Jersey sales don’t lie— they are a reflection of who is capturing the hearts and the wallets of the baseball fans. This year’s popular MLB jersey list has come out, and it has the usual superstars as predicted. However, the biggest shocker isn’t just who made the list—but who didn’t make it to the list.

Let’s just start with Paul Skenes. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace has had a rookie season meant for the books—a complete fairytale. He started the All-Star game for the National League, won Rookie of the Year, and finished third in the Cy Young voting. He had an 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA.

So he wasn’t just good—he was on fire. But it wasn’t just his mound shenanigans that kept him in the news. He and his girlfriend also have a great following on social media. Call them the it couple in MLB now. So imagine the shock one would feel to see him placed so low on the list! But perhaps the most shocking was a snub of a legendary player from the list.

Mike Trout’s absence has been a shocking revelation in the list. It just shows how memory is very short-lived in the baseball world. For years, he was the Angels superstar and always a fixture on these lists. He was the guy. But this time, he was nowhere to be seen. But really, is it all that surprising? He played just 29 games last season due to his knee surgery.

And it’s not just knee injuries —over the past few years, injuries have been the unfortunate truth for Mike Trout. Right now, even a position change is his reality. He left the role he always knew and shifted to the left field. On top of that, the Los Angeles Angels don’t have a championship-winning team right now, and neither do the Pirates. This might be the biggest reason why Paul Scenes is low on the list and Mike Trout is—well—not there on the list. The top players on the list have the spotlight on them. Or are they from the big market teams like the Dodgers and Yankees? Speaking of which, the Dodgers are ruling this list too.

The Dodgers dominate the MLB list with six players in the top 20

The Los Angeles Dodgers have six players in the top 20. It’s a testament to both their on-field dominance and the star power they have. There are no points for guessing who is at the top of the list—Shohei Ohtani. He was a household name back in Japan, and he has continued that streak here in America too. His jaw-dropping hitter and pitcher combo has won over fans time and again. Plus the icing on the cake was his WS win, so he had to be on top. But Ohtani isn’t the lone Dodger in this list.

Freddie Freeman, taught everyone the meaning of resilience last year. And Mookie Betts, who against all odds, proved his talents are high on the list. Quite easy to see why they are clear-cut fan favorites. But what’s inspiring is the entry of Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the list. Another Japanese star on the MLB list! He is sitting in the top 10 on the list, and it is the only second time that two Japan-born players have been ranked in the top 10. Clearly, the Dodger talent is real. But while they are for sure riding high, one cannot forget the New York Yankees.

Aaron Judge is at no. 5, and his iconic status continues to grow. His leadership, his power at the mound, and everything simply transcends the game. Also, young players like Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson, along with Skenes, have made it onto the list—the future of MLB. And what’s also striking is how the future of baseball is quite visible in the list, with players who are 26 and younger in a good part of the top 20.

So whether you are a fan of the veterans or are rooting for the newer stars, the game no doubt is in good hands. Don’t you think so?