The Los Angeles Dodgers are the top-ranked team in Box-Toppers’ 2022 preseason rankings. They also ended 2021 as Box-Toppers’ top-ranked team.
Box-Toppers 2022 preseason team rankings
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the top-ranked preseason team in Box-Toppers rankings. Players on their preseason roster accumulated 139.1 Box-Toppers points in the 2021 season. Shown below in the 2022 column is the accumulated 2021 Box-Toppers point total for each player on that team’s current roster (as of March 25). Also shown in the 2021 column is each team’s Box-Toppers point total at the end of last season. The final column (+/-) shows the change in team rosters’ Box-Toppers points from the end of last season until now.| Teams | 2021 | 2022 | +/- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodgers | 146.7 | 139.1 | -7.6 |
| 2 | Mets | 103.0 | 125.8 | +22.8 |
| 3 | White Sox | 124.9 | 120.4 | -4.5 |
| 4 | Braves | 122.4 | 117.9 | -4.5 |
| 5 | Brewers | 122.8 | 117.6 | -5.2 |
| 6 | Giants | 124.6 | 116.3 | -8.3 |
| 7 | Red Sox | 115.9 | 112.7 | -3.2 |
| 8 | Blue Jays | 116.0 | 105.6 | -10.4 |
| 9 | Mariners | 104.7 | 104.4 | -0.3 |
| 10 | Yankees | 119.8 | 102.8 | -17.0 |
| 11 | Tigers | 81.3 | 99.6 | +18.3 |
| 12 | Rays | 116.4 | 99.0 | -17.4 |
| 13 | Phillies | 106.6 | 97.9 | -8.7 |
| 14 | Astros | 114.0 | 95.5 | -18.5 |
| 15 | Padres | 108.1 | 94.9 | -13.2 |
| 16 | Cardinals | 105.4 | 93.9 | -11.5 |
| 17 | Guardians | 96.7 | 93.2 | -3.5 |
| 18 | Rockies | 88.5 | 90.3 | +1.8 |
| 19 | Marlins | 74.4 | 89.5 | +15.1 |
| 20 | Reds | 98.7 | 79.0 | -19.7 |
| 21 | Angels | 87.1 | 78.5 | -8.6 |
| 22 | Twins | 77.2 | 78.1 | +0.9 |
| 23 | Royals | 75.0 | 73.8 | -1.2 |
| 24 | Diamondbacks | 53.0 | 73.7 | +20.7 |
| 25 | Cubs | 52.5 | 71.2 | +18.7 |
| 26 | Rangers | 57.7 | 66.4 | +8.7 |
| 27 | Nationals | 54.6 | 65.7 | +11.1 |
| 28 | Athletics | 103.4 | 64.4 | -39.0 |
| 29 | Orioles | 56.2 | 62.4 | +6.2 |
| 30 | Pirates | 57.1 | 52.4 | -4.7 |
Meanwhile, the New York Mets made the biggest offseason improvement in players’ accumulated Box-Toppers points, while the Oakland Athletics saw the biggest decline.
Players on the Dodgers current 2021 preseason roster (as of March 25) accumulated 139.1 Box-Toppers points during the 2021 season, most of any team.
The top American League team, the Chicago White Sox, rank third overall—players on the current 2022 preseason roster accumulated 120.4 Box-Toppers points during the 2021 season. The White Sox rank behind the Mets (second overall with 125.8 Box-Toppers points).
Interestingly, the Dodgers were also Box-Toppers’ top-ranked team in last year’s preseason rankings and the Mets also ranked first among teams making the biggest improvements. While the Dodgers finished the season ranked first in Box-Toppers team rankings, they lost in the National League Championship series to the Braves, who went on to win the World Series.
The Mets, however, did not live up to expectations. They finished 16th among the 30 teams in Box-Toppers team rankings, far below their projected fifth place finish. But it was an improvement over 2020, when they finished 20th overall.
Dodgers rank first
The Dodgers, who led all teams at the end of 2021, maintained their lead in the 2022 preseason rankings despite having the 12th-largest decline in points among all teams since the end of last season.
The Dodgers had 146.7 Box-Toppers points at the end of 2021 but players on their current roster accumulated a total of 139.1 points in 2021. That’s a decline of 7.6 points
The Dodgers lost Box-Toppers’ top-ranked player in 2021, pitcher Max Scherzer, who signed a free-agent deal with the Mets. Scherzer earned 25.1 Box-Toppers points in 2021 to lead all players. While he played most of the season for the Washington Nationals before being traded July 31 to the Dodgers, he earned most of his Box-Toppers points in the final two months of the season with Los Angeles (14.4). (Scherzer leads the list of Prominent player changes from 2021 in the chart elsewhere on this page.)
