NL East Rankings: The Top 5 Of Each Position Player

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So much attention has been placed onto the offseason acquiring of Cliff Lee by the Philadelphia Phillies, and rightly so as that gave the Phillies not only easily the best rotation in the NL East but also the best rotation that baseball has seen in at least a decade. The acquiring of Cliff Lee has made the Phillies a favorite for the National League and the World Series, but there are 162 games before the playoffs.

The 2010 World Series winner got into the playoffs through the back door, barely getting in at all. Once October baseball starts, pitching is the most important part, which was seen by the San Francisco Giants, but it still requires offense to win games. The Giants had the seventeenth best offense in 2010 but the first best pitching. Pitching can be almost everything, but it can never be all a team needs. We will look at the NL East teams and see where the position players rank in their division for both offense and defense.

Rankings of NL East Catchers

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	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	SO-BB	SB	E	FPCT
1. Carlos Ruiz	.302	8	53	.400	.447	54-55	0	6	.993
2. Brian McCann	.269	21	77	.375	.453	98-74	5	14	.987
3. John Buck	.281	20	66	.314	.489	111-16	0	5	.994
4. Ronny Paulino	.259	4	37	.311	.354	51-25	1	6	.991
5. Ivan Rodriguez	.266	4	49	.294	.347	66-16	2	4	.995

 

 Carlos Ruiz is becoming a star catcher both at the plate and behind it. He may not win the home run derby of the catchers in the NL East, but he is a clear favorite for batting average, on base percentage, and the strikeout to walk ratio. He also led Roy Halladay to two no-hitters in 2010, including the perfect game. Halladay was sure to credit "Chooch" with being a key asset to those two achievements.

Rankings Of NL East First Basemen

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	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	SO-BB	SB	E	FPCT
1. Ryan Howard	.276	31	108	.353	.505	157-59	1	14	.990
2. Adam LaRoche	.261	25	100	.320	.468	172-48	0	11	.991
3. Gaby Sanchez	.273	19	85	.341	.448	101-57	5	11	.991
4. Ike Davis	.264	19	71	.351	.440	138-72	3	9	.993
5. Freddie Freeman	.167	1	1	.167	.333	8-0	0	0	1.000

 

Although Ryan Howard missed some time through being on the disabled list, he still reigns above the rest of the first basemen in the NL East, leading the statistics of batting average, home run, runs batted-in, on base percentage and slugging. He is, however, second in the number of strikeouts, but his production otherwise is at the top. Placing Freddie Freeman at the bottom is not an insult. I do believe that he is an up and coming star, but he needs a lot of seasoning so far as he has little professional experience. There is, however, something to be said about a player who in his first four hits has a double and a home run.

Rankings of NL East Second Basemen

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	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	SO-BB	SB	E	FPCT
1. Dan Uggla	.287	33	105	.369	.508	149-78	4	18	.976
2. Chase Utley	.275	16	65	.387	.445	63-63	13	11	.981
3. Omar Infante	.321	8	47	.359	.416	62-29	7	7	.978
4. Daniel Murphy	.266	12	63	.313	.427	69-38	4	13	.986
5. Danny Espinosa	.214	6	15	.277	.447	30-9	0	0	1.000

 

Although Omar Infante led in batting average, he was beaten in on base percentage by Dan Uggla and Chase Utley. Utley spent some time on the disabled list last year, which hurt his numbers, but he is still good enough for second rank in the NL East, perhaps first. Uggla leads in home runs and runs batted-in, slugging, walks, and, unfortunately for him, strikeouts and errors. Utley led in on base percentage and stolen bases and also had the best strikeout to walk ratio.

Rankings of NL East Third Basemen

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	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	SO-BB	SB	E	FPCT
1. Ryan Zimmerman	.307	25	85	.388	.510	98-69	4	17	.951
2. David Wright	.283	29	103	.354	.503	161-69	19	20	.956
3. Placido Polanco	.298	6	52	.339	.386	47-32	5	5	.986
4. Chipper Jones	.265	10	46	.381	.426	47-61	5	10	.952
5. Wes Helms	.220	4	39	.300	.346	76-26	0	7	.952

 

Defensively speaking, Polanco reigns above the rest with a fielding percentage of at least three percent higher than the others in the division. He is also second in batting average. However, Zimmerman and Wright are good power hitters, easily topping the amount on home runs and runs batted-in, ranking them as the top two third basemen in the division. Years ago, Jones would have ranked higher, but he is becoming older, although still productive.

