Major League Baseball has completed one quarter of the 21st century. It’s time to select the Top 10 MLBbros during that period based on Wins Above Replacement. It wasn’t hard to put the list together. Black baseball talent has continued to build, make history and elevate the game.
Mookie Betts, Red Sox, Dodgers, 75.2 bWAR
Since he made his Major League debut in 2014, Betts has had a career to remember. By his second season in the league, Betts became a perennial American League MVP candidate, finally winning the award in 2018. Betts is currently part of a dynasty at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers are looking to win their third straight World Series title and fourth in the last seven years. The amazing part is that Betts is doing his part as a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop. This comes after winning six Gold Gloves as a right fielder.
Aaron Judge, Yankees, 62.3
Currently the best player in baseball, Judge won the A.L. MVP three out of the last four years and the Silver Slugger seven times. His 368 career home runs are the fourth-most in Yankees history, trailing only Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536) and Lou Gehrig (493) and the most home runs by a right-handed batter in franchise history. What gets overlooked is that Judge is an above average outfielder. For example, in his 10 years in the big leagues, Judge has 38 assists, which is 12th among right fielders.
C.C. Sabathia, Indians, Brewers, Yankees, 62.3
Sabathia was one of the greatest left-handers of his generation, a career that lasted 19 seasons from 2001-19. He won 251 games, captured the American League Cy Young Award in 2007 and appeared in six All-Star Games over the course of his career. Sabathia is also one of three left-handers in history to record 3,000 strikeouts in a career — Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson are the others. Sabathia was at his best after the Indians traded him to Milwaukee during the middle of the ‘08 season. Sabathia found himself in the middle pennant race and was filthy, winning 11 games with a 1.65 ERA and still led the Brewers in bWAR [4.9].
Barry Bonds, Giants, 59.1
He was the Player of the Decade during the 1990s and his success during that era carried over into the next century. He played eight years [2000-07] during the information age and put up a slash line of .322/.517/.724 with 317 home runs. Even more impressive is that Bonds had 1,128 walks and only 427 strikeouts. He was still productive during his last season in San Francisco, but there wasn’t any interest in re-signing him.
Marcus Semien, White Sox, Athletics, Blue Jays, Rangers, Mets, 49.2
When he started his professional career with the White Sox, Semien was considered a below-average infielder. But after getting traded to the Athletics after the 2014, Semien worked under the tutelage of infield guru Ron Washington and became a two-time Gold Glove winner. Also, Semien’s bat has played in the big leagues. His best season was in 2021, when he had a slash line of .265/.334/.538, while setting the single-season record for Bro bombs by a second baseman (45) with 102 RBIs for the Blue Jays.
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates, Giants, Yankees, Brewers, Phillies, 49.0
McCutchen has had a baseball career to remember, especially in Pittsburgh. He was at his best from 2009-14. During that period, McCutchen was a five-time All-Star, and won the N.L. MVP in 2013 and three Silver Slugger awards. After 17 years in the big leagues, McCutchen ended up with 2,266 with 332 homers and 1,112.
Derek Jeter, Yankees, 47.9
He was part of a dynasty during the late 1990s, but most of his work on the field was done in the 21st century. In 15 years, Jeter had a slash line of .307/.374/.432 with 2,678 hits and 1,437 runs scored. He never won an offseason award during that period, but he did capture the two World Series titles and four pennants in the 2000s. Jeter was also the All-Star Game and World Series MVP in 2000.
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies, Dodgers, White Sox, 47.9
If one went by bWAR, J-Roll is the best shortstop in Phillies history. But that doesn’t tell the entire story. He brought a winning attitude to the City of Brotherly Love starting in 2007. Not only did the Phillies go to the postseason that year – the first one since 1993 – `Rollins won the National League MVP with a slash line of .296/.344/.531 with 30 homers and 41 stolen bases. Rollins also won the first of four Gold Gloves.
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins, Yankees, 46.8
Despite all the injuries he suffered throughout his career, Stanton is 47 homers away from the 50-plateau. His 453 home runs is the fifth-most home runs through 1,726 career games, trailing Mark McGwire (542), Babe Ruth (492), Alex Rodriguez (460) and Harmon Killebrew (457). Stanton’s 1,169 career RBI are the fourth-most among active players, trailing only Freddie Freeman (1,322), Paul Goldschmidt (1,232) and Nolan Arenado (1,184). Stanton has homered against every Major League team in his career.
Carl Crawford, Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers, 39.2
He was in the big leagues for 15 years and made his biggest impact with Tampa Bay from 2002-10. During that period, Crawford was a four-time All Star and helped the Rays win their first-ever pennant in 2008. His best season came in 2010, his last in Tampa Bay. That year, he had a slash line of .307/.354/.495 with 90 RBIs and 110 runs scored.
