This blog has been created since I spend all of my life arguing sports with Willis Austin. Being the two knowledgeable sports fans that we are this is our first attempt to include people on the daily banter that often consumes one's life. This blog will often have a daily topic in which you the public will have the opportunity to chime in and give your respective opinions.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Position Players
We ve ranked the pitchers; now who are your top 10 position players in baseball?
First Base: Albert Pujols...does it have to be debated? Honorable mention: Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, Mark Teiexera, Miguel Cabrera
Second Base: Chase Utley...he's having a down year, but he's still got a shot at becoming one of the best second baseman of all-time Honorbale mention: Robinson Cano, Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia
Short Stop: Hanley Ramirez...2 years ago I woulda said Jeter, but Ramirez carries a bad team and he's a career .313 hitter, with a shot at being a 30/30 guy every year Honorable mention: Derek Jeter, Troy Tulowitzki, Jimmy Rollins, Jose Reyes
Third Base: Evan Langoria...do it all kind of guy. He's only 24 and getting better every year. Honorable mention: Alex Rodriguez, David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman
Outfielders: Ryan Braun, Ichiro, Matt Holiday...I may get some heat for putting Holiday here, but he's been at the top of the list since coming up with Colorado. Honorable mention: Upton brothers, Carl Crawford, Josh Hamilton, Andrew McCutchen, Matt Kemp, Jason Bay, Jayson Werth
Catcher: Joe Mauer...was there ever a doubt? Honorable mention: Brian McCann, Victor Martinez
Nice Job Matty but your wrong on a few of those.. Here's the correct list...
Catcher: Joe Mauer... Hands down tops in the game, not worth 164 million but hes the best.
First Base: Albert Pujols.. Nuff said
Second Base: Chase Utley.. Stud and what he did in the World Series against the Yanks no other second baseman can equal that.
Third Base: Alex Rodriguez... He hit 35 homers and 103 rbi and he missed the first month and a half... That's a career year for most
Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez... Silent assassin. He won't go off for a crazy month but he'll steadily grind and at the end of the year the #s are there in every category.
Outfield: Ichiro, Braun, Hamilton... Ichiro is the man. Braun is a stud.Hamilton?? Look at his 2008 year. He had 100 rbi in 99 games to start the year!! This June he raised his avg to .337 3rd in the AL. When he's on, nobody is better. The Natural!!
Extra man b/c he said 10: Miguel Cabrera.. People call him a young ManRam but actually he's better. Has he had a bad year? He's won a World Series and was batting cleanup at 20!!! He's alone in Detroit in a pitchers park and nothing has changed.
1b: Without a doubt its Albert Pujols; he is an absolute machine. But Miguel Cabrera is on way for that spot.
Honorable mention; Cabrera, Howard, Teixeira in that order.
2b: Robinson Cano; this kid has done nothing but get better both than at the plate and in the field. Cano has better than .360 for the year and carried the Yankees while A-rod and Tex have yet to heat up. Most would put utley here but I think Chase is a tad bit overrated.
Honorable mention; Utley, Kinsler
SS: Hanley Ramirez; this a no-doubter at this position. Your quintessential 5 tool player. A healthy reyes might challenge for this position.
3b: Alex Rodriguez; In my opinion the best player in baseball the guy switched positions and there was no drop in the field or at that plate. Dominated the playoffs last season. If were still at SS he'd be the best at that position too. Has 9 hr's and 44rbi's and he hasnt heated up! this guy is scary good. Longoria you cant put there just yet.
Honorable Mention; Longoria, Zimmerman; Wright
Now to the Outfield; I could go RF, CF, LF but i ll keep it consistent. The era of the superstar outfielder is over this is what makes it difficult.
OF; Suzuki, Hamilton, Matt Kemp. Ichiro is just flat phenomenal just check is resume, Josh Hamilton when healthy is definitely the top of the list. And i went with Kemp over Braun b/c to me he is the next Carlos Beltran, he plays CF and he is a five tool player. Braun to me is a cut below him b/c he cant field a lick.
honorable mention; Braun, Holliday, J. Upton and Carl Crawford.
Catcher: Mr. Road to the Show himself; Joe Mauer. Yea he doesnt for great power but he gets the job done better than anyone else at this position. AL MVP and batting champ while playing catcher enough said.
How do you say Utley is overrated and then have him next on the list??? Cano can't hold his jock-strap...
Utley drove in 100 runs 4 straight years and last year 93 last year. He hit 30 homers 3 times and 28 and 22. Cano hasn't hit more than 25 in a season. Cano has never driven in 100 runs before either.
Cano is a going to be the a great player but to say he's the best second baseman now is ludicrous.
