Ranking Every MLB Team's Starting 9 After 2 Months of 2024 Season (2024)

The 2024 MLB season is two months old. Among other things, it's a good excuse to engage in some stock-taking exercises.

For instance, ranking all 30 starting lineups in the league.

First, understand that "lineup" is not the same as "offense." Though batting and baserunning are all that matter here, we're only talking about teams' go-to starting nines, as catalogued by RosterResource.

Second, we're talking about what teams have right now. Whether to credit teams for the contributions they've received from injured players—most notably Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mike Trout—was a tricky question, but it ultimately seemed best to consider what clubs actually have rather than what they should have.

In any case, let's count 'em down one at a time.

Note: All stats are current through play on Sunday, May 26.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 25 HR, 16 SB, .232 AVG, .295 OBP, .350 SLG, 84 wRC+

What's Good

Thank goodness for Pham, who's hit .315 with a trio of home runs and stolen bases since he joined the White Sox on April 26. It's also nice to see DeJong having a rebound year. His OPS is up 110 points from 2023, and he leads the team with seven homers.

What's Bad

The Benintendi signing just keeps looking worse, as he's now a .242/.301/.333 hitter as a White Sox. And sans Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jiménez and Yoán Moncada, what was always going to be a weak lineup is now one that couldn't punch its way out of a wet paper bag.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 38 HR, 24 SB, .231 AVG, .285 OBP, .356 SLG, 83 wRC+

What's Good

Chisholm and De La Cruz are having solid seasons, most notably in how they own 37 percent of the Marlins' 43 home runs. And keep an eye on Sánchez as a candidate to get hot. He doesn't have much to show for it, but he's crushing balls at a team-best average of 94.2 mph.

What's Bad

Let's not simply ignore that this lineup is missing Luis Arraez, nor that he's hit .391 since leaving Miami for San Diego. Anderson, meanwhile, seems cooked as a star. In 41 games, he's batting only .206 with three extra-base hits and six walks.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 32 HR, 23 SB, .261 AVG, .324 OBP, .399 SLG, 92 wRC+

What's Good

McMahon is having a career year by way of an .877 OPS and 10 long balls. And along with Tovar and Díaz, he's one of three Rockies regulars who are hitting in the vicinity of .300. Tovar is also turning on the power with a .525 slugging percentage in May.

What's Bad

Because they're making a combined $41 million, manager Bud Black doesn't have much choice but to keep putting Blackmon and Bryant in the lineup. But those at-bats are largely going to waste, as the two veterans have a total of two homers and combined .616 OPS.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 40 HR, 56 SB, .220 AVG, .293 OBP, .372 SLG, 90 wRC+

What's Good

As four of these nine guys have at least five home runs and five stolen bases, there's a decent power-speed balance at play in the Nationals' lineup. With eight of each, Abrams has a shot at the team's first 25-25 season since 2006.

What's Bad

Then again, Abrams is but one of seven guys who have really hit the skids in May. He, Gallo, Senzel and Ruiz are hitting just .212 with three home runs this month, and that lack of productivity has been especially felt as the Nats have lost 10 of their last 15 games.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 40 HR, 65 SB, .230 AVG, .319 OBP, .392 SLG, 100 wRC+

What's Good

As he has 31 just on his own, you can thank De La Cruz for about half of those stolen bases. Likewise, he leads the Reds with nine homers and is generally just super-duper exciting.

And for his part, Stephenson is bouncing back by hitting .323 over his last 17 games.

What's Bad

It's been a rough month for everyone here, and arguably De La Cruz most of all. He's gotten on base at a .292 clip and gone deep only once. This is a major issue for a lineup that was perilously shallow to begin with.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 34 HR, 15 SB, .240 AVG, .313 OBP, .385 SLG, 99 wRC+

What's Good

That front four? It's pretty good. Not one of those guys has a wRC+ below 118, and Carpenter and Greene further account for half of this starting nine's 34 long balls. Pérez has been a pleasant surprise lately, putting up an .818 OPS in 23 games since April 28.

What's Bad

After seeming to find his stride amid a 31-homer breakout in 2023, Torkelson is back to struggling again. The 2020 No. 1 pick's OPS has dropped 114 points. It's otherwise time to consider moving on from Báez, who's been helpless with a .506 OPS and one homer.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 45 HR, 30 SB, .251 AVG, .307 OBP, .416 SLG, 103 wRC+

What's Good

Adell's post-hype breakout is ongoing and plenty of fun, though he still needs one more homer to match Ward for the team lead with 11. And hitters don't come much hotter than Rengifo, who's hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games.

