This list is not for fantasy baseball. Simply, it is the ten best players in baseball ranked in descending order. It is based on statistics as well as the good 'ole eye-test.
Without further ado...
10 - Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
Even though he is a rookie, it would be impossible to keep him off this list. In the first baseman's first season in the MLB, he's knocked in 100 runs and has a pretty good shot to lead all of baseball in homeruns, currently with 34. Abreu also has one of the highest batting averages in the league with a .317 spot. If he were in the National League, that would be the highest average in the league among players with at least 500 at-bats. In less than one major league season, Abreu became one of the most feared hitters in the sport.
 |
| http://www.foxsports.com/content/dam/fsdigital/fscom/mlb/images/2014/04/10/041014-MLB-Jose-Abreu-of-the-Chicago-White-Sox-PI.jpg |
9 - Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Unlike Clayton Kershaw, Felix doesn't get to face a pitcher every nine batters. Yet, his ERA and WHIP are still miniscule. Seattle's stud ace has been phenomenal this season and is most likely going to win the AL Cy Young Award. What is even more amazing about him is that his last start gave him 30 starts this season. In a sport where more and more pitchers appear to get seriously injured every year, Felix has made at least 30 starts every season since he's become a full time starter (2006). He is the embodiment of consistency, even if the offense that supports him (other than Cano!) is anything but consistent.
| http://rotoscouting.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HERNANDEZ5.jpg |
8 - Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
Goldschmidt was on his way to having another fantastic season until a fracture to his left hand knocked him out for the remainder of the season. The D-Backs first baseman was outstanding in 2012 but really busted into stardom in 2013, finishing second in NL MVP voting. The Diamondbacks have been awful this year but Goldschmidt still managed 19 homers and 69 RBI in the 109 games he played. A little surprising was his 110 strikeouts, but it is unlikely that many pitchers threw him pitches to hit given the lack of production in the Diamondbacks lineup surrounding him. He's only 27 years old and will once again be a star in the league next year.
 |
| http://www.gannett-cdn.com |
7 - Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
One of the most overused lines from sports fans is "If he would only stay healthy!" That line has been used on "Tulo" far too often. The star shortstop is the best fielding shortstop behind Andrelton Simmons of Atlanta and by far the best hitting middle-infielder. Tulo hits for immense power and maintains a high batting average. He was well on his way to possibly his first MVP Award before he received season-ending hip surgery. Tulowitzki will be 30 at the start of next season, and a severe injury would certainly trim him from this list. Until that happens, he is still way too good to leave off. If he stayed healthy, he would be up there with Trout.
 |
| http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0501/mlb_a_tulo8_cr_576x324.jpg |
6 - Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
Cano may not put up the flashy power numbers that guys like Jose Abreu, Troy Tulowitzki, and Paul Goldschmidt are capable of but there is something to be said for consistency. Cano has played in at least 159 games since 2007. All of those years except for one, he has hit over .300. This year, with a new gigantic contract and a much harder lineup and stadium to hit in, Cano is having one of his best seasons yet. His power numbers are down, which is to be expected, but his current OBP (On-Base%) would be the highest he has ever finished with. He is one of the most rare talents, an elite-hitting second baseman. His fielding is still excellent and his toughness might take the Mariners to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Mike Trout was 10 years old in 2001. It would be about time.
 |
| http://www.sportsonearth.com/assets/images/6/8/8/70468688/cuts/cano_ob3hmib7_9fpj5moq.jpg |
5 - Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
McCutchen had only missed two games in 2014 until a fractured rib cost him 14 games. Over the course of those 14 games, the Pirates went 4-9 and their chances of making the playoffs began to dwindle. Since returning after those 14 games, the Pirates have gone 14-8. They now hold the second Wild Card spot in the National League, leading the Milwaukee Brewers by 2.0 games. There are few players, if any, more valuable to their team than 'Cutch. He's hitting .354 this September and has the second-highest WAR in baseball since 2012.
 |
| http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/andrew-mccutchen-5313.jpg |
4 - Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Given Cabrera's "down year," (would be an amazing season for over 99% of the league), and his shortcomings in the field, there are those that would certainly rank him worse than fourth. I, however, am not one of those people. Cabrera has been bothered by a bone spur in his ankle (ouch) just about all season. Nevertheless, he has toughed out the injury to keep his team in contention and has still posted MVP-discussion numbers. He is one of only two players in baseball with both an average over .300 and at least 100 RBI. The fact that the reigning back-to-back AL MVP award winner can put up numbers so elite even with a bone spur in his ankle tells me that he is still one of the top four players in the league.
| https://blog-blogmediainc.netdna-ssl.com/SportsBlogcom/filewarehouse/90319/9bf9f711bf1a93947e9cfa4f61e6c863.jpg |
3 - Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
Before being horrifically hit in the face by a Mike Fiers pitch in the fifth inning of Thursday's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers, Stanton was baseball's RBI leader. Out of players with at least 500 at-bats this season, only two ranked higher than Stanton in OPS (On-Base% + Slugging%), Jose Abreu and Victor Martinez. Before the injury, Stanton had more home runs than Trout (he still does), a higher batting average, almost as many steals, and a significantly higher OPS. His fielding percentage was pretty average, but his athleticism and strength helped him get to balls that not many rightfielders get to and throw balls a lot farther than many other rightfielders throw.
 |
| https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V5gj_59nlDI/UXxiqSKzF-I/AAAAAAAAC1A/SZlD6pfW8c0/s500/giancarlohr1.gif |
2 - Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
I could just link you to this, but he has seriously only improved since that was written. Kershaw is arguably having his best season ever and he is going to take home his third Cy Young Award in four years. He's got a good shot at winning 20 games, he's struck out over 200 batters, has an ERA under 1.70 and a WHIP under 0.85. Not only is he a great pitcher but he is one of the best athletes in professional sports. His fielding adds an infield glove that many teams don't have. Need I say more? This pitch though...
 |
| http://whatproswear.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/kershaw.gif |
1 - Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
This was obvious, right? For the sabermetrics folks, Trout is a full win higher than any other player in all of baseball in WAR (Wins Above Replacement) this season according to FanGraphs.com. If you expand that time frame to Trout's first season, 2012, he is about seven wins higher than anyone else. If you prefer old school stats, Trout leads baseball in RBI. He is the only player with at least 30 homers and 14 steals. He is the only player with at least 100 runs and 100 RBI. With Giancarlo Stanton out for the season, Trout might finish as the only player with those figures. He also only has two errors in 1211 innings at the demanding centerfield position. And, oh yeah, the team he leads has the best record in baseball.
 |
| http://thegoldensombrero.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Trout-color-catch.gif |
