Every MLB Team's Most “Swaggerific” Player

Oftentimes, swagger is denoted as a negative characteristic, one that indicates an air of arrogance or overconfidence.

However, in Major League Baseball, swagger can most definitely be a positive trait as well. Swagger can promote a feeling of power, and a lack of swagger can often mean a team has lost its mojo.

Throughout the history of Major League Baseball, many players have been defined by their swagger. Reggie Jackson and Rickey Henderson immediately come to mind, and while they often boasted of their abilities, they backed up their boasts by their actions on the field. They clearly had a swagger that was well-defined.

As a new season approaches, every MLB team will invariably feature a specific player who has that “swaggerific” quality that either endears them to their fans, or relegates them to blow-hard status.

Here is a list of each team’s most “swaggerific” player.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Ian Kennedy

In 2011, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy experienced a breakout season, leading the National League in wins with 21 and posting an ERA of 2.88 with 198 strikeouts and a fourth-place finish in Cy Young Award balloting.

Kennedy, who was traded away by the New York Yankees in December 2009 after being drafted three years earlier, clearly developed a swagger that helped define both his game and the identity of the Diamondbacks.

Closer J.J. Putz best defined it in comments made to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com last year.

“You can just see his swagger on the mound,” Putz, said. “It’s not arrogance. It’s not cockiness. It’s just positive swagger.

“I love watching him strike out a guy and walk off the mound. He’s got it, whatever that 'it' is.”

Atlanta Braves: Craig Kimbrel

Last year, Atlanta Braves pitcher Craig Kimbrel was only 22 years old, and he took over as the team’s closer in his first full season in the majors. However, by the time all was said and done, Kimbrel’s performance was looked upon with the reverence, usually only reserved for grizzled veterans.

Kimbrel ran away with Rookie of the Year honors in the National League, gaining all 32 of the first-place votes and becoming the first unanimous selection since Albert Pujols in 2001.

Kimbrel struck out a remarkable 127 batters in just 77 innings, and throughout the year, he exhibited a quiet confidence that just radiated a positive vibe whenever he took the mound.

Baltimore Orioles: Buck Showalter

In the case of the Baltimore Orioles, who have seen nothing but losing since 1997, it’s a bit difficult to pinpoint any one player who exudes a certain type of swagger that defines them—however, at the top of the heap, there is no question as to the swagger of manager Buck Showalter.

During Showalter’s career, he has been defined as a man who has turned around the fortunes of teams he has guided, including the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. Entering his third year at the helm of the Orioles, Showalter is still attempting the same.

This past year alone, Showalter scoffed at both the Yankees and the Red Sox. In an article with Men's Journal, Showalter showcased his disdain for Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

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“The first time we went to Yankee Stadium, I screamed at Derek Jeter from the dugout," Showalter said. "Our young guys are thinking, ‘Wow, he’s screaming at Derek Jeter’—well, he’s always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets—and yes, he pisses me off.”

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In another comment made about the Red Sox, Showalter said:

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"I'd like to see how smart Theo Epstein is with the Tampa Bay [Rays] payroll," Showalter said. "You got Carl Crawford 'cause you paid more than anyone else, and that's what makes you smarter? That's why I like whipping their butt. It's great, knowing those guys with the $205 million payroll are saying, 'How the hell are they beating us?' "

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Unfortunately for Showalter, the swagger hasn't resulted in wins quite yet.

Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz

Last season, David Ortiz's ninth with the Boston Red Sox, he showed fans once again just with one swing of the bat that swagger has been a big part of his terrific career.

On June 7, in the fifth inning of the opener of a three-game set against the New York Yankees, Ortiz drilled a Hector Noesi pitch for a two-run homer, flipping his bat as the ball took flight, angering Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

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"I didn't really care for it," Girardi said. "I don't know if he was upset that he missed some pitches earlier. I've got a young kid [in Hector Noesi] on the mound. I didn't know if he was upset that he came in hard on him. Of course, when it happens to you, you're going to defend your guy. If it's our guy, I'm going to say there was nothing intentional about it."

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For Ortiz, it was just another display of swagger in a long line of "Papi style" moments.

"That's Papi style," said Ortiz. "You saw that before."

And no doubt it will be seen again.

Chicago Cubs: Alfonso Soriano

The topic of Chicago Cubs' left fielder Alfonso Soriano, and his bloated contract, has certainly served as a lightning rod for fans on the North side and beyond, however, one thing can never really be debated is Soriano's swagger.

When he's feeling it at the plate, Soriano's swagger is on full display. Oftentimes, Soriano can be seen displaying the swagger after a home run, either through a little hop or just a quick walk before the slow jog around the bases.

