Best MLB Players of 1996, Ranked by NUT
1996 seasonMark McGwire (OAK) was the most productive hitter in MLB in 1996 by NUT at +6.2, and John Smoltz (ATL) the most productive pitcher at +5.2.
13 of 409 qualified hitters and 8 of 393 qualified pitchers graded S for the season.
Cleveland Indians (99-62) had both the best record and the highest team NUT at +19.3.
New York Yankees beat Atlanta Braves 4–2 in the World Series, as the lower team-NUT club (+7.1 to +17.1).
High-offense era. Smaller parks, bigger hitters and record home run totals.
World Series by team NUT
Season team NUT, regular season. The lower-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 | Mark McGwireOAK · 1B | +6.2 | |
| 2 | Gary SheffieldFLA · RF | +5.9 | |
| 3 | Ellis BurksCOL · LF | +5.8 | |
| 4 | Alex RodriguezSEA · SS | +5.6 | |
| 5 | Jim ThomeCLE · 3B | +5.6 | |
| 6 | Edgar MartinezSEA · DH | +5.5 | |
| 7 | Brady AndersonBAL · CF | +5.3 | |
| 8 | Frank ThomasCWS · 1B | +5.1 | |
| 9 | Jeff BagwellHOU · 1B | +5.0 | |
| 10 | Albert BelleCLE · LF | +5.0 |
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John SmoltzATL · P | +5.2 | |
| 2 | Greg MadduxATL · P | +4.8 | |
| 3 | Kevin BrownFLA · P | +4.2 | |
| 4 | Jeff FasseroMON · P | +3.6 | |
| 5 | Shane ReynoldsHOU · P | +3.5 | |
| 6 | Mariano RiveraNYY · P | +3.1 | |
| 7 | Pedro MartínezMON · P | +3.0 | |
| 8 | Roger ClemensBOS · P | +3.0 | |
| 9 | Tom GlavineATL · P | +2.8 | |
| 10 | Curt SchillingPHI · P | +2.7 |
All 28 teams by NUT
| # | Team | W-L | Hit | Pitch | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CLE | 99-62 | +17.5 | +1.8 | +19.3 | S |
| 2 | ATL | 96-66 | -1.5 | +18.7 | +17.1 | A |
| 3 | SD | 91-71 | +2.9 | +10.7 | +13.6 | A |
| 4 | TEX | 90-72 | +9.8 | +1.2 | +10.9 | B |
| 5 | SEA | 85-76 | +17.6 | -6.9 | +10.6 | B |
| 6 | BAL | 88-74 | +11.7 | -1.7 | +10.0 | B |
| 7 | COL | 83-79 | +13.8 | -5.4 | +8.4 | B |
| 8 | BOS | 85-77 | +9.5 | -1.4 | +8.1 | B |
| 9 | NYY | 92-70 | +3.5 | +3.7 | +7.1 | B |
| 10 | MON | 88-74 | -2.3 | +8.3 | +6.1 | C |
| 11 | FLA | 80-82 | -1.7 | +6.6 | +4.9 | C |
| 12 | CWS | 85-77 | +4.4 | -0.5 | +3.9 | C |
| 13 | LAD | 90-72 | -8.5 | +12.1 | +3.6 | C |
| 14 | HOU | 82-80 | -4.8 | +8.0 | +3.2 | C |
| 15 | CIN | 81-81 | +1.1 | +0.8 | +2.0 | C |
| 16 | PIT | 73-89 | -1.5 | +1.2 | -0.3 | D |
| 17 | PHI | 67-95 | -6.3 | +5.6 | -0.7 | D |
| 18 | STL | 88-74 | -4.3 | +3.1 | -1.2 | D |
| 19 | NYM | 71-91 | -4.6 | +3.0 | -1.5 | D |
| 20 | OAK | 78-84 | +5.2 | -7.0 | -1.9 | D |
| 21 | TOR | 74-88 | -1.9 | -1.9 | -3.9 | F |
| 22 | CHC | 76-86 | -3.7 | -0.3 | -3.9 | F |
| 23 | MIN | 78-84 | +4.4 | -8.7 | -4.3 | F |
| 24 | MIL | 80-82 | +1.4 | -6.3 | -4.9 | F |
| 25 | KC | 75-86 | -8.1 | +2.0 | -6.1 | F |
| 26 | SF | 68-94 | -4.5 | -2.2 | -6.7 | F |
| 27 | LAA | 70-91 | +0.7 | -8.8 | -8.1 | F |
| 28 | DET | 53-109 | -4.8 | -14.1 | -18.9 | F |
How the 1996 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.