Brewers’ Misiorowski leads player rankings for 8th week; Cease leads AL pitchers

Here are standings of the top 10 players by category (AL & NL pitching & batting) in Box-Toppers points (BTP) for the 2026 season through games of Thursday, Sept. 3:

	AL PITCHERS	POS	TEAM	BTP			NL PITCHERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Dylan Cease	pi sp	Blue Jays	20.4		1	Jacob Misiorowski	pi sp	Brewers	21.4
2	Cam Schlittler	pi sp	Yankees	18.7		2	Jesus Luzardo	pi sp	Phillies	21.0
3	Gavin Williams	pi sp	Guardians	15.7		3	Cristopher Sanchez	pi sp	Phillies	17.7
4	Jacob deGrom	pi sp	Rangers	15.4		4	Braxton Ashcraft	pi sp	Pirates	16.4
5	Bryan Woo	pi sp	Mariners	14.4		5	Shohei Ohtani	pi sp dh	Dodgers	15.7
6	Taj Bradley	pi sp	Twins	14.4		6	Zack Wheeler	pi sp	Phillies	14.0
7	Logan Gilbert	pi sp	Mariners	13		7	Kyle Harrison	pi sp	Brewers	13.7
8	Drew Rasmussen	pi sp	Rays	13		8	Yoshinobu Yamamoto	pi sp	Dodgers	13.4
9	Sean Burke	pi sp	White Sox	12.1		9	Chris Sale	pi sp	Braves	13.4
10	Sonny Gray	pi sp	Red Sox	12		10	Paul Skenes	pi sp	Pirates	12.7
	AL BATTERS	POS	TEAM	BTP			NL BATTERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Pete Alonso	1b	Orioles	8.2		1	Shohei Ohtani	pi sp dh	Dodgers	15.7
2	Yordan Alvarez	dh	Astros	7.5		2	Sal Stewart	1b	Reds	13.0
3	Yandy Diaz	dh	Rays	7.5		3	Dansby Swanson	ss	Cubs	9.2
4	Willson Contreras	1b	Red Sox	7.0		4	Jake McCarthy	cf lf rf	Rockies	8.7
5	Nick Kurtz	1b	Athletics	7.0		5	Pete Crow‑Armstrong	cf	Cubs	8.5
6	Kody Clemens	1b rf	Twins	7.0		6	Michael Harris	cf ph	Braves	8.5
7	Munetaka Murakami	1b	White Sox	7.0		7	Ty France	1b	Padres	8.5
8	Jac Caglianone	1b	Royals	6.9		8	Alec Burleson	1b	Cardinals	8.5
9	Jazz Chisholm Jr.	2b	Yankees	6.5		9	Daylen Lile	lf	Nationals	8.2
10	Dillon Dingler	ca	Tigers	6.5		10	CJ Abrams	ss	Nationals	8.0

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About Box-Toppers’ team abbreviations

Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski leads Box-Toppers overall player rankings for an eighth consecutive week.

All Box-Toppers category leaders remain unchanged since last week:

• AL Pitchers: Dylan Cease, Blue Jays

• NL Batters: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

• AL Batters: Pete Alonso, Orioles

Misiorowski leads all players and National League pitchers with 21.4 Box-Toppers points, picking up no points in the past week. He stays ahead of Jesús Luzardo of the Phillies (21.0 points), who ranks second to Misiorowski overall and among NL pitchers.

American League pitchers

Dylan Cease of the Blue Jays leads AL pitchers for the eighth consecutive week with 20.4 Box-Toppers points, gaining 2.0 points in the past week. He stays ahead of Cam Schlittler of the Yankees (18.7 points). Cease ranks third overall.

National League batters

Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers leads for the 15th straight report with 15.7 Box-Toppers points, picking up no points in the past week. He leads second-place NL batter Sal Stewart of the Reds (13.0 points).

Ohtani ranks eighth overall.

Ohtani has earned Player of the Game honors 13 times this season—six as a batter (7.0 points) and seven as a starting pitcher (8.7 points). Because at least 25% of his honors came from each role (46.2% batting, 53.8% pitching), he qualifies to rank at both positions with his full 15.7-point total.

Looked at individually, his 8.7 points as a pitcher would rank 18th among NL pitchers and his 7.0 points as a designated hitter would rank 11th among NL batters.

American League batters

Pete Alonso of the Orioles leads for the second week with 8.2 Box-Toppers points, picking up no points in the past week. He ranks ahead of second-place Yordan Alvarez of the Astros (7.5 points). Alonso ranks 48th overall.

