The 15 Most Clutch Players in the AL Central

The American League Central division, at least during the past few seasons, had been often considered one of the weaker divisions in the MLB. Last season, only the Detroit Tigers finished the season with a positive run differential. In fact, the Tigers were also the only team to finish with one above .500.

Yet, this doesn't mean that the AL Central isn't filled with young, clutch talent and veteran experience. And I haven't even mentioned Miguel Cabrera and Joe Mauer.

Young AL Central players such as Kansas City's Eric Hosmer and Cleveland's Asdrubal Cabrera are quickly climbing the clutch ranks of the AL Central.

Perennial clutch players like Paul Konerko, and yes, Justin Morneau, are on the list, but you'd be surprised as to who else made the list. 

14. Jason Kipnis

Yes, Kipnis is young and hasn't played much in the MLB, but he has shown he possesses the talent of a productive and clutch player for the Indians.

In 36 games and only 136 at-bats, he batted .272 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs. If his statistics were projected to a full 162-game season, he would have finished with about 35 home runs and 80 RBIs.

For a 24-year-old rookie, that would have been one heck of a rookie campaign. One such clutch performance from Kipnis came August 10th, when he had a five hit, four-run game. A week prior, he became the first Cleveland second baseman to slam four home runs in four consecutive games.

He was a clutch and productive player for the Indians, who had maintained a solid lead in the AL Central until Kipnis went down with a hamstring injury mid-August.

13. Austin Jackson

Although Detroit's Austin Jackson did not have a successful season at the plate, Jackson is still a young talent, whose prowess in the outfield is almost second to none.

Jackson finished his 2011 season at the plate with a .249 average with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs.

The 2011 American League Rookie of the Year runner-up has the clutch fielding skills that helped put him on the list.

He was the center field recipient of the 2011 Fielding Bible Award, which is given to the best defensive player for each position, based purely on statistics.

Although Jackson does strike out, which is slowly becoming an issue in Detroit, he still has what it takes to be clutch. From the week of August 29th to September 4th, he was named the American League Player of the Week.

12. Eric Hosmer

One of Kansas City's many young guns is Eric Hosmer. You better keep his name in the back of your mind. Here's why.

Hosmer quickly climbed the ranks of the Royals farm system, and was called up to the majors on May 5th. All is history since then for Hosmer. 

He finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, and was named July's American League Rookie of the month.

Hosmer finished his rookie season with 19 home runs, proving at the young age of 22 that he will only get stronger and improve on his .293 average and 78 runs batted in.

11. Doug Fister

When the Tigers acquired Seattle starting pitcher Doug Fister at the trade deadline, nobody in Detroit expected what he provided. It was basically the second coming of Doyle Alexander.

He only went 8-1 as a Tiger and posted the lowest ERA on the team from the time of his arrival to the closing of the season. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, his ERA was lower than American League Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander.

'Nuff said.

10. Josh Willingham

As the newcomer on the list, Josh Willingham cracks the top 10 of the top clutch players in the AL Central. He'd be higher on the list, but he must prove himself first.

Joining the Twins in Minnesota, Willingham batted a sub-par .246 average, but showed the power of a clutch hitting player. He compiled 29 home runs and batted in 98 runs as a member of the Oakland Athletics.

He was also awarded the Catfish Hunter award, given to the MVP of the Oakland Athletics during the season.

9. Alex Gordon

The oldest and most experienced of Kansas City's young guns is left fielder Alex Gordon.

Finally coming into his own this past season after moving from first base to the outfield, Gordon enjoyed a power filled, productive season. He had a .303 batting average while slugging 23 home runs and driving in 87 RBIs. 

Gordon also has seemed to enjoy the switch to the outfield. He led the entire majors with 20 assists en route to his first career American League Gold Glove award.

8. Victor Martinez

Tigers fans in Detroit were very happy with what they saw from newcomer Victor Martinez. In his first full official season as a designated hitter, Martinez proved what not playing catcher everyday can do.

Although he was hurt several times throughout the season, Martinez excelled in the position as he hit a very solid .330 while hitting 12 home runs and batting in 103 RBIs. It was his fourth 100 RBI season of his career.

Martinez proved he was the best in the business when it mattered most as well. He led the entire major league with an astounding .394 batting average with runners in scoring position.

