B/R MLB 500: Top 500 Players for 2015
After sizing up the top players at each position throughout September, the B/R MLB 500 is now ready for its grand finale:ย All 500 players, one list.ย
If you're just joining us, the goal of the B/R MLB 500 is to assess players' individual skills with unique scoring systems for each position. In doing so, the idea is notย to mimic wins above replacement and count up value, but rather to evaluate players as all-around contributors.
For position players, this meant looking at hitting, power, baserunning and, with the exception of designated hitters, defense. The distribution of points was tailored to fit each position, so first basemen were held to a higher power standard, catchers were held to a higher defense standard and so on.ย
For pitchers, we looked at command, whiffability (missing bats), hittability (manipulating contact) and, with the exception of relievers, "workhorse" potential. Once again, the distribution of points was tailored to the position, which in this case meant holding starters to a higher command standard and relievers to a higher whiffability standard.
Another important thing to know is that we weren't strictly interested in looking back at the 2014 season. We were also interested in looking ahead to the 2015 season.
This involved determining whether certain skills could get better or worse, as well as looping in top prospects who could break through next season and a couple of notable players who will be returning from injury absences. It also meant ignoring players who won't be around next year. Namely: Derek Jeter.
If you're interested in reading the individual positional slideshows, all you have to do is follow these links:
| ย Top 35 First Basemen | ย Monday, Sept. 1 |
| ย Top 35 Catchers | ย Wednesday, Sept. 3 |
| ย Top 150 Starting Pitchers | ย Friday, Sept. 5ย |
| ย Top 35 Second Basemen | ย Monday, Sept. 8ย |
| ย Top 35 Shortstops | ย Wednesday, Sept. 10ย |
| ย Top 35 Third Basemen | ย Friday, Sept. 12ย |
| ย Top 55 Relief Pitchers | ย Monday, Sept. 15ย |
| ย Top 40 Center Fielders | ย Wednesday, Sept. 17ย |
| ย Top 10 Designated Hitters | ย Friday, Sept. 19ย |
| ย Top 70 Corner Outfielders | ย Monday, Sept. 22 |
If you would rather skip ahead to the complete list of 500, just know that the analyses have not changed since publication and that ties were resolved by prioritizing the player (or players) we'd pick if forced to choose.
A Note on Links, Sources and Key Stats
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Before we begin, there's something you should know about how this project was researched.
Some old-fashioned video-watching was involved, but the research mainly centered around looking at lots and lots and lotsย of data.
The data came from the following sites:ย Baseball-Reference.com, FanGraphs.com, BrooksBaseball.net, BaseballSavant.com and BaseballProspectus.com. Each is a unique statistical playground, and the five of them together can tell you everything you need to know about an individual player.
But don't worry. Though you're going to find plenty of links to these sites that you can follow if you're curious, you're not about to be hit over the head with sabermetric jargon. There are only a couple of terms you need to know.
One is XBT%. That stands for "extra bases taken percentage," and it's Baseball-Reference.com's way of tracking how often players advance more than one base on singles and doubles. It's a crude way to get a picture of aggressiveness on the basepaths, but it'll have to do.
I'm also going to repeatedly refer to "the defensive metrics." This meansย ultimate zone ratingย (UZR) andย defensive runs savedย (DRS), which are both tracked by FanGraphs. They go about it differently, but the idea behind both is to evaluate how good players are on defense.
Then there are two terms I devised forย sizing up catchers' framing talents.ย With a cutoff date of Aug. 15, I used BaseballSavant.com to find that catchers are getting called strikes on 90.4 percent of the pitches received in the zoneย (Z-Strike%)ย and 15.4 percent of the pitches received outside the zone (O-Strike%). By comparing catchers' rates to these benchmarks, we can determine how effective they are at framing strikes.
Nos. 500-451: Smoak-Hill
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500. Justin Smoak, 1B, Seattle Mariners
So much for the breakout Smoak teased in 2013, as the 2014 season has taken his bat back to pre-2013 levels. Given the way his season has gone, the only reason Smoak is on here at all is due to the possibility of good health making him at least a playable first baseman come 2015.
499.ย Kendrys Morales, DH, Seattle Mariners
Maybe you figured out that Morales made the DH cut simply due to a lack of other options. If so, well done. Given the kind of year heโs had, the best hope is that his improvement (relatively speaking) down the stretch can lead to something in 2015. And given his track record, well, maybe.
498. Ryan Howard, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies
Howard was a limited player even back when he was hitting 40 home runs on an annual basis. With his power now diminished by age and wear and tear, heโs essentially become a replacement-level player who barely passes for a viable option at first base.
497. Gaby Sanchez, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates
Due to the solid power he can provide and his ability to hit left-handers, thereโs a role for Sanchez to play in the majors. Itโs just not the role he teased he was capable of with his more impressive 2013 season.
496. Ruben Tejada, SS, New York Mets
Tejadaโs not a totally unplayable shortstop. He at least has a steady eye at the plate, and his defense is better than passable. But without a good bat, much power,ย baserunningย skills or a truly elite glove, itโs hard to see him becoming any better than just playable.
495. Darwin Barney, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Barney was barely a viable everyday player a couple of years ago when he had a non-disastrous bat and could run the bases. Now that he can no longer claim either of those things, his days as a viable regular are done. But as long as he has that glove of his, he deserves to keep getting work in some capacity.
494. Rickie Weeks, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
If we take it for granted that Weeks has gotten too lucky on ground balls this season, we wipe out a pretty big chunk of his modest return to form. But we can at least grant that a platoon role against lefties agrees with him and that he still has some occasional power to offer.ย
493. Ike Davis, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates
The disappearance of Davisโ 30-homer power definitely lowers his appeal as a viable option at first base, especially knowing that heโs hardly a defensive whiz. But as far as platoon options against right-handers go, there are far worse options than him out there.
492. Billy Butler, DH, Kansas City Royals
Butlerโs not totally lost as a hitter. He still makes contact well enough and has the bat control to target any part of the field. But the ground-ball habit he developed in 2013 is really hurting his ability to be consistent, not to mention hit for power.ย
491. Logan Morrison, 1B, Seattle Mariners
Though the promise Morrison showed in 2011 has since faded, he keeps teasing that heโs not a lost cause just yet. Heโs highly prone to inconsistency, but he can handle the bat and still has some power to offer. As long as heโs healthy, heโs worth playing at first base.
490. Alberto Callaspo, 2B, Oakland A's
Iโll note thatย Callaspoย was something of an underappreciated player back in 2011 and 2012 when he had about an average bat and a good glove to offer. Now heโs just a solid piece to bring off the bench, with a fantastic batting eye, ability to make contact and his defensive versatility being his top strengths.ย
489. Logan Forsythe, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
Thereโs nothing in particular that Forsythe does really well. But when you take a high-level batting eye and add it to occasional power and solid defense, you get a guy you can play at second base without too many regrets.
488. Carlos Beltran, RF, New York Yankees
One sort of wants to give Beltran a pass for such a rough 2014 season, but itโs hard to do so. It shouldnโt be taken for granted that heโll return to full health, and there are too many cracks in his game to overlook. But if he can at least provide some power and put together good at-bats, heโll hold his own as a playable option.
487. David Murphy, RF, Cleveland Indians
You can do worse than Murphy if youโre looking for a lefty-swinging platoon outfielder. But since he doesnโt hit, hit for power, run or play defense especially well, you can do better too.
486. Kevin Plawecki, C, New York Mets
Plawecki may not be the best catcher in the minor leagues on either side of the ball, but heโs a well-rounded player with tools and secondary skills that project at the major league level. His defense requires further refinement and may never develop beyond the league average, but Plawecki's knack for making consistent contact should always help to outweigh some of those specific concerns.
485. Mitch Moreland, 1B, Texas Rangers
Morelandโs bat has had holes in it for two years now, and thatโs no small hang-up. But if we take it for granted that still being on the good side of 30 will allow him to make a strong comeback from ankle surgery, he should get back to being a part-time power supply and decent defensive first baseman.
484. Allen Craig, RF, Boston Red Sox
Craig can still put together solid at-bats, produce some opposite-field power and play decent defense at a couple of different positions. But knowing that he can't hit fastballs, use left field or run the bases anymore, don't hold your breath waiting for him to get back to being the player he used to be.
483. Everth Cabrera, SS, San Diego Padres
Itโs been some downfall for Cabrera. His breakout 2013 season was interrupted by his Biogenesis suspension, and his 2014 season has been governed by Murphyโs law. But even if his bat isnโt fixed and he doesnโt get back to being a big stolen-base threat, thereโs at least some value left in his legs and glove.ย
482. Dioner Navarro, C, Toronto Blue Jays
Navarroโs transformation from an aggressive swinger into more of a contact hitter is admirable. But it has cost him some power and walks, making his hitting less of a strength. Thatโs bad given how iffy his defense is, particularly when it comes to getting strikes for his pitchers.
481. David Freese, 3B, Los Angeles Angels
If for no other reason than his defense has been more mistake-free,ย Freeseย is having a better season than the one he had in St. Louis a year ago. But with a bat and power that arenโt as strong as they once were, heโs really not much more than a warm body to put at third base.
480. Chris Johnson, 3B, Atlanta Braves
Johnson has gotten better at two things he was weak at in 2013:ย baserunningย and defense. But it was his hitting that earned him attention, and thatโs taken a big step back thanks to too much wild swinging and a decrease in power.
479. Josh Bell, RF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Bellโs offensive development has progressed quickly after a slow, injury-filled start to his career, as he projects to hit for both average and power at the highest level. His future defensive home remains up in the air, especially given the Piratesโ current outfield configuration, but the organization still has time to determine how to get his bat into the mix.
478. Garin Cecchini, 3B, Boston Red Sox
Cecchiniโsย lack of power isnโt a clean fit at the hot cornerโwhich is why heโs also seen time in left field this seasonโbut he has the tools and offensive skills to be a solid big leaguer. Heโs blocked at the position with the Red Sox, so it wouldnโt be surprising if the 23-year-old was dangled as trade bait this offseason.
477. Will Venable, OF, San Diego Padres
Coming off a year in which he was a surprise 20-20 player, itโs hard to look at what Venable has done in 2014 without feeling disappointed. And frankly, itโs hard to make excuses for him. But at the absolute least, he still has occasional power, solidย baserunningย skills and a good glove to offer.
476. Tommy Medica, 1B, San Diego Padres
Itโs hard to get excited about what Medica brings to the table from an offensive standpoint, as he has plenty of exploitable weaknesses and hasnโt displayed his raw power as much as the surface numbers indicate. But since he has some athleticism and a solid glove to offer, heโs not a bad fill-in first baseman.
475. Josh Fields, RP, Houston Astros
If you focus strictly on Fieldsโ 4.00-plus ERA, youโll see him as just another mediocre reliever. But he's pitched better than his ERA, tightening up his command and getting more swinging strikes. He hasnโt been great, but heโs been a lot better than he appears on the surface.
474. Junichi Tazawa, RP, Boston Red Sox
Tazawaโsย barely hanging on as one of the top relievers in the league, as heโs only becoming more hittable and less effective at throwing strikes and missing bats. But as long as heโs at least better than most at doing the latter two, heโll have enough to get by.
473. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit Tigers
Castellanos has been humbled in all sorts of ways in his first full season, with his hitting,ย baserunningย and defense all being negative sources of value for the Tigers. But if thereโs something to have faith in, itโs his power. Itโs better than the results make it look and should soon be a legit strength.
472. C.J. Cron, DH, Los Angeles Angels
It looks likeย Cronโsย power is cut out for the big leagues, as he has a good pull-power approach with some extra-base hit power to right-center on the side. Exactly how many at-bats he can get and how consistent he can be, however, are legit questions.
471. Prince Fielder, 1B, Texas Rangers
In no time at all, Fielder has gone from being one of the most dangerous hitters in the game to a hitter whoโs broken both literally and figuratively. Iโm admittedly placing some level of hope that Fielder can recover enough to find some of his old form at the plate, which would make him at least playable on a daily basis. Fair warning, though: If he canโt do that, itโll be ugly.
470. Dayan Viciedo, OF, Chicago White Sox
Viciedoย has some pretty good power to offer and potentially more so going forward at the rate heโs on. Itโs just not going to come with consistent hitting, goodย baserunningย or solid defense.
469. Garrett Jones, 1B, Miami Marlins
Living with Jones means living with poor baserunning and defense and a decidedly average bat when it comes to both hitting and power. But with even average bats in short supply these days, that Jones has one makes him at least a playable option at first base.
468. Emilio Bonifacio, CF, Atlanta Braves
Allย Bonifacioย really has to offer is his speed and a glove that can be installed at pretty much any position. While that doesn't sound like much, it's at least enough to keep him around as a capable part-timer.
467. Oliver Perez, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks
All complaints about Perezโs command, velocity and sliderย hittabilityย aside, heโs still what he was in 2013: something of an underrated reliever. His slider is a real weapon even despite its increasedย hittability, and his willingness to mix up his four-seamerย and sinker more has made him good for ground balls and pop-ups.
466. Trevor Rosenthal, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
Rosenthal has gone from being one of the most dominant relievers in the league to being significantly less dominant, mainly thanks to horrible command. But heโs not a fallen star just yet. That heโs managed to get enough whiffs and soft contact to rack up over 40 saves says it all about his stuff.
465. Domingo Santana, RF, Houston Astros
Santana has the potential to be a solid everyday right fielder who hits 20 home runs, but strikeouts likely will remain a problem during his career. That being said, Santana is still very young and will receive every opportunity to reach his potential.
464. Danny Espinosa, 2B, WAS Nationals
Because he has good power and a solid glove to offer, Espinosaโs not as unplayable as his batting stats make him look. But those batting stats are definitely a drag on his value, and how to fix them is a tough question. Espinosaโs hitting is weak from all sorts of different perspectives.ย
463. Kennys Vargas, DH, Minnesota Twins
Weโre still very much in the โgetting to know youโ phase with Vargas, but what heโs shown has been encouraging enough. At the least, it looks like he has some fine power to offer and that heโs not going to let many fastballs go unpunished.
462. Marwin Gonzalez, SS, Houston Astros
Because Gonzalez has made some adjustments as a hitter, heโs now a guy who can give the Houston Astros some decent offense and defense at short. It just might not get any better than decent, so he should be considered merely their best placeholder until Carlos Correa is ready.ย
461. Eugenio Suarez, SS, Detroit Tigers
Theย first few weeksย of Suarezโs big league career were an intriguing tease. But in reality, the player heโs been more recently is likely the more accurate portrayal. Heโs merely a passable hitter with the potential to be an above-average defender at short, which heโll have to be if he wants to stick in the majors.
460. Yunel Escobar, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
After riding a solid bat and plus defense to a terrific bounce-back season in 2013, Escobar has gone in the other direction. His hitting is hanging in there OK, but thereโs something to how poorly heโs rating on defense. He doesnโt look like the guy who was all over the place defensively in 2013.
459. Yangervis Solarte, 3B, San Diego Padres
Though heโs not an easy hitter to evaluate, thereโs enough that saysย Solarteย can hit enough to hold down a job as at least a playable everyday third baseman. But with suspect power and mediocre defense, whether he can be any better than playable is the question.
458. Jesse Winker, LF, Cincinnati Reds
Winker was viewed as a potential .300 hitter with a 10-15 home run ceiling, but his power surge, even in the hitter-friendly California League, may show that he has more power than previously believed.ย Winker has demonstrated more power and a better approach than was previously anticipated, and he could be a solid left fielder who hits in the middle of the lineup.
457. Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
Franco projects as a run-producing, middle-of-the-order third baseman with plus power, but his approach is still a work in progress and will require refinement in future seasons. His contact skills will eventually serve as a strength but not before he can develop a better feel for the zone and utilize the entire field.
456. Collin Cowgill, OF, Los Angeles Angels
Exactly how much value Cowgill can provide with his bat is a fair question, as heโs mainly a ground-ball hitter whoโs only effective against lefties. But at the least, he can provide very good defense in both left and right field with some solid work on the basepaths on the side.
455. Gregor Blanco, OF, San Francisco Giants
Blanco's hitting,ย baserunningย and defense have all seen better days, making him out to be less than a stud bench player. But as long as he can offer a good eye against righties, occasional power and at least passable defense in center and left field, he'll have enough to stick around.
454. Cameron Maybin, CF, San Diego Padres
Maybinย is no longer the center fielder he was in 2011, when he boosted his value with strong hitting, power,ย baserunningย and defense. But at the very least, he still has a decent glove to offer. Given that he plays a premium defensive position, that's worth something.
453. Jordy Mercer, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
The real surprise this season has been Mercerโs defense, as more regular playing time has given him the chance to show what he can do with the glove. But while his defense is strong, heโs merely passable as a hitter and as a baserunner.
452. Brad Ziegler, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Though Zieglerโs become more walk- and homer-prone, this season has hardly been a lost one for him. Heโs still among the best at keeping his pitches low and getting ground balls, and the way in which his slider has become a legit swing-and-miss pitch is a welcome sight.ย
451. Aaron Hill, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Though itโs probably not as bad as it looks due to how many line drives heโs hit and how his power production doesnโt seem to mirror his actual power, itโs still not good. In just a couple of years, Hill has gone from a star-level second baseman to a guy who barely passes for a viable regular.
Nos. 450-401: Conger-Asche
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450. Hank Conger, C, Los Angeles Angels
With his hitting inconsistent and his power dried up, Conger has essentially been a one-talent player in 2014. But since that one talent involves some of the best receiving skills in the game, he deserves our attention.
449. Wilin Rosario, C, Colorado Rockies
We can say that Rosarioโs power hasnโt regressed as much as it first appears, so he still has that going for him. Still, his bat comes with more question marks than ever, and whatโs been suspect defense for a while now is still, well, suspect.
448. Oscar Taveras, RF, St. Louis Cardinals
Suffice it to sayย Taverasย hasnโt taken to the majors like a duck to water. Heโs shown flashes, but theyโve really only been flashes. Yet at the very least, itโs a good sign that he hasnโt been completely overmatched at the plate, showing off an ability to make contact and also a quiet ability to drive the ball.
447. Chris Heisey, LF, Cincinnati Reds
Donโt go running toย Heiseyย if you want a guy with a consistent bat. But if you want a guy with some legit pull power, solidย baserunningย skills and a good glove for all three outfield positions, heโs not a bad choice.
446. Michael Bourn, CF, Cleveland Indians
Bourn is still capable of putting together quality at-bats and of delivering some occasional power. But he was at his best when he had elite speed to offer on theย basepathsย and in center field. Thanks to age and injuries, that elite speed is no longer there.
445. Steve Cishek, RP, Miami Marlins
The best thing youโre going to see when you watchย Cishekย is his command, be it with his sinker or slider. And when heโs on, his ability to locate and mix those pitches leads to soft contact. This said, heย hasnโt been as impressive at missing bats as his high strikeout rate suggests, and heโs not as hard to hit as he used to be.ย
444. Rafael Soriano, RP, WAS Nationals
It should go without saying that Sorianoโs best days are behind him. He no longer has the stuff to blow away hitters, and his second-half hittability is more realistic than his first-half hittability. But heโs done himself a favor by mixing up his heat and slider more, and his ability to locate does him plenty of favors.
443. Wil Myers, RF, Tampa Bay Rays
Itโs been a lost season for the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year. In addition to his broken wrist, Myers has struggled with his hitting and fielding. That leaves just his talent to trust in. To that end, it's a good thing he has the whole "2013 AL Rookie of the Year" thing going for him.
442. Jake Diekman, RP, Philadelphia Phillies
Issue can be taken withย Diekmanโsย control andย hittability, and rightfully so knowing that both have been weaknesses against right-handed batters. Outside of those weaknesses, however, lies one of the best fastball-slider combinations possessed by any reliever in the league. And most of the time it works.
441. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, Miami Marlins
Saltalamacchia has upped his walk habit and kept the good power coming, but his bat hasnโt been nearly as consistent as it was in his career 2013 season. Heโs also little more than a warm body behind the plate, as he has issues throwing out runners and struggles mightily to frame pitches.
440. Kelvin Herrera, RP, Kansas City Royals
Herrera has had little trouble getting results, largely because his stuff is overpowering enough to make up for his shortcomings. Since heโs still only 24, that should continue to be the case for a while still. But make no mistake: Those shortcomings exist, and theyโre keeping him from being a truly excellent reliever.ย
439. Devon Travis, 2B, Detroit Tigers
Travisโ wide range of tools and skills give him sneaky upside as an everyday player in The Show, and heโs now surpassed expectations during his time at each full-season level. However, with Ianย Kinslerย blocking his path in Detroit, it wouldnโt be surprising if Travisโ first crack at the major leagues came with another team.ย
438. Tyler Naquin, CF, Cleveland Indians
Naquin is more of a high-floor than high-ceiling prospect, but there's certainly nothing wrong with a potential everyday center fielder who can do a little of everything.
437. Jean Machi, RP, San Francisco Giants
Youโre going to see an awful lot of splitters whenย Machiย is on the mound, and why not? Though heโs not quite elite at all three, he can use it to find the strike zone, miss bats and get ground balls. Thatโs a pretty effective formula for a signature pitch, and it serves him well.
436. David Carpenter, RP, Atlanta Braves
Heโs not especially tough to square up, but that doesnโt necessarily make Carpenter a bad reliever. When his number is called, heโs going to come in and attack the strike zone and miss enough bats along the way to escape unscathed more often than not.ย ย
435. Sean Rodriguez, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
The kind of approach Rodriguez has trotted out in 2014 has no business being featured on a regular basis. But at least that approach has been effective in turning him into a legit power threat off the bench, and thereโs value in how his glove can be put pretty much anywhere on the diamond.
434. Didi Gregorius, SS, AZ Diamondbacks
Exactly how Kevin Towersย saw a young Derek Jeterย inย Gregoriusย is still a mystery, as his time in the majors has done plenty to reveal the various holes in his hitting. But as a guy who can offer some solid power,ย baserunningย and defense, heโs not worth giving up on just yet.
433. John Jaso, C, Oakland A's
Though Jasoโs walk habit is missed and his hitting fails to impress, you have to appreciate how heโs kept the power coming. That helps make up for his defense too, which is weak from blocking, throwing and receiving standpoints.
432. Adam Lind, DH, Toronto Blue Jays
If you want a guy who can hit right-handed pitching, Lind is one of the better choices youโre going to come across. He sees them well, and they donโt really have anything to get him out with. Just be warned that his power's best days are likely behind him at this point.
431. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox
You can go backย to early Juneย to find a time whenย Bogaertsย was not only living up to the hype but surpassing it. But then the league found his weaknesses, and heโs done nothing to patch that up while playing subpar defense. The potential is still there, but itโs clear heโs further away from reaching it than it first appeared.
430. Santiago Casilla, RP, SF Giants
Casilla has never pitched like a guy who actually deserves to have sub-3.00 ERAs in each of the last five seasons, as heโs wild and less than overpowering. His ability to get ground balls and generally induce soft contact, however, is no joke.
429. Jeremy Affeldt, RP, San Francisco Giants
Affeldtย doesnโt throw as hard or locate the zone as well as he did even as recently as a couple of years ago, but heโs still an asset in relief. His ability to keep the ball low allows him to avoid disaster, and heโs the man to call on if a ground ball is needed in a pinch.
428. Danny Farquhar, RP, Seattle Mariners
The league has adjusted a bit to Farquhar after he blew hitters away in 2013โhis first full seasonโbut it still doesnโt totally have his number. His command is improving, he still has the stuff to miss bats and his sheer variety of pitches doesnโt make it especially easy to hit him hard.
427. Mark Trumbo, LF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Trumbo has only ever had one good tool: his power. Alas, that tool hasnโt been seen that much in 2014 thanks to the left foot injury heย suffered early in the season. In light of that, itโs even harder to anticipate him being a better player than he was before.
426. Carlos Gonzalez, LF, Colorado Rockies
This score is definitely low for a player ofย CarGoโsย caliber. But after the kind of season he just went through, this score is actually going out on a limb that he can make a comeback. He has some serious talent, but he spent 2014 dealing with all sorts of serious issues that were compounded by serious health problems.
425. Drew Storen, RP, Washington Nationals
Storenโsย sub-2.00 ERA makes him look a lot more overpowering than he really is, as he doesnโt miss many bats and isnโt an especially good command artist either. But thereโs at least no denying that heโs a much-improved pitcher over the one we saw in 2013, if for no other reason than heโs simply learned how to pitch.ย
424. Fernando Rodney, RP, Seattle Mariners
Even without good command, Rodney still has the velocity and the sinker/changeup combination to overpower hitters. But with his velocity not what it once was and his stuff having a slightly harder time missing the sweet spots of bats, be warned that lesser dominance may be ahead.ย
423. Nick Kingham, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Kinghamย doesnโt have the ceiling of fellow right-handersย Gerritย Cole and Jamesonย Taillon, but his deep arsenal and ability to eat innings give him a high floor as a No. 3 or 4 starterโa ceiling he may reach sooner rather than later.ย
422. Micah Johnson, 2B, Chicago White Sox
Johnson still has some holes offensively and defensively and will need to become a more efficient base stealer, but the improvements heโs made over the last two seasons speak to his promising future in the major leagues.ย
421. D.J. Peterson, 3B, Seattle Mariners
Peterson may not remain at third base long term, but his bat, specifically his potential to hit for both average and power, is good enough to support a move to first base. It shouldnโt be long until the 22-year-old becomes a fixture in the heart of the Marinersโ batting order.
420. J.A. Happ, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Happโsย velocity isย trending upwardย to a point where heโs now sitting in the 92-93 mph range, and heโs still a guy who you can bank on forย around 100 pitches. But improved velocity hasnโt madeย Happย any tougher to hit, and thatโs true whether youโreย talking contactย or hard-hit balls. So despite there being hope in his increasing velocity, he still looks like a mere back-end innings-eater.
419. Chris Taylor, SS, Seattle Mariners
Itโs admittedly too early to have a true sense of what kind of hitter Taylor is going to be in the majors, but one thing we know well enough for now is that his range gives him the potential to be a really effective defender at short. And really good defenders at short are, of course, pretty valuable players.
418. Brad Miller, SS, Seattle Mariners
Itโs easy to focus on Millerโs batting numbers, and they donโt lie. He is that out of his depth as a hitter, and he is arguably unplayable for that. The only reason we say โarguablyโ is because he at least has good power and a decent glove for the position.
417. Rougned Odor, 2B, Texas Rangers
The Rangers have gotten a pretty good look at Odor, and it hasnโt been all bad. His power has played fairly well, and heโs shown flashes of potential on defense and on theย basepaths. But his bat needs some serious tweaking to be ready for MLB pitching, and in general heโs still more about potential than anything else.ย
416. Alejandro De Aza, LF, Baltimore Orioles
His 2013 power surge has ended, and hisย baserunningย is just OK, but turning Deย Azaย into a platoon left fielder has worked out reasonably well. He hits right-handers better than his numbers suggest, and heโs a better defender in left than he was in center.
415. Francisco Rodriguez, RP, MIL Brewers
Thereโs no looking past the home run problem K-Rod has developed. Itโs bad, and itโs showing no signs of improving. But it shouldnโt overrule everything else heโs done this season. Heโs worked the edges quite well and continued to use his changeup to beautiful effect.
414. Omar Infante, 2B, Kansas City Royals
Infante hasnโt hit, hit for power, run the bases or played defense as well as his track record suggested he would. But given the specific cracks Infanteย has had in his game this year, that track record may no longer be relevant. Heโs at the right age for a decline, 32, and it seems to have begun.ย
413. Welington Castillo, C, Chicago Cubs
Castilloโs bat has declined from where it was in 2013 for good reasons, though one thing that hasnโt been so bad is the power heโs shown. Heโll need to keep that coming in 2015, as his bat must make up for defense thatโs limited by whatโs been very poor receiving in 2014.
