2011 MLB Jersey Rankings Released: Predicting Top 10 Selling Jerseys for 2012

Majestic Athletic—the on-field provider of Major League Baseball—has released its list of top-selling jerseys from 2011.

Knowing those who led the league this past season allows us to predict 2012's most popular players.

According to Majestic, this is the reigning top 20:

1. Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
2. Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies
3. Albert Pujols, LA Angels of Anaheim
4. Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
5. Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies
6. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
7. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
8. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
9. Hunter Pence, Philadelphia Phillies
10. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
11. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
12. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
13. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
14. Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox
15. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
16. Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
17. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
18. Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
19. Carl Crawford, Boston Red Sox
20. David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals

Be aware that Albert Pujols (via free agency) and Hunter Pence (via trade) changed teams during the calendar year. Their sales totals listed above include jerseys that were purchased of them as members of both their former and current clubs.

Player movement, on-field performance in previous years, exposure through endorsements and market size appear to have gone a long way in determining this order.

If that holds true in 2012, then expect a dramatic shakeup to the top 10.

10. Jonathan Papelbon (Philadelphia Phillies)

No MLB reliever came close to finishing in Majestic's top 10 last year. Future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees was No. 18 overall.

Although Jonathan Papelbon isn't a closer of Rivera's caliber—nobody is—I expect his jersey sales to skyrocket.

He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies this past November and should thrive in his new environment.

Papelbon racked up six consecutive 30 save seasons with the Boston Red Sox under the microscope of America's most relentless sports media.

Philly's ever-expanding fanbase will shower him with an unprecedented level of support.

9. Jose Bautista (Toronto Blue Jays)

Major League Baseball isn't exactly worshipped in Canada, but Jose Bautista's talent transcends national borders.

Even if Toronto Blue Jays fans don't embrace him as they should following a magnificent season, other MLB fans will spend for his swag.

Joey Bats has established himself as the game's best home-run hitter. He is practically a lock for 40 bombs in 2012 amid an era when no other player can make the same claim.

The Jays have just unveiled fresh, new uniforms, so even previous purchasers will be tempted to buy his jersey.

Also, Baustista was made a cover athlete for "MLB 12: The Show." That ought to get his name out there,

8. Yu Darvish (Texas Rangers)

Japanese import Yu Darvish could have sold countless jerseys for any MLB franchise. His production in Nippon Professional Baseball has given everybody reason to expect dominance stateside.

But joining the two-time defending AL champion Texas Rangers and a pitching staff without a clear ace makes him that much more marketable.

With the exception of Darvish, the Rangers roster is largely unchanged from their most recent World Series run.

Therefore, any fans looking to buy team gear in 2012 will look for his No. 11 on the racks.

7. Jacoby Ellsbury (Boston Red Sox)

The 2011 season was a disappointing one for the Boston Red Sox.

Not for center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, though. The speedy center fielder hit for surprisingly power en rout to being named AL Comeback Player of the Year.

Red Sox Nation isn't in high spirits at the onset of the regular season with injuries already making the club thin at several positions.

However, the Sox still have ample talent to make it to October.

The diehards will popularize Ellsbury's jersey for single-handedly keeping them in the playoff race as the sky fell down on them a few months ago.

6. Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers)

Thanks to Prince Fielder's departure this offseason, Ryan Braun is now "the man" in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

His funky drug test results and subsequent appeal kept him in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Still, be assured that no one has forgotten about his ability to dominate on the diamond.

And like every other player mentioned thus far, Braun will be the featured individual on a team with championship aspirations.

5. Matt Kemp (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Yes, I remember that Matt Kemp finished second to Ryan Braun in 2011 National League MVP voting.

Regardless, his jersey should sell better.

Take into account the size of the L.A. market and the general jubilation of Los Angeles Dodgers advocates in the aftermath of the franchise's completed sale to Magic Johnson.

A prototypical five-tool player, Kemp will catch the eye of engaged and fair-weather fans alike and lead them to local retailers.

4. Prince Fielder (Detroit Tigers)

Majestic Athletic has been tremendously successful as the official MLB provider, but even a less experienced company in the same position would be hard-pressed not to sell a zillion Prince Fielder jerseys in 2012.

The first baseman distinguishes himself as much with his portly frame as with his unbelievable strength.

Veteran Detroit Tigers fans have generally fond memories of Prince's father, Cecil, and of preteen Prince, whose batting practice demonstrations in the 1990s foreshadowed what he would do someday as a professional.

Buyers should consider getting life-sized Fielder jerseys for a loose, breathable fit.

3. Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers)

Justin Verlander is all but assured to have the most in-demand jersey of any MLB pitcher this year.

His 2011 campaign was just ridiculous: 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA, earning him the AL MVP and AL Cy Young awards.

The right-hander is great with the media and the darling of the Detroit Tigers.

Win-starved baseball fans from outside Motown will hop onto the team's bandwagon in droves. The club is posed to run away with the AL Central for a second straight summer.

2. Albert Pujols (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)

Perennial All-Star Albert Pujols was instantly accepted into the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim family upon signing a 10-year contract as a free agent.

But his ascension to No. 2 on the top-selling list will be fueled by international support.

His new jersey is a different tint of red from what the St. Louis Cardinals used to drape him in.

Enthusiasts from Southern California to his native Dominican Republic will spare no expense to acquire the latest Pujols apparel.

The baseball community respects him as much for his role on two World Series-winning teams as it does for his on-field achievements and humanitarian work.

1. Derek Jeter (New York Yankees)

There will be no change at the summit.

Since the beginning of 2011, Derek Jeter surpassed the 3,000 hit milestone.

Overall, he played better than he had in 2010 even though individuals in their mid-30s generally trend in the opposite direction.

To be clear, Jeter projects to be less productive than his peers in the top 10. But I don't see why consumers would stop loving him now.

What made them love No. 2 in the first place?

For one, he led the sport's most famous franchise—the New York Yankees—to five championships.

Since the first title in 1996 and ever since, advertisers have regularly approached him with endorsement deals. They can sell his well-formed face, articulate speaking voice and pure personality.

His on-field performance is secondary. His jersey will sell in 2012.

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