Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022/23 revision of our top 50 Houston Astros.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in Major League Baseball.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Astros again were World Series contenders, and made the playoffs.  There were no new entrants, but four Astros climbed the list.

As always, we present our top five, which did not change.

1. Jeff Bagwell

2. Craig Biggio

3. Jose Altuve

4. Lance Berkman

5. Cesar Cedeno

You can find the entire list here.

Notably, Altuve remains at number three, and still has a way to go to overtake Biggio at #2, but he has it in him to not only do that, but snatch #1 from Bagwell.

Future first ballot Hall of Fame Pitcher, Justin Verlander, was traded back to the Astros during the season and did enough to climb from #11 to #9.

Infielder, Alex Bregman, went up three spots from #14 to #11.

Offensive stud, Yordan Alvarez shot up from #37 to #27.

The final change is Kyle Tucker, who climbed to #33 from #45.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for more revisions in the future. 

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 827 (up from 796 last week) Players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the sixth update, with standings as of the morning of June 12.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 last week)

98 Cup Points, 65 Games, 1.51 Cup Points per Game, 18 Home Runs, 46 Runs Batted In, 9 SB, .287/.359/.571, 3.5 bWAR & 5-2, 3.32 ERA, 102 SO, 1.039 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. After a flat week, Ohtani exploded offensively and is off to his best pitching start, leading the AL in H/9 (8.9) and is second in Strikeouts (102). With his bat, Ohtani is second in the league in Home Runs (18), third in Slugging (.571) and fourth in OPS (.930). Ohtani is also leading the AL in Extra Base Hits (33).

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

82 Cup Points, 65 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 13 Home Runs, 37 Runs Batted In, 28 SB, .331/.402/.563, 3.3 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in bWAR (3.3) and Stolen Bases (28) and is second in Runs Scored (56). He is in the top four in all three Slash Line components.

3. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

73 Cup Points, 65 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 32 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .258/.406/.462, 2.4 bWAR.

Soto is still the National League leader in Walks (56) and is fourth in OBP (.406). He is also sixth in OPS+ (146).

4 (TIE). Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Not Ranked, Last Week)

72 Cup Points, 62 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 13 Home Runs, 33 Runs Batted In, 19 SB, .308/.389/.579, 3.1 bWAR.

Carroll is running away with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and it is only June! At present, the young Outfielder is in the top seven in all Slash Line components and is second in Stolen Bases (19).

4 (TIE). Jorge Soler: Miami Marlins, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (#6, Last Week)

72 Cup Points, 62 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 38 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .258/.346/.559, 1.4 bWAR.

Soler is playing more and more at DH this year, but he is providing the Marlins incredible offense. He is second in NL Home Runs (19), fifth in Slugging (.559), and seventh in OPS (.905).

6. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #9 Last Week)

71 Cup Points, 57 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 15 Home Runs, 52 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .247/.300/.494, 1.1 bWAR.

Devers reversed course and had his first rank increase in some time. He is currently third in the AL in RBIs (52) and fourth in Home Runs (15).

7. Aaron Judge: New York Yankees, Outfield: (Ranked #2, Last Week)

70 Cup Points, 49 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 40 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .291/.404/.674, 1.9 bWAR.

A toe injury kept Judge out of the lineup the last week, thus he tumpled four spots on the NIHOF Cup leaderboard. Last year’s NIHOF Cup winner and Home Run leader is still leading the AL in Slugging (.674), OPS (.674), OPS+ (192) and Home Runs (19).

8 (TIE). Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

68 Cup Points, 64 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 51 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .296/.361/.5487, 3.2 bWAR.

Semien is having an outstanding 2023, though he is coming off a poor week. He is the current AL leader in Runs Scored (57) and is second in bWAR for Position Players (3.2).

9 (TIE). Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (Ranked #6 Last Week)

67 Cup Points, 57 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 17 Home Runs, 55 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .277/.388/.589, 2.0 bWAR.

