressly Hou
4 Jordan Romano Tor
5 Raisel Iglesias Atl
6 Ryan Helsley StL
7 Felix Bautista Bal
8 Devin Williams Mil
9 Camilo Doval SF
10 Kenley Jansen Bos
11 Clay Holmes NYY
12 Alexis Diaz Cin
13 David Bednar Pit
14 Jhoan Duran Min
15 Andres Muñoz Sea
16 Pete Fairbanks TB
17 David Robertson NYM
18 Scott Barlow KC
19 Seranthony Dominguez Phi
20 Paul Sewald Sea
21 Jose Leclerc Tex
22 Evan Phillips LAD
23 Daniel Bard Col
24 Alex Lange Det
25 Craig Kimbrel Phi
26 Jorge Lopez Min
27 Dylan Floro Mia
28 Kendall Graveman CWS
29 Giovanny Gallegos StL
30 Jason Adam TB
31 Taylor Rogers SF
32 Kyle Finnegan Was
33 Brandon Hughes ChC
34 James Karinchak Cle
35 Trevor May Oak
Relief pitcher rankings: Lock-down closers are an endangered species
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy baseball player rankings 2023: Every position's top prospects