Several breakout hitters and returning stars have climbed the ranks in the latest Major League Baseball Hitter Power Rankings, according to an April 16 update from MLB.com. The rankings, based on votes from a group of MLB.com experts, reflect performances through Tuesday’s games in the ongoing 2026 season.
The updated list highlights significant shifts among top hitters as early-season results come into focus. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers remains at number one, maintaining his preseason position with a .254 batting average, five home runs, and an impressive on-base streak that is now the fourth longest by a Dodgers player since 1900. “Ohtani carried the longest active on-base streak in MLB into Wednesday’s series finale against the Mets,” according to MLB.com.
Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros makes a notable entry at number two after missing much of last season due to injury. Alvarez leads Major League qualifiers with a .799 expected slugging percentage and is tied for third most home runs in baseball this year. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees holds third place; despite what some consider a slow start for him, Judge has launched three home runs in his last three games and continues to demonstrate elite power metrics.
Other key names include Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals at fourth place following his surge to eight home runs—already surpassing last year’s total—and Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies at fifth after recording six homers so far this season. The list also features Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks), Ben Rice (Yankees), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays), Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles), and Andy Pages (Dodgers).
Additional players receiving votes were Mike Trout, Oneil Cruz, Matt Olson, Bobby Witt Jr., James Wood, Brice Turang, Yandy DÃaz, Drake Baldwin, Sal Stewart, and Chase DeLauter.
The rankings underscore how early-season performance can quickly reshape expectations across teams as both established stars and emerging talents impact their clubs’ prospects.
