Best MLB lineups 2024: Ranking 10 best lineups in baseball before Opening Day - Sportsnaut (2024)

The duo of Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt isn’t as good as it used to be, at least based on their alarming statistical decline last season. Now well into their 30s, it’s reasonable to assume both players won’t return to the MVP-caliber form we saw before. With that said, Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker both offer enticing power that could lead to some fun stretches for this Cardinals lineup. We also like Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras to provide the steady production that prevents this lineup from bottoming out when the youngsters get cold.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks lineup in 2023 was about league average, posting a .730 OPS+ with 746 runs scored and 1.359 hits. So, fresh off a World Series run, Arizona went out and injected more power into its batting order with Joc Pederson and Eugenio Suarez. Both players won’t hit near the top of the lineup, but they will add much-needed support for Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Christian Walker. While there isn’t a high ceiling with the Diamondbacks lineup, it has a higher floor than it did a year ago and a deeper lineup gives us confidence it will see significant impairments in run production.

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We were disappointed with the Toronto Blue Jays lineup in 2023. Despite a plethora of talent throughout the batting order, Toronto finished 14th in runs scored (746), 11th in OPS (.745) and 10th in total bases (2,317). Injuries played a role in that, but some of the Blue Jays best hitters just underperformed. Still, it’s hard to find this level of talent outside of the best MLB lineups and that’s enough to at least rank eighth in baseball.

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There’s certainly some projecting here with the Baltimore Orioles lineup. There isn’t an MVP-caliber hitter in Camden Yards right now and that easily keeps Baltimore tiers below the best MLB lineups. However, the Orioles’ batting order offers consistent production from the likes of Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle. With the safe floor they offer, we’ll bet on the upside from Gunnaer Henderson, Jackson Holliday and Adley Rutschman. We don’t necessarily expect the Orioles to finish top 10 in runs scored, but we still believe this can be one of the 10 best lineups in baseball.

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Dips in production from J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber drop the Philadelphia Phillies in our lineup rankings after the 2023 season. We aren’t nearly as concerned with Bryce Harper, who regained his power in the second half of the season. Even if the likes of Trea Turner, Schwarber and Realmuto never recapture their peaks as hitters, the Phillies lineup boasts at least three bats capable of an .800-plus OPS with at least five that can clear .750 in the regular season. If one or two sluggers rebound, it gets even better.

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Hitting at Yankee Stadium might remind some people that Juan Soto is one of the best hitters of his generation. While Soto hasn’t cleared a .280 batting average since 2021, the All-Star outfielder is responsible for three of the five highest single-season walk rates since 2005. Aaron Judge is a lock for 40 homers, 100 RBI and a .950-plus OPS, DJ LeMahieu will be an excellent leadoff hitter and the trio of Anthony Rizo, Gleyber Torres and Alex Verdugo should deliver excellent stability to round out the top half of the Yankees lineup. What holds New York back from being higher in our rankings of the best lineups in baseball is, of course, the durability concerns with Judge, LeMahieu and Giancarlo Stanton.

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A healthy Texas Rangers is one of the best in the American league. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien were both AL MVP candidates in 2023. Adolis Garcia is coming off a remarkable October and has nearly 70 homers with 208 RBI in the last two seasons. There’s also a ton of excitement this year in Texas for top prospects Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford, who both offer All-Star ceilings in a few short years. While they aren’t as big of names, Nate Lowe can give Texas 25 homers with a .750-plus OPS and Jonah Heim has provided outstanding production at catcher.

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When the Houston Astros lineup is healthy, there are few things better in baseball to watch. Yordan Alvarez has been troubled by wrist and hand problems in the last two years, but his numbers at peak form are right up there with Aaron Judge. There’s no reason to think Jose Altuve – 45 homers, .918 OPS in last 231 games – will stop producing, Kyle Tucker is averaging nearly 30 homers with 100 RBIs over the last three years and Alex Bregman still delivers All-Star production. Ultimately, what will determine the true greatness of the Astros lineup is whether or not Jose Abreu can rediscover some of his form or if catcher Yainer Diaz can replicate his numbers (23 home runs ad .538 SLG) from an incredible rookie season.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers lineup is led off by three players with four combined MVP awards. Shohei Ohtani – .964 OPS, 124 home runs in last 3 seasons – gets to focus entirely on hitting this season. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, who each have placed top five on NL MVP ballots in each of the last two seasons, are a lock for a .900-plus OPS with a combined 60 homers and 200 RBI. Slotting in behind them in the Dodgers’ batting order, Will Smith and Max Muncy should each challenge for 20-plus homers with a .800 OPS while Teoscar Hernande and James Outman could deliver 20 homers with a .750-plus OPS. Even at the bottom of the lineup, Gavin Lux should provide above-average production. Oh, the Dodgers also have depth on the bench.

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The Atlanta Braves have the best lineup in baseball right now. Similar to some of the best MLB lineups, there are multiple MVP-caliber players (Ronald Acuña Jr, Austin Riley and Matt Olson) in the Braves lineup. Those three players alone might combine for 300-plus RBI with 120-plus homers and a .900-plus OPS this season. Around them, Atlanta boasts Ozzie Albies (.803 OPS from 2021-’23), All-Star Sean Murphy, the tandem of Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris with a high-upside bat in Jarred Kelenic hitting eighth. The combo of high-end talent and overall depth gives the Braves the MLB lineup in 2024.

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