MLB Power Rankings: Carl Crawford and the Fastest Player on All 30 Teams
There is a plethora of speed on the base paths in Major League Baseball.
We all know Carl Crawford can swipe more bags in a single game than some might all season long, but is he the fastest player in the league?
While New York Mets fans will argue for Jose Reyes and Toronto Blue Jays fans will make the case for Rajai Davis, there are some other athletes in the league that may build quite an impressive resume in 2011 and beyond.
Beginning with the AL East, we'll take a look at all the speed in the league by division as we break down who should be a valuable asset to his team in the upcoming campaign.
Carl Crawford, Boston Red Sox
1 of 30
Crawford swiped six bags in a single game against the Red Sox last season.
Now, he'll be blazing the base paths for Red Sox Nation.
He's got four seasons of 50-plus stolen bases to his credit, and it seems likely that he could collect his fifth in 2011.
Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
2 of 30
It took some time for Yankees fans to accept Gardner as a legitimate everyday player, but he's certainly won a lot of people over with his blinding speed.
After registering an unreal 47 steals last season in just 477 ABs, it's going to be interesting to see if he can crack the 50-plus barrier this year.
Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
The Orioles don't do a whole lot of running on the bases, except for Roberts that is.
Despite missing the majority of last season with health issues, Roberts still managed to swipe 12 bases in just 59 games played.
And that was more than any of his other teammates managed in a full season.
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BJ Upton, Tampa Bay Rays
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Upton is as inconsistent as they come at the dish, but there's nothing left to be desired with his speed.
Although he's still yet to live up to the hype that surrounds him, the older Upton brother has managed three straight seasons of 40-plus steals, and it doesn't appear he's ready to break the trend anytime soon.
Rajai Davis, Toronto Blue Jays
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This man is going to be a popular name in fantasy baseball leagues for 2011.
A season after stealing 41 bases in 2009, Davis registered an incredible 50 SBs in 2010 and seemed like a nightly lock as his playing time progressed throughout the season.
Now slated to see a full complement of ABs in Toronto, it should be interesting to see if he can duplicate his production from the last couple of years.
Juan Pierre, Chicago White Sox
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Ever since Pierre signed a ludicrous deal with the Dodgers that had him being paid at $9 million per season, he's been viewed as an overrated, overpaid player.
But just how overrated is he? In an MLB where almost every athlete seems to be overpaid, the speedy Pierre seems to be a very valuable asset atop the lineup.
After falling out of favor in LA, Pierre took over the full-time CF job for the White Sox and responded by swiping an insane 68 bags. It is the third time in Pierre's career that he's stolen more than 60 bases.
How many other current MLB players can say that?
Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians
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Put a big fast asterisk next to this selection, please.
Assuming that his knee problems haven't totally sapped his explosiveness, Sizemore is that rare combination of size and power that every general manager craves in his lineup.
Before the last two injury-plagued seasons, Sizemore had two straight seasons of 30-plus steals to his credit, and it appeared he was pushing for 40 sooner rather than later.
As long as he proves healthy, he's a good bet to register at least 25 again in 2011.
Austin Jackson, Detroit Tigers
8 of 30
Jackson really wowed a lot of people during his impressive rookie campaign despite falling off toward the end of the season.
One of the best aspects of his game, Jackson's speed benefits him both on the base paths and while patrolling the spacious confines of center field.
Registering 27 steals during his inaugural campaign as compared to just six times that he was caught, Jackson will be a pest on the bases for many years to come.
Gregor Blanco, Kansas City Royals
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Gregor isn't very well known in Kansas City, but he absolutely should be.
After being acquired by the team from the Braves in 2010, Blanco flew around the bases and collected 10 steals in just 179 ABs.
With Scott Podsednik out of town, there isn't a whole lot of speed on this team outside of Blanco. If he can secure a full-time role in the KC outfield this season, he could make for an interesting sleeper and a good bet for 25 (or more) steals.
Denard Span, Minnesota Twins
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Span stole a career high 26 bases in 2010, one season after establishing a then career-high 23 steals in 2009.
As his playing time has increased, so has his production, and 2011 should be no different.
Span is being counted on to contribute in a monster way this season, and his speed is certainly going to help him achieve exactly that.
Peter Bourjos, Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim
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Like the aforementioned Blanco, Bourjos is another lesser known name around the league.
In just 181 ABs, Bourjos swiped ten bags, and flew around the base paths like a man possessed.
With the team banking on him as its full-time center fielder moving forward, Bourjos makes for an intriguing fantasy baseball sleeper based on his speed alone.
Coco Crisp, Oakland Athletics
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Some have forgotten just how fast Crisp really is when he's at full health.
Despite playing in just 75 games last season, Crisp registered a career-high 32 stolen bases.
Batting at the top of the lineup for the A's is the perfect spot for Crisp to showcase his best talent, as he's going to need to absolutely fly around the bases for the team's questionable offense to have any chance of scoring runs in copious amounts.
If he manages to stay healthy and play in at least 140 games? We're talking about someone who could be a 60-steal guy.
Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners
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Although some might argue that Chone Figgins is a step faster, there's not a single player in the league with a quicker first step than Ichiro.
After coming off a career-worst 26 steals in 2009, Ichiro rebounded with 42 steals in 2010. Additionally, Suzuki has registered at least 200 hits in every one of the ten seasons he's been in the MLB, so he's on base quite a bit to showcase his impressive speed.
As long as he stays healthy, there's no reason to think that his impressive numbers will fall whatsoever.
Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
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What he lacks in power, Andrus definitely makes up in speed.
The King has made his presence felt in Texas, swiping 30-plus bags in two consecutive seasons and proving to be an absolute nuisance to the opposition.
