Best Player in Baseball: Who you taking?

[woody2goody]

Pujols has to be the best IMO, but I'll throw a few personal names in:

David Wright
Chase Utley (maybe his fielding lets him down)
Ryan Braun
Carlos Beltran (possibly the best overall player)
Kevin Youkilis
Miguel Tejada

[Navi's_Navy]

Chase Utley is actually a fairly above average fielder.

Hanley is average.

Manny is not a better hitter than Pujols. I can't think of a way he is a better player. He Ks more, BBs less, power is about even, but gun to my head I say Pujols has more, Pujols plays much better defense (although Manny's arm redeems him A LITTLE, still below average), Pujols is a faster/better baserunner. I'm confused as to how Manny is better. Because ESPN covered him more this off-season?

---------------------------------------------------

I would take Pujols pretty easily in this discussion.

[pbz06]

Quote: Originally Posted by woody2goody

Pujols has to be the best IMO, but I'll throw a few personal names in: David Wright Chase Utley (maybe his fielding lets him down) Ryan Braun Carlos Beltran (possibly the best overall player) Kevin Youkilis Miguel Tejada

Again, going back to what I said about Hanley, the same thing applies for basically all these "good" players you listed. None of those are downright SCARY, or hall of fame material guys that have been doing it for years. Beltran? Typical Mets fan

...Beltran's numbers don't even come close to Vlad Guerrero, let alone a Pujols or Manny Ramirez. Guys like Youk, Tejada, Braun either haven't been doing it for long or are just good players, but nothing too scary. Just solid good major league players and all-stars. You have a better case with Wright I guess.

I think people are a little forgotten on Vlad though. He's the only player in MLB history to have a career average of over .320 to go with his averages of 36 homeruns and 117 RBI. Considering he swings at almost everything just magnifies his accomplishments even more. He did most of his damage all by himself with Montreal, and even in Anaheim never had any real protection in the lineup. He is straight up scary at the plate and has carried his team every year.

That's why I think guys like Pujols, Papi, Manny, Vlad are in a league of their own when talking about scary. Let's not forget about Barry Bonds either, steroids or not.

As an Angels fan, I crumble every time I saw Papi or Manny at the plate. Never got that same feeling with Beltran, Utley etc.

[RogueHominid]

Quote: Originally Posted by pbz06

Again, going back to what I said about Hanley, the same thing applies for basically all these "good" players you listed. None of those are downright SCARY, or hall of fame material guys that have been doing it for years. Beltran? Typical Mets fan ...Beltran's numbers don't even come close to Vlad Guerrero, let alone a Pujols or Manny Ramirez. Guys like Youk, Tejada, Braun either haven't been doing it for long or are just good players, but nothing too scary. Just solid good major league players and all-stars. You have a better case with Wright I guess. I think people are a little forgotten on Vlad though. He's the only player in MLB history to have a career average of over .320 to go with his averages of 36 homeruns and 117 RBI. Considering he swings at almost everything just magnifies his accomplishments even more. He did most of his damage all by himself with Montreal, and even in Anaheim never had any real protection in the lineup. He is straight up scary at the plate and has carried his team every year. That's why I think guys like Pujols, Papi, Manny, Vlad are in a league of their own when talking about scary. Let's not forget about Barry Bonds either, steroids or not. As an Angels fan, I crumble every time I saw Papi or Manny at the plate. Never got that same feeling with Beltran, Utley etc.

Great points about Vlad. And let's not forget that prior to the leg injury we were talking about someone with 40-steal potential and very good speed & range in the outfield to go with that rocket launcher of an arm he has. If he doesn't get hampered, this discussion may be a no brainer in his favor.

I'm rocking the A's right now, and if I get him out, I swear I feel lucky!

BTW, great thread to the OP!

[Child Rebel]

So I have a question to everyone who's contributed to the thread. There's no question that at this point, Pujols is a better player than Hanley, and imo, the best player in the league. However, with his huge upside, do you think Hanley can become a 40-40 player or even a 50-50 player?

[dave374]

Jimmy Rollins gets so little respect.
I like Pujols, but he plays the easiest defensive position in baseball.
Rollins plays the hardest defensive position and is a switch-hitter on the World Series champ who can hit for power and average.

[RogueHominid]

Quote: Originally Posted by Child Rebel

So I have a question to everyone who's contributed to the thread. There's no question that at this point, Pujols is a better player than Hanley, and imo, the best player in the league. However, with his huge upside, do you think Hanley can become a 40-40 player or even a 50-50 player?

40-40, sure. 50-50, I don't think so. But you have to look deeper into the numbers to see what you're really getting beyond those two huge stats. Ramirez's career steals success rate is 70%, which is the MLB average according to Bill James. If he's gonna be running that much, he needs to be a better percentage guy, or he's going to cost his team outs and run them out of innings. And if he hits 40 homers and strikes out 120 times and only walks 50 or so, you have a much less desirable overall result than what Vlad or Albert gives you.

[Child Rebel]

Quote: Originally Posted by dave374

Jimmy Rollins gets so little respect. I like Pujols, but he plays the easiest defensive position in baseball. Rollins plays the hardest defensive position and is a switch-hitter on the World Series champ who can hit for power and average.

Where would you place him as far as the best players in the game?