Wednesday, June 20, 2007

One to Thirty: 2B

  1. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies- He’s had the best bat among 2B again, but he’s also added great defense to his game.
  1. B.J. Upton, Tampa Bay Devil Rays- Two months of great play may not be deserving of the #2 slot, but he’s finally showing his five tools.
  1. Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles- Roberts first broke out a few years ago, and he’s remained a consistent all-around player.
  1. Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers- He makes great contact and has a nice glove. You can always count on him for a good AB.
  1. Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds- After struggling in Cleveland, a trade to Cincinnati jumpstarted his career.
  1. Kelly Johnson, Atlanta Braves- Johnson is a young guy who broke out in 2007 and continues to swing a hot bat.
  1. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox- Pedroia is another highly ranked inexperienced player, but he’s really helped Boston at the top of their lineup.
  1. Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins- A 2006 Rule V pick who stuck, Uggla has a pretty good bat, but not a very good glove.
  1. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees- Cano should be better than this, but he had a really slow start and is just now rebounding.
  1. Orlando Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks- He’s apparently added offense to match his good glove.
  1. Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers- Weeks still has a lot of potential, but he’s not close to reaching it yet. Still a nice player.
  1. Jeff Kent, Los Angeles Dodgers- It finally looks like Kent may be falling off the map after a great career (on the field).
  1. Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners- Underrated as a rookie, Lopez has built on last year and is even better.
  1. Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays- This is the point where all the 2B become average. Hill does nothing great, but does most things well.
  1. Howie Kendrick, Anaheim Angels- Kendrick is a great contact guy, but the power isn’t what you would like to see yet.
  1. Mark Ellis, Oakland A’s- He’s supposed to break out at some point, but he’s still been about average.
  1. Mark DeRosa, Chicago Cubs- This utility journeyman finally broke out in Texas last year, but he’s still pretty average.
  1. Ray Durham, San Francisco Giants- Durham had a career renaissance last year, but he’s not hitting very well now.
  1. Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers- Kinsler has potential to get better, but right now, he has to avoid being this year’s Jonny Gomes.
  1. Tadahito Iguchi, Chicago White Sox- It took Iguchi a nice hitting streak to even reach the below average spectrum this season.
  1. Marcus Giles, San Diego Padres- Giles had a mildly interesting power shortage in a span of 3 years, when he lost 140 points on his SLG%.
  1. Luis Castillo, Minnesota Twins- Once Castillo loses his speed, things aren’t going to be pretty for him.
  1. Josh Barfield, Cleveland Indians- He had a solid rookie season with San Diego, but he’s really struggling this season.
  1. Jose Valentin, New York Mets- Valentin is another guy that suddenly became decent again with the Mets.
  1. Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates- Last year’s season is such an aberration it’s not even funny.
  1. Mark Grudzielanek, Kansas City Royals- I don’t know why the Royals signed this guy, they need to be rebuilding.
  1. Felipe Lopez, Washington Nationals- After a great season last year, Lopez isn’t even stealing bases well this year.
  1. Kaz Matsui, Colorado Rockies- I refuse to believe he’s turned the corner and is a serviceable player. He just can’t be.
  1. Craig Biggio, Houston Astros- Just get 3000 hits and retire please.
  2. Adam Kennedy, St. Louis Cardinals- He wasn’t very good when the Cardinals first had him, he wasn’t very good when the Angels got him, and he’s not very good now.

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