AL batters continue to lag significantly behind NL batters in total points earned this season (468.1 vs. 537.4)—in fact, eight of the top 10 NL batters have higher point totals than Alonso.

With three weeks remaining, the top AL batter is on pace to potentially set a record for the lowest point total to lead a category in a full season since Box-Toppers tracking began in 1995. The record low was set last season when George Springer of the Blue Jays led AL batters with 9.7 points; Alonso needs 1.5 more points to reach that mark.

Box-Toppers almanac

After winning a majority of Box-Toppers Player of the Game honors last week for the first time this season, batters fell back to earth this week. Batters won in 38 of the 97 games played (39.2%), while pitchers won in 59 (60.8%).

Batters’ overall share of points this season decreased from 40.2% last week to 40.1% this week.

Batters have won fewer than 40% of all Box-Toppers points awarded in four of the past five seasons (surpassing that mark only in 2023 at 40.7%) and set a record-low share of 37.2% in 2024.

While batters have struggled to reach parity with pitchers in recent seasons, it wasn’t always this way: From 1995 to 2009, batters generally won half or more of all Box-Toppers points each season. But their share of points dropped precipitously after 2009.

About Box-Toppers

Box-Toppers tracks who contributes most to their team’s victory. Using standard box score statistics, we identify the Player of the Game for every MLB contest. In the regular season, winners earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point, with bonus points awarded to the top overall and league-specific players of the day. More on how Box-Toppers works.

Help us stay accurate! Spot a mistake? Contact Box-Toppers here so we can fix it.

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Related

Last week’s Box-Toppers player rankings report

Mariners’ Kirby tops players for Tuesday, Aug. 25; Orioles’ Alonso rises to lead AL batters

Mariners pitcher George Kirby is Tuesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Box-Toppers Toppers Box

Today’s key Box-Toppers numbers. Click links to jump to charts elsewhere on this page.
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▪️ B-T points of day’s top players
▪️ Top 10 players in 2026
▪️ Upcoming pitching matchups
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Mariners pitcher George Kirby is Tuesday’s Box-Toppers Player of the Day.

Also Tuesday, Pete Alonso of the Orioles rises to first place among American League batters, passing previous leader Yordan Alvarez of the Astros, after earning AL Batter of the Day honors.

Other Player of the Game winners Tuesday include Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and Ryan Waldschmidt of the Diamondbacks.

Player of the Day: George Kirby, Mariners

Kirby struck out nine over 7.2 innings, allowing one run, six hits and one walk, in the 4-1 win over the Phillies.

Kirby earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 7.0 for the season, 65th among all players and 30th among American League pitchers.

NL Player of the Day: Paul Skenes, Pirates.

NL Player of the Day: Paul Skenes, Pirates

Skenes struck out four over six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks, in the 1-0 win over the Padres. Skenes did not earn the win, picking up a no-decision, because the game was in a scoreless tie when he exited.

He earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points as National League Player of the Day, giving him 12.7 for the season, 17th among all players and ninth among NL pitchers.

AL Batter of the Day: Pete Alonso, Orioles.

2026 Box-Toppers points—AL batters 1—Pete Alonso #Orioles 8.2* 2—Yordan Alvarez #Astros 7.5 3—Yandy Díaz #Rays 7.5 4—Willson Contreras #RedSox 7.0 5—Nick Kurtz #Athletics 7.0 6—Kody Clemens #Twins 7.0 *Earns 1.5 B-T points as Tuesday AL Batter of the Day www.box-toppers.com/blog/2026/8/...

— Box-Toppers Baseball (@boxtoppers.bsky.social) 7:53 AM · Aug 26, 2026

Top 10 players

Here are the top 10 players in 2026 Box-Toppers points (BTP) earned in the regular season through Tuesday, Aug. 25.

	Player	Pos	Team	BTP
1	Jacob Misiorowski	pi sp	Brewers	21.4
2	Dylan Cease	pi sp	Blue Jays	18.4
3	Jesús Luzardo	pi sp	Phillies	18.0
4	Braxton Ashcraft	pi sp	Pirates	16.4
5	Cristopher Sánchez	pi sp	Phillies	15.7
6	Cam Schlittler	pi sp	Yankees	15.7
7	Shohei Ohtani	pi sp dh	Dodgers	15.7
8	Gavin Williams	pi sp	Guardians	13.7
9	Kyle Harrison	pi sp	Brewers	13.7
10	Bryan Woo	pi sp	Mariners	13.4

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AL Batter of the Day: Pete Alonso, Orioles

Alonso hit a three-run homer, doubled and went 4-for-4, scoring twice and driving in four runs, in the 13-1 win over the Cardinals.

