Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Top Ten Right Fielders in MLB Today

Let's go!

10.) Jeff Francoeur, Kansas City Royals
2011 stats: .285 avg., 20 HRs, 87 RBI, .805 OPS, 47 doubles
Francoeur played a major role in Kansas City's surprisingly effective offense last year, one that finished sixth in the AL in runs and second in doubles.  Furthermore, Francoeur had the kind of season that was reminiscent of his early years with Atlanta, as he put together his best all-around year since 2007. Francoeur's 47 doubles and .805 OPS were both career highs, while his 20 home runs and .285 average were the second-highest totals of his career. Additionally, his 47 doubles were second among all AL hitters, trailing Miguel Cabrera by only one two-bagger. Despite his solid season, he can still be an incredibly erratic and streaky hitter. He also possesses one of the best arms in baseball out in right.




9.) Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers
2011 stats (124 games): .263 avg., 29 HRs, 87 RBI, .821 OPS
Cruz, when healthy, possesses an absolutely frightening bat that features as much power as anyone else on this list. However, the statement "when healthy," carries a significant amount of weight when discussing Cruz, as he has never played in at least 130 games in any season of his seven-year career. One can only imagine the kind of numbers he would put up if he were ever completely healthy, as you can see the amount of damage he did above in just 124 games last year. Additionally, his exploits in the postseason are not to be ignored, as he has 14 homers, 27 RBI and a 1.019 OPS in just 33 career playoff games.




8.) Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals
2011 stats: .300 avg., 22 HRs, 84 RBI, .910 OPS
Beltran split time between the Mets and Giants last year and for the first time since 2008, he played in 140 games. Beltran continues to show that he can be a significant threat at the plate when healthy, recording the third-highest OPS total of any right fielder in the game last year. Upon his arrival in San Francisco, Beltran continued to hit well, recording a .323 average and a .940 OPS in just 44 games with the club. Unfortunately, he could not carry the lineup alone, as his supporting cast around him was very ineffective (excluding Pablo Sandoval). He does not steal too many bases anymore, but he still has decent range in the outfield, and he will be looked upon to be a major contributor for the Cardinals entering 2012.



7.) Corey Hart, Milwaukee Brewers
2011 stats: .285 avg., 26 HRs, 63 RBI, .866 OPS
Lost in the power show that Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder put on last year in Milwaukee was Corey Hart and his performance. You know a team's offense is powerful when a guy can have an .866 OPS and still finish third on the team, and that is exactly what happened last year with Hart. Even though he is not on the level of power hitting that teammate Ryan Braun is on, he still brings a dangerous bat to the plate with him.





6.) Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
2011 stats: .256 avg., 32 HRs, 97 RBI, .814 OPS
Though he may frustrate some Reds fans, Bruce had a rock-solid year last year. Although his OPS dropped by 32 points and his average dropped by 25 points, his home run and RBI totals continue to climb. For the fourth consecutive season, Bruce increased his home run and RBI output, setting new career highs in both categories. In addition to the power he displays, Bruce also brings a great throwing arm to his position. Sometimes fans can expect too much too soon, and those who are frustrated with Bruce's play need to remember that he will be 25 this year. Anybody who already has 100 career home runs and 277 RBI by the age of 25 should be looked upon with a great deal of optimism.






5.) Hunter Pence, Philadelphia Phillies
2011 stats: .314 avg., 22 HRs, 97 RBI, .871 OPS
Pence split time between Houston and Philly last year, and it is not surprising to see why Philly was jonesing for him so much. Pence is a consistent hitter, as you can be certain he will finish with 20-25 homers, 80-90 RBI and a .280-.300 average. He recorded a career-high 97 RBI last year, which was no doubt boosted by the fact that he joined Philadelphia's solid offense. Pence will definitely be an integral part of the Phillies offense this year and in the coming seasons.




4.) Mike Stanton, Miami Marlins
2011 stats: .262 avg., 34 HRs, 87 RBI, .893 OPS
When looking at raw power and nothing else, I believe Stanton is the strongest man in the majors right now. Honestly, I feel like he did not hit a single homer under 400 feet last year! Of course, I am exaggerating, but his exhilarating power impressed many who watched him play his first full season last year, leading all NL right fielders in home runs while finishing second overall to Jose Bautista. His only flaw at the plate was his high strikeout total, whiffing 166 times. If he continues to hit with the kind of power he has, people will learn to overlook that flaw. Pencil him in for 40 homers easily in 2012.




