Imagine if Corey Seager had been healthy in 2023.

Do the Texas Rangers have the AL MVP on its roster heading into 2024?

Despite missing more than 40 games, Seager gave Shohei Ohtani a sprint to the finish line for the 2023 AL MVP heading into October. Factor in Seager’s postseason stats, and it’s easy to see why many expect he’ll be a front-runner to win the award this fall.

Regardless of where he ranks among MVP contenders, MLB.com believes Seager is the top shortstop heading in 2024, largely due to his production at the plate.

Seager led all shortstops in home runs, batting average, OPS and slugging percentage. His 156 hits ranked fourth, while his 88 runs scored ranked fifth. He also picked up his second World Series MVP after hitting .318 with six homers in the postseason.

Seager, 29, remains one of the top young players in the sport. Offensively, he’s a consistent 30-30 hitter who drives in runs in the heart of the lineup. Defensively, he’s improved from Year 1 to Year 2 in Arlington, seeing his error rate drop more than 50%.

Seager had surgery to repair a sports hernia recently and is expected to miss much, if not all of spring training. The Rangers hope he’ll be ready by Opening Day on March 28.

A full, healthy season from Seager could cement his status as the league’s consensus top shortstop and should keep Seager among the top MVP candidates.