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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BRONX, NY – APRIL 17: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – APRIL 17: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

21. J.D. Martinez

Despite offering zero defensive value as an outfielder, there is absolutely no way Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez can be left off a list of the 25 best players in baseball. The 31-year-old does it all, hitting for high average and plenty of power. Even if he never picks up a glove again, Martinez is a bargain under $25 million per season.

Since sticking in the big leagues in 2014 with the Detroit Tigers, Martinez is a .308/.372/.586 hitter with 166 doubles, 174 home runs and 489 RBI. He has hit over .300 in four of his five full MLB seasons, including an outstanding .330/.402/.629 in his first year with the Red Sox last season. Martinez added 43 home runs and led the Major Leagues with 130 RBI. He finished fourth in the AL MVP vote, and his addition provided a major spark to Boston’s lineup, which was inconsistent in 2017.

Over his last 229 games dating back to his trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Martinez is a .323/.393/.654 hitter with 75 home runs and 204 RBI. That level of production is simply stunning for a player who did not fully arrive in the big leagues until his age-26 season. Martinez has been making up for lost time, not unlike Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez. For a power hitter, Martinez has a very pure swing and hits the ball to all fields. His walk totals are not eye-popping, but he has also struck out an average of only once per game, which is unheard of for a 40-homer threat in the modern game.

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