Way too early 2018 MLB player power rankings: 10-1

Here they are, the best Major League Baseball has to offer. With an incredible depth of talent, it became tremendously difficult to narrow this list to 10 and to leave certain players in the previous tier. It's simply a wonderful time to be a fan.

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

10. Corey Kluber, Indians

Though he originally seemed like an afterthought in a trade that sent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres and Jake Westbrook to the St. Louis Cardinals, Kluber just won his second Cy Young Award. He's also eclipsed 200 innings in four straight seasons and has struck out more than a batter per inning each time out. He led baseball in WHIP - opponents can't score if they can't get on base - and forced batters to chase balls outside the strike zone 27.7 percent of the time (second best in the majors).

9. Bryce Harper, Nationals

Harper has the skill set to be the best player in baseball. No one was a better hitter than him in his MVP-winning 2015 season. Although he was back in the saddle in 2017, Harper missed a large chunk of the season after his 2016 represented a huge drop. Don't be shocked if he leapfrogs almost everyone ahead of him in 2018.

8. Kris Bryant, Cubs

Bryant has matched Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson over the last three seasons, and is seven years younger. Bryant has progressed in plate discipline each year, striking out in fewer than 20 percent of his plate appearances compared to 30 percent in his rookie campaign. Only five batters finished the season with more wins above replacement than Bryant's 6.7 in 2017.

7. Carlos Correa, Astros

If Correa didn't suffer a thumb injury, he would have been among the AL MVP finalists. In the first half, Correa was hitting .325/.402/.577 with 20 home runs. He was neck and neck with teammate Jose Altuve, and will continue to be a staple at the top of a devastating lineup for years to come.

6. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

Kershaw, at the top of his game, is the best pitcher in the galaxy. Even when his durability becomes a concern, like it has in the past two seasons, he's still near the top of the list. With plenty of years left in the tank, he's already making a case for himself as the greatest Dodgers pitcher in franchise history. Every time he takes the mound, something special could be right around the corner.

5. Aaron Judge, Yankees

The massive rookie had an equally large first season in pinstripes, demolishing the rookie home run record in the process. He also struck out at a perilous clip, leading to some speculation about whether or not his success is sustainable. The power is tantalizing enough to give him the benefit of the doubt, and if he continues to hit the ball a mile whenever he does make contact, it won't matter how often he whiffs. Bringing Giancarlo Stanton into the mix can only help matters.

4. Max Scherzer, Nationals

Scherzer is the most intimidating pitcher in the game. He mutters angrily between pitches as he stares down his opponents before blazing a fastball by for strike three. He's completed 200 innings in five straight seasons and hasn't thrown fewer than 187 since 2009. He's won three Cy Young Awards already, and has probably punched his ticket to Cooperstown.

3. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees

Oh my, Stanton in Yankee Stadium is going to be pure fireworks. He nearly hit 60 home runs while playing half of his games at Marlins Park, which is hardly hitter friendly. Stanton could easily reach that milestone multiple times in New York. He's going to be exciting for Yankees fans, and a source of doom and sadness for the rest of the AL East for many years.

2. Jose Altuve, Astros

The pest with pop, Altuve swings at everything and constantly makes contact. His speed earned him a spot among the league leaders in infield hits, and yet he also barrelled 48 homers over the last two seasons. Altuve has swiped at least 30 bases in six straight seasons and is a lock to bat .300. It seems like he's been around forever, and yet he's only 27. His stature may be small, but his baseball prowess is through the roof.

1. Mike Trout, Angels

Accept no substitutes. It's practically a crime that Trout wasn't a finalist for the AL MVP award after posting career bests in OBP, slugging, OPS, walk rate, and wRC+ in only 114 games. He didn't skip a beat after returning from a thumb injury, but missed enough time to justify leaving him off the final list. No one is at his level, and it's not even close. Now that he's walking more frequently than striking out, he's even better than before.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)