Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2024 revision of our top 50 Houston Astros.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball, we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the American League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Please note that our algorithm has changed, which yielded minor changes throughout the baseball lists.

Last year, the Astros expectedly returned to the postseason but were dismissed in two games in the Wildcard by the Houston Astros.  There was one new entry and three significant elevations.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes.

1. Jeff Bagwell

2. Craig Biggio

3. Jose Altuve

4. Lance Berkman

5. Cesar Cedeno 

You can find the entire list here. 

Of note, Jose Altuve remained at #3, and as good as he has been still has some work to do to surpass Hall of Fame inductee, Craig Biggio for #2.

The elevations were Alex Bregman (#11 to #8), Yordan Alvarez (#27 to #19) and Kyle Tucker (#33 to #23). 

The new entrant is Framber Valdez, who debuts at #31.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022/23 revision of our top 50 Houston Astros.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in Major League Baseball.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Astros again were World Series contenders, and made the playoffs.  There were no new entrants, but four Astros climbed the list.

As always, we present our top five, which did not change.

1. Jeff Bagwell

2. Craig Biggio

3. Jose Altuve

4. Lance Berkman

5. Cesar Cedeno

You can find the entire list here.

Notably, Altuve remains at number three, and still has a way to go to overtake Biggio at #2, but he has it in him to not only do that, but snatch #1 from Bagwell.

Future first ballot Hall of Fame Pitcher, Justin Verlander, was traded back to the Astros during the season and did enough to climb from #11 to #9.

Infielder, Alex Bregman, went up three spots from #14 to #11.

Offensive stud, Yordan Alvarez shot up from #37 to #27.

The final change is Kyle Tucker, who climbed to #33 from #45.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for more revisions in the future. 

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1. 

We knew the following:

• The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

• In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

• Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 1,089 (up from 1,076 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players!  Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the second-to-last update, with standings as of the afternoon of September 25.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

202 Cup Points, 135 Games, 1.50 Cup Points per Game, 44 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, 20 SB, .304/.412/.654, 10.1 bWAR & 10-5, 3.14 ERA, 167 SO, 1.061 WHIP.

Oh boy.  We have said from the start that this is an award built for Ohtani who can compile points in two different avenues, but September saw hm shut down in both of them.  Weeks ago, we thought that he built up enough a gap to gold Acuna and Betts at bay, but that no longer seems to be the case.  As of this writing, Ohtani is still the American League leader in bWAR (10.1), Triples (8), Home Runs (44), Walks (91), OBP (.412), OPS (1.066), OPS+ (182) and Total Bases (325).  Is this enough with a week left to still win the AL MVP?  We think so, but not for the NIHOF Cup where two National League stars are likely to overtake him.  Oh, the drama!

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

200 Cup Points, 153 Games, 1.31 Cup Points per Game, 40 Home Runs, 101 Runs Batted In, 66 SB, .336/.415/.595, 8.0 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (68), Hits (210), Runs Scored (143), OBP (.415), OPS+ (167) and Total Bases (372), and he recently joined the 40-40 Club.  He is also second in bWAR (8.0), Batting (.336), and (.595).  Acuna is also the runaway leader in Power-Speed # (50.4), and it looks like he will overtake Ohtani for #1 in Cup Points before season’s end

3. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

192 Cup Points, 146 Games, 1.32 Cup Points per Game, 39 Home Runs, 105 Runs Batted In, 13 SB, .309/.410/.590, 8.1 bWAR.

Betts has been on fire over the last month, propelling himself to second in Cup Standings before relinquishing it back to Acuna.  In the National League, he took over the top spot in bWAR (8.1) and is in the top four in Batting, OBP, Slugging, OPS, OPS+, Runs, Doubles, Hits and RBIs.  Betts is also fifth in Home Runs (39).

4. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #4 Last Week)

175 Cup Points, 156 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 53 Home Runs, 133 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .281/.388/.606, 6.9 bWAR. 

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (53), RBIs (1333), and Slugging (.606), and is third in bWAR (6.9) and OPS (.994).  He is enjoying the best year of his career.

5. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #7, Last Week)

172 Cup Points, 138 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 33 Home Runs, 105 Runs Batted In, 11 SB, .273/.408/.514, 5.1 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (137) and is third in OBP (.408), fifth in OPS (.922), and tenth in Slugging (.514).  He has also moved up to fourth in RBIs (105) and tenth in Home Runs (33). 

6. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #6, Last Week)

163 Cup Points, 154 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 26 Home Runs, 96 Runs Batted In, 22 SB, .332/.408/.560, 6.2 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Doubles (57), while also currently placing third in Batting (.332) and fourth in OBP (.408), OPS (.968) and Slugging (.560).  He is also second in Hits (203) and Runs (125).

7. Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (#8, Last Week)

153 Cup Points, 149 Games, 1.03 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 73 Runs Batted In, 50 SB, .285/.361/.508, 5.3 bWAR.

The Diamondbacks have the likely National League Rookie of the Year in Carroll who is in the top ten in bWAR, Runs, Stolen Bases, Batting, OBP and Slugging and is first in Triples (9).

8. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#6, Last Week)

151 Cup Points, 151 Games, 1.00 Cup Points per Game, 28 Home Runs, 109 Runs Batted In, 29 SB, .281/.367/.509, 4.9 bWAR.

Tucker took over the American League in RBIs (109), and in regards to the Slash Line, Tucker is seventh in OBP (.367), eighth in Slugging (.509) and sixth in OPS (.876).  He is also in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, Stolen Bases and Extra Base Hits.

9. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #7 Last Week)

150 Cup Points, 135 Games, 1.00 Cup Points per Game, 33 Home Runs, 98 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .274/.354/.511, 3.6 bWAR. 

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub.  He and is currently fourth in the AL in RBIs (98), fifth in Home Runs (33) and seventh in Slugging (.511) and OPS (.864). 

10. Kyle Schwarber: Philadelphia Phillies, Outfield: (Ranked #9, Last Week)

146 Cup Points, 155 Games, 0.94 Cup Points per Game, 45 Home Runs, 100 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .197/.345/.472, 0.6 bWAR.

Despite the very low bWAR (0.6) and Batting Average (.197), Schwarber gets on base, has power, and when it matters, he is often clutch.  This is his first foray into the top ten, and Schwarber has always been a player that Managers love, providing there is only one of him on the team.  He is second in Walks (124) and Home Runs (45) and ninth in RBIs (100).  What a strange player to be ranked this high!

Nobody fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the final result

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 1,067 (up from 1,052 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the sixteenth update, with standings as of the morning of September 11.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

202 Cup Points, 135 Games, 1.50 Cup Points per Game, 44 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, 20 SB, .304/.412/.654, 10.1 bWAR & 10-5, 3.14 ERA, 167 SO, 1.061 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so, although he has been shut down on the mound for the rest of the year, and has missed the last six games. It will be hard for him to lose the cup (though Mookie Betts and Ronald Abuna are making us ponder that), but he won’t be able to compile any more stats pitching wise, as he was shut down on the mound. With his bat, Ohtani is the current AL leader in Offensive bWAR (5.9), Home Runs (44), Triples (8), Walks (91), OBP (.412), Slugging (.654), OPS (1.066), OPS+ (182) and Total Bases (325), while also placing third in RBIs (95), and fourth in Batting (.304). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #3 Last Week)

185 Cup Points, 141 Games, 1.31 Cup Points per Game, 35 Home Runs, 91 Runs Batted In, 64 SB, .336/.417/.586, 7.1 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (64), Hits (192), Runs Scored (128), OBP (.417) and Total Bases (335). He is also second in bWAR (6.8), Batting (.336) and OPS (1.002) and is third in Slugging (.586) and OPS+ (164). Acuna is also the runaway leader in Power-Speed # (45.3).

3. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #2, Last Week)

184 Cup Points, 133 Games, 1.38 Cup Points per Game, 38 Home Runs, 99 Runs Batted In, 11 SB, .314/.411/.609, 8.0 bWAR.

Betts has been on fire over the last month, propelling himself to second before relinquishing it back to Acuna. In the National League, he took over the top spot in Slugging (.609), OPS (1.020), OPS+ (172) and bWAR (8.0) and has moved up to fifth in Batting (.314) and third in OBP (.411). Betts has also climbed to second in Runs (118), third in RBIs (99) and fourth in Home Runs (38).

4. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #5 Last Week)

164 Cup Points, 142 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 48 Home Runs, 121 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .277/.384/.603, 5.9 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (48) and RBIs (121), and is second in Slugging (.603), fourth in OPS (.987) and OPS+ (158) and seventh in OBP (.384). He is enjoying the best year of his career.

5. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

155 Cup Points, 142 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 91 Runs Batted In, 18 SB, .336/.415/.573, 6.2 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Doubles (54), while also currently placing second in Batting (.336), OBP (.415), and OBP+ (165) third in OPS (.988) and fourth in Slugging (.574). He is also second in Hits (189) third in Runs (115) and eighth in RBIs (91).

6. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#7, Last Week)

146 Cup Points, 134 Games, 1.04 Cup Points per Game, 26 Home Runs, 103 Runs Batted In, 28 SB, .290/.375/.513, 4.5 bWAR.

Tucker took over the American League in RBIs (103), and in regards to the Slash Line, Tucker is fifth in Slugging (.511) and sixth in Batting (.290), and OBP (.375). He is also in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, Stolen Bases and Extra Base Hits.

7. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #6, Last Week)

145 Cup Points, 138 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 28 Home Runs, 85 Runs Batted In, 8 SB, .256/.398/.481, 4.3 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (119) and is fourth in OBP (.398), and sixth in OPS (.879).

8 (TIE). Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (#8, Last Week)

141 Cup Points, 139 Games, 1.01 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 69 Runs Batted In, 49 SB, .284/.365/.518, 5.2 bWAR.

The Diamondbacks have the likely National League Rookie of the Year in Carroll who is in the top ten in bWAR, Runs, Stolen Bases, Batting, OBP and Slugging and is first in Triples (8).

8 (TIE). Kyle Schwarber: Philadelphia Phillies, Outfield: (Not in the Top Ten, Last Week)

141 Cup Points, 137 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 43 Home Runs, 94 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .198/.347/.483, 0.8 bWAR.

Despite the very low bWAR and Batting Average (.198), Schwarber gets on base, has power, and when it matters, he is often clutch. This is his first foray into the top ten, and Schwarber has always been a player that Managers love, providing there is only one of him on the team. He is second in the NL in Home Runs (43) and fifth in RBIs (94).

10. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #9 Last Week)

135 Cup Points, 135 Games, 1.00 Cup Points per Game, 29 Home Runs, 93 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .272/.344/.503, 3.0 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently sixth in the AL in RBIs (93) and Home Runs (29), and seventh in Slugging (.503).

Houston’s Alex Bregman fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of September 18.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 1,052 (up from 1,036 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the fifteenth update, with standings as of the afternoon of September 4.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

202 Cup Points, 135 Games, 1.50 Cup Points per Game, 44 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, 20 SB, .304/.412/.654, 9.9 bWAR & 10-5, 3.14 ERA, 167 SO, 1.061 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so, although he has been shut down on the mound for the rest of the year. It will be hard for him to lose the cup (though Mookie Betts is making us ponder that), but he won’t be able to compile any more stats pitching wise, as he was shut down on the mound. With his bat, Ohtani is the current AL leader in bWAR (9.9), Runs Scored (102), Home Runs (44), Triples (8), Walks (91), OBP (.412), Slugging (.654), OPS (1.066), OPS+ (182) and Total Bases (325), while also placing third in RBIs (95), and fourth in Batting (.304). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #2, Last Week)

184 Cup Points, 130 Games, 1.42 Cup Points per Game, 38 Home Runs, 99 Runs Batted In, 10 SB, .316/.410/.615, 7.9 bWAR.

Betts has been on fire over the last month, propelling himself to second over Acuna, and causing pause to think if Ohtani can be caught. In the National League, he took over the top spot in Slugging (.615), OPS (1.025), OPS+ (172) and bWAR (7.9) this past week and has moved up to fifth in Batting (.316) and third in OBP (.410). Betts has also climbed to third in RBIs (99) and fourth in Home Runs (38).

3. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #3 Last Week)

167 Cup Points, 136 Games, 1.23 Cup Points per Game, 32 Home Runs, 85 Runs Batted In, 63 SB, .335/.416/.578, 6.8 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (63), Hits (184), Runs Scored (123), OBP (.416) and Total Bases (318). He is also second in bWAR (6.8) and OPS (.994), and third in Batting (.335), Slugging (.578) and OPS+ (163). Acuna is also the runaway leader in Power-Speed # (42.4).

4. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

155 Cup Points, 136 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 89 Runs Batted In, 17 SB, .335/.411/.576, 6.0 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Doubles (51), while also currently placing second in Batting (.335), OBP (.411), and OBP+ (163) third in OPS (.987) and fourth in Slugging (.576). He is also third in Runs (111) and Hits (181).

5. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #5 Last Week)

150 Cup Points, 136 Games, 1.10 Cup Points per Game, 44 Home Runs, 113 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .266/.373/.581, 4.8 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (44) and RBIs (113), and is second in Slugging (.581), fourth in OPS (.953) and eighth in OBP (.373). He is enjoying the best year of his career.

6. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #7, Last Week)

145 Cup Points, 138 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 28 Home Runs, 84 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .261/.400/.493, 4.4 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (113) and is fourth in OBP (.400), and sixth in OPS (.893).

7. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#6, Last Week)

139 Cup Points, 134 Games, 1.04 Cup Points per Game, 26 Home Runs, 99 Runs Batted In, 26 SB, .289/.371/.511, 4.0 bWAR.

In regards to the Slash Line, Tucker is seventh in Batting (.289), sixth in OBP (.371) and fourth in Slugging (.511), while holding strong at fifth in OPS (.992). He is also in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, Stolen Bases and Extra Base Hits.

8. Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (#9, Last Week)

132 Cup Points, 132 Games, 1.00 Cup Points per Game, 22 Home Runs, 64 Runs Batted In, 40 SB, .279/.361/.515, 5.0 bWAR.

The Diamondbacks have the likely National League Rookie of the Year in Carroll who is in the top ten in bWAR, Runs and Stolen Bases and is first in Triples (8).

9. (TIE) Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #8 Last Week)

131 Cup Points, 129 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game, 29 Home Runs, 91 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .270/.342/.508, 2.9 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently fourth in the AL in RBIs (88) and fifth in Home Runs (29), and sixth in Slugging (.508).

9. (TIE) Alex Bregman: Houston Astros, Third Base: (Ranked #10, Last Week)

131 Cup Points, 137 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 22 Home Runs, 90 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .266/.365/.445, 4.6 bWAR.

Bregman remains in the top ten, giving Houston two to join the Dodgers and Braves in the top ten. He is in the top five in Walks (77), RBIs (90) and Runs (88).

Nobody fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of September 11.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 1,036 (up from 1,009 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the fourteenth update, with standings as of the afternoon of August 29.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

199 Cup Points, 130 Games, 1.53 Cup Points per Game, 44 Home Runs, 92 Runs Batted In, 19 SB, .304/.409/.663, 9.9 bWAR & 10-5, 3.14 ERA, 167 SO, 1.061 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so, although he has been shut down on the mound for the rest of the year. Ohtani continues to grow the gap between himself and his nearest competition, and we can’t see him losing the Cup. He won’t be able to compile any more stats pitching wise, but his numbers are pretty solid in that avenue. With his bat, Ohtani is the current AL leader in bWAR (9.9), Runs Scored (100), Home Runs (44), Triples (8), Walks (84), OBP (.409), Slugging (.663), OPS (1.071), OPS+ (183) and Total Bases (318), while also being third in RBIs (92), and forth in Batting (.304). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

171 Cup Points, 124 Games, 1.38 Cup Points per Game, 35 Home Runs, 93 Runs Batted In, 10 SB, .312/.406/.606, 7.2 bWAR.

Betts has been on fire over the last two weeks, propelling himself to second over Acuna, and causing pause to think if Ohtani can be caught. In the National League, he took over the top spot in Slugging (.606), OPS (1.011) and bWAR (7.2) this past week and has moved up to fifth in Batting (.312) and third in OBP (.406). Betts has also climbed to third in RBIs (93) and fourth in Home Runs (35).

3. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

156 Cup Points, 130 Games, 1.20 Cup Points per Game, 29 Home Runs, 79 Runs Batted In, 61 SB, .335/.418/.572, 6.6 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (61), Runs Scored (119), and OBP (.418). He is also second in bWAR (6.6) and Hits (175), third in OPS (.989), third in Batting (.335) and fourth in Slugging (.572). Acuna is also the runaway leader in Power-Speed # (39.3).

4. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

151 Cup Points, 130 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 87 Runs Batted In, 17 SB, .340/.415/.583, 5.9 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Hits (176), Doubles (50), and Total Bases (302) while also currently placing second in Batting (.333), OBP (.415) and OPS (.998) and third in Slugging (.583). He is also second in Runs (109), and fifth in Runs Batted In (87).

5. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #5 Last Week)

146 Cup Points, 130 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game, 43 Home Runs, 112 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .272/.381/.597, 5.2 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (43) and RBIs (112), and is in the top ten in all three Slash Line components. He is enjoying the best year of his career.

6. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#7, Last Week)

139 Cup Points, 129 Games, 1.09 Cup Points per Game, 26 Home Runs, 97 Runs Batted In, 26 SB, .293/.374/.521, 4.2 bWAR.

Tucker is now the American League leader in RBIs (97) and in regards to the Slash Line, Tucker is sixth in Batting (.293), fifth in OBP (.374) and fourth in Slugging (.521), while holding strong at fourth in OPS (.901). He is also in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, Stolen Bases and Extra Base Hits.

7. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #7, Last Week)

138 Cup Points, 132 Games, 1.05 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 78 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .260/.400/.483, 4.1 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (110) and is fourth in OBP (.400), and seventh in OPS (.883).

8. (TIE) Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Not in the Top Ten, Last Week)

128 Cup Points, 127 Games, 1.01 Cup Points per Game, 22 Home Runs, 64 Runs Batted In, 40 SB, .279/.361/.515, 4.8 bWAR.

Christian Walker out. Corbin Carroll back in. The Diamondbacks have the likely National League Rookie of the Year in Carroll who is in the top ten in bWAR, Runs and Stolen Bases and is first in Triples (8).

8. (TIE) Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #8 Last Week)

128 Cup Points, 124 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game, 29 Home Runs, 88 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .269/.345/.512, 2.9 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently fourth in the AL in Home Runs (29) and RBIs (88), and fifth in Slugging (.512).

10. Alex Bregman: Houston Astros, Third Base: (Ranked #10, Last Week)

127 Cup Points, 132 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 21 Home Runs, 87 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .261/.363/.440, 4.0 bWAR.

Bregman remains in the top ten, giving Houston two to join the Dodgers and Braves in the top ten. He is in the top five in Walks (76), RBIs (87) and Runs (83).

Arizona’s Christian Walker fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of September 4.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 1,009 (up from 994 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the fourteenth update, with standings as of the morning of August 21.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

188 Cup Points, 123 Games, 1.53 Cup Points per Game, 43 Home Runs, 89 Runs Batted In, 17 SB, .306/.407/.654, 9.4 bWAR & 10-5, 3.17 ERA, 165 SO, 1.064 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani continues to grow the gap between himself and his nearest competition, and we can’t see him losing the Cup. After cooling off on the mound, Ohtani is still the American League leader in H/9 (5.9) and ERA+ (142), is third in ERA (3.17) and fifth in Strikeouts (165). With his bat, Ohtani is the current AL leader in bWAR (9.4), Home Runs (43), Triples (7), Walks (77), OBP (.407), Slugging (.664), OPS (1.070), OPS+ (184) and Total Bases (304), while also being second in Runs (95), third in RBIs (89), and forth in Batting (.306). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

151 Cup Points, 123 Games, 1.23 Cup Points per Game, 28 Home Runs, 71 Runs Batted In, 56 SB, .331/.417/.569, 6.2 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (56), Runs Scored (112), OBP (.417) and Total Bases (280). He is second in bWAR (6.2) and OPS (.995), third in Batting (.331) and fourth in Slugging (.569). Acuna also holds the eighth-place spot in Home Runs (28).

3. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #5, Last Week)

150 Cup Points, 99 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 34 Home Runs, 86 Runs Batted In, 8 SB, .298/.394/.595, 6.4 bWAR.

Betts has had a great summer, where he made his seventh All-Star Game. In the National League, he took over the top spot in OPS (.989) and bWAR (6.4) this past week and has moved up to second in Slugging (.595) and fifth and Batting (.298) and OBP (.394). Betts has also climbed to third in Home Runs (34) and fourth in RBIs (86).

4. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

142 Cup Points, 123 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 23 Home Runs, 83 Runs Batted In, 16 SB, .333/.411/.575, 5.4 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Doubles (45), OPS+ (163) and Total Bases (280) while also currently placing second in Batting (.333), and third in both OPS and Slugging (.411/.585). He is also second in Runs (102), third in Hits (152) and is seventh in Runs Batted In (83).

5. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #4 Last Week)

141 Cup Points, 123 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game, 43 Home Runs, 108 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .269/.379/.601, 4.9 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (43), RBIs (108) and Slugging (.691). He is also fourth in OPS (.981), ninth in On Base Percentage (.379), and is enjoying the best year of his career.

6. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#7, Last Week)

136 Cup Points, 121 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 92 Runs Batted In, 24 SB, .296/.376/.525, 3.7 bWAR.

Tucker has been on fire lately and is now the American League leader in RBIs (92). In regards to the Slash Line, Tucker is eighth in Batting (.296), fifth in OBP (.376) and Slugging (.525), while holding strong at fourth in OPS (.901). He is also in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, Stolen Bases and Extra Base Hits.

7. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #6, Last Week)

133 Cup Points, 125 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 75 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .261/.404/.491, 4.0 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (106) and is third in OBP (.404), fifth in OPS+ (150), and sixth in OPS (.895).

8. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #9 Last Week)

126 Cup Points, 111 Games, 1.03 Cup Points per Game, 29 Home Runs, 85 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .274/.347/.530, 3.0 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently fourth in the AL in Home Runs (29), RBIs (85), and Slugging (.530).

9. Christian Walker: Arizona Diamondbacks, First Base: (Not in the Top Ten, Last Week)

122 Cup Points, 121 Games, 1.01 Cup Points per Game, 28 Home Runs, 84 Runs Batted In, 8 SB, .274/.351/.535, 3.8 bWAR.

Corbin Carroll out. Christian Walker in. The Diamondbacks remain represented in the top group with a man who at 32 has never been an All-Star. Walker is at present sixth in RBIs (84) and eighth in Home Runs (28) and Slugging (.535).

10. Alex Bregman: Houston Astros, Third Base: (Ranked #10, Last Week)

119 Cup Points, 124 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 20 Home Runs, 81 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .252/.350/.428, 3.6 bWAR.

Bregman remains in the top ten, giving Houston two to join the Dodgers and Braves in the top ten. He moved into fifth in RBIs this week (85).

Arizona’s Corbin Carroll and Miami’s Luis Arraez fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of August 28.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 994 (up from 974 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the thirteenth update, with standings as of the morning of August 14.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

179 Cup Points, 117 Games, 1.53 Cup Points per Game, 41 Home Runs, 84 Runs Batted In, 17 SB, .305/.408/.665, 9.2 bWAR & 10-5, 3.17 ERA, 165 SO, 1.064 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani continues to grow the gap between himself and his nearest competition, and we can’t see him losing the Cup. After cooling off on the mound, Ohtani is still the American League leader in H/9 (5.9), and is third in Strikeouts (165). With his bat, Ohtani is the current AL leader in bWAR (9.2), Home Runs (41), Triples (8), Walks (75), OBP (.408), Slugging (.665), OPS (1.073), OPS+ (186) and Total Bases (290), while also being second in Runs (91), third in RBIs (84), and fifth in Batting (.305). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

147 Cup Points, 117 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 26 Home Runs, 71 Runs Batted In, 55 SB, .337/.421/.574, 5.9 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (59), Runs Scored (107) and OBP (.425) and is second in bWAR (5.9). In the other Slash Line components, he ranks third in Batting (.337), Slugging (.574) and OPS (.995). Acuna also holds the ninth-place spot in Home Runs (26).

3. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

142 Cup Points, 117 Games, 1.23 Cup Points per Game, 23 Home Runs, 83 Runs Batted In, 16 SB, .339/.417/.588, 5.2 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Doubles (43), OPS (1.005) and OPS+ (167) while also currently placing second in all three Slash Line stats (.339/.417/.588). He is also second in Runs (101), Hits (158) and is fifth in Runs Batted In (83).

4. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #5 Last Week)

138 Cup Points, 117 Games, 1.18 Cup Points per Game, 43 Home Runs, 107 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .273/.382/.621, 5.0 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (43), RBIs (108), Slugging (.621) and Total Bases (276). He has also moved to second in OPS (1.003), and is enjoying the best year of his career.

5. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #6, Last Week)

120 Cup Points, 99 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 31 Home Runs, 80 Runs Batted In, 8 SB, .287/.388/.579, 5.6 bWAR.

Betts has had a great summer, where he made his seventh All-Star Game. In the National League, he is currently third in bWAR (5.6) and Slugging (.579), fourth in OPS (.968), sixth in OBP (.388) and ninth in Batting Average (.287). Betts has also moved into third in Home Runs (31) and sixth in RBIs (75).

6. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

133 Cup Points, 118 Games, 1.13 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 75 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .268/.407/.507, 4.4 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (98) and is fourth in OBP (.407), and sixth in OPS (.915). He is also ninth in RBIs (75).

7. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#7, Last Week)

127 Cup Points, 117 Games, 1.09 Cup Points per Game, 22 Home Runs, 88 Runs Batted In, 24 SB, .297/.378/.519, 3.5 bWAR.

Tucker has been on fire lately and had moved up to fourth in OBP (.378), Slugging (.378) and OPS (.896), and eighth in Batting (.297). He is also in the top ten in RBIs, Hits and Extra Base Hits.

8. Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (Ranked #10, Last Week)

118 Cup Points, 113 Games, 1.04 Cup Points per Game, 4 Home Runs, 57 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .367/.411/.467, 4.6 bWAR.

Arraez is the runaway leader in Batting Average (.367) and is also the National League leader in Hits (162), while recently slipping to third in On Base Percentage (.411). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.467) for a player with only four Home Runs.

9. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #8 Last Week)

114 Cup Points, 111 Games, 1.03 Cup Points per Game, 26 Home Runs, 79 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .265/.335/.512, 2.6 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently third in the AL in RBIs (76), fourth in Home Runs (26) and sixth in Slugging (.512).

10. (TIE) Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Ranked #8, Last Week)

111 Cup Points, 113 Games, 0.98 Cup Points per Game, 21 Home Runs, 59 Runs Batted In, 36 SB, .271/.351/.512, 4.1 bWAR.

Carroll is running away with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, despite some solid competition. At present, the young Outfielder is tenth in OPS (.862), eighth in OPS+ (135), and is second in Stolen Bases (36).

10. (TIE) Alex Bregman: Houston Astros, Third Base: (Not in the Top Ten, Last Week)

111 Cup Points, 118 Games, 0.94 Cup Points per Game, 18 Home Runs, 75 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .254/.353/.417, 3.5 bWAR.

Bregman makes his first top ten appearance, giving Houston two to join the Dodgers and Braves in the top ten.

Nobody fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of August 21.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 979 (up from 963 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the twelfth update, with standings as of the morning of August 7.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 last week)

175 Cup Points, 111 Games, 1.58 Cup Points per Game, 40 Home Runs, 82 Runs Batted In, 12 SB, .306/.409/.672, 8.4 bWAR & 9-5, 3.32 ERA, 160 SO, 1.067 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani continues to grow the gap between himself and his nearest competition, and we can’t see him losing the Cup. After cooling off on the mound, Ohtani is still the American League leader in H/9 (5.9), and is third in Strikeouts (160). With his bat, Ohtani is the current AL leader in Home Runs (40), Triples (7), Walks (71), OBP (.409), Slugging (.672), OPS (1.081), OPS+ (188) and Total Bases (279), while also being second in RBIs (82), Runs (86) and fifth in Batting (.306). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

144 Cup Points, 109 Games, 1.32 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 67 Runs Batted In, 53 SB, .343/.425/.589, 5.8 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (53), Runs Scored (99), OBP (.425), OPS (1.014) and bWAR (5.8). He is also second in Batting (.343) and third in Slugging (.589). Acuna is also eighth in Home Runs (25).

3. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

135 Cup Points, 110 Games, 1.23 Cup Points per Game, 23 Home Runs, 80 Runs Batted In, 16 SB, .339/.416/.595, 5.2 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Doubles (40), OPS+ (169) and Total Bases (262), while also currently placing second on Slugging (.595) and OPS (1.011), third in Batting (.339) and fourth in (.407). He also has moved into second in Runs (97), Hits (149) and Runs Batted In (80).

4. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

130 Cup Points, 112 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 72 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .276/.421/.526, 4.4 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (97) and is second in OBP (.421), fifth in OPS (.947) and seventh in Slugging (.526). He is also seventh in RBIs (72).

5. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #5 Last Week)

125 Cup Points, 109 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game, 39 Home Runs, 97 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .264/.370/.605, 4.1 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (39), RBIs (97) and Slugging (.605). He is also third in OPS (.975) and Total Bases (250).

6. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #5, Last Week)

120 Cup Points, 99 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 30 Home Runs, 71 Runs Batted In, 8 SB, .285/.386/.579, 5.2 bWAR.

Betts has had a great summer, where he made his seventh All-Star Game. In the National League, he is currently third in bWAR (5.2), fourth in OPS (.965) and Slugging (.579) and seventh in OBP (.386). Betts has also moved into third in Home Runs (30) and seventh in RBIs (71).

7. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#10, Last Week)

115 Cup Points, 104 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, 23 SB, .295/.375/.505, 3.3 bWAR.

Tucker has been on fire lately and had moved up to fifth in OBP (.375) and OPS (.880), and seventh in Batting (.295) and Slugging (.375). He is also in the top ten in RBIs, Hits, Extra Base Hits and is third in Power/Speed # (20.8).

8. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #7 Last Week)

114 Cup Points, 105 Games, 1.09 Cup Points per Game, 26 Home Runs, 79 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .267/.337/.521, 2.1 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently third in the AL in RBIs (76), fourth in Home Runs (726 and fifth in Slugging (.521).

9. Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Ranked #8, Last Week)

111 Cup Points, 108 Games, 1.03 Cup Points per Game, 21 Home Runs, 59 Runs Batted In, 36 SB, .277/.358/.523, 4.4 bWAR.

Carroll is running away with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, despite some solid competition. At present, the young Outfielder is seventh in the National League in bWAR (4.4), and is in the top ten in Slugging (.523), OPS (.882), OPS+ (139), Runs Scored (78) and Stolen Bases (36).

10. Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (Ranked #8, Last Week)

109 Cup Points, 107 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game, 3 Home Runs, 52 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .375/.420/.458, 4.6 bWAR.

