Best MLB Players of 1971, Ranked by NUT
1971 seasonHank Aaron (ATL) was the most productive hitter in MLB in 1971 by NUT at +6.6, and Tom Seaver (NYM) the most productive pitcher at +5.5.
4 of 361 qualified hitters and 7 of 268 qualified pitchers graded S for the season.
Pittsburgh Pirates (97-65) had the highest team NUT at +18.8; the best record belonged to Baltimore Orioles (101-57), #2 by team NUT.
Pittsburgh Pirates beat Baltimore Orioles 5–4 in the World Series, as the higher team-NUT club (+18.8 to +13.8).
Expansion era. 162 games, new clubs, the 1968 Year of the Pitcher and a lowered mound.
World Series by team NUT
Season team NUT, regular season. The higher-NUT club won. Every World Series by NUT
Awards vs NUT
NUT's MVP pick is the league's best player by season NUT, hitters and pitchers compared by grade; its Cy Young pick is the best pitcher. Voters also weigh defense, which NUT leaves out. Rookie of the Year shows where the winner ranked among all qualified players.
Best by league
League by the player's final club. By NUT, not award voting.
Top 10 hitters and pitchers
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hank AaronATL · 1B | +6.6 | |
| 2 | Joe TorreSTL · 3B | +6.2 | |
| 3 | Willie StargellPIT · LF | +6.0 | |
| 4 | Bobby MurcerNYY · CF | +5.7 | |
| 5 | Bobby BondsSF · RF | +4.2 | |
| 6 | Merv RettenmundBAL · RF | +4.1 | |
| 7 | Billy WilliamsCHC · LF | +4.0 | |
| 8 | Rusty StaubMON · RF | +4.0 | |
| 9 | Willie MaysSF · CF | +3.9 | |
| 10 | Tony OlivaMIN · RF | +3.8 |
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom SeaverNYM · P | +5.5 | |
| 2 | Vida BlueOAK · P | +5.0 | |
| 3 | Fergie JenkinsCHC · P | +4.5 | |
| 4 | Don SuttonLAD · P | +4.4 | |
| 5 | Wilbur WoodCWS · P | +3.5 | |
| 6 | Tom BradleyCWS · P | +3.4 | |
| 7 | Bert BlylevenMIN · P | +3.4 | |
| 8 | Mickey LolichDET · P | +2.9 | |
| 9 | Joe ColemanDET · P | +2.9 | |
| 10 | Dave RobertsSD · P | +2.9 |
All 24 teams by NUT
| # | Team | W-L | Hit | Pitch | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIT | 97-65 | +14.8 | +4.0 | +18.8 | S |
| 2 | BAL | 101-57 | +12.8 | +1.1 | +13.8 | A |
| 3 | CWS | 79-83 | +5.0 | +8.4 | +13.4 | A |
| 4 | STL | 90-72 | +8.7 | +1.8 | +10.5 | B |
| 5 | CHC | 83-79 | +6.4 | +2.9 | +9.4 | B |
| 6 | NYM | 83-79 | -0.7 | +10.0 | +9.3 | B |
| 7 | DET | 91-71 | +9.9 | -0.9 | +9.0 | B |
| 8 | LAD | 89-73 | +2.6 | +6.2 | +8.8 | B |
| 9 | SF | 90-72 | +7.9 | -0.4 | +7.5 | B |
| 10 | OAK | 101-60 | +4.6 | +2.4 | +6.9 | C |
| 11 | KC | 85-76 | +1.1 | +3.5 | +4.6 | C |
| 12 | BOS | 85-77 | +7.0 | -2.7 | +4.3 | C |
| 13 | HOU | 79-83 | -5.6 | +9.1 | +3.5 | C |
| 14 | NYY | 82-80 | +3.7 | -0.6 | +3.0 | C |
| 15 | ATL | 82-80 | +5.3 | -3.9 | +1.4 | C |
| 16 | MIN | 74-86 | +1.6 | -1.5 | +0.1 | C |
| 17 | CIN | 79-83 | +0.5 | -0.6 | -0.1 | D |
| 18 | SD | 61-100 | -6.9 | +3.4 | -3.5 | D |
| 19 | PHI | 67-95 | -5.4 | -1.7 | -7.1 | F |
| 20 | TEX | 63-96 | -4.0 | -6.8 | -10.8 | F |
| 21 | MON | 71-90 | -2.3 | -9.0 | -11.2 | F |
| 22 | MIL | 69-92 | -6.2 | -5.8 | -12.0 | F |
| 23 | LAA | 76-86 | -13.5 | +0.9 | -12.6 | F |
| 24 | CLE | 60-102 | -3.2 | -13.0 | -16.2 | F |
How the 1971 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.