Alvarez is one the game’s best hitters and the current American League leader in RBIs (55). He is also in the top ten in OBP, Slugging, OPS, Home Runs, Walks and OPS+.

9 (TIE). Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (#9, Last Week)

67 Cup Points, 54 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 1 Home Run, 29 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .397/.447/.485, 2.8 bWAR.

Arraez is flirting with a .400 Batting Average and he is currently the National League leader in Hits (91), Batting Average (.397) and On Base Percentage (.447). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.485) for a player with only one Home Run.

Los Angeles’ (NL) Mookie Betts and New York’s (NL) Pete Alonso fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of June 19.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 796 (up from 761 last week) Players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the fifth update, with standings as of the morning of June 6.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 last week)

85 Cup Points, 59 Games, 1.44 Cup Points per Game, 15 Home Runs, 41 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .274/.346/.539, 3.0 bWAR & 5-2, 3.30 ERA, 96 SO, 1.014 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so.  This was his arguably his weakest week of the season, and right now his Angels have a winning record. Ohtani is off to his best pitching start, leading the AL in H/9 (8.9) and SO/9 (12.169), and he is his usual self with the bat, where he is third in Home Runs (15).

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #5 Last Week)

74 Cup Points, 52 Games, 1.20 Cup Points per Game, 12 Home Runs, 32 Runs Batted In, 26 SB, .331/.407/.564, 3.3 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in bWAR (3.3), Runs Scored (52), and Stolen Bases (37) and OPS (.970), and is in the top four in all three Slash Line components. He is arguably the current NL MVP front runner.

3. Aaron Judge: New York Yankees, Outfield: (Ranked #6, Last Week)

70 Cup Points, 49 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 40 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .291/.404/.674, 1.9 bWAR.

Last year’s NIHOF Cup winner and Home Run leader is leading the AL in Slugging (.674), OPS (.674), OPS+ (192) and Home Runs (19).

4 (TIE). Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #2, Last Week)

68 Cup Points, 60 Games, 1.21 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 27 Runs Batted In, 8 SB, .248/.413/.470, 2.3 bWAR.

Soto dropped two spots but is still the National League leader in Walks (56) and is second in OBP (.413). He is also fifth in OPS+ (150).

4 (TIE). Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #6, Last Week)

68 Cup Points, 52 Games, 1.13 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 48 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .306/.375/.506, 3.4 bWAR.

Semien is having an outstanding 2023, and is the current AL leader in Runs Scored (55) and is second in bWAR for Position Players (3.4).

6 (TIE). Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (Ranked #9 Last Week)

64 Cup Points, 57 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 16 Home Runs, 53 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .278/.391/.582, 1.9 bWAR.

Alvarez is one the game’s best hitters and the current American League leader in RBIs (53). He is also in the top ten in OBP, Slugging, OPS, Home Runs, Walks and OPS+.

6 (TIE). Jorge Soler: Miami Marlins, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (#3, Last Week)

64 Cup Points, 58 Games, 1.10 Cup Points per Game, 17 Home Runs, 36 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .245/.326/.532, 0.8 bWAR.

Soler did not have a good week, and his poor defensive skills have led him to play more at the DH spot. Nevertheless, Soler is third in NL Home Runs (17), eighth in Slugging (.532), and fifth in Extra Base Hits (28).

8 (TIE). Pete Alonso: New York Mets, First Base: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

63 Cup Points, 60 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 20 Home Runs, 47 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .231/.324/.538, 1.9 bWAR.

Alonso did not accrue a Cup Point this past week, but is still the current league leader in Homer Runs (21) and RBIs (47). The First Basemen is also seventh in Slugging (.538).

9 (TIE). Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #8 Last Week)

61 Cup Points, 57 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 13 Home Runs, 49 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .246/.298/.487, 0.9 bWAR.

Devers dropped another spot but is still third in RBIs (49) and fifth in Home Runs (13).

9 (TIE). Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Not Ranked, Last Week)

61 Cup Points, 54 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 15 Home Runs, 36 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .257/.362/.532, 2.6 bWAR.