Arraez is the runaway leader in Batting Average (.375) and is also the National League leader in Hits (157), while recently slipping to second in On Base Percentage (.429). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.458) for a player with only three Home Runs.

Nobody fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of August 14.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 963 (up from 945 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the eleventh update, with standings as of the morning of July 31.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 last week)

170 Cup Points, 104 Games, 1.63 Cup Points per Game, 39 Home Runs, 81 Runs Batted In, 12 SB, .302/.403/.680, 7.8 bWAR & 9-5, 3.43 ERA, 156 SO, 1.069 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani continues to grow the gap between himself and his nearest competition, and we can’t see him losing the Cup. After cooling off on the mound, Ohtani had his best start of the year this past week, but is still the league leader in H/9 (5.9), and is third in Strikeouts (156). With his bat, Ohtani is the current American League leader in Home Runs (39), Triples (7), Walks (66), OBP (.403), Slugging (.680), OPS (1.083), OPS+ (187) and Total Bases (266), while also being second in RBIs (81), Runs (81) and seventh in Batting (.302). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

130 Cup Points, 103 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 61 Runs Batted In, 51 SB, .335/.416/.578, 5.4 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (51), Runs Scored (93), Total Bases (238), OPS (.994) and bWAR (5.1). He is also second in Batting (.335) and Slugging (.578) and is third in OBP (.416).

3. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

116 Cup Points, 104 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 21 Home Runs, 73 Runs Batted In, 13 SB, .329/.409/.575, 4.7 bWAR.

Freeman has the NL lead in Doubles (35), OPS+ (162) and Total Bases (228), while also currently placing second on Slugging (.575) and OPS (.984), OPS+ (164) and Total Bases (228). He is also third in bWAR (4.7) and Batting (.329) and sixth in RBIs (73).

4. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #5, Last Week)

115 Cup Points, 106 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 20 Home Runs, 64 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .266/.420/.503, 4.1 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (97) and is second in OBP (.420) and fifth in OPS (.923).

5. (TIE) Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #9 Last Week)

112 Cup Points, 103 Games, 1.09 Cup Points per Game, 35 Home Runs, 88 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .259/.361/.584, 3.4 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (35), RBIs (88) and Slugging (.584). He is also third in OPS (.945).

5. (TIE) Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

112 Cup Points, 99 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 27 Home Runs, 68 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .277/.383/.560, 4.6 bWAR.

Betts has had a great summer, where he made his seventh All-Star Game. In the National League, he is currently fourth in bWAR (4.6) and OPS (.942), fifth in Slugging (.560) and eighth in OBP (.383). He also holds top ten ranks in Total Bases, Runs, Doubles and Walks.

7. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #6 Last Week)

110 Cup Points, 99 Games, 1.10 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 76 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .261/.329/.517, 1.9 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently third in the AL in Home Runs (25), and fourth in Runs Batted In (76) and Slugging (.517).

8. (TIE) Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Ranked #7, Last Week)

109 Cup Points, 101 Games, 1.09 Cup Points per Game, 21 Home Runs, 57 Runs Batted In, 32 SB, .282/.351/.541, 4.3 bWAR.

Carroll is running away with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, despite some solid competition. At present, the young Outfielder is sixth in the National League in bWAR (4.3), and is in the top ten in Slugging (.541), OPS (.902), Runs (76) and Stolen Bases (32).

8. (TIE) Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (Ranked #8, Last Week)

109 Cup Points, 100 Games, 1.09 Cup Points per Game, 3 Home Runs, 51 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .377/.425/.473, 4.2 bWAR.

Arraez is the runaway leader in Batting Average (.377) and is also the National League leader in Hits (146) and On Base Percentage (.425). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.473) for a player with only three Home Runs.

10. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: (#10, Last Week)

102 Cup Points, 104 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 18 Home Runs, 70 Runs Batted In, 19 SB, .299/.380/.511, 3.1 bWAR.

Tucker made his first top ten appearance last week and in the NL is fourth in OBP (.380) and OPS (.890), fifth in Slugging (.514) and eighth in Batting (.299). He is also in the top ten in Home Runs, RBIs and Hits and is third in Power/Speed # (18.5).

Nobody fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of August 6.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 945 (up from 906 last week) players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the tenth update, with standings as of the morning of July 24.

1. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #1 last week)

157 Cup Points, 98 Games, 1.60 Cup Points per Game, 36 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, 11 SB, .302/.398/.674, 6.8 bWAR & 8-5, 3.71 ERA, 148 SO, 1.120 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani continues to grow the gap between himself and his nearest competition, and even though it is still July, we can’t see him losing the Cup. He has cooled off with his Pitching, but is still the league leader in H/9 (6.3), and is third in Strikeouts (148). With his bat, Ohtani is the current American League leader in Home Runs (36), Triples (7), Walks (60), Slugging (.674), OPS (1.072), OPS+ (186) and Total Bases (250), while also being second in RBIs (77) and OBP (.398) and sixth in Batting (.302). The AL MVP is his to lose, and we don’t think he will.

2. Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #2 Last Week)

122 Cup Points, 98 Games, 1.25 Cup Points per Game, 23 Home Runs, 58 Runs Batted In, 43 SB, .332/.409/.577, 5.1 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (46), Runs Scored (87), Total Bases (228) and bWAR (5.1). He is also second in Batting (.333), Slugging (.577) and OPS (.986) and fourth in OBP (.409).

3. Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (#3, Last Week)

112 Cup Points, 95 Games, 1.18 Cup Points per Game, 27 Home Runs, 67 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .278/.380/.569, 4.5 bWAR.

Betts has had a great summer, where he made his seventh All-Star Game. In the National League, he is currently third in OPS (.948), fourth in Slugging (.569) and eighth in OBP (.380). He also holds top ten ranks in Total Bases, Runs, Doubles and Walks.

4. Freddie Freeman: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Unranked, Last Week)

110 Cup Points, 98 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 20 Home Runs, 70 Runs Batted In, 8 SB, .331/.412/.585, 4.7 bWAR.

Freeman rockets back into the top ten, and took over the NL lead in Doubles (35), Slugging (.585), OPS (.997), OPS+ (164) and Total Bases (228). He is also third in bWAR (4.7) and Batting (.331) and fourth in RBIs (70).

4. (TIE) Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #5, Last Week)

110 Cup Points, 100 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 60 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .265/.419/.500, 3.8 bWAR.

Soto is the National League leader in Walks (93) and is second in OBP (.419) and fifth in OPS (.919).

6. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #4 Last Week)

108 Cup Points, 94 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 74 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .265/.334/.525, 2.2 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise being so high as he was not in the All-Star Game, nor was considered a significant snub. He and is currently third in the AL in Home Runs (23) and fourth in Home Runs (24) and Slugging (.525).

7. (TIE) Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Ranked #5, Last Week)

105 Cup Points, 89 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 21 Home Runs, 72 Runs Batted In, 29 SB, .284/.363/.550, 4.3 bWAR.

Carroll is running away with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and it is only July! At present, the young Outfielder is fifth in the National League in bWAR (4.3), and is in the top ten in Slugging (.550), OPS (.912), Runs (72) and Stolen Bases (29).

7. (TIE) Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (#8, Last Week)

105 Cup Points, 95 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 3 Home Runs, 49 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .379/.427/.474, 4.0 bWAR.

Arraez is the runaway leader in Batting Average and is also the National League leader in Hits (139) and On Base Percentage (.427). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.474) for a player with only three Home Runs.

9. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #7 Last Week)

102 Cup Points, 98 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 32 Home Runs, 80 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .253/.360/.571, 2.9 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (32) and RBIs (80) and he is also third in Slugging (.571) and fourth in OPS (.931).

10. Kyle Tucker: Houston Astros, Outfield: Not in Top Ten, Last Week)

96 Cup Points, 98 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 17 Home Runs, 68 Runs Batted In, 18 SB, .302/.379/.514, 2.8 bWAR.

Tucker makes his first top ten appearance and in the NL is fourth in OBP (.379) and OPS (.893), fifth in Slugging (.514) and seventh in Batting (.302). He is also in the top ten in RBI and is second in Power/Speed # (17.5).

Chicago’s (AL) Luis Robert and Miami’s Jorge Soler fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of August 1.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022 revision of our top Houston Astros.

As for all of our top 50 players in basketball we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the American League. 

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, Houston won their second World Series, and they are blessed with young talent, two of which make their first appearance on this list.

As always, we present our top five, which was not impacted by last season:

1. Jeff Bagwell

2. Craig Biggio                        

3. Jose Altuve

4. Lance Berkman

5. Cesar Cedeno

You can find the entire list here.

Despite his good year, Altuve was unable to pass Biggio for #2.

Justin Verlander, who won the Cy Young, and is now with the New York Mets, jumped from #19 to #11; an impressive feat considering the relative brevity of his Astros career.

Infielder, Alex Bregman, moved up two spots to #14.

Yuli Gurriel also moved up by two, with a new rank of #35.

Designated Hitter, Yordan Alvarez, makes his debut at #37 and Outfielder, Kyle Tucker, comes in at #45.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

The Fifth Overall Pick in 2015, Kyle Tucker worked his way in three years to the make it to the Astros, but he only batted .141 in his brief stay.  2019 was a little better, batting .269 in 67 At Bats, but the shortened 2020 season was when Tucker was there to stay.

In 58 Games in that COVID-plagued year, Tucker led the AL in Triples (6), batted .268 with 9 Home Runs.  The Astros made it to the World Series, albeit in a losing effort, but it looked like Tucker was on the verge of a breakout; and he was.

The Astros won the Pennant again (though again lost) and Tucker was a much bigger contributor.  Powering 30 Home Runs, with a .294 Batting Average, Tucker was 20^th in MVP voting, was named an All-MLB Team 2 Selection, and had an even better 2022.  Tucker matched his 30 Home Runs, but had more RBIs (107), won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, and again was named to the All-MLB Team 2 squad.  The Astros and Tucker won the World Series in 2022, but there was so much more for teh RIghtfielder to accomplish in Houston.

In 2023, Tucker had his best season to date, finishing fifth in MVP voting, smacking 29 Home Runs and leading the AL in RBIs (112).  Tucker also added his third All-MLB Team 2, second All-Star and first Silver Slugger.  After another strong year in 2024 that was cut short by injury, he still added his third straight All-Star, but that is where his productive stay in Houston ended, as he was traded to the Cubs after the season.

With the Astros, Tucker had 615 Hits with 125 Home Runs.