Popular MLB jerseys in 2023
In recent years, sports jerseys have become major fashion statements and those of the MLB are no different. It seems you can’t walk down the street without seeing someone sporting the jersey of one of their favorite players. With the designs and materials seemingly improving year on year and Nike becoming the official supplier of MLB uniforms in 2020 it is easy to see why they have become so popular.
The 10-year-deal with Nike means they will be the official apparel and footwear supplier of the league through to 2029. Having a brand and logo as big and famous as Nike’s attached to any apparel will immediately draw the eye. Add in the names of some of the biggest and best baseball players in the world and they begin to fly off the shelves.
With that being said, there are of course some that outweigh others in popularity. Lets take a look at the most popular MLB jerseys of 2023 and how these players have managed to assert themselves as some of the biggest names in the league.
Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels
Japanese pitcher Shohei Ohtani has had an incredible 2023 and has quickly become one of the most popular players in the entire league. This year he leads the league for: home runs, on base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base plus lugging and total bases. Although it wasn’t quite enough to lead them into the playoffs, with divisional rivals Houston Astros the favorites within world series odds, Ohtani is an insurmountable MVP favorite. His position at the top of this list means it is not just his first time atop the league wide-rankings but also the first time a Japanese player has ever had the number one selling MLB jersey. After such a showstopping season, Ohtani deserves all the flowers he is receiving.
Ronald Acuna Jr. – Atlanta Braves
Another player to have a record-setting season is the Atlanta Braves’ Venezuelan outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. This year he became just the fifth player to make 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. That alone would have been a gigantic achievement, but the best was yet to come as not long after he became the first ever player to reach 40 home runs and 70 steals in a single season, his performances helping him to the second overall ranked selling jersey in the MLB. The Atlanta Braves have been in fine form in 2023 on their way to the playoffs and Acuna’s performances have been integral. The sole, founding member of the 40-70 club, Acuna is yet another player whose electrifying performances have propelled him up the rankings in jersey sales.
Aaron Judge – New York Yankees
Last year’s American League MVP Aaron Judge remained one of the most popular players in the league despite him missing 42 games through injury. The New York Yankees missed out on the playoffs this year but Judge still put in plenty of world class performances, his quality consistently shining through. He finished the regular season with 37 home runs, leading the AL East by quite some way. He became the fastest player to reach 250 home runs in MLB history when he slammed home his 250th in his 810th career game, smashing the previous record of 855 set by Ryan Howard.
Fernando Tatis Jr. – San Diego Padres
The youngest player in the top five, 2023 proved just how special Dominican shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. really is. Despite serving a suspension between January and April of this year, Tatis immediately performed upon his return. His improvement in his defensive metrics shone throughout the season as well as his ability in his new position as a corner outfielder and he ended the year with a 5.5 WAR. The youngster has been a sensation this year and the fact that his only competition in jersey sales have been three certified stars is a testament to just how popular he really is.
Mookie Betts – Los Angeles Dodgers
Although they crashed out of the playoffs at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the LA Dodgers had an excellent regular season with just two teams improving on their win percentage. An integral part of this success came in the form of outfielder Mookie Betts. Their best overall player by quite some way, Betts has captured the hearts and minds of Dodgers fans and many of them pin their season long hopes on the former American League MVP. He hit 39 home runs throughout the regular season along with 107 runs batted in. Betts finishes out the top five best selling jerseys in the MLB in 2023.