412. Jeurys Familia, RP, New York Mets
You can look at howย Familiaย has struggled to rack up strikeouts and limit walks and conclude heโs just another reliever. But heโs more overpowering than his strikeout rate suggests, and his ability to get ground balls and limit hard contact makes him a tough guy to face.ย ย
411. Casey Fien, RP, Minnesota Twins
Fienโsย about as tough to notice this year as he was in 2013, if not more so due to the difficulties heโs had getting strikeouts. But his excellent command gives him a good margin for error, and he can still be counted on to at least get some swinging strikes while mixing in pop-ups. Basically, heโs better than he looks.
410. Eric Young Jr., LF, New York Mets
Youngโs bat isnโt much to speak of. His approach is sound, but heโs not actually that effective at hitting the ball or hitting for power. Itโs a good thing he has speed in abundance and that he can use it both on theย basepathsย and in left field.
409. Adam Dunn, DH, Oakland A's
Whether this will be Dunnโs last season is something weย wonโt know for sureย until itโs all over. You have to figure thereโs at least a decent chance it will be. But if he does come back for one more season, whoever picks him up will get pretty much the same walk and home run merchant heโs always been.ย
408. Jed Lowrie, SS, Oakland A's
Even with the question marks that have emerged this season, thereโs little question thatย Lowrieโsย a better hitter than heโs shown. But since heโs a poorย baserunnerย and an iffy defender, heโs more of a hitter playing shortstop than a shortstop with a good bat.
407. Kevin Jepsen, RP, Los Angeles Angels
Jepsenย always threw hard enough to be a shutdown reliever. Whatโs finally made him one this year, however, is him ceasing to put so much trust on his heat and more trust in not one but two different slow offerings. The results have been quite impressive.
406. Dominic Leone, RP, Seattle Mariners
Thereโs no shortage of talented arms in the Mariners bullpen, and along has come Leone to show that he fits pretty well with them. His command needs work, but his mix of nasty stuff makes him a tough guy to square up and hit.
405. Mike Morse, LF, San Francisco Giants
That Morse is as useless as he is running theย basepathsย and playing the field puts a pretty big cap on his ability to rack up value. But we probably give him too much grief about his bat. Wild swinger though he may be, he could be a lot worse at squaring the ball up.
404. Ken Giles, RP, Philadelphia Phillies
Giles has a classic mix of a hard fastball and a nasty slider that so many strikeout relievers before him have possessed, and it looks like heโs going to have little trouble following in their footsteps. Whatโs more up in the air going forward is how sound his command can be and how heโs going to limit contact.ย
403. Shelby Miller, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Miller stillย throws 93-94ย mph and hasnโt lost his ability to get hittersย to pop out. His arm is still alive, which means thereโs hope. Itโs too bad his fastball command has devolved into him living in theย middle of the zone, and he has yet to come up with an excuse to make hitters look for anything other than heat. His arm may still be alive, but his approach needs some serious tweaking.
402. A.J. Cole, SP, Washington Nationals
Coleโs ability to pump strikes with his impressive fastball has fueled his rise through the minor leagues, but he wonโt be able to get away with just the one pitch in The Show. Therefore, heโll need to improve his breaking ball and changeup in order to avoid a long-term bullpen role.ย
401. Cody Asche, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
Ascheย has had to deal with some growing pains in his first full tour through theย bigs, showing holes in his bat and limited power. But if itโs the bright side youโre looking for, he hasnโt been totally overmatched at the dish, and we probably havenโt seen his best defense yet.
Nos. 400-351: Moustakas-Panik
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400. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals
A lot of work needs to be done to getย Moustakasโ bat even to the level of passable. Until that work is completed, heโs going to be a frustratingly inconsistent hitter. But because he has some power to offer with at least average defense at third base,ย Moustakasย can be at least a playable regular at the hot corner.
399. Matt Joyce, LF, Tampa Bay Rays
There are some faults in Joyceโs bat, and his power is declining, but heโs still of use as a platoon player. He sees right-handers very well, and he can play decent, if not quite great, defense in left field.
398. Luke Gregerson, RP, Oakland A's
Gregerson hasย just kept on being one of the steadiest setup men in the business in 2014, using strong command and a more hard-heavy approach to give hitters a different look. The question going forward will be if the cracks that are already there will spread, and how much.
397. Brett Cecil, RP, Toronto Blue Jays
Cecil doesnโt always know where the ball is going when he takes the mound, and his outings can be adventurous as a result. So itโs a good thing he at least has his stuff figured out. Between his increasingly hard fastball and nasty curveball, he doesn't have much trouble overwhelming hitters.
396. Jenrry Mejia, RP, New York Mets
It looks like Mejia has found a home as a closer. Though his command still needs work and batted balls can be adventurous, heโs not exactly weak in either of those areas. And between his cutter, his curveball and his slider, he definitely has the stuff for the job.ย
395. Stephen Drew, SS, New York Yankees
The long wait to start playing in 2014 has done a number on Drewโs bat, and hisย baserunningย has been negatively impacted as well. Itโs a good thing heโs shown he can still play a good shortstop while at least offering some power at the plate.
394. Josh Hamilton, LF, Los Angeles Angels
Hamiltonโs 2014 season hasnโt been completely without bright sides, but he still looks like a shell of the hitter he used to be. His bat still has holes in it, and his power is fading. At the rate heโs going, heโs really not much more than a playable outfielder. And thatโs when heโs healthy, which isn't often.
393. Oswaldo Arcia, RF, Minnesota Twins
Arciaโsย hitting is a mess, and his defense in right field is lacking, but he does have one tool that looks very strong: his power. Itโs been impressive in a little more than half a season and should be even more impressive over a full season.
392. Yusmeiro Petit, RP, San Francisco Giants
For the record, yes, thereโs a strong case for Petit to be in the starting pitcher rankings instead of the relief pitcher rankings. But heโs spent the bulk of his time as a reliever in 2014, and itโs really where heโs done his best work. If he ends up in the pen again in 2015, the Giants can expect to keep getting his special blend of command and surprising whiffability.
391. Cody Allen, RP, Cleveland Indians
His command is lacking, and itโs not overly difficult to hit him, but Allenโs an example of how relievers can make up for their shortcomings if one of their strengths is missing bats. And as long as he has his hard fastball and outstanding curveball, continuing to do that shouldnโt be a problem.
390. David Robertson, New York Yankees
The best thing Robertson has done this season is increase his trust in his curveball, allowing him to pick up more swinging strikes and strikeouts. Outside of that, though, heโs actually taken some steps back with his command and hittability. Itโs a good thing even a lesser version of Robertson is still a darn good pitcher.
389. Kyle Zimmer, SP, Kansas City Royals
The sky is the limit for Zimmer if he can just stay healthy. Over two-plus years in the minors, his rash of injuries rather than on-field success has unfortunately defined the right-handerโs development. While he still has time on his side, Zimmerโs checkered medical history offers reason to question his overall potential.ย
388. Eddie Butler, SP, Colorado Rockies
Butler was poised to spend a majority of the season in the Rockies' starting rotation before suffering a shoulder injury. He still has the ceiling of a No. 2 or 3 starter at maturity, but heโll now have to answer questions next season about his durability and ability to miss bats. ย
387. Jake Lamb, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
Lamb flies under the radar in terms of third base prospects, but his tools and advanced skills on both sides of the ball have helped him achieve an everyday role in the major leagues. The 23-year-old will go through some growing pains due to his overall lack of professional experience, but heโll also be given every chance to succeed as the Diamondbacksโ potential long-term third baseman.
386. Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Regardless of where he ends up defensively,ย Seagerโsย bat will have him hitting in the middle of a big league lineup sooner rather than later. To put it simply, the 20-year-old rakes, and the fact that his production has translated at the Double-A level, outside the hitter-friendly California League, during the second half has only further confirmed his status as a top-tier prospect.ย
385. Gordon Beckham, 2B, LA Angels
Beckhamโs not the hitter he pretended to be in 2013, as heโs gone back to having all sorts of flaws in his approach and his ability to make good contact. But if you want a guy who can provide some occasional power and play a better second base than the metrics suggest, you could do worse than him.ย
384. Rubby De La Rosa, SP, Boston Red Sox
Itโs clear that De La Rosa has work to do to get his fastball command up to speed, especiallyย against lefties. And though his fastball/changeup combination looks pretty, itโs not as great atย getting whiffsย as it should be. So itโs a good thing De La Rosa has shown he canย get ground ballsย when heโs on, and itโs further encouraging that heโs been able toย hold his velocity wellย in games.
383. Yonder Alonso, 1B, San Diego Padres
Whether Alonso can maintain this yearโs power outburst is a question mark going forward, and not the only one concerning his bat. But the approach he has at the plate is worth something, and so are his baserunning and defensive skills.
382. Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, Miami Marlins
Right now,ย Hechavarriaย is a shortstop with a suspect bat and an inconsistent glove, realistically making him barely a viable regular. Fortunately, heโs getting better rather than worse. In particular, hereโs thinking we havenโt seen his best defense yet.
381. Jean Segura, SS, Milwaukee Brewers
Not much has gone right for Segura in 2014, and in the process the various shortcomings in his game have been revealed. Itโs not as hopeless as it looks, though. He still has a steady mix of pop and speed, and he has an approach to hitting that makes a sudden rush of good luck a legit possibility.
380. Joe Kelly, SP, Boston Red Sox
With a fastball that sits in theย 94-95 range, thereโs no question Kelly has a live arm. He also has a sinker thatโs good forย getting ground balls, and mixing in hisย four-seamer moreย has helped himย get more pop-ups. But until he improves his fastball command and/or develops a reliable option for missing bats, heโs not going to be anything more than an intriguing back-end rotation option.
379. Jordan Lyles, SP, Colorado Rockies
Goingย heavier on hard stuffย has helped Lylesย find the zone more consistentlyย than he did in 2013, and his sinker is still aย very strong ground-ball pitch. But since his command is still far from on point and he hasnโt completely ditched his problems with home runsย and hard contact, he doesnโt look like anything better than a viable back-end starter.
378. Sam Fuld, OF, Oakland A's
Fuldย is only good enough to be a part-time playerโand not even an ideal one due to his even platoon splits. But if you're looking for a guy who can put together some quality at-bats, run the bases and play an energetic center field, he's your huckleberry.
377. Chris Iannetta, C, Los Angeles Angels
Iannettaโs had a fine season from an offensive standpoint, but there are enough cracks in his hitting to make you wonder if itโs repeatable. His power also isnโt without question marks, and his defense is dubious as well due to iffy throwing and more-than-iffy receiving.
376. Jedd Gyorko, 2B, San Diego Padres
Because of how muchย Gyorkoโsย season has been wrecked by health troubles, itโs admittedly hard to nitpick the various flaws heโs shown. So letโs focus on the positives instead: It says a lot that even an injuredย Gyorkoย is still a powerfulย Gyorko, and heโs made some real improvements to his approach that could serve him well in the future.
375. Hector Rondon, RP, Chicago Cubs
Rondonโsย not really as good as heโs looked since the All-Star break, but the Cubs definitely do have something in him. Any guy who can pound the zone with a solid fastball-slider combination is going to succeed in a relief role more often than not, and he fits the bill very well.
374. Ender Inciarte, CF, AZ Diamondbacks
Inciarteย has shortcomings when he has a bat in his hand, and hisย baserunningย hasn't fully lived up to his minor league track record. But at the least, he's been a defensive wizard in center field. Guys like that can be valuable no matter what else they can do.
373. Arismendy Alcantara, CF, Chicago Cubs
Alcantaraย needs plenty of work before his hitting is up to par, and all he really has working for him in center field is his athleticism. But athleticism in center field can be enough, and his mix of power and speed is a good fit for the position.
372. Justin Turner, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Yes, Turnerโs production this season is too good to be true. But he does deserve credit for how it hasnโt happened entirely by accident. That he can play a solid third base is just part of his overall defensive versatility.ย
371. Casey McGehee, 3B, Miami Marlins
McGeheeย was one of the pleasant surprises of the first half of the season, going into the All-Star Game with a .319 average. But while his approach to hitting is sound, that average was built too much on good luck. And aside from that, McGehee offers subpar power,ย baserunningย and defense.
370. Ryan Braun, RF, Milwaukee Brewers
The best way to put it is that Braun looks broken. Heโs not an asset on theย basepathsย or in the outfield, and that bad right hand of his has done a number on his hitting and could continue to do so going forward. The only positive thing to say is that lesser hitting from Braun should still be at least solid hitting.
369. Robert Stephenson, SP, Cincinnati Reds
Stephensonโs athleticism and arm strength suggest front-of-the-rotation potential, but heโll need to improve his command and refine his changeup to remain a starter long term. The good news is the 21-year-old is still young and will be given ample time to address those issues.ย
368. Jose Peraza, 2B, Atlanta Braves
The Braves putย Perazaย on the fast track to the major leagues this season, and itโs easy to see why given the youngsterโs tremendous speed, feel for the game and excellent makeup. He has the potential to be a first-division second baseman and should form one of the best double-play combos in the game with shortstopย Andreltonย Simmons possibly as early as mid-2015.
367. Stephen Piscotty, RF, St. Louis Cardinals
Piscottyโsย hit tool and solid defense will get him to the major leagues in 2015, but it will be his development of consistent in-game power that will ultimately determine whether he becomes more than a fourth outfielder at the highest level.
366. Tommy La Stella, 2B, Atlanta Braves
La Stella definitely looks like he has the bat for the big leagues, as thereโs plenty to like about the way he strings at-bats together and the way in which he targets the opposite field. But without much power, baserunning or defense, a good bat is only so valuable.
365. Dillon Gee, SP, New York Mets
Gee was sidelined for two months with a bad shoulder, the second time in three years his health has betrayed him. When he's been able to pitch, his command has been iffyโparticularly hisย in-zone fastball commandโand heโs had a hard time missing bats. But heโs also shown he hasnโt lost his ability to manipulate contact by mixing his pitches, and heโsย hardly been hopelessย as an innings-eater.
364. A.J. Burnett, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
This is assuming Burnett returns to play another season, which, as CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury notes, heโsย hinted is possible. Going off whatโsย happened this season, he should still be able to eat innings if he does come back. Thereโs value in a guy who can do that. But unless Burnett fixes the control problems heโs had this year while also finding someย lost velocityย and avoidingย hard contact, eating innings could be the extent of his contributions.
363. Zack Cozart, SS, Cincinnati Reds
Itโs only becoming clearer thatย Cozartย is little more than a low-.200s hitter, and itโs not a good look that pitchers seem to have figured out how to avoid his power. But when you can run the bases reasonably well while playing plus defense at short, you can hold your own as a solid regular.
362. Pedro Alvarez, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates
The 2014 season has been a lost year for Alvarez. Itโs hard to knock him for the efforts heโs made to become a more consistent hitter, but in the process, heโs robbed himself of the power that made him a worthwhile player in the first place. Then thereโs his defense, which has gone from being a problem at third base to a question mark at first base.
361. Daniel Nava, OF, Boston Red Sox
Nava being a switch-hitter is a bit of a tease given that heโs only useful from the left side, and itโs not the best look that his power has dried up. But because he can put together good at-bats and is quietly a talentedย baserunnerย and defender, heโs a pretty good player.
360. Josh Willingham, LF, Kansas City Royals
Willingham really only has two things to offer: patience and power. Fortunately, heโsย veryย good at the first and still solid enough at the second. As such, he has enough to make up for the reality that running the bases and playing defense are not his specialties.ย
359. Torii Hunter, RF, Detroit Tigers
As aggressive as his approach has become, Hunter can still hit and hit for some power. He can also still run the bases reasonably well. He just canโt do these things quite well enough to make up for his horrid right field defense.
358. Charlie Blackmon, OF, Colorado Rockies
Blackmonโs early-season breakout happened aย longย time ago, and itโs hard not to notice how heโs as much or more of a product of Coors Field as the next Rockies hitter. But because he can run the bases, hit for a little power and at least play passable defense in left and right field, heโs hardly useless.
357. Tyler Flowers, C, Chicago White Sox
Flowers has some good power to offer, and he has the ability to slow down the oppositionโs running game. But his receiving skills need some refining, and the work heโs put in to make his hitting more consistent isnโt enough. Heโs still too wild a swinger who hits nothing but air too often.
356. Odrisamer Despaigne, SP, SD Padres
The scouting report on Despaigneย has gotten around by now, but itโs still hard not to be intrigued with his pitching style. Though not very efficiently, he throwsย a lot of different pitches,ย and pretty much all of them move. A few of them are also good forย getting ground balls, and the combination of them all can lead to generally weak contact. He's good enough for a back-end type.
355. Pedro Strop, RP, Chicago Cubs
The downsides of Strop involve living with occasional walks and hard-hit balls as well as velocity thatโs declining from its peak. But it also means living with arguably the most unhittable slider thrown by any reliever and a sinker that can get ground balls. Thatโs a fair trade.
354. Carlos Ruiz, C, Philadelphia Phillies
The more disciplined approach Ruiz has shown off in 2014 has worked wonders, but his bat isnโt without red flags, and his power looks like itโs drying up with age. And through Ruiz is strong at blocking pitches and controlling the running game, his receiving just isnโt very good.
353. Martin Prado, 3B, New York Yankees
Prado has fallen on hard times since he was quietly one of the better players in the league in 2012, largely because his bat is weakening as he ages. That bat is still passable, though, and Pradoโs strong defense at third base is probably better than what the Yankees stand to get from A-Rod (who will not appear in these rankings) next year.
352. Glen Perkins, RP, Minnesota Twins
If for no other reason than he still assaults the strike zone with an effective slider in his back pocket, Perkins is still an outstanding reliever. But with his fastball having already lost velocity and becoming more hittable as a result, heโs not without red flags moving forward.
351. Joe Panik, 2B, San Francisco Giants
Iโve done my best to acknowledge the abilityย Panikย has shown without getting too excited about it because of the small sample size. But if he at least holds onto his solid approach, hits fastballs on the nose and plays a capable second base, heโll be the answer the Giants need at the position.
Nos. 350-301: Shipley-Maldonado
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350. Braden Shipley, SP, AZ Diamondbacks
The polish Shipley has shown in 2014 has been a pleasant surprise, especially considering his overall lack of experience on the bump. He still requires considerable projection for that same reason, but it isnโt difficult to envision the 22-year-old developing into a high-end No. 3 starter.
349. Aaron Blair, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Blair doesnโt have huge upside like fellow D-Backs right-handers Archie Bradley and Shipley, but thereโs a good chance he will realize his potential and carve out a solid career as a mid-rotation starter.
348. Michael Taylor, CF, WAS Nationals
Taylor has all the tools to be an impact everyday center fielder in the major leagues. However, at 23, heโs still an unrefined player who has more natural ability than usable baseball skills. That said, heโs still 23 and has shown slow but steady improvement while moving through the Nationals' system.
347. Chi Chi Gonzalez, SP, Texas Rangers
Gonzalez lacks a high ceiling, but I wouldnโt put it past him to blow past all expectations regarding his potential, especially when considering his overwhelming success this year in his first full season. Heโll have a spot waiting for him in the Rangers' rotation once heโs ready.
346. Henry Owens, SP, Boston Red Sox
Owens still projects as more of a mid-rotation starter than staff ace due to his lack of a dominant pitch and slightly below-average command. But thereโs still something to be said for his ability to miss bats during an accelerated rise through the minor leagues.ย
345. Aaron Sanchez, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Sanchez was rushed up the ladder this year due to the Blue Jaysโ struggles in the major leagues; it certainly wasnโt because he was ready from a developmental standpoint. If heโs going to start for the club long term, heโd benefit from more time in the minors to refine his command.
344. Dylan Bundy, SP, Baltimore Orioles
Bundy reached the major leagues during his 2012 full-season debut, but Tommy John surgery cost the right-hander more than a year of developmental time. He still has the ceiling of a front-of-the-rotation starter, but he still has a ways to go before returning to his pre-surgery form.ย
343. Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros
Correa is a physically blessed player with present plus makeup and the potential for five average-or-better tools at maturity, and heโs still on the fast track to the major leagues despite the ankle injury. In general, the 20-year-old has one of the highest ceilings in the minors, with the potential to be a perennial All-Star and possibly even an MVP candidate in his prime.
342. Edinson Volquez, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Volquezย is still prone to wildness, and his ability to miss bats is on aย clear downward trend. But while thatโs a bad combination, the Pirates actually have tightened upย Volquezโsย command to a point where itโs at least passable, and his sinker is once again aย source of ground balls. Heโs still not a good pitcher, but for now heโs at least a viable rotation option.
341. Ricky Nolasco, SP, Minnesota Twins
Nolasco hasn'tย been able to miss batsย like he did in 2013, in part because his splitterย hasnโt been nearly as effective. Heโs also paid dearly for throwingย so many hittable fastballs. On top of all this, there was his absence with an elbow injury. But because he stillย mixes his pitches wellย and is able to avoid issuing walks,ย Nolascoย isnโt completely lost as a pitcher. Some sort of rebound is in order for 2015.
340. B.J. Upton, CF, Atlanta Braves
Uptonโs best hitting, power,ย baserunningย and defense are clearly behind him. Because of that, he is indeed a subpar player. But with that said, 2014 hasnโt been as big a disaster as 2013. Heโs been a little better at the plate, has become a solidย baserunnerย again and isnโt the defensive issue the metrics say he is.
339. Alex Rios, RF, Texas Rangers
Rios doesnโt do anything well anymore, but he doesnโt really do anything that poorly either. He can still handle the bat and provide some power, and he can hold his own on theย basepathsย and in right field. Heโs not a good player anymore, but heโs at least playable.
338. Kurt Suzuki, C, Minnesota Twins
The improvements Suzukiโs made with his hitting are absolutely worth noting, as heโs turned himself into one of the gameโs top contact hitters. But he doesnโt have much power to offer, and his defensive value is hit hard by his mediocre throwing and poor receiving.
337. Mark Reynolds, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers
Reynolds is a guy who can hit you some home runs while playing a strong first base and holding his own on the basepaths. That would make him a darn good player if he was better at actually hitting the ball, but itโs pretty clear at this juncture that particular train isnโt coming.
336. Mark Teixeira, 1B, New York Yankees
Teixeira still has some power and defense to offer, but both those things are shadows of what they used to be. That description doesnโt even cover it for his hitting, which looks like a lost cause. Consider all this further support for the notion that old age is stupid.
335. Darren O'Day, RP, Baltimore Orioles
OโDayโsย quietly been one of the better relievers around for a while now, but weโve witnessed him at his best yet this season. Beyond maintaining his command, mixing up his pitches a little better has allowed him to become a reliever who can miss bats and get ground balls.
334. Miguel Gonzalez, SP, Baltimore Orioles
Gonzalez has benefited fromย mixing up his pitchesย in 2014, in particular how heโs more regularlyย gotten whiffs with his secondariesย while making his four-seam fastball aย tremendous source of pop-ups. But mixing his pitches also hasnโt made him any better atย finding the zone, andย he still hasnโt solvedย his home run problem. As such, he still has improvements to make.
333. Bud Norris, SP, Baltimore Orioles
Norris came into 2014 with a reputation as an innings-eater, and it still holds. Heโs also benefited fromย more velocity, which has had a hand in him keeping fly balls fromย traveling too far. But thereโs also been some overachieving going on. Norris has succeeded despite his sliderย continuing to declineย as a whiff pitch, and he hasnโt felt the effects of aย big increase in contactย as much as he should have.
332. Jay Bruce, RF, Cincinnati Reds
The term โlost seasonโ definitely applies with Bruce. He had to go in for surgery on his left knee early on and frankly has paid the price for rushing back from it. Still, itโs a silver lining that heโs at least been a solid power producer andย baserunner, and you have to figure that other things wonโt continue to be as awful.
331. Taijuan Walker, SP, Seattle Mariners
A strong case can be made that Walker is the most projectable pitching prospect out there thanks to his special combination of athleticism and stuff as well as his capacity to make adjustments. A shoulder injury delayed his breakthrough, but itโs safe to say the right-handerโs bright future isn't far from being realized.
330. Matt Cain, SP, San Francisco Giants
Cain's third trip to the disabled list ended his 2014 season. But he will beย ready to goย for spring training, and it actually wouldnโt be the worst thing if the Giants end up getting something similar to the 2014 Cain. Amid all his struggles, he still rode aย four-seam-light approachย to aย career-high ground-ball rateย while actuallyย finding the zoneย more than he had since 2010.ย
329. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF, Boston Red Sox
In his first (somewhat) full season as a major leaguer, Bradley has shown that he canโt hit, hit for power or run the bases especially well. But since heโs on a shortlist of candidates for the title of best defensive center fielder in baseball, donโt downplay him as a capable major league player.
328. Zach Duke, RP, Milwaukee Brewers
Itโs easy to look at a guy like Duke and conclude that heโs just another LOOGY. But heโs more than that. There arenโt many relievers who keep the ball low like he does, and any reliever who can get whiffs and ground balls like he can is going to be effective no matter whoโs standing in the box.
327. Brett Lawrie, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays
It feels likeย Lawrieย had a lost season, and there is some truth to that knowing how much he battled with injuries and struggled to be consistent at the dish. But itโs good that he revived his power, continued to run the bases well and played some solid defense. Heโs no star, but heโs at least playable.ย
326. Shin-Soo Choo, LF, Texas Rangers
In just a few short months,ย Chooย has gone from one of the jewels of the free-agent class to a lesser hitter who may now be damaged goods. But at the very least, one thing he still has going forward is his terrific batting eye and solid opposite-field power. Those arenโt bad consolation prizes.
325. Hector Santiago, SP, Los Angeles Angels
Santiagoโs neither as bad as he looked earlier nor as good as heโs looked recently. His spotty fastball command makes him prone to walks and hard-hit balls, but it also helps himย get pop-upsย with his curve and cutter and other catchable fly balls to the outfield. That fly-ball habit canย make things interesting, though, so itโs a good thing he gets to pitch at the Big A.
324. Roenis Elias, SP, Seattle Mariners
Elias goes heavy on theย changeups and curveballs, making it tough for him toย hit the zoneย consistently and easy for hitters to sit back and wait for wayward fastballs. What allows him to survive is how his curve and change are both quite good at missing bats, and hitters surprisinglyย havenโt done muchย to solve the puzzle as the season has gone along.
323. Justin Verlander, SP, Detroit Tigers
Itโs not pretty. Verlanderย hasnโt responded toย his declining velocityย by sharpening up his fastball command, as heโs been a littleย all over the placeย this year. Also, all his pitches haveย become easier to hitย andย easier to elevate, and he hasnโt been able toย avoid long drives. Really the only thing he has left is his ability to eat innings, and even thatโs compromised now thanks to his shoulder troubles.
322. Jordan Walden, RP, Atlanta Braves
The bigโand to this point unaddressedโquestion with Walden is how much heโs going to stay healthy. Heโs been to the DL in each of the last three years and had injury issues as a minor leaguer too. But he is effective when he is healthy. Look past the control issues, and you see a guy with nasty stuff who specializes in missing bats and jamming hitters.
321. Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cincinnati Reds
The notion that Phillips may be declining was controversial last year. It shouldnโt be this year. There are good reasons why his hitting hasnโt gotten any better, and heโs lost both power and speed. That makes defense his final standing strength, so itโs a good thing that part of his game is still fine.
320. Mookie Betts, CF, Boston Red Sox
It could be a while before Betts is a capable defender in center field, but everything else looks promising. Heโs shown off an advanced approach at the plate, hit for some power and put his speed to use on theย basepaths. Without getting too excited, he looks like he could be for real.
