Every MLB Team's Greatest Hitter of All Time - All 30 Franchises

Every MLB Team's Greatest Hitter of All Time - All 30 Franchises. Read Every MLB Team's Greatest Hitter of All Time - All 30 Franchises

Every MLB Team's Greatest Hitter of All Time - All 30 Franchises

While we have already ranked every team’s greatest player at each infield position (1B, 2B, 3B, SS, C) and outfield (LF, CF, RF), it is now time to look at the best hitter from each MLB team. Since there are many Hall of Fame names to choose from, there will likely be many highly respected snubs. Where did we go wrong? Who should have been on the list? Let us know in the comments!

Arizona Diamondbacks

Luis Gonzalez

Without a doubt, Luis Gonzalez holds the first spot on the list. Gonzalez spent eight of his 19 MLB seasons in the desert. During this stretch, Gonzalez was named to five All-Star teams and won a Silver Slugger during the 2001 campaign. He also finished third in MVP voting during the 2001 campaign. His iconic moment with the club was hitting the walk-off hit in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.

Athletics

Rickey Henderson

The Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson will hold the next spot on the list. The Athletics legend spent 14 of his 25 MLB campaigns with the club. As an Athletic, Henderson would hold an overall .288/.409/.430 line with an .839 OPS. From 1980 through 1984, Henderson led the sport in stolen bases every season and even tallied over 100 swiped bags in three of those seasons. Henderson was also a 10-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger, and a one-time Gold Glove winner.

Atlanta Braves

Hank Aaron

The legendary Hank Aaron represents the Atlanta Braves on this list. Aaron spent 21 of his 23 MLB seasons with the Braves, which were split between Milwaukee and Atlanta. During these legendary seasons, Aaron was named to the All-Star team in each campaign and won a World Series during the 1957 season. He also won a three-time Gold Glove and was awarded the MVP during the 1957 season when he led the sport with 44 round-trippers.

Baltimore Orioles

Cal Ripken Jr. 

One of the easiest decisions on this list, there’s not ample enough space here to encapsulate Ripken’s greatness. He’ll always be remembered for breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak – a record that was long thought to be unbreakable – but it’s not like he was simply showing up to the ballpark, as Ripken played at a Hall of Fame level for close to two decades. He helped lead the O’s to a World Series title in 1983, was a two-time AL MVP, and a 19-time All-Star.

Boston Red Sox

Ted Williams

While Carl Yastrzemski could hold this spot for several teams, the all-time great will represent the Boston Red Sox on this list. Williams spent his entire 19-year MLB career with the Red Sox and even lost three seasons due to military service. As a Red Sox, Williams was named to 19 All-Star teams, won six Batting Titles, and captured two MVPs. He led the sport in OPS 10 times and WAR six times.

Chicago Cubs

Sammy Sosa

Despite his scandal with performance-enhancing drugs, there is no doubt that Sammy Sosa was the greatest outfielder in Chicago Cubs history. Sosa spent 13 of his 18 seasons with the Cubs. From 1995 through 2002, Sosa was named to the All-Star team in each campaign. Sosa also won the MVP during his legendary 1998 season when he hit 66 home runs and led the sport with 158 RBI. He finished his time with the Cubs, having hit 545 home runs.

Chicago White Sox

Minnie Minoso

Chicago White Sox legend Minnie Minoso will hold the next spot on this list. Minoso spent 12 of his 20 seasons of his Hall of Fame career on the South Side of Chicago. During his tenure with the club, Minoso would accumulate an impressive 41.4 WAR. He was elite in both aspects of the game, earning a spot on the 13 All-Star teams and winning three Gold Gloves. While he never won the MVP, he finished within the top four in voting in three seasons.

Cincinnati Reds

Johnny Bench

One of the greatest players at the catcher position will take the next spot on the list. Johnny Bench spent his entire 17-year Hall of Fame career with the Cincinnati Reds. As a Red, Bench would win Rookie of the Year during the 1968 campaign and win MVP in 1970 and 1972. Bench would lead the sport in home runs twice and RBI three times. He would also be named to 14 All-Star teams and be awarded an incredible 10 Gold Gloves.

Cleveland Guardians

Tris Speaker

Tris Speaker is regarded as one of the greatest center fielders in league history. Speaker began his Hall of Fame career in Boston before moving to Cleveland, where he would play nine seasons. During his time in Cleveland, Speaker would lead the sport in doubles six times and hits once. During this stretch, he held a cumulative .354/.444/.520 slash line and accumulated an impressive 74.9 total WAR.