Betts returns to the top ten and is currently 5^th among batters in the NL in bWAR (2.6).

9 (TIE). Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (Not Ranked, Last Week)

61 Cup Points, 54 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 1 Home Run, 29 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .399/.450/.495, 2.8 bWAR.

Arraez makes his first top ten appearance, and he is currently the National League leader in Hits (83), Batting Average (.450) and On Base Percentage (.450). He also has a very impressive lugging Percentage (.495) for a player with only one Home Run.

Toronto’s Bo Bichette fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the morning of June 12.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 740 (up from 698 last week) Players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the fourth update, with standings as of the morning of May 23.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 last week)

72 Cup Points, 47 Games, 1.53 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 32 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .282/.358/.530, 2.9 bWAR & 5-1, 3.05 ERA, 80 SO, 0.898 WHIP.

We said that Ohtani would take over the top spot by before June, and here we are! The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. The Japanese superstar led his nation to a World Cup, and right now his Angels have a winning record. Ohtani is off to his best pitching start, leading the AL in SO/9 (12.2) and H/9 (4.3), and he is his usual self with the bat, where he is sixth in Home Runs (11) and tenth in RBIs (32).

2 (TIE). Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #4 Last Week)

58 Cup Points, 40 Games, 1.20 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 27 Runs Batted In, 19 SB, .342/.430/.598, 2.9 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in bWAR (2.9), Runs Scored (46), and Stolen Bases (19), and is second in all three Slash Line components, as well as Hits (63). He is arguably the current NL MVP front runner.

2 (TIE). Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

58 Cup Points, 47 Games, 1.23 Cup Points per Game, 13 Home Runs, 44 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .254/.296/.530, 1.1 bWAR.

Devers remains at #2, and is second in the AL in Home Runs (13), and is second in RBIs (44). It his power that lands Devers here, as his OBP has been lacking.

4. Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #2, Last Week)

56 Cup Points, 47 Games, 1.19 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 39 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .304/.381/.487, 3.0 bWAR.

Semien is having an outstanding 2023, and is the current AL leader in Runs Scored (43) and bWAR for Position Players (3.0). The Rangers infielder is also fourth in Defensive bWAR (1.0).

5. Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Designated Hitter & Outfield: (Ranked #7, Last Week)

53 Cup Points, 41 Games, 1.29 Cup Points per Game, 12 Home Runs, 46 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .305/.399/.616, 1.8 bWAR.

Alvarez is entrenched as one of the game’s premier hitters, and is at present third in Slugging (.616) and OPS (1.015), fifth in Home Runs (12), and second in RBIs (46).

6 (TIE). Pete Alonso: New York Mets, First Base: (Not in Top Ten, Last Week)

51 Cup Points, 48 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 17 Home Runs, 41 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .228/.322/.538, 1.3 bWAR.

Alonso rockets back into the top ten, and took over the National League lead in Home Runs (17) and RBIs (41).

6 (TIE). Aaron Judge: New York Yankees, Outfield: (Not Ranked in the Top Ten, Last Week)

41 Cup Points, 40 Games, 1.03 Cup Points per Game, 13 Home Runs, 31 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .299/.400/.642, 1.8 bWAR.

Last year’s NIHOF Cup winner makes his first top ten appearance. Judge is leading the AL in Slugging (.642) and OPS (1.042), and is second in Home Runs (13).

8. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (#7, Last Week)

50 Cup Points, 39 Games, 1.10 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 29 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .250/.357/.506, 1.7 bWAR.

Betts is in the NL’s top ten in Runs (33), Doubles (13), Total Bases (89) and Extra Base Hits (24).

9 (TIE). Luis Robert: Chicago White Sox, Outfield: (#6, Last Week)

49 Cup Points, 48 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game, 13 Home Runs, 29 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .268/.325/.559, 2.7 bWAR.

Robert is healthy and producing at a high rate, topping the AL leaderboard in Extra Base Hits (23) and Defensive bWAR (1.2) and is second in Home Runs (13).

