The World Baseball Classic gave us an early glimpse of the top hitters in action this year. With Aaron Judge launching bombs for Team USA, Shohei Ohtani smashing a grand slam for Japan, Juan Soto sealing the deal for the Dominican Republic, and Ronald Acuña Jr. leading Venezuela to victory, the talent on display was nothing short of spectacular.
As the dust settles on the WBC, these sluggers are now shifting their focus to the MLB regular season. Judge’s Yankees are set to face the Giants on Wednesday night, kicking off a season that promises plenty of fireworks.
In preparation, we gathered insights from 14 MLB.com experts to rank the most elite bats entering 2026. Here’s how the top sluggers stack up:
- Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
The ongoing debate of "Ohtani or Judge?" continues to captivate fans.
This year, Ohtani edged out Judge by a single point in the rankings, despite Judge receiving more first-place votes. Ohtani's return as a full-fledged two-way player after limited pitching in 2025 adds another layer of intrigue.
His ability to excel on both sides of the ball remains unparalleled.
- Aaron Judge, Yankees
Judge might feel a bit slighted missing out on the top spot, especially given his historic OPS+ performances. At 34, sustaining such dominance will be challenging, but if anyone can do it, it's Judge, whose power and presence are unmatched.
- Juan Soto, Mets
Soto's debut season with the Mets was everything they hoped for and more. Leading the league in walks and surprising everyone with 38 stolen bases, Soto's offensive prowess is undeniable. While his defense might not be elite, his bat more than compensates.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
Guerrero is a model of consistency, rarely missing games and delivering solid stats across the board. Although his home run total dipped last season, his potential for a breakout power year always looms large.
- Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Raleigh's 60 home runs last season were a revelation. Known affectionately as "Big Dumper," he's become a household name. The question now is how he follows up such an explosive season.
- Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
Schwarber has firmly established himself as a top power hitter. Leading the NL in homers and the Majors in RBIs last year, his return to Philly was a no-brainer. Expect more fireworks from him this season.
- Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
Acuña's potential for another full, healthy season is tantalizing. In 2023, he combined power and speed like few others. While replicating those stolen base numbers might be tough, another 40-homer season is well within reach.
- Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
Witt’s move to a more homer-friendly Kauffman Stadium could boost his already impressive stats. With 92 doubles over the past two seasons, a few more could easily clear the fence this year.
- José Ramírez, Guardians
Ramírez continues to be a model of consistency. Approaching milestones of 300 home runs and stolen bases, he remains a cornerstone for Cleveland.
- Kurtz and Caminero
These young sluggers are poised for greatness. Kurtz dazzled with a sensational rookie campaign, while Caminero showcased his power with 45 homers. As they continue to develop, expect them to climb higher in future rankings.
With these hitters ready to make their mark, the 2026 season promises to be unforgettable. Keep an eye on these stars as they aim to light up the scoreboard and leave their mark on the game.