It is with great pleasure that we have brought back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the top five players with the most points, in descending order: 5-4-3-2-1. 

We know 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 more easily than 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, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throw fewer innings than previous generations. This is also true for closers 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 we did: as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.
• As such, expect it to take time to see Pitchers on this list, or high-average hitters with limited power.

Here are the final standings (and note that we will be adding more of the results over the next few weeks):

1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers, Designated Hitter & Pitcher:  220 Cup Points in 158 Games, 1.39 Cup Points per Game.   7.7 bWAR, 146 Runs Scored, 164 Hits, 55 Home Runs, 102 Runs Batted In, 20 Stolen Bases, .282/.392/.622 Slash Line, 1.014 OPS & 179 OPS+.  14 Games, 1-1 Record, 2.87 ERA, 47.0 IP, 62 SO, 145 ERA+, 1.043 WHIP, 6.89 SO/BB.

Who other than a superstar who can accrue points with his bat and on the mound, win the Notinhalloffame Cup?

This is a trophy built for Shohei Ohtani, the only active player in the Majors who plays both ways. Although he threw for only 47 Innings, that is what put him over New York’s Aaron Judge.  Ohtani led the National League in Runs (146), Slugging (.622), OPS (1.014), OPS+ (1.014), and broke his single-season Home Run record with 55 dingers. 

The final week in the standings was a battle between Ohtani and Judge, and while his work as a hurler put him over the top, what Ohtani has done this year and since 2021 has been nothing short of immaculate.

Congratulations to Shohei Ohtani for winning the notinhalloffame.com MLB Cup. 

By the way, the title needs to be accepted in person here at our current home base in Seattle.

2. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees, Outfield:  217 Cup Points in 152 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game.  9.7 bWAR, 137 Runs Scored, 179 Hits, 53 Home Runs, 114 Runs Batted In, 12 Stolen Bases, .331/.457/.668 Slash Line, 1.114 OPS & 215 OPS+.

Aaron Judge had the Notinhalloffame Cup locked up, but after bouncing back and forth with Shohei Ohtani, Judge fell in the last two games. However, it is hard to beat a player (for this Cup) when you don’t pitch.  Wait, does that mean Judge is the de facto winner here?   Sadly, no.

Judge had a phenomenal year, where he maintained his power (53 Home Runs) while winning his first Batting Title (.331).  He did not just lead the AL in that stat; he swept the Slash Line, OPS, and OPS+ while also finishing first in Runs (137) and Walks (124).   

The Yankees made it to the playoffs, but could they have done so without Judge?  We doubt it.

3. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners, Catcher:  183 Cup Points in 159 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game.  7.3 bWAR, 110 Runs Scored, 147 Hits, 60 Home Runs, 125 Runs Batted In, 14 Stolen Bases, .247/.359/.589 Slash Line, .948 OPS & 169 OPS+.

Is this the best year by a Catcher?  Offensively, yes, it looks like!

Raleigh shattered the Home Run record for a Catcher with 60 taters, and led the AL in that stat and RBIs (125).  “The Big Dumper” was an All-Star for the first time in 2025, and his output propelled the Mariners to a top seed in the 2025 playoffs. 

4. Pete Alonso, New York Mets, First Base: 179 Cup Points in 162 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game.  3.4 bWAR, 87 Runs Scored, 170 Hits, 38 Home Runs, 126 Runs Batted In, 1 Stolen Base, .272/.347/.524 Slash Line, .871 OPS & 144 OPS+.

Would you believe that Alonso was at the top of the standings (by far) when we first published our ranking in early May? 

This is arguably the first surprise on this list, as, with all due respect to Alonso, he does not seem like he should be this high, but again, we remind you that this is a point system based on individual games! 

Alonso had a great year, blasting away like always, but this time with a respectable Batting Average of .272 (his best), and a National League leading 41 Doubles. 

Regardless, the biggest news for Alonso is that he opted out of his contract and will likely not be a Met next year.

5. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians, Third Base:  166 Cup Points in 158 Games.  1.05 Cup Points per Game.  5.8 bWAR, 103 Runs Scored, 168 Hits, 30 Home Runs, 85 Runs Batted In, 44 Stolen Bases, .283/.360/.503 Slash Line, .863 OPS & 137 OPS+.

The story of the improbable Guardians' run to the postseason can not happen without their top gun, and potential Hall of Famer, Jose Ramirez, who added his seventh All-Star and fifth straight.  He was fourth in OPS+, sixth in OPS, and eighth in Slugging.

6. Juan Soto, New York Mets, Outfield: 164 Cup Points in 160 Games, 1.03 Cup Points per Game.  6.2 bWAR, 120 Runs Scored, 152 Hits, 43 Home Runs, 105 Runs Batted In, 38 Stolen Bases, .263/.396/.525 Slash Line, .921 OPS & 160 OPS+.

It is the New York Mets that are the first team to post two players, and it comes in the form of a player who had a slow start after signing a monster contract.

Juan Soto did not make the All-Star Game (making him the highest-ranked player on this list not to), but he finished the season as the National League leader in OBP (.396), Walks (127), and Stolen Bases (38), the last of which was a huge surprise considering his previous high was 12.  Soto also had a career-high 43 Home Runs.  The Mets may not have made the playoffs, but in year one, New York got value from the superstar.

7. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets, Shortstop: 163 Cup Points in 160 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game.   5.8 bWAR, 117 Runs Scored, 172 Hits, 31 Home Runs, 86 Runs Batted In, 31 Stolen Bases, .267/.346/.466 Slash Line, .811 OPS & 129 OPS+.

Yes.  The New York Mets, the team with the most epic choke job in the last twenty years, have three ranked players before any other squad has two.  How is this possible?  The short answer is to see how long it takes for the Mets to have five players here, and when a Pitcher finally shows up.

Lindor had his first All-Star since 2019 (fifth overall), and was the NL leader in Plate Appearances (732) and At Bats (644).  He also had his second 30-30 year, and was third in Runs Scored (117), fifth in Hits (172), and was eighth in Home Runs (31).

8. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres, Third Base: 162 Cup Points in 159 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game.   4.1 bWAR, 91 Runs Scored, 169 Hits, 27 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, 14 Stolen Bases, .275/.335/.460 Slash Line, .795 OPS & 118 OPS+.

Machado continues his amazing career by adding a seventh All-Star and continuing to be the Padres' top offensive weapon.  Machado, who was ninth in Hits in the NL, also turned a National League-leading 34 Double Plays at Third Base. 

9 (TIE). Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies, Designated Hitter: 161 Cup Points in 162 Games, 0.9938 Cup Points per Game.  4.7 bWAR, 111 Runs Scored, 145 Hits, 56 Home Runs, 132 Runs Batted In, 10 Stolen Bases, .240/.365/.928 Slash Line, .928 OPS & 150 OPS+.

This year’s All-Star Game MVP led the NL with 56 Home Runs and 132 RBIs, both of which were career highs.  He also had a career best in Hits (145), and was second in both Slugging and OPS, but his 197 Strikeouts cost him Cup Points. 

9 (TIE). Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays: 155 Cup Points in 146 Games. (#6 Last Week).  4.2 bWAR, 89 Runs, 149 Hits, 44 Home Runs, 108 Runs Batted In, .259/.302/.537 Slash Line, .839 OPS & 128 OPS+.

This was the (expected) breakout year for the 22-year-old Dominican Third Baseman, who exploded with 45 Home Runs, a .846 OPS, and the best bat on a promising Rays roster.  We can’t wait to see what “La Maxima” has next!

Soon, we will release updates that will show the complete list.

It is with great pleasure that we have brought back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the top five players with the most points, in descending order: 5-4-3-2-1. 

We know 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 more easily than 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, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing fewer innings than previous generations. This is also true for closers 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 we did: as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

Here is the current top ten after games concluded on September 18.

1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers:  200 Cup Points in 150 Games.  (#1 Last Week).  7.0 bWAR, 138 Runs, 164 Hits, 51 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, .283/.395/.617 Slash Line, 1.011 OPS & 179 OPS+.

2. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: 197 Cup Points in 143 Games. (#2 Last Week).  8.7 bWAR, 127 Runs, 167 Hits, 48 Home Runs, 104 Runs Batted In, .328/.453/.676 Slash Line, 1.129 OPS & 210 OPS+.

3. Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 178 Cup Points in 153 Games. (#3 Last Week).   3.4 bWAR, 82 Runs, 159 Hits, 37 Home Runs, 121 Runs Batted In, .270/.345/.526 Slash Line, .871 OPS & 144 OPS+.

4. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: 171 Cup Points in 150 Games. (#4 Last Week).   6.7 bWAR, 104 Runs, 139 Hits, 56 Home Runs, 118 Runs Batted In, .247/.359/.585 Slash Line, .945 OPS & 168 OPS+.

5. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 158 Cup Points in 152 Games. (#9 Last Week).   3.9 bWAR, 86 Runs, 164 Hits, 26 Home Runs, 92 Runs Batted In, .279/.339/.468 Slash Line, .807 OPS & 121 OPS+.

6 (TIE). Juan Soto, New York Mets: 155 Cup Points in 151 Games. #6 Last Week).   6.1 bWAR, 115 Runs, 143 Hits, 41 Home Runs, 100 Runs Batted In, .263/.394/.528 Slash Line, .922 OPS & 160 OPS+.

6 (TIE). Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies: 155 Cup Points in 153 Games.  (#5 Last Week).  4.8 bWAR, 106 Runs, 138 Hits, 53 Home Runs, 128 Runs Batted In, .243/.370/.567 Slash Line, .937 OPS & 152 OPS+.

6 (TIE). Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays: 155 Cup Points in 146 Games. (#6 Last Week).  4.2 bWAR, 89 Runs, 149 Hits, 44 Home Runs, 108 Runs Batted In, .259/.302/.537 Slash Line, .839 OPS & 128 OPS+.

9. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians:  153 Cup Points in 148 Games.  (#8 Last Week).  5.4 bWAR, 96 Runs, 157 Hits, 29 Home Runs, 80 Runs Batted In, .282/.357/.503 Slash Line, .860 OPS & 135 OPS+.

10. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 149 Cup Points in 151 Games. (#10 Last Week).   4.7 bWAR, 107 Runs, 161 Hits, 27 Home Runs, 78 Runs Batted In, .265/.341/.452 Slash Line, .793 OPS & 124 OPS+.

Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. fell out of the Top Ten.

Notably, 1,128 baseball players have earned at least 1 point, up from 1,115 last week.

