Baseball's 50 Best Players

[Soriambi]

According to The Sporting News:

http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball...24/484543.html

1. Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers

If it ain't broke, fix it and make it better: As good as A-Rod was before leaving Seattle, he retooled his swing under the supervision of Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo after arriving in Texas.

The result has been consecutive years of career highs in homers and RBIs. One general manager sums it up nicely: "the best shortstop ever."

2. Barry Bonds, LF, Giants

Nobody scares opponents more, and the way pitchers and teams approach him proves it. In Game 7 of last year's World Series, the Angels were so determined not to give him anything to hit that they threw every pitch -- it didn't matter if the bases were loaded with no outs or the bases were empty with two outs -- as if the count were 0-2. As if Bonds would chase anything out of the zone; he has a remarkable ability to immediately recognize a pitch.

His batting eye is so solid that it seems strange when an umpire calls a strike on him. Bonds gets his power from his hips, which he turns like he's auditioning for The Exorcist.

3. Albert Pujols, LF, Cardinals

His at-bats in two games speak volumes. The first game was against the Royals on June 29. Pujols is not a strict pull hitter, but Kansas City second baseman Carlos Febles played him behind the bag, leaving a huge hole between first and second. So Pujols grounded the first pitch exactly where Febles should have been.

A guy that big who hits the ball that hard should not be allowed to do that. He followed that single with two 400-foot homers. Five days later, against the Cubs, Kerry Wood knocked down Pujols with a pitch under the chin. He got up and hit the next pitch -- the next pitch -- over the center field wall.

4. Vladimir Guerrero RF, Expos

You wouldn't use his approach at the plate as a textbook example if you were teaching your kid how to hit. But you definitely would take the results and the effort. "Gives 100 percent every game, and still is getting better," one GM says.

Who knows how he ropes balls at his feet or in his eyes for hits, but he does. Guerrero has been plagued by back problems this season, but he still figures to be the hottest commodity on the free-agent market in the offseason. Baseball fans in every city close their eyes and see Guerrero throwing lasers from right for their team.

5. Pedro Martinez, RHP, Red Sox

Several pollsters cite health as a concern, but he's still in the top five. It's more than just nasty stuff, he has a nasty demeanor.

Whether he's dissing George Steinbrenner or laying claim to the inside corner of the plate (and the edges of the batter's box, while he's at it), Pedro pitches as if he has a grudge against every batter.

6. Mark Prior, RHP, Cubs

Already an ace at 22, Prior mows down hitters with the precision of a German engineer and the exuberance of, well, a German engineer. One GM voted Prior the third-best player in the game and was "tempted to put him No. 1."

Prior has guts -- the week before the All-Star break, he plowed over Marcus Giles while running the bases, rolled on the ground in pain, then dusted himself off and headed back to the mound the next inning. There were guys left to strike out, mind you.

7. Alfonso Soriano, 2B, Yankees

Lightning in pinstripes. Soriano is as exciting as any player to watch. He's a little rough around the edges and has not yet mastered second base, but he has speed and power and hits bullets with that Flintstones-sized club he swings.

8. Curt Schilling, RHP, Diamondbacks

Schilling combines a power pitcher's heat with a finesse pitcher's preparation and pinpoint control. He throws as hard -- harder, sometimes -- at the end of the game as he does at the beginning. One general manager says Schilling "might be nearing the end, but they'll have to drag him off the field."

9. Gary Sheffield, RF, Braves

His swing is violent. The more you see it, the more thankful you are that you don't play third. He's a huge reason the Braves are running away with the NL East.

A 16-year veteran, Sheffield is on pace to have his best season. His peers are noticing -- he cracks the top 10 after missing the list entirely last season.

10. Nomar Garciaparra, SS, Red Sox

"I know he can't turn two," one exec says, "but that bat at shortstop is worth millions." Garciaparra hits as many balls on the nose as any player. He has had more than 70 extra-base hits in each of his five full big-league seasons. He's on pace for more than 90 this season, including 23 triples.


11. Sammy Sosa, RF, Cubs. Still is feared, even if some of the luster has faded.

12. Barry Zito, LHP, A's. Has a curve so scary opposing managers get the heebie-jeebies filling out their lineup cards.

13. Randy Johnson, LHP, Diamondbacks. His return keeps N.L. hitters up at night.

14. Carlos Delgado, 1B, Blue Jays. Hit .433 with runners in scoring position in the first half.

15. Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies. One GM raves about his combination of average, power, makeup and athleticism.