9 (TIE). Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (#5, Last Week)

49 Cup Points, 47 Games, 1.04 Cup Points per Game, 8 Home Runs, 21 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .248/.398/.473, 1.6 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (41) and is in the top ten in OBP (.398) and OPS+ (145).

Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies, Chicago’s (NL) Patirck Wisdom and Toronto’s Bo Bichette fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the morning of May 29.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 698 (up from 664 last week) Players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the third update, with standings as of the morning of May 15.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 last week)

55 Cup Points, 39 Games, 1.41 Cup Points per Game, 8 Home Runs, 26 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .287/.361/.513, 2.4 bWAR & 4-1, 2.74 ERA, 66 SO, 0.913 WHIP.

We said that Ohtani would take over the top spot by before June, and here we are! The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. The Japanese superstar led his nation to a World Cup, and right now his Angels have a winning record. Ohtani is off to his best pitching start, leading the AL in SO/9 (12.9) and H/9 (4.3), and he is his usual self with the bat.

2 (TIE). Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

49 Cup Points, 40 Games, 1.23 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 37 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .255/.304/.529, 1.1 bWAR.

Devers finally falls from the top spot, after failing to accrue a Cup Point this past week, but is still the American League leader in Home Runs (11), and is second in RBIs (37).

2. Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #5, Last Week)

49 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.18 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 34 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .288/.376/.475, 2.4 bWAR.

Semien climbs to a second-place tie and is the current AL leader in Runs Scoed (35) and bWAR for Position Players (2.4). The Rangers infielder is also third in Defensive bWAR (0.8).

4. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #3 Last Week)

48 Cup Points, 40 Games, 1.20 Cup Points per Game, 8 Home Runs, 23 Runs Batted In, 17 SB, .346/.437/.577, 2.7 bWAR.

Acuna leads all NL batters in bWAR (2.7), Runs Scored (30), Hits (54) Stolen Bases (17), OBP (.437), OPS (1.014), OPS+ (174) and Total Bases (90), while second in Batting Average (.346). Wait, how is he only fourth? Ah, the mystery of the NIHOF CUP!

5. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Not in Top Ten, Last Week)

46 Cup Points, 41 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 20 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .255/.403/.483, 1.3 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (36) and is in the top ten in OBP (.403) and OPS+ (151).

6. Luis Robert: Chicago White Sox, Outfield: (Not in Top Ten, Last Week)

45 Cup Points, 41 Games, 1.10 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 27 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .275/.335/.562, 2.2 bWAR.

Robert is healthy and producing at a high rate, topping the AL leaderboard in Home Runs (11) and Extra Base Hits (22) and is second in Defensive bWAR (0.8).

7 (TIE). Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Designated Hitter & Outfield: (Ranked #6, Last Week)

43 Cup Points, 34 Games, 1.27 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 37 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .288/.388/.568, 1.2 bWAR.

Alvarez is entrenched as one of the game’s premier hitters, and is at present fourth in Slugging (.568) and OPS (.956) and eighth in Home Runs (9).

7 (TIE). Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Not in the Top Ten, Last Week)

43 Cup Points, 39 Games, 1.10 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 24 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .252/.358/.510, 1.6 bWAR.

Betts makes his first top ten appearance, which is where he belongs. The Outfielder is seventh in Home Runs in the NL (9).

9. Ozzie Albies: Atlanta Braves, Second Base: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

42 Cup Points, 40 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 29 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .259/.298/.505, 1.1 bWAR.

Albies is here because of his power, currently fifth in the NL in Home Runs (10) and fourth in RBIs (29).

10 (TIE). Patrick Wisdom: Chicago Cubs, First Base: (Not Ranked in the Top Ten, Last Week)

41 Cup Points, 40 Games, 1.03 Cup Points per Game, 12 Home Runs, 23 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .240/.338/.587, 1.0 bWAR.

Wisdom returns to the top ten as two other Cubs fell off. He is currently the National League leader in Slugging (.587) and is second in Home Runs (12).

