Ranking the 10 best players in the National League East

Aug 3, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) is
Aug 3, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) is / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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4) Best players in the NL East: Ronald Acuna Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. is the hardest player to rank on this list. When he's right, he's a top-three player in the game. He's as electrifying of a player as I have ever seen and he can carry a team for long stretches.

When right, Acuna Jr. would be number one on this list. The problem is, he's not fully healthy right now.

Acuna tore his ACL in July of 2021, ending his season prematurely. He was having a ridiculous offensive season with 24 home runs in just 82 games played.

Acuna returned in May of this season and hasn't looked like the same player. He has slashed .268/.355/.400 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI. The 11 home runs are startling, as he's played in 22 more games this season than he did last season yet his home run count has been cut in half.

His 112 WRC+ ranks below guys like Rowdy Tellez and Seth Brown. His 11 home runs are fewer than guys like Gio Urshela and Jorge Mateo.

He's been a good player, of course, but nothing like the superstar he has been in the past.

I assume Acuna will get back to the level he was at next season. He says his knee has been bothering him this season, and I assume that will be better next season. Knowing this makes him hard to rank even when he needs to be on this list.