Alonso earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points as AL Batter of the Day, giving him 8.2 for the season, rising to first place among AL batters, passing previous leader Yordan Alvarez of the Astros (7.5 points). Alonso ranks 43rd among all players.

NL Batter of the Day: Ryan Waldschmidt, Diamondbacks

Waldschmidt hit a walk-off, pinch-hit, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in the 5-4 win over the Cubs. Waldschmidt went 1-for-1, scoring once and driving in two runs.

Debut

Tuesday’s Sidelights Sidebar

Box-Toppers review of the day's top pitchers, overlooked top performers & lowest B-T game scores:

⬛ Holmes posts Tuesday’s best game score but D-backs come back to beat Cubs in walk-off

Three 2026 rookie relief pitchers made their Box-Toppers debut Tuesday, each earning their first career Player of the Game honor:

• Nate Lavender of the Mets (2IP 0H 0R 0BB K ND in the 3-2, 10-inning win over the Brewers) made his Major League debut Aug. 4 and was playing in his ninth career game.

• Drew Sommers of the Tigers (1.2IP 0H 0R 0BB K W in the 4-1 win over the Rays) made his Major League debut Aug. 22, 2025, and was playing in his 36th career game.

• Mark Manfredi of the Rockies (1IP H 0R 0BB 2K W in the 3-1 win over the Nationals) made his Major League debut Aug. 19 and was playing in his fourth career game.

Scoring

• Kirby earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points as Player of the Day.

• Skenes earns 1.7 points as NL Player of the Day.

• Alonso and Waldschmidt each earn 1.5 points as their league’s Batter of the Day.

• All of Tuesday’s other Player of the Game winners (listed in the chart) earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point.

About Box-Toppers

Box-Toppers tracks who contributes most to their team’s victory. Using standard box score statistics, we identify the Player of the Game for every MLB contest. In the regular season, winners earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point, with bonus points awarded to the top overall and league-specific players of the day. More on how Box-Toppers works.

Help us stay accurate! Spot a mistake? Contact Box-Toppers here so we can fix it.

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Box‑Toppers Player of the Game winners

Here is the top player from each of the day’s games listed from highest to lowest Box‑Toppers game score (BTG).

8/25	BTG	Game	Player	AB	R	H	BI		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	7.2	SEA 4, PHI 1	George Kirby (W, 9‑10)	‑	‑	‑	‑		7.2	6	1	1	1	9
NL	7.0	`PIT 1, SD 0	Paul Skenes	‑	‑	‑	‑		6.0	3	0	0	0	4
	6.1	ATH 4, MIN 2	Gage Jump (W, 6‑8)	‑	‑	‑	‑		6.1	3	2	2	2	9
BAT	6.0	BAL 13, STL 1	Pete Alonso 1B	4	2	4	4		‑	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
	5.0	HOU 9, NYY 7	Yainer Diaz C	4	3	3	3		‑	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
	5.0	CHW 11, TEX 7	Tristan Peters LF	3	2	3	3		‑	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
	4.0	CLE 8, LAA 6 (F/10)	Steven Kwan DH‑CF	5	3	5	1		‑	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
	4.0	BOS 7, MIA 3 (F/11)	Mickey Gasper DH	2	2	2	2		‑	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
	3.1	SF 3, CIN 1	Anthony Molina (W, 1‑0)	‑	‑	‑	‑		4.1	1	0	0	1	1
BAT	3.0	ARI 5, CHC 4	Ryan Waldschmidt PH	1	1	1	2		‑	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
	3.0	`NYM 3, MIL 2 (F/10)	Nate Lavender (H, 6)	‑	‑	‑	‑		2.0	0	0	0	0	1
	2.2	DET 4, TB 1	Drew Sommers (W, 1‑3)	‑	‑	‑	‑		1.2	0	0	0	0	1
	2.0	COL 3, WSH 1	Mark Manfredi (W, 1‑0)	‑	‑	‑	‑		1.0	1	0	0	0	2
	1.0	ATL 4, LAD 3	Ozzie Albies 2B	3	0	2	2		‑	‑	‑	‑	‑	‑
	1.0	KC 5, TOR 3	Seth Lugo (W, 6‑7)	‑	‑	‑	‑		5.0	6	1	1	1	5

MLB—Overall Box‑Toppers Player of the Day, worth 2.0 total Box‑Toppers points.
AL—Overall American League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box‑Toppers points.
NL—Overall National League Player of the Day, worth 1.7 total Box‑Toppers points.
BAT—Top AL or NL Batter of the Day, worth 1.5 total Box‑Toppers points.
All other players listed here earn Player of the Game honors, worth 1.0 Box‑Toppers point.
` Pitcher had a no‑decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.
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Box-Toppers point totals of the day’s Player of the Game winners

