We see MLB talent come out of every corner of America. There are certainly some lopsided areas, though, as California has seen 2455 of its natives make the majors while Alaska has seen just 12.
However, generational talent can come from everywhere, so we’ll examine the best MLB players from every state.
Who are the best MLB players to come out in every state in the US?
Alabama – Hank Aaron
Arguably one of the greatest players of all time, it’s no question Hank Aaron belongs here. You can’t argue with 755 career home runs and an MLB-leading 2297 runs batted in.
Alaska – Curt Schilling
With only 12 players from Alaska to reach the big leagues, it’s surprising anywhere as good as Schilling. A successful 20-year career ended with a 3.46 ERA in 3261 innings pitched.
Arizona – Ian Kinsler
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As a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover, Kinsler had his fair share of success in his playing days. Unless Cody Bellinger resurrects his career, this will continue to be Ian’s spot on the list.
Arkansas – Brooks Robinson
The Hall of Famer had a 78.4 career WAR while also winning MVP in 1964. Robinson was most known for his ability to make almost any defensive play.
California – Ted Williams
The all-time leader in on-base percentage was an anomaly in his playing time. There’s a reason he won two MVPs and was named to more All-Star games than you can count on both hands.
Colorado – Rich Gossage
It’s not often a closer is considered for the Cy Young Award. Gossage has finished in the top five in four separate seasons. Sprinkle in nine All-Stars and you have a Hall of Fame career.
Connecticut – Mo Vaughn
Vaughn spent 12 years in the majors and had a successful career. He’d peak in 1995, winning MVP, Silver Slugger, and being an All-Star. The rest of his career would be just two more All-Star nods.
Delaware – Paul Goldschmidt
Goldschmidt is the first active player on this list, and for good reason. He’s on pace for a career that ends in Cooperstown with winning the MVP in 2022.
Florida – Steve Carlton
Having a 24-year career is one thing, but winning four Cy Youngs puts you on a whole new level. With lots of MLB talent coming out of Florida, Carlton gets the selection.
Georgia – Ty Cobb
Cobb is infamous in baseball history. As the all-time leader in batting average, Cobb would make this list no matter where he was born.
Hawaii – Sid Fernandez
Fernandez might be one of the least decorated MLB players here. He still had two All-Stars, but not much else.
Idaho – Harmon Killebrew
Not only will 573 career home runs and an MVP get you into the Hall, but it’ll also make you the best player to ever be born in Idaho.
Illinois – Rickey Henderson
Being the greatest base runner ever is a good start, but scoring the most runs ever is just icing on the cake. Rickey Henderson absolutely belongs here.
Indiana – Scott Rolen
After winning Rookie of the Year in 1997, Rolen only added on. He would put together eight seasons, winning a Gold Glove and one Silver Slugger in 2002.
Iowa – Bob Feller
Feller is one of the few players in Cooperstown to be born in Iowa. After making his debut at just 17, he would play in eight Midsummer Classics.
Kansas – Walter Johnson
Johnson has a career that consisted of winning the Triple Crown three times, two MLB MVPS, and holding the ERA title in five different seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.
Kentucky – Pee Wee Reese
Ten All-Star appearances, a World Series champion, a Hall of Famer, and a career 68.4 WAR. Reese takes the spot for Kansas.
Louisiana – Mel Ott
Ott has 40 more career WAR than the next closest player born in Louisiana. There’s really no question who belongs here.
Maine – George Gore
It’s been a while since we’ve seen major talent coming out of Maine. George Gore’s MLB career ran from 1879 – 1892, yet still has the highest WAR for Maine-born players.
Maryland – Babe Ruth
It’s Babe Ruth. He realistically could have been born in any other state and still undoubtedly made the list.
Massachusetts – Tom Glavine
A 73.9 WAR is good enough for Glavine to make the Hall and also be the greatest player from Massachusetts. Along with two Cy Youngs, Tom also brought four Silver Sluggers as a pitcher.
Michigan – John Smoltz
Another member of the Braves 3-headed pitching monster from the 90s. Smoltz would enter Cooperstown one year after his long-time teammate Tom Glavine.
Minnesota – Dave Winfield
Not too much elite talent has come out of Minnesota, but Winfield is certainly an outlier. It’s hard to understand how he was never given an MVP.
