Best MLB Players of 1888, Ranked by NUT
1888 seasonJimmy Ryan (CHC) was the most productive hitter in MLB in 1888 by NUT at +5.0, and Tim Keefe (NYG) the most productive pitcher at +4.8.
3 of 228 qualified hitters and 2 of 87 qualified pitchers graded S for the season.
Detroit Wolverines (68-63) had the highest team NUT at +14.5; the best record belonged to St. Louis Cardinals (92-43), #3 by team NUT.
19th century. Short schedules, rule changes nearly every year, pitchers throwing from 50 feet until 1893.
Best by league
League by the player's final club. By NUT, not award voting.
Top 10 hitters and pitchers
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jimmy RyanCHC · X | +5.0 | |
| 2 | Cap AnsonCHC · 1B | +5.0 | |
| 3 | Dan BrouthersDET · 1B | +4.8 | |
| 4 | Roger ConnorNYG · 1B | +4.4 | |
| 5 | John ReillyCIN · 1B | +4.3 | |
| 6 | Tip O'NeillSTL-A · X | +4.1 | |
| 7 | Harry StoveyPHI-A · X | +3.9 | |
| 8 | King KellyBSN · C | +3.4 | |
| 9 | Hub CollinsLOU · X | +3.4 | |
| 10 | Dick JohnstonBSN · X | +2.9 |
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim KeefeNYG · P | +4.8 | |
| 2 | Silver KingSTL-A · P | +3.5 | |
| 3 | Charlie BuffintonPHI · P | +2.9 | |
| 4 | Ed SewardPHI-A · P | +2.5 | |
| 5 | Pretzels GetzienDET · P | +2.1 | |
| 6 | Ben SandersPHI · P | +2.1 | |
| 7 | Bob CaruthersBRO · P | +1.9 | |
| 8 | Toad RamseyLOU · P | +1.7 | |
| 9 | Pete ConwayDET · P | +1.5 | |
| 10 | Cannonball TitcombNYG · P | +1.3 |
All 16 teams by NUT
| # | Team | W-L | Hit | Pitch | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DET | 68-63 | +11.5 | +2.9 | +14.5 | A |
| 2 | BRO | 88-52 | +5.9 | +4.7 | +10.7 | B |
| 3 | STL-A | 92-43 | +6.5 | +4.1 | +10.6 | B |
| 4 | CHC | 77-58 | +12.5 | -3.0 | +9.5 | B |
| 5 | NYG | 84-47 | +2.4 | +5.9 | +8.3 | B |
| 6 | PHI-A | 81-52 | +6.4 | +1.0 | +7.4 | B |
| 7 | CIN | 80-54 | +4.6 | +1.4 | +5.9 | C |
| 8 | LOU | 48-87 | +1.7 | +3.5 | +5.2 | C |
| 9 | BSN | 70-64 | +4.2 | +0.0 | +4.2 | C |
| 10 | PHI | 69-61 | -6.2 | +4.9 | -1.3 | D |
| 11 | BAL-A | 57-80 | -4.4 | -1.6 | -6.0 | F |
| 12 | CLE | 50-82 | -1.6 | -4.6 | -6.3 | F |
| 13 | PIT | 66-68 | -7.7 | +1.0 | -6.7 | F |
| 14 | IND | 50-85 | -2.2 | -6.7 | -8.9 | F |
| 15 | KC-A | 43-89 | -6.1 | -6.2 | -12.2 | F |
| 16 | WAS | 48-86 | -10.6 | -4.4 | -15.1 | F |
How the 1888 season is ranked
Season NUT is one number for production against that season's league average. 0.0 is league average; defense is left out. Players need 100 plate appearances or 25 innings to qualify. Team NUT is the sum of its qualified players. Seasons before 1901 ran 60 to 140 games, so values sit lower than in a 162-game season.