MLB Power Rankings: Tim Hudson and the 10 Most Underrated NL East Players

The NL East is filled with great players.  Heck, the Phillies rotation has four of the top pitchers in baseball.

But, there are some players in the division that don't get the credit they deserve.

Some of these players are still well known but are not the super stars they should be.  Others are very good players that contribute immensely to their teams who are not given their just recognition.

Each of the five teams in the division, even the Phillies, has at least one player who is considered underrated.

Here are the 10 most underrated players in the NL East.

10. Martin Prado

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 01: Martin Prado #14 of the Atlanta Braves against the New York Mets at Turner Field on September 1, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Braves second baseman was Atlanta's most consistent player last season, leading the league in hitting for part of the season.

And even though he was honored as an All-Star game participant, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel couldn't even pronounce his name right at a press conference.

Prado deserves more respect than that.

9. Ian Desmond

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WASHINGTON - AUGUST 26: Ian Desmond #6 of the Washington Nationals singles in the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on August 26, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Nationals won the game 11-10. (Photo

In his rookie season, Desmond hit 10 homers and 16 steals.  Yet, he didn't receive a single vote in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting.

Desmond is a consistent player for the Nationals, who in 2011 could take another step and start putting up numbers similar to Alexei Ramirez.

8. Leo Nunez

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 05: Relief pitcher Leo Nunez #46 of the Florida Marlins pitches in the ninth inning on his way to picking up the save against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 5, 2010 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Marlins won 6-5

The Marlins closer was one of their best players in 2011, recording 30 saves while striking out 71.

Nunez continues to improve as a closer and is arguably a top 10 closer, yet is never mentioned in the same breath as other closers at the same level as him.

7. Brian McCann

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 11: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves against the San Francisco Giants during Game Four of the NLDS of the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Turner Field on October 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

McCann has been the most consistent Brave since he arrived in the majors in 2005.

Though he has been selected to the All-Star game four times, the fans have never voted him a starter.  Rather, they have opted for Paul Lo Duca, Russell Martin and Yadier Molina.

McCann was even the MVP of the 2010 game.

Although he is widely regarded as a good catcher, McCann is an elite player that still flies under the radar.

6. Ricky Nolasco

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SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - JUNE 28: Ricky Nolasco #47 of the Florida Marlins pitches against The New York mets during their game at Hiram Bithorn Stadium on June 28, 2010 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Nolasco, along with others in the Marlins pitching staff, really goes unnoticed by the national media.

Bouncing back from a rough 2009 and returning to his 2008 form, Nolasco provided the Marlins with 14 wins while maintaining a 1.9 BB/9, one of the best in the National League.

5. Carlos Ruiz

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 19: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws the ball back to the pitcher against the San Francisco Giants in Game Three of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 19, 2010 in San Francisco, Califo

Overshadowed by Utley, Rollins and Howard, Carlos Ruiz has silently become a key contributor to the Phillies lineup.

With a .847 OPS in 2010, Ruiz also had a 4.4 WAR, second in the NL for catchers.

Another productive season from Ruiz would really solidify the Phillies lineup in 2011.

4. Tim Hudson

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 10: Starting pitcher Tim Hudson #15 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during Game Three of the NLDS of the 2010 MLB Playoffs against the San Francisco Giants on October 10, 2010 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/G

Hudson has been one of the most consistent pitchers over the past decade and has led the league in many pitching categories including wins, shutouts, and HR/9.

Yet, 2010 was the first year he received any Cy Young votes since 2003.

Though Hudson may not be able to repeat his 2010 success, he is still one of the most underrated pitchers in the game.

3. Ryan Zimmerman

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PHOENIX - AUGUST 04: Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals at bat during the Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 4, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Nationals defeated the Diamondbacks 7-2. (Photo b

Ryan Zimmerman is one of the best ballplayers in the game.  But because he plays for the Nationals, he doesn't get his due recognition.

Still only 25, Zimmerman was fifth in the NL in oWAR and seventh in overall WAR.

In a couple years, once the Nationals get out of the NL East basement, Zimmerman will hopefully receive more media attention and be listed among the top players in the bigs.

2. Josh Johnson

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ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 13: National League All-Star Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins throws a ptich during the 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

If you asked 10 people "Who led the National League in ERA in 2010?", the majority of the responses would most likely be Roy Halladay or Ubaldo Jimenez.

But the correct answer is Josh Johnson, with a 2.30 ERA.

Yet even with this remarkable ERA, Johnson only finished fifth in the NL Cy Young voting, most likely because he only recorded 11 wins.

The fact he plays for the Marlins hurts him in the Cy Young voting and for media attention.  But Johnson is one of the top pitchers in MLB, and at age 26, he is just reaching his prime.

1. Angel Pagan

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Angel Pagan #16 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves during their game on September 18, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Angel Pagan is the most underrated player in the NL East

He was second in the majors in dWAR and 10th in the NL in overall WAR.

But the fact he plays in an outfield alongside Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran overshadows his 37 steals.

If the Mets are to do anything in 2011, they need another big season from Angel Pagan, though many people might not notice it.