MLB Power Rankings: 2011 Report Cards for the 50 Best Players in Baseball
Every baseball fan has his or her own list of the best players in the major leagues.
We opine, argue and kick back to watch the results—'tis the life of a sports fan.
What follows is my list of the best MLB players, approximately as it would have looked before the 2011 season began. It's far from authoritative, even in my own head—if I were to do this again tomorrow, I'd probably shuffle a couple guys around—but I think my rankings are fairly good estimations.
I then graded each player based on his performance in the 2011 season, from 'A+'—the likely MVPs—to 'F'—anyone who has been below replacement value (WAR under zero) automatically flunked my class.
School's out, kids. Now, let's see your grades.
No. 50: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
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Is it too soon to call Strasburg one of the best players in baseball? Maybe it is, but after his otherworldly performance in his debut last year—2.6 WAR in just 68 innings—he at least has to be in the discussion.
Unfortunately, he's missed the whole season recovering from Tommy John surgery. You can't pass if you don't show up for class.
Grade: F
No. 49: Buster Posey, Giants
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Posey is out for the season now after a horrific collision at home plate, but he did quite well for himself before the injury.
Still, he loses a few points for performing worse than he did last year—his OPS is down from .862 to .756.
Grade: B
No. 48: Jay Bruce, Reds
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For years, Bruce has been hailed as a future stud. In 2010, he finally found his calling, though it was mainly for his glove, not his bat.
This year, he hasn't looked as sharp in the field, but thanks to his improved power stroke, he appears to have reached his potential as one of the best hitters in the game (.929 OPS).
Grade: A
No. 47: Jason Heyward, Braves
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The rightful 2010 NL Rookie of the Year, Heyward burst onto the scene with 5.1 WAR in 142 games.
His numbers are way down this year (724 OPS, compared to .849 last year), but he's actually showing more pop (.902 Power Factor, up from .646), and his struggles can largely be explained by a 103-point drop in his BABIP.
Grade: B-
No. 46: Carlos Santana, Indians
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The injury that cut Santana's season short last year made a lot of people forget about his solid power and otherworldly plate discipline.
He hasn't performed quite as well as he did in his brief stint in 2010, but that's largely due to bad luck.
Grade: B+
No. 45: Mark Teixeira, Yankees
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The $180 million contract the Yankees gave Teixeira in 2008 was definitely an overpay, but even if he's not an elite first baseman, he's still a very good player.
He's not the defensive whiz he once was, but this year, he's been hitting like the Tex of old.
Grade: A-
No. 44: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
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Good speed. Great defense. Phenomenal contact ability. These are what we think of as constants for Ichiro.
But a combination of declining defense and power, as well as a lower BABIP, has put him below replacement value (-0.2 WAR). Is the 37-year-old right fielder finally showing his age?
Grade: F
No. 43: David Price, Rays
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A 2008 postseason hero, Price showed flashes of his sky-high potential last year (2.72 ERA) and emerged as a Cy Young candidate.
This year, he's improved his K/BB ratio to 5.32 and his xFIP is down to 3.03. Remember, this kid is only 25.
Grade: A-
No. 42: Adrian Beltre, Red Sox
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Beltre's huge resurgence in 2010 put him back on the list of the game's best players and earned him a $96 million contract.
His offense is down this year—thanks largely to bad luck (.233 BABIP)—but his glove is as strong as ever.
Grade: B+
No. 41: David Wright, Mets
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The face of the Mets is a heck of a hitter (.893 OPS), but his bat has cooled off over the last couple seasons, and his defense has declined dramatically.
Luck is partly to blame for Wright's struggles this year, but then again, his glove looks worse than ever.
Grade: C+
No. 40: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
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A Cy Young candidate in 2009, Wainwright is the clear ace of the Cardinals' staff.
Unfortunately, Tommy John surgery cost him the whole season.
