The Top Current MLB Player Wearing Each Number from 1 to 50 (2024)

MLB players often have favorite numbers they like to wear when they begin play in the big leagues. Oftentimes, it's just a number assigned to them by their team that they become associated with.

Whatever the case, almost every famous player from the day jersey numbers became fashionable is recognized by his number.

Throughout sports, we value and treasure our favorite stars, and their names are often synonymous with their numbers. No. 4, Bobby Orr—that certainly helped because it rhymed—is still today revered throughout Boston and the NHL.

Here is a current list of the best MLB players that adorn jersey numbers 1 through 50.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is the second-longest tenure player on the team, trailing just behind starting pitcher Chris Carpenter.

When all is said and done, he will likely go down as one of the greatest catchers in franchise history as well.

Molina just captured his fifth consecutive Gold Glove Award and set career highs in home runs and RBI. He continues to set the standard among catchers for defensive excellence and has become an unquestioned leader for the Cardinals.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 4

Brandon Phillips: Phillips has worn his jersey with pride and excellence for the Cincinnati Reds since his trade from the Cleveland Indians in 2006.

Alex Gordon: Gordon, too, is making a name for himself with his No. 4 for the Kansas City Royals.

First baseman Albert Pujols faltered a bit offensively last year in his first season with the Los Angeles Angels. But by the time his career is over, his No. 5 jersey could well be retired by two teams.

Pujols helped deliver two World Series championships during his 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. He'll attempt to do at least the same with the Angels. If he reaches that goal and continues producing, his No. 5 will never be worn again by another Angel or Cardinal.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 5

David Wright: With Wright's new eight-year contract, he could well see his career end with the team that awarded him jersey No. 5 back in 2004.

Freddie Freeman: Freeman is off to a great start in Atlanta, but two years is a small sample size compared to what Pujols has produced thus far.

The Minnesota Twins gave Joe Mauer jersey No. 7 when he made his debut in April 2004. Since that time, he has established himself as one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball history.

The holder of three batting titles, three Gold Glove awards and an MVP Award, Mauer's overall body of work thus far is what most players would kill for over an entire career.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 7

Matt Holliday: Holliday was more closely associated with jersey No. 5 during his time with the Colorado Rockies and Oakland A's. However, he's delivered the goods thus far in three-plus seasons for the Cardinals with his No. 7.

Chase Headley: Headley broke out in a major way last season, finally showing the promise that led the Padres to select him with their second-round pick in the 2005 draft. Whether or not he remains in San Diego and continues bashing with the No. 7 jersey remains to be seen.

There should be no question in anyone's mind that when the career of Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton comes to an end, no one will ever again wear No. 17 in franchise history.

Helton is the all-time franchise leader in hits (2,420), home runs (354), RBI (1,345), games played (2,123) and at-bats (7,565).

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 17

Nelson Cruz: Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz made some noise with his name mentioned in the report published by the Miami New Times last week. However, he has also made a name with his No. 17 jersey for the Rangers for the past seven seasons as well.

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will continue wearing No. 26 for as long as his balky knees continue to hold out. His career could well end with a retirement of that jersey as well.

Utley has represented No. 26 quite well for the Phillies, earning five All-Star selections and four Silver Slugger awards. If his knees allow, he'll retire as one of the better hitting second basem*n in National League history.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 26

Dan Uggla: With former manager Bobby Cox having jersey No. 6 retired in Atlanta, Uggla switched to No. 26 when he arrived in 2011. After two seasons, Uggla isn't likely to have that number retired anytime soon.

Miguel Montero: If Montero can continue with the Arizona Diamondbacks and continue developing as a hitter, fans will fondly remember his jersey No. 26.

Josh Hamilton will again wear jersey No. 32 in Anaheim after signing his five-year, $125 contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

Hamilton terrorized opposing pitchers wearing that number for five seasons with the Texas Rangers, leading the team to two pennants while capturing a batting title and an MVP Award along the way.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 32

Matt Wieters: Wieters switched to No. 32 after wearing No. 15 in his first season with the Baltimore Orioles. He'll work on getting fans to remember that number fondly.

Jay Bruce: Bruce is working hard on number recognition as well with the Cincinnati Reds, collecting two All-Star appearances and a Silver Slugger Award during his brief five-year career.

Ryan Vogelsong: After not winning a game in the majors for seven seasons, Vogelsong is earning big props with his No. 32 in San Francisco after 27 wins in the past two seasons.

In looking at the peripheral numbers for Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee last season, it's easy to assume he may have had a down year.

But aside from the win-loss record, Lee again delivered, posting a league-best BB/9 rate and SO/BB rate, along with a 3.16 ERA and 1.114 WHIP.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 33

Nick Swisher: Swisher will again wear No. 33 with the Cleveland Indians after wearing the number for the vast majority of his career with the Oakland A's and New York Yankees.

Justin Morneau: After two injury-filled campaigns, Morneau returned to hit 19 HR with 77 RBI last season. He captured the American League MVP Award in his first season wearing No. 33 for the Minnesota Twins in 2006.

By the time his career is over, it's entirely possible that Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz could see his No. 34 jersey retired.

Ortiz has easily become one of the most revered players in franchise history, helping the team win two World Series titles during his 10-year stay.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 34

Felix Hernandez: Hernandez has done a good job of making jersey No. 34 memorable in his own right, with a Cy Young Award and a perfect game to his credit.

Roy Halladay: Halladay first made No. 32 memorable during his stay with the Toronto Blue Jays. He's now working on doing the same with No. 34 in Philly.

Bryce Harper: Already with a Rookie of the Year Award to his credit, Bryce Harper is working to assure that fans always remember No. 34 in the nation's capital.

Much-heralded young flamethrower Stephen Strasburg has already garnered considerable name and jersey-number recognition during his brief career.

Strasburg will be given free reign to throw this coming season after a team-imposed innings limit cut short his 2012 season.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 37

Max Scherzer: Scherzer vaulted to No. 2 starter status with his outstanding 2012 campaign for the Detroit Tigers.

Brandon Beachy: Beachy was leading the National League with a 2.00 ERA in 13 starts before blowing out his elbow in a mid-June start.

Jake Peavy has worn jersey No. 44 during his entire 11-year career with both the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox.

He will again sport No. 44 after signing a two-year, $29 million contract with the White Sox.

Other Notable Wearers of Jersey No. 44

Anthony Rizzo: Rizzo turned heads last year in Chicago by hitting .285 with 15 HR and 48 RBI following his call-up from Triple-A in late June. He will be counted on heavily to be a big piece of the offense for the Chicago Cubs for years to come.

Mark Trumbo: After finishing second in Rookie of the Year balloting in the American League in 2011, Trubmo delivered once again last year for the Los Angeles Angels, belting 32 HR with 95 RBI.

Paul Goldschmidt: The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping thatGoldschmidt is their first baseman of the future after hitting .286 with 20 HR and 82 RBI last season.