MLB Regular Season review: Overperforming, underperforming teams and players, top rookies, and more

The 2023 MLB regular season has concluded, making this the ideal time to look at the season as whole and discuss what happened.

This article will break down a few of the over performing and underperforming teams, as well as five of the best players this season, and three rookies who made a statement.

Overperforming Teams

Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins officially clinched a playoff spot on Saturday night, but before the season even started, they were never taken seriously. 

The Marlins will finish third in the National League East division, but their mix of solid pitching and timely hitting allowed them to get hot towards the end of the season and soar past their season win total.

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles were a team that had been steadily improving in recent years, but something clicked this season and they took off. 

The Orioles not only won the American League East division, but they also clinched the best record in the American League and will have a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs up until a potential World Series matchup with the Atlanta Braves.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Similar to the Miami Marlins, the Diamondbacks were projected to be an average to below average team this season. They exceeded all expectations and recently clinched a playoff spot.

Underperforming Teams

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees were easily one of the most disappointing teams this season. They had moments of greatness, but never really looked in sync and were far too inconsistent. 

The Yankees were also in danger of going below .500 for the first time in 30 years, but managed to clinch a winning season this season as well. They still missed the playoffs, so overall it was a failed season.

New York Mets

The other New York team, the Mets, were even more disappointing than the Yankees. For a team that spent as much money as they did, there is no reason they should be as bad as they are. 

The Mets finished fourth in the National League East division and could not even win more than 75 games.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are another team that spent a ton of money to build a great roster, but failed to produce any results. They will finish .500 at best, and will miss the playoffs yet again.

Best Players this Season

Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves)

Overall, the best player this season was Ronald Acuna Jr. He became the first player ever to hit at least 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in the same season. On top of that, Acuna Jr. hit over .330 this year and was also an elite defender in the field.

Spencer Strider (Atlanta Braves)

While his ERA of 3.38 might not show it, Spencer Strider was one of the more dominant pitchers in the league this season. Strider led the league in wins at 20 and led the league in strikeouts with 281.

Luis Arraez (Miami Marlins)

Luis Arraez should be considered one the best players this season based on his batting average alone. Arraez hit over .350 this season, which was easily the best in the majors. He hit just 10 home runs, but had 69 RBIs and was a big part of the Marlins making the playoffs.

Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves)

Matt Olson is easily another one of the best players this season. The Braves’ first baseman hit over .275 on the season. Not only that, but he led the league in home runs with over 50 and also led the MLB in RBIs with over 136.

Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers)

To no surprise, Freddie Freeman had another fantastic season. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman hit for an average of more than .330, hit for 29 home runs and produced 105 RBIs.

Top Rookies

Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks)

The Arizona Diamondbacks rookie, Corbin Carroll was among the best rookies in the MLB this season. He hit over .280, 25 home runs and 76 RBIs.

Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds)

Another one of the top rookies was Elly De La Cruz for the Cincinnati Reds. His average of .234 might not show this, but De La Cruz had stretches this season where he was electric and showed a ton of promise, also hitting 13 home runs and producing 43 RBIs.

Josh Jung (Texas Rangers)

One other standout rookie this season was Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers. The third baseman hit .267 and had 23 home runs with 70 RBIs.