It is with great pleasure that we have brought back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the top five players with the most points, in descending order: 5-4-3-2-1. 

We know 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 more easily than 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, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing fewer innings than previous generations. This is also true for closers 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 we did: as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

Here is the current top ten after games concluded on September 11.

1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers:  188 Cup Points in 137 Games.  (#1 Last Week).  6.5 bWAR, 131 Runs, 154 Hits, 48 Home Runs, 92 Runs Batted In, .280/.391/.609 Slash Line, 1.001 OPS & 143 OPS+.

2. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: 182 Cup Points in 136 Games. (#2 Last Week).  7.8 bWAR, 118 Runs, 158 Hits, 46 Home Runs, 100 Runs Batted In, .322/.443/.669 Slash Line, 1.112 OPS & 205 OPS+.

3. Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 164 Cup Points in 147 Games. (#3 Last Week).   3.0 bWAR, 76 Runs, 151 Hits, 33 Home Runs, 113 Runs Batted In, .267/.344/.511 Slash Line, .854 OPS & 141 OPS+.

4. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: 162 Cup Points in 144 Games. (#4 Last Week).   5.8 bWAR, 95 Runs, 129 Hits, 53 Home Runs, 113 Runs Batted In, .239/.354/.570 Slash Line, .923 OPS & 161 OPS+.

5. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies: 151 Cup Points in 147 Games.  (#5 Last Week).  4.4 bWAR, 100 Runs, 132 Hits, 50 Home Runs, 123 Runs Batted In, .242/.368/.560 Slash Line, .929 OPS & 150 OPS+.

6. Juan Soto, New York Mets: 140 Cup Points in 138 Games. #8 Last Week).   6.0 bWAR, 112 Runs, 137 Hits, 39 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, .264/.400/.528 Slash Line, .928 OPS & 163 OPS+.

7. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays: 147 Cup Points in 140 Games. (#6 Last Week).  3.8 bWAR, 87 Runs, 144 Hits, 42 Home Runs, 106 Runs Batted In, .261/.300/.538 Slash Line, .838 OPS & 127 OPS+.

8. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians:  146 Cup Points in 142 Games.  (#10 Last Week).  5.3 bWAR, 91 Runs, 152 Hits, 28 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, .285/.358/.507 Slash Line, .866 OPS & 136 OPS+.

9. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 145 Cup Points in 147 Games. (#8 Last Week).   3.4 bWAR, 81 Runs, 155 Hits, 23 Home Runs, 84 Runs Batted In, .272/.333/.452 Slash Line, .784 OPS & 115 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: 144 Cup Points in 142 Games. (#6 Last Week).  6.2 bWAR, 91 Runs, 163 Hits, 21 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, .293/.350/.497 Slash Line, .847 OPS & 134 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 144 Cup Points in 145 Games. (#10 Last Week).   4.4 bWAR, 100 Runs, 154 Hits, 26 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, .263/.337/.451 Slash Line, .787 OPS & 123 OPS+.

Detroit’s Riley Greene fell out of the Top Ten.

Notably, 1,115 baseball players have earned at least 1 point, up from 1,102 last week.

It is with great pleasure that we have brought back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the top five players with the most points, in descending order: 5-4-3-2-1. 

We know 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 more easily than 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, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing fewer innings than previous generations. This is also true for closers 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 we did: as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

Here is the current top ten after games concluded on September 4.

1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers:  179 Cup Points in 137 Games.  (#1 Last Week).  5.9 bWAR, 125 Runs, 148 Hits, 46 Home Runs, 87 Runs Batted In, .279/.387/.606 Slash Line, .993 OPS & 173 OPS+.

2. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: 173 Cup Points in 130 Games. (#2 Last Week).  7.4 bWAR, 112 Runs, 152 Hits, 43 Home Runs, 97 Runs Batted In, .322/.442/.663 Slash Line, 1.105 OPS & 203 OPS+.

3. Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 163 Cup Points in 140 Games. (#3 Last Week).   3.2 bWAR, 76 Runs, 146 Hits, 33 Home Rns, 113 Runs Batted In, .271/.349/.524 Slash Line, .873 OPS & 145 OPS+.

4. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: 156 Cup Points in 137 Games. (#4 Last Week).   5.7 bWAR, 90 Runs, 124 Hits, 51 Home Runs, 109 Runs Batted In, .242/.352/.578 Slash Line, .930 OPS & 163 OPS+.

5. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies: 146 Cup Points in 140 Games.  (#5 Last Week).  4.3 bWAR, 96 Runs, 126 Hits, 49 Home Runs, 119 Runs Batted In, .242/.365/.570 Slash Line, .935 OPS & 151 OPS+.

6 (TIE). Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: 141 Cup Points in 138 Games. (#9 Last Week).  5.9 bWAR, 90 Runs, 160 Hits, 21 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, .295/.354/.506 Slash Line, .859 OPS & 137 OPS+.

6 (TIE). Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays: 141 Cup Points in 134 Games. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week).  3.8 bWAR, 84 Runs, 139 Hits, 40 Home Runs, 102 Runs Batted In, .263/.304/.538 Slash Line, .842 OPS & 126 OPS+.