Here are Box-Toppers point totals of each of the Player of the Game winners. Players are ranked by their Box-Toppers point total in 2026 (’26). Also shown is their point total for this season and last (’25-26), the period 2021-2026 (’21-26) and each players’ career point total. Also shown is how their 2026 Box-Toppers point total compares with their 2025 total (+/-).
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Player of the Game	Pos	Team	’26	’25‑26	’21‑26	Career	+/‑
Skenes, Paul 5005	pi sp	pit nl	12.7	33.8	46.8	46.8	-8.4
Alonso, Pete 4118	1b	bal al	8.2	15.4	50.3	58.8	+1.0
Kirby, George 4595	pi sp	sea al	7.0	18.0	58.5	58.5	-4.0
Jump, Gage 5372	pi sp	oak al	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	+6.0
Albies, Ozzie 3953	2b	atl nl	5.5	8.5	22.0	31.5	+2.5
Diaz, Yainer 4871	ca	hou al	3.5	6.7	10.2	10.2	+0.3
Gasper, Mickey 5267	dh	bos al	3.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	+2.0
Waldschmidt, Ryan 5361	cf ph	ari nl	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	+2.5
Lugo, Seth 3729	pi sp	kc al	2.0	7.0	29.5	45.5	-3.0
Peters, Tristan 5433	cf lf	chi al	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	+2.0
Kwan, Steven 4573	dh cf	cle al	1.0	4.5	15.7	15.7	-2.5
Molina, Anthony 5112	pi mr	sf nl	1.0	1.0	2.0	2.0	+1.0
Lavender, Nate 5448	pi mr	nym nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	+1.0
Manfredi, Mark 5450	pi mr	col nl	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	+1.0
Sommers, Drew 5449	pi mr	det al	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	+1.0

What are those numbers after players' names?
About Box-Toppers’ team abbreviations
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A Box-Toppers look at Wednesday’s pitching matchups

A Box-Toppers look at the upcoming day's probable pitching matchups. Teams are paired below with visiting teams on top and home teams on the bottom. Each team's starting pitcher is shown with their Box-Toppers point total from 2026 ('26), this year and last year ('25-26), over six years ('21-26), and their career point total.
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Game	Starter	’26	’25‑26	’21‑26	Career
TB	Peralta, Freddy 3965	0.0	14.7	65.9	84.6
DET	Melton, Troy 5231	7.0	10.7	10.7	10.7
CHC	Boyd, Matthew 3550	3.0	13.7	18.7	45.5
ARI	Rodriguez, Eduardo 3480	7.0	11.7	35.7	79.9
CIN	Lodolo, Nick 4586	1.0	10.7	26.7	26.7
SF	Roupp, Landen 5079	5.0	9.7	11.7	11.7
CLE	Cantillo, Joey 5106	9.7	15.4	18.4	18.4
LAA	Rodriguez, Grayson 4790	1.0	1.0	13.0	13.0
PHI	Luzardo, Jesus 4282	18.0	35.4	66.6	71.3
SEA	Woo, Bryan 4842	13.4	31.4	51.8	51.8
PIT	Chandler, Bubba 5269	3.0	7.7	7.7	7.7
SD	Vasquez, Randy 4841	7.4	12.8	15.8	15.8
BOS	Gray, Sonny 3259	12.0	26.0	67.3	136.3
MIA	Gusto, Ryan 5156	3.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
COL	Gordon, Tanner 5230	0.0	3.7	3.7	3.7
WSH	Waldron, Matt 4946	1.0	1.0	8.0	8.0
HOU	Lambert, Peter 4155	6.7	6.7	11.7	13.7
NYY	Undecided	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
KC	Dobnak, Randy 4263	1.0	1.0	2.0	6.0
TOR	Miles, Spencer 5357	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
MIL	May, Dustin 4214	6.7	12.4	20.1	24.1
NYM	Stock, Robert 5437	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
LAD	Sasaki, Roki 5358	5.4	5.4	5.4	5.4
ATL	Smith-Shawver, AJ 4951	0.0	4.7	6.7	6.7
TEX	Gore, MacKenzie 4582	10.0	18.7	38.4	38.4
CHW	Burke, Sean 5124	11.1	14.8	15.8	15.8
BAL	Bradish, Kyle 4597	7.1	8.1	33.1	33.1
STL	McGreevy, Michael 5113	5.0	9.0	11.0	11.0
MIN	Prielipp, Connor 5397	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
ATH	Ginn, J.T. 5142	4.0	9.7	9.7	9.7

Starters subject to change.
* Player has yet to earn any career Box-Toppers points.
What are those numbers after players' names?
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Ranger Suárez, Kyle Schwarber among free agents with most 2025 Box-Toppers points

Ranger Suárez has the most 2025 Box-Toppers points among this offseason’s free agents.

