MLB fans, and even some shows and analysts, have been ranking players in the league by position for some time now.
MLB Network itself has been running a positional breakdown of the best players in the league.
In this case, an important question has been raised by Twitter account Starting 9.
How many catchers in baseball are better than Adley Rutschman? pic.twitter.com/BKtgKi4hYg
— Starting 9 (@Starting9) February 3, 2023
Users have been voicing their opinion in the replies.
Some of them answer with a simple “zero,” establishing that there is no better catcher in the majors than the Baltimore Orioles‘ Adley Rutschman.
Others say one, others say two or three, and some call him overrated.
There is no clear answer, and you can make arguments for as many as four catchers being better than him.
However, only J.T. Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies is a cut above him.
Then, we have a tier with Rutschman, Alejandro Kirk of the Toronto Blue Jays, and Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In his first season in MLB, Rutschman hit 35 doubles and 13 homers, with a 133 wRC+, a .254/.362/.445 line, and 5.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
Those 5.3 WAR ranked him second in the league behind Realmuto.
Rutschman was called up with the Orioles rocking a 16-24 record.
They finished 83-79, in large part thanks to him.
Not only is his offense stellar, but his framing, game-calling, and leadership skills are off the charts.
He might claim the top spot in no time if he keeps dominating games like he has.
The Orioles are counting on him to mount a serious postseason challenge, and they are good enough to pull it off as long as Rutschman remains elite.
NEXT: MLB Insider Discusses Orioles 2023 Outlook
