Top 10 MLB players of 2020

One of the strangest years in baseball history is about to come to an end.

As the calendar flips to 2021, let's take a look back at the 10 best players from a pandemic-shortened campaign that saw the Los Angeles Dodgers win their first World Series title in 32 years.

*Both regular-season and playoff performances were considered when creating this list

10. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

Postseason: 30 2/3 IP, 2.93 ERA, 0.91 WHIP

Kershaw was considered the National League's ninth-best pitcher based on Cy Young voting results. However, a dominant postseason effort, which finally saw him exorcise his playoff demons and win his first championship, lands him in 10th place overall for this list. The Texan was especially brilliant in the World Series, as he struck out 14 over 11 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.

9. Yu Darvish, Cubs

Postseason: 6 2/3 IP, 2.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP

Darvish's eighth major-league season was his best one yet. The 34-year-old finished second in NL Cy Young voting, won more games than any other pitcher in his league, and posted career-best marks in ERA, FIP, and walks per nine innings. While his lone playoff start against the Miami Marlins wasn't his finest work, Darvish still managed to hold Miami scoreless for 6 2/3 frames before things unraveled.

8. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres

Postseason stats: 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1.126 OPS

It may be surprising to see Tatis here instead of Manny Machado, who finished ahead of Tatis in NL MVP voting. However, the youngster separated himself from his teammate with a superior postseason performance that included an electric wild-card series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Padres shortstop went 5-for-11 with two homers and a 1.662 OPS during the three-game set.

7. Corey Seager, Dodgers

Postseason stats: 8 HR, 20 RBI, 1.171 OPS

Seager's team-leading 41 RBIs were a big part of the Dodgers' regular-season success, but no player was more important to L.A.'s playoff run than the 26-year-old. He became just the eighth player in baseball history to win both the NLCS and World Series MVP after a ridiculous postseason, which included Seager setting a playoff record for most home runs hit by a shortstop.

6. Jose Ramirez, Indians

Postseason stats: 3 2B, 4 RBI, 1.413 OPS

Ramirez put together an MVP-worthy season for the Indians, but he ultimately fell short of earning the prize despite leading the AL in WAR and runs scored. The Indians third baseman was especially productive down the stretch, hitting .366/.453/.841 with 10 homers, nine doubles, and 24 RBIs in his final 23 games.

5. Jose Abreu, White Sox

Postseason stats: 1 HR, 2 RBI, .857 OPS

Abreu put together a season for the ages in 2020. One of baseball's top run producers since 2014 led MLB in RBIs, topped the AL in hits, slugging percentage, and total bases, and beat out Ramirez for AL MVP. The Cuban slugger also provided veteran leadership for an up-and-coming White Sox club that made the postseason for the first time in 12 years.

4. Trevor Bauer, Reds

Postseason: 7 2/3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.26 WHIP

Bauer walked the walk and talked the talk in 2020. The outspoken right-hander utilized his unique, new-age pitching approach to earn the NL Cy Young and an ERA title in his second season with the Reds. The 29-year-old was nearly unhittable in his lone playoff start and has positioned himself to sign a lucrative free-agent contract this offseason.

3. Mookie Betts, Dodgers

Postseason stats: 8 2B, 15 R, .871 OPS

The Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster deal with the Boston Red Sox for Betts last February, and then locked up the superstar for 12 years and $365 million. The move immediately paid dividends for Los Angeles, with Betts finishing second in NL MVP voting while earning his fifth Gold Glove. Not only did the 28-year-old give the Dodgers a proven leadoff hitter, but his highlight-reel defense also played a major role in their postseason success.

2. Shane Bieber, Indians

Postseason: 4 2/3 IP, 13.50 ERA, 2.36 WHIP

Bieber may have topped this list if it wasn't for his dreadful playoff debut, but there's no overlooking his sensational regular season. The Indians right-hander unanimously won the AL Cy Young after leading the league in wins, ERA, strikeouts, FIP, and hits per nine innings. He also etched his name into the record books by striking out more hitters (82) through the first 50 frames of a season than anyone else in history.

1. Freddie Freeman, Braves

Postseason stats: 2 HR, 7 RBI, .903 OPS

Freeman didn't let a scary preseason battle with COVID-19 stop him from having the finest season of any player in 2020. The Atlanta Braves first baseman led the majors in WAR, runs, and doubles while finishing second in NL batting average and OPS. He was also an offensive force against the Dodgers in the NLCS, slashing .360/.448/.720 with two homers and six RBIs.

Honorable mentions: DJ LeMahieu, Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Jacob deGrom, Anthony Rendon, Kenta Maeda, Trea Turner, Marcell Ozuna