Soriano has definitely been susceptible to hot and cold streaks during his Cubs career, but when the streak is in fiery mode, the swagger is as well.

Chicago White Sox: A.J. Pierzynski

Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski can certainly be described in a lot of ways, and he certainly has been during his seven seasons with the White Sox.

Former manager Ozzie Guillen probably stated it best when he said of Pierzynski, "If you play against him, you hate him. If you play with him, you hate him a little less."

Pierzynski has always played the game with that little edge that infuriates opponents and makes teammates glad he's on their side.

Despite all that comes with Pierzynksi's personality and demeanor, Guillen also summed it up best by saying, "A.J.'s been great for me. He's worth the work because he always shows up for you."

Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Phillips

Cincinnati Reds' second baseman Brandon Phillips has always played the game with a bit of an edge, almost like he feels he has something to prove every day.

Given up on by two teams (Montreal Expos, Cleveland Indians), Phillips proved both teams wrong with his play in Cincinnati that has now garnered three Gold Glove Awards, two All-Star selections and one Silver Slugger Award.

Phillips' swagger has led to over 210,000 followers on his Twitter account, who hinge on his often-humorous looks at life and other athletes.

Cleveland Indians: Travis Hafner

For the past four seasons, Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner has suffered through a myriad of injuries that have only allowed him to play in just over half of the games during that span. However, when Hafner is on his game, there's no question that swagger is in the air.

In 2005 and 2006, Pronkville was born in Cleveland, as Hafner became a force at the plate with an amazing display of power. While his production slipped in 2007, Hafner was still the unquestioned leader of the team that went all the way to the ALCS.

This past season, Hafner's swagger was once again on display on July 7 with is walk-off grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays.

If the Indians make noise in the AL Central in 2012, that's the swagger that will be needed from Hafner.

Colorado Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez

There have been several players in the history of the Colorado Rockies franchise who were prolific hitters in their own right—players like Andres Galarraga, Vinnie Castilla, Larry Walker and Todd Helton. However, none of them matches the swagger of current outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

Gonzalez was literally a throw-in in two trades early in his career—first, in the trade that sent him from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Oakland A's in the deal involving Dan Haren, and again in the deal that sent him to the Rockies from the A's in exchange for Matt Holliday.

In 2010, Gonzalez showed his former teams exactly what they missed, with a season in which he competed for a Triple Crown for much of the year.

No one in Rockies history exuded the type of confidence that CarGo brought to the plate, and while he suffered through a decline last season, he is without a doubt the player that will define the Rockies for years to come.

Detroit Tigers: Prince Fielder

Just watch the "Swagger Show" at Comerica Park this season.

With the signing of Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million contract, the Detroit Tigers brought on board a player who brings along an element of swagger along with incredible skill.

Fielder's tremendous ability to hit a baseball will be on display in Motown, along with the swagger and excitement that he generates. While the Tigers certainly weren't devoid of swagger with both Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander, Fielder more than enhances it.

Houston Astros: Brett Myers

Swagger clearly took a back seat in Houston last year, as the Astros finished the season with a very humbling 106 losses, with their ownership situation usually garnering more press than their play on the field.

The leading "swaggerific" player on the Astros, Brett Myers, suffered his own power outage, falling to a record of 7-14 and 4.46 ERA after a sterling first season in 2010.

Swagger was often a word used for Myers in his early days with the Philadelphia Phillies, and certainly not always in a positive light. However, he brought that swagger to Houston and found success in 2010, and for the Astros to enjoy any kind of success in 2012, Myers needs to find that swagger once again.

Kansas City Royals: Johnny Giavotella

At just 5'8",185 pounds, the Kansas City Royals' second baseman is built much like Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, and he seems to carry about the same amount of swagger as well.

Giavotella, the second-round pick of the Royals in 2008, was leading all of minor league baseball in hits (153) when he was called up by the Royals in early August, and manager Ned Yost played him everyday for the rest of the season, with Giavotella hitting .247 for the season.

Giavotella isn't afraid to get down and dirty, playing a hard-nosed, scrappy kind of baseball that will quickly endear him to Royals' fans. And an abundance of self-assurance won't hurt his cause, either.

Los Angeles Angels: Albert Pujols

Something returned to Anaheim on Dec. 8, 2011 that had been missing for quite a while—swagger.

On that day, Angels owner Arte Moreno spent $331.5 million to bring in former Texas Rangers' starter C.J. Wilson and a certain slugger by the name of Albert Pujols.

Pujols will likely go down as one of the most feared right-handed hitters in the history of Major League Baseball, whenever he decides to call it a career, and for the moment, Angels fans have confidence knowing that Pujols will be bashing for them in Anaheim.