What's Bad

With Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury sidelined with injuries, the Angels' lineup is well short of being at full capacity. And from looking at his .656 OPS, it's fair to question if they did right by Schanuel in promoting him so soon after the 2023 draft.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 32 HR, 41 SB, .234 AVG, .320 OBP, .360 SLG, 102 wRC+

What's Good

Paredes is having a dandy season, batting .301 with nine homers. And after both were ice-cold through April, Díaz and Arozarena have come around in May. The former has hit .286, while the latter has made his 14 hits count. Those include five homers and four doubles.

What's Bad

More power is always welcome, but Arozarena is still hitting only .156. Lowe is likewise batting in the .150s, and even guys who are having good years (i.e., Rortvedt and Palacios) don't scare anyone. Ultimately, it's a thinner lineup than the one the Rays had last year.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 46 HR, 38 SB, .243 AVG, .310 OBP, .409 SLG, 99 wRC+

What's Good

Witt and Perez are among the most productive batsmen in MLB right now, as both are hitting over .300 with nine homers apiece. As Witt also has 16 stolen bases, he has a real shot at a second straight 30-30 season. Garcia, meanwhile, is hitting .313 in May.

What's Bad

A couple of good individual pieces does not make a good lineup. And this one has more than its share of nothing hitters. Melendez and Renfroe are both batting under .200, and Pasquantino, Velázquez, Frazier and Isbel aren't far above that mark.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 37 HR, 23 SB, .249 AVG, .319 OBP, .382 SLG, 104 wRC+

What's Good

That Burleson, who's only 25, and Winn, who's only 22, are both batting over .300 is a great sign for the Cardinals. They're also seeing signs of life from Nootbaar and Gorman in May, wherein they've teamed up for an .899 OPS after posting a .618 OPS in April.

What's Bad

Age has come for Goldschmidt (36) and Arenado (33), and it's come hard. Whereas it was .937 just two years ago, their collective OPS is now just .659. It also really hurt to lose Willson Contreras to that broken arm, as he had been St. Louis' best hitter to the tune of a .950 OPS.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 46 HR, 27 SB, .239 AVG, .311 OBP, .390 SLG, 105 wRC+

What's Good

Moore has been thoroughly on one lately, batting .310 with a 1.095 OPS over his last 18 games. Which is good, because Seattle needed another hitter to step up and help Raleigh carry the lineup. Albeit with only a .729 OPS, he's done so with 11 homers.

What's Bad

Rodríguez is no stranger to slow starts, but even homers in back-to-back games only raised his OPS to .645. The Mariners need more from him, but also from Crawford, Polanco and Mitch Garver. And as nice as the homers are, Raleigh's 35.5 strikeout rate is not so nice.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 39 HR, 20 SB, .244 AVG, .318 OBP, .397 SLG, 104 wRC+

What's Good

Two-thirds of these guys are rocking a wRC+ above the league-average delimiter of 100, with five of them also boasting at least five homers. Cruz has been going off in May, gathering four of his seven homers while scorching the ball at an average of 99.0 mph.

What's Bad

Of course, Cruz is also sporting a 35.1 strikeout percentage. The Bucs are also without Ke'Bryan Hayes because of back inflammation, and this is the second year in a row that Reynolds hasn't been a difference-maker. Not counting 2020, his .763 OPS is a career low.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 42 HR, 21 SB, .246 AVG, .317 OBP, .396 SLG, 104 wRC+

What's Good

Marte's knack for hitting streaks is very much alive, as he followed last year's 18-game sequence in the playoffs with a 21-game run this year. He and Walker also have 10 homers apiece, while Pederson has been a righty masher with an .897 OPS against them.

What's Bad

Those three guys need more help carrying Arizona's lineup, and they're just not getting it from Carroll, Gurriel or Suárez. The latter two have been ice-cold in May, while Carroll has basically failed to launch in hitting .188 with two homers.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 50 HR, 16 SB, .239 AVG, .303 OBP, .426 SLG, 111 wRC+

What's Good

If these numbers took you by surprise, well, you're likely not alone in just now learning Oakland's lineup was this solid. Rooker and Langeliers can each claim credit for 11 of those 50 homers, while Bleday is enjoying a breakout with an .844 OPS and five long balls in May.

What's Bad

Rooker, Gelof and Brown are all striking out in more than 30 percent of their plate appearances. As there are also four OBPs under .300 among this lot, it's fair to say volatility is the name of the game when the A's are at bat.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 38 HR, 11 SB, .256 AVG, .326 OBP, .420 SLG, 117 wRC+

What's Good

This lineup may not read like the next coming of the Murderers' Row, but it has a 127 wRC+ in May. Wade and Chapman have been hot, and the Giants have also gotten boosts from Wisely, who's hitting .438, and Matos, who got NL Player of the Week honors last week.