10 (TIE). Bo Bichette: Toronto Blue Jays, Shortstop: (Not Ranked in the Top Ten, Last Week)

41 Cup Points, 40 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game, 8 Home Runs, 26 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .320/.365/.515, 1.7 bWAR.

Bichette currently holds the AL lead in Hits (54) and Total Bases (87), and is third in Batting Average (.320).

Chicago’s (NL) Ian Happ and Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles’s (NL) Max Muncy and Los Angeles’s (AL) Mike Trout fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the morning of May 22.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 664 (up from 619 last week) Players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the second update, with standings as of May 8.

1. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

49 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.40 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 34 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .250/.301/.550, 1.1 bWAR.

Devers remains a slight surprise at the top of the heap, batting only .250 with an OBP barely over three, but he has been collecting runs when it matters. Currently the American League leader in Home Runs (11), Devers is second in RBIs (34), fifth in OPS (.879) and eighth in Slugging (.550).

2. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #2 last week)

45 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.36 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 20 Runs Batted In, 5 SB, .295/.366/.512, 2.2 bWAR & 4-0, 2.54 ERA, 59 SO, 0.872 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. The Japanese superstar led his nation to a World Cup, and right now his Angels have a winning record. Ohtani is off to his best pitching start, leading the AL in Strikeouts (59), and he is his usual self with the bat. We can’t imagine Ohtani not leading this by June.

3 (TIE). Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #6 Last Week)

40 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 6 Home Runs, 21 Runs Batted In, 15 SB, .338/.431/.551, 2.0 bWAR.

Acuna leads all NL batters in bWAR (2.0), Runs Scored (30), Stolen Bases (15) and Power-Speed # (8.6), and is in the top five in Batting Average and On Base Percentage.

3 (TIE). Ozzie Albies: Atlanta Braves, Second Base: (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

40 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.24 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 26 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .283/.320/.543, 1.3 bWAR.

Albies is tied for third with teammate, Acuna, making Atlanta the first team with two ranked players (last week it was the Angels). While the Second Baseman is not in the top ten in any major category, he is close, and has been money when it matters.

5 (TIE). Max Muncy: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

39 Cup Points, 31 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 12 Home Runs, 28 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .218/.385/.584, 1.4 bWAR.

Muncy is only batting .218, but he is also at the top of the leaderboard in Home Runs (12) and is third in Slugging (.584).

5 (TIE). Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #9, Last Week)

39 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.18 Cup Points per Game, 5 Home Runs, 28 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .286/.377/.466, 2.0 bWAR.

Semien is currently second in Runs Scored (28), and fifths in RBIs in the AL (28). He is also seventh in Hits (38).

7. Ian Happ: Chicago Cubs, Outfield: (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

38 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game, 4 Home Runs, 15 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .300/.418/.475, 0.7 bWAR.

Happ had a great week, placing him in the top ten here and he is also now in the top ten in OBP, Win Probability Added and Championship Win Probability Added.

8. Mike Trout: Los Angeles Angels, Outfield: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

37 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 8 Home Runs, 20 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .308/.395/.589, 1.2 bWAR.

Trout remains the baseball player we all know and love and the future first-ballot Hall of Famer is currently is in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, OBP, Slugging and OPS.

9 (TIE). Cody Bellinger: Chicago Cubs, Outfield:

36 Cup Points, 31 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 19 Runs Batted In, 9 SB, .300/.368/.567, 1.9 bWAR.

Is Cody back? The 2019 MVP faltered in his last three seasons as a Dodger, but he playing excellent baseball at the moment and emerging from the grave that many pundits dug for him. In the NL. Bellinger is second in bWAR for NL Position Players (1.9), and seventh in Slugging (.567).

6 (TIE). Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Designated Hitter & Outfield:

36 Cup Points, 28 Games, 1.29 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 31 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .275/.385/.539, 0.8 bWAR.

Alvarez has cooled off a bit after a blistering start, but is still third in RBIs (31), and is leading the NL in both Win Probability Added (2.6) and Championship Win Probability Added (1.5).