If he could learn to hit for a slightly higher average and improve his selection of when to steal, Andrus could see a large spike in his steals total in 2011.
Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves
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Unlike the others on this list, Heyward doesn't steal a ton of bags for Atlanta.
Instead, he flashes his impressive speed when he takes those long, graceful strides in the outfield for the Braves.
Bobby Cox didn't do a whole lot of running when he managed the team, but with his tenure now over, it should be fun to watch Heyward and see if he has a little more freedom on the bases.
He's certainly an intimidating sight.
Emilio Bonifacio, Florida Marlins
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Despite Hanley Ramirez being a lock for 25 or more SBs per season, Bonifacio is undoubtedly the fastest guy on this team.
The problem? He just can't get on base. After the team gave him a chance to succeed as the full-time leadoff hitter, Bonifacio fell flat on his face in the role, and was even sent back to the minors at one point.
With a real chance to win the starting CF job, Bonifacio would thrive as a speedster atop the lineup if he can figure out how to consistently get on base.
Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies
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They don't call him the Flyin' Hawaiian for nothing.
With three seasons of 30 or more SBs in his last four and an ability to go from first to third base with regularity, Victorino runs circles around his teammates.
It also doesn't hurt that he weighs just 190 lbs, if that.
Nyjer Morgan, Washington Nationals
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There's no doubt that Morgan is a hothead, but did anyone notice how fast he charged the mound last season?
He established a career high in steals last season with 34, and that was in just 136 games.
If he can manage to hit for a higher average and walk with a little more regularity, Morgan could be a threat to push 50 steals.
Jose Reyes, New York Mets
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Reyes is arguably the fastest player in the game.
Although he only registered 30 steals last season, his potential was greatly hampered by ex-manager Jerry Manuel's inexplicable decision to bat him out of the three hole.
From 2005-07, Reyes stole 60, 64 and 78 bases, and he'll look forward to getting back to doing exactly that as he enters free agency.
Make no mistake about it: speed is the biggest threat in Jose's game.
Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs
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Like the Braves, the Cubs didn't do a whole lot of running under Sweet Lou last season.
But now with Mike Quade serving as manager, Castro should be able to use his fresh legs regularly.
Castro will be just 21 when the regular season rolls around, and there's little doubt that he's got plenty of speed in those young legs of his.
Drew Stubbs, Cincinnati Reds
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Like Sizemore, Stubbs is a rare power/speed guy that the Reds are lucky to have.
With 22 homers and 30 steals in his first full season as a regular, Stubbs is mighty valuable at the top of the rapidly improving Cincinnati lineup.
With the ability to improve on his steals total if he can get on base with a little more regularity, the sky is the limit for this quick-footed rising star.
Michael Bourn, Houston Astros
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113 stolen bases over the last two seasons is certainly no laughing matter.
When you consider that Bourn has been playing for the lowly Astros, it makes the feat that much more impressive.
If Philadelphia had known what they were trading when they sent him packing, perhaps they wouldn't have made the deal.
He's really found a home in Houston.
Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
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McCutchen is giving the Pittsburgh faithful something to actually come to the ballpark for.
With 33 steals in his first full season of play, McCutchen's impressive speed was regularly on display. Pair that with his nine triples, and it's easy to see why this kid has everyone excited.
He's a real threat to improve his production if the Pirates can surround him with an improved offense.
Just don't forget about Jose Tabata, either.
Ryan Theriot, St. Louis Cardinals
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How many people realized that Theriot is coming off four consecutive seasons of 20-plus steals?
While he may not have the lightning speed that some others on the list do, Theriot's speed is much like his presence in the lineup.
Quiet, professional and always getting the job done.
Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers
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Here is one player that might have a legitimate argument when challenging Reyes for the fastest player in the game.
When he was with the Mets, it was reported that Gomez would regularly beat Reyes in 100-yard dashes. As a former track star in high school, it's certainly no surprise.
With Lorenzo Cain being shipped out of town in the Zack Greinke trade, Gomez has once again been handed the starting CF job, despite being rather undeserving.
If he can figure out how to rack up the singles, Gomez will find himself on third base a lot more often thanks to his speed.
And with that potent Brewers offense behind him?
I'd certainly roll the dice on him toward the end of my draft.
Chris Young, Arizona D-Backs
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Young absolutely flies.
In 2010, Young stole a career best 28 bases, and that total should be on the rise in 2011.
With a re-found confidence about him and a completely new approach to the game, Young's game only stands to benefit with another year of maturity under his belt.
Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Furcal has always been plenty fast.
The problem is that recently, he's been plenty fast to hit the sidelines with injury, as well.
He hasn't been elite on the bases since 2007, but Furcal has the ability to bounce back in a big way this season in a re-shaped Dodgers lineup.
Will Venable, San Diego Padres
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Perhaps the least known player on the list, Venable should be a household name very soon.
With 29 steals in just 392 ABs, the speed is certainly very real for the 28-year-old.
Slated to start in left field for the Friars, Venable is an intriguing sleeper based on his power potential and proven speed on the bases.
Eric Young, Jr, Colorado Rockies
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EY Jr. might not have had the most steals on his team last season, but just one look at him running the bases tells anyone all that they need to know.
Swiping an incredible 17 bags in just 172 ABs, Young is showing exactly why the Rox were always so reluctant including him in any potential trade.
With a young nucleus of Tulo and CarGo locked up, perhaps Young will be playing alongside the budding superstars for many years to come.
Andres Torres, San Francisco Giants
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Torres enjoyed a career season at age 32.
Thriving in a full-time role for the first time in his career, Torres lit up the stat sheet in almost every department.
Most notably, the journeyman registered 26 steals, and was regularly flying around the bases and touching home plate for the World Series champs.
He may not play everyday in 2011, but he should see a significant chunk of action.
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