Meanwhile, Suárez’s Phillies teammate last season, Kyle Schwarber, has the most 2025 Box-Toppers points among free agent batters.

In addition, two free agent pitchers who were among Box-Toppers points leaders in 2025 have already agreed to new contracts for 2026—Brandon Woodruff and Dylan Cease.

Suárez leads the free agent class, earning 15.8 Box-Toppers points in 2025 with the Phillies, 10th among all players and sixth among National League pitchers.

Schwarber has the most 2025 Box-Toppers points among all free-agent batters, earning 12.0 with the Phillies, fourth among all free agents, 24th among all players in 2025, leading all batters.

Suárez ranked third among all Phillies players in 2025 and Schwarber ranked fifth. Their combined 27.8 Box-Toppers points in 2025 was 21 percent of the team’s 131.4 accumulated point total for the season. The Phillies ranked first among all teams in players’ accumulated Box-Toppers points in 2025.

Two free agents among leaders in Box-Toppers points have already made agreements to join new teams in 2026:

• Brandon Woodruff, whose 9.7 Box-Toppers points ranked sixth among all free agents at the end of 2025, re-signed with the Brewers for 2026, accepting the team’s one-year, $22 million qualifying offer, as he continues to build on his comeback after 2023 shoulder surgery. Woodruff’s 9.7 points ranked 20th among NL pitchers in 2025.

• Dylan Cease, whose 8.7 Box-Toppers points ranked eighth among all free agents at the end of 2025, agreed to join the Blue Jays on a seven-year, $210 million deal. Cease’s 8.7 points with the Padres ranked 24th among NL pitchers.

Here is a look at other top free-agent players based on their 2025 Box-Toppers point total. The top 25 players with the most 2025 Box-Toppers points are listed in the chart:

• Zac Gallen earned 12.7 points in 2025 with the Diamondbacks, second among all free agents, 21st among all players and 11th among NL pitchers.

• Merrill Kelly earned 12.7 points in 2025 with the Diamondbacks and Rangers, third among all free agents, 23rd among all players and finishing the season 12th among American League pitchers.

• Framber Valdez earned 11.7 points in 2025 with the Astros, fifth among all free agents, 25th among all players and 13th among AL pitchers.

• Lucas Giolito earned 9.4 points in 2025 with the Red Sox, sixth among unsigned free agents, 56th among all players and 26th among AL pitchers.

• Andrew Heaney earned 8.7 points in 2025 with the Pirates. He was released by the Pirates Aug. 29 and signed by the Dodgers, where he finished the season, but earned no Box-Toppers points for the team, making just one regular-season appearance. Heaney’s 8.7 points ranks seventh among unsigned free agents, 62nd among all players and 25th among NL pitchers.

• Edwin Díaz earned 8.0 points in 2025 with the Mets, eighth among unsigned free agents, 75th among all players, 29th among NL pitchers and first among NL closing pitchers.

• Adrian Houser earned 7.7 points in 2025 with the White Sox and Rays, ninth among unsigned free agents, 86th among all players and 35th among AL pitchers. (Houser began the 2025 season signed with the Rangers, but did not appear in a game with the team.)

• Eugenio Suárez earned 7.5 points in 2025 with the Diamondbacks and Mariners, 10th among unsigned free agents and second among free agent batters. Suárez earned 6.5 of his points with the Diamondbacks before being traded to the Mariners on July 31, after which he earned just 1.0 more point. Suárez’s 7.5 points ranks 89th among all players and 11th among AL batters.