9 (TIE). Yandy Diaz: Tampa Bay Rays, Third Base:

36 Cup Points, 32 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 19 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .325/.435/.605, 1.5 bWAR.

Diaz has been excellent lately, and took over the American League lead in Runs Scored (29), OBP (.435), and has rocketed into second in Slugging (.605) and OPS (1.040).

Chicago’s (NL) Patrick Wisdom, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, New York’s (NL) Pete Alonso and Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena have fallen out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the morning of May 15.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Stats and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 619 Players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the first update, with standings as of May 1.

1. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base:

39 Cup Points, 29 Games, 1.35 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 27 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .232/.285./.563, 1.1 bWAR.

Devers is a mild surprise at number one, as although the two-time All-Star is leading the American League in Home Runs (10), he is not currently in the top ten in OPS. Saying that, power is huge in Cup Points, and he is also at present third in RBIs (27). This will trump Batting Average every time here.

2. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher:

38 Cup Points, 29 Games, 1.35 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 18 Runs Batted In, 5 SB, .294/.355./.541, 2.1 bWAR & 4-0, 1.85 ERA, 46 SO, 0.824 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. The Japanese superstar led his nation to a World Cup, and right now his Angels have a winning record. Ohtani is off to his best pitching start, and he is his usual self with the bat. We can’t imagine Ohtani not leading this by June.

3 (TIE). Patrick Wisdom: Chicago Cubs, Third Base:

34 Cup Points, 25 Games, 1.36 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 20 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .250/.324/.541, 1.0 bWAR.

Wisdom is the current National League leader in Total Bases (59) and Extra Base Hits (15) and his second in Home Runs (10). This is best start of Wisdom’s career.

3 (TIE). Mike Trout: Los Angeles Angels, Outfield:

34 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 18 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .308/.395/.589, 1.2 bWAR.

Trout remains the baseball player we all know and love and the Angels are the first team to rank two players. The Centerfielder is currently fourth in Home Runs in the AL (7).

3 (TIE). Max Muncy: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base:

34 Cup Points, 25 Games, 1.36 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 22 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .238/.408/.563, 1.4 bWAR.

Muncy is only batting .238, but his OPS is 1.070 which is leading the NL. He is also at the top of the leaderboard in Home Runs (11) and Slugging (.863).

6 (TIE). Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield:

33 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 4 Home Runs, 14 Runs Batted In, 13 SB, .352/.440/.545, 1.7 bWAR.

Acuna leads all NL batters in Runs Scored (23), Stolen Bases (13) and Total Bases (59), and is currently second in Batting Average (.352) and On Base Percentage (.440).

6 (TIE). Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Designated Hitter & Outfield:

33 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 6 Home Runs, 27 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .272/.388/.543, 0.8 bWAR.

Alvarez has cooled off a bit after a blistering start, but is still third in RBIs (27), and is leading the NL in both Win Probability Added (2.3) and Championship Win Probability Added (1.3).

6 (TIE). Matt Chapman: Toronto Blue Jays, Third Base:

33 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 5 Home Runs, 21 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .384/.465/.567, 2.0 bWAR.

Chapman is having the best start to his career, and is currently first in Hits (38), Doubles (15), Batting Average (.384), OBP (.445), OPS+ (219), bWAR for Position Players (2.0) and Total Bases (68) and is second in OPS.

9 (TIE). Cody Bellinger: Chicago Cubs, Outfield:

31 Cup Points, 24 Games, 1.29 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 18 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .297/.371/.604, 1.5 bWAR.

Is Cody back? The 2019 MVP faltered in his last three seasons as a Dodger, but he playing excellent baseball at the moment and emerging from the grave that many pundits dug for him. He is fourth in bWAR for NL Position Players (1.5), fifth in Slugging (.604) and sixth in OPS (.976).

9 (TIE). Pete Alonso: New York Mets, First Base:

31 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 25 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .257/.328/.562, 0.7 bWAR.