319. Jon Singleton, 1B, Houston Astros
Singletonโs power is definitely ready for the majors. Thereโs no doubt about that. What Iโm banking on is that the experience heโs gained this year will help make him a better match for major league pitching come 2015 and that the ability heโs teased at first base might lead to increased defensive stability. If these things happen, the Houston Astros are going to have a solid first baseman on their hands.
318. Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals
The good news is that Hosmer is a better baserunner than heโs shown in 2014 and a better fielder than the metrics give him credit for. But a bat that already had question marks now has even more, as his ability to make contact has been wasted largely on bad contact. Thatโs not an easy fix.
317. Eduardo Escobar, SS, Minnesota Twins
Escobarโs subdued score here is largely owed to how heโs overachieving at the plate while continuing to provide subparย baserunningย for a shortstop. Heโs not a bad power source, though, and heโs at least versatile defensively if not particularly talented. Thatโs a decent regular.
316. Conor Gillaspie, 3B, Chicago White Sox
Thereโs some potential inย Gillaspieโsย bat if he can keep up the adjustments heโs made this year while also cutting down on his fly balls. Itโs too bad he doesnโt have much to offer outside of hitting, as his power,ย baserunningย and defense are all at best average.
315. Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers
Ramirez still packs a good bat, and itโs largely because of his hitting that this score comes off as being too low. But when you look at how much his hitting approach hinges on a single talent, how his power is on thin ice and how his defense is merely adequate, one does wonder if Ramirez can repeat his 2014 performance.
314. Chris Tillman, SP, Baltimore Orioles
Tillmanโs been getting results just fine in 2014, and he gets credit for cleaning up his command after a rocky start to the season. What scares me is how aย dip in velocityย has made his four-seamerย that much easier to hit. That doesnโt craft a positive image of the future, and not just because even fewer whiffs could be in order. It could also become easier thanย it already isย to take Tillman for a ride.
313. Nick Markakis, RF, Baltimore Orioles
The wayย Markakisย combines discipline with a superior contact ability helps him stay consistent, and his power has made a slight comeback. He still has subpar power for a corner outfielder, however, and he doesnโt have much to offer on theย basepathsย orโdespite his reputationโon defense.
312. Addison Russell, SS, Chicago Cubs
Russell has the makings of an All-Star-caliber shortstop, but thereโs still a sizableย gap between his present ability and overall potential. He should be ready to make an impact in the major leagues at some point next season, though the Cubs first will have to determine where heโll play given their impressive depth up the middle.
311. Noah Syndergaard, SP, New York Mets
Syndergaard has been victimized by the Pacific Coast Leagueย this year, so donโt read too far into his disappointing stats. Overall, the 22-year-old has held his own against older hitters while maintaining strong strikeout and walk rates. His command needs refinement, but the stuff and durability scream front-line starter.
310. Rajai Davis, OF, Detroit Tigers
Davis has overachieved somewhat in the power department this year, and heโs really not asย capableย a defender asย he should be with his athleticism. But what he can do is get on base at a decent rate and then put his legs to use. The combination of those talents is worth something.
309. Gerardo Parra, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Your opinion of Parraโs 2014 season might hinge on the opinion of the defensive metrics. If youโre with me and think theyโre not doing Parraโs defense proper justice, then you should view him as a very good defensive outfielder who also packs a decent bat.
308. Craig Gentry, CF, Oakland A's
There are reasons for why Gentry hasnโt been the same offensive force that he was in 2012 and 2013, and his lack of power only adds to his hitting woes. But you can still plug him in and get terrificย baserunningย and defense, and such things do have value.
307. Elvis Andrus, SS, Texas Rangers
Andrus is still a steady everyday player, as he can hit and run the bases reasonably well while playing defense thatโs better than the defensive metrics think it is. But even though we can give him that much credit, itโs hard to ignore how heโs not as effective at these things as he used to be.
306. Joakim Soria, RP, Detroit Tigers
Soriaโs 2014 season hit something of a wall as soon as he arrived in Detroit, but it should still be considered a successful return to form anyway. Heโs shown that he can still put the ball where he wants to, and heโs done a fine job of making up for lesserย whiffabilityย by keeping hitters off-balance.ย
305. Josh Collmenter, SP, AZ Diamondbacks
Predictably, the move from the bullpen to the rotation has cost Collmenterย some velocityย and made his cutter/changeup combinationย more hittable. He is generally pretty effectiveโespeciallyย against rightiesโabout staying out of the fat part of the zone, however, and the majority of the fly balls he gives upย donโt go very far. If the Diamondbacks keep him in the rotation in 2015, heโll do fine as a back-end guy.ย
304. Andrew Miller, RP, Baltimore Orioles
Miller was quietly having a steady year in 2013 before his season came to an early end, so his success this season isnโt coming out of nowhere, especially knowing how much his fastball command has improved. And though there are some red flags with that command and hisย hittability, heโll be fine as long as he at least holds on to his slider.
303. Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants
For anyone with a good memory, this is where I admit I put too much faith in Belt breaking out in a big way this year. He quickly made good on his power potential, but he also picked up some bad habits by falling in love with his power before the injuries came. The talent is still there, but the reset button needs to be pushed.
302. Rene Rivera, C, San Diego Padres
With the exception of his power, Riveraโs bat is littered with question marks ranging from iffy plate discipline to zone coverage. But heโs very much in his element defensively, adding excellent receiving skills to blocking and throwing talents.
301. Martin Maldonado, C, Milwaukee Brewers
Though finding playing time isnโt so easy for Maldonado, he can make an impact when heโs in there. He has a decent bat that has some pop in it, and his defensive skill set includes quality throwing, blocking and receiving ability.
Nos. 300-251: Polanco-Reddick
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300. Gregory Polanco, RF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Polanco was something of an overnight sensation when he first arrived on the scene in June, but then all his shortcomings were put on display in subsequent months. Still, on the whole heโs done enough to show that his potential isnโt a total myth. Though he needs some work, he still looks like he could be a right fielder who can hit, run and field well enough.
299. Joe Mauer, 1B, Minnesota Twins
Mauerโs primary strengths can be linked to his general baseball IQ, which is still going strong. But whether itโs the lack of power or the very real cracks in his hitting, there are reasons to worry about the physical side. And though weโve seen him bounce back from tough years before, itโs hard to count on him doing so again knowing that heโs no longer young.
298. Blake Swihart, C, Boston Red Sox
Swihart has jumped to the top of prospect lists in 2014 behind a strong all-around season on both sides of the ball. This switch-hitter can do a little bit of everything at the plate, hitting for both average and power, and his defense should serve as a premium once he achieves the highest level.
297. Aaron Nola, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have Nola on the fast track to the major leagues, and if all goes as planned with the right-handerโs development, he should spend most of 2015 in the teamโs starting rotation. There may be some bumps in the road along the way, but Nola has a high probability of reaching his potentialโand soon.
296. Daniel Norris, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Norris is one of the gameโs premier left-handed pitching prospects, both in terms of present ability and overall potential. However, heโll need to thoroughly develop his changeup to become an impact starter in the major leagues.
295. Alex Meyer, SP, Minnesota Twins
The next step in Meyerโs development is a lengthy audition in the major leagues, which should occur in early 2015 since he's on theย disabled listย with right shoulder inflammation. Thereโs a realistic chance heโll always walk too many guys, but thereโs no questioning Meyerโs ability to miss bats as an impact front-end starter. ย
294. Archie Bradley, SP, AZ Diamondbacks
Granted he missed significant time due to injury, but Bradleyโs 2014 performance has made it clear his command, particularly with his fastball, is still a work in progress. The right-handerโs overall development hasnโt progressed this season, but it hasnโt affected his ceiling of a No. 1 or 2 starter at maturity. ย
293. Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers
Galloโs left-handed power rivals Kris Bryantโs from the right side, though the former doesnโt project to hit for as much average or reach base as consistently as the latter. However, he's still young and has already put up impressive numbers at advanced levels, so thereโs still plenty of room for him to improve.
292. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians
Even ifย Lindorโsย bat doesnโt develop as hoped, he still has the potential to enjoy a long, successful career in the major leagues based on his defensive prowess, superb makeup and ability to control the speed of the game. However, even modest offensive production could makeย Lindorย a perennial All-Star.
291. Jonathan Schoop, 2B, Baltimore Orioles
Schoopย has a lot of problems to iron out before he can even be passable as a hitter, and his potential is going to be very much limited until he does. But because he can hit for some power and play some very strong defense at second base, heโs a much more viable regular than his poor hitting indicates.
290. Dan Haren, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
The slight velocity revival Harenย experienced in 2013ย hasnโt repeated itselfย in 2014, helping to make him even more hittable than he already was. And looking ahead to his age-34 season, no, that velocity likely isnโt coming back. He can still eat innings and put together the occasional good outing, however, and those should keep being possible as long as he can keepย living onย the edgesย with his hard stuff.
289. Scott Van Slyke, OF, LA Dodgers
Though Vanย Slykeย has probably been a littleย tooย productive this year, heโs at least established himself as a good guy to have around for his ability to crush lefties, provide some power and play passable defense at two positions.
288. Jeremy Guthrie, SP, Kansas City Royals
Living with Guthrie still means living with the constant threat of home runs, as heโs still aย fly-ball pitcherย who asks for trouble by living in theย middle of the zone. But hey, heโs still a source of innings, and hisย increasing trust in his changeupย is helping him limit the damageย with whiffsย andย ground balls. Heโs only a back-end guy, but heโs one of the better back-end guys youโre going to find.
287. Scott Feldman, SP, Houston Astros
Theย decline of Feldmanโs curveballย has left him without a reliable pitch to get swings and misses, and itโs alsoย been a partย of a rise in hard contact against him. Itโs a good thing Feldman isnโt totally incapable of getting ground balls just yet, and heโs still a guy whoโs going to give youย six innings and 100 pitchesย when he takes the ball. Thatโll have to do.
286. Drew Stubbs, CF, Colorado Rockies
Itโs hard to ignore how much Stubbsโ 2014 season has been boosted by favorable circumstances, and his defense in center field hasnโt been the strength it once was. But if youโre looking for a good platoon player who can offer some power and speed, you could do a lot worse than Stubbs.
285. Angel Pagan, CF, San Francisco Giants
Pagan is still one of the better line-drive hitters youโre going to find, and age and injuries havenโt robbed him of his speed just yet. But since that speed is no longer great and what power he had is drying up, heโs trending toward becoming merely an average regular.
284. Colby Rasmus, CF, Toronto Blue Jays
Rasmusย has gone from being one of the better center fielders in the league in 2013 to a broken-down mess. This should make his free agency very interesting. But because he has power for a center fielder and hasn't totally lost his ability to play the position, donโt be surprised when somebody gives him good money.
283. Corey Dickerson, LF, Colorado Rockies
Dickersonโs season doesnโt look so great if you look at what heโs done on the bases and on defense while also focusing on his home/road and lefty/righty splits. But underneath it all is a guy who really does make some pretty good contact. Maybe his bat isn't as dangerous as his numbers make it look, but it is dangerous all the same.
282. Christian Vazquez, C, Boston Red Sox
Exactly what sort of hitter Vazquez is going to be is up in the air, as heโs thus far displayed merely modest abilities and more than modest power. But his defense looks like the real deal, particularly regarding what appears to be elite throwing and receiving talents.
281. Kevin Kiermaier, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
Kiermaier hasย only established himself as a platoon player, and one whoโs overachieved offensively at that. In all likelihood, his bat isnโt going to be how he earns his checks going forward. But his glove? Oh, that glove. Itโs something else.
280. Drew Hutchison, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Hutchison never was as good as he looked earlier in the season, and heโsย since becomeย what he really is: a back-end rotation guy who can be hit hard when he misses his spots. But he does have his merits, most notably a solid changeup/slider combination that help make it easier for him to throw his four-seamerย pastย guys up in the zone. Nothing fancy, but he can execute it well enough to hold his own.
279. Tom Koehler, SP, Miami Marlins
Now that Koehlerย has a sinkerย and has increased the use of his slider, he has more to keep hitters guessing. As a result, heโs been able to help himself toย more whiffsย and soft contact. He still needs to sharpen up his command, however, as heโs prone to walks and high pitch counts early despite theย more hard-heavy approachย heโs taken in 2014.
278. Brandon Crawford, SS, SF Giants
Despite what the metrics indicate, Crawfordโs defense is his best talent. Heโs also a solid power threat whoโs at least teasing an ability to get better. That just leaves him with some holes to fix in his hitting, which unfortunately will not be an easy process.
277. Joe Smith, RP, Los Angeles Angels
Itโs easy to lose sight of Smith amid all the relievers with high velocity and swing-and-miss stuff. But heโs been aย capableย one for several years now, and heโs at his very best when his command involves him pounding theย zone and never leaving pitches up. Thatโs the guy heโs been in 2014.
276. Norichika Aoki, RF, Kansas City Royals
The main attraction with Aoki is the bat control that allows him to hit for average, but he can also offer steadyย baserunningย and defense in right field. The only thing he can't do better than most right fielders is hit for power.ย
275. Javier Baez, 2B, Chicago Cubs
Baez hasnโt exactly burst onto the scene looking like a finished product. His swing-and-miss problem has managed to be worse than advertised, and all around, he still looks like a bucket of tools rather than a ballplayer. Butย that power, man...that power...
274. Jonathan Papelbon, RP, PHI Phillies
You can count me among those who hadย Papelbonย pegged as finished while he was mediocre-ingย his way through 2013, but heโs a different pitcher now. To wit, heโsย moreย of a pitcher, effectively mixing and locating his offerings to revive some of his oldย whiffabilityย andย hittability. Hats off.
273. Chris Davis, 1B, Baltimore Orioles
After a brilliant 2013 season, Davis has largely gone back to being what he was before his breakout. Heโs a big olโ bundle of raw power but also a guy whoโs too easily fooled at a plate. There will be steady work for him as long as his power (and, to a lesser extent, his glove) is still a strength, but a return to superstardom is going to require him to do some hard work heโs already done all over again.
272. Jon Gray, SP, Colorado Rockies
The Rockies had Gray working on different things this season, such as his fastball command and ability to expand the zone with his secondary pitches, so the numbers arenโt as impressive as expected. Regardless, his season-long success in Double-A is encouraging.ย
271. Jorge Soler, RF, Chicago Cubs
Solerย claimed the Cubsโ right field gig following his call-up, with the 22-year-oldย showingย all five tools and an impressive overall feel for the game. If he comes close to reaching his offensive ceiling,ย Solerย should offer All-Star-caliber production in his prime seasons, batting .270-plus with roughly 25 home runs and double-digit stolen bases from the heart of the Cubs lineup.
270. Jorge De La Rosa, SP, Colorado Rockies
Though De La Rosa stillย canโt be counted onย for six innings due to his inefficiency, theย cutter heโs incorporatedย has probably saved him from oblivion. In addition to giving him anย extra swing-and-miss pitchย to go with his splitter, itโs also joined his splitter in beingย a ground-ball magnet. Those two things help a pitcher survive at Coors Field, and we should all appreciate how well De La Rosa does that.
269. Peter Bourjos, CF, St. Louis Cardinals
Though irregular playing time hasnโt helped his timing,ย Bourjosย is a better hitter than heโs looked like for much of the year. But his best asset is still his speed, and he puts it to enough use rounding the bases and playing defense to make himself a more-than-capable part-time player.
268. Caleb Joseph, C, Baltimore Orioles
Exactly how Joseph is going to fit into Baltimoreโs plans when Matt Wieters returns in 2015 is uncertain. But due to the power and defensive talents he can offer, we could see him go from being a good fill-in to one of the leagueโs better backups.
267. Alex Avila, C, Detroit Tigers
Really, the only thing keeping Avilaโs hitting afloat is his excellent batting eye, so itโs a good thing he has some quality power to offer. And even despite his iffy framing talent, he still throws and blocks well enough to pass for aย capableย defender behind the dish.
266. Ryan Vogelsong, SP, SF Giants
Vogelsongย needs AT&T Park to be at his best, as heโs prone toย line drives and fly ballsย andย isnโt particularly goodย at making sure the latter stay shallow. Fortunately, heโsย regained the velocityย he didnโt have in an injury-marred 2013 season and has gone back to living on the corners of the zone againstย both leftiesย and righties. As a result, heโs back to being reliable.
265. Chris Owings, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks
Thanks to his shoulder injury, weโre still in the โgetting to know youโ phase with Owings. And in reality, he probably did look a littleย tooย impressive before his injury. Doubts aside, though, he does look like a shortstop who can play at least passable defense while hitting for some power and making things happen on theย basepaths.
264. Chase Anderson, SP, AZ Diamondbacks
Anderson has the right idea with his fastball command, but itโs pretty clear hisย execution needs some work. Heโs also been prone to hard contact, be it line drives orย hard-hit fly balls. What makes him attractive is his changeup and curveball. Both have had anย easy time missing bats, and his changeup in particular is aย pretty sight. He has some things to figure out, but his stuff is definitely MLB-caliber.
263. Luis Valbuena, 3B, Chicago Cubs
Itโs not wrong to regardย Valbuenaย as a mere placeholder for Kris Bryant. Thatโs what he is. And no, heโs not actually as powerful as heโs shown in the second half. But he is a solid player, as his bat certainly isnโt without thunder, and he can play steady defense at a couple of positions.
262. Huston Street, RP, Los Angeles Angels
Street is having yet another season in which heโs not as overpowering as his ERA suggests. His game depends largely on locating and disrupting timing more than anything else. But you have to give the guy credit. When heโs on, heโs on. And heโs been on all year.
261. Dustin Ackley, LF, Seattle Mariners
Even with his strong second half, I wouldnโt say Ackley has put it all together yet. But at the least, his bat and power are trending in the right direction, and heโs also a solidย baserunnerย and defender. Look for him to be a fairly well-rounded player going forward.
260. Chris Carter, DH, Houston Astros
Outside of his power, Carter has basically nothing to offer. Itโs a good thing, then, that an extreme fly-ball style and extreme raw power make the power he has to offer arguably the best in the American League.
259. Kevin Gausman, SP, Baltimore Orioles
The results have been there for Gausmanย in his first real foray into starting at the big league level, and thereโs no denying that he has the stuff (his splitter FTW!) to be an elite MLB pitcher. But he needs to get some fastball command before he can make that leap, and heโsย made it clearย thereโs work required there.
258. Tsuyoshi Wada, SP, Chicago Cubs
There are some concerns surrounding Wada. Specifically, how much he works in theย middle of the zoneย with his modest heat and how hitters havenโt had much trouble elevating against him. At the same time, he has one of those fastballs that looks faster thanย just 89-90 mph, and his slider and changeup look like potentially legit swing-and-miss offerings.
257. Aaron Harang, SP, Atlanta Braves
Leave it to the Braves to take Harangโsย smoke-and-mirrors pitching and make it better. He still really only flirts with the strike zone and is still far from his old self at missing bats, but heโsย throwing his sinkerย more and generally doing a better job of mixing his pitches. This has helped him get ground balls andย dial back the problemย he had with home runs in 2013.
256. DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Colorado Rockies
Untilย LeMahieuย settles on an approach he likes and sticks with it, his hitting is going to be suspect. That heโs gone backward as aย baserunnerย in 2014 makes that reality even tougher to swallow. But because he can play aย meanย second base, he can hold his own as at least a decent regular.ย
255. Travis Wood, SP, Chicago Cubs
Itโs putting it lightly to say that Wood hasnโt been getting away with non-elite command and pitching to contact like he did in 2013. But things arenโt as bad as they look. Heโs actuallyย hitting the zoneย more often while still livingย largely onย the corners, and heโs done a decent job gettingย pop-ups and catchable fly balls. He wasnโt as good as he looked in 2013, but heโs not as bad as he looks in 2014.
254. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B, WAS Nationals
The holes in Cabreraโs bat are pretty real, and he can only be so good as long as they exist. But with his power andย baserunningย still going reasonably strong and his defensive value reinvigorated by a move to second base, heโs a better player than he was when he left Cleveland.
253. Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cleveland Indians
Itโs been a rough season forย Kipnis. Heโs followed up a year in which he was good at everything by being only good at one thing (running the bases). And as much as you want to believe in his talent, the cracks in his bat and defense look pretty real.ย
252. Brock Holt, OF, Boston Red Sox
The only thing really spectacular about Holt is that he can do a little bit of everything. He can hit a little bit, he can hit for a little bit of power, he can run the bases a little and he can play a little defense no matter where you put him. When you combine all that "little" into one thing, it looks like a lot.
251. Josh Reddick, RF, Oakland A's
Reddick is only of use against right-handed pitching, and his power likely isnโt ever returning to its 2012 level. But he still has pop to offer in addition to excellent defense in right field, so donโt be quick to disregard his value.
Nos. 250-201: Granderson-Harper
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250. Curtis Granderson, RF, New York Mets
We can doย Grandersonย the courtesy of saying that his power is better than his numbers indicate and that he can play at least a solid right field with steadyย baserunningย on the side. But his bat is still very much prone to inconsistency, and itโs hard to expect that to be fixed at this point.
249. Jarrod Dyson, CF, Kansas City Royals
Dyson is a platoon hitter with virtually no power and really only one truly impressive tool: his speed. Itโs a good thing, then, that he makes the most out of his speed on theย basepathsย and on defense. Heโs one of the gameโs better sources of value in both departments.
248. Carl Crawford, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Crawford still doesnโt have the goods to live up to his big contract, but he really hasnโt tailed off that badly from his 2013 season. His hitting and power are hanging in there, and heโs shown he can still run the bases and play at least a decent left field.
247. Ryan Zimmerman, LF, WAS Nationals
Zimmermanโs future on defense is a good question, and you have to wonder about how his health problems are going to impact his power andย baserunningย going forward. Itโs not all bad, though. When heโs been healthy, he showed that he can still hit and that heโs surprisingly competent in left field.
246. Ben Revere, CF, Philadelphia Phillies
Revere is an elite contact hitter who can hit for average and run the bases very well. These things make him a viable regular. But without OBP-boosting walks, power or much defense in center field, a viable regular is really all he is.
245. Dexter Fowler, CF, Houston Astros
Thereโs plenty to like about Fowlerโs approach at the dish, and he can provide at least some power and speed. Itโs how he can only provide โsomeโ thatโs disappointing, however, and Fowlerโs already iffy defense isnโt getting any stronger.
244. Michael Pineda, SP, New York Yankees
No, it looks like we still canโt rely on Pinedaโs shoulder. And no, heย hasnโt shown the same velocityย he did back in 2011. What justifies his inclusion here is how heโsย attacked the strike zone, missed batsย with his changeup and sliderย and induced a lot of soft contact when he has been able to pitch. The rest of the AL East should hope his shoulder problems arenโt over yet.
243. James Loney, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays
Loney hasnโt had the easiest time following up on his 2013 season, but he still resembles the player he was then. Thatโs a guy who knows how to handle himself at the dish and has a steady glove to offer at first base, talents that help make up for well-below-average power for a first baseman.
242. Jon Jay, CF, St. Louis Cardinals
It was an up-and-down year-and-a-half for Jay, but heโs gotten back to doing the things that helped make him a .300 hitter in 2012. Even without much power orย baserunningย value, that and his at least solid defense in center field combine to make him a pretty good regular.
241. James Paxton, SP, Seattle Mariners
A left shoulder injury sidelined Paxton for three months, leaving us little to judge him by. Whatโs there is largely positive, though. His fastball command is still a work in progress, but heโs shown he canย at least stay lowย and get ground balls. Even better is how hitters haveย had no answersย for his curveball. Itโs all still just potential for now, but said potential looks pretty legit.
240. Jon Niese, SP, New York Mets
Health problems have continued to plague Niese, and itโs because of those that workload expectations have to be kept low. Add in how he canโt miss many bats, and his potential is limited. He can be a good study on how to pitch, though, as heโs generally effective atย keeping the ball downย and can induce bothย ground ballsย andย medium-depth fly balls.
239. C.J. Wilson, SP, Los Angeles Angels
Though heโs triedย throwing more fastballs, Wilsonโs still never had more troubleย hitting the zoneย than heโs had this year. Thatโs saying a lot for a guy whoโs known to have iffy command, and itโs contributed to Wilsonโs struggles eating innings. The better news is that heโs gone back to being aย good ground-ball pitcher, and in general, his wildness and wide array of offerings make him a hard guy to square up.
238. Jesse Hahn, SP, San Diego Padres
Aย curveball-heavy approachย and some serious movement on all his pitches make it tough for Hahn to consistently throw strikes, and efficiency eludes him because of that. But while that barrier will be tough to overcome, that hitters have a devil of a timeย hittingย andย squaring upย his stuff means thereโs a home for him in a big league rotation.ย
237. Seth Smith, LF, San Diego Padres
Smith is merely a humble platoon outfielder but also better than your garden-variety platoon outfielder. He hasnโt given righties many options for getting him out, heโs revived his power and heโs played surprisingly passable defense in both corner outfield spots.
236. Coco Crisp, CF, Oakland A's
Crispโs best talent these days is his ability to put together terrific at-bats, which feed into his very strong on-base habit. But without the power he had in 2013 or the speed heโs had for much of his career, he can only be so much of an above-average player.
235. Michael Cuddyer, RF, Colorado Rockies
Even with the Coors Field factor noted,ย Cuddyerย can definitely hit and hit for a little power. Heโll be a valuable player as long as he can do these things. Butย baserunningย and defense are both question marks and likely even more so at his age and with his recent injury history.
234. CC Sabathia, SP, New York Yankees
Itโs still unclear how readyย Sabathiaย will be to pitch in 2015. And given what happened when he was healthy, banking on vintage CC makingย a comeback is foolery. But his early-season performance wasnโt all bad. He showed command and an ability toย get ground balls, and he actuallyย missed batsย better than he did in 2013. If he can stay healthy,ย Sabathiaย may still have some good pitching in him.
233. Jesse Chavez, SP, Oakland A's
The Aโs bumped Chavez to the bullpen when Jeffย Samardzijaย and Jasonย Hammelย arrived, but it wouldnโt be a surprise if he gets another shot to start in 2015. He earned it with his performanceย as a starter, mainly through command that involved him working on the corners with his cutter and sinkerย against leftiesย and righties. His mistakes got hit hard, but they were relatively infrequent.
232. Brad Boxberger, RP, Tampa Bay Rays
Talk about your all-time out-of-nowhere stories. In Boxberger, the Rays have taken a guy with modest stuff and command issues and turned him into a pitcher with unhittable stuff and good command. Thatโs just them doing what they do best.
231. Pat Neshek, RP, St. Louis Cardinals
Itโs hard to ignore the โtoo good to be trueโ vibe emanating fromย Neshekโsย huge season, but itโs not like heโs been extraordinarily lucky. At the least, heโs combined an extreme strike-throwing ability with an enhanced capacity to generate soft contact, both of which can be chalked up to a shift in his pitch selection.
230. Tyler Clippard, RP, Washington Nationals
Rafael Soriano is the guy who gets the attention, butย Clippardย is Washingtonโs best reliever. His fastball-up, changeup-down style can lead to some inconsistency, but it makes him hard to hit and just as hard to square up.
229. Jeremy Hellickson, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Since Hellicksonย returned from elbow surgery in July, heโs shown heโs still anย extreme fly-ball pitcherย who asks much of his outfield defense. But weโve also seen himย keep everything down, with his fastball command consisting of working on the edgesย against leftiesย and righties. Itโs also encouraging that his changeup hasย never been harder to hit. In all, it looks like heโs gotten over his lost 2013 season.
228. Jason Hammel, SP, Oakland A's
Hammelโsย season took a turn for the worse the minute he ended up in Oakland, and it was bound to happen givenย his spotty commandย of a fastball thatโsย losing some zipย andย a fly-ball styleย that he overachieved with in Chicago. Thatย Hammelย has at least stayed healthy is a silver lining, however, and thereโs plenty to like about how this season has featuredย a complete rebirthย of his slider.ย
227. Juan Uribe, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Uribeโs age (35) and health concerns canโt be ignored, and his bat hasnโt been as good as his numbers make it look. Even still, he has at least a solid bat, and he combines it with steady defense to make himself a prettyย capableย player.
