2024 MLB RBI Leaderboard: Top Run Producers of the Season

RBI (Runs Batted In) refers to the number of runs a batter drives in through hits, walks, or other offensive plays. It’s one of the key indicators of a player’s offensive contribution.

The 2024 MLB RBI leaderboard showcases a dynamic mix of power hitters and clutch performers across the league. Aaron Judge’s 144 RBIs not only led the majors but also marked one of the highest single-season totals in recent years. Known for his home run prowess, Judge combined long balls with timely hitting, driving in runs in high-leverage situations and anchoring the Yankees' offensive success. Shohei Ohtani, finishing second with 130 RBIs, delivered a remarkable season in his Dodgers debut, balancing power with a high on-base percentage and continuing to defy expectations as a two-way superstar.

José Ramírez was pivotal for the Guardians, contributing 118 RBIs through a mix of home runs and extra-base hits, often coming through in close games. Notably, Brent Rooker and Willy Adames, both with 112 RBIs, emerged as essential figures for their respective teams, the Athletics and Brewers, despite varying team performances. Juan Soto and Bobby Witt Jr. shared sixth place with 109 RBIs, highlighting their consistency and growing status as elite hitters.

Among the top 15, the diversity of backgrounds is striking, with players from the USA, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Japan, and Canada. Ohtani's presence continues to elevate Asian representation, while the Dominican contingent—Soto, Adames, Ramírez, Ozuna—underscores the island’s reputation as a baseball powerhouse. Teams like the Yankees and Dodgers placed multiple hitters on the list, showcasing deep, balanced lineups capable of producing runs from different spots in the batting order.

Looking at the batting orders, many top RBI producers bat in the traditional cleanup or fifth spots, but players like Gunnar Henderson, who batted leadoff for the Orioles and still racked up 92 RBIs, show that modern lineups create RBI chances throughout the order. Veterans like Manny Machado and Salvador Pérez maintained their run-producing roles, while younger stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and Josh Naylor cemented themselves as foundational players for the future.

The RBI race also reflects broader league trends, including a slight uptick in home runs and slugging percentages compared to prior seasons. Ballpark factors played a role, with players like Kyle Schwarber thriving in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, while others, like Anthony Santander, produced despite less favorable environments. Additionally, this leaderboard illustrates how player health and durability impact totals—many on this list logged over 550 at-bats, demonstrating both skill and endurance across the long season.

This RBI snapshot offers a lens into the offensive heartbeat of MLB in 2024, revealing not only individual excellence but also how team context, batting order, ballpark effects, and player evolution shape the run-production landscape year over year.