In a surprising turn, Los Angeles Dodgers' stars Kyle Tucker and Mookie Betts found themselves outside the Top 5 in ESPN's latest positional rankings. Despite their stellar reputations, a challenging season has seemingly impacted their standing as we head into 2026. Tucker landed sixth among corner outfielders, while Betts was ranked eighth among shortstops.
Kyle Tucker's Position in the Rankings
Tucker, a recent addition to the Dodgers with a hefty four-year, $240 million contract, has been a consistent force in MLB. Even with injuries affecting his 2025 season, he managed to hit 22 homers and rack up 73 RBIs over 136 games, achieving a 4.6 bWAR.
This marks his fifth consecutive season with a bWAR of at least 4.0. The likes of AL MVP Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Ronald Acuña Jr. edged him out for the top spots.
With a healthy 2026, Tucker is poised to reclaim a top position among the league's elite.
Mookie Betts' Position in the Rankings
Shortstop is currently one of the most competitive positions in MLB, with nearly every team boasting a standout player. Betts, despite a challenging 2025, where he struggled early but regained form late in the season, found himself ranked eighth.
His .732 OPS, 20 homers, and 82 RBIs over 150 games were below his usual standards. Yet, his defensive prowess earned him a spot as a finalist for the NL shortstop Gold Glove, a testament to his adaptability in his first full season at the position.
Ranked behind stars like Bobby Witt Jr., Francisco Lindor, and Trea Turner, Betts is determined to climb the ranks in 2026 and solidify his new role.
Both Tucker and Betts have shown resilience and skill, and with the new season on the horizon, they're ready to remind everyone why they're among baseball's best.