226. Jarred Cosart, SP, Miami Marlins
Cosartย should be better at getting swinging strikes with the kind of arm he has, but there hasnโt been much progressย in that department in 2014. But heโs been far better at finding the zone than he was in his major league cameo in 2013, and heโs specialized in bothย ground ballsย andย weak fly balls. So though he could be a lot better, he can do enough as is.
225. Michael Saunders, RF, Seattle Mariners
Injuries have taken a bite out of Saundersโ 2014 season, but heโs quietly been pretty good when he has been able to play. Heโs improved his hitting, provided some power and played a very strong right field, the combination of which makes him a well-rounded player.
224. Marlon Byrd, RF, Philadelphia Phillies
Byrdโs approach at the plate is too wild for him to maintain any kind of consistency, and heโs not among theย baserunningย elite. But if all you want is topnotch power and solid defense in right field, he's your guy.
223. Austin Jackson, CF, Seattle Mariners
The further we get away from Jacksonโs excellent 2012 season, the more it looks like an outlier. And no, his defense is not as good as it used to be. But since his bat is better than his production says it is and he still has some athleticism to put to use on theย basepathsย and defense, heโs a solid all-around player.
222. Adam LaRoche, 1B, WAS Nationals
LaRocheโs situation right now is a tale of two directions. Thereโs plenty to like about how heโs bounced back from a rough 2013 season, but even his bounce back canโt hide the red flags that suggest heโs not going to be the same hitter or defender going forward.
221. Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs
Itโs been a fine rebound season for Castro, as heโs tightened up his discipline while also attacking fastballs and taking better advantage of his power. But a good bat withoutย baserunningย and defense is only worth so much. Castro seems to have given up on one and is still working on improving at the other.
220. Marcell Ozuna, CF, Miami Marlins
Ozunaย packs a good arm for center field and even better power. Thanks to those two things, heโs a quality player. Heโs not the best fly-ball catcher, however, and his hitting andย baserunningย are too inconsistent for him to be anything more than a steady all-around player.
219. Erick Aybar, SS, Los Angeles Angels
Thatย Aybarย appears to be slowing down in his 30s isnโt good, but the silver lining is that heโs shown he can still be a capableย baserunnerย and defender despite that. Add in his average to above-average bat, and you still have a quality player on your hands.
218. Carlos Rodon, SP, Chicago White Sox
Rodonย has everything one looks for in a potential No. 1 starter with a durable frame, three offerings with plus or better potential and the type of competitive mound presence that canโt be taught. As long asย Rodonย can stay healthy, it shouldnโt take him long to emerge as one of baseballโs premier left-handed pitchers.ย
217. Byron Buxton, CF, Minnesota Twins
Buxton has the ceiling of an MVP-caliber player in his prime, with five potentially plus tools and a feel for making in-game adjustments.ย However, after losing nearly all of 2014 due to injuries, he now faces at least some pressure to make up for the lost time.
216. Brian McCann, C, New York Yankees
Given how things have been ever since 2012, thereโs really no denying that McCannโs hitting is going south in a hurry. But while thatโs going to spark chatter about what the Yankees should do with him, moving him out from behind the plate shouldnโt happen just yet. His defense is too valuable.
215. Josh Beckett, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Beckettโs newย curveball-heavy approachย has largely worked wonders, namely helping to keep hisย swinging-strike rateย steady and allowing him to more easily keep hitters off-balance. Itโs too bad heโs still aย homer-prone fly-ball pitcherย despite that, and three separate DL stints (the latestย likely a season-ender) signal pretty clearly that he still canโt be counted on to stay healthy.
214. Justin Masterson, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
If you focus only on Mastersonโs sinker and slider, everythingโs fine. The former can stillย get ground balls, and the latter canย still get whiffs. But what was already suspect command has beenย made worseย by right knee trouble, making him more prone to disaster outings. Heโll make a good reclamation project this winter, but for now heโs definitely lost his status as one of baseballโs top pitchers.
213. Jeff Locke, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
You still donโt know what Lockeโs command is going to be like on days when he takes the ball, and he has a tendency to give up home runs. However, simplifying things to aย sinker-changeup approachย has helped his command become more consistent than it was in 2013. And aside from the home runs, heโs still aย solid bet for ground balls.
212. Chris Young, SP, Seattle Mariners
Maybe Youngโs greatest feat this season has been simply staying healthy, even if itโs required him to handle aย pretty light workload. But heโs also shown that heโs still very much capable of doing his own thing. Namely, pitching up and away fromย both leftiesย and rightiesย with consistency andย getting pop-upsย andย harmless fly ballsย thanks to equal parts location and impressiveย rise on his four-seamer. Itโs a unique approach, but this year has been a reminder that he makes it work.
211. Danny Santana, CF, Minnesota Twins
Santana likely isnโt the hitter his numbers say he is, and his defense in center field needs work before it can even be called average. All the same, he does have the look of a guy who can at least be a steady hitter andย baserunnerย with some doubles and triples power.
210. Yasmani Grandal, C, San Diego Padres
Grandalโs return from last yearโs knee injury hasnโt gone especially smooth, as heโs looked lost at the plate for much of the year. But his power from the left side is fine, and his excellent receiving skills help make him a strong defensive player despite his shortcomings with blocking and throwing.
209. Koji Uehara, RP, Boston Red Sox
Between his excellent command and his ability to miss bats, Uehara still has the same tools for the job that allowed him to put together one of the most dominant runs of relief pitching in history last year. His stuff hasnโt been quite the same, however. Thatโs made him easier to hit, which doesn't bode especially well for the future.
208. Jose Reyes, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
That Reyes struggles to even play passable defense at shortstop definitely helps drag down his overall value, and heโs neither the hitter nor theย baserunnerย he used to be. But since his bat andย baserunningย are still valuable tools, heโs not done as a quality everyday player.
207. Alcides Escobar, SS, Kansas City Royals
Escobar has his limitations, but heโs arguably a more well-rounded player now than he was in any of his first three seasons with the Kansas City Royals. More consistent contact has made him at least a passable hitter and power source, and heโs still running the bases well and playing a quality shortstop.ย
206. Mark Melancon, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Melanconย hasnโt been as dominant across the board as he was in 2013, when it was basically impossible to do damage against him. But he still locates his bread-and-butter cutter well, and he can still avoid and manipulate contact better than the average reliever.
205. Trevor Bauer, SP, Cleveland Indians
Bauer hasnโt figured it all out yet, as he hasnโt mastered minimizing walks and isย basically incapableย of keeping his fastballย low in the zone. But progress has been made, as heโs at least been able toย find the zoneย fairly consistently and has shown he can miss bats and induceย shallow fly balls. This isnโt star-level stuff without efficiency, but Bauerโs showing he can at least survive in the big leagues.
204. Charlie Morton, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
The best thing Morton has going for him is his ability toย induce ground balls, which happens when you throw as many sinkersย as he does. Heโs had some issues with walks this year, however, and it doesnโt bode well that his sinker has gotten a lot easier toย hit on a lineย this season. And given his age (nearly 31), his seasonย coming to a haltย because of a sports hernia is another troubling development.
203. Khris Davis, LF, Milwaukee Brewers
Davis has plenty of power and some good defense in left field to offer, two things that combine to make him a pretty solid regular. Just donโt expect his power and defense to come with consistent hitting or much baserunning.
202. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, Cleveland Indians
Thatย Chisenhallย is so lousy defensively puts a damper on his overall potential. The bright side is that his hitting breakout has come about due to legit reasons. If he can keep that up and continue providing at least solid power, heโs going to be an easily above-average regular.
201. Bryce Harper, LF, Washington Nationals
The 2014 season hasn't been an easy one for Harper, as he's had to battle more injuries and has been largely inconsistent when he's been healthy. Come 2015, he'll still be looking to turn his massive potential into reality. It's a good thing, then, that he's done enough this season to show his potential still lives.
Nos. 200-151: Oberholtzer-Springer
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200. Brett Oberholtzer, SP, Houston Astros
Oberholtzerโsย one of the moreย unheralded zone-poundersย in the game right now, and he has aย fly-ball styleย that works thanks to how he can keep hitters off-balance with his curveball and changeup. Now he just needs to stop throwing his heatย down the middleย and develop a consistent way to get swinging strikes.
199. Vance Worley, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Worley stillย canโt miss batsย worth a darn, and he stillย hasnโt fully curedย his case ofย gopheritis. And yet he no longer looks like a throwaway starter. He still has the extremelyย hard-heavy approachย that he had before, but his time with the Pirates has consisted largely of him assaulting the strike zone and holding lineups in check through sheer efficiency. Thatโll do for a comeback.
198. Alfredo Simon, SP, Cincinnati Reds
Simonโs All-Star performance in the first half of 2014 was never going to last, as too much was built on anย unsustainablyย low average on balls in playย against him. Nonetheless, heโs shown that he has some merits, chief among them beingย his controlย and an ability to keep the ballย on the ground.
197. Wilson Ramos, C, Washington Nationals
Quietly, Ramos has become one of the better hitting catchers in the league, with his ability to whack the ball to right field being the primary attraction. Itโs a shame his power is hit-or-miss and that his defensive skill set is marred by receiving skills that need some work.
196. Wei-Yin Chen, SP, Baltimore Orioles
Chen has issues with hard contact being made against him, with the biggest of them being the ease with which righties pullย long fly balls off him. And even though heโsย gaining velocity, his hard stuff is actually gettingย easier to hit. The reason we can forgive faults like these is because Chen nowย rarely goes outside the zone, allowing him to continue eating a decent number of innings.
195. Wade Miley, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
You have to appreciate how consistently Mileyย keeps his pitches down, and he reaps the benefits by getting ground balls and, more recently, swings and misses. But his stuff isnโt overpowering, and heโs becomingย more and more hesitantย to challenge hitters in the strike zone. I suppose anyone would if they had Mileyโs problemsย with the long ball.
194. R.A. Dickey, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Though it only shows up so much in his strikeout rate, Dickeyโs knuckleball has had a much easier timeย missing batsย in 2014 than it did in 2013. Heโs also still a great source of innings, putting in at least six and 100 pitches virtually every time out. But it doesnโt look so good that heโs having troubleย finding the zoneย and that itโs getting easier every year to hit his knucklerย on a line.
193. Mat Latos, SP, Cincinnati Reds
The start of Latosโ season was delayed by injuries, and heโs just looked off ever since he returned. Hisย velocity is way downย from 2013 levels, and heโs also been more hesitant to use his slider. Related to these two things is how heโs hadย trouble missing batsย and keeping the ballย out of the air. Heโs made it clear he still has the goods he needs to produce, but his usual dominance is nowhere in sight.ย
192. Trevor Plouffe, 3B, Minnesota Twins
There might not be a more invisible third baseman in the league thanย Plouffe, and itโs true that he doesnโt really excel at anything. But with a bat thatโs showing signs of getting better, decent power, baserunningย and defense,ย Plouffeย is a solid all-around third baseman.
191. Jake McGee, RP, Tampa Bay Rays
FanGraphs' WARย makes an argument for McGee as arguably the best reliever in baseball this year. Thatโs overstating things a bit, but heโs at leastย one ofย the elite relievers in baseball. All he does is throw fastballs, but the quality of the pitch itself and his command of it are too much for opposing hitters.ย
190. Howie Kendrick, 2B, Los Angeles Angels
Kendrickโs best talent is his ability to handle the bat, particularly in how he so easily hits the ball the other way. He can also run the bases and play a steady second base. But his approach to right field doesnโt help his power, and in general thereโs still a gap between where his ability says his production should be and where his production actually is.
189. Albert Pujols, 1B, Los Angeles Angels
The biggest takeaways from Pujolsโ 2014 season are that last year didnโt break his body beyond repair and that he can still be a capable hitter with good power when healthy. Itโs just not a smart idea to expect anything more than โcapableโ and โgoodโ in those two departments. Pujols may have some life left, but heโs still far from the player he used to be.
188. Ian Desmond, SS, Washington Nationals
Between his speed, power and general athleticism, Desmond is one of the best packages of tools youโre going to find at shortstop. But consistency is something he struggles mightily with, especially when it comes to hitting the baseball. And thatโs a problem thatโs getting worse.
187. Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs
No hitter in the minor leagues can match Bryantโs offensive ceiling, as he projects as a perennial 35-plus home run threat capable of hitting for some average while holding down a corner position. Heโll eventually go through an adjustment period, but the 22-year-old has the makeup and secondary skills to overcome any struggles.
186. Shane Greene, SP, New York Yankees
Though heย doesnโt always hit the zone, Greene has definitely shown he canย keep the ball down. In doing so, he puts himself in line toย get ground ballsย while also making stuff thatโs not that overpowering look overpowering. Itโs the kind of mix that could keep Greene in the Yankees rotation, not to mention potentially allow him to make this score look conservative (which it sort of is).
185. Jimmy Nelson, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
Though he hasnโt logged a significant amount of action in the majors, Nelsonโs shown that his sinker is definitely cut out toย get ground ballsย in the big leagues while also avoiding a repeat of the walk problems that plagued his 2013 season. If he canย get his sinker downย more consistently while putting more trust in his slider, heโll have no trouble outperforming the score Iโve given him.
184. Kyle Hendricks, SP, Chicago Cubs
Albeit in a small sample size, what Hendricks has shown since his arrival in the majors is encouraging. Heย doesnโt work in the zoneย as much as his walk rate suggests, but his ability to keep theย ball low in the zoneย makes hitters protectย and leads to ground balls. You donโt want to get too excited about a small sample, but these are the kinds of abilities that tend to play well for a while.
183. Stephen Vogt, C, Oakland A's
There are other platoon hitters as good as Vogt is, be it from a hitting perspective, a power one or both. But as a defensive catcher who can also fill in at first and both outfield spots, heโs a unique weapon for Bob Melvin and the Aโs.
182. Scooter Gennett, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
Our big knock onย Gennettย is that his success has come exclusively in a platoon role this year. But when you look past that, you see an aggressive swinger who knows how to get his line drives and who can also put in some goodย baserunningย and play some decent defense.
181. Leonys Martin, CF, Texas Rangers
Goodness knows Martin has his limits as a hitter, ranging from a lack of discipline to an inability to hit lefties to limited power. But he hits righties well enough to save par, and the value he can provide running the bases and playing center field must not be overlooked.
180. Melky Cabrera, LF, Toronto Blue Jays
Good health allowed Cabreraโs bat to come alive again in 2014. He once again displayed a strong contact ability and some power. Just donโt expect him to boost his OBP with walks, nor should you expect baserunningย or defense.
179. Matt Shoemaker, SP, Los Angeles Angels
Though Shoemaker hasnโt played too big a part in the Angelsโ successful season, heโs definitely been one of the unsung heroes. His slider and splitter are weapons, and he has the command to maximize their usefulness. And with the injuries to Tyler Skaggs and Garrett Richards, Shoemaker should be on the Angelsโ rotation radar for 2015.ย
178. Drew Smyly, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Regardless of which specific aspect of his game youโre looking at,ย Smylyย is best characterized as a work in progress. But he arrived in Tampa Bay with the command and stuff to be at least a mid-rotation starter, and it already looks like the Rays have helped him fine-tune some things to a point where he could be just that.ย
177. Jake Odorizzi, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Consistency has largely evadedย Odorizziย in his first full season, and heโs brought that on himself with hit-or-miss command and hard-hit balls. But if heโs proved anything, it's that his fastball/split-change combination is downright dangerous.ย
176. Matt Garza, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
Garzaโs first year with the Brewers has been more of an adventure than his ERA indicates, and this is also yet another season in which he hasnโt been able to stay healthy. But as long as he still has his wicked slider and enough control to go with it, he still has what he needs to be an effective mid-rotation starter.
175. Wily Peralta, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
As a guy who throws hard but canโt get whiffs and who gets ground balls and also gives up home runs, Peraltaโs something of a hard guy to figure out. But he only needed to improve his command to make himself better than a mere back-end starter, and the 2014 season has seen him do that.
174. Jimmy Rollins, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
Rollins has welcomed back his power and speed while continuing to play at least a decent shortstop. Heโs at that age where he canโt keep this up forever, but heโs at least shown that he can keep doing it for longer than we were all thinking last year.
173. Bartolo Colon, SP, New York Mets
Itโs been the same formula for Colon the last couple of years: throw strikes, avoid walks, hope they donโt hit the ball too hard. Though this formula hasnโt been as effective in 2014 as it was in 2013, it still gets results. And come 2015, it should still be a good bet.ย
172. Chase Headley, 3B, New York Yankees
We can stop waiting for the power Headley showed in 2012 to come back. Itโs not going to happen, and his value can only go so high because of that. His hitting talent is better reflected by his time in New York than his time in San Diego, however, and he can play some fantastic defense at third base.
171. Hanley Ramirez, SS, LA Dodgers
Ramirezโs bat is still very good by shortstop standards, and heโs absolutely a quality player because of that. But his bat does have some concerning holes in it, and his defense...well, thereโs no defense for it. And while injuries definitely havenโt helped Ramirez, itโs not a good idea to trust too heavily in a turnaround. Itโs not like he was a picture of health before 2014, and heโs not getting any younger.
170. Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
Thereโs an โOh, how the mighty have fallen!โ vibe going on with this score, and itโs unfortunately justified. Even with his world-class batting eye, Votto canโt be much of a player without healthy legs. And for the umpteenth time, healthy legs should not be taken for granted going forward in light of how he's now on the wrong side of 30 and how shaky his legs have been in the last few years.
169. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, LA Dodgers
It turns out that Gonzalezโs old opposite-field power isnโt dead yet after all, and he still plays a mean first base. And as long as he can be a good defender with power, he can be a productive player. Heโll need to rediscover his old hitting chops to be a star player, though, and it looks like we can give up waiting on that.
168. Tony Watson, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
A close look does the job of revealing that Watson has his imperfections, but it also makes it easier to appreciate how he goes about his business. Each pitch he throws has a specific purpose, and he uses them to execute similar plans against lefties and righties very effectively.
167. Collin McHugh, SP, Houston Astros
McHughโs 2014 season is one for the โOut of Nowhereโ file, but that doesnโt mean it should be ignored and forgotten. Not too many guys can make an extreme reliance on breaking balls work like he does, and hitters have shown throughout the season thereโs only so much they can do to solveย him.ย
166. Andrew Cashner, SP, San Diego Padres
Cashnerย has always had terrific stuff, and heโs shown in the last two seasons that he can command the ball well enough and jam enough hitters with it to be a successful pitcher even without whiffs. But the big asterisk with him is still whether he can stay healthy, so heโs very much a tentative inclusion at the top of our starting pitcher totem pole.
165. Kole Calhoun, RF, Los Angeles Angels
Calhounโs best asset is his bat, which produces plenty of line drives and a decent amount of power. His baserunning and defense are less impressive but not to a point where they cancel out his hitting. That makes him a pretty strong overall package.
164. Derek Norris, C, Oakland A's
Thereโs nothing wrong with Norrisโ bat. His disciplined approach is admirable, and he makes good use of his pull power. But due to his iffy receiving, blocking and throwing skills, heโs more a hitter who catches than a catcher who hits.
163. Gerrit Cole, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Cole hasnโt blossomed into the ace-level pitcher he teased he could be in 2013, in part because of his shoulder problems and in part because of various weaknesses that still exist in his game. But thereโs no doubt he still has the goods to be an ace pitcher, and heโll be just that in 2015 if he can stay healthy while also fine-tuning his command.
162. Yovani Gallardo, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
We can call it a comeback. Gallardo has responded to a rough 2013 season by doing what needed to be done: Throw the ball in the strike zone and aim to get ground balls. Though not as dominant as he was several years ago, this new Gallardo is pretty good.
161. Mike Minor, SP, Atlanta Braves
Largely due to home runs and less-than-pinpoint command, Minorโs season has been a rough one for the most part. His command is hardly bad, however, and his early shoulder problems have impacted him more from an endurance standpoint than from a stuff standpoint. Heโll be better come 2015. Perhaps even better than ever if he continues this yearโs experiment with his sinker.
160. Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF Giants
After two up-and-down seasons, Sandoval has been his good self again in 2014. That means a mix of lots of base hits, solid power and underrated defense at the hot corner. If only his track record said it was OK to ignore the slightest warning signs.
159. Zach Britton, RP, Baltimore Orioles
The only good thing Britton had going for him as a starter was his sinker. Moving into a full-time relief role has allowed him to maximize that strength, giving the Orioles a closer who can both overpower hitters and get tons of ground balls. Sounds a lot like a former closer of theirs, doesn't it?
158. Joaquin Benoit, RP, San Diego Padres
Benoit had an excellent season that went under the radar in 2013, and heโs doing it all over again in 2014. Heโs still executing his style of pitching to perfection. And though somewhat suspect, itโs hard to ignore how much better heโs gotten at missing bats.
157. J.J. Hardy, SS, Baltimore Orioles
The rebound of Hardyโs power since his first home run in June only inspires so much optimism, and he still barely passes for a capable hitter. But as long as he has at least a solid bat to go with his outstanding defense at shortstop, heโll continue being one of the best in the business at the position.
156. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
Wrightโs 2014 season is largely one for the โNot As Bad As It Looksโ file, as his approach and his defense both remained areas of strength even if the results were questionable. But that bad shoulder clearly hadย someย sort of effect, particularly on his power. If he doesn't get it back, things will be rough.
155. Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays
Coming on the heels of a vintage Longoria season in 2013, this year has been a disappointment. And not accidentally so, as his bat, power and defense look older than they should be. The bright side, such as it is, is that all three of these things are still very much useful.
154. Greg Holland, RP, Kansas City Royals
That Holland hasnโt been missing bats with his fastballs as well as he did in 2013 is a bummer, as itโs made him a lesser strikeout pitcher. Heโs still a really good one, though, and him being as effective at doing everything else has allowed him to keep his place as one of baseballโs nastiest relievers.ย
153. Zack Wheeler, SP, New York Mets
The biggest thing holding Wheeler back is his difficulty finding consistent fastball command, which will need to be fixed before he can become an elite pitcher. But heโs shown that he has the goods to get ground balls and whiffs, and thatโs enough to make him a reliable pitcher.
152. Aroldis Chapman, RP, Cincinnati Reds
Chapmanโs not a perfect reliever. His modest (and at the same time, honestly a little generous) score for his command and control drives that point home. But hey, when you have a 100 mph fastball and a lethal slider to go with it, you donโt need to be perfect.ย ย
151. George Springer, RF, Houston Astros
Though a thigh injury ultimatelyย ended it early, Springer did enough in 2014 to show that he has legit power for the big leagues. Now the question is if he can get his hitting and defense to a point where he can be a great all-around player rather than just a great power hitter.
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150. David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox
By keeping the home run power coming this season, Ortiz has kept his place among the elite DHs in the game. Heโs just notย theย elite DH in the game anymore. There are some real cracks in his hitting and even in his power if you take his opposite-field decline into account.
149. Matt Holliday, LF, St. Louis Cardinals
You can put yours truly in the camp that thinks Hollidayโs career is criminally underappreciated. And before we speak of him like heโs dead and buried, heโs still a quality hitter. Itโs just apparent heโs not going to be a superior hitter anymore, and he still canโt be counted on for defense.
148. Joc Pederson, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Pederson is an impressive athlete with quiet strength, showcasing five average-or-better tools and good secondary skills. His power/speed combination makes him one of the more intriguing prospects heading into 2015 and has him seemingly poised to receive considerable playing time in the Dodgers' outfield next season.
147. Derek Holland, SP, Texas Rangers
Including Holland in this countdown despite him having only made a handful ofย starts in 2014 may seem, well, off. But remember, part of what we're doing here is focusing on who's going to be good in 2015. Holland's a good bet for two reasons: He's going to be healthy, and he was really good in 2013. Like,ย arguably top-12-in-MLB good. Surely he'll be able to handle being top-65 good next year.
146. Kyle Gibson, SP, Minnesota Twins
With his style of pitching, Gibsonโs likely to never attract much attention or headlines. Itโs not flashy, and it leaves him vulnerable to occasional bad starts. But starts like those should continue to only be occasional, as heโs proved himself to be capable of generally bamboozling hitters well enough to survive.
145. Francisco Liriano, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Lirianoย embodies the term โeffectively wildโ better than any other starter in the majors. Though he rarely goes in the strike zone, his stuff is so good that heโs able to get away with it. Specifically, he gets away with it because of whiffs and ground balls, two things that are ideal for pitchers.
144. Gio Gonzalez, SP, Washington Nationals
Gonzalezโs eternally iffy command can occasionally make him frustrating to watch, and it certainly limits his potential as an innings-eater. But nobody should lose sight of the fact he still has really good stuff, and itโs going to make up for his lack of command more often than not.
143. Justin Morneau, 1B, Colorado Rockies
Morneauโs old power looks like itโs long gone, but he deserves credit for adjusting so that his game doesnโt depend on his power as much. His new hyper-aggressive approach at the plate is working wonders, and he can still play a sound first base.
142. Adam Eaton, CF, Chicago White Sox
Thanks in part to injuries continuing to rob him of playing time, Eaton hasnโt yet proved himself as a greatย baserunnerย or the most advanced center fielder, and he has little power to offer. Heโs done enough, however, to establish himself as an effective major league hitter with enough athleticism to potentially be a terrific all-around player.ย
141. Mark Buehrle, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Buehrle overachieved with a 2.04 ERA in his first 13 starts, though he has tapered off since. But because he can still spot the ball and keep hitters guessing, he hasnโt lost his reputation as one of baseballโs craftiest pitchers.
140. Yordano Ventura, SP, KC Royals
Ventura still has work to do to transform himself from a thrower into a pitcher, whether itโs regarding commanding the ball or generating more weak contact. Thereโs no question his arm alone makes him a special talent, though, and heโs shown that said arm can handle starting.
139. Craig Kimbrel, RP, Atlanta Braves
As far as pure stuff goes,ย Kimbrelย is good enough to rival any other reliever. And thanks to his stuff, heโs still very much one of the elite relievers in the game. But due to his sometimes iffy command and his increasingย hittability, whether heโs stillย theย elite reliever in the game is debatable.
138. Jose Quintana, SP, Chicago White Sox
Quintanaโs not going to wow you most nights, as he possesses neither swing-and-miss stuff nor especially pinpoint command. But because heโs steady in those two departments and he can also pitch to contact effectively, he rarely fails to author respectable line scores when he takes the ball.
137. Matt Carpenter, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals
Carpenterโs biggest strength is his approach, which is more measured than any youโre going to find elsewhere. And despite the metricsโ iffy opinion of him, heโs a good defender too. Itโs too bad his power andย baserunningย have taken a turn for the worse, as those two things were terrific sources of value in 2013.
136. Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
Wong isnโt a finished product yet, and that shows most in his various shortcomings as a hitter. But we know heโs a goodย baserunner, and heโs also shown above-average power and defense at second base. Even if he doesnโt improve as a hitter, thatโs a player you want.
135. Hiroki Kuroda, SP, New York Yankees
Granted, where Kuroda is even going to pitch in the majors again after this season is a valid question. But he hasnโtโto my knowledge anywayโdefinitively stated that heโsย notย coming back in 2015. If he does, heโs shown enough command and general pitching know-how this season to prove he can make it even as a lesser version of his old self.
134. Anibal Sanchez, SP, Detroit Tigers
There are legit reasons to worry about Sanchez, namely his health betraying him once again and both his stuff and control being diminished. But the reality that heโs still been effective despite these things will do nicely for a silver lining. This Sanchez isnโt the 2013 version, but he's still a quality option.