Rankings of NL East Shortstops

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	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	SO-BB	SB	E	FPCT
1. Hanley Ramirez	.300	21	76	.378	.475	93-64	32	16	.971
2. Jimmy Rollins	.243	8	41	.320	.374	32-40	17	6	.982
3. Jose Reyes	.282	11	54	.321	.428	63-31	30	15	.973
4. Alex Gonzalez	.250	23	88	.294	.447	118-31	1	19	.973
5. Ian Desmond	.269	10	65	.308	.392	109-28	17	34	.947

 

Shortstop is the hardest position to rank in the NL East. I put Jimmy Rollins in the second rank, because he spent so much time on the disabled list in 2010 that he played half of a season essentially but is expected to have a bounce-back year in 2011. He has the best strikeout to walk ratio, he will be near to top in home runs, runs batted-in, stolen bases, walks and on base percentage. He also had the best fielding percentage. However, I expect that Hanley Ramirez will lead the shortstops in the NL East, followed closely by Rollins.

Rankings of NL East Left Fielders

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	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	SO-BB	SB	E	FPCT
1. Raul Ibanez	.275	16	83	.349	.444	108-68	4	2	.991
2. Martin Prado	.307	15	66	.350	.459	86-40	5	11	.981
3. Logan Morrison	.283	2	18	.390	.447	51-41	0	3	.976
4. Jason Bay	.259	6	47	.347	.402	91-44	10	1	.993
5. Rick Ankiel	.232	6	24	.321	.389	71-26	3	4	.973

 

This was close between Raul Ibanez and Martin Prado, as they have very similar numbers for home runs, on base percentage, and slugging. Ibanez, however, has more runs batted-in and a better fielding percentage. Scoring runs is a definite key to winning games. I also leaned towards Ibanez since he was second in OBP for the Phillies after the All-Star break.

Rankings of NL East Center Fielders

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	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	SO-BB	SB	E	FPCT
1. Shane Victorino	.259	18	69	.327	.429	79-53	34	2	.995
2. Carlos Beltran	.255	7	27	.341	.427	39-30	3	0	1.000
3. Nyjer Morgan	.253	0	24	.319	.314	88-40	34	5	.986
4. Chris Coghlan	.268	5	28	.335	.383	84-33	10	1	.994
5. Nate McLouth	.190	6	24	.298	.322	57-33	7	2	.986

 

Shane Victorino was second best with batting average and on base percentage, but he was easily the best with home runs and runs batted-in for 2010. He was led in slugging and stolen bases. Victorino is easily the top of the center fielders in the NL East, especially since Carlos Beltran's starting position is not even guaranteed for 2011 yet.

Rankings of NL East Right Fielders

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	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	SO-BB	SB	E	FPCT
1. Jayson Werth	.296	27	85	.388	.532	147-82	13	4	.985
2. Jason Heyward	.277	18	72	.393	.456	128-91	11	6	.976
3. Ben Francisco	.268	6	28	.327	.441	35-14	8	0	1.000
4. Mike Stanton	.259	22	59	.326	.507	123-34	5	4	.983
5. Angel Pagan	.290	11	69	.340	.425	97-44	37	5	.987

 

The Phillies lost the player who ranks on top of this list for right field to a division rival. Jayson Werth is easily the most productive offensive player on this list based on the 2010 stats. I have Ben Francisco on here at number three, because I believe that he will outright win the starting position for right field this spring. When he earns that spot, he will produce numbers that are very comparable to Werth's numbers, excepting home runs. Francisco should be a great replacement for Werth based on my studies and predictions.

Overall Rankings Per Position

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Catchers

1. Ruiz, PHI

2. McCann, ATL

3. Buck, FLA

4. Paulino, NYM

5. Rodriguez, WSH

First Base

1. Howard, PHI

2. LaRoche, WSH

3. Sanchez, FLA

4. Davis, NYM

5. Freeman, ATL

Second Base

1. Uggla, ATL

2. Utley, PHI

3. Infante, FLA

4. Murphy, NYM

5. Espinosa, WSH

Third Base

1. Zimmerman, WSH

2. Wright, NYM

3. Polanco, PHI

4. Jones, ATL

5. Helms, FLA

Shortstop

1. Ramirez, FLA

2. Rollins, PHI

3. Reyes, NYM

4. Gonzalez, ATL

5. Desmond, WSH

Left Field

1. Ibanez, PHI

2. Prado, ATL

3. Morrison, FLA

4. Bay, NYM

5. Ankiel, WSH

Center Field

1. Victorino, PHI

2. Beltran, NYM

3. Morgan, WSH

4. Coughlan, FLA

5. McLouth, ATL

Right Field

1. Werth, WSH

2. Heyward, ATL

3. Francisco, PHI

4. Stanton, FLA

5. Pagan, NYM

Rotation Rankings

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I was not going to focus on the rotations, but I will rank the individuals with their ranks within their own rotation and compare them to their respective division rivals. We shall see how the first the number one spot in the rotation compares with the other number one spots, and so on.