16. Mark Mulder, LHP, A's. His fastball and splitter have great movement.

17. Manny Ramirez, LF, Red Sox. A pure hitter.

18. Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Mariners. One of the best two-way players in the game.

19. John Smoltz, RHP, Braves. Total domination as a closer.

20. Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees. Has widely respected intangibles, widely debated skills.

21. Chipper Jones, LF, Braves. Has driven in 100 or more runs in every season since 1996.

22. Kevin Brown, RHP, Dodgers. Throws nasty pitches from multiple arm angles. If he only could stay healthy.

23. Jason Giambi, 1B, Yankees. His poor start was a fluke, not a trend.

24. Eric Gagne, closer, Dodgers. Before the All-Star break, he struck out 76 in 45 1/3 innings and converted all 31 save chances. Yikes!

25. Scott Rolen, 3B, Cardinals. A throwback player who has found a home in St. Louis.

26. Mike Sweeney, 1B, Royals. One of the best righthanded hitters in the game.

27. Andruw Jones, CF, Braves. Says a GM: "Saves runs with his defense and drives in runs with his improving offense."

28. Eric Chavez, 3B, A's. "Does it all well at key position," one GM says.

29. Tim Hudson, RHP, A's. The body of a kicker, arm of an ace, guts of a big-game pitcher.

30. Matt Morris, RHP, Cardinals. GM: "Will give innings and dominate."

31. Kerry Wood, RHP, Cubs. A pit bull who still is trying to put it all together.

32. Jim Edmonds, CF, Cardinals. His play fluctuates from the lowest low to the highest high.

33. Brian Giles, LF, Pirates. GM: "The most underrated player in the game."

34. Jason Schmidt, RHP, Giants. It's tough to hit a guy who locates a mid-90s fastball.

35. Edgar Martinez, DH, Mariners. Hits like a truck, runs like a Pinto.

36. Bret Boone, 2B, Mariners. A key run producer and stellar defender.

37. Mike Mussina, RHP, Yankees. GM: "Still has the best overall repertoire in baseball."

38. Jamie Moyer, LHP, Mariners. His stuff scares nobody but flummoxes everybody.

39. Mariano Rivera, RHP, Yankees. You almost have to drag batters to the plate when he's in the zone closing games.

40. Roy Halladay, RHP, Blue Jays. His makeup finally has caught up to his stuff.

41. Vernon Wells, CF, Blue Jays. Is a huge part of Toronto's resurgence.

42. Mike Lowell, 3B, Marlins. GM: "Impact leader whose power is beginning to play."

43. Roy Oswalt, RHP, Astros. The more he pitches, the more people are impressed.

44. Garret Anderson, LF, Angels. He needed to win a World Series, the home run derby and the All-Star MVP to get the recognition he deserves.

45. Magglio Ordonez, RF, White Sox. Quietly puts up big numbers.

46. Jose Vidro, 2B, Expos. Highly productive for his position.

47. Esteban Loaiza, RHP, White Sox. Nothing like a hot first half to boost your reputation.

48. Kevin Millwood, RHP, Phillies. Philadelphia wants to build around him.

49. Billy Wagner, LHP, Astros. GM: "Power arm with the makeup to match."

50. Lance Berkman, LF, Astros. A hard worker who can hit for average and power.


There's more analysis at the site. Discuss!

[yankee maniac]

How come Pizza boy didn't make the list?

[Jeter&Johnson]

They seem to value position scarcity and they seem to do a lot of rankings based on how a player is doing this year, so why aren't there any catchers on the list.

Lopez 51 Runs 26 HRs 62 RBIs .315 Avg.
I-rod 58 Runs 14 HRs 62 RBIs 9 SBs .310 Avg.
Varitek 43 Runs 17 HRs 60 RBIs .300 Avg.

All are having better season that Vidro:
52 Runs 11 HRs 48 RBIs .333 Avg.

and play are harder less offensive position.

[im not crazy]

mo at #39?!

shouldn't he be higher than that?

[Rich]

Originally posted by im not crazy
mo at #39?!

shouldn't he be higher than that?