Free agents with most 2025 Box-Toppers points

Here are 25 free agent players with the most 2025 Box-Toppers points. Players are ranked by their Box-Toppers point total in 2025 (’25). Also shown is their point total for the period 2021-2025 (’21-25) and each players’ career point total.
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Player	Position	2025 team	2025	2021-25	Career
Suarez, Ranger 4228	pi sp	Phillies	15.8	43.9	44.9
Gallen, Zac 4171	pi sp	D-backs	12.7	64.5	76.2
Kelly, Merrill 4143	pi sp	Rangers	12.7	41.7	53.7
Schwarber, Kyle 3536	dh	Phillies	12.0	32.5	52.5
Valdez, Framber 4048	pi sp	Astros	11.7	58.1	68.5
Giolito, Lucas 3900	pi sp	Red Sox	9.4	29.8	57.5
Heaney, Andrew 3515	pi sp	Dodgers	8.7	42.1	65.2
Diaz, Edwin 3690	pi cp	Mets	8.0	24.7	53.7
Houser, Adrian 4162	pi sp	Rays	7.7	21.1	24.1
Suarez, Eugenio 3355	3b	Mariners	7.5	27.5	60.5
Alonso, Pete 4118	1b	Mets	7.2	42.1	50.6
Bassitt, Chris 3413	pi sp	Blue Jays	7.0	59.5	78.6
Corbin, Patrick 3027	pi sp	Rangers	7.0	29.8	104.4
Mikolas, Miles 3034	pi sp	Cardinals	7.0	29.8	47.2
Bell, Josh E. 3682	1b dh	Nationals	7.0	23.0	40.7
Lowe, Nathaniel 4340	1b	Red Sox	7.0	20.0	21.0
Martinez, Nick 3430	pi sp	Reds	6.7	28.8	35.5
Littell, Zack 4533	pi sp	Reds	6.7	21.1	21.1
Sugano, Tomoyuki 5163	pi sp	Orioles	6.7	6.7	6.7
Buehler, Walker 3943	pi sp	Phillies	6.0	28.4	65.6
Suarez, Robert 4750	pi cp	Padres	6.0	14.0	14.0
Bellinger, Cody 3781	lf	Yankees	5.9	17.6	38.5
Mahle, Tyler 3929	pi sp	Rangers	5.7	26.1	38.1
Ozuna, Marcell 3190	dh	Braves	5.7	23.2	69.9
May, Dustin 4214	pi sp	Red Sox	5.7	13.4	17.4

What are those numbers after players' names?
NOTE: Players become free agents upon reaching six years of Major League service time or when they are released from their organization prior to reaching six years of service time.
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Top free-agent batters

Here is a look at the top free-agent batters based on their 2025 Box-Toppers point total. The top 10 batters with the most 2025 Box-Toppers points are listed in the chart:

• Schwarber leads all free-agent batters with 12.0 Box-Toppers points in 2025, first among NL batters.

• Suárez is second among free-agent batters with 7.5 points, finishing the season with the Mariners, 11th among AL batters.

• Pete Alonso earned 7.2 points in 2025 with the Mets, third among free-agent batters and 11th among NL batters. (Alonso was also among Box-Toppers’ top 10 free agent batters at the end of 2024.)

• Josh Bell earned 7.0 points in 2025 with the Nationals, fourth among free-agent batters and 13th among NL batters. (Bell was also among Box-Toppers’ top 10 free agent batters at the end of 2024.)

• Nathaniel Lowe earned 7.0 points in 2025 with the Nationals and Red Sox, fifth among free-agent batters and finishing the season 15th among AL batters.

Free agent batters with most 2025 Box-Toppers points

Here are 10 free agent batters with the most 2025 Box-Toppers points. Players are ranked by their Box-Toppers point total in 2025 (’25). Also shown is their point total for the period 2021-2025 (’21-25) and each players’ career point total.
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Player	Position	2025 team	2025	2021-25	Career
Schwarber, Kyle 3536	dh	Phillies	12.0	32.5	52.5
Suarez, Eugenio 3355	3b	Mariners	7.5	27.5	60.5
Alonso, Pete 4118	1b	Mets	7.2	42.1	50.6
Bell, Josh E. 3682	1b dh	Nationals	7.0	23.0	40.7
Lowe, Nathaniel 4340	1b	Red Sox	7.0	20.0	21.0
Bellinger, Cody 3781	lf	Yankees	5.9	17.6	38.5
Ozuna, Marcell 3190	dh	Braves	5.7	23.2	69.9
Flores, Wilmer 3345	dh	Giants	5.0	18.2	35.2
Tucker, Kyle 4277	rf	Cubs	4.7	34.9	39.9
Hoskins, Rhys 3909	1b	Brewers	4.5	20.5	27.5

What are those numbers after players' names?
NOTE: Players become free agents upon reaching six years of Major League service time or when they are released from their organization prior to reaching six years of service time.
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Top free agents based on 5-season point totals

Zac Gallen has the most Box-Toppers points over the previous five seasons among free agents. He earned 64.5 points from 2001-2025, eighth among all players over that span.

