What happened: DeRo named his premier selections entering the National League Championship Series. Jackson Chourio followed the top choice in second place. Freddie Freeman, William Contreras and Aaron Ashby completed the group.

Why it matters: The rankings highlight individuals expected to shape the outcome of the impending series. Recent performances factored heavily into the evaluation as the championship round approaches.

What to watch: The listed athletes will look to validate their rankings when the NLCS gets underway.