3.) Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals
2011 stats: .301 avg., 31 HRs, 94 RBI, .959 OPS
Believe me, it feels strange putting him this high on the list, and you can be sure that he will not appear on any of my lists next year (barring an encore performance, of course). Aside from that, 2011 was a renaissance year for Berkman, as many believed he was approaching the sunset of his career with declining numbers the last several seasons. His contributions to the Cardinals were invaluable, and there is no doubt that they would not have made the postseason without the unexpected big year from him. He was one of only four right fielders to hit at least .300 last year, and his stunning .959 OPS was second among his peers at the position, trailing only the mighty Jose Bautista. Berkman will likely spend most of 2012 playing at first base. The Cardinals still have a great team even without Pujols, but if they wish to repeat as World Champions, they will likely need similar production from Berkman again.




2.) Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks
2011 stats: .289 avg., 31 HRs, 88 RBI, .898 OPS, 21 SBs. 39 doubles
Upton was overshadowed by other big names in the NL that were a part of the MVP discussion last year, but there is no denying how valuable the young right fielder was to the Diamondbacks. With five seasons under his belt already, the 24-year-old had the best year of his career up to this point, recording career-highs in home runs, RBI, doubles and steals, while falling one point short of his career-high OPS total of .899 that he reached in 2009. He also helped lead a young Arizona team to a surprising division title, the franchise's fifth since their formation in 1998. The best has yet to come for this dynamic and talented outfielder.







1.) Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
2011 stats: .302 avg., 43 HRs, 103 RBI, .447 OBP, 1.056 OPS
Bautista continued his stunning rise to becoming one of baseball's elite hitters last year, as he put together an even better all-around offensive performance than his breakout 2010 season. Although he hit 11 less homers than he did in 2010, his average and OPS went up significantly, proving that he belongs in the discussion of baseball's best hitters. Not only is Bautista the best right fielder in baseball right now, you could make the argument that he is the third best hitter in the game right now, trailing Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols. What he did last year proved that 2010 was no fluke and at age 31, he will definitely have a few more years like this left in him.

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Is this it for Justin Morneau?

The struggles that Twins first baseman Justin Morneau has dealt with regarding post-concussion symptoms have been well documented. When talking with reporters from camp at Fort Myers Friday morning however, he hinted that he might consider calling it a career if he does not get better.
From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
"I’m obviously not going to continue to mess around with this if it continues to be a problem. There comes a point where you can only torture yourself for so long." -Justin Morneau
Sox/Twins rivalry aside, this is just a terrible thing to watch. Morneau, when healthy, is one of the top first basemen in the game, and the Twins expected him to be one of the franchise's cornerstones for the next several seasons, along with Joe Mauer. Sadly, this goes to show you how devastating a concussion injury can be. We know more now than ever before about the lingering effects of concussions, and teams are becoming smarter when it comes to clearing players to return. An unfortunate corollary to this is the potential for careers to end or decline prematurely, as it can be incredibly difficult to return to full strength when battling with post-concussion issues (Morneau even went as far as using the word "torture" in describing his battle).

It has been nearly two years since he suffered his concussion sliding into Blue Jays second baseman John McDonald during that unfortunate night in Toronto, and I do not blame him in the least for becoming weary from battling through this adversity. Hopefully for him, the Twins, their fans and the game, he can get better and return to his elite level.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Top Ten Center Fielders in MLB Today

No filler here today, this will be a good one. The top ten center fielders in baseball right now!

10.) Coco Crisp, Oakland Athletics
2011 stats: .264 avg., 8 HRs, 54 RBI, .693 OPS, 49 SBs
Crisp was one of the few bright spots in Oakland's anemic lineup last year, stealing an AL-high 49 bases. While his .264 average is unimpressive, it was still good enough to tie Cliff Pennington for the second-best in the Athletics' lineup. He also tied Josh Willingham for the team lead in runs with 69.












9.) Peter Bourjos, Los Angeles Angels
2011 stats: .271 avg., 12 HRs, 43 RBI, .765 OPS, 22 SBs
Not many people know about Peter Bourjos outside of Los Angeles, but in his first full big-league season, he impressed many Angel fans, as he tied for the AL lead in triples with 11, while recording a solid 22 steals. Additionally, he displayed spectacular defense in center, which has many fans excited about what the future holds for the Illinois native. Perhaps the only flaw in his game is that he is a bit of a free swinger, striking out 124 times while drawing only 32 walks. Bourjos looks to be the Angels center fielder for 2012, but with top prospect Mike Trout waiting in the wings, it will be interesting to see what the Angels decide to do with him, especially since they moved Torii Hunter to right in favor of the 24-year-old. They will also have to figure out what to do with left fielder Vernon Wells, especially since he is still owed $21 million over the course of the next three seasons. Once Trout arrives, the Angels will have quite the dilemma on their hands with five outfielders, including Bobby Abreu, although he could possibly be traded.