Here is a look at other top free-agent players based on their 2021-2025 Box-Toppers point total. The top 25 players with the most 2021-2025 Box-Toppers points are listed in the chart:

• Chris Bassitt earned 59.5 points over 2021-2025, second among free agents and 14th among all players.

• Framber Valdez earned 58.1 points over 2021-2025, third among free agents over that span, 16th among all players.

• Max Scherzer earned 55.5 points over 2021-2025, fourth among free agents over that span and 20th among all players.

• Ranger Suárez earned 43.9 points over 2021-2025, fifth among free agents over that span and 40th among all players.

Free agents with most 2021-25 Box-Toppers points

Here are 25 free agent players with the most Box-Toppers points from 2021 to 2025. Players are ranked by their Box-Toppers point total for the period 2021-2025 (’21-25) shaded in gray. Also shown is their 2025 point total (’25) and each players’ career point total.
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Player	Position	2025 team	2025	2021-25	Career
Gallen, Zac 4171	pi sp	D-backs	12.7	64.5	76.2
Bassitt, Chris 3413	pi sp	Blue Jays	7.0	59.5	78.6
Valdez, Framber 4048	pi sp	Astros	11.7	58.1	68.5
Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	Blue Jays	3.0	55.5	256.7
Suarez, Ranger 4228	pi sp	Phillies	15.8	43.9	44.9
Verlander, Justin 2112	pi sp	Giants	3.0	43.4	250.0
Heaney, Andrew 3515	pi sp	Dodgers	8.7	42.1	65.2
Alonso, Pete 4118	1b	Mets	7.2	42.1	50.6
Kelly, Merrill 4143	pi sp	Rangers	12.7	41.7	53.7
Cortes, Nestor 4160	pi sp	Padres	3.0	40.8	42.8
Tucker, Kyle 4277	rf	Cubs	4.7	34.9	39.9
Civale, Aaron 4173	pi sp mr	Cubs	5.0	34.8	40.5
Anderson, Tyler 3656	pi sp	Angels	4.0	33.7	49.4
Schwarber, Kyle 3536	dh	Phillies	12.0	32.5	52.5
McKenzie, Triston 4303	pi sp	Guardians	0.0	32.1	36.1
King, Michael 4549	pi sp	Padres	4.4	31.8	31.8
Montgomery, Jordan 3814	pi sp	Brewers	0.0	30.5	37.5
Eflin, Zach 3679	pi sp	Orioles	3.0	30.1	54.2
Giolito, Lucas 3900	pi sp	Red Sox	9.4	29.8	57.5
Corbin, Patrick 3027	pi sp	Rangers	7.0	29.8	104.4
Mikolas, Miles 3034	pi sp	Cardinals	7.0	29.8	47.2
Martinez, Nick 3430	pi sp	Reds	6.7	28.8	35.5
Rodriguez, Eduardo 3480	pi sp	D-backs	4.7	28.7	72.9
Buehler, Walker 3943	pi sp	Phillies	6.0	28.4	65.6
Suarez, Eugenio 3355	3b	Mariners	7.5	27.5	60.5

What are those numbers after players' names?
NOTE: Players become free agents upon reaching six years of Major League service time or when they are released from their organization before reaching six years of service time.
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Most career points among free agents

The two players with the most career Box-Toppers points among active players lead the list of free agents with the most career Box-Toppers points.

Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are both free agents for the second straight season. Last year, Scherzer went from the Rangers in 2024 to sign a free-agent deal with the Blue Jays. Verlander went from the Astros in 2024 to sign a free-agent deal with the Giants.

Scherzer, 41, has 256.7 career Box-Toppers points, first among active players and third among all players since 1995, when Box-Toppers tracking began. He trails Randy Johnson (282.5) and Clayton Kershaw (280.8). (It should be noted that Johnson would have a projected 380 career Box-Toppers points if his entire career from 1988 were tracked.) Kershaw was previously the active leader in Box-Toppers points until he retired at the end of the 2025 season.

Verlander, 42, has 250.0 career Box-Toppers points, second among active players and fourth among all players since 1995.

Both Scherzer and Verlander earned 3.0 points each in 2025 and 2.0 points each in 2024. Both pitchers earned far fewer points than usual in both seasons. In his 17 seasons, Scherzer has 12 seasons with 10 or more Box-Toppers points and six seasons with 20 or more points, including five straight from 2014 to 2018. In his 20 seasons, Verlander has 13 seasons with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points and five seasons with 20 or more points.

Both Scherzer and Verlander rank among the top six free agents with the most Box-Toppers points over 2021-25.

Here is a look at other top free-agent players based on their career Box-Toppers point total. The top 25 players with the most career Box-Toppers points are listed in the chart.