8 (TIE). Juan Soto, New York Mets: 140 Cup Points in 138 Games. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week).   5.6 bWAR, 107 Runs, 127 Hits, 37 Home Runs, 91 Runs Batted In, .259/.399/.521 Slash Line, .920 OPS & 161 OPS+.

8 (TIE). Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 140 Cup Points in 140 Games. (#9 Last Week).   3.7 bWAR, 80 Runs, 153 Hits, 22 Home Runs, 81 Runs Batted In, .283/.344/.465 Slash Line, .809 OPS & 121 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians:  138 Cup Points in 135 Games.  (#8 Last Week).  4.6 bWAR, 86 Runs, 142 Hits, 27 Home Runs, 71 Runs Batted In, .280/.354/.497 Slash Line, .851 OPS & 132 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers:  183 Cup Points in 137 Games.  (#10 Last Week).  2.6 bWAR, 75 Runs, 141 Hits, 32 Home Runs, 103 Runs Batted In, .269/.324/.511 Slash Line, .835 OPS & 125 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 138 Cup Points in 138 Games. (#6 Last Week).   4.3 bWAR, 96 Runs, 149 Hits, 26 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, .265/.335/.456 Slash Line, .791 OPS & 123 OPS+.

Nobody fell out of the Top Ten.

Notably, 1,102 baseball players have earned at least 1 point, up from 1,085 last week.

It is with great pleasure that we have brought back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the top five players with the most points, in descending order: 5-4-3-2-1. 

We know 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 more easily than 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, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing fewer innings than previous generations. This is also true for closers 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 we did: as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

Here is the current top ten after games concluded on July 31.

1. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: 156 Cup Points in 103 Games. (#1 Last Week).  6.6 bWAR, 90 Runs, 129 Hits, 37 Home Runs, 85 Runs Batted In, .342/.449/.711 Slash Line, 1.160 OPS & 216 OPS+.

2. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers:  136 Cup Points in 107 Games.  (#2 Last Week).  4.7 bWAR, 100 Runs, 113 Hits, 38 Home Runs, 73 Runs Batted In, .269/.373/.605 Slash Line, .978 OPS & 171 OPS+.

3. Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 130 Cup Points in 109 Games. (#2 Last Week).   2.4 bWAR, 54 Runs, 105 Hits, 22 Home Runs, 81 Runs Batted In, .259/.351/.491 Slash Line, .842 OPS & 142 OPS+.

4. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: 128 Cup Points in 107 Games. (#5 Last Week).   5.3 bWAR, 72 Runs, 103 Hits, 42 Home Runs, 88 Runs Batted In, .257/.364/.611 Slash Line, .975 OPS & 177 OPS+.

5. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 127 Cup Points in 109 Games. (#4 Last Week).   3.6 bWAR, 64 Runs, 127 Hits, 20 Home Runs, 71 Runs Batted In, .302/.362/.510 Slash Line, .871 OPS & 140 OPS+.

6. Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers:  112 Cup Points in 107 Games.  (#7 Last Week).  2.5 bWAR, 59 Runs, 115 Hits, 26 Home Runs, 84 Runs Batted In, .277/.324/.525 Slash Line, .850 OPS & 132 OPS+.

7 (TIE). Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies: 114 Cup Points in 108 Games.  (#10 Last Week).  3.7 bWAR, 76 Runs, 101 Hits, 37 Home Runs, 86 Runs Batted In, .253/.380/.576 Slash Line, .957 OPS & 159 OPS+.

7. (TIE). Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: 115 Cup Points in 108 Games. (#5 Last Week).  4.3 bWAR, 66 Runs, 123 Hits, 15 Home Runs, 60 Runs Batted In, .288/.339/.492 Slash Line, .831 OPS & 128 OPS+.

9. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 112 Cup Points in 107 Games. (#9 Last Week).   2.8 bWAR, 68 Runs, 107 Hits, 20 Home Runs, 59 Runs Batted In, .246/.311/.430 Slash Line, .741 OPS & 113 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians:  108 Cup Points in 105 Games.  (#8 Last Week).  4.6 bWAR, 68 Runs, 118 Hits, 21 Home Runs, 56 Runs Batted In, .298/.371/.520 Slash Line, .891 OPS & 143 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Juan Soto, New York Mets: 108 Cup Points in 107 Games.  (Not in the Top Ten Last Week).  4.2 bWAR, 75 Runs, 94 Hits, 25 Home Runs, 62 Runs Batted In, .248/.382/.488 Slash Line, .871 OPS & 151 OPS+.

Nobody fell out of the Top Ten.

Notably, 1,011 baseball players have earned at least 1 point, up from 992 last week.

It is with great pleasure that we have brought back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the top five players with the most points, in descending order: 5-4-3-2-1. 

We know 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 more easily than 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, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing fewer innings than previous generations. This is also true for closers 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 we did: as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

Here is the current top ten after games concluded on July 14.

1. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: 153 Cup Points in 96 Games. (#1 Last Week).  7.0 bWAR, 85 Runs, 125 Hits, 35 Home Runs, 81 Runs Batted In, .355/.462/.733 Slash Line, 1.194 OPS & 228 OPS+.

2. Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 125 Cup Points in 97 Games. (#2 Last Week).   3.1 bWAR, 53 Runs, 101 Hits, 21 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, .280/.376/.532 Slash Line, .908 OPS & 160 OPS+.

3. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers:  117 Cup Points in 95 Games.  (#4 Last Week).  4.3 bWAR, 91 Runs, 102 Hits, 32 Home Runs, 60 Runs Batted In, .276/.382/.605 Slash Line, .998 OPS & 174 OPS+.

4. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: 113 Cup Points in 94 Games. (#5 Last Week).   4.7 bWAR, 65 Runs, 90 Hits, 38 Home Runs, 82 Runs Batted In, .259/.376/.634 Slash Line, 1.011 OPS & 190 OPS+.

5. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: 112 Cup Points in 97 Games. (#3 Last Week).  4.5 bWAR, 57 Runs, 112 Hits, 14 Home Runs, 54 Runs Batted In, .294/.345/.504 Slash Line, .849 OPS & 134 OPS+.

6. Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers:  109 Cup Points in 95 Games.  (#6 Last Week).  2.8 bWAR, 53 Runs, 104 Hits, 24 Home Runs, 78 Runs Batted In, .284/.335/.544 Slash Line, .879 OPS & 142 OPS+.

7. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 105 Cup Points in 96 Games. (#8 Last Week).   2.9 bWAR, 57 Runs, 107 Hits, 17 Home Runs, 56 Runs Batted In, .292/.350/.490 Slash Line, .841 OPS & 133 OPS+.

8. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 104 Cup Points in 95 Games. (#7 Last Week).   3.0 bWAR, 63 Runs, 99 Hits, 19 Home Runs, 54 Runs Batted In, .260/.330/.457 Slash Line, .787 OPS & 126 OPS+.

9. (TIE) Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins:  98 Cup Points in 78 Games.  (#6 Last Week).  4.1 bWAR, 64 Runs, 86 Hits, 21 Home Runs, 56 Runs Batted In, .289/.351/.574 Slash Line, .925 OPS & 149 OPS+.

9. (TIE) Juan Soto, New York Mets: 98 Cup Points in 79 Games.  (Not in the Top Ten Last Week).  3.9 bWAR, 70 Runs, 89 Hits, 23 Home Runs, 56 Runs Batted In, .262/.396/.509 Slash Line, .905 OPS & 161 OPS+.

San Francisco’s Rafael Devers and Washington’s James Wood fell out of the Top Ten.

Notably, 974 baseball players have earned at least 1 point, up from 959 last week.

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.

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 906 (up from 886 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 ninth update, with standings as of the morning of July 17.

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

146 Cup Points, 92 Games, 1.59 Cup Points per Game, 34 Home Runs, 73 Runs Batted In, 11 SB, .301/.386/.665, 6.5 bWAR & 7-5, 3.32 ERA, 132 SO, 1.096 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani has been brilliant this week, and the chasm between the top spot and second spot continues to grow. Ohtani has cooled off with his Pitching, but is still third in Strikeouts (139). With his bat, Ohtani is the current American League leader in Home Runs (34), Triples (6), Slugging (.665), OPS (1.051), OPS+ (180) and Total Bases (236), while also being second in RBIs (73), fourth in OBP (.386) and seventh in Batting (.301). The AL MVP is his to lose.

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

122 Cup Points, 92 Games, 1.33 Cup Points per Game, 23 Home Runs, 58 Runs Batted In, 43 SB, .333/.414/.583, 5.4 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (43), Runs Scored (82), Slugging (.583), OPS (1.007), OPS+ (167) Total Bases (219) and bWAR (5.4). He is also second in Batting (.333) and third in OBP (.414).

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

111 Cup Points, 89 Games, 1.25 Cup Points per Game, 27 Home Runs, 65 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .286/.387/.592, 4.5 bWAR.

Betts has been on fire going into the All-Star Game, where he took over the National League Slugging lead for a brief time. He is also second in OPS (.979) and sixth in OBP (.387).

4. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #3 Last Week)

103 Cup Points, 90 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 23 Home Runs, 73 Runs Batted In, 2 SB, .261/.330/.523, 2.0 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 third in the AL in RBIs (73) and fourth in Home Runs (23).

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

99 Cup Points, 89 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game, 18 Home Runs, 48 Runs Batted In, 26 SB, .284/.359/.534, 3.8 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 sixth in the National League in bWAR (3.8), and is in the top ten in Slugging (.534), OPS (.894), Runs (64) and Stolen Bases (26).

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

99 Cup Points, 90 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 15 Home Runs, 51 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .262/.414/.478, 3.2 bWAR.

Soto is still the National League leader in Walks (86) and is second in OBP (.414) and eighth in OPS (.893).

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

98 Cup Points, 93 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 30 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .258/.360/.573, 2.6 bWAR.

Olson has the National League lead in both Home Runs (30) and RBIs (77) and he is also third in Slugging (.573) and fourth in OPS (.933).

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

96 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.13 Cup Points per Game, 3 Home Runs, 41 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .380/.431/.468, 4.0 bWAR.

Arraez is the runaway leader in Batting Average and is also the National League leader in Hits (130) and On Base Percentage (.431). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.468) for a player with only three Home Runs.

9. Luis Robert: Chicago White Sox, Outfield: (Unranked, Last Week)

90 Cup Points, 92 Games, 0.98 Cup Points per Game, 27 Home Runs, 56 Runs Batted In, 8 SB, .276/.332/.575, 4.2 bWAR.

Robert makes a triumphant return to the top ten and is currently second in the AL in Home Runs (27) and bWAR (4.2). He is also third in Slugging (.575) and fourth in OPS (.908).