133. Alexei Ramirez, SS, Chicago White Sox
For all his various imperfections, Ramirez is still a shortstop who can handle the bat, run the bases and play above-average defense. How much better he can get at any of these things at his age is a good question, but heโs done enough this year to show that heโs not ready to go into a harsh decline just yet.
132. Neil Walker, 2B, Pittsburgh Pirates
Walker packs a terrific bat for second base, and heโs made it better than ever with his adjustments this year. The trouble is heโs pretty much a bat-only second baseman, as he doesnโt run the bases well and doesnโt have much to offer on defense.ย
131. Desmond Jennings, CF, TB Rays
That Jennings has holes in his bat that help cancel out his approach is the biggest thing working against him. But aside from that, heโs a slick-fielding center fielder with some solid power and speed on theย basepathsย to offer.
130. Jered Weaver, SP, Los Angeles Angels
Weaver is on the decline, as he can no longer dictate at-bats and get swings and misses like he used to. You have to hand it to him for remaining crafty, however, since he can still toy with the strike zone and keep hitters off-balance.
129. J.D. Martinez, OF, Detroit Tigers
The sheer wildness of Martinezโs approach at the plate makes it tough to believe his big breakout is built to last. But the power heโs shown looks legit, and he can play solid defense in both corner outfield spots. Thatโs a guy whoโs worth having even if consistency begins to elude him again.
128. Yoenis Cespedes, LF, Boston Red Sox
Cespedesย still isnโt the phenomenal all-around player his raw talent says he could be, but thatโs OK. At the least, heโs a very good power source and a guy who can play enough defense based solely on the strength of his arm.
127. Chris Archer, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
The issues Archer has had with his command this year go to show that heโs still more of an electric (sterling, even) arm than anything else. But since he features an elite slider and stuff thatโs generally very hard to square up, thereโs a place for him among baseballโs top starters.
126. Nelson Cruz, DH, Baltimore Orioles
Cruz is arguably the best power hitter in the game right now, as heโs been able to stay healthy and has ridden his usual fly-ball style and thunderous power to a career-high number of home runs. Aside from that, however, heโs still himself: a guy with an inconsistent bat who canโt run the bases.
125. Juan Lagares, CF, New York Mets
Between his arm and his range,ย Lagaresย is the ideal package in center field. Because of that, his defense alone is enough to make him a quality player. But now that he can hit a little bit too, he may be on his way to becoming a star.
124. Manny Machado, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
The silver linings are plentiful. Machadoโs still only 22. Despite his shortcomings as a hitter, heโs hardly a bad one. Itโs promising that he also showed more power and that he was still a special talent at third base. As such, you just hope that having two surgically repaired knees instead of one wonโt impact him too greatly.
123. Ian Kennedy, SP, San Diego Padres
Kennedy still has his faults, chief among them being that thereโs still no telling what kind of control heโs going to have from start to start. But to that end, thereโs no denying heโs at least been more consistent than he was in 2013, and the Padres also seemed to have taught him how to pitch again. All told, the Kennedy reclamation project has largely been a success.
122. Mike Leake, SP, Cincinnati Reds
Leakeโsย stuff and general approach toward pitching don't leave him with a large margin of error, and his troubles with home runs are basically a constant reminder of that. But he executes his game plan more often than not, which he owes to his overlooked ability to spot the ball where he wants.
121. Brandon Moss, 1B, Oakland A's
Moss' transformation from a failed top prospect into a productive player over the last couple of years has been built largely on his power. But with him tightening up his approach at the plate while also filling in at other positions defensively, we're seeing him become a more complete player.
120. Kyle Lohse, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
There are plenty of gripes to raise withย Lohse, mainly having to do with how mediocre he is at getting swings and misses and how much he relies on ballpark dimensions and his outfield defense. But thereโs no knocking his command, and thereโs no ignoring how it makes mediocre stuff look less so.
119. Jason Castro, C, Houston Astros
Castro will need to clean up his approach if he wants to get back to being the consistent hitter he was in 2013. Aside from that, however, heโs still a valuable player due to the power he provides and the well-rounded defense he plays behind the dish.
118. Danny Duffy, SP, Kansas City Royals
The most disappointing thing about Duffy is his merely modest ability to miss bats, but heโs done enough to establish himself as the kind of starter who can succeed even without whiffs. It will be all about pounding the strike zone and getting hitters to send the ball harmlessly skyward.
117. Alex Wood, SP, Atlanta Braves
Itโs hard to shake the feeling that Wood is a gimmick pitcher, but thereโs plenty to like about how he pitches. Heโs not great at spotting the ball, missing bats or limiting hard contact, but being reasonably good at all three things allows him to be an effective all-around hurler.
116. John Lackey, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Lackeyโs fastball command is quietly among the leagueโs better tools, as he could probably spot the ball on the outside edge in his sleep. But his declining velocity, whiffs and soft contact highlight how the cracks are beginning to show. Looking ahead, those cracks are likely to be even more apparent.
115. Daniel Murphy, 2B, New York Mets
Murphyโs bat was good before 2014, but heโs made it that much better by launching an all-out assault on pitches in the zone. He also offers solid power andย baserunning, leaving his defense as the only real problem. And itโs too bad it really is a problem, as it takes away from his overall value.
114. Kenley Jansen, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Hard-hit balls notwithstanding, Jansen is still a superb reliever. His extremely hard-heavy style makes it easy for him to live in the strike zone, and his cutter is now arguably the single most dominant pitch in baseball. He has Mariano Rivera-like stuff.ย
113. Dee Gordon, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers
If weโre being honest, this scoring system isnโt very friendly to Gordon because of how it has a cap on how many points he can get for hisย baserunning. Even with what, thereโs no denying heโs turned himself into a well-rounded player. In addition to playing a solid second base, heโs become a capable hitter by tightening up his approach and catering to his strengths.
112. Andrelton Simmons, SS, Atlanta Braves
Simmonsโ defense is good enough to make him not only one of the gameโs elite shortstops but one of the gameโs top players. But until he settles on the right way to make use of his contact-making ability at the plate, his bat will continue to lag well behind his glove and render him a lesser player than he should be.
111. Jason Vargas, SP, Kansas City Royals
Vargas has a place among the least-discussed pitchers in the league, and itโs hard to imagine that changing as long as his pitching style continues to be so unspectacular. Itโs definitely effective, though, as command and an ability to change speeds allow him to succeed as a fly-ball pitcher.
110. Brandon McCarthy, SP, NY Yankees
Itโs easy to buy into McCarthyโs Yankees rebirth as a fluke, but he was never as rotten as his 5.01 ERA in Arizona said he was. Though itโs far from impossible to make good contact against him, his command is among the best there is, and he further helps himself by mainly keeping the ball on the ground.
109. Evan Gattis, C, Atlanta Braves
The premium this scoring system places on catcher defense doesnโt do Gattis any favors, and justifiably so given the things he needs to work on behind the dish. But wild swinger though he may be, heโs definitely dangerous with a bat in his hands.
108. Lucas Duda, 1B, New York Mets
Dudaโs offensive game is based strictly on punishing right-handed fastballs and hitting for power, but his platoon role and raw power allow him to be pretty good at both these things. He can also play a solid, if unspectacular, first base, making him one of the better platoon guys around.
107. Dellin Betances, RP, New York Yankees
Betancesย isnโt the best reliever in the game at any one thing. But heโs among the best at finding the zone, missing bats and limiting hard contact, making him a complete package coming out of the bullpen. Thereโs a very strong case to be made for him as the best reliever in baseball right now.
106. Jhonny Peralta, SS, St. Louis Cardinals
You can look atย Peraltaโs WARย and conclude that heโs one of the gameโs elite position players. But that owes a lot to his debatable defensive value. In reality, whatโs likely only solid defense combines with a good power bat to make him a quality player but less than a great one.
105. Doug Fister, SP, Washington Nationals
The results have definitely been there forย Fister, and thereโs no ignoring how he has some of the best command and one of the best sinkers youโre going to find. But his inability to miss bats is a complication here, and the reality that good contact hasnโt exactly been infrequent is another. Itโs hard to escape the notion thatย Fisterโsย future might not be as bright as his present.
104. Michael Wacha, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Itโs easy to focus on howย Wachaโsย shoulder injury derailed his 2014 season, and that indeed shouldnโt be ignored. But he did look pretty good in his return to action Sept. 4โBernie Miklasz of theย St. Louis Post-Dispatchย will tell you about itโand overall he's continued to show how big a talent he is, displaying command and strong abilities to miss bats and limit hard contact.
103. Matt Adams, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
It's a shame that Adams has let his power go to waste by reinventing himself as more of a contact hitter, but that transformation could be going a lot worse. You also have to admire his defense at first base, a part of his game that really hasnโt gotten the attention it deserves.
102. Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets
For all thatโs gone wrong for the Mets in 2014,ย deGrom's one thing that has gone very right. Heโs arrived in the majors and shown both plus stuff and good command that has potential to be even better.ย Theย thought of him and Matt Harvey in the same rotation is a scary one for NL East foes.
101. Homer Bailey, SP, Cincinnati Reds
Baileyโs 2014 season looks a heck of a lot better if you take a bad Aprilย out of the equation, and itโs no wonder knowing that he didn't lose his swing-and-miss stuff while further enhancing his ability to keep the ball on the ground. But it is hard to ignore that heโs at times been more of a thrower than a pitcher, and his arm injury does complicate things a bit.
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100. Ervin Santana, SP, Atlanta Braves
Even despite the gripes that can be aired about Santanaโs general lack of pinpoint command and how he seems reluctant to become a full-time ground ball pitcher, he hardly has bad command and heโs better at limiting hard contact than he used to be. Add in how much better heโs gotten at missing bats, and you have a pretty good pitcher.
99. Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kemp can hit again. Heโs made that much certain and more and more so as the season has gone along. As long as he can do that, heโs going to be a valuable player. But withoutย baserunningย or defense, he's not going to be able to get back to being the MVP-caliber player he once was.
98. Jose Fernandez, SP, Miami Marlins
Even if we assume a good recovery from Tommy John, weโre not going to see Fernandez on a major league mound again until 2015 is well underway. And if he does come back, heโs probably not going to be the same pitcher he was early in 2014. But as long as Tommy John doesnโt rob him of his glorious fastball-curveball combination, heโll still have the goods to be one of baseballโs best pitchers.
97. Scott Kazmir, SP, Oakland A's
Though he comes with platoon, swing-and-miss and workload question marks, the reclamation of Scottย Kazmirย can safely be deemed a success. Largely through command better than any he ever had when he was younger, heโs turned himself into more of a pitcher than he ever was when he was younger.
96. Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston Red Sox
Since he can still put together good at-bats with a very strong contact ability on offense and play a terrific second base on defense, Pedroia hasn't stopped being a very good two-way player. But with his power and baserunning on thin ice, it's noteworthy that "very good" is a step down from "great."
95. Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Though injuries have done their part to wreckย Ryuโsย sophomore season, itโs been largely a success otherwise. What was already really good command of his pitches has gotten better, and heโs still mixed strongโif less than greatโabilities to miss bats and limit hard contact.
94. Lance Lynn, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
It hasnโt been an easy year for the Cardinals' rotation, but Lynnโs emergence has been a quiet bright spot. He can still make things interesting with his command, but heโs gotten to a point where he can manipulate contact well while still getting his share of whiffs.
93. Wade Davis, RP, Kansas City Royals
Itโs pretty clear the best place for Davis is in the bullpen. He throws harder, locates better and generally bamboozles hitters like itโs nobodyโs business. That's especially true in 2014, throughout which heโs put together pretty much a perfect symphony of domination starting on Day 1.
92. Travis d'Arnaud, C, New York Mets
The June demotion to the minors has had the desired effect on dโArnaudโs bat, as heโs come back with a better approach and tons more power. These things bode well going forward, and then there are the receiving and throwing he has to offer defensively.
91. Denard Span, CF, Washington Nationals
Itโs fair to downplay Spanโs power and have doubts about his legs holding up after such a strong showing at age 30, but for the most part, he offers plenty to like. Best of all are his ideal leadoff hitterโs approach and fly-ball-catching skills, the former of which has been put to better use than ever before.
90. Matt Wieters, C, Baltimore Orioles
Wieters should be able to bounce back from Tommy John easily enough. Assuming he does, the Orioles will be welcoming back a powerful catcher with goodโif arguably overrated due to his receiving shortcomingsโdefensive talents behind the dish.
89. Mike Napoli, 1B, Boston Red Sox
Napoliโs trademark power looks like itโs no longer going to be a trademark, but thatโs fine if the trade-off is going to be a more advanced, more consistent approach at the plate with quality baserunning and defense on the side.
88. Steve Pearce, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles
If you havenโt noticed, Pearce has had a heck of a season. His assault on fastballs has worked wonders for his consistency and his power, and heโs been capable both on theย basepathsย and on defense. Itโll be a tough act to follow, but there are some breakouts you just can't ignore.
87. Sean Doolittle, RP, Oakland A's
Doolittle has gone from being underrated in 2013 to easily one of the best relief pitchers in the league in 2014. That he does it mostly with stupendous control makes him something of a rarity among his peers, but donโt overlook how effective he is at missing bats and getting soft contact with his fastball-only approach.
86. Starling Marte, LF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Itโs a stretch to say thatย Marteโsย game has actually improved from where it was in 2013, but thatโs OK. His hitting and power are at least passable, and his speed allows him to provide quite a bit of value both on theย basepathsย and in the outfield.
85. Mike Zunino, C, Seattle Mariners
Youโll miss the good stuff if you focus too hard on Zuninoโs batting average. Heโs shown he can provideย above-average power by catcher standards, and his excellent receiving and capable throwing make him a big-time defensive asset behind the plate.
84. Ian Kinsler, 2B, Detroit Tigers
Kinslerย can hit, hit for power, run the bases and play some really good defense. But it sort of feels like heโs having a better season than he really is. His power and approach at the plate havenโt improved, and you wonder if either will given where heย isย on the age spectrum.
83. Sonny Gray, SP, Oakland A's
Gray hasnโt exactly been overpowering in his first full season, and itโs not the best sign that his command has been shaky as heโs tried to be more than just a fastball-curveball guy. But heโs also a case of how effective keeping the ball low and getting ground balls can be, and his assorted shortcomings have certainly done little to diminish his reputation as one of the gameโs bright young pitchers.
82. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF, New York Yankees
Ellsburyย is a disciplined hitter whoโs now hitting scores of line drives, he still has solid power, and his legs are still useful on theย basepathsย and in the outfield. Trouble is his legs havenโt beenย asย useful on theย basepathsย and in the outfield as they were in 2013. Without that same speed, heโs less of a superstar-level player and more of a mere star-level player.
81. Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals
Despite his iffy receiving skills, Perez is still an asset behind the plate who has power to offer from an offensive standpoint. But offensive consistency has evaded him in 2014 and will likely to continue to do so in the future if he doesnโt fix his runaway aggressiveness.
80. Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
It would be overstating things to say Stroman has put it all together as a starter, and goodness knows he went through something of a reality check in August. What heโs shown has been largely positive, however. Looking ahead, heโs a guy who should be able to command the ball well while picking up his share of whiffs and keeping hard contact to a minimum.
79. Nathan Eovaldi, SP, Miami Marlins
Results havenโt been easy forย Eovaldiย to come by as the season has moved along, but heโs done enough to establish himself as a potential star in the making. For as easy as it is to notice his fastball velocity, his command is just as impressive, and the best is likely still to come regarding hisย whiffability.
78. Hunter Pence, RF, San Francisco Giants
Pence is having a better season than this score indicates. But part of what weโre doing here is sizing up whether things can last, and Iโm not sold on him being an improved hitter. Even if you knock that down a peg, though, heโs still a good-hitting, good-power, good-running and (generally) good-fielding right fielder.
77. Carlos Santana, 1B, Cleveland Indians
If we still lived in the days when batting average was everything, Santana would be way down there in these rankings. But his approach is better than his average would have you believe, and he mixes in legit power, good baserunning and strong defense to go with it.
76. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
It was easy to get the sense that Utleyโs career was in peril when he had problems with his knees in 2012 but not now. He doesnโt do anything as well as he used to, but heโs still a hitter with a keen eye and good approach who can hit for power, run the bases and play defense well.
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75. Justin Upton, LF, Atlanta Braves
Upton has some exploitable weaknesses at the plate, and he hasnโt been as active on theย basepaths, but heโs otherwise doing just fine. Heโs far from a weak hitter, his defense in left field is strong and heโs back to being one of the gameโs more dangerous power threats.
74. Tim Hudson, SP, San Francisco Giants
Watching Hudson pitch typically means watching a guy who hits the bottom of the strike zone pitch after pitch while racking up a ton of ground balls. Having such a subpar strikeout ability does give him a smaller margin for error, however, and there is the question of how much longer he can keep this up at his age.
73. Lorenzo Cain, CF, Kansas City Royals
Cain would be a solid player even if all he could do was play plus defense in center field and right field. But because he can also hit a little bit and run the bases, heโs easily better than solid.
72. Tanner Roark, SP, Washington Nationals
Itโs easy to overlook Roark given that heโs come out of nowhere and is rubbing shoulders with Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Dougย Fisterย andย Gioย Gonzalez, but he looks like a legit big league pitcher. Though heโs not overpowering, his abilities to command the ball and keep hitters off balance ensure heโs successful.ย
71. Victor Martinez, DH, Detroit Tigers
Whatโs happening with Martinez is what you hope will happen when you stick a guy at DH late in his career. Free-swinger though he may be, heโs hitting everything and hitting everything hard. There arenโt many good ones to choose from, but heโs the best true DH in the game right now.
70. Miguel Montero, C, Arizona Diamondbacks
Monteroโs a better player than the surface stats indicate, which has a lot to do with how the surface stats donโt give him proper credit for his receiving skills. But even outside of that, good health has returned him to being a catcher who can get it done with his bat as well as his glove.
69. A.J. Pollock, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks
After he was overlooked in 2013, the broken hand that sidelined Pollock for several months this year effectively robbed him of a fair shot at a big breakout. But as long as he keeps his solid bat, good power, good speed and terrific glove in center field, donโt rule out Pollock finally achieving his big breakout in 2015.
68. Brian Dozier, 2B, Minnesota Twins
Dozierโs hitting potential is limited by how his approach suppresses swings and too often wastes swings that are taken. But his power is outstanding for a second baseman, and he adds in good baserunning and (I think) good defense to go with it. These things make him one of the best there is at second base.
67. Garrett Richards, SP, Los Angeles Angels
Though he did it with iffy command and fewer strikeouts than youโd expect, the way in which Richards simply overpowered hitters in 2014 made him one of the leagueโs elite starters. Itโs a shame that his knee injury is going to keep us from seeing him not only the rest of this year, but potentially part of next year as well.ย
66. Jeff Samardzija, SP, Oakland A's
The best thingย Samardzijaย has going for him is his steady transformation into a pitcher whoโs going to get by on good control and a solid mix of whiffs and ground balls, and he has a much fresher arm than most guys do at his age. His command still needs fine-tuning, however, and heโs really not as downright overpowering as he was in his first two years as a starter.ย
65. Billy Hamilton, CF, Cincinnati Reds
At the absolute least, the Reds knew they had a weapon for theย basepathsย in Hamilton. What heโs shown is that he can indeed be more than that. Heโs shown off a solid if not quite good bat and a tremendous glove. This leaves us to chuckle while adding this: Just wait until hisย baserunningย improves.
64. James Shields, SP, Kansas City Royals
Shieldsโ superior command is the base for his two primary strengths: limiting walks and attracting ground balls by spotting the ball low in the zone. But the decline of his changeup has made him easier to hit, both from a contact standpoint and (seemingly) from a good-contact standpoint. Then thereโs the obligatory question: How much longer can Shields keep handling such immense workloads?
63. Brett Gardner, LF, New York Yankees
With an excellent approach to hitting, good power, good speed and good defense, Gardner is more of a complete player now than heโs ever been before. Keeping him from being a truly superb all-around player, though, is the reality that he just canโt run like he used to.
62. Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers
Beltreโsย power may be coming down a bit, and his aging legs arenโt helping either hisย baserunningย or defense, but no matter. He can flat-out hit with the best of โem, and age has hardly made him a liability when it comes to power and defense.
61. Yan Gomes, C, Cleveland Indians
So it turns out Gomes really is as good as he looked in 2013 after all. His lasting ability to make contact has staved off regression even as pitchers have adjusted to him. Heโs still an asset behind the dish thanks to strong receiving skills and even better throwing ones.
60. Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros
Itโs easy to look atย Altuveโsย batting average and stolen bases and see an elite player. But power and defense do count for a lot, and he doesnโt provide much of either. Still, his rise as one of the leagueโs top hitters is no joke, and it should allow him to continue as one of the best at second base.
59. Todd Frazier, 3B, Cincinnati Reds
Exactly whatโs going to become of Frazierโs power after a slow second half is a good question. But itโs hard to imagine it being anything less than good power, and heโs also a good hitter,ย baserunnerย and fielder. Put it all together, and you get a guy whoโs quietly one of the better all-around third basemen in the league.ย
58. Rick Porcello, SP, Detroit Tigers
Whatโs been a career year forย Porcelloย is not without cracks, particularly regarding to his diminished ability to miss bats. But heโs definitely grown as a pitcher, showing off superior command and pitching to contact more effectively. Finally, we can stop talking about the pitcher heย mightย be and instead talk about the pitcher he is.
57. Henderson Alvarez, SP, Miami Marlins
The two big knocks on Alvarez are his ability to stay healthy and his general avoidance of strikeouts. There is some hope in the latter department, though, and thereโs little to complain about regarding Alvarezโs ability to command the ball and get ground balls. Thatโs a fine recipe for success, and he executes it about as well as anyone.
56. Ben Zobrist, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
Zobristย isnโt the same hitter he was between 2009 and 2012, and you can see the age-related cracks forming on his power and speed. But he still has one of the most disciplined approaches youโre going to find, and he brings enviable defensive versatility to the table. He's probably not as good as his WAR says he is, but heโs still darn good.
55. Jayson Werth, RF, Washington Nationals
For anyone whoโs just now tuning in,ย Werthโsย contact is actually working out pretty well for the Nationals. He canโt run or field like he used to, but he can definitely hit. Factor in how his power is better than this yearโs numbers make it look, and heโs one of the better offensive threats in the National League.
54. Devin Mesoraco, C, Cincinnati Reds
Mesoracoโs breakout as one of the gameโs top hitting catchers has cemented him among the catching elite. The main thing keeping him from the top are his receiving skills, which are in need of some refinement.
53. Adam Jones, CF, Baltimore Orioles
If we push aside Jonesโ mysterious defense and his unwillingness to take walks, thereโs plenty to like about his game. His hitting may not have a high ceiling, but he does enough (and is actually doing more) to make sure it has a high floor. Add in good power andย baserunning, and you get a fairly complete player.
52. Yadier Molina, C, St. Louis Cardinals
As per usual, Molinaโs defense is nothing to worry about. He hasnโt had a great year receiving wise, but heโs typically as reliable there as he is in all forms of catcher defense. But his bat is not without some red flags, particularly when it comes to what appears to be quickly declining power.
51. Matt Harvey, SP, New York Mets
We should pump our brakes on expecting to see the 2013 Harvey in 2015. Even a lesser version of that Harvey, however, should still be an outstanding pitcher. As long as he at least has his good stuff, heโll be able to miss enough bats and jam enough hitters to get by fine.ย After beingย arguably MLB's best pitcherย when he was healthy in 2013, him returning to be a top-25 pitcher is absolutely plausible.
50. Masahiro Tanaka, SP, New York Yankees
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Control
That a pitcher can avoid walks so wellย without pounding the zoneย defies logic. But Masahiroย Tanakaโs really good at toying with the edges of the zone with his hard stuff againstย both leftiesย and righties, typically setting the latter up for sliders. Then thereโs how he uses his splitter,ย consistently placing itย both at and below the knees to get strikes via swings. Itโs a smoke-and-mirrors approach, but he executes it perfectly.
Whiffability
The obvious thing to be noted is how much Tanakaโs splitter lived up to the hype. Itโs not the only elite whiff pitch he has, though, as his slider is quietly a deadly assassinย against right-handed hitters. Thereโs only one catch: Both pitchesย reached peak whiffability early. If hitters adjust to them, Tanaka will have to settle for being one of the best swing-and-miss pitchers instead of arguablyย theย best.
Hittability
Just as much of a surprise as the whiffs is how good of aย ground-ball pitcherย Tanaka turned out to be. Part of that has to do with how good his splitter is atย getting ground balls, but his sinker can do its part too. Tanaka doesnโt have the easiest time limiting hard contact when the ball isnโt on the ground, though, as he isnโt immune to line drives and home runs that stem from all theย long fly ballsย he gives up.
Workhorse
This is where we finally acknowledge that Tanakaโs right elbow may be a ticking time bomb. Heโs managed to avoid Tommy John surgery since being diagnosed with a partially torn UCL in July, but itโs still fair to call him an injury risk. Especially knowing that all this is following over 1,300 innings in Japan. Him lasting through 2015 like nothing ever happened is an iffy proposal.
Overall
The big question with Tanaka now is whether he can avoid Tommy John surgery. If he canโt, itโs likely we wonโt see him fully healthy until 2016. But right now, that he's surprisingly avoiding Tommy Johnย leaves us to ponder his fascinating outlook for 2015: We can't count on him being healthy, but we can count on him being terrific if he is.
49. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies
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Hitting
That Nolanย Arenadoย is aย better hitterย at Coors Field, that heโs struggled to hitย pitches above the beltย and that heโs regressed as aย line-drive hitterย must all be noted. However, heโs alsoย toned his approach downย while also making more contact. Heโs gottenย much better atย hitting slow stuffย and atย hitting fastballs away. Though heโs not as good as his average says he is,ย Arenadoย is getting better.
Power
Arenadoโsย power has also improved, and not just because of Coors Field. Heโs been hitting theย ball in the air more often, and he has also hitย fly balls and line drivesย to left fieldย more regularly. Rightfully so, as pretty much everything heโs hit in that direction hasย gone for extra bases. So while itโs trueย Arenadoย can be a power threat just by showing up to work at Coors Field, heโs made himself into an even better power threat.
Baserunning
It doesnโt look likeย Arenadoย is in any hurry to be a stolen-base threat, as heโs once again put himself in the 0-5 steal range. There is progress afoot with his aggressiveness, however. Itโs a modest gain, butย his XBT%ย has gone from 29 percent to 36 percent, with the most notable thing being more activity going first to third. He's turned into a solid baserunner.ย
Defense
Arenadoย was the NLโs answer to Manny Machado in 2013, and one ofย the defensive metricsย still sees him as being elite at the hot corner. He combines quick reactions with smooth movements to cover ground, and he has the combination of a quick release and a rocket arm. His hands probably arenโt as good as Machadoโs, but thatโs not enough of a concern to consider him anything less than superb.
Total
There are gripes about howย Arenadoโsย offensive numbers have been inflated by Coors Field, but thereโs also credit to be dished out. Heโs a better hitter than the one he was a year ago. That combined with his excellent defense at the hot corner makesย Arenadoย one of the gameโs more under-the-radar great players.ย
48. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves
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Hitting
Thereโs a bit of Miguel Cabrera in Freddie Freeman in that heย manages to beย a hyper-aggressive swinger and a discerning swinger at the same time. And though he can get out of whack against slow stuff and his zone coverage against hard stuffย is somewhat lacking, Freemanโs freakish andย ever-improvingย ability to hit line drives is a habit that will ensure his average never strays far from .300.
Power
The downside of Freemanโs line-drive approach is that it suppresses his fly-ball habit, helping to ensure that heโll be more of a doubles-power guy than a home run hitter. So while he certainly has the raw power to hit 25 or more home runs on a consistent basis, itโs becoming less of a sure bet that he ever will. As such, itโs a good thing that his doubles power involves usingย every inch of the field.
