5 Most Marketable Superstars in MLB

Determining baseball’s "most marketable” stars is a trying process involving a number of differing criteria.

Does the player possess a captivating personality? Is he beloved by fans of the sport from coast to coast? Does this translate into national jersey sales?

Has he successfully transitioned to entertainment platforms such as TV commercials, movie cameos and advertising campaigns?

I attempted to take all of these into account when compiling this list, and each player is a star in more than one of these areas of interest.

Some interesting close calls who were omitted from the list include:

Joe Mauer

Formerly a sure-thing marketing phenom, Mauer now has to regain his health before earning the distinction again.

Ichiro Suzuki

Though still in the conversation based on his international appeal, Ichiro’s marketability has declined with his on-field performance in 2011.

Stephen Strasburg 

He's capable of a "Strasburg Mania"-like whirlwind, as proven in 2010, but will need to stay healthy for a full season to hop onto the list.

Evan Longoria

He’s likable, talented, charismatic and good-looking, but he needs to get out of St. Petersburg and be exposed to the limelight to crack the top five.

Feel free to leave your own omissions and other reactions to the list, and if your favorite player is not included, then let me have it!

We begin the top five with a powerful yet unpredictable slugger from Arlington, Texas.

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