8.) Michael Bourn, Atlanta Braves
2011 stats: .294 avg., 2 HRs, 50 RBI, .734 OPS, 61 SBs
Bourn split time between his hometown Astros and the Braves last year, leading the majors in steals along the way. The Braves acquired him from Houston at the trade deadline, sending Juan Abreu, Jordan Schafer and three minor leaguers to the Astros in exchange for the speedy center fielder. Bourn immediately provided a boost to the top of the order for Atlanta, recording 22 steals in just 58 games to go along with a .278 average. At age 29, Bourn is entering his prime, and he will definitely be one of the top leadoff hitters in the game for the next several years. With Scott Boras as his agent, expect Bourn to receive a nice payday once he hits free agency after this season.

7.) Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies
2011 stats: .279 avg., 17 HRs, 61 RBI, .847 OPS, 19 SBs
Victorino's stolen base totals dropped sharply in 2011 (down to 19 from 34 in 2010), however he made up for it by recording a strong OPS for a guy with below-average power. Victorino smacked a major-league high 16 triples to go along with 27 doubles, enabling him to achieve the solid OPS you see above. While he did not record as many steals as he did in the past, his speed still enables him to display great range in center, to go along with a solid glove.








6.) Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
2011 stats: .259 avg., 23 HRs, 89 RBI, .820 OPS, 23 SBs
McCutchen saw an increase in his power numbers last year, recording career-highs in home runs, RBI and OPS, however his batting average fell by 27 points from last year's mark. Additionally, his strikeout total increased by 37, fanning 126 times, a career-high. The drop in average and increase in power can be attributed to the fact that the Pirates placed him in the middle of their order significantly more last year, as they expected him to be more of a power hitter (348 of his 572 at-bats came in the three hole). This year will be just his fourth big-league season, so the best has yet to come for the Bucs' center fielder.







5.) Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
2011 stats: .280 avg., 25 HRs, 83 RBI, .785 OPS
The former Mariners first round draft pick continues to rise amongst the game's top center fielders, putting together a solid season for the Orioles. He tied for third among Junior Circuit center fielders in home runs, while playing outstanding defense in center for the Birds. While a true renaissance appears to be several years away in Baltimore, you can bet that Jones will be a part of it when it finally arrives.




4.) Melky Cabrera, San Francisco Giants
2011 stats: .305 avg., 18 HRs, 87 RBI, .809 OPS, 20 SBs, 44 doubles
The spectacular season Melky Cabrera put together for Kansas City went virtually unnoticed last year, as the young center fielder had the best year of his career. Cabrera put up career-highs in just about every major statistical category, and he was one of four Royals players to hit at least 40 doubles, joining Jeff Francoeur (47), Alex Gordon (45) and Billy Butler (44). His chance to make an impact in Kansas City was short-lived, as he was traded to the Giants during the offseason for pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. It will be interesting to see if Cabrera can have an encore performance in San Francisco, where he will be counted on to be a major contributor in an otherwise dreadful lineup.



3.) Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees
2011 stats: .262 avg., 41 HRs, 119 RBI, .916 OPS, 25 SBs
Many people who keep up on their baseball would know that Curtis Granderson had modest power for a lead-off hitter, but nobody expected the offensive explosion that took place for him last year. Granderson set career-highs in home runs, RBI and OPS, while his 25 steals were the second-highest total of his career. Additionally, he finished second in the majors in home runs (behind Jose Bautista's 43) and third in RBI (behind Prince Fielder's 120 and Matt Kemp's 126). He also provides a solid glove in center to go along with his hitting prowess. The only flaw in his game is that he can be a bit of a free swinger, as evidenced in his 169 strikeouts last year. Yankee fans would be wise to not expect an encore performance from Granderson, but if he finishes with 25-30 homers in 2012, you likely will not hear anyone complaining.



2.) Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox
2011 stats: .321 avg., 32 HRs, 105 RBI, .928 OPS, 39 SBs
Along with Dustin Pedroia, Ellsbury carried the Red Sox during the month of September while their metaphorical ship was sinking. During that final month, Ellsbury hit .358 with eight homers and 20 RBI, to go along with a ridiculous 1.067 OPS, which gave him a decent amount of consideration for AL MVP. Unfortunately for him, the team's collapse destroyed his chances of capturing the award, as it ended up going to Detroit's Justin Verlander. Despite this, Ellsbury became the first 30-30 player in Red Sox history, leaving the team with a bonafide star in center who can not only hit, but play stellar defense as well.