By definition, is Pujols considered a man with swagger? Not in the truest sense of the word. He's generally soft-spoken, shies away from the press and is a man of deep Christian faith.

However, when his bat does the talking, the swagger is on display.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw was certainly most deserving of his Cy Young Award this past season, and he is also very deserving of being the man in blue with the most swagger as well.

On Sept. 14, in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kershaw was cruising, having only given up one hit in his first five innings. In the top of the sixth inning, facing outfielder Gerardo Parra, Kershaw drilled him on the elbow with a pitch and was immediately ejected by umpire Bill Welke.

Why such a quick ejection with no prior warning? Well, Parra had homered off the Dodgers the night before, and was "styling" a bit too much for the Dodgers',and Kershaw's, liking.

Kershaw let him know about it from the dugout that night, and with his pitch in the sixth inning the next night.

Kershaw still earned his 19th win of the season, but none of that mattered to him. His message was clear—don't mess with us, or you'll deal with me.

That, boys and girls, is swagger.

Miami Marlins: Jose Reyes

After winning the National League batting title and leading the league in triples for the fourth time in his career in 2011, shortstop Jose Reyes brings his talents to South Beach in 2012, armed with a six-year, $106 million contract and quite possibly the most swagger of any player in baseball.

Much will be expected of Reyes in Miami, as they prepare to take on the new season with a lot of new everything—new manager, new uniforms, new logo, new stadium and now, new swagger.

Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun

In just five years in the majors, Milwaukee Brewers left fielder has a Rookie of the Year Award, four All-Star selections and an MVP Award to his credit already.

Add to that his clothing line, restaurants and a whole lot of swagger.

"I'm kind of known for my confidence," Braun said. "If you don't believe in yourself, I don't see any reason that anyone else would believe in you. If not for confidence, I wouldn't be here today.

"My goal at a young age was never to make it to the big leagues, but to excel at this level. If you don't strive for greatness in everything you do, you cheat yourself."

Yup, that's swagger.

Minnesota Twins: None

The Minnesota Twins are coming off one of their worst seasons in recent memory, with a pair of stars who will likely dictate future success/failure based on whether or not they can actually stay on the field for sustained periods of time.

In Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, the Twins have a duo who, when healthy, can help lift the Twins back to respectability. But swagger is definitely not part of their game.

Nor is it really for any other Twins players, for that matter.

New York Mets: Johan Santana

Now that shortstop Jose Reyes has taken his talents to South Beach, the mantel of most "swaggerific" player falls on a fallen star for the New York Mets—starting pitcher Johan Santana.

Last year, manager Terry Collins talked about how the Mets needed to regain their swagger. He invited Santana to join the team for workouts during spring training, even though Santana was seriously injured with a shoulder injury at the time.

Collins simply wanted Santana to be around the team, and to have his confidence rub off on his other players. It didn't quite work, but now that Santana is aiming for a healthy 2012 season, Collins just might have his wish.

New York Yankees: CC Sabathia

When CC Sabathia joined the Milwaukee Brewers midway through the 2008 season, he gave them a confidence and a swagger that they had been lacking, carrying them on his back to a postseason berth.

Now, three and a half years later, Sabathia shows off that swagger in the Big Apple. After three stellar seasons with the New York Yankees, the first of which he helped guide them to their 27th World Series title, Sabathia ripped up his old $100 million contract and signed a new $100 million one.

Sabathia is good, and he knows he's good. He may not put it out there like that, but his actions do.

Oakland Athletics: Coco Crisp

Oakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp signed a new two-year contract to return to the A's this offseason, then learned the news of the signing of Cuban center field sensation Yoenis Cespedes.

Cespedes is thought to be the future of the A's in their outfield, but Crisp isn't about to give up his post quite so easily.

"I'm going to make all the plays," Crisp told the San Francisco Chronicle. "If someone feels there's someone better than me, it's hard for me to believe. Unless he's a demigod, come down from the heavens, no one is going to outshine me in center field."

How's that for swagger?

Philadelphia Phillies: Jimmy Rollins

When it comes to swagger and the Philadelphia Phillies, no one rolls with it quite like J-Roll.

For 12 years now, Jimmy Rollins has built a reputation as the unquestioned face of the franchise, and often its mouthpiece as well. In 2007, Rollins boldly predicted that the Phillies would be the team to beat. Considering the Phillies hadn't been to the playoffs in 14 seasons, it was certainly some fodder for the local press.

However, Rollins was not only right, he led the team to the NL East title himself, winning the NL MVP Award in the process.

Again last year, Rollins predicted back in March that his Phillies would reach the century mark in wins.

Yeah, we’ll win 100 games,” Rollins said.