Grade: F
No. 39: Adam Dunn, White Sox
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He's terrible in the field, but Dunn is one of the most consistent hitters in the game. Year in and year out, he's good for 40 homers, 100 RBI and triple-digit walks.
Except in 2011, apparently. He's hitting .185 with a .665 OPS.
Grade: F
No. 38: Nelson Cruz, Rangers
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A true five-tool stud, the woefully unappreciated Cruz posted 5.2 WAR in just 108 games last season.
He's been disappointing so far (.757 OPS), thanks in part to an increase in strikeouts and weak pop-ups.
Grade: C+
No. 37: Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
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He may never win an MVP, but few can be counted on to provide the solid power and exceptional plate discipline Youkilis displays every year.
The "Greek God of Walks" is having a relatively down year at the plate (.870 OPS) as he adjusts to playing full time at third base.
Grade: B-
No. 36: Jered Weaver, Angels
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Weaver had been touted as a future ace since he broke into the majors in 2006. The future came last year when he posted a 3.01 ERA.
This year, Weaver has pitched like a Cy Young candidate with a 2.10 ERA and 2.48 FIP in 12 starts.
Grade: A
No. 35: Justin Morneau, Twins
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In only half a season's worth of games in 2010, Morneau hit .345 with a 1.055 OPS and 5.1 WAR. He was on a clear path to AL MVP honors before his concussion.
This year, he seems to have completely lost his power stroke (.502 Power Factor) and plate discipline (6.0-percent walk rate).
Grade: D
No. 34: Ben Zobrist, Rays
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In 2009, a slick-gloved utility man named Ben Zobrist took the league by storm with a .948 OPS and 8.6 WAR.
He may never again match his breakout-year totals, but an OPS over .800 and Gold Glove-worthy defense have made him one of this year's best second basemen.
Grade: A-
No. 33: Francisco Liriano, Twins
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In 2010—the first real full season of his career—Liriano struck out more than a batter an inning and led the American League with a 2.95 xFIP.
With a 5.73 ERA through nine starts, his 2011 campaign would be charitably described as a meltdown.
Grade: F
No. 32: Zack Greinke, Brewers
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The 2009 AL Cy Young winner continued to pitch well in 2010, throwing 220 innings with a 3.34 FIP.
Don't be fooled by his current 5.29 ERA—he owns a fantastic 11.9 K/9 rate, and his 1.94 xFIP would be the best in baseball if he had enough innings to qualify.
Grade: A-
No. 31: Matt Holliday, Cardinals
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After posting 12.6 WAR with the Athletics and Cardinals over the last two years, Holliday has put the notion he's a creation of Coors Field to rest.
Sure, he's gotten a little lucky, but considering this year's depressed run environment, Holliday is in the midst of the best offensive season of his career (170 wRC+).
Grade: A
No. 30: Mariano Rivera, Yankees
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In spite of his 2001 and 2004 postseason meltdowns, there's no question Rivera is the best closer of all time.
You expect dominance from Mo year after year, but his 1.91 FIP is his best since 1996.
Grade: A
No. 29: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
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Pedroia suffered injury problems last year, but few would doubt the 2008 AL MVP is one of the game's best second basemen when he's on the field.
This year, he's a below-average hitter (98 wRC+) for the first time in five years, but with good speed (12 steals) and sterling defense (5.5 UZR), he's still a very good player.
Grade: B
No. 28: CC Sabathia, Yankees
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Sabathia isn't a candidate for the best pitcher in baseball anymore, but that doesn't mean opposing hitters aren't intimidated with him on the mound.
He's still the workhouse he always was, and his 2.98 ERA to date would be the second-best of his career.
Grade: A-
No. 27: Jon Lester, Red Sox
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He may never reach his storied Cy Young-caliber upside, but Lester has earned his place as one of the game's top young hurlers.
He's slipped a little in 2011—his strikeout and walk rates have worsened, and he's been prone to the home run ball. It's too small a sample size to be worried, but he hasn't looked quite like himself.