1.) Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers
2011 stats: .324 avg., 39 HRs, 126 RBI, .986 OPS 40 SBs
If you remember my MVP projections I made on here last September, you will know that I selected Kemp as my winner. It is not hard to see why as he nearly became the first National League player since Joe "Ducky" Medwick in 1937 to win the Triple Crown. He fell short in batting average, finishing third, but he still led the way in home runs and RBI while finishing second in OPS and stolen bases. Statistically speaking, it was one of the more dominant offensive performances in recent memory. He fell short of the coveted 40-40 mark by one home run, which made Kemp all the more hungry, saying that he wants to go 50-50 in 2012. No player has ever achieved that lofty mark, and it's doubtful that Kemp will reach that milestone. However, if I had to pick one player that I believed had an outside shot at doing it, Kemp would be my man. He displayed a new found energy and passion for the game last year, and it would not surprise me to see him get to 30-30 at the very least this season.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Spring Training Updates & The Top Ten Left Fielders in MLB Today

Nine more teams had their official report date yesterday. Let's take a look around their camps before profiling the top ten left fielders in baseball.

Grapefruit League:

Detroit Tigers, Lakeland:
  • La Russa arrives in Lakeland, raves about Fielder (Detroit Free-Press)
  • USA Today follows Prince Fielder to "Tiger Town" in Lakeland (USA Today)
 New York Yankees, Tampa:
  • A.J. Burnett happy to be out of New York (Sporting News)
  • Will 2012 be the final season of Mariano Rivera's career? (Sports Illustrated)
  • Jeff Passan from Yahoo Sports looks at the Yankees' two new pitching acquisitions, Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda (Yahoo Sports)
Atlanta Braves, Orlando:
 Houston Astros, Kissimmee:
 Washington Nationals, Viera:
  • Washington Post columnist Thomas Boswell looks at the Nats as they head south to Viera (Washington Post)
  • Wilson Ramos ready to put kidnapping behind him (Washington Post)
  • Will there be a hard limit to Stephen Strasburg's innings this year? The terrific Nationals blog, "Federal Baseball" analyzes the situation (Federal Baseball)
  • Ivan Rodriguez on the outside looking in, writes Mel Antonen (Sports Illustrated)
Cactus League:

Arizona Diamondbacks, Scottsdale:
  • Will the D'Backs regress or repeat in 2012? The blog "AZ Snakepit" breaks the team down position-by-position (AZ Snakepit)
  • Stephen Drew fielding ground balls for the first time since injury (Sports Illustrated)
 Colorado Rockies, Scottsdale:
  • Manager Jim Tracy gets an "indefinite" contract extension. Hmmmm. (Fox Sports)
  • 49-year-old Jamie Moyer enters camp with a competitive fire (Aurora Sentinel)
  • Rockies hoping for a repeat of 2007 and 2009 (The Coloradoan)
Milwaukee Brewers, Maryvale:
San Diego Padres, Peoria:
  • The blog "Chicken Friars" looks at holding on to the tiny sliver of hope each fan has once Spring Training begins (Chicken Friars)
  • Not really a Padres story (well, sort of), but cool nonetheless. There is an effort to have a statue of San Diego native Ted Williams erected in the city. Williams once played for the old version of the Padres that were part of the original Pacific Coast League. (Fox 5 San Diego)

On a random note...

Someone took the time out to look at the ten worst swings in baseball last year. It stinks that they are only .gif files, but it's still an entertaining look. Enjoy: (SB Nation)

Now, on to our top ten left fielders!

No Yankee picture of Raul just yet, so this will
have to do.
10.) Raul Ibanez, New York Yankees
2011 stats: .245 avg., 20 HRs, 84 RBI, .707 OPS
The 39-year-old left fielder for the Phillies finally started to show signs of age last year, as his numbers have declined since his outstanding 2009 campaign, when he hit a career-high 34 home runs while driving in 93. His age is not limiting his durability however, as Ibanez still played in 144 games last year. The Yankees recently signed him to be their primary designated hitter, so his years of being a regular left fielder appear to be over.










9.) Logan Morrison, Miami Marlins
2011 stats (123 games): .247 avg., 23 HRs, 72 RBI, .797 OPS
If this were a top ten list of the most active players on a social medium, Morrison would be number one, hands down. If you are on twitter and are not following Morrison, it is your loss (you can follow him @LoMoMarlins, or check out his twitter page). Social media aside, Morrison showed some promise in his first full big league season, displaying modest power numbers in just 123 games. The only blemish in an otherwise decent season was when he was inexplicably sent to Triple-A for no good reason at all in August. For the Marlins to place themselves into playoff contention in 2012, they will need for Morrison to continue his ascent as one of baseball's best left fielders, which many are confident that he will do.

Nothing of him in Twins garb, so here's a good ol' stock photo
of him with Oakland.
8.) Josh Willingham, Minnesota Twins
2011 stats: .246 avg., 29 HRs, 98 RBI, .810 OBP
Willingham is an underrated power hitter who provides more power than people realize. He is not a mega-power hitter, but his career average for homers per season is 27, which can be of value to any team needing a left fielder. Willingham took his talents to the East Bay last year, leading the A's in homers while finishing second among all left fielders in RBI. Now that the Twins have lost Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, Willingham should provide an adequate bat to offset the loss of those two to free agency.