The Dodgers also lost Kenley Jansen (6.0 Box-Toppers points, third among NL closing pitchers) to the Braves and Corey Seager (2.0 points, 16th among NL shortstops) to the Rangers.
The Dodgers biggest offseason pickup: Pitcher Tyler Anderson from the Mariners. His 7.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021 ranks 17th on the list of Prominent player changes from 2021 seen on the chart elsewhere on this page. He ranked 34th among AL pitchers. The Dodgers also picked up pitcher Andrew Heaney (5.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021 with the Angels and Yankees) and free agent Freddie Freeman (4.5 Box-Toppers points, seventh among NL first basemen), from the Braves.
Among top-ranked players returning to the Dodgers in 2022 are Julio Urias (19.1 Box-Toppers points, fourth overall, third among NL pitchers), Walker Buehler (16.7 Box-Toppers points, 10th overall, eighth among NL pitchers), Clayton Kershaw (13.4 Box-Toppers points, 12th among NL pitchers) and Trevor Bauer (9.4 Box-Toppers points, 28th among NL pitchers). Prominent batters returning to the Dodgers include Max Muncy (6.0 Box-Toppers points, fifth among NL first basemen) and Chris Taylor (4.7 Box-Toppers points, sixth among NL shortstops).
Mets make biggest offseason gain
Biggest team gains & drops
The New York Mets picked up the most Box-Toppers points on its roster in the offseason (+22.8) while the Oakland Athletics lost the most (-39.0). The Mets notably gained pitchers Max Scherzer (25.1 Box-Toppers points in 2021) and Chris Bassitt (13.7 points). The Athletics notably lost Bassitt and first baseman Matt Olson (8.0 points).| Biggest gains | ||||
| Teams | 2021 | 2022 | +/- | |
| 1 | Mets | 103.0 | 125.8 | +22.8 |
| 2 | Diamondbacks | 53.0 | 73.7 | +20.7 |
| 3 | Cubs | 52.5 | 71.2 | +18.7 |
| 4 | Tigers | 81.3 | 99.6 | +18.3 |
| 5 | Marlins | 74.4 | 89.5 | +15.1 |
| Biggest drops | ||||
| Teams | 2021 | 2022 | +/- | |
| 1 | Athletics | 103.4 | 64.4 | -39.0 |
| 2 | Reds | 98.7 | 79.0 | -19.7 |
| 3 | Astros | 114.0 | 95.5 | -18.5 |
| 4 | Rays | 116.4 | 99.0 | -17.4 |
| 5 | Yankees | 119.8 | 102.8 | -17.0 |
The New York Mets had the largest offseason gain, picking up a net of 22.8 Box-Toppers points from the end of 2021 to the 2022 preseason.
The Mets finished 2021 with 103.0 Box-Toppers points, 16th among all teams. They open 2022 with players on the preseason roster having accumulated 125.8 points in 2021, second among all teams, behind the Dodgers. The Mets also rise 14 spots in team rankings (from 16th to second), most of any team.
The Mets had two of the three biggest acquisitions of the offseason, as measured by Box-Toppers points, picking up 2021’s top-ranked Scherzer (25.1) and Chris Bassitt (13.7), who was with the Athletics in 2021. Bassitt has the third-most 2021 Box-Toppers points among players who changed teams in the offseason. He ranked seventh among AL pitchers in 2021.
The Mets picked up one other player among the top 25 who changed teams in the offseason—Eduardo Escobar, who earned 6.5 points in 2021 with the Brewers, third among NL third basemen.
The Mets also picked up reliever Adam Ottavino (4.0), who was with the Red Sox and center fielder Starling Marte (2.5), who was with the Marlins and Athletics.
The Mets notably lost:
Marcus Stroman to the Cubs, 10.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021, ninth among players who changed teams, 26th among NL pitchers.
Rich Hill to the Red Sox, 6.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021, 50th among NL pitchers.
Key players returning to the Mets:
Jacob deGrom, 16.7 Box-Toppers points in 2021, ninth overall, seventh among NL pitchers.
Taijuan Walker, 9.4 Box-Toppers points in 2021, 30th among NL pitchers.
Francisco Lindor, 7.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021, fourth among NL shortstops.
While the Mets show a lot of potential in 2022 with these signings moving them from 16th to second place in Box-Toppers preseason rankings, they also showed a lot of promise in 2021 which did not come to fruition.
