Spring Training 2025: Ranking the Top 10 Outfielders, Designated Hitters

Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Dodgers steals second base during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles on Aug. 23, 2024. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

It’s an exciting time of year to be a baseball fan as our social media feeds are being flooded with images of pitchers and catchers reporting for duty and spring training facilities coming back to life. Baseball season is upon us, and a fascinating Major League season is just around the corner.

On Monday, we looked at the top 10 infielders by position. Now, let’s turn our attention to the outfield and designated hitter positions. There are some fabulous young players making huge impacts all over the game. Ranking the best by position was incredibly hard with so many superstars to consider.

Top 10 Center Fielders

10. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs 9. Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins 8. Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees 7. Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox 6. Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies 5. Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates 4. Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves 3. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels 2. Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres 1. Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners

There are some incredibly talented young players in the middle of the outfield right now, which is so exciting for baseball fans across the country. PCA (Pete Crow-Armstrong) will take over as the everyday center fielder for the Cubs; he’s an elite defender with top-tier speed. Cruz made the move to the outfield from shortstop last year and took well to the new assignment. Bellinger moves from Chicago to the Bronx where his dad played for the Yankees.

We'll see if Robert stays on Chicago’s south side for very long with the rumors there are teams interested in the talented all-around player. Merrill emerged as another converted shortstop who appears to be on the cusp of superstardom, and Rodriguez is already there.

Top 10 Right Fielders

10. Lawrence Butler, Oakland A’s 9. Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles 8. Teoscar Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers 7. Anthony Santander, Toronto Blue Jays 6. Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks 5. Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves 4. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres 3. Juan Soto, New York Mets 2. Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs 1. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

Right field has some known superstar names at the top of the list, but a few of these guys are in new locations this year. Tucker was traded to the Cubs in a blockbuster deal this winter, Soto signed an enormous contract to changes sides to New York City, and Santander moved from Baltimore to the Blue Jays.

Right field is still owned by Judge, however. He had a historic MVP season last year and shows no signs of slowing down. It isn’t a knock on any of these players to not be No. 1 though.

Jackson Chourio celebrates in the Milwaukee Brewers' dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Milwaukee on Aug. 15, 2024. Kayla Wolf/AP Photo

Top 10 Left Fielders

10. Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees 9. Taylor Ward, Los Angeles Angels 8. Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets 7. Tyler O’Neill, Baltimore Orioles 6. Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates 5. Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians 4. Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox 3. Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs 2. Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers 1. Jackson Chourio, Milwaukee Brewers

This is a position where young players are starting to emerge as stars, which is exciting. Chourio doesn’t turn 21 until March 11, and he posted a 117 OPS+ last season as a rookie in Milwaukee. Greene, 24, is coming off his first All-Star appearance and looks to build on a marvelous campaign. Happ has three Gold Glove Awards at home already, and Duran led all of MLB with 48 doubles and 14 triples last year.

The second half of this top ten has some established players who make a big impact for their respective teams. But, at No. 10, we’re including a prospect we’ve been hearing about since 2019. Nicknamed “The Martian” because of his freak athletic ability, Dominiguez is going to get a crack at being an everyday player for the Yankees finally this year.

Top 10 Designated Hitters

10. Kerry Carpenter, Detroit Tigers 9. Joc Pederson, Texas Rangers 8. Jorge Soler, Los Angeles Angels 7. Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees 6. Brent Rooker, Oakland A’s 5. Seiya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs 4. Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves 3. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies 2. Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros 1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s Ohtani’s world and we’re all just living in it. He had a season like we’ve never seen last year, emerging as one of the greatest all-around offensive threats in the history of the game. And, this year, he'll be able to add pitching back to his resume. Alvarez is also a bona fide star who will be asked to do more to help the Astros this year with Tucker moving on to Chicago.

Tucker getting traded to the Cubs and PCA emerging as the everyday center fielder means Suzuki will now primarily be a designated hitter, a move he isn’t necessarily happy about but should be very good in the role. Rooker might not be the first name on your list but he’s excellent for the A’s, no matter where they’re playing. And postseason heroes Stanton, Soler, and Pederson will look to continue hitting bombs this year.