Alonso is the NL leader in RBIs (25), a stat he led last year with 121. With 10 Home Runs already this year, he is on pace to have to his second straight 40-plus tater year.

9 (TIE). Randy Arozarena: Tampa Bay Rays, Outfield:

31 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 28 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .327/.392/.573, 1.2 bWAR.

It is still very early, but Arozarena is on pace to have the best year of his life. At present, he is fourth in Batting Average (.327) and second in Total Bases (63).

9 (TIE). Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop:

31 Cup Points, 28 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 5 Home Runs, 23 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .268/.346/.455, 1.3 bWAR.

Semien is currently first in Runs Scored (25) in the AL, and is tenth in Hits (30).

Our next update will be the morning of May 7.

Signed as an Amateur Free Agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 following his defection from Cuba, Yordan Alvarez was traded only 45 days later to Houston in a move that Dodgers management would come to regret.

“Air Yordan” did not need a long time to make it to the Majors, breaking the roster in June, 2019, and despite missing playing less than other rookies, he was the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year, belting 27 Home Runs in only 369 Plate Appearances with a Slash Line of .313/.412/.655.  Alvarez was outstanding in that year’s World Series, batting .412 in their loss to Washington.

Alvarez only played in two Games in 2020 due to injury, but there were no side effects for Alvarez moving forward.  Playing more at DH than in Outfield, Alvarez’s hitting skills were proven to remain upper-tier.  Smacking 33 Home Runs with 104 RBIs, Alvarez had a .877 Slugging Percentage, and matched his Second Team All-MLB honor from his rookie year.  The Astros went to the World Series, though lost to Atlanta, but Alvarez batted over .500 in the NLCS, winning the NLCS MVP.  

In 2022, Alvarez continued his ascension, with 37 Home Runs, a .306 Batting Average and an OPS of 1.019.  He won MLB 1 honors, went to his first All-Star Game, won the Silver Slugger and was third in MVP voting.  Alvarez would this time be on the winning side of a World Series.  Alvarez had another good 2023, adding his second All-Star, a third All-MLB 2, and his third straight 30 HR year.  Last year, Alvarez continued his strong offensive game with 35 Home Runs, and begins 2025 on a streak of three All-Stars and four 30-plus Home Run years

While Alvarez's defense and speed are not strong, his bat is the most potent on a great club going into 2025.

The process continues.

We here are Notinhalloffame.com have plans to create our own set of post-season awards, which we will look back and retroactively present from 1901 on.  That will take a while, but it has never stopped us before!

Our awards are not be league specific.

Now it is time for our 2021 positional awards.

We will be awarding a positional player of the year, but not only that, offer up the runner-up and second runner-up, meaning that we will have First, Second and Third All-MLB players.

Let’s work our way around the diamond and award the best of the best in Baseball!

*Please note that to qualify, a player must appear in that position at least 50% of the time.

Designated Hitter of the Year (First Team All-MLB):  Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels.  4.9 bWAR, 5.1 fWAR, 138 H, 46 HR, 103 R, 100 RBI, 26 SB, .257/.372/.592/.965.

Ohtani was named our 2021 MVP, and when he was not Pitching, he was the Angels’ DH.  The Japanese sensation appeared as a DH in 126 Games.

Second Team All-MLB: Designated Hitter:  Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros.  3.2 bWAR, 3.7 fWAR, 149 H, 33 HR, 92 R, 104 RBI, 1 SB, .277/.346/.531/.877.

Alvarez is two years away from his Rookie of the Year, and this year he exceeded the power numbers from his 2019 campaign.  Alvarez was the DH in 98 of his 144 Games. 

Third Team All-MLB: Designated Hitter:  J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox.  3.0 bWAR, 2.9 fWAR, 163 H, 28 HR, 92 R, 99 RBI, 0 SB, .286/.349/.518/.867.

An All-Star for the fourth time, Martinez led the AL in Doubles (42), and broke past his poor 2020.  He played 113 of his 148 Games at DH.