C: Yadier Molina
I love defense, and nobody plays better defense behind the plate than Yadi. Molina, although he doesn't qualify this year, leads catchers in CS% (min. 50 games played), and he finished first or second in 2010, 2012, and 2013. The six-time reigning Gold Glove can also hit, too. From 2011-2013, he hit .313, averaging 74 runs, 41 doubles, 19 home runs, 87 RBI, and 8 stolen bases per 162 games.
1B: Jose Abreu
Surprisingly, I didn't see many options for exciting first basemen, but Abreu is my pick. The Cuban defect is leading the American League in home runs and the MLB in slugging. He hits some monster shots, and among players with at least seven at-bats with bases loaded this year, he's got the best average (.571, including one grand slam and 11 RBI).
2B: Jose Iglesias
Although he's really a shortstop, I had to have Iglesias on this roster. As a Red Sox fan, I was a huge follower of him coming up through the minors, and I hated to see him go. Iglesias is not much of a hitter, and probably never will be, but he's one of the best defensive players in the game right now. If you haven't seen this ridiculous play to nail Josh Phegley last year, you need to get on that right now.
Or just watch this highlight reel of his plays. Remember, he's only been in the league for a year or so. Making an over the shoulder grab in short left and nearly doubling up Jacoby Ellsbury (of all players, especially considering he was only half way to third and heading back to second when it was caught) or making an over the shoulder grab in short left from second base.
Or look at this hilarious moment where he "keeps Cespedes on his feet" at second.
SS: Derek Jeter
There were a lot of options at short, and at 40 years old, Derek Jeter might not be a popular pick, but I would love to watch him play. Nobody hates Jeter. I'm a diehard Red Sox fan, and even guys like Mariano - I didn't hate him, but I didn't really like him either. But I love Jeter. I wish he played for my team. Every fan in baseball does. He's been the center of attention for years, but he's never said the wrong thing. He has talent, but he plays the game the way it's supposed to be played. You've never seen him show somebody up or not run out a ground ball, despite being one of the biggest stars in the game. It would be an honor to see this future Hall of Famer play.
3B: Miguel Cabrera
Whether Miggy or Trout is the best overall player in baseball is debatable, but there’s no question at all who the best hitter is. Cabrera, the two-time reigning AL MVP, has received votes for his league’s most valuable player in all eleven of his seasons. A big boy at 6’4”, 240 pounds, Miggy is the three-time reigning batting champion in the American League. During that period, he also hit 114 doubles, 118 homeruns, and drove home 389 runs while scoring 323. In 2012, he won the triple crown - the first time by a position player since Yastrzemski 45 years before. Most said it would never happen again because of today’s specialized players, but Cabrera proved them wrong. It’s no surprise that he’s finished in the top three for intentional walks in each of the past five seasons, compiling at least 14 each year. Miggy is the most dangerous and feared hitter in the game, and it’s fun to watch him abuse opposing pitchers.
OF: Billy Hamilton
In an April game this year, Hamilton tripled in his first at-bat. In the 5th inning, he singled, stole second, tagged to third on a shallow fly ball in right field, and then scored by tagging on an even shorter ball, one the second baseman was going to catch until the right fielder called him off. Later in the 9th inning, Hamilton laid down a bunt single, stole second, and then scored on a single to right. That video is below. In 2011, he stole 103 bases and hit 9 triples in 135 games. In 2012, he stole a professional baseball record 155 bases and hit 14 triples in 132 games. Last year, he stole 75 bases in 123 games. From 2013-2014, among players with at least 100 balls hit in the infield, Hamilton has the best batting average - .205. Think about that. More than 1 in every 5 balls hit to the infield become a single for him. The guy is straight up one of the fastest men to ever play the game.
