J.D. Martinez and Alex Verdugo Ranked in Top 100 List

MLB Network released the players 81-100 on Tuesday night of their ‘Top 100 Players Right Now’ list. J.D. Martinez and Alex Verdugo–two of the Red Sox’s three best players– found themselves on the list.

Martinez is ranked as the 98th best player in baseball, according to the list. He is one of the best hitters in the game entering 2020, but he struggled mightily in the shortened season. He hit just .213 with seven home runs in an abnormal season. Martinez didn’t have the ability to watch film during games, which was definitely a contributing factor to his struggles.

Look for him to rebound in 2021 in a full six month season when he has the time to get out of a slump.

Verdugo is ranked as the 88th best player in the league after his first season in Boston after coming over in the Mookie Betts trade with Los Angeles. Verdugo reassured fans that he is the real deal and will be hitting in the middle of the lineup for years to come. The 24-year-old hit .308, which was impressive and showed what the Dodgers might have been missing out on when Verdugo wasn’t getting consistent playing time.

If Verdugo has another solid season, there’s no reason why he can’t be ranked even higher than 88th prior to the start of 2022’s Spring Training.

(Photo Credit: Winslow Townson/AP)