2025 free agents with most career Box-Toppers points

Here are 25 free agent players for 2025 with the most career Box-Toppers points. Players are ranked by their career Box-Toppers point total (Career) shaded in gray. Also shown are each player’s 2025 Box-Toppers point total and their point total for the period 2021-2025 (’21-25).
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Player	Position	2025 team	2025	2021-25	Career
Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	Blue Jays	3.0	55.5	256.7
Verlander, Justin 2112	pi sp	Giants	3.0	43.4	250.0
Corbin, Patrick 3027	pi sp	Rangers	7.0	29.8	104.4
Quintana, Jose 3040	pi sp	Brewers	2.0	24.4	95.1
Kimbrel, Craig 2825	pi cp	Astros	0.0	17.7	94.1
McCutchen, Andrew 2637	dh	Pirates	1.0	11.0	82.9
Bassitt, Chris 3413	pi sp	Blue Jays	7.0	59.5	78.6
Gallen, Zac 4171	pi sp	D-backs	12.7	64.5	76.2
Rodriguez, Eduardo 3480	pi sp	D-backs	4.7	28.7	72.9
Jansen, Kenley 2871	pi cp	Angels	3.0	21.0	72.4
Ozuna, Marcell 3190	dh	Braves	5.7	23.2	69.9
Cobb, Alex 2916	pi sp	Tigers	0.0	25.1	68.9
Valdez, Framber 4048	pi sp	Astros	11.7	58.1	68.5
Miley, Wade 3006	pi sp	Reds	0.0	16.4	68.2
Buehler, Walker 3943	pi sp	Phillies	6.0	28.4	65.6
Clevinger, Mike 3707	pi sp	Cubs	0.0	17.8	65.3
Heaney, Andrew 3515	pi sp	Dodgers	8.7	42.1	65.2
Suarez, Eugenio 3355	3b	Mariners	7.5	27.5	60.5
Gray, Jon 3634	pi sp	Rangers	0.0	24.4	59.8
Giolito, Lucas 3900	pi sp	Red Sox	9.4	29.8	57.5
Eflin, Zach 3679	pi sp	Orioles	3.0	30.1	54.2
Marquez, German 3788	pi sp	Rockies	1.7	23.8	53.9
Kelly, Merrill 4143	pi sp	Rangers	12.7	41.7	53.7
Diaz, Edwin 3690	pi cp	Mets	8.0	24.7	53.7
Realmuto, J.T. 3491	ca	Phillies	1.5	23.2	53.7

What are those numbers after players' names?
NOTE: Players become free agents upon reaching six years of Major League service time or when they are released from their organization prior to reaching six years of service time.
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Free agents who have announced retirements

Three players currently listed as free agents have announced their retirements at the end of 2025 and are excluded from these lists, though they would all rank among the top 25 players with the most 2025 Box-Toppers points:

• Clayton Kershaw, 37, earned 280.8 career Box-Toppers points, second among all players since 1995, behind Randy Johnson (282.5). He earned 8.4 Box-Toppers points in 2025 with the Dodgers, 28th among NL pitchers. He earned 45.6 points over 2021-25, which would rank fifth among all listed free agents over that span.

• Kyle Hendricks, 35, earned 7.7 Box-Toppers points in 2025 with the Angels, 34th among AL pitchers. His 87.0 career Box-Toppers points is 136th among all players since 1995.

• Charlie Morton, 42, earned 7.0 Box-Toppers points in 2025 with the Orioles, Tigers and Braves, finishing the season 37th among NL pitchers (even though he earned all his Box-Toppers points with AL teams). His 49.5 points over 2021-25 would rank among the top 25 free agents over that span. He earned 120.5 career points, 53rd among all players since 1995, a total that would rank among the top 25 free agent players going into 2026.

About Box-Toppers

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day. (No Box-Toppers points are awarded in postseason games.)

Box-Toppers strives for accuracy. See a mistake in a post? A wrong name, wrong team, grammar error, spelling goof, etc.? Thanks for pointing it out! Contact Box-Toppers here. Let's fix it and make it right.

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Related

• Final 2025 Box-Toppers player rankings: Tigers’ Skubal is 2025 Box-Toppers Player of the Year; Skenes rises to lead NL pitchers

• A Box-Toppers look at the top free agents at the end of the 2024 season.

• A look at the top 16 players changing teams for 2025 as ranked by their 2024 Box-Toppers point totals, plus a look at the top unsigned free agents going into the 2025 season (as of Feb. 3, ranked by their 2024 Box-Toppers point totals).