Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani finished with the most popular MLB jersey for the 2023 season, with Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts (No. 5) and Freddie Freeman (No. 11) also making this year’s top-20 list.
This season is the first time Ohtani has placed atop the rankings. The Atlanta Braves paced all teams with four players included on the 2023 list, led by Ronald Acuña Jr. at No. 2.
The rankings were based on sales from MLBShop.com of Nike jerseys since Opening Day. This season’s MLB jersey sales continue to represent the international makeup of players, as 10 of the top 20 on the list were born outside of the United States.
At the All-Star break, the Dodgers had Betts (sixth), Freeman (16th) and Clayton Kershaw (20th) place among the best-selling jerseys to that point in 2023.
Betts not only remaining on the list but moving up one spot is hardly a surprise considering his strong second half that was built on a historic month of August. That trust Betts to the forefront of the National League MVP race, though Acuña has seemingly pulled away with an impressive finish to the season.
When recently discussing the NL MVP Award, Betts said his focus is on helping the Dodgers win the World Series.
Meanwhile, Freeman has essentially been running in third place for NL MVP throughout much of the season. That’s not to diminish the year he’s had, as the Dodgers’ All-Star first baseman already made franchise history and could potentially reach 60 doubles.
Betts (106 RBI) and Freeman (101) are also part of the Dodgers having four players with at least 100 RBI in one season for the first time. Max Muncy (105) and J.D. Martinez (100) round out the quartet.
Most popular MLB jerseys for 2023
1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
2. Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves
3. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
4. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
5. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
6. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
7. Julio Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners
8. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
9. Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
10. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
11. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
12. Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves
13. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
14. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers
15. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
16. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
17. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres
18. Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
19. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
20. Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
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