Now that my friends, is clutch.

7. Justin Morneau

When, and if he ever recovers from post-concussion like symptoms, Morneau will be expected to slowly become one of the most clutch players in the division, if not, the entire MLB.

The former AL MVP, Morneau only played in 69 regular season games, and barely fit in over 200 at-bats. He had established career lows in every major offensive category, thanks to a short season, and with what he had accrued, was still subpar.

Morneau is as high as he is because of his past and is the future for hopeful Twins fans.

If Morneau can return to form, which means his perennial AL MVP bid, he'll be welcomed back with open arms to the ranks of the AL Central elites.

6. Asdrubal Cabrera

Although the 2011 Cleveland Indians roster was somewhat of a fraud (they led the division for a good part of the season), there was one shining star. That star is Asdrubal Cabrera.

The starting shortstop for the Indians enjoyed a breakout season. He hit .272 and hammered 25 home runs for the Tribe. Meanwhile, he drove in a very productive 92 RBIs.

He is also a star in the field, after being seen countless times on baseball's highlights of the best and flashiest defensive plays, throughout the entire season.

He was voted an All-Star for the first time in 2011, and was posthumously awarded a Silver Slugger award for the American League shortstop position.

5. Jose Valverde

It's hard not to put Tigers closer Jose Valverde higher on the list. In fact, it's very hard.

On May 8th, Valverde recorded the 200th save of his career.

On September 11th, he became the single season save record holder for Detroit, receiving his 43rd save and passing Todd Jones for the record.

Five days later, his 45th save clinched the division for the Tigers. Not to mention, on the final day of the season, he recorded his 49th season save, capping a perfect season for Valverde. He recorded 49 saves in 49 saves opportunities, and currently has saved 51 consecutive saves.

Oh yeah, he also finished fifth in Cy Young voting. Papa Grande is as clutch as a closer can get.

4. Joe Mauer

Much like his teammate Morneau, Twins catcher Joe Mauer would be higher on this list had he been healthy and presumably productive.

He played in only 82 games, hitting three home runs and batting in 30 runs. He and Morneau's injury troubles were the main reason as to why the Twins suffered so much throughout the entire 2011 campaign.

Yet, Mauer remains one of baseball's top players and clutch performers. The 2009 AL MVP winner made his first appearance as a first baseman in 2011. Ironically, the first ball hit his way was turned into an unassisted triple play.

If Mauer, like Morneau can return to full health and strength, the "M&M brothers" will certainly be the top and most clutch duo in the American League Central.

3. Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko has not only been clutch for a few short years, but has been almost the entire length of his career.

The long-tenured White Sox player has provided Chicago fans with handfuls of memories and clutch performances throughout the years, while leading the White Sox to a World Series championship in 2005. In that same World Series, Konerko became the first White Sox to hit a grand slam in a championship series.

During the 2011 campaign, Konerko enjoyed another career year. He hit 31 home runs, batted in 105 runs, and hit a cool .300.

He also became the first White Sox player to hit a home run in five consecutive games, when he accomplished the feat on June 21st. Later in the season, he reached the 2,000 hit plateau.

2. Miguel Cabrera

Much like Konerko, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers also enjoyed one heck of a 2011 season. And where to start?

First off, Cabrera won the AL batting title by hitting .344, while still cranking 30 big flies, and driving in 105 runs.

He was named to his sixth All-Star game and collected his 1.500th hit against the White Sox. Considering that Konerko was 35 years old when he reached his 2,000th hit, hitting 1,500 at the young age of 28 is one astonishing achievement

Cabrera is the offensive foundation of the Detroit Tigers team, and will be a clutch player for Detroit for a good handful of years to come..

1. Justin Verlander

Who can argue with this selection?

Verlander, of the Tigers, not only won the American League Cy Young award, he also won the AL MVP award. Rarely is a pitcher even considered for the MVP, let alone being awarded the trophy.

He led the entire MLB in wins with 24, and posted an AL leading 2.40. Additionally, he struck out 250 batters, and finished with a .92 WHIP.

There isn't much debate as to who was the most clutch player of the American League Central Division. Not to mention, Verlander tossed his second career no-hitter, on May 7th against the Toronto Blue Jays.