7.) Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
2011 stats: .259 avg., 7 HRs, 36 RBI, .713 OPS, 49 SBs
The speedy left fielder for the Yankees is establishing himself as one of the top stolen base threats in all of baseball, as his 49 steals tied for the AL lead and was second only to Michael Bourn's 61 in all of baseball. The only flaw in his game is that he does not get on base as much as you would like for him to, as his on-base percentage was just .345 last year.  








6.) Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs
2011 stats: .244 avg., 26 HRs, 88 RBI, .759 OPS
Soriano's time on the North Side has been nothing short of disappointing. Despite this, he still had a solid year at the plate, as his 26 homers were the most he hit since 2008. He also managed to drive in 88, which was the first time he had at least 80 since 2006, when he manned left field for the Nationals. While he was never one to hit for average, his .244 clip last year was still disappointing, as his average has declined sharply since 2008. Not only has his batting average fallen the last several seasons, his stolen base total has fallen even further. After stealing a career high 41 bases in 2006, he has yet to top 20 since arriving in Chicago in 2007. He still provides power in the middle of the Cubs' order, but if you were to poll die-hard Cub fans on their feelings regarding Soriano, many of them are probably eager to see someone new in left.



5.) Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
2011 stats: .303 avg., 23 HRs, 87 RBI, .879 OPS, 45 doubles
The patience the Kansas City organization has shown with their former first round pick finally paid off last year. At age 27, Gordon broke out, setting career highs in all major batting categories, while also earning his first career Gold Glove. He was a part of the Kansas City quartet that smashed doubles like mad men last year, hitting 45, which was the second-most on his team (Jeff Francoeur led the team with 47, while Melky Cabrera and Billy Butler each hit 44). Fans in Kansas City are excited for the future, and they will certainly need for Gordon to continue to have seasons like this if they wish to witness the end of the team's 27-year playoff drought.



4.) Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals
2011 stats: .296 avg., 22 HRs, 75 RBI, .912 OPS, 36 doubles
Holliday provided a rock-steady bat and protection behind Albert Pujols last year, but he will have to be the man all by himself in St. Louis' lineup entering this season. His .912 OPS was second among all MLB left fielders trailing only Ryan Braun, and his 36 doubles ranked fourth, trailing Carlos Lee, Ryan Braun and Alex Gordon. While not a big base-stealer, his stolen base figures have fallen since moving to St. Louis, as former manager Tony La Russa rarely utilized that style of play. In 2008, Holliday had 28 steals in 30 chances; that number dropped to just two in three chances last year. He features an average glove and arm in left, however many unfortunately remember his gaffes in the field during big games (2007 one-game playoff, 2009 NLDS, 2011 World Series Game 6).



3.) Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
2011 stats (127 games): .295 avg., 26 HRs, 92 RBI, .889 OPS, 20 SBs
"CarGo" took a slight step back from the gaudy numbers he put together in 2010, however he still had a terrific year at the plate for the Rockies. His 26 homers tied for third among all left fielders, while finishing in third by himself in OPS. He also displayed some speed, stealing 20 bases in 25 opportunities. Do not let the step back fool you; he's here to stay as one of baseball's elite left fielders.





2.) Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
2011 stats (121 games): .298 avg., 25 HRs, 94 RBI, .882 OPS  
You have to wonder what kind of numbers Hamilton can put up during the course of a season if he can ever stay of the disabled list. Arguably the best hitter in the Rangers stacked lineup, Hamilton actually finished fifth on the team in homers, trailing Nelson Cruz (29), Mike Napoli (30), Ian Kinsler (32) and Adrian Beltre (32). Despite this, he still led all AL left fielders in OPS (.882). Hamilton also provides solid defense in left to go along with a great arm.






1.) Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
2011 stats: .332 avg., 33 HRs, 111 RBI, .994 OPS, 38 doubles,  33 SBs
Yes, I am well aware of the possible 50 game suspension the reigning NL MVP is facing right now, but show me a better left fielder in the game that can actually stay healthy. We are still awaiting a verdict regarding whether or not Braun has to serve his suspension, so until MLB hands down their decree, I am still placing Braun at the top of this list. He finished second in the Senior Circuit batting race to Jose Reyes, and his 33 home runs, 111 RBI and .994 OPS were tops among all left fielders. Oh, did I mention that he went 30/30 last year? Again, I am erring on the side of caution right now and will call him innocent until proven guilty.