There is no doubt in Utley's talent. but the media talks as if utley is the best player in baseball and Will you know exactly what im talking about. People say he is the best player on the phillies and that an absolute joke! lets play a game called name that player. 363. avg 14hrs 50 rbi's and 53 runs scored. 264 avg 11hrs, 33 rbis and 46 runs scored. Name those players. And one guy hit 7th last yr and had over 100 runs scored and the other hit 3rd. Just riddle me that please.
That's Cano vs utley 2010 for not even half the year??
2 April's ago Chase Utley hit 13 homers... Cano??? So b/c Cano is having a better year this year, he's the better player??
Let's play this game... Who has the most homerun's in a World Series.... EVER??? Including all the greats: Ruth, Bonds, Frank Robinson, A-Rod, and Griffey(oops)
The answer is Chase Utley. Cano has a career batting average of .312 and a 983. fielding percentage while Chase Utley has .293 career average and a field percentage .982. Whats better? Also Cano only has 66 less career hits than Utley and he has been in the league 2 fewer years. Please why is Cano not better b/c utley hit Sabathia for 3 hrs in one series. Come on now.
Don't pull that... There first full season in the bigs was 2005. Utley came up mid2004 so I'll give Utley that extra half year. He has 71 more career homeruns and 174 more rbi. He did that in a half of a year??
Lets look at 2005...
Player A. .297 avg. 14 hr, 62 rbi and 78 runs. Player B. .291 avg. 28 hr, 105 rbi and 93 runs.
First full seasons in the bigs as starting second baseman.
Player A is robinson cano while player B is Chase Utley. Cano hasnt higher than 6th his entire career before this year, Utley has hit 3rd in front of Ryan Howard. Can you tell me who 8th behind Robinson Cano, so you tell me what good pitches he has seen over the years. The moved Cano into a run producing sport in the order for the first time in his career and look at this numbers. Utley is overrated and you know that; you ve said it yourself.
So b/c Cano has hit 7th last year he's better than Utley?? B/c Utley bats 3rd in arguably one of the top 2 or 3 lineups in the game Cano is better than him??
Cano has 19 career stolen bases... Utley had 23 stolen bases last year...
How is it Utley by a mile? And maybe im underrating Utley and overrating Cano. But Utley by mile is a stretch and you know that. Utley gets to much hype and praise for what. Can you honestly sit here and tell me that Utley is even the best player on his team? no. you can not. I know Utley is a tremendous player but for the media to say he is better than Ryan Howard is a joke. I ll admit Utley is better than Cano on June 24th 2010 but if it were i building a team Cano would be my second baseman not utley. And what does stolen bases mean. The AL and NL are two different types of ball games and you know that. Not many yankees steal that many bases b/c its not their not cup of tea to be aggressive on the base paths. But when the end of the season nears you'll hear Cano more than Utley when the MVP talks begin.
What does stolen bases mean?? Did you just say that?? If stolen bases mean nothing then why is Carl Crawford in your hon mention.?? What's a five-tool player?? That's what separates the good players from the great players. A player that is effective in a phases of the game. What does stolen bases mean?? Are you kidding me!!?? The Yanks don't steal bases?? Brett Gardner is 4th in the majors in stolen bases!! He plays for the Yankees??
Cano is #2 I'll concede that but Utley is still the Don on of that city.
I knew you would bring up Brett Gardener but he hits in the 9 hole of course he is gonna steal bases for them. But thats it no one else on the team probably has more than 9 stolen bases. Carl Crawford isnt on my honorable mention just b/c he steals bases he does everything else too. And when it comes to the five tools stolen bases, is the least important of the 5 in my eyes. Yea it helps when i guy gets on he can cause some havoc for a pitcher but its not the biggest part of baseball. Utley is hitting .260 and Cano is hitting .360 this year. Thats 100 points higher so how is he better by far! Thats just insanity for you to say that.
Carl Crawford does what else exactly?? He's never hit 20 homeruns in a season, never driven in 100 runs? What else does he do that makes him special?? His career high avg is .315 which is good but Ryan Braun hit .320 last year in his third full season, he hit .324 as a rookie!! So what makes Carl Crawford special?? His ability to steal bases!!
Chase Utley is better by far b/c in his first full season as a starter he put up #s that Cano hasn't matched in any season.
Its insane for you to say that Utley is light years ahead of Cano while Cano is hitting 100 points higher this year has more homeruns rbis and runs scored. Thats just not fair to Cano!
By position, here they are...
ReplyDeleteFirst Base: Albert Pujols...does it have to be debated?