Grade: B-
No. 26: Ryan Braun, Brewers
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Braun is a true butcher in the field, but he more than makes up for his defensive deficiencies with his booming bat.
His glove is as bad as ever this year, but in the context of the lowered run environment, his offensive production (177 wRC+) is the best of his career.
Grade: A
No. 25: Jayson Werth, Nationals
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A late bloomer, Werth staked his claim as one of the game's best outfielders with 15.4 WAR over the last three seasons.
Fresh off signing a $126 million contract this winter, Werth has seen his power, plate discipline and defense all decline.
Grade: C
No. 24: Robinson Cano, Yankees
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Cano's production has fluctuated between MVP-esque and near-replacement-level over his career, but with 6.6 WAR last year, he cemented his reputation as one of the best infielders in baseball.
He's doing well this year (.838 OPS), but subpar defense and awful plate discipline (3.6 percent walk rate—fourth-worst in the AL) have dragged him down.
Grade: B
No. 23: Justin Verlander, Tigers
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He's never earned any major hardware, but Verlander, 27, already has 88 wins and 27.1 WAR under his belt.
His 3.12 ERA ranks fifth in the league among starters with at least 80 innings pitched.
Grade: B+
No. 22: Chase Utley, Phillies
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Utley's 39.2 WAR from 2005-09 made him the second-most valuable player in the game over that stretch— behind only Albert Pujols. The next closest second baseman (Brian Roberts) had 23.5.
In the eight games he's played this year since returning from the DL, he's hit .222/.364/.370—if nothing else, that's amazing plate discipline. It's good enough for him to pass the class, but after he missed almost the whole season to date, I can't give him a good grade.
Grade: D
No. 21: Shin-Soo Choo, Indians
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Quite possibly the most underrated player in the game, Choo was—by one measure—the second-best player in baseball last season.
His bat has been relatively cold this year, but the problem is almost entirely bad luck, and he's made up for it in part with his fantastic defense (5.8 UZR).
Grade: B+
No. 20: Tim Lincecum, Giants
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At age 25, Lincecum had already won 40 MLB games and taken home a pair of NL Cy Young awards.
His 2.22 ERA to-date is the best of his career. So much for the post-playoff hangover.
Grade: A
No. 19: Prince Fielder, Brewers
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Fielder is barely 27, and he already has over 200 homers. The kid can flat-out rake.
With double-digit homers and an OPS over .900, the 2011 season has just been business as usual for the hulking first baseman.
Grade: A-
No. 18: Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
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Zimmerman is the Choo of the NL—an exceptional player who flies under the radar, thanks to his unremarkable teammates. From 2009-10, his 14.4 WAR put him third-best in baseball.
Like Utley, he's played only eight games, so he can't qualify for a very good grade. But with a .357/.486.536 slashline in those 37 PAs, he deserves some bonus points.
Grade: D+
No. 17: Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
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Gonzalez broke out in a big way last year, hitting .336 with a .974 OPS, smacking 34 homers with 26 stolen bases.
His .384 2010 BABIP was unsustainable, but a drop to .280—his 2011 hit rate—seems a little harsh.
Grade: B-
No. 16: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
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He is who he is. Rodriguez would be a no-questions-asked first-ballot Hall of Famer if not for his steroid use—and he still might be.
He's not the fearsome slugger he once was, but that doesn't mean he can't hit.
Grade: B
No. 15: Cliff Lee, Phillies
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The 2008 (and rightful 2010) AL Cy Young winner, Lee nearly set the all-time record last year with an insane 10.28 K/BB ratio.
Don't look too hard at his current 3.94 ERA; instead, focus on his 2.63 xFIP (fourth-best in baseball).
Grade: A-
No. 14: Carl Crawford, Red Sox
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Crawford earned himself $142 million this winter with his amazing 7.5-WAR performance in 2010.
He's followed up on his mega-deal by hitting .234 with less-than-stellar defense and -0.1 WAR.