What's Bad

With Jung Hoo Lee and Michael Conforto out with injuries, the success this lineup is enjoying doesn't feel sustainable. The Giants especially need more from Soler, but that's contingent on him conquering Oracle Park. He has a .539 OPS and two homers there.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 50 HR, 39 SB, .238 AVG, .319 OBP, .407 SLG, 108 wRC+

What's Good

Ramírez had been cool, but not anymore now that he boasts a 1.154 OPS and 10 homers over his last 20 games. And the Guardians may have something in Fry, whose 1.087 OPS is supported by an 18.5 walk rate and 90.1 mph average exit velocity.

What's Bad

If it wasn't for Ramírez and Fry, Cleveland's lineup would be having a rough go of it in May. Whereas the two of them have a 1.098 OPS for this month, the other seven guys are at .625 collectively. The Naylor brothers are especially struggling, accounting for a .589 OPS.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 43 HR, 22 SB, .233 AVG, .321 OBP, .384 SLG, 104 wRC+

What's Good

Only three members of this lineup are below the 100 wRC+ threshold, and that list includes the team leader for home runs (Morel) and a two-time All-Star (Swanson). And keep an eye on ho*rner, who has an .831 OPS with more walks than strikeouts in May.

What's Bad

That Tauchman has been the Cubs' best hitter is a nice surprise, but not exactly the plan. This is generally a lineup still searching for its peak, and it likely won't come until Bellinger and Suzuki join Swanson in living up to their full potential.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 46 HR, 30 SB, .238 AVG, .310 OBP, .383 SLG, 104 wRC+

What's Good

With five of the nine landing above the 100 wRC+ mark, there are more good hitters than bad hitters in this lineup. Nimmo's .356 OBP is enough to make up for his .217 average, while Alonso has unsurprisingly supplied the power. He's hit five more homers than any other Met.

What's Bad

Lindor has threatened to break out, but he's yet to sustain anything in running his OPS to a career-low .646. This is also shaping up to be another post-prime year for McNeil, and Baty is only making incremental progress in living up to his former status as an elite prospect.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 42 HR, 34 SB, .254 AVG, .321 OBP, .439 SLG, 109 wRC+

What's Good

The top half of the Red Sox lineup is rock-solid. Wong is hitting .333, while Duran, Abreu and Devers have a combined .876 OPS with 12 homers (seven of which belong to Devers) in May. And a fun fact about Rafaela: His 18 RBI from the No. 9 spot are the most in MLB.

What's Bad

Triston Casas, who's out with a rib injury, is sorely missed in the middle of this lineup. His absence is especially apparent while O'Neill struggles in May, hitting only .151 with a 43.9 strikeout percentage. Until he breaks out, things are rough in those Nos. 5-8 spots.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 40 HR, 25 SB, .244 AVG, .320 OBP, .396 SLG, 107 wRC+

What's Good

With a .314 average and .999 OPS, Jansen has low-key been one of MLB's top hitters since he came off the IL in mid-April. And now Bichette and especially Guerrero are coming around in May. The former is hitting .293 this month, while the latter's average is a sparkling .407.

What's Bad

On the other hand, Turner, Varsho and Springer are all batting in the .100s this month. And after beginning his career hitting like Babe Ruth, Schneider has also cooled with a .232 average and .739 OPS since April 14. The big picture is of a lineup that's struggling to click.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 46 HR, 10 SB, .256 AVG, .319 OBP, .425 SLG, 111 wRC+

What's Good

Ozuna, at least, is still swinging like it's 2023. He's hitting .311 with 15 home runs. Olson has the exact same hard-hit rate as Ozuna, and it's beginning to show by way of an .800 OPS for the month of May.

What's Bad

Disappointment was hanging over this lineup even before Sunday. And now that Ronald Acuña Jr. is out with a torn ACL, it'll take a lot for the vibes to get better. Riley especially needs to get his bat going, but Albies and Harris deserve just as much scrutiny.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 51 HR, 17 SB, .250 AVG, .322 OBP, .404 SLG, 105 wRC+

What's Good

With 12 homers and 37 RBI, García is still a run-production machine. And now Seager is again as well, as his OPS is 372 points higher in May than it was in April. Yet even his OBP still hasn't caught up to those of Smith and Lowe, who lead the Rangers at .376 and .371.

What's Bad

The Carter breakout that was promised in 2023 hasn't come to fruition, as he only has a .633 OPS. And after a warm April, Semien has come back down to earth in getting on base at just a .292 clip in May. These are but two aspects of the team's offensive sputter this month.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 44 HR, 17 SB, .252 AVG, .325 OBP, .443 SLG, 120 wRC+

What's Good

There are six regulars in this lineup who boast at least a 110 wRC+, and the best doesn't even belong to Jeffers despite his .868 OPS and 10 homers. It belongs to Kepler, who's been hotter (1.026 OPS) than even Correa (.879 OPS) amid an otherwise cool May for this lineup.

