MLB: 8 Players Who Could Be This Year's Cody Ross

Before last postseason, Cody Ross was just another average outfielder trying to make an impact in the majors. 

After playing the majority of his career in the baseball abyss that is South Florida, Ross was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants in late August of last season. Very little attention was given to the move as Ross figured to be a platoon outfielder for the Giants.

However, once the Giants made it into the postseason, Cody Ross became a household name amongst baseball fans who watched him scorch through the playoffs, helping the Giants dispose of the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS by getting the game-winning RBI in two of the three Giants' wins.

Then Ross went on to hit two home runs off Roy Halladay in Game 1 of the NLCS on his way to winning MVP of the series after hitting .350 with three home runs and five RBI. 

Ross's breakout from obscurity in the postseason helped the Giant's capture their first World Series since moving to San Fransisco.

So who will break out in this year's postseason?

This list is composed of players who, while productive, are somewhat under the radar but could make a big splash for themselves and their teams if they were given their chance on baseball's biggest stage.

Note: All stats and standings are only accurate up to the writing of this article. 

8. Nate Schierholtz, San Francisco Giants

What better place to star then right back in the Bay Area.

If the Giants want to repeat as World Champions, they will undoubtedly need the timely hitting that they got last postseason.  

Although Ross remains on the roster, the Giants will look for others to step up if they are able to capture their second consecutive National League West Championship and return to the postseason.

One viable candidate for that will be their right fielder Nate Schierholtz. Schierholtz, in his fifth season with the Giants has a .292 batting average seven home runs and 36 RBI, the best numbers of his career. As of July 24th, Schierholtz is second on the team in hits and RBI and third in home runs.

While the Giants chances of capturing another World Series ring will largely depend on the dominance of their starting pitching, Schierholtz could provide some timely hits in the middle of their lineup against right-handed pitchers.

7. Matt Joyce, Tampa Bay Rays

Unfortunately for the Tampa Bay Rays, if they are going to return to the postseason this year, they will have to surpass either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees in the standings by the end of the season.

If the Rays were in the AL Central or AL West, they'd be right in the thick of the race, but being in the AL East means they have a long way to go if they want a chance at their first World Series title.

However, the Rays are still in the race, and if they do find a way to sneak into the postseason, one of their keys to success could be their up-and-coming right fielder, Matt Joyce.

After hitting just .241 in his first season with the team last year, Joyce has upped his average to .289 and also has 14 home runs and 20 doubles at this point in the year.

In a lineup that at times struggles to score runs, Joyce has been a bright spot for manager Joe Maddon and could be in for a breakout for the Rays if they find themselves in the playoffs.

6. Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are the feel good story of this year's baseball season.

After not having a winning record in nearly 20 years, the Pirates are right in the National League Central race along with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers in late July. 

While a lot of attention has been given to (and deservedly so) Pirates All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen for his outstanding season, another hitter in the Pirates lineup that has been getting it done this year has been their second baseman Neil Walker.

Walker is second on the team in hits to McCutchen and has shown the potential to be an outstanding big league hitter in his young career. Although Walker's batting average is down from last season, he is still a catalyst in their lineup and is eighth in the National League in RBI.

If the Pirates complete their remarkable year by winning the division and making it to their first postseason since 1992, Walker's bat will be crucial to any success the Pirates wish to have.

5. Mitch Moreland, Texas Rangers

Mitch Moreland already knows what it's like to go through the rigors of an MLB postseason, and if the Texas Rangers make it back this year, Moreland could be set to have a huge impact on the already dynamic Rangers lineup.

After hitting .348 in last year's postseason, Moreland helped lead the Rangers all the way to the World Series before falling in five games to the San Francisco Giants. Moreland also hit his first career postseason home run last year, a three-run bomb off Jonathan Sanchez in Game 3 of the World Series.

This season, Moreland has faded a bit in a heavy-hitting Rangers lineup, but he does have 12 dingers and is a threat to go yard whenever he steps up to the plate.

While opposing managers may be focusing on guys like Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, Moreland's bat is not one to be taken lightly and with one swing of the bat, Moreland could alter the momentum of any postseason series.

4. Corey Hart, Millwaukee Brewers

Perhaps, the most recognized player on this list is Milwaukee Brewers outfielder, Corey Hart.

Hart, a two-time All-Star, has been with the Brewers for the last seven seasons. Three times, Hart has hit at least 20 home runs in a season including 2010, his best major league year in which he hit 31 homers and knocked in 102 RBI.

Despite his ability, Hart has never received the recognition that teammates Prince Fielder and Ryan Bruan have achieved, but he will look to change that if the Brew Crew can pull out a National League Central title and make it back to the postseason for the first time since 2008.

This season, Hart has struggled with injuries, missing 30 games in the 2011 season. However, he still has managed to hit 13 home runs and have 31 RBI. 

While Hart may be streaky at times, if he gets hot in the playoffs, he adds another weapon to the capable Brewers lineup.

3. Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

With the New York Yankees set to make another playoff run this season, center fielder Brett Gardner could just be the difference.

With a lineup stacked with power hitters, Curtis Granderson, Mark Texiera and Alex Rodriguez just to name a few, Gardner provides a unique aspect to the game with his speed.

Gardner leads the American League in stolen bases with 31 and also has a solid .285 batting average, which is the best of his young career. He has the capability to change the game defensively as well with his tremendous speed.

As any Red Sox fan can tell you, a postseason game can be changed with one well-timed stolen base (see Dave Roberts), and Gardner provides that threat for the Bronx Bombers whenever he gets on base.

Although many believe the job should still belong to Derek Jeter, in my opinion, Gardner is the quintessential leadoff man for the Yankees and could provide the spark they need to return to the World Series. 

2. Brennan Boesch, Detroit Tigers

Brennan Boesch is one of the best up-and-coming hitters in the major leagues you probably haven't heard much about unless you live in Michigan.

In only his second season in the majors, Boesch has already made an impact on the Tigers lineup as they battle it out with Cleveland for the American League Central's berth in the postseason.

Boesch got off to a ridiculous start in his rookie year last year before cooling off, but nevertheless, impressed the Tigers enough to earn himself a starting spot for the 2011 season.

He has already matched his home run total from last year (14) has a solid .297 batting average and is third on the team in hits. 

Boesch has all the tools at the plate to be one of the games most dominant hitters down the road, but he might get his chance to impress America sooner than that if the Tigers make the playoffs in 2011.

1. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

Another one of baseball's best up-and-coming hitters and my vote for the most likely to be this year's Cody Ross is the Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman. 

Freeman in just his rookie season is hitting at .280 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI for the Braves who are currently in the lead for the wild card position in the National League.

Freeman also is one of the best defensive first baseman in the National League to go along with his already impressive batting statistics.

One of the reasons why Freeman is my choice for a postseason breakout performer is that the Braves simply need his bat in the lineup if they want to be serious contender for a pennant this season.

While Brian McCann is having one of his best seasons, Alex Gonzalez, Jayson Heyward and Dan Uggla have struggled this year, and Chipper Jones is injury-prone at any moment.

Time will tell if the pressure of the postseason will bring out the best or worst in Freeman's game, but he certainly has the swing to be this year's breakout postseason performer.