Grade: F
No. 13: Josh Johnson, Marlins
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Thanks to Roy Halladay, no one seemed to notice when Johnson posted a 2.30 ERA (2.40 FIP) last year.
So far in 2010, he has an insane 1.64 ERA. He's gotten a bit lucky (.239 BABIP), but his 2.56 FIP is still superhuman.
Grade: A
No. 12: Joe Mauer, Twins
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The 2009 AL MVP might not be playing catcher much longer, but for now, there's no doubt he's the best backstop in the game.
But this year, he hasn't shown it. In the nine games he's managed to play, he's been below replacement value (-0.1 WAR).
Grade: F
No. 11: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
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The reigning AL Cy Young winner posted a 2.27 ERA in 2010—43 percent lower than the league average, even adjusted for Safeco Field.
So far this year, he's got a 3.19 ERA but a 2.79 FIP.
Grade: A-
No. 10: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
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Bautista came out of nowhere to hit 54 home runs and emerged as an MVP candidate in 2010. Most bet he couldn't do it again.
He's currently on pace for 14.4 WAR. For some context, Babe Ruth topped that only once, and Barry Bonds never achieved it.
Grade: A+
No. 9: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
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Already one of the best shortstops in the game, this five-tool stud hit 15 home runs last September.
His bat has been relatively cool in 2011 (.805 OPS), but with a walk rate and Power Factor above last year's marks, it seems fair to blame his struggles on his .227 BABIP. But even if it wasn't, as a fantastic fielder at a premium position, he's been a fantastic player—even in his slump.
Grade: A-
No. 8: Josh Hamilton, Rangers
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After struggling with injuries and off-field problems for years, Hamilton put it all together in 2010 and came away with MVP honors.
He's missed all but 19 games of the 2011 season, though he's been pretty good (.841 OPS) when he has played.
Grade: C+
No. 7: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
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For at least a couple years now, Ramirez has been the only possible acceptable alternative to Albert Pujols for the No. 1 pick in fantasy drafts.
The only saving grace of his .615 OPS is that he has an uncharacteristic .236 BABIP. At 0.5 runs above replacement, Han-Ram barely misses getting an automatic failing grade.
Grade: C-
No. 6: Evan Longoria, Rays
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With 15.0 WAR in 2009-10, Longoria has been the AL's most valuable player over the last couple seasons.
He's played barely half his team's games, but with an .827 OPS and a great glove, it's hard to penalize him for missing time.
Grade: A-
No. 5: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
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Off-field problems aside, Cabrera just turned 28; he already has 257 homers and 38.6 WAR.
With an OPS pushing 1.000, it's safe to say he's one of the best hitters in baseball this year.
Grade: A-
No. 4: Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox
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For years, Gonzalez has been known as one of the biggest sluggers in baseball—quite a feat for someone who played half his games in Petco Park.
He's turned it around after a slow start with the Red Sox, but his much-decreased walk rate (6.9 percent) and high BABIP (.357) loom as ominous signs for the future.
Grade: B+
No. 3: Joey Votto, Reds
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The reigning NL MVP burst out in a big way last year, smacking 37 homers with a 1.024 OPS.
Many doubted his ability to repeat in 2011, but he's actually on pace for more WAR (8.1) than he had last year (7.3).
Grade: A
No. 2: Roy Halladay, Phillies
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After finally breaking out of the AL East, Halladay cruised to a unanimous NL Cy Young award last season, notching a perfect game and an NLDS no-hitter along the way.
In 91.1 innings so far, he has a 2.56 ERA (2.12 FIP) and a K/BB ratio of 7.00.
Grade: A+
No. 1: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
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Even with his current slump, is there any question Pujols is the best player in baseball?
His .259 BABIP is part of the problem, but declines in his power (.569 Power Factor) and walk rate (9.0 percent) are also largely to blame.
Grade: B-
For more of Lewie's work, visit WahooBlues.com. Follow him on Twitter @LewsOnFirst or @WahooBlues.
