Top 10 Second Basemen
1. Robinson Cano
I think it is clear why Cano is everyones number one short stop and I think it is because of how easy he makes the position look. This guy makes extremely difficult plays seem like a piece of cake. He slings the ball off balance, and every time it is a perfect throw to first base. Not only can he field, but he can hit the ball. He brings that rare power at the second base position. I know is numbers feel off a bit last season, but that is because of the ballpark he was signed into.
I think it is clear why Cano is everyones number one short stop and I think it is because of how easy he makes the position look. This guy makes extremely difficult plays seem like a piece of cake. He slings the ball off balance, and every time it is a perfect throw to first base. Not only can he field, but he can hit the ball. He brings that rare power at the second base position. I know is numbers feel off a bit last season, but that is because of the ballpark he was signed into.
2. Dustin Pedroia
This man I have wanted to put at number one for years now, but Cano keeps taking his spot light. You can not find a better person to put in your club house than Pedroia. He brings a fire, and passion to the game that every fan loves to see. He has hit well the past couple of years, but nothing compared to his MVP numbers he put up back in 2008. Not saying his hitting is bad, its just taking a bit of a decline to what we are accustomed to out of him. The reason why he is at the number two spot is because he has won back to back gold gloves, making it three now for his career.
3. Jose Altuve
Finally the small guys getting some love in major league baseball. Altuve has done nothing, but become a star in this league since he joined the big league in 2011. Last season was enough to move him up to the three spot, even though he still has good numbers the past couple years. Last year he hit .341, had 225 hits, stole 56 bases, and took home the silver slugger award. The 225 hits last season was the most we have seen since Ichiro, and that says something, because Ichiro is one of the best hitters of all-time. The defense is very good, and he can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
Finally the small guys getting some love in major league baseball. Altuve has done nothing, but become a star in this league since he joined the big league in 2011. Last season was enough to move him up to the three spot, even though he still has good numbers the past couple years. Last year he hit .341, had 225 hits, stole 56 bases, and took home the silver slugger award. The 225 hits last season was the most we have seen since Ichiro, and that says something, because Ichiro is one of the best hitters of all-time. The defense is very good, and he can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
4. Ian Kinsler
I think people have forgotten about Ian Kinsler, but I haven't. He had a down offensive year in 2013 for Texas, and then was traded to Detriot. Last season Kinsler turned it up and hit 17 home runs, 92 RBI's, with a .275 average. He also was a member of the All-Star game. Kinsler is very strong defensively, and with his offense back on track I comfortable put him in the fourth spot.
I think people have forgotten about Ian Kinsler, but I haven't. He had a down offensive year in 2013 for Texas, and then was traded to Detriot. Last season Kinsler turned it up and hit 17 home runs, 92 RBI's, with a .275 average. He also was a member of the All-Star game. Kinsler is very strong defensively, and with his offense back on track I comfortable put him in the fourth spot.
5. Daniel Murphy
I was kind of surprised after I took a look at Murphy's last couple of seasons. He has been killing the ball offensively for a Mets team that doesn't have much offense. He has had a combined 360 hits in his last two seasons with a .288 average. He also can steal a little bit when he gets on base. He made the All-Star game last year for the first time, and I will say it won't be his last.
I was kind of surprised after I took a look at Murphy's last couple of seasons. He has been killing the ball offensively for a Mets team that doesn't have much offense. He has had a combined 360 hits in his last two seasons with a .288 average. He also can steal a little bit when he gets on base. He made the All-Star game last year for the first time, and I will say it won't be his last.
6. Howie Kendrick
This guy is completely underrated at the second base position, why? Because of Albert Pujols, and Mike Trout. They have taken his thunder away the last couple of years, but last year people couldn't ignore his numbers. He hit .293 with 7 home runs, and 75 RBI's with a .347 on base percentage. If he wasn't in the shadows he numbers could be even better offensively. He doesn't blow your mind with his defense, but he can definitely field his position.
This guy is completely underrated at the second base position, why? Because of Albert Pujols, and Mike Trout. They have taken his thunder away the last couple of years, but last year people couldn't ignore his numbers. He hit .293 with 7 home runs, and 75 RBI's with a .347 on base percentage. If he wasn't in the shadows he numbers could be even better offensively. He doesn't blow your mind with his defense, but he can definitely field his position.
7. Chase Utley
Once the number won second basemen in baseball, Utley has let injuries get the best of him. The last couple years he has shown he can still play the game. He made the All-Star game last year after hitting 11 home runs, 78 RBI's with a .270 average. He still is a good fielder, but doesn't have the legs he once had. The veteran still has a lot of years in him, and I expect him to climb a spot or two on this list for next season.
Once the number won second basemen in baseball, Utley has let injuries get the best of him. The last couple years he has shown he can still play the game. He made the All-Star game last year after hitting 11 home runs, 78 RBI's with a .270 average. He still is a good fielder, but doesn't have the legs he once had. The veteran still has a lot of years in him, and I expect him to climb a spot or two on this list for next season.
8. Neil Walker
This guy has been solid since his first big league season in 2010 for the Pirates. Since then he has slowly gotten better on both sides of the field. He is a better hitter than he is fielder, but he doesn't make mistakes defensively. Why he is on the list is what he did offensively last season by winning the Silver Slugger award in the National League for Second Basemen. He hit .271 with 23 home runs, and 76 RBI's.
This guy has been solid since his first big league season in 2010 for the Pirates. Since then he has slowly gotten better on both sides of the field. He is a better hitter than he is fielder, but he doesn't make mistakes defensively. Why he is on the list is what he did offensively last season by winning the Silver Slugger award in the National League for Second Basemen. He hit .271 with 23 home runs, and 76 RBI's.
9. Brian Dozier
He has only been in the league three years, but every year he has gotten better. He had a down season last year defensively, but had a up season for hitting. His hitting has gotten more power to it, and he has increased the number of balls he puts in play. He hit 23 home runs, 71 RBI's with a .242 average. The reason he isn't higher is he still strikeouts out a little too much, and doesn't hit for average, along with his average defense.
He has only been in the league three years, but every year he has gotten better. He had a down season last year defensively, but had a up season for hitting. His hitting has gotten more power to it, and he has increased the number of balls he puts in play. He hit 23 home runs, 71 RBI's with a .242 average. The reason he isn't higher is he still strikeouts out a little too much, and doesn't hit for average, along with his average defense.
10 Brandon Phillips
I will tell you it pains me to put Brandon Phillips so low on my list. This guy is the best second basemen at making you say "wow". The defensive plays he has made are ridiculous, and is one of the best defensive catchers in the game. The problem is you have to hit a little bit to be higher on the list. He has been on a steady decline in average, and on base percentage the last couple of years. He has also lost some power over the past couple of seasons. It may not be his fault, because that Reds team has faced its fair share of problems over the past couple of years.
I will tell you it pains me to put Brandon Phillips so low on my list. This guy is the best second basemen at making you say "wow". The defensive plays he has made are ridiculous, and is one of the best defensive catchers in the game. The problem is you have to hit a little bit to be higher on the list. He has been on a steady decline in average, and on base percentage the last couple of years. He has also lost some power over the past couple of seasons. It may not be his fault, because that Reds team has faced its fair share of problems over the past couple of years.
No comments:
Post a Comment