Honorable mention: Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, Mark Teiexera, Miguel Cabrera
Second Base: Chase Utley...he's having a down year, but he's still got a shot at becoming one of the best second baseman of all-time
Honorbale mention: Robinson Cano, Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia
Short Stop: Hanley Ramirez...2 years ago I woulda said Jeter, but Ramirez carries a bad team and he's a career .313 hitter, with a shot at being a 30/30 guy every year
Honorable mention: Derek Jeter, Troy Tulowitzki, Jimmy Rollins, Jose Reyes
Third Base: Evan Langoria...do it all kind of guy. He's only 24 and getting better every year.
Honorable mention: Alex Rodriguez, David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman
Outfielders: Ryan Braun, Ichiro, Matt Holiday...I may get some heat for putting Holiday here, but he's been at the top of the list since coming up with Colorado.
Honorable mention: Upton brothers, Carl Crawford, Josh Hamilton, Andrew McCutchen, Matt Kemp, Jason Bay, Jayson Werth
Catcher: Joe Mauer...was there ever a doubt?
Honorable mention: Brian McCann, Victor Martinez
Nice Job Matty but your wrong on a few of those.. Here's the correct list...
ReplyDeleteCatcher: Joe Mauer... Hands down tops in the game, not worth 164 million but hes the best.
First Base: Albert Pujols.. Nuff said
Second Base: Chase Utley.. Stud and what he did in the World Series against the Yanks no other second baseman can equal that.
Third Base: Alex Rodriguez... He hit 35 homers and 103 rbi and he missed the first month and a half... That's a career year for most
Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez... Silent assassin. He won't go off for a crazy month but he'll steadily grind and at the end of the year the #s are there in every category.
Outfield: Ichiro, Braun, Hamilton... Ichiro is the man. Braun is a stud.Hamilton?? Look at his 2008 year. He had 100 rbi in 99 games to start the year!! This June he raised his avg to .337 3rd in the AL. When he's on, nobody is better. The Natural!!
Extra man b/c he said 10: Miguel Cabrera.. People call him a young ManRam but actually he's better. Has he had a bad year? He's won a World Series and was batting cleanup at 20!!! He's alone in Detroit in a pitchers park and nothing has changed.
Good Job on the two list. Here is mine.
ReplyDelete1b: Without a doubt its Albert Pujols; he is an absolute machine. But Miguel Cabrera is on way for that spot.
Honorable mention; Cabrera, Howard, Teixeira in that order.
2b: Robinson Cano; this kid has done nothing but get better both than at the plate and in the field. Cano has better than .360 for the year and carried the Yankees while A-rod and Tex have yet to heat up. Most would put utley here but I think Chase is a tad bit overrated.
Honorable mention; Utley, Kinsler
SS: Hanley Ramirez; this a no-doubter at this position. Your quintessential 5 tool player. A healthy reyes might challenge for this position.
Honorable mention; Reyes, Jeter, Rollins, Tulowitzki
3b: Alex Rodriguez; In my opinion the best player in baseball the guy switched positions and there was no drop in the field or at that plate. Dominated the playoffs last season. If were still at SS he'd be the best at that position too. Has 9 hr's and 44rbi's and he hasnt heated up! this guy is scary good. Longoria you cant put there just yet.
Honorable Mention; Longoria, Zimmerman; Wright
Now to the Outfield; I could go RF, CF, LF but i ll keep it consistent. The era of the superstar outfielder is over this is what makes it difficult.
OF; Suzuki, Hamilton, Matt Kemp.
Ichiro is just flat phenomenal just check is resume, Josh Hamilton when healthy is definitely the top of the list. And i went with Kemp over Braun b/c to me he is the next Carlos Beltran, he plays CF and he is a five tool player. Braun to me is a cut below him b/c he cant field a lick.
honorable mention; Braun, Holliday, J. Upton and Carl Crawford.
Catcher: Mr. Road to the Show himself; Joe Mauer. Yea he doesnt for great power but he gets the job done better than anyone else at this position. AL MVP and batting champ while playing catcher enough said.
Honorable Mention; V. Martinez, B. Mccaan!
So there it is.
How do you say Utley is overrated and then have him next on the list??? Cano can't hold his jock-strap...
ReplyDeleteUtley drove in 100 runs 4 straight years and last year 93 last year. He hit 30 homers 3 times and 28 and 22. Cano hasn't hit more than 25 in a season. Cano has never driven in 100 runs before either.
Cano is a going to be the a great player but to say he's the best second baseman now is ludicrous.
There is no doubt in Utley's talent. but the media talks as if utley is the best player in baseball and Will you know exactly what im talking about. People say he is the best player on the phillies and that an absolute joke! lets play a game called name that player. 363. avg 14hrs 50 rbi's and 53 runs scored. 264 avg 11hrs, 33 rbis and 46 runs scored. Name those players. And one guy hit 7th last yr and had over 100 runs scored and the other hit 3rd. Just riddle me that please.
