The 30 Best Players Baseball Fans Don't Know

With so many players in Major League Baseball, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. This is especially true if you play in a small market. Every year players emerge as stars, seemingly out of nowhere.

Many of these players, however, are quietly some of the better players in the sport before the spotlight hits them. here is one player from each team that you might not know too much about, if at all, but you probably will soon.

Mark Reynolds, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks (2008: .239, 87 R, 28 HR, 97 RBI)

The 6'3", 220 lbs. third baseman debut for the Diamondbacks in May 2007 and never looked back. He hit 17 HR and 62 RBI in 366 at bats.

In 2008, despite striking out a record 204 times and seeing his average drop 40 points to .239, Reynolds still hit 28 HR and drove in 97 runs. If Reynolds can cut down on the strikeouts, he may take the next step and become a superstar.

Jair Jurrjens, RHP, Atlanta Braves (2008: 13-10, 188.1 IP, 139 Ks, 3.68 ERA)

With both Tim Hudson and John Smoltz losing time due to in juries last season, the Braves were in need of quality starting pitching. The got it in Jair Jurrjens.

Jurrjens started 31 games for the Braves, with a record of 13-10 and an ERA under 4.00, on his way to a third place finish in the ROY voting.

With the signing of Derek Lowe, Jurrjens projects to be the third or even fourth starter. It may not be long before he's an ace.

Nick Markakis, OF, Baltimore Orioles (2008: .306, 106 R, 20 HR, 87 RBI)

Markakis, a three-year veteran, might be the best hitter nobody really knows. In 2008, Markakis hit .300 for the second straight year.

He's a pure hitter with pop who can produce runs, field and even steal a base or two (10 SB in 2008, 18 SB in 2007).

He was third in the AL in 2008 in runs produced with 123, on a last-place team. If Markakis played on a half-way decent team, he'd already be a star.

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