10. Jorge Soler: Miami Marlins, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (#9, Last Week)

89 Cup Points, 91 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 52 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .246/.346/.521, 1.5 bWAR.

Soler is playing more and more at DH this year, but he is providing the Marlins incredible offense. He is fifth in NL Home Runs (22), and seventh in Extra Base Hits (42).

Texas’ Marcus Semien fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of July 24.

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 886 (up from 865 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 eighth update, with standings as of the morning of July 4.

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

142 Cup Points, 85 Games, 1.67 Cup Points per Game, 31 Home Runs, 68 Runs Batted In, 11 SB, .303/.390/.664, 6.7 bWAR & 7-3, 3.02 ERA, 127 SO, 1.038 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani has been brilliant this week, and the chasm between the top spot and second spot continues to grow. He is off to a good pitching start, leading the AL in H/9 (5.7), SO/9 (12.0) and is second in Strikeouts (127). With his bat, Ohtani is the current American League leader in Home Runs (31), Triples (5), Slugging (.664), OPS (1.054), OPS+ (183) and Total Bases (217), whie also being second in RBIs (68), third in OBP (.390) and seventh in Batting (.303). The AL MVP is his to lose.

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

113 Cup Points, 84 Games, 1.35 Cup Points per Game, 21 Home Runs, 54 Runs Batted In, 40 SB, .335/.413/.599, 4.9 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (40), Runs Scored (77), Slugging (.599), OPS (1.012), OPS+ (168) Total Bases (202) and bWAR (4.9). He is also second in Batting (.335), and fourth in OBP (.413).

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

94 Cup Points, 81 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 20 Home Runs, 66 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .256/.326/.505, 1.8 bWAR.

Devers remains a surprise as he vaulted back to #3. #6 and is currently third in the AL in RBIs (60) and fourth in Home Runs (20).

4. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

93 Cup Points, 85 Games, 1.10 Cup Points per Game, 15 Home Runs, 46 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .277/.426/.500, 3.7 bWAR.

Soto is still the National League leader in Walks (77) and is second in OBP (.426) and OPS (.926). He is also fourth in bWAR (3.7), OPS (.927).

5. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #8 Last Week)

91 Cup Points, 84 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 28 Home Runs, 68 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .250/.354/.571, 1.8 bWAR.

Olson is on fire and has the National League lead in both Home Runs (28) and RBIs (68). He is also second in Slugging (.571) and third in OPS (.925).

6 (TIE). Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (#10, Last Week)

90 Cup Points, 77 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 22 Home Runs, 56 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .268/.371/.550, 3.8 bWAR.

Betts had a phenomenal week, where he moved up to eighth in bWAR (3.6), fifth in Slugging (.550) and sixth in OPS (.920). He is also in the top four in both Home Runs and Runs Batted In.

6 (TIE). Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (#4, Last Week)

90 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.13 Cup Points per Game, 3 Home Runs, 41 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .388/.438/.479, 3.7 bWAR.

Arraez is flirting with a .400 Batting Average and he is currently the National League leader in Hits (119), Batting Average (.388) and On Base Percentage (.438). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.479) for a player with only three Home Runs.

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

86 Cup Points, 80 Games, 1.08 Cup Points per Game, 17 Home Runs, 44 Runs Batted In, 24 SB, .289/.365/.557, 3.7 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 seventh in the National League in bWAR (3.7), and is in the top ten in Batting Average (.289), OBP (.365), Slugging (.557), Runs (60), Home Runs (17) and Stolen Bases (24).

9. Jorge Soler: Miami Marlins, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (#5, Last Week)

84 Cup Points, 75 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 22 Home Runs, 47 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .242/.338/.513, 1.2 bWAR.

Soler is playing more and more at DH this year, but he is providing the Marlins incredible offense. He is third in NL Home Runs (22), and sixth in Championship WPA (1.4).

10. Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #9, Last Week)

81 Cup Points, 77 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 56 Runs Batted In, 9 SB, .283/.347/.456, 3.6 bWAR.

Semien is having an outstanding 2023, though he has substantially cooled off in the last month. He is the current AL leader in Runs Scored (67) and is fourth in bWAR for Position Players (3.6).

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

Our next update will be the afternoon of July 10.

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 865 (up from 847 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 eighth update, with standings as of the morning of June 26.

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

126 Cup Points, 77 Games, 1.64 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 61 Runs Batted In, 10 SB, .297/.377/.623, 5.4 bWAR & 6-3, 3.13 ERA, 117 SO, 1.045 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani has been brilliant this week, and the chasm between the top spot and second spot has never been higher. He is off to a good pitching start, leading the AL in H/9 (5.7), SO/9 (11.8) and is third in Strikeouts (117). With his bat, Ohtani is the current American League leader in Home Runs (25), Runs Batted In (61), Slugging (.623), OPS (1.001) and OPS+ (170) and Total Bases (187). The AL MVP is his to lose.

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

94 Cup Points, 77 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 16 Home Runs, 47 Runs Batted In, 35 SB, .328/.402/.561, 4.2 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (30), Runs Scored (67), Slugging (.561), OPS (.962) Total Bases (176) and bWAR (4.2). He is also second in Batting (.328), and fifth in OBP (.402).