His Phillies bested that mark by two games.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Joel Hanrahan

Back in 2009, pitcher Joel Hanrahan was a struggling pitcher with the Washington Nationals, and after a spring game with the Pittsburgh Pirates, in which he got lit up, Hanrahan went out to dinner with a couple of close friends who happened to play for the Pirates at the time, Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young.

At dinner, Hanrahan asked them why they thought he couldn't put it all together on the mound.

“Dude,” Young said, “you look defeated when you’re on the mound.”

“You,” LaRoche said, “have zero swagger.”

“I knew,” Young said, “I was going to get a hit off you tonight. Just knew it.”

Hanrahan heeded those words, learned to trust his high-90s fastball, and two years later, made the All-Star team with an outstanding first half, converting all 26 of his save opportunities for the Pirates, whom he was traded to back in '09.

Hanrahan finished the season with a 1.83 ERA and 40 saves, and he has clearly settled in as one of the outstanding closers in the National League.

The swagger is back, thanks to his buddies.

San Diego Padres: Carlos Quentin

After four years with the Chicago White Sox, the outfielder is returning to his roots in Southern California with the San Diego Padres, and for the Padres, they certainly hope he brings along his swagger as well.

In 2008, Quentin's first year with the Sox, he clubbed 36 HR with 100 RBI, oftentimes adding a bit of flair to his home run trots. While injuries somewhat derailed his production over the past three seasons, Quentin will attempt to bring back that flair, and that swagger, to Petco Park in 2012.

San Francisco Giants: Brian Wilson

Yes, he's got the beard, a bevy of endorsement deals, a killer closer's mentality and a quirky demeanor.

But San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson didn't get all of that without having a bit of swagger along the way.

Seattle Mariners: Felix Hernandez

He is the anointed King in Seattle, a man who won a Cy Young Award despite just a 13-12 record and a man who can knock down bowling pins at a carnival with unprecedented ease.

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez has swagger, alright.

St. Louis Cardinals: Chris Carpenter

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter has developed an air of confidence and swagger that has given him the mentality of a bulldog.

The Cardinals need a big-game performance on the final day of the regular season to make the playoffs. Carpenter delivers with a complete-game two-hit shutout.

The Cardinals need a big-time game just to advance past the heavily-favored Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the NLDS to advance to the NLCS. Carpenter delivers again, this time with a complete-game three-hit shutout over all-world pitcher Roy Halladay.

And finally, in Game 7 of the World Series, the Cardinals need a big-time pitching performance to get past the Texas Rangers and win the title. No problem, Carpenter delivers once again with six sterling innings.

Swagger? Yeah, that pretty much describes Chris Carpenter. Just give me the ball, skip, I'll get it done.

Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria

Everything about Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria just reeks of confidence and a rare ability to get the job done in pressure situations.

Even though Longoria has only been around for four seasons, it just happens to coincide with the Rays' franchise completely turning around their fortunes. Longoria's presence is almost Hollywood-like, and it certainly doesn't hurt that he's dating Playboy centerfold Jaime Edmondson, either.

Texas Rangers: Nelson Cruz

This past postseason, Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz showed the baseball world just how frightening he can be as a hitter, and he did it with an air of swagger as well.

During Game 4 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers, Cruz gunned down Miguel Cabrera at the plate with a perfect throw, and then proceeded to mimic a gunslinger, throwing his pistols back into his imaginary holster.

Cruz hit six home runs to set an ALCS record against the Tigers as well, and on one occasion showed Cabrera exactly how he turned on a 100-MPH fastball by Justin Verlander by drawing a 1-0-0 in the air as he trotted past him.

Swagger, indeed.

Toronto Blue Jays: Jose Bautista

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista bounced around with four different organizations (Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays) before finally finding a home, and his game, in Toronto.

Bautista followed up his home run crown in 2010 with another one in 2011, and added the top slugging percentage and OPS in the league to boast. Bautista also raised his batting average 42 points and led the American League in walks for the first time.

Bautista made several changes to his swing in 2009, and the results have clearly shown through in the last two seasons. While he may be a surprise with his power surge, Bautista embraces it. He's also developed leadership and maturity that make him a natural leader for the Jays as well.

It's a quiet kind of swagger, but one that certainly plays well north of the border.

Washington Nationals: Jayson Werth

When outfielder Jayson Werth signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the Washington Nationals, the question was asked by the Washington Post's Tom Boswell—will Werth bring swagger along with him?

Werth did bring the swagger, he just left his game behind. Suffering through what can only be called a miserable first season in the nation's capital, Werth will look to rebound in 2012, so that swagger can look even better when he can back it up properly.