Mississippi – Cool Papa Bell
That’s right. Cool Papa Bell is on the list. The eight-time All-Star will represent Mississippi here.
Missouri – Max Scherzer
Yet another active player to make it on. Scherzer will certainly end up in the Hall of Fame and still has time to improve his extensive resume.
Montana – Dave McNally
Montana doesn’t have the star power as most states, but McNally was still good in his day. Three All-Star appearances are good enough for him to represent his home state.
Nebraska – Wade Boggs
From 1985 – 1996, Boggs was an All-Star every year. He would finish in the top ten in MVP voting four times but never took one home.
Nevada – Bryce Harper
Harper is still in the prime of his MLB career, has already won two MVPs, and was a rookie of the year. He’ll only continue to solidify his spot here.
New Hampshire – Chris Carpenter
New Hampshire’s list of talent is thin, but a Cy Young and three All-Star nods will give him the spot.
New Jersey – Mike Trout
Mike Trout made the list, and everyone knows why. He could easily go down as the greatest player of all time by the time his career is over.
New Mexico – Ralph Kiner
It really makes no sense that Kiner led the league three different times in OPS yet never won the MVP. But don’t worry; he will get recognition on this list.
New York – Lou Gehrig
Not only one of the greatest players of all time for the most decorated franchise in the New York Yankees, but also the best player ever born in New York. Lou Gehrig was truly a special player.
North Carolina – Gaylord Perry
If you had a 22-year career, then you were probably successful. Perry confirms that they are bringing in two Cy Youngs and five All-Star nods.
North Dakota – Darin Erstad
Erstad might be a career below-average hitter with a 93 OPS+, but that’s all it takes to be the best MLB player native to North Dakota.
Ohio – Cy Young
Who would have thought that the man they named an entire MLB award after would make this list? Young is the definition of pure dominance.
Oklahoma – Mickey Mantle
Mantle won three MLB MVPs and was an All-Star every year in his 18-year-long career except for two seasons. He absolutely lights the state sheet up and leads in some major category almost every year.
Oregon – Dale Murphy
Murphy won back-to-back MVPs in 1982 and 1893 and finished his career with 398 home runs. Although not being a Hall of Famer, Murphy is right on the edge.
Pennsylvania – Honus Wagner
Having a WAR above 100 is almost unheard of, but Wagner’s is 131. Even a player with 70 is a lock for Cooperstown, so Wagner’s total is mind-blowing.
Rhode Island – Nap Lajoie
Lajoie is another player with an insane WAR at 106.9. He also won the Triple Crown and held three batting titles.
South Carolina – Jim Rice
Only three players born in South Carolina have been inducted into the Hall. With RIce being one of them, as well as having two Silver Sluggers and an MVP, it was an easy choice.
South Dakota – Mark Ellis
There are really no accolades that Ellis collected throughout his MLB career, but he has the highest WAR of any South Dakota native at 33.5.
Tennessee – Todd Helton
Helton should see Cooperstown very soon with a 61.8 career WAR but might be just on the edge of not making it. Maybe one MVP, and he’d be a lock.
Texas – Greg Maddux
All three of the main players from that dominant Braves pitching staff in the 90s have made this list. Maddux might have been the best, winning four straight Cy Youngs.
Utah – Bruce Hurst
Hurst is another player without much to show for his career, but with the limited talent coming out of Utah, he gets the spot.
Vermont – Carlton Fisk
MLB has seen only 38 players born in Vermont. Fisk is the only one to reach Cooperstown, so it’s not much of a debate about who should have been picked.
Virginia – Justin Verlander
Another active player who’s a lock to make the Hall of Fame. Verlander is also one of the few pitchers we’ve seen win an MVP and Cy Young in the same year.
Washington – Ryne Sandberg
Hall of Fame, MVP, nine-time Gold Glove, seven-time Silver Slugger, and a home run derby champion. Sandberg did it all in his playing days.
West Virginia – George Brett
The Glen Dale native is the representative for the Mountain State. His 1980 MVP is impressive, but what might be even cooler is being named an MLB All-Star every year from 1976 to 1988.
Wisconsin – Kid Nichols
Nichols’ career lasted from 1890 to 1906 but was still very good. In 5067.1 innings pitched, he had a 2.96 ERA.
Wyoming – Brandon Nimmo
Wyoming has the second-lowest number of native MLB players. Their best is Nimmo shows, so we need some more talent out there.