What's Bad

The Twins have been without Royce Lewis, who boasts a .313 average and .933 OPS in 71 career games, since Opening Day because of a quad strain. And poor Julien is in a dreadful slump in which he's hit only .143 with one extra-base hit in 25 games since April 28.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 43 HR, 35 SB, .266 AVG, .337 OBP, .405 SLG, 120 wRC+

What's Good

Arraez has been as advertised as he's hit .391 as a Padre. They also have another .300 hitter in Profar, who's pitched in seven homers to go with the 17 that have come from Tatis and Cronenworth. The latter notably needs only two more homers to match his 2023 total.

What's Bad

Xander Bogaerts wasn't doing much before he fractured his shoulder, but it's another reason why Machado needs to pick it up. He's batting just .235 with a .653 OPS. The shine has otherwise worn off Merrill, who's hit only .225 since getting his average to .329 on April 23.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 44 HR, 61 SB, .266 AVG, .343 OBP, .427 SLG, 121 wRC+

What's Good

Between Turang, Contreras and Yelich, the Brewers are the only team in MLB with three regulars batting over .300. There's also a considerable amount of speed in this lineup, as Contreras and Ortiz are the only ones who don't have at least five stolen bases.

What's Bad

The only true weaknesses here are in the bottom three spots. That's especially a shame regarding Frelich and Chourio, who are both former top prospects. Though Chourio has done well to cut down on strikeouts in May, it hasn't resulted in a boost in production.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 59 HR, 31 SB, .269 AVG, .340 OBP, .438 SLG, 123 wRC+

What's Good

It's an oddity that the Astros are scoring only 4.6 runs per game. This lineup has a bit of everything, from the MLB home run leader (Tucker) to two more hot-hitting established stars (Altuve and Alvarez) to a .320 hitter (Peña). In fact, it's not missing much.

What's Bad

Except, of course, for the vintage version of Bregman. He's been better in May, but his OPS is still down 203 points from 2023. This year has also been a step back for Diaz and McCormick, and the downfall of José Abreu has opened a gaping hole at first base.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 56 HR, 43 SB, .259 AVG, .338 OBP, .426 SLG, 118 wRC+

What's Good

With a .923 OPS and 13 homers, Harper is having another spectacular season for the Phillies. Yet he's also but one of seven regulars with at least a 116 wRC+. Bohm and Sosa are batting over .300, while Stott and Rojas have been pests on the bases with 24 total steals.

What's Bad

Trea Turner is still out with a strained hamstring, but really the only other pain point for the Phillies concerns Castellanos' enduring slump. He's been better in May than he was in April, but we're only talking a .665 OPS vs. a .521 OPS.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 54 HR, 29 SB, .275 AVG, .350 OBP, .458 SLG, 133 wRC+

What's Good

As each is hitting over .330 and their combined OPS is one point shy of 1.000, the Betts-Ohtani duo is the best in the National League. Freeman, Smith and Teoscar Hernández are in the .800 OPS range, and the latter is just one homer short of Ohtani for the team lead.

What's Bad

This is undeniably a top-heavy lineup, as not one of the four hitters in the back half is even close to a 100 wRC+. And even Betts and Ohtani are slumping right now, with the latter going just 7-for-32 in eight games amid a battle with a bruised hamstring.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 73 HR, 25 SB, .259 AVG, .338 OBP, .447 SLG, 125 wRC+

What's Good

We all figured Soto and Judge would be dangerous, but seeing them with a combined 1.008 OPS and 31 homers still boggles the mind. Stanton is a third power source with 13 homers, while Torres (speed) and Verdugo (contact) balance the general skill set of this starting nine

What's Bad

The top third of this lineup is basically above reproach, but not the other two-thirds. Stanton has nothing besides power to offer, and anything the Yankees get from the bottom four slots is a bonus. The best wRC+ for that bunch is a mere 102 belonging to Rizzo.

Go-To Lineup

Collective Stats: 73 HR, 39 SB, .256 AVG, .320 OBP, .473 SLG, 125 wRC+

What's Good

Here's a lineup in which only Mateo doesn't have at least six homers and only Mullins has a wRC+ below 100, and they at least have 21 total steals. There are otherwise five guys above the 130 wRC+ threshold, including Henderson with his 17 homers. "Loaded" comes to mind.

What's Bad

As he's only a .222 hitter over the last two seasons, the version of Mullins who went for a 30-30 season in 2022 is nowhere to be found. It's also been a tough year for Santander, and especially lately as he's hit only .183 in May.