1. Alfonzo Soriano (KC)
Perennial All-Star, has hit for average and power, while stealing a ton of bases throughout his career.
2. Rex Hudler (PHI)
One of the best table setters in the game. In rookie season of ’25 he was a 30-30 man.
3. Craig Biggio (TEX)
Would hit leadoff in a lot of lineups. He’s battled injuries the last couple of season’s but still one of the best second baseman in the game.
4. Charlie Gehringer (NYN)
Excellent player who is on pace to hit over 40 homers this season.
5. Paul Molitor (SEA)
Tremendous table setter has now scored over 1300 career runs.
6. Toby Harrah (HOU)
Only a .261 lifetime hitter, but is on pace for his third consecutive 30 homerun season.
7. B.J. Upton (CIN)
Still waiting for this guy to really breakout, but has all the makings of a star player.
8. Bobby Avilla (SF)
At 28, he’s hoping to build on 19 homer season of a year ago.
9. Johnny Hodapp (BAL)
Has been a steady fixture in the O’s lineup for the past 10 seasons.
10. Bill Doran (LA)
When healthy, has provided a ton of stolen bases and runs throughout his career.
9 comments:
I agree with you Luke. Rose should be on the list. Admittedly though I didn't compile this list or check it over closely. Maybe Steve can defend his decision...unless he's yella.
Does the rest of the list look ok?
What no Edwin Diaz I know the name is not familiar but the numbers back up a lower end proven top 10 guy.
I have to disagree with Upton being overrated. There's so much pitching in that division and since we play a divisional schedule, it will be hard for him to show out.
I mean some years Inge and Kluzsewsksi don't show up.
Plus he's only in his 3rd year, and this year looked like his break out season. Not mean 2B can say they have a .845 OPS, .994 FPct, and 10/10 SB, imo.
He's only 7th on this list - how is that being overrated?
Luke, we tried to ask the question "If I was in a playoff run, who would I want on my team?" For me, Hudler is certainly one of those top guys when we put it that way. Such a great combination of CH, PH, SP, and defense.
Just my opinion.
So which one would you want for a playoff run?
There inlies the question. Great debate!!!
We should do a list of the top 10 Leadoff men! :)
Oh and we all know Josh Stradling was the best 2B of all-time.
Gehringer should be #1 followed by Soriano for current 2B's
My main criteria in making the list was: who is the best player right now. Based on this criteria, in reference to Luke's comments about Lee and Bagwell, Lee is handsdown better. Rose has lost a little speed and is no longer faster than Avilla. Also, he does not bring the pop that Avilla has. Also, I felt as if I underrated Upton because he has not yet really broken out yet. He is putting up #s similar to others who were in consideration and he hasn't even performed to his potential yet. He will soon pass up both Molitor and Harrah.
Justin,
I think that the second base position is coming around. It was not real strong 10 years ago, but there have been some really good players coming into the league since. (IMO)
Catcher is a different story. It is by far the weakest position in the league. Managers look for a guy to simply "hold down the fort", and if they can hit at all, they are a plus. The Campanellas and Mauers are few and far between.
How do you recognize the young players who HAVE done a lot for their teams? Should they be rated lower simply because they are young, even if their fewer seasons are better seasons?
I don't think that's fair that young player should automatically be "penalized" simply because they don't have the thousands of ABs to rack up the raw numbers with.
As for Lee vs Bagwell - I'd take Lee because he's more apt to help me *now*. Bagwell might have the big time career - but that career can't go to the plate, but the aging slugger that he is now does.
If I'm trying to win a playoff game - I want the guy who can help me now - not the guy who could have helped me 10 years ago.
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