Monday, February 20, 2012

More teams report to Spring Training & The Top Ten Third Basemen Today

Spring is quickly approaching, ladies and gentlemen. More teams have reported to Spring Training this weekend at sun-drenched fields in Florida and Arizona, which has many of us up here in the North dreaming of warmer weather. Let's gather the the vibe around the camps of teams that have reported. After this, we will take a gander at the top ten third basemen in the game today.

Grapefruit League:

Baltimore Orioles, Sarasota:
  • O's reliever Jim Johnson not concerned about lower back (Baltimore Sun)
  • MLB.com O's beat reporter Britt Ghiroli profiles the Birds as they head into camp (Britt's Bird Watch)
Minnesota Twins, Fort Myers:
Philadelphia Phillies, Clearwater:
Pittsburgh Pirates, Bradenton:
St. Louis Cardinals, Jupiter:
  • Adam Wainwright prepares for his return (Sports Illustrated)
  • What should people expect from David Freese this year? The Cardinals blog "Viva El Birdos" takes an in-depth look (Viva El Birdos)
  • An open letter to new manager Mike Matheny from another Cardinals blog, Redbird Rants (Redbird Rants)
  • Matheny delivers simple message to Cardinals entering camp (St. Louis Cardinals Team Site)
Cactus League:

Oakland Athletics, Phoenix:
  • What are the ten best things about being an A's fan? You better count all of your blessings and remember this list A's fans, it might be a long season. (Big League Stew)
  • A's have a lot on their to-do list entering camp (San Jose Mercury News)
  • Challenges await Yoenis Cespedes, the A's biggest off-season acquisition (Oakland A's Team Site)
Seattle Mariners, Peoria:
Chicago Cubs, Mesa:
  • New manager Dale Sveum on reporting to camp (Chicago Tribune)
  • Cubs to sign Nate Robinson to deepen pitching staff? (CSN Chicago)
  • Theo Epstein working hard to instill a new "Cubs Way" (Fox Chicago)
Cincinnati Reds, Goodyear:
  • Dusty Baker isn't worried about his contract (Cincinnati.com)
  • Ryan Madson ready to deliver amidst high expectations (Cincinnati Reds Team Site)
  • Since the guy still has not signed anywhere yet, the Reds blog "Redleg Nation" analyzes the cost of adding Roy Oswalt to the Reds (Redleg Nation)
  • A little bit of history regarding Reds Spring Training, also courtesy of Redleg Nation (Redleg Nation)
  • Some more about Brett Tomko's return to the Reds (Cincinnati.com)
  • Reds beat writer John Fay spotlights Homer Bailey (Cincinnati.com)
  • Jonah Keri previews the Reds for Grantland.com (Grantland.com)
San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale:
Now, do not be alarmed if you do not see your team on here, or if you do not see certain teams on here, because more teams will be reporting as the week progresses. If you are wondering when the report date is for each team, you can find it here: MLB Report Dates.

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On to our list for today, the top ten third basemen in baseball right now. It's slim pickings at this position, as many of the players on this list were battling injuries last year, and there were not any other players that had a good enough season to bump anyone from this list.

10.) Placido Polanco, Philadelphia Phillies
2011 stats (122 games): .277 avg., 5 HRs, 50 RBI, .674 OPS
Typically a consistent hitter who is incredibly difficult to strike out (his 44 strikeouts last year were the lowest of any regular third baseman), Polanco finally saw his average dip to .277, his lowest clip since his sophomore season in the bigs in 1999. Considering his average was still a solid .298 in 2010, this should raise some red flags among Philly fans, injury or not. He is not getting any younger either (Polanco turns 37 in October), meaning that last year may be the beginning of a gradual decline for the Phillies third baseman.

9.) David Wright, New York Mets
2011 stats (102 games): .254 avg., 14 HRs, 61 RBI, .771 OPS
Another third baseman who was battling injuries last year (get used to it, there are more to come on this list). Wright was plagued with back issues, and it clearly hampered him at the plate as evidenced with his unusually poor numbers. Wright still provides a good glove at the hot corner, and if the injury bug does not strike him again, he should return to his career norms this year.

8.)  Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
2011 stats (126 games): .275 avg., 18 HRs, 70 RBI, .814 OPS, 33 doubles
The aging Braves third baseman might not have made this list after the 2010 season. After that dreadful year in which he hit .265 with 10 homers and 46 RBI in 95 games, there was talk that Jones might retire following the season. However, he decided to return in 2011, and he was able to modestly increase his offensive output, increasing his average by 10 points, his homer total by eight, his RBI total by 24 and his OPS total by eight points. Jones will turn 40 on April 24, meaning his best years are behind him and the sunset of his career is quickly approaching. We'll see if he has one more solid year left in him, as Atlanta tries to purge from their collective memory one of the greatest collapses in baseball history.