Baserunning
It takes a lot to get Freemanโs 6โ5โ, 225-pound frame moving, so donโt expect him to become a base stealer anytime soon. However, heโsย showing this yearย with a solid 39 XBT% that he can put his long strides to use taking extra bases. For a first baseman, thatโll do fine for progress.
Defense
The defensive metricsย arenโt loving Freemanโs defense at first as much as they did in 2013, but this is a situation where the eye test disagrees. Freeman may not be quick on his feet, but his tall frame can help him in the range department. And while it may not be reflected inย this yearโs leaderboard, good anticipation and hands make Freeman one of the better scoopers in the business at first base.
Overall
Though Freeman has been inconsistent through 2014 and his home run power isnโt and may never be as good as it should be, heโs among the few high-ceiling hitters left in the game and can also play some dandy defense at first base.
47. Yasiel Puig, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Hitting
Yasiel Puigโsย improved approachย isnโt a secret anymore, but itโs worth repeating that heโs swung, chased and whiffed less than he did in 2013. In particular, he hasnโt beenย nearly asย prone to whiff on slow stuff outside the zone. And though he puts a lot of trust in hisย ground-ball habit, that heโs had theย same amount of luckย the last two years says he can make it work. All he has to do now is work onย hitting outside pitches.
Power
Puigย isnโt lacking for raw power, and itโs easy to admire how heย doesnโt waste line drivesย on singles that often thanks largely toย excellent power in the gaps. But his home run power...well, maybe not so much. Itโs limited by a relatively infrequent fly-ball habit, and even more limited by how seldom heย pulls the ballย in the airย to left field. Though easily above average, his power potential is less than elite.
Baserunning
It was easy to figure last year thatย Puigโsย baserunningย misadventures would be a learning experience. Apparently not. Heโs still a lousy base stealer, he still has a big problem running into outs on the bases, andย his 46 XBT%ย is down from last yearโs 58 percent. He certainlyย canย be a terrificย baserunnerย with his speed, but he so far hasnโt proved to be one.
Defense
This is, of course, assuming thatย Puigย returns to a full-time role in right field in 2015.ย The defensive metricsย are convinced thatโs where he belongs anyway, and theyโre not wrong.ย Puigโsย outstanding arm is a better fit for right than center, and his speed is better equipped to make up for his occasionally iffy reads and routes in right than it is in center.
Total
Puigโsย sophomore season is a tough one to figure. The advancements heโs made with his hitting are absolutely worth celebrating and have allowed him to continue being a very good player. But his power,ย baserunningย and defense have either gotten worse or refused to improve. As such, we look forward to 2015 still able to discuss how greatย Puigย might be rather than how great he is.
46. Russell Martin, C, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Hitting
Russell Martin has been going crazy with walks this year, and itโs not out of nowhere given that heโs always hadย terrific awarenessย of the strike zone. That his average has also skyrocketed is due to something new. Heโsย never been betterย at squaring all pitch types up for line drives, and he has a goodย up-the-middle and opposite-fieldย approach going on. The catch? That would be that breaking ballsย still give him trouble.
Power
As is usually the case, Martin reinventing himself into more of an average hitter has cost him some power. It doesnโt help that his fly-ball habit is continuing on aย downward trendย linked to aย declining abilityย to get underneath hard stuff. Heโs alsoย hardly used his pull sideย for power, which is the only direction he has any real power. With all this happening on the wrong side of 30, a turnaround likely isnโt happening.
Baserunning
Martinโs long been one of the leagueโs better baserunning catchers, andย his 39 XBT%ย says he can still get around the bases very well when he has to. But he hasnโt been stealing bases with his usual success rate. And knowing that heโs 31 and that heโs added a leg injury to a growing list of aches and pains in recent years, expecting improvement isnโt such a good idea here, either.
Defense
With a 93.5 Z-Strike% and a 16.5 O-Strike%, Martin hasnโt stopped being one of the leagueโs elite receivers behind the dish. Heโs also still good at keeping passed balls and wild pitches from happening and is doing a terrific job of shutting downย the running gameย for a second year in a row. Thatโs what you get with a catcher who has a quick pop and release to go with his arm strength.
Overall
Itโs a shame that Martinโs power has vanished and that his best baserunning days appear to be over. But his reinvention as a hitter and excellent well-rounded defense make him one of the better players in the game. Suffice it to say that he doesnโt get nearly the recognition he deserves.
45. Hisashi Iwakuma, SP, Seattle Mariners
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Control
Hisashi Iwakumaโsย working on anย absurdly low walk rate, so youโll be surprised to hear heโsย not actually pounding the zoneย that much more than he did in 2013. But he is finding theย bottom of the zoneย with his hard stuff more frequently, setting hitters up to swingย over his slider and splitter. Itโs a dandy approach that leaves room for only one gripe:ย Iwakumaย goes rightย down the middle against rightiesย too often.
Whiffability
Iwakumaย hasnโt been more than an average strikeout artist since he came into the league, and that much hasnโt changed this year. Hisย swinging-strike rateย is actually down, in partย because none of his pitchesย have become harder to hit. Even his splitterโwhich is a darn good oneโisnโt particularly great at getting whiffs, as itโs cut out more for inducing weak contact. But on that note...
Hittability
Iwakumaโsย splitter is aย terrific ground-ball pitch, resulting in a grounder about 70 percent of the time itโs in play. His sinker is also a good ground-ball pitch and is nowย his primary fastball. The catch is that he isnโt actually working with a hugelyย elevated ground-ball rate, in part thanks to how all his offerings have been easier to hitย for line drives. That and the reality thatย fly balls off himย tend to be deep are red flags.
Workhorse
Iwakumaโsย been maybe the most efficient pitcher in baseball this year, so it comes as no surprise that he hasnโt even needed 100 pitches toย average seven innings per start. And even though heโs not unhittable, the efficiency with which he pitches shouldnโt go away. So why worry? Mainly because itโs easy to forget thatย Iwakumaโsย a mid-30s pitcher who logged plenty of innings in Japan before coming over.
Overall
Watchingย Iwakumaย pitch is fun, as heโs one of those guys who has both the mind and the command to toy with hitters for as long as heโs out there. The only complaints worth making is that it feels like he should be a better strikeout artist than he is, and then how he doesnโt have the stuff to get away with the rare mistakes he does make.
44. Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
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Hitting
Edwin Encarnacionโs insistence on being an extreme fly-ball hitter makes it tough to hit for average. Heโs a bit too pull-happy, and heโs also too willing to give pitchers the outer third of the zone. What makes his approach work is his selectiveness. He loves pitches on theย inner two-thirds of the zone, and heโsย not in the habitย of missing them. Factor in how he doesnโt often expand the zone, and you get a quality hitter.
Power
The bright side about Encarnacionโs fly-ball style is how many of the fly balls he hits areย deep drives to left field, which is largely a function of his in-zone selectiveness. What you worry about, however, is if he may not be doneย battling leg injuriesย now that heโs 31 going on 32. If not, his 30- to 40-homer power potential could suffer due to the lack of a consistently strong base.
Baserunning
Encarnacion was a double-digit steal guy as recently as 2012, but he didnโt keep it up in 2013 and very likely wonโt even make it to five steals by the end of 2014. Heโs also been more of a station-to-station guy, going fromย 45-ish XBT%ย rates in 2013 to under 40. Knowing his age and the warning his body just issued him about pushing his legs, I wouldnโt expect his baserunning to get any better.
Defense
Encarnacion is a DH disguised as a first baseman, andย the defensive metricsย say it shows. Heโs had problems with errors, and heโs not one to save his fielders from errors with frequent scoops. What we can say in support is that heโs not a low-effort guy, as itโs common to see him diving this way and that to make tough plays. Another year on his age will make that tougher, but not too tough.
Overall
It's easy to view Encarnacion as a power-only player, and truth be told, that's what he is for the most part. But it's unfair to view him as some meatheaded slugger, as he has a plate approach that's perfectly designed to tap into his power without also putting him in a position to make too many outs.
43. Kyle Seager, 3B, Seattle Mariners
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Hitting
Pitchers arenโt making it easy, giving Kyleย Seagerย fewer fastballs to hitย every year. They wonโt stop doing that until heย starts hitting slow stuffย as consistently as heย hits hard stuff. Itโs therefore good that hisย line-drive ratesย against slow stuff are up, andย his overall disciplineย is now fueled by how good he is atย picking his spotsย with slow stuff to boot. That makes him a good hitter with room to get better.ย
Power
Seagerโsย powerย keeps going up, and understandably so in light of the balance he strikes between hitting line drives and fly balls. Anything in the air to his pull side isย especially likely to go, and heย goes in that directionย plenty. The catch? Thatโs thatย Seagerย has no home run powerย the other wayย andย modest opposite-field powerย in general. Until he fixes that, his power escalating any further will be tricky.
Baserunning
Seagerโsย a good athlete, but hisย baserunningย this season has been...well, not good. A second straight year of inefficiency stealing bases could be what convinces him to tone down that act for good. And thoughย his 42 XBT%ย will do for solid, itโs canceled out by double-digit outs on theย basepaths. Heโs better than heโs shown, but heโs definitely taken a step backward in theย baserunningย department.
Defense
A year after they rated him as below average defensively,ย the defensive metricsย are now viewingย Seagerย as a plus defender. That heโs even more sure-handed than usual is helping, and those hands and his quick release help make him one of the better third basemen at coming in on the ball. His range to his left and right isnโt as good, but he has more than enough talent otherwise to be an asset defensively.
Total
Seagerโsย not making it any easier on himself to continue flying under the radar like he did in 2012 and 2013. Beyond his 20-25 home run power, heโs making improvements to his hitting every year and is a very strong defensive third baseman to boot.ย
42. Cliff Lee, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
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Control
When an elbow injury ended Cliff Lee's season in August, that put a Lee-like 1.33 BB/9 rate in the books. He got it through his usual means of pounding the strike zone with aย 51.5 zone rate, and he also did his thing of pitching at the kneesย with his sinkerย andย burying his cutterย mainly off the inside edge on his glove side. Though his health betrayed him, he was still himself from a command standpoint.
Whiffability
Lee didnโt have the easiest time getting strikeouts orย swinging strikes. He dealt withย lesser velocity across the board, and thatย hurt his sinker and cutterย in particular. That Leeโs changeup was better than ever is a bright side, but the velocity concern is real. After losing velocity in an age-35 season that ended in an elbow injury, itโs hard to imagine it coming back next season at age 36.
Hittability
Lee finished his season with theย best ground-ball rateย of his career, a gift brought to him mainlyย by his changeup and cutter. But since his sinker is his bread-and-butter pitch, itโs distressing that itโs only gettingย easier to hit on a line. Heโll have to mix and locate his pitches very well to avoid that becoming a problem. As such, I guess itโs a good thing this is Cliff Lee weโre talking about.
Workhorse
This is the first year that Lee wasnโt good forย seven innings per startย since 2009, but thatโs thanks largely to a couple of rough starts and his final injury-shortened start. If Leeโs healthy in 2015, Iโd expect him to get back to being efficient enough to log seven innings on a regular basis. The only thing that bothers me is the โifโ in that sentence, as it canโt be brushed aside in light of Leeโs age and elbow scare.
Overall
Because 2014 saw Lee struggle with lesser stuff and, ultimately, a season-ending elbow injury means we shouldnโt count on him being one of baseballโs elite pitchers going forward. But as long as he can come back with his same pinpoint command and generalย pitchability, he should at least still have a spot among baseballโsย greatย pitchers.ย
41. Julio Teheran, SP, Atlanta Braves
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Control
Julio Teheran may beย throwing fewer fastballs, but upping the frequency with which heย finds the zoneย with his slider, curveball and changeup has helped keep his walk rate low. Heโs also good at locating his hard stuff on the edges, but that does come with one catch. Heโs better at itย against leftiesย than he isย against righties. Since he had theย same issue in 2013, maybe banking on improvement isnโt the best idea.
Whiffability
Teheranโs strikeout rate has declined, but heโs doing fineย getting swinging strikes. That he has two breaking balls in his slider and curveball that are good, if not quite great,ย swing-and-miss pitchesย is a big help there. Whatโs iffier is whether his four-seamerย can sustain its respectableย whiffabilityย going forward. Though heโs only 23, Teheran has alwaysย lost a mile per hourย off his 2013 velocity.
Hittability
That Teheran is anย extreme fly-ball pitcherย means home runs are a constant threat, especially given that he doesnโt exactly specialize in getting pop-ups. Heโs able to largely avoid home runs, however. That he mixes and locates his pitches well helps, as it makes it tough for batters to really square him up. That shows up in hisย fly-ball heat map, which is littered with can-of-corn fly balls.
Workhorse
After last yearโs 185.2 innings, Teheran hasย come back to averageย just about seven innings on only 100 pitches this year. His efficiencyโhighlighted by his good control and modest strikeout habitโsurely helps, and heโs also shown that he canย maintain velocity wellย deep into games. And with him not even in his age-24 season yet, his arm should be a long way away from being overtaxed.
Overall
Teheranโs biggest fault is that his relatively modest ability to get swings and misses means heโs awfully dependent on his fly-ball approach keeping the ball in the yard. But he does a fine job of making that approach work, and heโs quietly developed into one of the top innings-eaters in the league.
40. Phil Hughes, SP, Minnesota Twins
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Control
Phil Hughes has always been good at attacking the zone, but this season is seeing himย outpace everybody in zone percentageย by a significant margin. It helps that aboutย 85 percent of his pitchesย are fastballs or cutters. And while weย couldย raise issue with how he tends to live in theย middle of the zone, it seems pointless in light of how he rarely ever misses it. Heโs a proverbial strike-throwing machine.
Whiffability
Hughes picks up no shortage of strikes, but he hasnโt been that much better than the average starter at picking up strikeouts. And heโs also been roughly average at getting whiffs. That heโs around the zone so much doesnโt help, and he doesnโt have overpowering velocityย at 92-93. He also has just one secondary pitch, and itโs a curveball thatย isnโt hard to hit.
Hittability
Target Field isnโt entirely to thank for Hughesโ home run rate dropping, as deep fly balls havenโt been as frequentย in 2014ย as they wereย in 2013. It helps that he has his cutter to give hitters something to think about, and itโs also helped himย by boosting hisย (albeit stillย very much modest) ground-ball rate. So while you still worry about Hughesโ oldย gopheritisย problem, heโs legitimately gotten it under better control.
Workhorse
Even getting as many as five innings out of Hughes was an accomplishment in 2013. That makesย his new normalย of six-plus innings on less than 100 pitches a huge upgrade. Thatโs a gift of his extreme efficiency and getting the home runs under control. Heโll keep it up if he maintains this yearโs approach, and he still has another year to go before he hits 30.
Overall
The Twins had the right idea when they gambled on Hughes last winter, but even they probably didnโt think it would pan out this well. And give Hughes his share of the credit, as going for broke by assaulting the strike zone while also incorporating a cutter has worked like a charm.
39. Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers
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Hitting
For the most part, Miguel Cabrera is still a superb hitter. He deftlyย toes the lineย between discipline and aggressiveness,ย his plate coverageย is still excellent and he still has an Ichiro Suzuki-like ability to aim his hits. But he hasnโt fixed the elevated whiff rateย against breaking ballsย he developed in 2013, and anything over 92 mph has becomeย more of a challenge. Good health might fix that, but we should take neither that nor vintage bat speed for granted knowing that heโs headed for his age-32 season.
Power
This is where Cabreraโs assorted injuriesย have really hurt. Not having a healthy base has made both turning on the ballย andย driving it the other way difficult, rendering what was explosive power to all fieldsย in 2013, well, less explosive power to all fieldsย in 2014. And though weโre not taking a return to vintage form for granted, the bright side is 25-homer potential with lots of doubles is reasonable.
Baserunning
Cabrera was actually a sneaky base stealer in 2012 and 2013, but heโs wisely spared his body from the effort in 2014. Despite that, heโs moved quite well when heโs had to, with the main attraction being hisย XBT% rising fromย 28 to 39 percent. If the extra-base hits continue to be less frequent in 2015, itโs possible weโll see him keep it up.
Defense
The defensive metricsย like Cabrera more as a first baseman than they ever did as a third baseman, and thatโs not surprising. Though he hasnโt been a master at picking throws out of the dirt and is still very much limited range-wise, his footwork and reactions have resembled those of a seasoned first baseman. While short of great, Cabreraโs defense at first base has at least been good.
Overall
Letโs acknowledge that Cabrera is still a fantastic baseball player and that heโs actually quietly improved in two areas (baserunning and defense) where he had been very weak. But his once-unrivaled bat has been diminished by lingering health issues, and heโs not about to get any healthier or younger.
38. Jake Arrieta, SP, Chicago Cubs
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Control
Jake Arrieta has been throwing his slider (thatโs whatย he calls it)ย more oftenย and has been very effective using it to play with the edges of the zone againstย both leftiesย and righties. Though his fastball command isnโt quite as sharpโespeciallyย against rightiesโitโs hardly bad. Between that and what he can do with his slider, Arrieta has the options to get strikes that he lacked when he arrived in Chicago.ย
Whiffability
Arrietaโsย rebirth has also featured plenty of strikeouts andย swinging strikes, and itโs not just because of his slider that heโs getting those. He has aย 93-94 fastballย that he can throw by hitters, as well as a changeup and a curve that boastย borderline elite whiffability. With him still being on the good side of 30 and his arm relatively well-preserved, these weapons shouldnโt abandon him anytime soon.ย ย
Hittability
Arrietaโsย rebirth also features aย career-best ground-ball rate. Youโd expect as much from a guyย who leans heavilyย on his sinker and slider, and both pitches are pretty goodย at getting grounders. To boot, when heโs not getting grounders,ย Arrietaโsย getting his share of pop-ups andย shallow fly balls. When you mix good velocity with good movement and good location, this is basically what you get.
Workhorse
Thatย Arrietaย set a new career high for innings when he hit 119.1 innings says a lot about his lackluster track recordโwhich has been shaped in part by elbow and shoulder injuriesโand heโs only been about aย six-inning pitcherย besides. No wonder, as hisย inning-to-inning velocity chartย shows heโs quick to tire. Heโs made a solid first step toward becoming a top workhorse, but he still has work to do.
Overall
The Cubs made a good roll of the dice when they took onย Arrietaย as a reclamation project, but hereโs guessing heโs probably surpassed even their expectations. Though durability is still something of a question mark,ย Arrietaย has harnessed both his stuff and his command to become a pitcher who can carve up lineups in a number of different ways.
37. Josh Harrison, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Hitting
Josh Harrison is stillย an aggressiveย and undisciplined hitter with a whiff habit. To that last point, heโs notably gotten worse atย making contact with slow stuff. But when you look at how heโs gotten better atย hitting everything hard,ย using the opposite fieldย andย covering the strike zone, you do come away believing in his breakout at least a little bit. Heโs been lucky, but that can happen when you make your own luck.ย
Power
After never hitting more than three homers in a season, Harrison is now a legit power threat. How heโs done it traces back to the point that heโs simply hitting the ball well and doing itย all over the yardย to boot. His power in the right-center gap has been especially impressive. But while heโs clearly improved, his numbers have been padded by doubles down the left field line that have beenย a littleย tooย frequent.
Baserunning
Harrison could steal a base in a pinch before, but heโs done so in more than just a pinch in 2014. Though he hasnโt done it with the greatest efficiency, heโs put himself within range of 20 stolen bases even despite relatively limited playing time for a good portion of the year. Add inย a 48 XBT%, and you get a guy who could be a darn goodย baserunnerย over the course of a full season.
Defense
With Pedro Alvarez banished, the hot corner is Harrisonโs home.ย The defensive metricsย like what theyโve seen from him, and they should knowing that heโs played third with good hands and good range stemming from quick reactions. These things help make up for the fringy arm he has for the position. And though he has a home at third, hereโs thinking the Pirates arenโt about to stop taking advantage of his outstanding versatility.
Total
Itโs hard to ignore the feeling that Harrisonโs 2014 season is just a big tease. At least until you notice how regularly heโs been clobbering the ball and how heโs also been running the bases and playing good defense all over the diamond, including at his new third base home. He looks like a Benย Zobristย clone, which is very high praise.
36. Yu Darvish, SP, Texas Rangers
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Control
The walksย continue to become more infrequentย for Yuย Darvish, and heโs earned it. Hisย zone rate has climbedย to a new high this year, in part because he's simplified things byย going to his fastballย more. The next step should be (hopefully) honing his fastball command, as he merely flirts with the zoneย against leftiesย and goes right down the middle too oftenย against righties.
Whiffability
Darvishย is still theย gameโs top strikeout artist, but heโs quietly not getting as manyย swinging strikes. A main problem is how his increased fastball usage has coincided withย fewer whiffs on his fastball. That hisย velocity has gone downย hasnโt helped. Still, itโs hard to doubt the guy. An increased presence in the zone means more strikes, period, and he still has his utterly devastating slider to put to good use.
Hittability
Darvishย still isnโt easy to hit, but there are good reasons why heโsย on track to postย the highest batting average against of his brief career. Hisย ground-ball rate is plummeting, a byproduct of him going to his fastball more. Itโs also become easier to hit everything he throwsย for line drives, and hisย fly-ball heat mapย strongly suggests there should be more home runs on his record. Frankly, none of this bodes well.
Workhorse
Better control has meant more efficient outings forย Darvish,ย and it showsย in how heโs been good for close to seven innings on fewer pitches than usual. That makes the only real concern his injury track record. There are new additions on it seemingly every week, and his recent elbow scare is the scariest one yet. So despite his youth and growing efficiency, caution is necessary.
Overall
This is one of those scores that feels a lot lower than it should be, especially knowing thatย Darvishย has only become more efficient with his pitches while remaining an elite strikeout artist. But the cracks are there. Heโs become easier to hit, both in terms of making contact and making good contact, and his injury track record isnโt getting any cleaner. Moving ahead, these are some real concerns.
35. Jason Heyward, RF, Atlanta Braves
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Hitting
Jason Heywardโs approach is theย best itโs ever been, as heโs combining strong patience and discipline with career-best contact. Heโs also hittingย slow pitches for line drivesย better, and heย spreads his ground balls aroundย better than most lefties. The catch to all this is that Heywardโs uppercut swing is stillย restricting his productionย above the knees. With no clear way to fix that, his hitting potential only goes so high.
Power
Another issue Heyward has is that he tends to inflateย his fly-ball rateย with pop-ups. Take that and combine it with his ground-ball rate, and youโre only left with so many well-hit balls. His power isnโt as bad as this yearโs production makes it look, however. He can give the ball a rideย to any field, and heโd have better numbers if he hadย more resultsย up the middle. He still has above-average power.
Baserunning
After slowing it down on theย basepathsย in an injury-marred 2013, Heyward has put himself back in the 20-steal discussion this year, and with better efficiency to boot. Itโs too badย his XBT% has droppedย from above 60 in 2012 to just 46 this year, but thatโs still good by corner outfielder standards. That Heyward still doesnโt run into outs on theย basepathsย is another thing he does well.
Defense
With respect to Alex Gordon, Heyward gets my vote as the best defensive corner outfielder in the business.ย The defensive metricsย rightfully have him pegged as aย hugeย asset in right field. His arm is a weapon, and he gets range from combining good reads and routes with the long strides his 6โ5โ frame allows. Heโs the total package and has really never been better defensively.
Total
Heywardโs bat comes with some limitations and it looks like his power peaked in 2012, but these are minor gripes in the grand scheme of his talent. Heโs at least a good hitter andย baserunner, and heโs arguably the best defensive player in the game today.
34. Zack Greinke, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Control
Because fastballs account forย just over 50 percentย of Zackย Greinkeโsย pitches, itโs not a shock to see himย hitting the zoneย less frequently than the average starter. And yet heโs having one of his more prolific years putting fastballs on theย edge of the zoneย anyway, and that speaks to his pitching style in general. Take a look at everything he throws, and you notice he rarelyย gives leftiesย or rightiesย anything good to hit.ย
Whiffability
Greinkeโsย strikeout rate has returned with a vengeance. It helps to have one of theย highest chase rates in baseball, a byproduct of his ability to play with the edges of the zone. Trouble is that his slider is not the swing-and-miss pitchย it used to be, and his four-seamerโsย increasedย whiffabilityย is suspect knowing thatย his velocityย is now just 91-92. With his age-31 season on deck, keeping that up wonโt be easy.
Hittability
Greinkeย has become a virtual lock for aย ground-ball rateย in the 45-50 percent range, which isnโt surprising given how he can put an assortment of pitches in areas where theyโre hard to elevate. But theย line-drive ratesย on his keyย secondariesย are up this year, and heโsย not immune to homers. When the smoke and mirrors fail, he can be hit.
Workhorse
This is pre-emptive caution. Greinke has beenย good for over six inningsย and 100 pitches once again, but heโs had elbow scares two years in a row. Because heโs now on the wrong side of 30 and he has a pitching style that involves throwing a fair number of breaking balls, this canโt be ignored. Heโll be fine if he stays healthy, but we shouldnโt rely too heavily on that.
Overall
Greinkeย has made the transition from fastball-slider power pitcher to everything-but-the-kitchen sink finesse pitcher look easier than it has any right to be. If he stays healthy, he should be able to keep it up. But thatโs also our big concern, and a well-warranted one given his recent elbow scares.
33. Dallas Keuchel, SP, Houston Astros
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Control
Dallas Keuchelย has taken a much-improved walk rate from 2013 andย made it even better. Rather than do it by pounding the strike zoneโwhich heย doesnโt do muchโhe keeps batters on their toes by living on the edges. Heโs especially good at sticking to the outside cornerย against lefties, and he frequently visits the outside cornerย against rightiesย too. The one caveat is that his misses against righties have a tendency to be in hittable areas.
Whiffability
Keuchelโsย a below-average strikeout artist, and it makes sense that he is knowing that his approach is primarily based on seeking ground ballsย with his sinkerย (more on this in a moment). But he'sย not a below-average whiff artistย thanks to one pitch in particular: his slider. Itโs quietly one of theย most whiffable slidersย in the game, and itโs a fine tool forย Keuchelย to get whiffs.
Hittability
Youโre looking at baseballโsย top ground-ball pitcher, and itโs not really close. This speaks to the quality of his sinker, which is theย ground-ball-iest sinkerย among starters. That alone is worthy of some props, but weโll stop short of callingย Keuchelย perfect. With velocity that only extends as high as 90 miles per hour, hisย home run-per-fly-ball rateย is a reminder that he canโt make mistakes with his stuff.
Workhorse
The one knock onย Keuchelย is that he lacks a track record as an innings-eater. But limiting walks and getting a lot of ground balls is a fine way to be efficient, and it shows in how heโs averaged about seven innings onย barely over 100 pitches, with a handful of complete games to boot. He may not have a track record as an innings-eater, but this is the beginning of him building a good one.
Overall
A complete afterthought in 2013,ย Keuchelย has made himself into one of the top starting pitchers in the game. All itโs taken is sharp control, a devastating slider and a sinker that basically nobody can hit. Other struggling pitchers should take note.
32. Christian Yelich, LF, Miami Marlins
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Hitting
Christian Yelichย is liable toย whiff on off-speedย pitchesย andย canโt do muchย with slow stuffย in general. But next to those shortcomings is the good stuff. Namely, anย extremely discerning approach, an endless supply ofย line drives and ground balls, andย the bat controlย to poke the former to left field and the latter wherever. With a foundation like this, it wouldย notย be surprising ifย Yelichย soon starts contending for batting titles.
Power
When you rarely hit the ball in the air, power isnโt easy to come by. Thatย Yelichย generally disregards his pull side is another complication. That he doesnโt hit pop-ups, however, allows him to make his fly balls count. He also has the pop to get the ball over the left fielderโs headย for extra-base hits, and he knows where the right-center gap is. Itโs not great power, but itโs better than it looks.
