Which US State Produced the Most MLB Talent in 2021? | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Robert Spencer
Published Mar 23, 2026
Arizona—24 players, -3.8 WAR
Top player: OF Alex Verdugo, BOS (2.2 WAR)
Arizona was one of just six states to produce a negative WAR total, and it had more big leaguers in 2021 than the other five states combined. A whopping 17 Arizona-born players produced negative WAR, including Cody Bellinger (-1.5 WAR), while Boston Red Sox teammates Alex Verdugo and Josh Taylor (1.3 WAR) were the best of the bunch.
Washington—26 players, 8.2 WAR
Top player: OF Michael Brantley, HOU (2.5 WAR)
Aside from veteran Michael Brantley, the WAR leaders out of the state of Washington were Tampa Bay Rays pitchers Andrew Kittredge (2.3 WAR) and Drew Rasmussen (1.6 WAR). Other big names from the state include 2018 AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell (1.3 WAR) and Michael Conforto (0.8 WAR), who spent his 2021 season with the New York Mets.
Tennessee—26 players, 22.6 WAR
Top player: LHP Robbie Ray, TOR (6.6 WAR)
2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, breakout star Austin Riley (6.1 WAR) and longtime superstar Mookie Betts (4.2 WAR) represent the cream of the crop from Tennessee. Tony Kemp, Sonny Gray, Mike Minor and David Price are among the Tennessee-born players who decided to stay in-state and attend Vanderbilt University.
Pennsylvania—27 players, 7.5 WAR
Top player: OF Chas McCormick, HOU (2.3 WAR)
Outfielders Chas McCormick and Ian Happ (1.6 WAR) were joined by relievers David Bednar (2.1 WAR) and Lou Trivino (1.2 WAR) as the most productive players out of a long list of Pennsylvania-born talent. Young slugger Alex Kirilloff (0.6 WAR) will be one to watch in the years to come.