In Box-Toppers’ preseason 2021 rankings, the Mets rose from 20th place at the end of 2020 to fifth in 2021 preseason rankings. The Mets were boosted by picking up pitchers Taijuan Walker from the Blue Jays and Carlos Carrasco from the Indians. Walker did reasonably well, earning 9.4 Box-Toppers points (30th among NL pitchers) but Carrasco earned no points in 2021.
White Sox rank third, lead AL teams
Players on the White Sox’ 2022 preseason roster accumulated 120.4 Box-Toppers points in 2021, third-most among all teams but first among AL teams, ahead of the Boston Red Sox with 112.7 Box-Toppers points, seventh overall.
The White Sox finished 2021 ranked second among all teams with 124.9 Box-Toppers points, most among AL teams. They had a net decline of 4.5 Box-Toppers points from the end of 2021 to their current preseason total.
The biggest addition to the White Sox in 2022 is pitcher Vince Velasquez, who had 5.7 points in 2021 with the Phillies. He finished the season with the Padres, but earned no points while there. He ranked 56th among NL pitchers in 2021 Box-Toppers points.
The White Sox most notable loss is Carlos Rodon to the Giants, 11.7 Box-Toppers points in 2021, fifth among players who changed teams in the offseason and 12th among AL pitchers.
Key players returning for the White Sox:
Dylan Cease, 14.4 Box-Toppers points in 2021, fifth among AL pitchers.
Lance Lynn, 12.4 Box-Toppers points in 2021, ninth among AL pitchers.
Lucas Giolito, 11.4 Box-Toppers points in 2021, 14th among AL pitchers.
Jose Abreu, 8.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021, sixth among AL batters, first among AL first basemen.
Liam Hendriks, 7.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021, first among AL closing pitchers.
World Series champion Braves rank fourth
The Atlanta Braves are fourth in Box-Toppers’ preseason team rankings with players on its current roster accumulating 117.9 Box-Toppers points in 2021.
The Braves finished the 2021 season ranked fifth in Box-Toppers team rankings with 122.4 Box-Toppers points, rising one spot in rankings in the offseason, even though they had a net decline of 4.5 points.
The Braves most notable acquisition was Matt Olson from the Athletics. His 8.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021 ranks 12th among players changing teams in the offseason, seventh among AL batters, second among AL first basemen.
The Braves also picked up Kenley Jansen from the Dodgers, 6.0 points, third among NL closing pitchers.
Key Braves losses:
Drew Smyly to the Cubs, 8.0 points, 37th among NL pitchers.
Joc Pederson to the Giants, 6.0 points, seventh among NL outfielders.
Jorge Soler to the Marlins, 6.0 points, eighth among NL outfielders.
Freddie Freeman to the Dodgers, 4.5 points, seventh among NL first basemen.
Brewers slip to fifth place
The Milwaukee Brewers were Box-Toppers’ top-ranked team in the offseason for the duration of the 99-day lockout from December to March, while rosters were frozen and no signings or trades were made.
However, the Brewers weren’t as active as other teams in the post-lockout free agent signing and trading period, so slipped to fifth place with 117.6 Box-Toppers points, fourth among NL teams.
The Brewers fall from fourth at the end of 2021 and have a net loss of 5.2 from the end of 2021 to the preseason rankings.
The Brewers lost:
Eduardo Escobar to the Mets, 6.5 points, 23rd among players who changed teams in the offseason, third among NL third basemen.
Avisail Garcia to the Marlins, 5.2 points, 11th among NL outfielders.
The Brewers picked up:
Hunter Renfroe from the Red Sox, 6.0 points, fifth among AL outfielders.
Andrew McCutchen from the Phillies, 4.5 points, 14th among NL outfielders.
Diamondbacks, Cubs, Tigers also make gains
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the second biggest gain in offseason Box-Toppers points, followed by the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers.
The Diamondbacks had a net gain of 20.7 points, increasing from 53.0 at the end of 2021 (29th overall) to 73.7 in the 2022 preseason (24th overall). The Diamondbacks notably picked up closing pitcher Ian Kennedy (8.7 Box-Toppers points) from the Phillies, starting pitcher Zach Davies (6.0 points) from the Cubs and right fielder Wilmer Difo (5.0 points) from the Pirates.
The Cubs had a net gain of 18.7 points, increasing from 52.5 at the end of 2021 (30th and last overall) to 71.2 in the 2022 preseason (25th overall). The Cubs notably picked up pitcher Wade Miley (10.7 Box-Toppers points) from the Reds, pitcher Marcus Stroman (10.0 points) from the Mets and pitcher Drew Smyly (8.0 points) from the Braves.
The Tigers had a net gain of 18.3 points, increasing from 81.3 at the end of 2021 (21st overall) to 99.6 in preseason 2022 (11th overall). The Tigers notably picked up pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (10.0 Box-Toppers points) from the Red Sox and pitcher Micheal Pineda (7.0 points) from the Twins.
Athletics have biggest offseason decline
The Oakland Athletics had the largest offseason decline, losing a net of 39.0 Box-Toppers points from the end of 2021 to the 2022 preseason.
The Athletics finished 2021 with 103.4 Box-Toppers points, ranked 15th. But they open 2022 with players on the preseason roster having accumulated 64.4 Box-Toppers points during 2021, falling to 28th place.
The Athletics fall 13 spots from the final 2021 team rankings to the 2022 preseason team rankings. That’s more than double the decline of the team falling the next-most spots—the Tampa Bay Rays fall five spots from seventh at the end of 2021 (116.4 points) to 12th in preseason 2022 (99.0 points).
The Athletics lost two players from the Box-Toppers list of the top 25 players to change teams in the offseason:
Pitcher Chris Bassitt (13.7 Box-Toppers points in 2021) to the Mets.
First baseman Matt Olson (8.0 points) to the Braves.
The Athletics also lost third baseman Matt Chapman (4.5 points) to the Blue Jays. Center fielder Ramon Laureano, who earned 4.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021, is suspended for the first 80 games for violating baseball’s performance enhancing drug policy. Though Laureano is ineligible to play in the first half, his 2021 Box-Toppers points are included in the team’s 58.4 total for 2021.
The most notable player the Athletics have acquired, measured by Box-Toppers points, is catcher Stephen Vogt from the Braves (3.2 points in 2021).
Other teams making biggest declines for 2022
The Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees round out the top five teams making the biggest Box-Toppers point decline from the end of 2021 to the 2022 preseason.
The Reds had a net loss of 19.7 points, second-most, decreasing from 98.7 at the end of 2021 (ranked 17th) to 79.0 in the 2022 preseason (ranked 20th). Key losses:
Right fielder Nick Castellanos (11.5 Box-Toppers points, first among NL batters) to the Phillies.
Pitcher Wade Miley (10.7 Box-Toppers points) to the Cubs.
Left fielder Jesse Winker (7.5 Box-Toppers points) to the Mariners.
Pitcher Sonny Gray (6.4 Box-Toppers points) to the Twins.
Biggest gain: Pitcher Mike Minor (6.4 Box-Toppers points) from the Royals.
The Astros had a net loss of 18.5 Box-Toppers points, third-most, decreasing from 114.0 at the end of 2021 (ranked 10th) to 95.5 in preseason 2022 (ranked 14th). Key losses:
Pitcher Zack Greinke (8.7 Box-Toppers points) to the Royals.
Shortstop Carlos Correa (7.0 points) to the Twins.
Biggest gain: Closing pitcher Hector Neris (3.0 points) from the Phillies.
The Rays had a net loss of 17.4 Box-Toppers points, fourth-most, decreasing from 116.4 at the end of 2021 (ranked seventh) to 99.0 in preseason 2022 (ranked 12th). Key losses:
Pitcher Michael Wacha (7.1 Box-Toppers points) to the Red Sox.
Designated hitter Nelson Cruz (5.7 points) to the Nationals.
Third baseman Joey Wendle (4.7 points) to the Marlins.
Pitcher Collin McHugh (4.0 points) to the Braves.
Biggest gain: Pitcher Corey Kluber (5.0 Box-Toppers points) from the Yankees.
The Yankees had a net loss of 17.0 Box-Toppers points, fifth-most, decreasing from 119.8 at the end of 2021 (ranked sixth) to 102.8 in preseason 2022 (ranked 10th). Key losses:
Pitcher Andrew Heaney (5.0 Box-Toppers points) to the Dodgers.
Pitcher Corey Kluber (5.0 Box-Toppers points) to the Rays.
First baseman Luke Voit (3.0 points) to the Padres.
Biggest gain: Infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (3.0 points) from the Rangers.
