Ranking the 10 best players in NL East

3. Ronald Acuna Jr., RF, Atlanta Braves

You didn’t forget about him, did you? In 2023, Acuna earned his first MVP Award after leading the majors in runs (149), hits (217), stolen bases (73) and on-base percentage (416). He also led the NL with a 1.012 OPS and 171 OPS+.

With the baseball world anxious to see how he’d follow up his MVP campaign, Acuna’s season was cut short after tearing his ACL for the second time in his career. It was one of the many costly injuries the Braves suffered last year. Luckily, Acuna should be ready for the start of the season.

4. Bryce Harper, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies

Harper continues to live up to expectations approaching his age-32 season. After assimilating quite well to full-time first base duties, he put up an .898 OPS with 30 home runs, 42 doubles and 87 RBI en route to his eighth All-Star appearance, another Silver Slugger and finishing sixth in MVP voting. 

His 2024 campaign was the first in two seasons where he avoided a long-term injury. If he can remain healthy in 2025, expect him to still be among the best in the game. The one thing that continues to evade Harper? A World Series ring, which he and the Phillies will once again compete for in 2025. 

5. Francisco Lindor, SS, New York Mets

Lindor doesn’t possess the hardware or accolades to show how important he’s been to the Mets since his arrival in January 2021. In his fourth season with New York in 2024, he was one of the driving forces behind its magical postseason run. 

He finished second in MVP voting and earned the fourth Silver Slugger of his career after turning in a .273/.344/.500 slash line, 33 home runs, 91 RBI and 29 stolen bases while playing stellar defense at shortstop. Now paired with Soto, Lindor hopes to have another fantastic year at the plate for the Amazins (and perhaps his first All-Star appearance as a Met, too.)

6. Chris Sale, LHP, Atlanta Braves

After years of dominance on the mound and countless injuries, Sale finally earned his first Cy Young Award in 2024. In his first season with the Braves, the 35-year-old had an MLB-best 18 wins and a 2.38 ERA with 225 Ks in 177.2 innings. He was named an All-Star for the eighth time and won a Gold Glove Award.

Sale will turn 36 at the start of the 2025 season and, as mentioned, has a lengthy injury history. Atlanta must consider that as he approaches free agency at the end of the year.

7. Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies

Schwarber is your quintessential baseball player. He hits towering home runs and is, by all accounts, a terrific clubhouse leader. Schwarber put up better offensive numbers last season after shifting to designated hitter full-time. He settled for 38 home runs among his 142 hits, the most during his Phillies tenure thus far; he also led the NL with 106 walks.

Schwarber will likely be blasting more homers in 2025, but it might not be out of the leadoff spot, as Philadelphia reportedly plans to shuffle its lineup. Fortunately, his bat will still translate well wherever the club sticks him.

8. Spencer Strider, RHP, Atlanta Braves

Another Brave you might have forgotten about is Strider, whose 2024 campaign ended prematurely after elbow discomfort resulted in Tommy John surgery. 

He will return to the mound in 2025, attempting to follow up his strong 2023 campaign, during which he led the majors in strikeouts (281). He won 20 games and had a 3.86 ERA in 186.2 innings.

9. Matt Olson, 1B, Atlanta Braves

Following up a 54-HR, 139-RBI season is challenging, which was the case for Olson in 2024. He still hit 29 homers and drove in 98 runs, but carrying the Braves offense proved daunting.

That said, Olson has impressed during his three seasons in Atlanta, with a .862 OPS in 486 games. Entering his age-31 season, he hopes to lead the Braves to another deep postseason run as many of his teammates return from injury.

10. Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Miami Marlins

Like Strider, Alcantara is returning from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season. After winning the Cy Young Award in 2022, Alcantara seemed to be following that up with similar dominance in 2023 — pitching three complete games and a shutout. 

However, he had a poor second half and ended the season on the injured list. An MRI revealed a UCL sprain. Barring a trade, he'll be the Marlins' lone bright spot in 2025.