I agree, and Giambi is too low as well.

I don't think Lowell's body of work is sufficient to put him in the top 50.

[Rich]

I also think Helton is too high and Anderson is too low.

The list does highlight one of the Yankees' problems: They need more than one starter to be worthy of being in the top 50, and have to look to rectify that during the off-season (e.g., sign Millwood). It may be the reason that they don't win the World Series this year.

[Soriambi]

I also thought the list had a bunch of problems. I thought Mark Prior was rankes WAY too high at this point.

[C. Bellinger]

The Top Ten is pretty solid. Mark Prior is Top 50 (I guess), but he's not Top Ten and certainly not 6.

SO, The Sporting News would have this be their dream team?

C: Um, none. I assume they would put Javy Lopez. I'm tempted to put Pudge, but Javy is having a great year.

1B: Carlos Delgado. Delgado is a great player and all, but I like Helton, Giambi, or Thome a tad more. Pujols will probably move to first, and then it will be him. Still, fine.

2B: Alfonso Soriano. Good. Either him or Bret Boone.

SS: Alex Rodriguez. Of course.

3B: Scott Rolen. To be frank, third base isn't that strong a position in the game anymore. Rolen is the best (and he's quite good).

LF: Barry Bonds. Of course.

CF: Andruw Jones. Unless you cheat.

RF: Vladimir Guerrero. Yep.

DH: Gary Sheffield. I'm just making the DH the next-best hitter, and this makes sense. Defense is not Sheff's bag.

SP: Pedro Martinez
SP: Mark Prior
SP: Curt Schilling
SP: Barry Zito
SP: Randy Johnson

Nifty rotation.

CP: John Smoltz.

[staticm]

when esteban loiza is on the list, you know they're only counting stats from this year.

the headline should be "baseball's best/luckiest/biggest fluke players".

[PinstripePride]

Ok, I'm sure Randy Johnson isn't as good as Curt Schilling....And I'm sure Mike Sweeney, Edgar Martinez, and Derek Jeter are better than Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Vernon Wells and Garrett Anderson. :rolleyes:

[PinstripePride]

Give Prior one or two more years, then he'll be ranked around 3. Not this year though.

[Spiker]

Originally posted by PinstripePride
Give Prior one or two more years, then he'll be ranked around 3. Not this year though.

Yeah, the whole list was screwy. It's apparent that some voters voted only based this year, while others were looking at the past and still others were looking at potential.
Soriano is way too high at seven. Delgado is having a lights out year but over the past 3-4 years he's nowhere near as good as Giambi or Helton. Schilling is one I just didn't get period. He's 36 so he doesn't represent the future, is doing nothing this year and except for 2001, he's been very, very good, but far, far from the second best pitcher in baseball.

[DkNNy79]

Giambi & Mo should be higher

How is Moyer in the top 50? and how is he before Halliday?

[Eldee5]

My humble opinion:

6. Mark Prior - Excellent pitcher but much too soon to be ranked this high.
15. Todd Helton - Probably often overlooked but this seems too high a ranking for a player who gets 81 games at Coors.
19. John Smoltz - Could be ranked even higher. This man amazes me.
28. Eric Chavez - Give me a break! Not even top 50 in my book.
32. Jim Edmonds - I've had the opportunity to watch a good number of
Cardinals' games lately. I'd move him up in the rankings to around 20.
39. Mo. There are 38 players better and more valuable in MLB??? Not to anyone who gets to see this man pitch regularly. At least 15-20 positions higher. Mo is still our indespensible man.
45. Magglio Ordonez - Just a personal favorite of mine. Wish we had him in right field at YS. .

[NJASDJDH]

I think you guys are underrating Mark Prior, I think the basis of this list may have been player to build around for the next 5 years, and there's at least no other pitcher I'd rather have than Prior. He is amazing.

[Spiker]

Originally posted by NJASDJDH
I think you guys are underrating Mark Prior, I think the basis of this list may have been player to build around for the next 5 years, and there's at least no other pitcher I'd rather have than Prior. He is amazing.

Then what is Schilling doing at number 8? there's no apparent rhyme or reason to the list. I'd put Prior in the top five of young players to build around for the future, but right now ... well, right now he's on the DL and has grand total of 14 wins against 11 losses and a 3.15 ERA.