It is important to discuss what this statistic is before moving further. Wins above replacement, or WAR, is an indicator of how many wins a certain player adds compared to a generic replacement player. A WAR score of +2 is typical for a good starter, while a WAR score of +5 or so indicates an All-Star player. An MVP-caliber player will often have a WAR of +8 or so.
For the purposes of our article, we have included a player’s career WAR, indicating their overall value to the team. This is how many wins they have added throughout their careers compared to a replacement player. Now that we have established what this statistic means, let’s discuss the top 10 current baseball players according to WAR.
Wins Above Replacement: 10. Nolan Arenado
The 10th best player in the MLB according to WAR is Nolan Arenado, a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. Also, Arenado is an eight-time All Star, five-time Silver Slugger, and a 10-time Gold Glove Winner. Arenado’s career WAR is 54.3, meaning he has been quite impactful in his 12 seasons in Major League Baseball.
9. Manny Machado
Manny Machado ranks ninth in current MLB players according to WAR. Machado’s career WAR is 54.6. Machado is a shortstop and a third baseman for the San Diego Padres. Additionally, Machado is a six-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner. The 31-year-old played 138 games last season, demonstrating his longevity.
8. Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman comes in just ahead of Manny Machado, ranking eighth in current MLB players according to WAR. Freeman’s career WAR is 57.3. Additionally, The Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman is a 2021 World Series champion, one-time MVP, and seven-time All Star. Freeman has made the All-Star Team three consecutive seasons so far and led the MLB in plate appearances in the 2022 season.
Wins Above Replacement: 7. Paul Goldschmidt
According to WAR, Paul Goldschmidt is the seventh-best player in the MLB today. His career WAR is 61.6 and the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman has won the MVP award, alongside seven All-Star appearances. Goldschmidt has been with the Cardinals since 2019. He is still one of the most valuable players in Major League Baseball, despite now being 36 years old.
6. Joey Votto
Joey Votto ranks sixth in the MLB in terms of career WAR. Votto’s career WAR is 64.5 and he is a one-time MVP, six-time All-Star, and one-time Gold Glove winner. The Toronto Blue Jays first baseman started 60 of the 65 games he appeared in last time. This is impressive, considering Votto is now 40 years old.
5. Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts starts off the top five of our list, with a career WAR of 68.3. Betts plays shortstop, second baseman, and rightfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mookie Betts is a seven-time All-Star, six-time Silver Slugger, and a two-time World Series champion. Additionally, Betts also won MVP in 2018 when he played for the Boston Red Sox.
Wins Above Replacement: 4. Max Scherzer
Next up is Max Scherzer, who ranks fourth in terms of career WAR. Scherzer’s career WAR is 75 and he is a eight-time All-Star, two-time World Series Champion, and a three-time Cy Young winner. Scherzer plays pitcher for the Texas Rangers. Additionally, this season is his first with the Rangers.
3. Clayton Kershaw
Our list has now made it to the best of the best. Clayton Kershaw is third in the MLB among active players in terms of career WAR with a career WAR of 79.7. Kershaw is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his professional career, Kershaw has won MVP, two World Series titles, five ERA titles, and has been named an All-Star 10 times.
2. Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is second in the MLB among active players according to career WAR. His career WAR is 81.6 and he plays pitcher for the Houston Astros. Additionally, Verlander is a one-time MVP, nine-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young winner and a two-time World Series champion. Verlander has started in five games so far this season.
1. Mike Trout
Mike Trout ranks first in the MLB in terms of career WAR for an active player. Trout’s career WAR is 86.3. Unsurprisingly, the Los Angeles Angels centerfielder has accomplished quite a bit, including three MVP awards, 11 All-Star selections, and nine Silver Slugger awards. Trout is 32 years old and played in 82 games last season.
Wins Above Replacement: More Sports Statistics Articles Are Coming Soon
That concludes our list of the top 10 active MLB players according to career WAR. The MLB season is in full swing and you can feel like part of the action with this official MLB baseball. We hope you found this article entertaining and enlightening. Check back soon for more sports statistics articles.