Prominent player changes from 2021
Here are the most prominent player changes since 2021—the 25 players with the most 2021 Box-Toppers points who are not on the same team as they were last season. Max Scherzer had the most 2021 points of any player to change teams. He finished 2021 with the Dodgers and signed with the Mets for 2022. (Scherzer also led all players in 2021 Box-Toppers points, with 25.1.) Players are ranked on the list by their 2021 Box-Toppers point (BTP) totals.| Player | Pos | ’21 BTP | ’21 team | ’22 team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Scherzer | pi sp | 25.1 | Dodgers | Mets |
| 2 | Robbie Ray | pi sp | 17.7 | Blue Jays | Mariners |
| 3 | Chris Bassitt | pi sp | 13.7 | Athletics | Mets |
| 4 | Kevin Gausman | pi sp | 13.7 | Giants | Blue Jays |
| 5 | Carlos Rodon | pi sp | 11.7 | White Sox | Giants |
| 6 | Nick Castellanos | rf | 11.5 | Reds | Phillies |
| 7 | Wade Miley | pi sp | 10.7 | Reds | Cubs |
| 8 | Eduardo Rodriguez | pi sp | 10.0 | Red Sox | Tigers |
| 9 | Marcus Stroman | pi sp | 10.0 | Mets | Cubs |
| 10 | Zack Greinke | pi sp | 8.7 | Astros | Royals |
| 11 | Ian Kennedy | pi cp | 8.7 | Phillies | Diamondbacks |
| 12 | Matt Olson | 1b | 8.0 | Athletics | Braves |
| 13 | Drew Smyly | pi sp | 8.0 | Braves | Cubs |
| 14 | Jesse Winker | lf | 7.5 | Reds | Mariners |
| 15 | Alex Cobb | pi sp | 7.4 | Angels | Giants |
| 16 | Michael Wacha | pi sp | 7.1 | Rays | Red Sox |
| 17 | Tyler Anderson | pi sp | 7.0 | Mariners | Dodgers |
| 18 | Michael Pineda | pi sp | 7.0 | Twins | Tigers |
| 19 | Carlos Correa | ss | 7.0 | Astros | Twins |
| 20 | Jordan Lyles | pi sp | 7.0 | Rangers | Orioles |
| 21 | Trevor Story | ss | 6.7 | Rockies | Red Sox |
| 22 | Steven Matz | pi sp | 6.7 | Blue Jays | Cardinals |
| 23 | Eduardo Escobar | 3b | 6.5 | Brewers | Mets |
| 24 | Buster Posey | ca | 6.5 | Giants | Retired |
| 25 | Sonny Gray | pi sp | 6.4 | Reds | Twins |
Prominent player changes
Max Scherzer had the most 2021 Box-Toppers points of any player who moved to a new team for 2022.
Scherzer’s 25.1 Box-Toppers points in 2021 ranked first overall. He was with the Nationals at the start of 2021, finishing the season with the Dodgers. He moved to the Mets in the offseason.
Two players on Box-Toppers top 10 player list for 2021 changed teams in the offseason—Scherzer and Robbie Ray, who earned 17.7 Box-Toppers points for the Blue Jays in 2021, sixth among all players and second among AL pitchers. Ray is with the Mariners for 2022.
In addition to Scherzer and Ray, four other players who changed teams in the offseason were among their league’s top 10 batters or pitchers in Box-Toppers points for 2021:
Chris Bassitt earned 13.7 Box-Toppers points in 2021 with the Athletics, seventh among AL pitchers. He moved to the Mets for 2022.
Nick Castellanos earned 11.5 Box-Toppers points in 2021 with the Reds, first among NL batters. He moved to the Phillies for 2022.
Matt Olson earned 8.0 Box-Toppers points in 2021 with the Athletics, seventh among AL batters. He moved to the Braves for 2022.
Jesse Winker earned 7.5 Box-Toppers points in 2021 with the Reds, 10th among NL batters. He moved to the Mariners for 2022.
Among the top 25 players from 2021 to change teams in the offseason (see the chart on this page Prominent player changes from 2021), seven are batters and 18 are pitchers.
All but one of the 25 players on the list moved to a new team in 2022. One is not moving to a new team: Buster Posey, who earned 6.5 Box-Toppers points in 2021 with the Giants, 20th among NL batters and second among NL catchers, announced his retirement.
Remaining free agents
As of March 25, here are the remaining top unsigned players, ranked by their 2021 Box-Toppers point total.
J.A. Happ, starting pitcher, 5.7 points with the Twins and Cardinals in 2021.
Johnny Cueto, starting pitcher, 5.0 points with the Giants in 2021.
Matt Harvey, starting pitcher, 3.0 points with the Orioles in 2021.
Seven unsigned active players earned 2.0 Box-Toppers points each in 2021, including pitcher Brett Anderson (Brewers), closer Richard Rodriguez (Braves), first baseman Albert Pujols (Dodgers), reliever Wander Suero (Nationals), pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (Rangers), reliever Yusmeiro Petit (Athletics) and reliever Tony Watson (Giants).
About Box-Toppers—Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. In regular season games, players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.
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Related
Box-Toppers’ 2021 preseason rankings: Dodgers top Box-Toppers 2021 preseason team rankings; White Sox top AL teams
Box-Toppers’ 2021 end-of-season rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers finish 2021 with large lead in Box-Toppers team rankings