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

89 Cup Points, 79 Games, 1.13 Cup Points per Game, 14 Home Runs, 41 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .273/.425/.502, 3.4 bWAR.

Soto is still the National League leader in Walks (71) and is second in OBP (.425). He is also fourth in OPS (.927).

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

85 Cup Points, 73 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 3 Home Runs, 33 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .388/.451/.493, 3.5 bWAR.

Arraez is flirting with a .400 Batting Average and he is currently the National League leader in Hits (111), Batting Average (.399) and On Base Percentage (.451). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.493) for a player with only three Home Runs.

5. Jorge Soler: Miami Marlins, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (#3, Last Week)

84 Cup Points, 75 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 21 Home Runs, 45 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .247/.345/.524, 1.2 bWAR.

Soler is playing more and more at DH this year, but he is providing the Marlins incredible offense. He is third in NL Home Runs (21), and ninth in Slugging (.524).

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

83 Cup Points, 75 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 18 Home Runs, 60 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .241/.312/.486, 1.3 bWAR.

Devers holds strong on at #6 and is currently second in the AL in RBIs (60) and fourth in Home Runs (18).

7. Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

81 Cup Points, 62 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 16 Home Runs, 41 Runs Batted In, 23 SB, .290/.369/.558, 3.7 bWAR.

Carroll is running away with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and it is only June! At present, the young Outfielder is third in the National League in bWAR (3.7), and is in the top ten in Batting Average (.290), OBP (.369), Slugging (.558), Runs (59), Home Runs (18) and Stolen Bases (23).

8. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #10 Last Week)

78 Cup Points, 75 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 25 Home Runs, 58 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .238/.350/.541, 1.8 bWAR.

Olson took over the National League lead in both Home Runs (25), RBIs (60) and is sixth in Slugging (.541)

9. Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #9, Last Week)

75 Cup Points, 77 Games, 0.97 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 54 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .278/.339/.459, 3.3 bWAR.

Semien is having an outstanding 2023, though he has substantially cooled off in the last three weeks. He is the current AL leader in Runs Scored (62) and is fourth in bWAR for Position Players (3.3).

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

74 Cup Points, 77 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 49 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .248/.342/.408, 1.9 bWAR.

Bregman gives Houston a top-ten entrant, and is currently tenth (49) in American League RBIs.

10 (TIE). Mookie Betts: Los Angeles Dodgers, Outfield: (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

74 Cup Points, 77 Games, 0.96 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 47 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .258/.354/.512, 2.6 bWAR.

Betts returns to the top ten, and is ninth in RBIs (47).

New York’s (AL) Aaron Judge fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of July 3.

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 847 (up from 827 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 seventh update, with standings as of the morning of June 19.

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

115 Cup Points, 72 Games, 1.60 Cup Points per Game, 24 Home Runs, 58 Runs Batted In, 10 SB, .300/.384/.632, 4.9 bWAR & 6-2, 3.29 ERA, 105 SO, 1.049 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. Ohtani has been brilliant this week, and the chasm between the top spot and second spot has never been higher. He is off to a good pitching start, leading the AL in H/9 (5.596) and is second in Strikeouts (105). With his bat, Ohtani has taken over the American League lead in Home Runs (24), Runs Batted In (58) and Total Bases (175). The AL MVP is his to lose.

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

95 Cup Points, 72 Games, 1.32 Cup Points per Game, 15 Home Runs, 45 Runs Batted In, 30 SB, .325/.403/.561, 3.6 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in Stolen Bases (30) and is second in Runs Scored (63), and is second in bWAR (3.6). He is in the top sixth in all three Slash Line components, and is second in OPS (.964).

3. Jorge Soler: Miami Marlins, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (#4, Last Week)

81 Cup Points, 68 Games, 1.19 Cup Points per Game, 20 Home Runs, 42 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .260/.366/.553, 1.6 bWAR.

Soler is playing more and more at DH this year, but he is providing the Marlins incredible offense. He is second in NL Home Runs 209), and sixth in Slugging (.553), and seventh in OPS (.919).

4. Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

79 Cup Points, 62 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 15 Home Runs, 38 Runs Batted In, 19 SB, .305/.386/.589, 3.6 bWAR.

Carroll is running away with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and it is only June! At present, the young Outfielder is leading the National League in bWAR (3.6), Offensive bWAR (3.6), Slugging (.589), OPS (.975) and OPS+ (164). Carroll is also in the top ten in Batting Average (.305), Stolen Bases (19) and Hits (75).

5. Juan Soto: San Diego Padres, Outfield: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

77 Cup Points, 65 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 34 Runs Batted In, 5 SB, .252/.408/.459, 2.6 bWAR.

Soto is still the National League leader in Walks (64) and is fourth in OBP (.408). He is also eighth in OPS (.853).

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

76 Cup Points, 57 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 17 Home Runs, 57 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .245/.307/.498, 1.2 bWAR.

Devers holds strong on at #6 and is currently third in the AL in RBIs (57) and third in Home Runs (17).

7. Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #8, Last Week)

73 Cup Points, 71 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 54 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .279/.342/.466, 3.1 bWAR.

Semien is having an outstanding 2023, though he has substantially cooled off in the last two weeks. He is the current AL leader in Runs Scored (59) and is third in bWAR for Position Players (3.1).

8. Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (#9, Last Week)

72 Cup Points, 67 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 2 Home Runs, 33 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .388/.440/.480, 2.7 bWAR.

Arraez is flirting with a .400 Batting Average and he is currently the National League leader in Hits (97), Batting Average (.388) and On Base Percentage (.440). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.480) for a player with only two Home Runs.

9. Aaron Judge: New York Yankees, Outfield: (Ranked #7, Last Week)

70 Cup Points, 49 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 40 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .291/.404/.674, 1.9 bWAR.

A toe injury kept Judge out of the lineup the last two week, thus he tumbled four spots on the NIHOF Cup leaderboard. Last year’s NIHOF Cup winner and Home Run leader is still leading the AL in Slugging (.674), OPS (.674), OPS+ (192) and is second in Home Runs (19).

10. Matt Olson: Atlanta Braves, First Base: (Ranked #6 Last Week)

68 Cup Points, 73 Games, 0.93 Cup Points per Game, 20 Home Runs, 51 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .233/.348/.502, 1.3 bWAR.

Olson makes it to the top ten giving Atlanta two members in the top ten. He is second in both Home Runs (20), RBIs (51) and is forth in Walks (47)

Houston’s Yordan Alvarez fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of June 26.

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 827 (up from 796 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 sixth update, with standings as of the morning of June 12.

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

98 Cup Points, 65 Games, 1.51 Cup Points per Game, 18 Home Runs, 46 Runs Batted In, 9 SB, .287/.359/.571, 3.5 bWAR & 5-2, 3.32 ERA, 102 SO, 1.039 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. After a flat week, Ohtani exploded offensively and is off to his best pitching start, leading the AL in H/9 (8.9) and is second in Strikeouts (102). With his bat, Ohtani is second in the league in Home Runs (18), third in Slugging (.571) and fourth in OPS (.930). Ohtani is also leading the AL in Extra Base Hits (33).

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

82 Cup Points, 65 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 13 Home Runs, 37 Runs Batted In, 28 SB, .331/.402/.563, 3.3 bWAR.

Acuna leads all National League batters in bWAR (3.3) and Stolen Bases (28) and is second in Runs Scored (56). He is in the top four in all three Slash Line components.

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

73 Cup Points, 65 Games, 1.12 Cup Points per Game, 10 Home Runs, 32 Runs Batted In, 6 SB, .258/.406/.462, 2.4 bWAR.

Soto is still the National League leader in Walks (56) and is fourth in OBP (.406). He is also sixth in OPS+ (146).

4 (TIE). Corbin Carroll: Arizona Diamondbacks, Outfield: (Not Ranked, Last Week)

72 Cup Points, 62 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 13 Home Runs, 33 Runs Batted In, 19 SB, .308/.389/.579, 3.1 bWAR.

Carroll is running away with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and it is only June! At present, the young Outfielder is in the top seven in all Slash Line components and is second in Stolen Bases (19).

4 (TIE). Jorge Soler: Miami Marlins, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (#6, Last Week)

72 Cup Points, 62 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 38 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .258/.346/.559, 1.4 bWAR.

Soler is playing more and more at DH this year, but he is providing the Marlins incredible offense. He is second in NL Home Runs (19), fifth in Slugging (.559), and seventh in OPS (.905).

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

71 Cup Points, 57 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 15 Home Runs, 52 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .247/.300/.494, 1.1 bWAR.

Devers reversed course and had his first rank increase in some time. He is currently third in the AL in RBIs (52) and fourth in Home Runs (15).

7. Aaron Judge: New York Yankees, Outfield: (Ranked #2, Last Week)

70 Cup Points, 49 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game, 19 Home Runs, 40 Runs Batted In, 3 SB, .291/.404/.674, 1.9 bWAR.

A toe injury kept Judge out of the lineup the last week, thus he tumpled four spots on the NIHOF Cup leaderboard. Last year’s NIHOF Cup winner and Home Run leader is still leading the AL in Slugging (.674), OPS (.674), OPS+ (192) and Home Runs (19).

8 (TIE). Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #4, Last Week)

68 Cup Points, 64 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 51 Runs Batted In, 7 SB, .296/.361/.5487, 3.2 bWAR.

Semien is having an outstanding 2023, though he is coming off a poor week. He is the current AL leader in Runs Scored (57) and is second in bWAR for Position Players (3.2).

9 (TIE). Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Outfield & Designated Hitter: (Ranked #6 Last Week)

67 Cup Points, 57 Games, 1.07 Cup Points per Game, 17 Home Runs, 55 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .277/.388/.589, 2.0 bWAR.

Alvarez is one the game’s best hitters and the current American League leader in RBIs (55). He is also in the top ten in OBP, Slugging, OPS, Home Runs, Walks and OPS+.

9 (TIE). Luis Arraez: Miami Marlins, Second Base: (#9, Last Week)

67 Cup Points, 54 Games, 1.06 Cup Points per Game, 1 Home Run, 29 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .397/.447/.485, 2.8 bWAR.

Arraez is flirting with a .400 Batting Average and he is currently the National League leader in Hits (91), Batting Average (.397) and On Base Percentage (.447). He also has a very impressive Slugging Percentage (.485) for a player with only one Home Run.

Los Angeles’ (NL) Mookie Betts and New York’s (NL) Pete Alonso fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the afternoon of June 19.