ReplyDeleteThat's Cano vs utley 2010 for not even half the year??
ReplyDelete2 April's ago Chase Utley hit 13 homers... Cano??? So b/c Cano is having a better year this year, he's the better player??
Let's play this game... Who has the most homerun's in a World Series.... EVER??? Including all the greats: Ruth, Bonds, Frank Robinson, A-Rod, and Griffey(oops)
Answer that.... Reggie Jackson and...
The answer is Chase Utley. Cano has a career batting average of .312 and a 983. fielding percentage while Chase Utley has .293 career average and a field percentage .982. Whats better? Also Cano only has 66 less career hits than Utley and he has been in the league 2 fewer years. Please why is Cano not better b/c utley hit Sabathia for 3 hrs in one series. Come on now.
ReplyDeleteDon't pull that... There first full season in the bigs was 2005. Utley came up mid2004 so I'll give Utley that extra half year. He has 71 more career homeruns and 174 more rbi. He did that in a half of a year??
ReplyDeleteLets look at 2005...
Player A. .297 avg. 14 hr, 62 rbi and 78 runs.
Player B. .291 avg. 28 hr, 105 rbi and 93 runs.
First full seasons in the bigs as starting second baseman.
Name those players.
I'll list 2006-2009 if you want...
So what is it I'm missing??...
Player A is robinson cano while player B is Chase Utley. Cano hasnt higher than 6th his entire career before this year, Utley has hit 3rd in front of Ryan Howard. Can you tell me who 8th behind Robinson Cano, so you tell me what good pitches he has seen over the years. The moved Cano into a run producing sport in the order for the first time in his career and look at this numbers. Utley is overrated and you know that; you ve said it yourself.
ReplyDeleteSo b/c Cano has hit 7th last year he's better than Utley?? B/c Utley bats 3rd in arguably one of the top 2 or 3 lineups in the game Cano is better than him??
ReplyDeleteCano has 19 career stolen bases...
Utley had 23 stolen bases last year...
Utley by a mile!!!
How is it Utley by a mile? And maybe im underrating Utley and overrating Cano. But Utley by mile is a stretch and you know that. Utley gets to much hype and praise for what. Can you honestly sit here and tell me that Utley is even the best player on his team? no. you can not. I know Utley is a tremendous player but for the media to say he is better than Ryan Howard is a joke. I ll admit Utley is better than Cano on June 24th 2010 but if it were i building a team Cano would be my second baseman not utley. And what does stolen bases mean. The AL and NL are two different types of ball games and you know that. Not many yankees steal that many bases b/c its not their not cup of tea to be aggressive on the base paths. But when the end of the season nears you'll hear Cano more than Utley when the MVP talks begin.
ReplyDeleteUtley is the best second baseman by far...
ReplyDeleteWhat does stolen bases mean?? Did you just say that?? If stolen bases mean nothing then why is Carl Crawford in your hon mention.?? What's a five-tool player?? That's what separates the good players from the great players. A player that is effective in a phases of the game. What does stolen bases mean?? Are you kidding me!!?? The Yanks don't steal bases?? Brett Gardner is 4th in the majors in stolen bases!! He plays for the Yankees??
Cano is #2 I'll concede that but Utley is still the Don on of that city.
I knew you would bring up Brett Gardener but he hits in the 9 hole of course he is gonna steal bases for them. But thats it no one else on the team probably has more than 9 stolen bases. Carl Crawford isnt on my honorable mention just b/c he steals bases he does everything else too. And when it comes to the five tools stolen bases, is the least important of the 5 in my eyes. Yea it helps when i guy gets on he can cause some havoc for a pitcher but its not the biggest part of baseball. Utley is hitting .260 and Cano is hitting .360 this year. Thats 100 points higher so how is he better by far! Thats just insanity for you to say that.
ReplyDeleteYou are clearly drinking the Utley kool-aide too!
ReplyDeleteInsanity to say what??
ReplyDeleteCarl Crawford does what else exactly?? He's never hit 20 homeruns in a season, never driven in 100 runs? What else does he do that makes him special?? His career high avg is .315 which is good but Ryan Braun hit .320 last year in his third full season, he hit .324 as a rookie!! So what makes Carl Crawford special?? His ability to steal bases!!
Chase Utley is better by far b/c in his first full season as a starter he put up #s that Cano hasn't matched in any season.
Its insane for you to say that Utley is light years ahead of Cano while Cano is hitting 100 points higher this year has more homeruns rbis and runs scored. Thats just not fair to Cano!
ReplyDelete