Baserunning
A solid base stealer in the minors,ย Yelichย has done enough to establish himself as a solid base stealer in the majors too. Heโs surpassed 20 steals with solid efficiency in his first full season, and heโs also working onย a 52 XBT%ย that features only a couple of unforgivable outs on theย basepaths. Even if he doesnโt do any better, 20-steal potential with that kind of aggressiveness is good stuff.
Defense
The defensive metricsย loveย what theyโre seeing fromย Yelichย in 2014, rating him as easily above average in left field. That he doesnโt have a strong arm is a key weakness, but his range is terrific for left field. He doesnโt always get the best jumps, but he runs smooth routes and uses his plus speed to cover ground. He may not be the best all-around left fielder, but he might be the rangiest.
Total
Yelichย is overshadowed by the behemoth who plays across the way in right field, but heโs proved to be a terrific player in his own right. His hitting isn't perfect yet, but he clearly has a rake that should get better with time. Add in well-above-averageย baserunningย and defense, and you have one of the more overlooked gems in MLB.
31. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs
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Hitting
The big change for Anthony Rizzo in 2014 involves his sudden abilityย to hit left-handers, which can be tracedย to his improvementย against their breaking stuff. Heโs further helped himself byย becoming slightly more selectiveย with the fastballs he swings at, and heโs solved last yearโs BABIP troublesย by hitting everythingย for line drives more consistently. There are still more holes inย Rizzoโs zone coverageย than youโd prefer to see, but overall, heโs made himself into a legit hitter.
Power
Rizzo has also improved his power tool in 2014, mainly byย hitting more fly balls. Thatโs especially helpful in his case because of his considerable raw power,ย which heโs displayedย by bombarding the bleachers in left-center as well as in right field. The only gripe worth making is that itโs odd to see a powerful lefty batter so rarely make use of the right-center gap.
Baserunning
Rizzo should probably give up trying to steal bases if heโs going to fail as often as he succeeds like he hasย these last two years. Then thereโs how Rizzoโs XBT% has gone from 41 in 2012 to 38 in 2013 to 32 this year. It would appear that hitting like a slugger is causing him to run like one, too.
Defense
The defensive metricsย arenโt going crazy for Rizzoโs defense like they did in 2013, and he can thank both an uptick in errors and less frequent rangy plays for that. The good news is you can still find himย leading the wayย in first base scoops, and the good first step and easy burst that allowed him to make so many rangy plays in 2013 are still there.
Overall
Rizzo always had it in him to be a complete threat as a first baseman. Thanks to the improvements heโs made against left-handers and his enhanced abilities to hit line drives and make his raw power show up in games, thatโs what weโve seen him become. Good stuff for a guy who's barely 25.
30. Alex Cobb, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
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Control
There are two reasons Alex Cobb is likely to never be elite at avoiding walks: Heย rarely throws fastballs, and heย rarely visits the strike zone. And yet he makes it work thanks to anย uncanny abilityย to live on the edges of the zone with his heat, and heย basically never hangsย either his curveball or his split-change. That puts his command in the โBetter Than It Looksโ file.
Whiffability
Because heย throws just 91-92ย and reliesย exclusively on his sinker, Cobbโs not one to blow hitters away. And truth be told, heโs not a great strikeout artist. But he is aย swing-and-miss artist, as he buys himself plenty of swings outside the zone and both his curveball and his split-change areย outstanding whiff pitches. With him putting more and more trust in these pitches, the whiffs should keep coming.
Hittability
Because Cobb goes heavy on the slow stuff while staying out of the fat part of the zone, that heโs anย elite ground-ball pitcherย who also avoids line drives makes sense. But this is thanks mainly to his curve and split. His sinker isย mediocre at getting ground ballsย by sinker standards and isn'tย impossibleย to take for a ride. And though he doesnโt like to throw it, itโs also a pitch he canโt avoid throwing entirely.
Workhorse
Injuries have helped to conspire against Cobb establishing himself as a top workhorse, and he didnโt get a reprieve this year when an oblique strain sidelined him for a month. Heโs also only beenย about a six-inning pitcherย when he has been healthy. This is partially thanks to his approach. It mainly works fine, but it can lead to high pitch counts and short outings when heโs not getting the swings he requires.
Overall
Cobbโs starts are worth watching if for no other reason than there arenโt many pitchers with a style like his. And it works well, as pitching off his slow stuff with good command can make for quite a few ugly swings throughout the course of an outing. Now all he needs is a full season to maximize his potential. Maybe heโll get it in 2015.
29. Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington Nationals
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Control
Stephen Strasburg has been limiting walks better than ever, and itโs no mirage. Already one to attack the zone, heโs been pouringย more heaters into the zoneย and also hasnโt been shy about putting his secondaries in the zone. When he does, he frequently puts themย at the knees. Heโs not above making mistakes, however. Righty batters who have seen quite a fewย heaters down the middleย can vouch.
Whiffability
When you have bothย a changeupย andย a curveballย that rank among the hardest to hit in the game, youโre going to get your share of whiffs. When you can also blow hitters away with a fastball thatย sits 94-95, youโre going to get even more whiffs. The inevitable catch is that said fastball was 95-96 in 2012 and 2013. If it drops again in 2015, Strasburg will need even more out of his excellent change and curve.
Hittability
Making contact against Strasburg is difficult, but making hard contact isnโt. Particularly when it comes toย his fastball, which has become easy to square upย for line drivesย andย hard-hit fly balls. That hisย secondaries get ground ballsย is his saving grace, but his fastball issues trace back to how major league hitters can time a fastball.ย
Workhorse
Whereas he didnโt even after six innings per start back in 2012, heโs now good forย over six and around 100 pitches. His strikeout habit does elevate his pitch count, however, and Washingtonโs caution with him has helped make eight-inning starts few and far between. Heโs also prone to shorter outings thanks to his increasedย hittability. It all makes 200 innings still the goal rather than the expectation.ย
Overall
Thereโs no question that Strasburg has the control and the stuff to be an elite pitcher. Especially the stuff, as his changeup and curveball in particular are simply sublime. Itโs too bad heโs becoming easier to knock around on days when heโs not sharp, and he still hasnโt transformed into one of the leagueโs top workhorses.
28. Madison Bumgarner, SP, San Francisco Giants
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Control
Despite his funky delivery, Madisonย Bumgarnerโsย better than the average starterย at finding the strike zone. And his control is especially pinpoint with his slider/cutter/slutterย thing, as heโs able to spot it off the same cornerโoutsideย to lefties, insideย to rightiesโwith regularity. Hisย command with his four-seamerย is less fine, however, as he rarely keeps it low and is prone to missing up and away on his arm side.ย
Whiffability
In addition to his usual deceptiveness,ย Bumgarnerย is now enjoying a spikeย in his fastball velocity. He sits 92-93, and his four-seamerโsย whiffabilityย hasย risen to a pointย where it rivals his curveball. That makes it two years in a row that his four-seamerย has been an elite swing-and-miss pitch, and more whiffs do tend to be a benefit of pitching up in the zone as often as he does. As such, maybe he can avoid regression.
Hittability
You can count onย Bumgarnerโsย ground-ball rateย being in the mid-40s like clockwork,ย mainly thanksย to his slider/cutter/slutterย thing and his ability to locate it. Many a hitter has been jammed by that pitch. But what you worry about is how his four-seamerย is prone toย both line drivesย andย home runsย even despite its rising velocity. As nice as whiffs are, thatโs what you risk when you pitch up in the zone.ย
Workhorse
Bumgarnerย hasย provided his usualย six to seven innings and 100 pitches per start this year and, perhaps more importantly, actually held his newfound velocity pretty well fromย inning to inningย andย month to month. With an efficient pitching style and a blank injury history heading into what will only be his age-25 season in 2015, thereโs no reason to expectย Bumgarnerย to become less reliable.
Overall
Thatย Bumgarnerย isnโt impossible to knock around due to his insistence on pitching up in the zone is a concern, but itโs one of few. His funky delivery doesnโt keep him from having great control, and heโs hardly incapable of missing bats or inducing weak contact. Pretty good for a guy who only recently turned 25.
27. Adam Wainwright, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
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Control
Adam Wainwrightโs been at it again. Heโs limited walks by actuallyย pounding the zone more oftenย than in 2013, and he has consistently poundedย lefties both in and outย and rightiesย around the outside corner. He has given us a cause for concern, however, as July and August saw him go through a stretch where he struggled to throw strikes from aย slightly different arm slot. It could be nothing, but it's also nothing to ignore.
Whiffability
Wainwrightโs strikeoutsย and swinging strikesย are both down, with part of the problem being aย dreaded velocity loss. Because heโs already 33, that velocity is likely gone for good. Thatโll leave the responsibility of getting whiffs up to his curveball, and itโs unfortunatelyย slowly losingย some of its ownย whiffability. As such, Wainwright isnโt likely to stop being a modest whiff artist.
Hittability
With hisย ground-ball rate descendingย amid declining velocity, itโs no surprise that Wainwrightโsย line-drive rate and fly-ball ratesย are up.ย The reality that heย hasnโt given upย many deep fly balls, however, speaks to his ability to keep hitters off-balance. It also bodes well that heโs gone back to putting his trust in hisย sinker and cutter, which are harder to square up than his four-seamer. As such, this is a case where craftiness is visible and very much a welcome sight.
Workhorse
Wainwright has picked up where he left off in 2013, putting inย seven innings and 100 pitchesย every time he pitches. This is also a guy who pitched over 270 innings last year between the regular season and October, as well as a guy whoโs the size of a horse at 6โ7โ and 235. But with his age-33 season coming and an elbow scareย in his recent past, Wainwrightโs track record may not be a blueprint for his future.
Overall
Though Wainwright's had a great season, he has provided reasons to worry. His typically superb control got less superb for a while there, heโs had issues missing bats and the elbow scare he had isnโt a good look in light of his age. But hey, as much as we may want to worry, we're still talking about one of the game's great pitchers.
26. Jon Lester, SP, Oakland A's
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Control
Itโs a good sign when a guyโs walk rate isย going nowhere but down. Jon Lesterโs getting it done byย attacking the strike zoneย with his fastball and cutter like never before, and he does so without making mistakes. He adheres to the outside cornerย against leftiesย and pitches lowย andย on both sides of the plateย against righties. Behold a guy whoโs become one of the gameโs top control artists.
Whiffability
Lesterโs painting has helped him rack up strikeouts, as heโs gettingย plenty of looking strikeouts. But heโs also gottenย more swinging strikes, with more whiffs onย his four-seamer and cutterย being largely to thank for that. But because Lesterโs average fastball velocity hasย already droppedย from 92-93 to more like 91-92, keeping that going in 2015 will be tough knowing that another velocity drop is likely at age 31.
Hittability
Lesterโs painting has also gotten him plenty of weak contact in 2014, with his four-seamerย getting the pop-upsย and his cutter getting the ground balls.ย His overallย ground-ball rate, however, is actually trending downward. Also, theย four-seamerย and cutter he relies on so much attractย line drives. In light of that and how both pitches are likely due for a velocity loss, gathering weak contact may get more difficult.
Workhorse
Lesterโs goneย seven inningsย and thrown around 110 pitchesย like clockwork all year. This is what happens when you take a 200-inning pitcher and give him elite command. His velocityย does peak earlyย in games, however, and there does need to be at least some worry about him keeping it up in his age-31 season after having pitched so many innings between last season and this season.
Overall
We can quibble about whether Lesterโs going to be able to maintain this yearโsย whiffabilityย and general avoidance of hard contact, but thereโs no denying that heโs made himself into a better pitcher. Heโs never been in better control of his pitches, and itโs made every aspect of his game that much better.ย
25. Alex Gordon, LF, Kansas City Royals
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Hitting
One way to beat Alex Gordon is to justย throw him a breaking ball. And in general,ย anything slowย is a good bet for a whiff. Fortunately, itโs become extremely difficult to get fastballs by him, and heโs better equipped to attack fastballs now that heโsย toned down his aggressivenessย outside the zone. And as much as he whiffs onย off-speed, heโs also never been better atย hitting it hard. So yeah, meet an improved hitter.
Power
The power surge Gordon has enjoyedย in the second halfย was probably coming all along. Heโs aย good fly-ball hitter, after all. And though he doesnโt hit the ball in the airย to his pull sideย that often, heย makes them countย when he does. Then you can factor in how he also has some power in the left-center gap, and you get a pretty good picture of what Gordon is: a 20-homer guy with solid doubles power.
Baserunning
Behold easily the most overlooked aspect of Gordonโs game. Heโs going to steal 10-15 bases in a season, and even better is how well he rounds the bases. Heโs been doing that especially well in 2014, postingย a 52 XBT%ย with frequent first-to-thirds and just one outย at second and third base.ย Baserunningย like that is darn good, especially for a corner outfielder.
Defense
Youโve probably heard thatย the defensive metricsย are in love with Gordonโs defense, and they should be. There are better fly-ball catchers than him, but not many because of how well he combines his solid speed with good reads and routes. Then thereโs his superb arm. It doesnโt get tested as much anymore, butย FanGraphsโ Jeff Sullivanย did a fine job of outlining how thereโs value in that.
Total
This score surely comes off as being criminally low for a guy whoโs rated as one of the best players in the game by WAR. All Iโll say is that you have to keep in mind how much credit the defensive metrics are giving Gordon, which might be too much. But even if we downplay WARโs opinion of Gordon, weโre still looking at a terrific defender who can hit, hit for power and run the bases.
24. Robinson Cano, 2B, Seattle Mariners
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Hitting
If thereโs one thing not to like about Robinson Canoโs hitting, itโs how heโs become such anย extreme ground-ball hitter. But seeing how much heโs usedย left field for ground ballsย makes you feel better about that, and then you can look at how he basicallyย doesnโt swing and miss, covers a hugeย amount of the hitting zoneย and isnโt weak against anyย particular pitch type. And you realize that, yup, the guy can hit.
Power
After a slow start, Canoโs power has come roaring to life since June. Best of all is how heโs been driving theย ball the other way, something heย wasn't doing before. However, itย isย going to be harder for him to hit for power if he keeps hitting so many grounders. And with his 32ndย birthday fast approaching, it is more than likely that Canoโs best power days are behind him.
Baserunning
Where there was once power, there is now speed. Beyond notching his first career double-digit-steal season, Cano has also increased last yearโs 38 XBT%ย to 50 percent. Through it all, heโs been arguablyย Seattleโs best baserunner. There is the worry about this all happening with him on the wrong side of 30, however, so we probably shouldnโt expect him to beย quiteย as prolific in 2015.
Defense
This is where things get tricky. After being split on Cano in 2013,ย the defensive metricsย agree that heโs close to an average defender now. The eye test says thereโs some truth to that, as his first-step quickness and subsequent burst just donโt look the same. But since he can still make accurate off-balance throws and get rid of the ball quickly on double plays, Iโm inclined to give him a break.
Overall
Because Canoโs power and defense appear to be slipping, there are very real threats to his status as one of the gameโs elite players. But if he keeps running the bases like he has in 2014 while also hitting like, well, heย alwaysย has, the Mariners should keep getting their moneyโs worth from their $240 million man.
23. Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox
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Hitting
Itโs hard to look at Jose Abreuย without noticingย his extreme aggressiveness and swing-and-miss problem. And yet you can see him adjusting, asย his worst whiff ratesย against hard, breaking and off-speed pitches are behind him and heโs generally gotten more consistent hittingย all three for line drives. Then you can factor in how he has zero weak spotsย within the strike zone, making him out to be a guy who can be successful as a Vlad Guerrero-type hitter moving forward.
Power
Virtually any ball Abreu hits has a chance to go far. Though his power is mainly focused on left field,ย heโs shownย that hitting the ball to and beyond the right field fence isnโt a problem. And while there is something to say about his power declineย after the All-Star break, itโs not worth worrying about knowing that heโll only be 28 and more prepared for a 162-game season in 2015.
Baserunning
Abreu is about as fast as youโd expect a 6โ3โ, 255-pound guy to be. He hasnโt been active stealing bases in 2014 and shouldnโt be expected to get any more active in the future. Heโs also not of much use doing the little things,ย posting an unspectacularย 28 XBT%. These things donโt make him a bad baserunner by first base standards, but they donโt make him a good one either.
Defense
The defensive metricsย are split on how good Abreu is, with DRS seeing him as clearly below average and UZR seeing him as slightly above average. The eye test leans more toward the first opinion, as heโs without great hands and is generally slow to get after balls that require him to move more than a couple of feet in any direction.
Overall
That Abreu has flashed the potential to be a 40- to 50-home run guy isnโt the biggest surprise. The real surprise is how well heโs been able to adjust to major league pitching, making it look a lot easier than it should be. He may be an offense-only player, but heโs made it clear that his offensive potential is no joke.
22. Tyson Ross, SP, San Diego Padres
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Control
Tyson Ross doesnโt have the easiest time limiting walks, and there may be no repairing that given hisย ever-growing relianceย on his slider. But heโs also a case of a pitcher whose command is better than his walk rate indicates, with his best talent being his ability to pound the outside corner againstย both leftiesย and righties. And for as much as he throws his slider, itโs good to know heย rarely ever hangs it.
Whiffability
Rossโ slider is quietly one of the best sliders thrown by any starter, ranking up there among the best of the best inย terms of whiffability. And since he goes to it so often, itโs a big reason hisย swinging-strike rateย is as high as it is. His strikeout rate doesnโt match his swinging-strike rate, however, and that may be the case going forward too if his sinkerย continues to supplantย his four-seamer.
Hittability
Ross was already an elite ground-ball pitcher, and now heโsย even better. Thatโs life when you have a sinker thatโsย hit on the groundย roughlyย 70 percentย of the time itโs in play, and it is indeed encouraging that he seems determined to use that sinker more often. But remember that part about him rarely hanging sliders? Well, theyย doย happen, and the problem he has is that hittersย donโt tend to miss them.ย
Workhorse
Ross has been one of the better innings-eaters in the National League this season,ย regularly goingย between six and seven innings and throwing 100 pitches. Itโs also a good look that heโsย throwing harder nowย than he was at the beginning of the year. But his velocity does tend toย peak early in games, and you do have to worry about the elbow of a guy who throws so many sliders.
Overall
Maybe this comes off as being too high for Ross, but it should be hard to deny his talent. His ability to hit the corners is impressive, he has a slider that easily misses bats and a sinker that gets ground balls as well as any other sinker in the game. He looks like the next Coreyย Kluber: an emerging star who could soon become a superstar.
21. Jordan Zimmermann, SP, Washington Nationals
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Control
Jordan Zimmermannโs four-seam fastball accounts forย roughly 70 percentย of his pitches and sits at 93-94 miles per hour. So not surprisingly, few attack the strike zone with four-seamersย as often as he does. His style involves challengingย both leftiesย and rightiesย up in the zone. Knowing that, itโs actually impressive how infrequently he misses down the middle. Behold a guy who knows what heโs doing.ย
Whiffability
Zimmermannโs finally getting the strikeouts that his stuff says he should be getting. Thatโs a gift of all of everything but his curveballย gaining whiffability. Itโs also helped that his sky-high first-pitch strike rate has allowed him to expand the zone for swinging strikes on hisย secondaries. Heโsย taken full advantage. Itโs a precise process to repeat, but he has both the control and the stuff to do just that.ย
Hittability
As you would expect from a guy who relies so heavily on his four-seamer, Zimmermannโs not great atย getting ground balls. But pitching up in the zone with good velocity does get him pop-ups, and fly balls off him areย generally weakly hit. The key worry, however, is how his line-drive rate has gone up thanks to the line-drive rates on all hisย individual pitches going up. Heโs tough to hit, but not impossible.
Workhorse
The best thing Zimmermann has going for him is his efficiency, as he can easily breeze through six innings onย fewer than 100 pitches. And because heโs still only 28 going on 29 and showing no signs of decline, he should be able to continue doing so. Whatโs odd, however, is that six innings tend to be about his limit more often than not. Him getting to 200 innings is easy, but how far over 200 he can go is iffy.
Overall
As a pitcher, Zimmermann is more effective than exciting. His game is based on command and control, with swings and misses only being added to his bag of tricks this year. But it works, as there are few pitchers who are more reliable on a start-to-start basis than he is.
20. David Price, SP, Detroit Tigers
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Control
David Price isย among the eliteย at finding the zone for strike one, and he doesnโt stop hitting the zone from there. That fastballs and cutters account for aboutย 70 percent of his pitchesย helps, but heโs also good at locating those pitches. He lives on the outside edgeย against leftiesย andย against righties, straying over the middle relatively seldom against both. Simple, but definitely very, very effective.
Whiffability
For Price in 2014, the turnaround in both the strikeoutย and swinging strikeย departments has been immense, which is what happens when all your pitchesย gain whiffability. The sustainability of that is a question, though, especially with his heat slowlyย leaking velocity. A repeat performance will hinge on him continuing to blow fastballs by hitters with less velocity, which is an iffy bet.
Hittability
When Priceย hasย given up contact this year, itโs tended to be good contact. Hisย ground-ball rate has fallenย once again from its 2012 peak. Itโs been about as easy to hitย his stuff for line drivesย as it was in 2013, and much easier to get hisย hard stuff in the air. And all around, elevating against Price has tended to meanย homering off him. If he does indeed lose more velocity, things probably wonโt get better.
Workhorse
Price has logged overย seven innings and 110 pitchesย like itโs his job (which, yeah, I suppose it is) on his way to blowing past the 200-inning threshold once again. Heโll also still be on the good side of 30 next year. That leaves just one concern: that the decreasedย whiffabilityย and increasedย hittabilityย that likely lie ahead in 2015 will make pitching deep into games that much tougher.
Overall
If itโsย right nowย you want to talk about, Price deserves better than the score Iโve given him. His control is unreal, and all the whiffs heโs getting are helping to make up for the louder contact heโs given up. But weโre looking ahead, and the picture there doesnโt look as bright as it does now. But hey, even a lesser David Price should still be a darn,ย darnย good pitcher.
19. Michael Brantley, LF, Cleveland Indians
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Hitting
Michael Brantley was already a terrific contact hitterย with a strong approach, and any such hitter is going to do well more often than not. Whatโs really changed is that heโs now A) aย strong source of line drivesย and B) aย specialist atย peppering the opposite fieldย with line drives. Heโs made himself into an excellent opposite-field hitter in doing so, and thatโs all he needed to do to become a great all-around hitter.
Power
Brantleyย hasnโt made himselfย into more of a fly-ball hitter, but his power is up because the balls he hits in the air are going to the right place. Heโs been far more consistent hitting the ball in the airย to his pull sideย than he ever was before, and most of what heโs hit in that direction hasย turned to gold. Provided he can keep this up, continuing to be a 20-homer guy with doubles power is definitely possible.
Baserunning
More power means Brantley hasnโt needed to steal as many bases, but that hasnโt stopped him. Heโs a 20-steal guy for the first time, and with excellent efficiency to boot. In light of that, itโs somewhat disappointing that he only hasย a 41ย XBT%, but at least the trade-off is very few outs on the bases. Though itโs Brantleyโs hitting thatโs gotten him attention, donโt overlook how good hisย baserunningย has been.
Defense
You might be surprised to hear that only one ofย the defensive metricsย has Brantley rated as an above-average left fielder, but he really isnโt perfect. His accurate arm is an asset, to be sure. Itโs his range thatโs hit or miss, as he can occasionally run tentative routes to the ball. Itโs a good thing he can make up for that most of the time, and letโs not overlook that he can also pitch in solid center field defense.
Total
Brantley has turned what had been excellent hitting potential into plain old excellent hitting. That heโs also mixed in a solid combination of power and speed is icing on the cake, and it's the difference between being a good hitter and a terrific all-around player.
18. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Washington Nationals
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Hitting
Anthony Rendon hasย pulled off the tough trickย of being more aggressive while staying disciplined and without sacrificing much contact, and thereโs not an area of the field thatโsย safe when heโs hitting. And though itโs a shame hisย line-drive rateย has decreased, heโs made more solid contact onย pitches away from him. Though heโs been prone to ups and downs, Rendon has the makings of a dangerous hitter.
Power
Rendon has made good on last yearโs power tease. Simplyย hitting more fly ballsย has given him a chance to hit for more power, but he also has the pop to pick up extra-base hitsย in any direction. Itโs not all home run power either, as he can split either gap with a hard line drive. As such, whatโs 20-homer power with doubles now stands a pretty solid chance of becoming 25-homer power with doubles.
Baserunning
Itโs not just power Rendon has. He has speed too. He's stolen 15 bases with very good efficiency, which is very strong stuff for a third baseman. Not content to stop there, heโs also working onย a 55 XBT%ย thatโs a big upgrade over last yearโs 41 percent. And all around, thereโs a pretty strong case to be made for him as one ofย baseballโs top baserunners.ย
Defense
The defensive metricsย are split on Rendon, but heโs probably closer to average than above average defensively. While he has good reactions and good range, his throwing errors arenโt the biggest surprise knowing that he has a funky sort of throwing motion. But hey, when you can play at least a solid third baseย andย a good second base, youโre a good guy to have on defense.ย
Total
Itโs by no means a stretch to call Rendon one of the best players in baseball right now. But whatโs really scary is that we more than likely havenโt seen his best yet. Already a qualityย baserunnerย and defender, his hitting and power both have room to grow.ย ย
17. Johnny Cueto, SP, Cincinnati Reds
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Control
For Johnnyย Cueto, being a great command artist doesnโt mean living in the zone. Heย generally doesnโt. But heโs one of the best in the business at playing with the edges of the strike zone with his hard stuffโand heโs gottenย especially prolific at itย this yearโparticularly when it comes to facingย right-handed batters. The catch is that this style bars him from being among the elite at limiting walks, but thatโs about it.
Whiffability
One thingย Cuetoโsย ability to paint has bought him is a whole bunch ofย looking strikeouts, which wonโt be easy to repeat. This is not to say heย doesnโtย have swing-and-miss stuff, however. His four-seamerย is one of theย hardest to hitย in the league, and his changeup and sliderย are both toughย too. And with one more year to go before he hits 30, maybe he can maintainย his velocity spikeย from 92-93 to 93-94.ย
Hittability
Cuetoย hasย let his four-seamerย take over for his sinker in 2014, and thatโs helped knock his ground-ball rateย down a peg. Heโs still good at getting ground balls, though, and heโs also tough to square up for line drives andย well-hit fly balls. That he lives on the edges is part of the equation, but his ability to mix up his many pitches also helps. Watch any start of his, and youโre liable to see a lot of ugly swings against him.
Workhorse
This is whereย Cuetoโsย hard to figure. Heโs been a stupendous workhorse this year,ย regularly goingย seven innings and throwing 110 pitchesย while actuallyย gaining velocityย as games move along. But you just canโt rely on his shoulder to stay healthy, as heโs had issues with it seemingly every year. That makes it hard to project another season like this one.
Overall
Cuetoโsย been a beast from day one this season, baffling hitters by painting on the edges, mixing his pitches and pitching deep into games. And though we can worry about his shoulder staying healthy and his strikeout rate coming back to earth, itโs hard not to viewย Cuetoย as one of baseballโs elite hurlers anyway.
16. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies
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Hitting
I mean, sure, we can talk about the Coors Field effect. Troy Tulowitzki didย finish his seasonย with a .417 averageย at homeย and a .257 average in road games. But when you have aย measured plate approach, a solid contact habit,ย zone coverageย that has few holes and an ability toย hit rockets all over the field,ย onlyย giving Tulowitzkiย a perfect score here is really the biggest way we can knock him for the Coors Field effect.
