All Rise: Judge and #LosNuestros Highlight MLB Jerseys Sales

The Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton may have hit more home runs, but the Yankees’ Aaron Judge is the people’s choice. On Monday, when Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association released the most popular jerseys rankings for the 2017 season, Judge came in at No. 1, leading a Top 10 that included three Puerto Ricans stars.

Yadier Molina, a 14-year veteran whose popularity seems to increase with every season, was surprisingly the top player from Borinquen, ranking seventh overall. The 35-year-old Cardinals catcher started the year as the elder statesman on an exciting World Baseball Classic squad that finished second to Team USA. In 136 games, Molina hit .273 with 18 home runs and a career-high 82 RBI. But this eight-time Gold Glover is the rare case of a star beloved by the fans for his defensive ability.

Francisco Lindor’s nickname “Mr. Smile” aptly describes his sunny personality, which propelled him to the ninth spot. When La Vida Baseball ran a poll earlier in the season asking who would be the future face of the game, Lindor won hands down. The 23-year-old shortstop for the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians put up MVP numbers this season. He led the league with 651 at-bats while reaching career highs with 33 home runs and 89 RBI. He also tied a personal best with 99 runs scored. Lindor’s all-around game helped the Indians win 22 straight and capture the Central Division crown for the second straight year.

Chicago Cubs infielder Javy Báez, who has been in the Top 10 since last fall, dropped to 10th. Báez, 24, played wherever manager Joe Maddon needed him and lived up to his nickname El Mago, or the “The Wizard,” providing almost nightly highlights in the field for the defending World Series champions. At the plate, he posted career highs with 23 home runs and 75 RBI. Of course, no one can tag a runner out like Javy.

Rounding out the Top 20 was Venezuelan second baseman José Altuve of the Houston Astros, who ranked 13th, and Dominican Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez, who ranked 15th.

Lindor, Báez, Altuve and Sánchez will all be in action as the 2017 postseason continues this week

The list has been published since early 2011 and is based on sales of Majestic jerseys from MLBShop.com since Opening Day.

Featured Image: Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport