Shohei Ohtani Dominates MLB Jersey Sales for Third Straight Year, New Stars Emerge
NEW YORK — As the Major League Baseball regular season draws to a close, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has once again solidified his status as the sport’s most marketable player, leading MLB jersey sales for an astounding third consecutive year. This remarkable achievement places Ohtani in an elite club, marking him as only the fourth player since MLB began tracking sales in 2010 to achieve a three-peat at the top, joining legends like Derek Jeter (2010-2012), Aaron Judge (2017-2019), and Mookie Betts (2020-2022). His continued dominance underscores the massive global appeal of the two-way sensation, especially in his inaugural season with the Dodgers following his monumental free-agent signing.
Consistent Fan Favorites Hold Their Ground
The top echelon of MLB’s most popular jerseys saw consistent fan favorites maintaining their ground. The top seven remained unchanged from the All-Star break, with Ohtani leading a star-studded list that includes:
- New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge
- Ohtani’s Dodgers teammates, first baseman Freddie Freeman
- Shortstop Mookie Betts
- New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor
- Outfielder Juan Soto
- San Francisco Giants third baseman Rafael Devers
All are perennial All-Stars known for their electrifying play and strong fan bases.
Late-Season Surges: New Talents Break Into the Top 20
Beyond the established icons, the closing weeks of the season witnessed the rapid ascent of new talents into the coveted top 20.
- Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes, in only his second major league season, rocketed to 18th on the list. His impressive performance on the mound has put him on track to potentially secure the National League ERA title, a testament to his burgeoning star power.
- Equally impactful was Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who surged to 20th. Known for his powerful bat and defensive prowess, Raleigh entered the final weekend of the season leading all of Major League Baseball with an eye-popping 60 home runs, a figure that undoubtedly fueled his significant jump in popularity.
Neither Skenes nor Raleigh were present in the top 20 rankings released at the All-Star break, highlighting their late-season surge in fan interest.
Other Notable Shifts and Debuts
Other notable players making their debut in the top 20 this season include Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran at 13th and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong at 16th, signaling a growing excitement around younger, emerging stars across the league.
Further shifts in the rankings included Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, whose consistent MVP-caliber play saw him climb two spots to eighth. Conversely, Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. each saw their positions drop by one slot. Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. held steady at 11th. A poignant entry in the top 20 was Los Angeles Dodgers veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw at 12th. Kershaw, who has reportedly indicated plans to retire after the postseason, made his 12th appearance in the top 20 jersey sales, a remarkable feat reflecting his enduring popularity and Hall of Fame career.
Rounding Out the Top 20
Completing the diverse list of fan favorites were:
- Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (14th)
- Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (15th)
- New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (17th)
- San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (19th)
Methodology
The comprehensive list of jersey sales was compiled by MLB, tracking purchases made on Fanatics’ extensive network of e-commerce sites, including the official MLBShop.com, from Opening Day through the final weeks of the regular season. This data provides a fascinating snapshot of fan enthusiasm and the players currently captivating the hearts of baseball enthusiasts across the nation.