Colorado Rockies

Todd Helton

A member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Helton is not only the greatest first baseman in Rockies history, but the franchise’s greatest overall player. He tops the Colorado record books in hits, HRs, RBIs, doubles, walks, and WAR. Throughout his 17-year career in Denver, Helton captured four Silver Sluggers, three Gold Gloves, and one Batting Title.

Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera

One of the greatest right-handed hitters of all time, Cabrera’s 2012 Triple Crown achievement stands out among his long list of accomplishments, as he was the first player since 1967 to do it and currently stands as the last player to accomplish the feat. While Miggy would be a slam dunk selection for most organizations, we have to mention Tigers greats Ty Cobb and Hank Greenberg here as well, as they still stack up favorably to Cabrera in some statistical measurements.

Houston Astros

Craig Biggio

The long-time Astro holds the next spot on this list. Craig Biggio spent his entire 20-year MLB Hall of Fame career with the Astros. While Biggio did see time behind the dish, he was primarily recognized as a second baseman. During his illustrious career, Biggio was named to seven All-Star teams and awarded four Gold Gloves and five Silver Slugger awards. Biggio was a staple in the starting nine during his career, as he led the sport in PA five times and games three times.

Kansas City Royals

George Brett

George Brett is the next Hall of Famer to find a spot on this list. Brett spent his entire 21-year MLB career with the Royals and has become an integral part of the team’s history. During these 21 seasons, the third baseman would be named to 13 All-Star teams, win three Silver Sluggers, and one Gold Glove. He claimed three batting titles and won the World Series during the 1985 season. Lastly, he captured the MVP award in 1980 when he posted a .390/.454/.664/1.118 OPS line (all marks led the sport) with 33 doubles, 24 home runs, and 15 stolen bases.

Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout

Mike Trout will be one of the few modern-day players who will hold a spot on this list. While Trout has been shifted to the corner outfield this season, he spent the vast majority of his legendary career in center field. The future Hall of Famer has taken home three AL MVPs, nine Silver Sluggers, and has been named to 11 All-Star teams. Trout was named Rookie of the Year in 2012 and has also been named the MVP of the All-Star Game twice. In addition, Trout led the sport in WAR in five straight seasons (2012-2016).

Los Angeles Dodgers

Jackie Robinson

The legendary Jackie Robinson holds the next spot on this list. In addition to his profound impact on American society, Robinson was one of the greatest players of all time. During his 10-year career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson was a six-time All-Star. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1947 and MVP during the 1949 campaign. Robinson led the sport in WAR three times and stolen bases twice.

Miami Marlins

Giancarlo Stanton

Even though many view Giancarlo Stanton as a true DH in today’s game, he began his career as a primary right fielder in Miami. Through eight seasons with the Florida/Miami Marlins, the slugger would become the first right fielder in team history to tally over 900 hits with the club.  As a Marlin, Stanton would launch 267 home runs, be named to four All-Star teams, and, more importantly, win the 2017 MVP when he led the league with 59 round-trippers.

Milwaukee Brewers

Robin Yount 

Yount is the landslide winner here, as he’s not just the greatest shortstop in Brewers history, but the greatest overall player. He transitioned to centerfield later in his career, but Yount won the AL MVP and a Gold Glove while playing shortstop in 1982. He tallied over 3,000 hits in his career and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Minnesota Twins

Kirby Puckett

The next Hall of Famer that holds a spot on this list is Kirby Puckett. Puckett spent all 12 seasons of his career with the Twins. During his professional career, Puckett was named to 10 All-Star teams, awarded six Gold Gloves, and was awarded six Silver Sluggers. Puckett led the sport in hits four times and claimed the AL Batting Title during the 1989 campaign. He was also a two-time World Series Champion. While he never won an MVP, he finished within the top three in voting three times.

New York Mets

Darryl Strawberry

The power-hitting right fielder will represent the Mets on this list. Strawberry spent eight of his 17 seasons in Queens. Through eight seasons with the Mets, Strawberry would be named to seven All-Star teams and would win two Silver Sluggers. He would waste little time making an impact as he won Rookie of the Year during his debut campaign. He also led the sport in home runs (39) during the 1998 season.

