Best MLB Players of 1989, Ranked by NUT
1989 seasonWill Clark (SF) was the most productive hitter in MLB in 1989 by NUT at +5.2, and Bret Saberhagen (KC) the most productive pitcher at +4.0.
5 of 379 qualified hitters and 3 of 327 qualified pitchers graded S for the season.
Boston Red Sox (83-79) had the highest team NUT at +12.9; the best record belonged to Oakland Athletics (99-63), #5 by team NUT.
Oakland Athletics beat San Francisco Giants 4–0 in the World Series, as the higher team-NUT club (+8.6 to +0.4).
Free agency era. Players can change clubs; the DH spreads through the American League.
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 | Will ClarkSF · 1B | +5.2 | |
| 2 | Kevin MitchellSF · LF | +5.0 | |
| 3 | Lonnie SmithATL · LF | +4.9 | |
| 4 | Fred McGriffTOR · 1B | +4.8 | |
| 5 | Howard JohnsonNYM · 3B | +4.7 | |
| 6 | Ruben SierraTEX · RF | +4.3 | |
| 7 | Robin YountMIL · CF | +4.3 | |
| 8 | Alvin DavisSEA · 1B | +4.2 | |
| 9 | Wade BoggsBOS · 3B | +4.1 | |
| 10 | Dwight EvansBOS · RF | +3.8 |
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bret SaberhagenKC · P | +4.0 | |
| 2 | Nolan Ryan Jr.TEX · P | +3.5 | |
| 3 | Mark GubiczaKC · P | +3.1 | |
| 4 | Orel HershiserLAD · P | +2.9 | |
| 5 | Chris BosioMIL · P | +2.4 | |
| 6 | Rob DibbleCIN · P | +2.4 | |
| 7 | Rick AguileraMIN · P | +2.2 | |
| 8 | Bruce HurstSD · P | +2.2 | |
| 9 | Joe MagraneSTL · P | +2.1 | |
| 10 | Tom HenkeTOR · P | +2.1 |
All 26 teams by NUT
| # | Team | W-L | Hit | Pitch | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BOS | 83-79 | +12.9 | +0.0 | +12.9 | A |
| 2 | KC | 92-70 | +0.9 | +10.9 | +11.8 | A |
| 3 | TOR | 89-73 | +5.1 | +5.1 | +10.1 | B |
| 4 | TEX | 83-79 | +9.9 | +0.1 | +10.0 | B |
| 5 | OAK | 99-63 | +5.4 | +3.2 | +8.6 | B |
| 6 | CHC | 93-69 | +4.4 | +4.1 | +8.5 | B |
| 7 | STL | 86-76 | +2.1 | +5.7 | +7.7 | B |
| 8 | MON | 81-81 | +1.3 | +6.0 | +7.4 | B |
| 9 | NYM | 87-75 | +2.6 | +4.7 | +7.3 | B |
| 10 | MIN | 80-82 | +6.6 | -3.4 | +3.2 | C |
| 11 | HOU | 86-76 | -2.8 | +4.8 | +2.0 | C |
| 12 | SF | 92-70 | +2.6 | -2.2 | +0.4 | C |
| 13 | LAD | 77-83 | -8.0 | +8.2 | +0.2 | C |
| 14 | LAA | 91-71 | -2.4 | +2.6 | +0.2 | C |
| 15 | SEA | 73-89 | +2.2 | -2.2 | +0.0 | C |
| 16 | CLE | 73-89 | -3.9 | +3.7 | -0.2 | D |
| 17 | PHI | 67-95 | +1.8 | -2.2 | -0.4 | D |
| 18 | NYY | 74-87 | +4.7 | -6.5 | -1.8 | D |
| 19 | SD | 89-73 | -2.4 | -0.2 | -2.6 | D |
| 20 | CIN | 75-87 | -1.7 | -1.1 | -2.8 | D |
| 21 | MIL | 81-81 | -1.1 | -2.5 | -3.5 | D |
| 22 | BAL | 87-75 | +1.3 | -6.1 | -4.9 | F |
| 23 | ATL | 63-97 | -6.4 | +1.0 | -5.4 | F |
| 24 | PIT | 74-88 | -6.9 | -1.6 | -8.5 | F |
| 25 | CWS | 69-92 | -2.3 | -7.5 | -9.8 | F |
| 26 | DET | 59-103 | -4.7 | -11.5 | -16.2 | F |
How the 1989 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.