Major League Baseball is on the verge of beginning its season, but not before fans enjoy the World Baseball Classic, which is set to open this Thursday, January 5, 2026. National teams are ready to showcase their strength, and without question, Japan stands as one of the overwhelming favorites.
That status is largely due to the immense talent on its roster, especially one player: Shohei Ohtani. His power at the plate and precision on the mound make him one of the must-watch figures, not only in this tournament but throughout MLB as well.
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are the premier representatives of Major League Baseball
Spring training games are already underway. Rookies are eager to impress their managers and secure a spot on their teams’ rosters ahead of the 2026 campaign. However, two players are commanding the headlines despite not currently being with their clubs.
As mentioned, national teams are preparing for the World Baseball Classic, continuing to fine-tune their performances so that when playball is called, they will be at full strength.
In anticipation of the upcoming season, ESPN has unveiled its ranking of the top players expected to lead their teams in pursuit of a fall classic appearance. As anticipated, two names dominate the list: Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.
It almost seems unfair to include Ohtani on this list. At times, it feels as if he belongs in a category all his own. He has claimed four MVPs in the past five seasons, all of them unanimously.
The result: a third-place finish in Cy Young voting and a fifth MVP.
ESPN stated.
Occupying the top spot once again is the Japanese star Shohei Ohtani, followed in second place by the Bronx slugger Aaron Judge on the list of the 100 best players heading into 2026.
This distinction is unlikely to sit well with Judge, as for the fourth consecutive time since 2022 he has been unable to wrest the top honor from Ohtani. The spotlight continues to belong to the Dodgers’ standout.
It is worth remembering that the Japanese sensation arrived in the major leagues in 2018 and has been electrifying ever since, excelling both with the bat and with his finely tuned arm to dominate multiple categories year after year.
He became the first player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, and in 2024 and 2025 he captured the MLB MVP award. With numbers like these, it is difficult not to place him at number one entering the 2026 season.
Many fans, however, believe Aaron Judge deserves the same consideration afforded to Ohtani. He has been dominant, though he has not been able to guide his team to a championship, and ultimately that weighs heavily.
Judge has:
- .326 batting average
- 111 home runs
- 258 runs
- 1.152 OPS
- American League MVP
The debate promises to intensify throughout the season. For now, the throne belongs to Shohei, and only he can dethrone himself.
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