7.) Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
2011 stats (99 games): .276 avg,. 16 HRs, 62 RBI, .823 OPS
Once the picture of youth and ability, Rodriguez is finally beginning to show his age. He missed a significant amount of time due to injury last year, and he has not played in at least 140 games since 2007. He will turn 37 on July 27, which makes you wonder if he is reaching the point of his career where he will no longer put up the kind of numbers he had during his salad years of  1998-2007. Nonetheless, he does not have much competition among the rest of the third basemen in MLB, meaning he will likely remain on this list for the next several years.

6.) Mark Reynolds, Baltimore Orioles
2011 stats: .227 avg., 37 HRs, 86 RBI, .806 OPS
Mark Reynolds is basically Adam Dunn version 2.0: high strikeout total, low batting average, a big swing and a lot of home runs. Reynolds provided a big surge of power to Baltimore's lineup last year, as his 37 homers led his team and all MLB third basemen. He also led the American League in strikeouts with 196, and only Cincinnati's Drew Stubbs was unable to de-throne him as the MLB strikeout king at the plate (Stubbs had 205). For someone who hits for a ton of power, he does not draw all that many walks or get on base a lot, which contributed to a somewhat low OPS figure for a power hitter. Reynolds only drew 75 walks and got on-base at a dreadful .323 clip last year. He is an enigma, to say the least.

5.) Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals
2011 stats (101 games): .289 avg., 12 HRs, 49 RBI, .798 OPS
I am a broken record by this point with saying this, but Zimmerman battled injuries last year, contributing to his meager output. Unlike his other banged-up brethren, Zimmerman was able to put together a solid average in spite of his injuries. He remains one of the game's most underrated stars, and he is a dangerous hitter at the plate when healthy. Additionally, he contributes a great deal defensively to the Nationals.

4.) Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers
2011 stats: .306 avg., 26 HRs, 93 RBI, .871 OPS
I have never been a big fan of Ramrirez as a player. However he was able to have a nice bounce-back year with the Cubs last year, in what would be his swan song with the team. His 26 homers led all NL third basemen, and his .871 OPS was second among all third basemen, trailing only Adrian Beltre. His defense leaves a lot to be desired at the hot corner though.
3.) Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants
2011 stats (115 games): .315 avg., 23 HRs, 70 RBI, .909 OPS
After a disappointing 2010 season, Sandoval had a comeback year of his own, increasing his average by 47 points, while increasing his OPS by a whopping 177 points! Some may have considered him too out of shape and washed up after 2010; however his critics forget that he is only 25.

2.) Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
2011 stats (133 games): .244 avg., 31 HRs, 99 RBI, .850 OPS
It was a difficult decision placing Longoria at second in this list, but I would think of him as "1A" instead of number two, much like I did with Ian Kinsler among second basemen. He battled injuries himself, but he bounced back to have a very productive second-half, hitting 17 of his 31 homers in August and September, while hitting .289 during the season's final month. He provides excellent defense at the hot corner, and if it was not for his lackluster and uncharacteristically low batting average, I would place him at number one.

1.) Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
2011 stats: .296 avg., 32 HRs, 105 RBI, .892 OPS
People may still not think much of him, mostly because of the perceptions they gained during his time in Seattle. Beltre continues to be a significant threat with the bat at the plate, leading the mighty Rangers lineup in homers, while leading all AL third basemen in RBI and OPS. He also provides great defense at third, earning his third career Gold Glove after another terrific season at the hot corner. The great defense he continues to display, along with his impressive offensive output, was enough for me to put Beltre at number one for this year.




Saturday, February 18, 2012

The Top Ten Shortstops in MLB Right Now

Today we profile the top ten shortstops in the game right now. Remember, in order to stay consistent with how MLB Network does their rankings, what each player accomplished last year will heavily factor into where they are placed.

10.) Yunel Escobar, Toronto Blue Jays
2011 stats: .290 avg., 11 HRs, 48 RBI, .782 OPS
Escobar brings a solid bat to Toronto's lineup as his .290 average was third among AL shortstops. He also possesses good range and a strong arm at short.







9.) Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox
2011 stats: .269 avg., 15 HRs, 70 RBI, .727 OPS
Alexei does not have the ability to carry a lineup like his teammate Paul Konerko, but he brings with him a decent bat that serves well as a complimentary piece. While his average dipped 13 points from last year, everything else offensively has remained somewhat consistent with his career averages. Ramirez has outstanding range defensively, but sometimes that can get him into trouble when he tries to do too much, as evidenced in the 16 errors he committed last year.