Rankings Of NL East Number One Starting Pitcher

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	ERA	W-L	WHIP	K	BB	IP	SHO	K/9	K/BB
1. Roy Halladay	2.44	21-10	1.04	219	30	250.2	4	7.86	7.30
2. Josh Johnson	2.30	11-6	1.11	186	48	183.2	0	9.11	3.88
3. Derek Lowe	4.00	16-12	1.37	136	61	192.2	0	6.32	2.23
4. Mike Pelfrey	3.66	15-9	1.38	113	68	204	0	4.99	1.66
5. Livian Hernandez	3.66	10-12	1.32	114	64	211.2	1	4.85	1.78

 

I don't think that this should be surprising. Roy Halladay did win the 2010 NL Cy Young Award. His ERA was not the best here, but everything else shows that he reigned above the rest, let alone the fact that he did throw a perfect game and a no-hitter in the playoffs.

Rankings Of NL East Number Two Starting Pitcher

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	ERA	W-L	WHIP	K	BB	IP	SHO	K/9	K/BB
1. Cliff Lee	3.18	12-9	1.00	185	18	212.1	1	7.84	10.28
2. Tommy Hanson	3.33	10-11	1.17	173	56	202.2	0	7.68	2.83
3. Javier Vazquez	5.32	10-10	1.40	121	65	157.1	0	6.92	1.86
4. Jonathon Niese	4.20	9-10	1.46	148	62	173.2	1	7.67	2.24
5. John Lannan	4.65	8-8	1.56	71	49	143.1	0	4.46	1.45

 

Since Cliff Lee was the subject of so much media this offseason by being signed by the Phillies, it should not be shocking that he is ranked first on this list.

Rankings Of NL East NumberThree Starting Pitcher

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	ERA	W-L	WHIP	K	BB	IP	SHO	K/9	K/BB
1. Tim Hudson	2.83	17-9	1.15	139	74	228.2	0	5.47	1.88
2. Cole Hamels	3.06	12-11	1.18	211	61	208.2	0	9.10	3.46
3. R.A. Dickey	2.84	11-9	1.19	104	42	174.1	1	5.37	2.48
4. Ricky Nolasco	4.51	14-9	1.28	147	33	157.2	0	8.39	4.46
5. Jason Marquis	6.60	2-9	1.70	31	24	58.2	0	4.76	1.29

 

TIm Hudson and Cole Hamels could have been switched, as they are fairly comparable. Hudson had the best ERA and WHIP with the most wins, and Hamels had the most strikeouts and best strikeout to walk ratio. Both of these pitchers are aces pushed into the third spot in the rotation.

Rankings Of NL East Number Four Starting Pitcher

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	ERA	W-L	WHIP	K	BB	IP	SHO	K/9	K/BB
1. Roy Oswalt	2.76	13-13	1.03	193	55	211.2	2	8.21	3.51
2. Chris Volstad	4.58	12-9	1.41	102	60	175	1	5.25	1.70
3. Chris Young	.90	2-0	1.05	15	11	20	0	6.75	1.36
4. Jair Jurrjens	4.64	7-6	1.39	86	42	116.1	0	6.65	2.05
5. Jordan Zimmermann	4.94	1-2	1.32	27	10	31	0	7.84	2.70

 

There really was not much of a content to sit on the top of this list. Roy Oswalt easily reigns above the rest of the starters in the fourth spot in the rotation.

Rankings Of NL East Number Five Starting Pitcher

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	ERA	W-L	WHIP	K	BB	IP	SHO	K/9	K/BB
1. Anibal Sanchez	3.55	13-12	1.34	157	70	195	1	7.25	2.24
2. Joe Blanton	4.82	9-6	1.42	134	43	175.2	0	6.87	3.12
3. Tom Gorzelanny	4.09	7-9	1.50	119	68	136.1	0	7.86	1.75
4. Mike Minor	5.98	3-2	1.57	43	11	40.2	0	9.52	3.91
5. Dillon Gee	2.18	2-2	1.21	17	15	33	0	4.64	1.13

 

Joe Blanton may not be the best ranked here, but he does compliment the rest of the rotation. Dillon Gee has good numbers so far, but he has yet to prove himself.

Rotation Ranks

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No. 1 SP

1. Halladay, PHI

2. Johnson, FLA

3. Lowe, ATL

4. Pelfrey, NYM

5. Hernandez, WSH

No. 2 SP

1. Lee, PHI

2. Hanson

3. Vazquez

4. Niese

5. Lannan

No. 3 SP

1. Hudson, ATL

2. Hamels, PHI

3. Dickey, NYM

4. Nolasco, FLA

5. Marquis, WSH

No. 4 SP

1. Oswalt, PHI

2. Volstad, FLA

3. Young, NYM

4. Jurrjens, ATL

5. Zimmermann, WSH

No. 5 SP

1. Sanchez, FLA

2. Blanton, PHI

3. Gorzelanny, WSH

4. Minor, ATL

5. Gee, NYM