Power
Again, you can focus on the Coors Field effect. But it says it all that evenย Tulowitzikiโsย .191 road ISOย (Isolated Power) is elite byย this yearโs shortstop standards. He really does have power thatโs unrivaled at shortstop. His preference forย line drives and fly ballsย allows him to easily tap into it, and he can pick up extra-base hits inย any direction he pleases.
Baserunning
And now for the point where theย Tulowitzkiย love fest gets put on hold. Injuries have helped influence a decline into a subparย baserunnerย by shortstop standards. He doesnโt steal bases anymore, and he finished his season with (by far) aย career-low 25 XBT%. Knowing that heโs headed for his age-30 season with yet another significant lower-half injury in his wake, no, things probably arenโt getting better.
Defense
Tulowitzkiย had yet another strong defensive season as far asย the defensive metricsย are concerned, playing mistake-free defense and making a boatload of tough plays. On those, itโs not so much amazing quickness. Itโs more so his arm strength, as he can salvage seemingly un-makeable plays by unleashing throws that maybe nobody other thanย Andreltonย Simmons can make. The one worry: How much longer can his body hold up at short?
Overall
For much of 2014,ย Tulowitzkiย was the best player in baseball thanks to insanely hot hitting and terrific defense at shortstop. Itโs too bad that yet another injury came along and ruined everything. And with so many injuries now on his soon-to-be-30-year-old body, itโs best if we expect him to be, you know, onlyย slightlyย elite going forward.
15. Cole Hamels, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
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Control
By his 2011-13 standards, Coleย Hamelsย has been walking more guys. However, heโsย hitting the zoneย about as often as the average starter while (not so coincidentally) pumpingย more fastballs into zoneย than he has in years. That the majority are at theย bottom of the zoneย is ideal, as it allows him to set batters up to swing over his changeup. Now if he would just stopย missing down the middleย againstrighties...
Whiffability
Hamelsย is missing batsย about as wellย as he did in 2013, with his main weapon still being his delicious (and very much elite) changeup. His cutter and curveball are none too shabby either. One thing to raise issue with is how heโs gotten some extra whiffs fromย increased fastball velocity, as heโs gone from 91-92 to sitting at 92. For a guy who will be 31 soon, that doesnโt reek of sustainability.
Hittability
Hamelsย hasย pushed his ground-ball rateย toward its 2011 peak, and not just because his changeup isย a good ground-ball pitch. His sinker is too, and heโs puttingย more and more trustย in it. To boot,ย Hamelsย is good at limiting hard contact even when he doesnโt get ground balls. By keeping hitters off-balance so consistently, he ensures that balls that are elevated off himย donโt travel far.
Workhorse
Hamelsย has topped 215 innings three years in a row, and heโs beenย good for his customaryย 100 pitches and almost seven innings per startย ever since his return from an early season shoulder injury. That he did battle that shoulder injury canโt be ignored, however, especially knowing thatย Hamelsย isnโt getting any younger. Itโs likely that his most durable days are in the past.
Overall
Hamelsโ success revolves largely around his changeup, which is still one of the deadliest offerings in the game. Heโs also a good command artist, and you have to admire the adjustments heโs made to limit hard contact. This leaves age-related concernsโvelocity and health chief among themโas the only real concerns.
14. Jose Bautista, RF, Toronto Blue Jays
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Hitting
You can always count on Jose Bautista to take his walks, as heโs aย discerning hitterย who likes to see his share of pitches. But this year has seen him do a terrific jobย using the opposite fieldย for a change. Heโs also never been more of aย line-drive threat against slow stuff, and heโsย covered outside pitchesย better than he has since 2011. Heโs turned himself from a low-average/high-OBP guy into a high-average/high-OBP guy.
Power
Just because Bautista is more of a complete hitter doesnโt mean heโs a lesser power hitter. He hasnโt stopped beingย a fly-ball hitter, and heย doesnโt seem to be losingย any of hisย patented pull power. At the back of oneโs mind, however, is the knowledge that Bautista has had trouble staying healthy the last two seasons. With his 34thย birthday due up, heโs bound to start leaking at leastย someย power eventually.
Baserunning
Bautista is still a good athlete for his age, but I wouldnโt expect him to light up theย basepathsย for much longer. Heโs only a candidate for five-ishย steals now, and heโs watchedย his XBT% fallย from over 50 percent each year between 2011 and 2013 to 42 percent this year. He could be due for another drop in his age-34 season, which would make his habit of running into outs look that much worse.
Defense
The defensive metricsย arenโt overly impressed by Bautistaโs defense in right field, and they look even less impressed if you take away his (rightfully) strong marks for his arm. There is something to their pickiness, as Bautistaโs range is limited by his non-eliteย foot speed. But itโs really not that big of a problem. He moves fine for a right fielder, and he at least reads and tracks balls well.
Total
Itโs hard not to have at least some doubts about Bautistaโs ability to keep it up as he gets into his mid-30s, but thereโs still plenty to like. Heโs still a terrific power source, and heโs made himself into even more of an on-base machine while continuing to play strong defense in right field.
13. Max Scherzer, SP, Detroit Tigers
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Control
Max Scherzerโs command potential is limited by a delivery thatโs not easy to repeat and stuff that moves like crazy. And yet heโsย hitting the zoneย more often despite dropping his fastball usageย to a new low. That heโs located his secondariesย in the zone more oftenย is a big factor there. The lone gripe is that Scherzerโs fastball command hasnโt been as sharp as in 2013, in which he lived atย the bottom of the zone.
Whiffability
Heโs Maxย Scherzer. That means more than a strikeout per inning and a whole bunch ofย swings and misses, largely courtesy of one of the gameโs best sliders and a changeup thatโsย only getting harder to hit. The only catch is that his four-seamerย is becoming easier to hit, which makes sense knowing that heโsย gone from throwingย 93-94 to 92-93. And now that heโs 30, another drop is likely to happen.
Hittability
Even despite his ever-decreasing fastball usage,ย Scherzerย hasnโt quit beingย a fly-ball pitcher. Thatโs life when your four-seamerย isnโt hard to elevate. Itโs also not impossible to take deep, which will only become more true if he keeps leaking velocity. But even if it does, here's guessing its primary function will still be helping Scherzer collect loads and loads ofย can-of-corn fly balls.
Workhorse
Scherzerโsย been good for over 100 pitches and close to seven innings when heโs taken the ballย these last two years. Him going more than seven innings, however, doesnโt happen especially frequently because of the high pitch counts his strikeout habit causes. We also have to take into account that he could be prone to more shorter outings in his age-30 season if lesser velocity does make life tougher.
Overall
Thatย Scherzerโsย getting up there means we naturally have to worry about how much longer his insane stuff is going to hold up, especially since the cracks are already starting to form. He should be a couple of years away from completely losing his stuff, however, and his transformation into more of a pitcher than a thrower should help ensure he remains one of the gameโs best.
12. Carlos Gomez, CF, Milwaukee Brewers
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Hitting
Carlos Gomez has become less of a whiff candidateย against breaking ballsย and has also hung on to last yearโsย line-drive rate. Even better, itโs no longer easy to beat him at theย top of the zone. Itโs too bad heโs become an evenย wilder swingerย than he already was, hacking, whiffing and expanding the zone more than ever. You can get away with that if youโre a good bad-ball hitter,ย but heโs not.
Power
Gomezย upping his fly-ball rateย in 2014 hasnโt made him a better power hitter. It hasnโt helped that a good chunk of those flies haveย gone to right field, where his power is less explosive. Still, this isย nitpickery. Gomez hasnโt lost his ability to drive the ballย to center and left, and heโs hit more line drives and fly ballsย in those directionsย than he did in 2013. In other words: His power potential is just fine.
Baserunning
Gomez once again surpassed the 30-stolen-base plateau, marking the third year in a row heโs done so. Heโs also taken what was a 44 XBT% in 2013 and upped itย to 54. Itโs not all good, though. Gomezโs efficiency stealing bases has taken a hit, and heโs still surprisingly mediocre at going first to third. And lastly, this is two years in a row heโs made double-digit outs on the bases.
Defense
After falling in love with Gomez in 2013,ย the defensive metricsย have backed off. It is indeed hard to be that good two years in a row. There arenโt always going to be home runs to rob, which is a bummer for a guy whoโs arguably the best at going back on deep fly balls. But make no mistake, Gomez still covers a ton of ground in center field, and you donโt want to sleep on the good arm he has for the position.
Overall
Gomez has done enough to put to rest any notions that his 2013 season was a fluke, as heโs continued to display a terrific combination of power and speed while (in my opinion) still playing a fine center field. If thereโs something worth worrying about, though, itโs his hitting. He can make a free-swinging approach work, but he wonโt repeat this yearโs wildness if he knows whatโs good for him.
11. Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants
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Hitting
Among Buster Posey's talents is simplyย putting the bat on the ball, and he further helps himself by being an all-fields batter whoโs hittingย plenty of line drives. But heโs also been less disciplined than usual in 2014, and he's beenย much less productiveย against pitches at the top of the strike zone. He's still excellent and is as hot as they come right now, but that shouldn't completely wipe away several months of inconsistency.
Power
Itโs looking like Poseyโs 2012 season is his own version of Joe Mauerโs 2009 season: It teased that he had power that he really doesnโt. But goodness knows his power is hardly a lost cause. He doesnโt waste opportunities to tap intoย his pull powerย and is plenty capable of driving the ball to right field. Factor in how he doesn't get much help from AT&T Park, and his power is still legit even if 2012 was a tease.
Baserunning
Poseyโs no more likely to steal bases than most other catchers, and he's fairly predictable when it comes to how he's going to take bases. Since 2012, hisย XBT% has goneย from 26 to 28 to 28 percent. As far as catchers go, heโs essentially normal.
Defense
Poseyโs best talent as a receiver is making sure his pitchers get the easy strikes, as heโs working on a 94.2 Z-Strike%. But his 15.9 O-Strike% is also above average, making him out to be a good guy to have behind the plate on a daily basis. Posey further helps out his pitchers byย controlling the running game, as his arm strength more than makes up for the modest quickness of his pop and windup.
Overall
Posey's hitting may not be without flaws and his power may never live up to what he did in 2012, but both his bat and his pop are still excellent by catcher standards. To boot, the quality of his receiving and throwing make it that much harder to campaign for him to be moved off catcher in the near future. The Giants would be missing out defensively.
10. Josh Donaldson, 3B, Oakland A's
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Hitting
Josh Donaldsonโs made what was already a patient and disciplined approachย even more so. Heโs also retainedย his quiet abilityย to get hits on ground balls while buying himself more consistency in the second half byย upping his line-drive rate. He hasnโt had the best response toย seeing fewer fastballs, though. His timing has been more easily disrupted, and heโs found himselfย swinging over junkย below his kneesย more often. Pitchers havenโt solved the Donaldson puzzle yet, but theyโve at least found some corner pieces.
Power
One thing pitchers havenโt been able to avoid so well is Donaldsonโs power. Heโs given himself even more chances to tap into it byย hitting more fly balls, and heโs continued to demonstrate thatย he can drive thoseย to all parts of the yard. When you can do that, you can make a run at 30 dingers. The only bummer is that his inconsistent line-drive habit has made it tough to tack on doubles.ย
Baserunning
Donaldson moves better than youโd expect of a converted catcher. He has a real shot at double-digit steals without being caught even once, and heโs tacking onย a solid 39 XBT%ย to go with it without making as many foolish outs as he did in 2013. For all he gets credit for,ย baserunningย is one area where he's underrated.
Defense
The defensive metricsย are even bigger fans of Donaldsonโs than they were in 2013. This is even despite all his errors, and that most of those are throwing errors does highlight his inconsistency with his accuracy. But thanks to quick reactions, good footwork and simple athleticism, he covers ground about as well as any third baseman and can make some really tough plays because of it.
Total
Though itโs not a great look that there are legit reasons Donaldsonโs bat has been so inconsistent in 2014, itโs a minor complaint in the grand scheme of things. He at least has a terrific eye at the plate, and he combines it with excellent power and defense and goodย baserunningย to make himself the total package.ย
9. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks
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Hitting
Itโs not by accident that Paulย Goldschmidt finished 2014 hitting .300 with a .396 OBP. He actually gotย more disciplined, allowing him to more consistently show off hisย considerable zone coverage. To boot, he also maintained a strong a line-drive approachย encompassing all fields. The only real concern isย the whiff habitย he developed against fastballs, but itโs a small concern in light of his strengths.
Power
Though home runs werenโt coming as easily as they did when he co-led the NL in homers in 2013, one look at Goldschmidtโsย 2014 hit mapย is all it takes to know that he was still hitting rockets all over the field. His raw power was fine. The worry, however, is that theย season-ending hand injuryย Goldschmidt suffered might do what hand injuries sometimes do and leave him with less than vintage power in 2015.
Baserunning
After topping 15 stolen bases in 2012 and 2013, Goldschmidt had at least a chance to get there again in 2014, withย nine steals in 12 tries. Even that amount is good enough to highlight him as the top base-stealing threat among first basemen, and then you can further admire how heย finished the season with a 55 XBT% and as the Arizona Diamondbacks'ย top-rated baserunner.
Defense
The defensive metricsย went from seeing Goldschmidt as an elite defender in 2013 to an average defender this year. This is justifiable, as heย made more errors and wasnโt as active scooping the ball or making rangy plays. The eye test says he didnโt lose his ability to do the latter two things well, though, so thereโs a limit to how much we can think he might have overachieved defensively in 2013.
Overall
The possibility of his season-ending hand injury taking away some power is the big concern with Goldschmidt going forward. But even if it does, itโs only going to render elite power into great power, and Goldschmidt should still have the goods to be a .300 hitter who can also run and field his position. For as many great first basemen are in the game today, none can match his all-around skill set.
8. Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Miami Marlins
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Hitting
Up until a wayward pitchย ended his season early, Giancarlo Stanton was still liable to swing and missย on slow stuff. Aside from that, though, he was continuing to beย less aggressive and more disciplinedย than he used to be.ย It's also become very difficult to sneak a fastball by him, heโsย getting betterย as a line-drive hitter and he was working onย career-best dominanceย at the top of the zone. Though his .395 on-base percentage was inflated a bit by 24 intentional walks, he was definitely showing some real improvements.
Power
Heโs Giancarlo Stanton. All he needs to do is get the ball in the air, and it will go. Heโs fortunately pretty good at getting the ball in the air, and he can make itย go in any directionย when he does. Such is how he ended his season with an NL-best 37 home runs and .267 Isolated Power.
Baserunning
Really the only thing to hold against Stanton is theย outs he madeย at second and third. Outside of those, however, he did a fine job of showing what he can do with healthy legs under him. He topped double-digit steals for the first time, with good efficiency to boot. He also finished with a 46 XBT% that featured a career-best eight first-to-thirds.
Defense
The defensive metricsย were split on Stantonโs defense, but itโs the one that was rating him as easily above average that has the right idea. His range is limited by his modestย foot speed, but he makes up for it by getting solid jumps and tracking balls well. And though he doesnโt exactly have Roberto Clementeโs arm, itโs good enough. As long as he can stay healthyโfingers crossedโheโs going to get it done on defense.
Total
Stanton is still limited by his tendency to swing and miss, but he doesnโt have many limits aside from that one anymore. Heโs done enough to turn himself into a consistent hitter, he runs the bases and plays defense well and, of course, hits for a ton of power. The corner outfielder kingdom is his to rule.
7. Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Hitting
Itโs a bummer that Andrewย McCutchenโsย ever-escalating line-drive habit hasย finally taken a step back, and he still hasnโt responded to anย ever-increasing percentageย of breaking balls byย hitting them better. But oh well.ย McCutchenโsย batting eye, patience and ability to make contactย are all sharp, hisย plate coverageย is outstanding and he really hasnโt needed a high line-drive rate to continue making loud contact.
Power
Relative to 2012 and 2013,ย McCutchenย has been dabblingย more in fly ballsย and has boosted his power in the process. Itโs also helped that heย has blastedย hard-hit drivesย to every part of the yard, and itโs worth noting that his power-suppressing home parkย hasnโt helped himย add to his home run total. He probably should have more. In all, the only real gripe is this: Heโs not Mike Trout.
Baserunning
McCutchenย hasnโt been stealing bases in the same volume that he was in 2013, but the trade-off has been a huge increase in efficiency. Even if he doesnโt make it to 20 steals by the end of the year, he may not exit the year with more than one caught-stealing. The downside? Thatโs that hisย XBT% has fallenย from the 60-70 range in 2012 and 2013 all the way to 41 percent.ย
Defense
The defensive metricsย are back to being down onย McCutchenโsย defense, but theyโre being harsh. As one brilliant demonstration from theย MLB Advanced Media tracking systemย can show, heโs plenty capable of good first steps, efficient routes and closing speed. If he does have a problem, itโs consistency. Beyond the occasional iffy read, he can underestimate his closing speed and ease up on catchable balls.
Overall
McCutchenย hasnโt had the kind of all-around excellent season that he had in 2013, but he hasnโt done anything to really damage his reputation as one of the gameโs top talents. His bat and power are both potent, hisย baserunningย is still an asset and his defense isnโt the liability the metrics think it is.
6. Chris Sale, SP, Chicago White Sox
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Control
Chris Sale finished with a BB/9 under 2.0 in 2013 and is on his way there again. A big key is how heโs been pumping more fastballs into the zone than in hisย previous two yearsย as a starter, setting himself up nicely to expand the zone with hisย secondaries. Whatโs not so great is Saleโs fastball command in the zone, as he often strays down the middleย against leftiesย and can be all over the placeย against righties.
Whiffability
Sale is now among the gameโs very elite. That his swinging-strike rateย has skyrocketedย is the main ingredient, with improved fastball velocity being a big reason for that. Sale isย now sittingย at 94.0 and more easilyย blowing hitters away. Add in a Frisbee-like slider thatโs one of the best in the game and an underrated changeup thatโs only becoming more unhittable, and you get a whiff master.ย
Hittability
Saleโs increasedย whiffabilityย does come with one catch, and thatโs how itโs required him to exchange someย sinkers for four-seamers. Thatโs hurt hisย overall ground-ball rateย and helped increase his fly-ball rate, whichย should probablyย be leading to more home runsย than it has...and yet, there'sย Mark Simon of ESPN Stats & Infoย saying that nobody has limited hard contact better than Sale. Hard to ignore, that.
Workhorse
On the surface, itโs hard to complain about a guy whoโs been a strong bet forย seven inningsย and well over 100 pitchesย the last two years. But Saleโs velocity hasย tended to peakย in the first inning this year, and the thought of all those pitches is just as concerning as it is encouraging knowing that heโs had shoulder and elbow issues the last two years.ย
Overall
Exactly how many innings Sale can pitch in a given year is a question mark, but one of very few where heโs concerned. His herky-jerky delivery doesnโt bar him from finding the strike zone, and pretty much everything in his arsenal is unhittable from both a swing-and-miss and contact perspective.ย
5. Jonathan Lucroy, C, Milwaukee Brewers
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Hitting
Jonathan Lucroy isย only getting betterย atย mixing patience and discipline with an ability to make contact. Itโs good contact, too. Heโs capable ofย hitting all fieldsย with both line drives and ground balls, and his production has been helped by how heโs never been better atย squaring up breaking balls. This makes his upward-trending whiff habitย against off-speedย stuff the only thing worth worrying about.
Power
In addition to his solid home run power, Lucroy has been a doubles machine this year. Thatโs what happens when you can drive the ball consistentlyย to all fields. And while asking for that doubles power to become home run power is probably too muchโitโs not like Lucroy is some 25-year-old whoโs just starting outโhe definitely has the goods to at least duplicate it.
Baserunning
Itโs a shame that Lucroy hasnโt been able to repeat last yearโs 9-for-10 effort on stolen bases. But he hasnโt needed to steal bases with all the doubles heโs been hitting, and the trade-off is that heโs never been more active taking the extra base. Hisย XBT% is 49 percent, which is terrific by catching standards.
Defense
Lucroyโs receiving skills have rightfully become almost legendary. I have his Z-Strike% at 92.4 and his O-Strike% at 16.9, both of which are easily above average. Furthermore, heโs also one of the best at blocking pitches. Heโs not great atย controlling the running game, though, as he has fringy arm strength that he can only hide so much with his habit of cheating out of his crouch as the ball travels to home.
Overall
Even in whatโs been his best season, Iโm not sure Lucroy is getting enough credit. Beyond being a terrific hitter, heโs a quality baserunner and a guy who provides a ton of hidden value with his ability to get extra strikes for his pitchers. Right now, thereโs no catcher in the game more well-rounded than him.
4. Corey Kluber, SP, Cleveland Indians
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Control
Thatย close to 80 percentย of Corey Kluberโs pitches are fastballs or cutters makes it easy for him to live in the zone, so it's actually somewhat surprising that he onlyย hits the zoneย about as often as the average starter. But he doesnโt simply throw his hard stuff up there. He lives consistently on the edgeย against leftiesย and rarely strays from the outside cornerย against righties. But his really hidden talent? Nobody in the American League is betterย at back-dooring leftiesย with sliders.
Whiffability
Kluberย was good at missing bats in 2013. Heโs becomeย great at itย this year. That he sits in theย 93-94 rangeย with his heat gives him the velocity to blow batters away, but itโs his cutter and slider that do the heavy lifting. His cutter isย arguably the hardest to hitย in the game, and his slider isย right up thereย with those of Garrett Richards and Max Scherzer. Thatโs some arsenal.
Hittability
Kluberโsย only getting better atย inducing ground balls, and you would too if you had a sinker, cutter and slider asย good at getting groundersย as his. Heโs also gotten what was an absurdly high line-drive rate off his four-seamerย under controlย and is now inducingย more pop-ups than home runs. In so many words, heโs become very, very,ย veryย hard to square up.
Workhorse
Kluberย lacks a track record in this department, but what heโs shown this year has been encouraging. Heโs averaged roughlyย seven innings per start, and his efficiency has helped him do so on barely more than 100 pitches. Heโs also shown he can kick up his velocityย deep in games. So even despite the lack of a track record, itโs not hard to project him as an easy bet for 200 innings going forward.
Overall
It was clear in 2013 thatย Kluberย was at least underrated. Now heโs one of the elite starters in the game, mixing top-notch control with nasty stuff and an ability to limit good contact. The presence of Felix Hernandez will make it tough for him to win the AL Cy Young this year, but itโs not hard to imagineย Kluberย emerging as the favorite in 2015.
3. Mike Trout, CF, Los Angeles Angels
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Hitting
The things Mike Trout excels at include workingย disciplined at-bats,ย hitting low pitches,ย hitting slow pitchesย and generally clobbering the ballย all over the yard. However, itโs no secret that heโs developed a problemย swinging through high fastballs, and his production at the top of the zone isย basically nonexistent. For as good as he is, thatโs a flaw that canโt be ignored.
Power
Of course, more fly balls isnโt the worst curse in the world if you have some power. And Trout has that. Lots of it. Enough of it to blast a career-high number of homers and carry out an all-out extra-base hit assault on theย deepest parts of the yard. Already a good power hitter, Trout is now arguably (or maybe not at all arguably) one of the five best power hitters in the game.
Baserunning
After 49 steals in 2012 and 33 in 2013, Trout won't even hit 20 this year. So yeah, what weโre doing is giving a very speedy runner the benefit of the doubt that steals might happen again. Aside from that, the good news is that Trout hasnโt stopped being an aggressiveย baserunner. Hisย 59 XBT%ย is the same as last year, and heโs gone first to third almost 60 percent of the time.
Defense
The defensive metricsย donโt like Troutโs defense this year. But whatโs notable about that is that itโs really the weakness of his arm thatโs hurting him. His range and ability to make plays are hurting him less, and thatโs no surprise knowing you can watch him and still see a center fielder who gets good jumps, reads balls well and has terrific closing speed. Basically: Yeah, he gets the benefit of the doubt here too.
Overall
What weโve witnessed in 2014 is theย sluggerizationย of Mike Trout. After being by far baseballโs most complete player in 2012 and 2013, heโs turned into much more of a bat-first player. Itโs a good thing his bat has been good enough to keep him among the gameโs elite. And if you want to talk about which player has the most pure talent, itโs still no question. The answerโs Trout.
2. Felix Hernandez, SP, Seattle Mariners
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Control
King Felix now throws his heatย less than half the timeย and is operating with aย modest zone rate. But he does an excellent job of setting hitters up with his heatโtoying with the outside cornerย against leftiesย and the bottom of the zoneย against rightiesโforcing them to protect the edges that he so often plays with. Also, mistake pitches seldom happen, as nobodyโs thrownย more low pitches.ย
Whiffability
Hernandez has never been this goodย at missing bats. Youโd expect as much from a guy whoโs traded in fastballs for moreย secondaries, and his slider, changeup and curveball are all excellent atย getting swings and misses. That heโsย gone back to throwingย 92-93 has also helped. But knowing that heโll soon be 29 and is coming off a velocity drop in 2013, thatโs likely not sustainable.
Hittability
Hernandez is steadily becomingย a great ground-ball pitcher, a benefit of him throwing both a lot of low pitches and fewer fastballs in general. It also helps that Hernandezโs primary fastball is a sinkerย thatโs good, if not quite great, at getting ground balls. Yet another bonus of all of the above is that Hernandezย isnโt getting any easierย to take deep. Beating him means trying to single him to death.ย
Workhorse
Hernandez simply refuses to break down, as heโs been good forย seven innings and 100ย pitches per start like he always is. And though heโs asked more of his arm by pitching with more velocity, heโs held his velocity fine bothย in gamesย andย throughout the year. Maybe heโll finally break down when he hits 30, but he still has another year to go before he gets there.
Overall
Hernandez is amazing. Heโs showing no signs of running out of gas, and this year has seen him become a better command, strikeout and ground-ball artist than heโs ever been. Thatโs what having good movement and location can do for you, and thereโs nobody who mixes those two things better.
1. Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Control
Clayton Kershawโs reliance on his heat isย still trending downward, but heโs going to shatter last yearโs career-best 1.98 BB/9 anyway. That heโsย pounding the zoneย more is a factor, and a factor there is him putting moreย breaking balls in the zone. He also does an excellent job of poundingย lefties awayย andย righties insideย with his heat, with the only gripe being that his misses are too often down the middle.
Whiffability
Beyond racking up strikeouts at a career-high rate, Kershaw also has theย highest swinging-strike rateย of any qualified starter. He has hisย 92-93 fastballย to blow hitters away, and his curveball is still in fine form. But itโs his slider thatโs taken center stage, as heโs throwing it atย a higher velocityย and getting whiffs with itย like never before. So in addition to the best curveball in the game, he now hasย arguably the best slider.
Hittability
Suddenly, Kershaw is a legitย ground-ball pitcher. Hisย slider is doing its part, as hitters can do little to tap it into the ground when they do hit it. But while thatโs likely sustainable, the elevated ground-ball rate of Kershawโs fastball likely isnโt. Regular four-seamersย like his arenโt good at getting ground balls, and his isย a rising fastballย to boot. Still, his ground-ball rate will avoid a serious blow if his fastball usage continues to trend downward, andย nobody ever saidย his four-seamerย was easy to hit anyway.ย
Workhorse
That Kershaw missed a month with an injury earlier this year is going to bar him from a fourth straight 220-inning season and is a cause for concern in this department. Thereโs not much else to complain about, though, as Kershawย is still goodย for seven innings and 100 pitches whileย holding his velocityย fine every time he takes the ball. Nitpickery aside, he's awesome.
Overall
Kershaw has gone from being the best pitcher in the game to something else entirely. His command has gone from great to elite. The emergence of his slider gives him three pitches that can miss bats. Heโs developed a ground-ball habit. And ever since he returned from his injury, heโs been the same tireless worker he was before. You canโt ask for a pitcher to be more perfect than this.
.jpg?w=2560 "Colts Giving Taylor $44M")
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