Best MLB Players of 1998, Ranked by NUT
1998 seasonMark McGwire (STL) was the most productive hitter in MLB in 1998 by NUT at +7.9, and Kevin Brown (SD) the most productive pitcher at +6.1.
10 of 430 qualified hitters and 6 of 394 qualified pitchers graded S for the season.
Atlanta Braves (106-56) had the highest team NUT at +24.7; the best record belonged to New York Yankees (114-48), #3 by team NUT.
New York Yankees beat San Diego Padres 4–0 in the World Series, as the higher team-NUT club (+19.3 to +13.6).
High-offense era. Smaller parks, bigger hitters and record home run totals.
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 | Mark McGwireSTL · 1B | +7.9 | |
| 2 | Albert BelleCWS · LF | +5.7 | |
| 3 | Larry WalkerCOL · RF | +5.4 | |
| 4 | Edgar MartinezSEA · DH | +5.1 | |
| 5 | Sammy SosaCHC · RF | +5.1 | |
| 6 | John OlerudNYM · 1B | +4.9 | |
| 7 | Barry BondsSF · LF | +4.8 | |
| 8 | Jeff BagwellHOU · 1B | +4.6 | |
| 9 | Mo VaughnBOS · 1B | +4.5 | |
| 10 | Chipper JonesATL · 3B | +4.5 |
| # | Player | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin BrownSD · P | +6.1 | |
| 2 | Curt SchillingPHI · P | +4.9 | |
| 3 | Roger ClemensTOR · P | +4.5 | |
| 4 | Greg MadduxATL · P | +4.4 | |
| 5 | Randy JohnsonHOU · P | +4.1 | |
| 6 | John SmoltzATL · P | +3.1 | |
| 7 | Al LeiterNYM · P | +2.7 | |
| 8 | Pedro MartínezBOS · P | +2.6 | |
| 9 | Shane ReynoldsHOU · P | +2.5 | |
| 10 | Tom GlavineATL · P | +2.3 |
All 30 teams by NUT
| # | Team | W-L | Hit | Pitch | NUT | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ATL | 106-56 | +9.6 | +15.0 | +24.7 | S |
| 2 | HOU | 102-60 | +12.0 | +10.9 | +22.9 | S |
| 3 | NYY | 114-48 | +13.8 | +5.6 | +19.3 | S |
| 4 | TEX | 88-74 | +12.4 | +3.5 | +15.9 | A |
| 5 | SD | 98-64 | +3.9 | +9.7 | +13.6 | A |
| 6 | BOS | 92-70 | +8.9 | +1.7 | +10.6 | B |
| 7 | BAL | 79-83 | +7.9 | +1.6 | +9.5 | B |
| 8 | COL | 77-85 | +11.4 | -2.2 | +9.2 | B |
| 9 | CLE | 89-73 | +9.1 | -1.1 | +8.0 | B |
| 10 | SEA | 76-85 | +9.7 | -2.2 | +7.6 | B |
| 11 | CHC | 90-73 | +7.5 | +0.0 | +7.5 | B |
| 12 | SF | 89-74 | +6.6 | +0.0 | +6.6 | C |
| 13 | TOR | 88-74 | +4.1 | +1.3 | +5.4 | C |
| 14 | STL | 83-79 | +5.9 | -2.3 | +3.6 | C |
| 15 | LAD | 83-79 | -6.2 | +7.8 | +1.6 | C |
| 16 | NYM | 88-74 | -2.1 | +2.6 | +0.5 | C |
| 17 | CIN | 77-85 | +0.5 | -1.4 | -1.0 | D |
| 18 | MIL | 74-88 | -1.5 | -0.3 | -1.8 | D |
| 19 | PHI | 75-87 | -4.1 | +1.8 | -2.3 | D |
| 20 | CWS | 80-82 | +5.1 | -9.1 | -4.0 | F |
| 21 | PIT | 69-93 | -10.2 | +6.0 | -4.2 | F |
| 22 | LAA | 85-77 | -3.1 | -1.8 | -5.0 | F |
| 23 | ARI | 65-97 | -5.3 | -0.4 | -5.8 | F |
| 24 | MON | 65-97 | -7.6 | +0.4 | -7.2 | F |
| 25 | OAK | 74-88 | -3.8 | -3.6 | -7.4 | F |
| 26 | DET | 65-97 | -2.2 | -5.2 | -7.4 | F |
| 27 | KC | 72-89 | -3.8 | -4.7 | -8.5 | F |
| 28 | MIN | 70-92 | -7.5 | -1.3 | -8.8 | F |
| 29 | TBD | 63-99 | -10.5 | -3.9 | -14.4 | F |
| 30 | FLA | 54-108 | -9.0 | -6.7 | -15.7 | F |
How the 1998 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.