8.) J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles
2011 stats: .269 avg., 30 HRs, 80 RBI, .801 OPS
After a pair of dismal seasons in Milwaukee and Minnesota in 2009 and 2010, Hardy put together a nice bounce-back year that has people believing in him again as a threat at the plate. His 30 home runs were a career high, and his 90 RBI tied a career high that he set in 2007. He also comes with a sure-handed glove, committing only six errors all season.













7.) Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
2011 stats: .279 avg., 5 HRs, 60 RBI, .708 OPS, 37 SBs
The young, fleet-footed shortstop of the Rangers is already making waves as one of the game's future stars. In just his third big-league season, Andrus' 37 steals were tops among AL shortstops, and his defensive excellence only continues to grow. Remember, he's just 23; the sky is the limit for Andrus.










6.) Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
2011 stats: .297 avg., 6 HRs, 61 RBI, .743 OPS
The Fountain of Youth must be somewhere hidden deep within the The Bronx, because how Jeter and closer Mariano Rivera continue to defy age year after year simply astounds me. Jeter continues to remain as one of the best at his position, as the future Hall of Famer posted the second-highest batting average of any AL shortstop last season. He also notched his 3,000 career hit last summer, and while he may not get any higher on this list, he will certainly ascend on the list of the game's all-time great hitters in the 3,000 hit club.









5.) Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers
2011 stats: .299 avg,. 21 HRs, 86 RBI, .824 OPS
While he is not blessed with the defensive prowess that some of his peers have at shortstop, Peralta yields a good stick at the plate. Peralta's .824 OPS topped all Junior Circuit shortstops, while his 21 homers ranked third in the AL, trailing only J.J. Hardy and Asdrubal Cabrera.
















4.) Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians
2011 stats: .273 avg. 25 HRs, 92 RBI, .792 OPS
An absolute artist with the glove, Cabrera's bat is beginning to catch up to the level of his glove work. Cabrera not only led the Tribe in RBI, he also topped the Junior Circuit in the category as well. If you have not watched Cabrera play defense, you have been missing out on something great. Make a point to keep your eyes peeled on baseball's top play highlight reels throughout the course of the summer, and you will definitely see his defensive mastery on display.





3.) Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs
2011 stats: .307 avg., 10 HRs, 66 RBI, .773 OPS, 207 hits, 22 SBs
The Cubs may not have many players worth the price of admission at Wrigley nowadays, but Starlin Castro is giving North Siders a reason to still have some excitement for the future. In just his second big-league season, Castro paced the NL in hits with 207, while recording the second-highest batting average of any shortstop at .307. Even though they are a bitter rival of the Sox, I still have a blast watching him play. If Reyes fails to stay healthy in Miami this season, do not be surprised to see Castro move up to number two.







2.) Jose Reyes, Miami Marlins
2011 stats: .337 avg., 7 HRs, 44 RBI, .877 OPS, 39 SBs, 16 triples
Reyes' swan song with the Mets last year was something to be remembered, however his final year in the Big Apple did not end without controversy. In the final game of the season on September 28, Reyes notched a bunt single in his first at-bat to bring his average to .337, which placed him atop the NL for the moment. He took himself out of the game soon thereafter in order to protect his average, leaving a somewhat sour taste in the mouths of some purists. Nonetheless, he became the first player in Mets history to win a batting crown, while tying for the major-league lead in triples with 16. His 39 steals were also tops among all shortstops and his .877 OPS was the second-highest among his peers.





1.) Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
2011 stats: .302 avg., 30 HRs, 105 RBI, .916 OPS
Many around baseball knew Tulowitzki was the real deal once he stepped onto the scene in 2007, and it should not surprise anyone that he tops this list. "Tulo" as he is affectionately called by Rockies fans, is continuing his rise to becoming one of the game's elite and top tier stars by putting together another spectacular season in Colorado. His 105 RBI and .916 OPS were the highest of any shortstop in baseball last year, and his 30 home runs tied with J.J. Hardy for the most in MLB as well. Additionally, he was one of only three shortstops to hit over .300 last year, as his .302 average trailed only Jose Reyes and Starlin Castro in that department. When you also factor in that he has won the last two Gold Gloves at shortstop in the NL, there is no longer any second-guessing with "Tulo." He is here to stay as the game's best shortstop, and he will likely top this list for the next several years.

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Other news around the majors:

Tony the Tiger? LaRussa heading to Tigers camp in Lakeland (MLB.com)

Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton to retire following 2012 season (Sports Illustrated)

Blast from the Past: Brett Tomko to sign with Reds? (Cincinnati.com)

Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn has tumor removed (Sports Illustrated)

"Chicago Tribune Live" discussion on renovating or replacing Wrigley Field (CSN Chicago)

Tim Wakefield calls it a career (ESPNBoston.com)

A few days old, but still worth watching. The stunning Kate Upton stars in a commercial promoting MLB 2K12.