OF: Mike Trout
Trout, a 23 year old stud for the Angels, has far surpassed expectations. The outfielder is leading the league in WAR for the third straight season. Trout is the truest 5 tool player in the MLB right now, by far. He had an insane rookie season, finishing second in MVP voting with a .326 average, 27 doubles, 8 triples, 30 home runs, and an MLB-leading 49 stolen bases and 129 runs scored. Trout is fast. A first base coach legged him running out a bunt single from the right side of the plate in 3.53 seconds - that’s off the charts for a righty. Legend has it a young Mickey Mantle had a similar home to first time. Last season, Trout compiled 34 infield hits, not including bunts. While playing minor league ball in 2009, he scored from first on a routine single to right. He steals bases at an 89% success rate - the highest by any player in the history of major league baseball. Trout’s fielding is also top of the line. Tune in to SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays - you’ll probably see a Trout play. He’s made some of greatest home run robberies of all-time - just look up “Trout robs home run from” Cespedes, Olivo, Hardy, Fielder, or Beckham. His arm isn’t bad either - he has six career assists and two double plays from the outfield. His contact rate is obvious looking at his stats - a .307 career average with only 438 strikeouts in 454 games. His power is unbelievable. A perennial 30-30 threat. This year, Trout has the farthest home run in baseball at 489 feet. Last year, he had the longest average home run at 419.6 feet. As if you needed more of a reason, Trout also plays the game full-throttle. He’s probably the most exciting player currently in the game.
OF: Yasiel Puig
Puig is a natural showman. He brings charisma, entertainment, and excitement to every game he plays. He's a five-tool player, with a ton of power and good speed. His most exciting asset is probably his arm. A lot of runners have learned their lesson this year: you just don't run on Yasiel Puig. The Cuban defect has an absolute cannon - leading the National League with nine assists this year. Puig's talent and arrogance can get him in trouble sometimes - with his own team and opposing players, but there's no arguing he's got a ton of talent and is a blast to watch.
DH: Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton is a monster. When he’s healthy, he’s the best home run hitter in baseball. In 2011, he finished second in the NL for AB/HR, led in 2012, finished fourth in 2013, and is currently leading the MLB in home runs in 2014. The 24 year old is a 6’6”, 240 pound monster made of complete muscle, a former football standout (offers to play at UCLA and UNLV). In 2011, he had the 2nd longest average home run at 416.6 feet. In 2012, he hit a 494 foot shot, the longest of the season and the longest in the MLB since 2009. He’s currently leading the MLB for average distance for the 2014 season. In 2012, Stanton also hit a 462 foot grand slam that left his bat at 122.4 MPH, the fastest ever recorded since ESPN began tracking in 2006. The slam was the first one Jamie Moyer had given up since 2004 and momentarily knocked out some scoreboard panels. This year, he has five of the Top 20 longest home runs. Nobody else has more than one. Check out his home run in this year’s derby that had his fellow All-Stars in awe - a ball that traveled two-thirds of the way into the upper deck that would have went an estimated 510 feet had the stands not been there.
SP: Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball. Without an argument. Kershaw is making baseball history on the mound. He’s on a different level. Among starters with 1,000 innings pitched in the live ball era (since 1920), Kershaw has the lowest career earned run average. Between 2011 and 2013, Kershaw went 51-23 with a 2.21 earned run average and 0.971 WHIP. He averaged 236 strikeouts a season, and led the NL in WHIP and the entire MLB in ERA all three seasons. This season, he’s posted a 1.86 ERA and 0.839 WHIP, striking out 174 in 145.1 innings pitched for a ridiculous 10.8 K/9 ratio. Kershaw’s curveball is one of the best ever, as is his fastball (see last article), and it’s a blast to see him completely embarrass batters. Check out this NASTY curve.
RP: Aroldis Chapman
Like stated in the last article, Chapman's fastball is insane. He averages triple digits with it this year. The three-time consecutive All-Star has a career 2.47 earned run average and 1.004 WHIP. You won't see many home runs from the opposing team - he's allowed just one in over 38 innings this year, but you will see a ton of strikeouts. He's struck out 74 batters for a 17.4 K/9 ratio. Among pitchers with 30 innings pitched in a season, that's the highest in the history of baseball. Second place is nearly a strikeout less (16.66). Although all the formerly stated velocity statistics are official, here's a video of Chapman posting the fastest unofficial pitch, at 106 MPH. Naturally, he followed it with 103 MPH and 101 MPH pitches.
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