Players on the Verge of Being the Best

Hitters

*Average/OBP/SLG, HRs, RBIs, runs, SBs

C: Joe Mauer

Season Averages: .327/.407/.481, 12 HRs, 67 RBIs, 72 runs, 5 SBs

Award: 4x All-Star, 3x Gold Glover, 4x Silver Slugger, MVP (2009)

Need: Power

Mauer has been promising us power his entire career. We know he can bring home the batting titles, and we know his defense is good. In his career he’s thrown out 35% of base runners, but in ’07 he threw out 56%. However, despite a .327 career batting average, he only averages 12 HRs a season. His season high is 28 in 2009 (when he won his MVP). If he could consistently hit 20 bombs a season and get his career OPS about a .900 average he could go down as one of the best catchers ever.

1B: Joey Votto

Season Averages: .314/.401/.557, 30 HRs, 98 RBIs, 86 runs, 9 SBs

Awards: 1x All-Star, MVP (2010)

Need: Defense

Votto has finally put all the offensive pieces together. He out hit everybody last season and brought home an MVP for it. However, first base is such a deep position and it’s no longer about carrying a big stick. Albert Pujols is the best hitter in the game right now, but he’s also known for his ridiculous defense at first (he’s got two gold gloves, so far). If Votto wants to take over as the best player in the game today he needs to step up the defense and be the best on both sides of the ball.

2B: Dustin Pedroia

Season Averages: .305/.369/.460, 13 HRs, 62 RBIs, 93 runs, 14 SBs

Awards: 3x All-Star, 1x Gold Glover, ROY (2007), MVP (2008)

Need: 20-20

Pedroia is the best spark plug in the game, and he’s been consistent in his entire career. Roberto Alomar got into the HOF because of his amazing defense at second, but he also averaged 12 HRs and 28 SBs a season. Pedroia has the D, but he needs to improve the production. He can hit, but he is only above average in categories, not great in any. If he could become a consistent 20-20 player it would make him a stronger force on offense. He needs to go from above average to great.

SS: Troy Tulowitzki

Season Averages: .290/.362/.495, 23 HRs, 83 RBIs, 86 runs, 10 SBs

Awards: 1x All-Star, 1x Gold Glover, 1x Silver Slugger

Need: Health

There hasn’t been this much power at shortstop since A-Rod. Tulo is a complete hitter and plays some of the best defense at the position. He’s definitely a vacuum. However, every year his offensive numbers are dragged down because he can’t play enough games. He’s averaged about 132 games a season. If he could average 150, like most starters, he could consistently hit 35-40 bombs a season. At short, that’s plain ridiculous.

3B: Evan Longoria

Season Averages: .283/.361/.521, 27 HRs, 101 RBIs, 88 runs, 10 SBs

Awards: 3x All-Star, 2x Gold Glover, 1x Silver Slugger, ROY (2008)

Need: Consistency

 

He’s hit for power, and he’s hit for average. But, third base has had some great players and that competition is stiffer then ever right now. In order to stick out Longo has to put it all together. He’s already carrying the Rays, playing stellar defense, and become a household name. But, his averages are weak. If he wants to be great he needs to hit .300, have 30+ bombs, and steal 15-20 bases a season. He’s still so young and has a promising career ahead of him; if anyone on this list can take the next step it’s this kid.

OF: Carlos Gonzalez

Season Averages: .300/.346/.520, 13 HRs, 43 RBIs, 49 runs, 12 SBs

Awards: 1x Gold Glover, 1x Silver Slugger

Need: Hitting on the road

Car-Go is still a bit of an unknown and people are right to be concerned with his numbers. He has been really good since breaking out with the Rockies. However, his road/away splits say a lot about his game. His career home OPS: .987; his career OPS away: .739. Critics are saying he can only hit at home where the ball flies better. But, he almost had 200 hits in 2010 and that’s hard to achieve if you’re hitting .270 on the road, so there’s reason to believe. If Car-Go can support his home numbers on the road imagine how much better his stats would be.

Pitchers

*Wins-Losses OR Saves, ERA/WHIP/K/9, IP, Ks

SP: Jon Lester

Season Averages: 12-5, 3.55/1.29/8.4, 153 IP, 142 Ks

Need: Consistency

Lester has really good numbers, especially for someone who plays in the hitter dominated AL East. However, it’s scary how good his numbers could be! First, he’s a notoriously slow starter, and doesn’t warm up until his 4^th/5^th start of the season; second, he tends to have a blow up about once a month. If he could limit those blow-ups he could easily support an ERA under two, with a K/9 that pushes the high 9s.

SP: Brandon Morrow

Season Averages: 5-5, 4.19/1.43/10, 86 IP, 96 Ks

Need: Control

 

Morrow has always had potential, but his ceiling has remained out of reach. After moving into the Jays rotation he’s finally started to shine. With his stuff he can lead the league in Ks every season. But, to be seen as the best he needs to lower his walks, which in turn will support his other peripherals. That 10.0 K/9 is HOF good, but he needs more than flash to be brilliant.

SP: Clayton Kershaw

Season Averages: 9-8, 3.17/1.267/9.3, 161 IP, 166 Ks

Need: Hardware

We already know his NL counterpart, Tim Lincecum, is good. He’s got two Cy-Young awards and a World Series ring; Clayton Kershaw has none of those. But, he’s much better than Lincecum. His numbers speak for themselves, but he needs exposure. In order to get this Kershaw needs to bring home some awards and carry LA.

SP: Josh Johnson

Season Averages: 8-4, 3.1/1.242/8.3, 111 IP, 102 Ks

Need: Leadership

JJ is a beast and one of the best pitchers in the NL. However, he plays for a young and ailing Florida team. If he wants to be great he needs to become the leader that that Marlins club is desperate for. The Marlins have built their rotation around Johnson and with a few marches into October (or a couple Cy-Youngs) he could finally get the exposure and respect he deserves.

RP: Daniel Bard

Season Averages: 2 Saves, 2.61/1.113/10.1, 62 IP, 70 Ks

Need: Saves

Bard has some of the nastiest stuff we’ve seen in a reliever since the Sandman. His fastball is a consistent 97-100 MPH, and his slider is as devastating as they come. But, he’s stuck behind Jonathan Papelbon. The good news for Bard, Paps will probably be gone after this year. If he takes over as closer his numbers could be as good as they come for 9^th inning men.