New York Yankees

Babe Ruth

Without a doubt, the legendary Babe Ruth will represent the Bronx Bombers on this list. Through 15 seasons in the Bronx, Ruth would lead the sport in WAR 10 times and in RBI 12 times. Through his time as a Yankee, Ruth would hold an overall .349/.484/.711 slash line with 659 round-trippers.

Philadelphia Phillies

Mike Schmidt

The Philadelphia legend will take the next spot on the list. Schmidt spent the entirety of his 18-year Hall of Fame career in Philadelphia. During his impressive career, Schmidt was named to 12 All-Star teams and won three MVP awards. He would also add 10 Gold Gloves and six Silver Sluggers. Schmidt led the sport in one-run games eight times and in OPS five times. During the 1980 campaign, Schmidt would hit a career-best 48 long balls.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Roberto Clemente

The legendary Roberto Clemente will represent the Pittsburgh Pirates on this list. Clemente spent all 18 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Pirates. Throughout his career, Clemente was named to 15 All-Star teams and captured 12 Gold Gloves. He won four Batting Titles, an MVP, and a World Series.

San Diego Padres

Tony Gwynn

Another franchise icon will take a spot on this list. Tony Gwynn spent his entire 20-season Hall of Fame career with the San Diego Padres. Gwynn would be named to 15 All-Star teams, win seven Silver Sluggers, and a Gold Glove. Gwynn was an elite contact hitter, as he won eight Batting Titles and led the sport in total hits eight times.

San Francisco Giants

Willie Mays

One of the greatest players in baseball history will hold the next spot on the list. The great Willie Mays spent 21 of his 23 MLB seasons as a Giant (split between New York and San Francisco). Through these 21 seasons, Mays was named to the All-Star team in all but two seasons. Mays was awarded a remarkable 12 Gold Gloves and was a two-time MVP. He led the sport in WAR 10 of these seasons and was on the 1954 World Series roster.

Seattle Mariners

Ken Griffey Jr.

Another all-time great holds the next spot on the list. Ken Griffey Jr. spent 13 of his 22 Hall of Fame seasons with the Mariners. “The Kid” made the All-Star team in every season following his rookie year as a Mariner. He was awarded 10 Gold Gloves and added seven Silver Sluggers. In addition, Griffey was no stranger to the spotlight as he won the Home Run Derby three times.

St. Louis Cardinals

Albert Pujols

Pujols isn’t just the best first baseman in Cardinals history; he’s one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game. A three-time NL MVP and two-time World Series champion with the Cards, Pujols started his career with 10 consecutive seasons with a .300 batting average, 30 HRs, and 100 RBIs. He returned to St. Louis for the final season of his career in 2022, and ultimately swatted 469 of his 703 career homers in a Cardinals uniform.

Tampa Bay Rays

Evan Longoria

Evan Longoria stands alone when looking at the franchise record books. He is the only third baseman in franchise history to be in the 1,000-hit club. Through 10 seasons in Tampa Bay (16 total MLB seasons), Longoria would be named to three AL All-Star teams. Longoria would also be productive on the defensive side of the game, winning three Gold Gloves. In his debut season, he won Rookie of the Year when he hit 31 doubles and 27 home runs.

Texas Rangers

Ivan Rodriguez

Without a doubt, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez will represent the Texas Rangers on this list. The Hall of Fame backstop spent 13 of his 21 MLB campaigns with the Rangers. Rodriguez would make the AL All-Star team in all but two of these campaigns. From 1992 through 2001, Rodriguez would win A Gold Glove in each season and be awarded six Silver Sluggers. He also took home the AL MVP during the 1999 campaign.

Toronto Blue Jays

George Bell

Without a doubt, George Bell will hold the next spot on the list. Bell spent nine of his 12 MLB seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. He finished his tenure in Toronto with 1,294 hits, which are the most among primary left fielders in franchise history. During the 1987 season, Bell was named MVP after leading the sport with 136 RBI. He was also named to three All-Star teams and claimed three Silver Sluggers.

Washington Nationals

Bryce Harper

Despite spending only seven seasons in D.C., Harper enjoyed a legendary run with the Nationals. The former top prospect would win Rookie of the Year honors during his debut campaign in 2012. He would then win the 2015 NL MVP when he led the sport in OBP, SLG, and OPS. He would be named to six All-Star teams and take home a Silver Slugger before moving to Philadelphia.