Every MLB Team's Most Respected Player

When you think of any of the MLB teams, there is usually that one player with whom you associate the club. 

Generally, this player is more a less a superstar in his own right, someone that can either tear the cover off the ball or shut down the opposition. 

This player commands respect from his opponents.  It's going to take some strategic planning along with a little luck to beat him.  The fans know this, the other team knows this and the player himself knows this.

For some teams, there is no question who this particular player is.  For others, such as the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies, it's hard to determine which member of the star-studded rotations and lineups is the most respected. 

However, everyone has an opinion and now I'll share my view on who the most respected players are on each major league ball club. 

If you disagree with my choices, feel free to share your personal opinions in the comment section below.

Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Roy Halladay

This should have been a tough choice, seeing as the Phillies have some major pop in their lineup and three possible Cy Young candidates in their rotation. 

In the end, you really can't dispute the dominance of Doc Halladay because he has been the best pitcher in the game for years.

Even if some other guys are having better years in 2011, most hitters in the NL will tell you they dread facing Halladay while AL hitters are thrilled he left Toronto for Philly. 

He was awarded the NL Cy Young Award in 2011 to go with his AL version of the award from 2003.

Although he has some steep competition this year in Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw, Halladay very well could nab the award again this year with a strong September.

Atlanta Braves: C Brian McCann

For many years this would have easily been Chipper Jones, but there is a new face of Atlanta and it belongs to Brian McCann. 

The young catcher made his debut in June 2005 and has quickly established himself as one of the best hitting catchers in the game. 

He has been an All-Star every season since 2006 and has won six Silver Slugger Awards.  He now bats cleanup for the Braves

On a young ballclub, he's the guy that pitchers most fear whilst navigating the Atlanta lineup.

New York Mets: SS Jose Reyes

Alright, so David Wright has a case here.  But how are you going to argue that Jose Reyes isn't the most respected player on the Mets? 

Opposing pitchers see him from the get-go right atop the Mets lineup and more often than not, he finds his way on base to lead off the game. 

He has a dangerous combination of power and speed and he hits for average, currently battling for the NL batting title. 

He'll be a free agent at the end of the year however, so if and when he leaves New York, my vote will go to David Wright.

Until then, it's Jose all the way.

Washington Nationals: 3B Ryan Zimmerman

Had Stephen Strasburg not required Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the majority of the 2011 season (he makes his season debut tonight), he may have been my choice for the Nationals. 

But with less than a year of major league service time under his belt, I have to give it to Ryan Zimmerman. 

This guy has thrived on a struggling ball club for years and is probably the best third baseman in the NL, maybe even all of baseball. 

The Nationals are slowly but steadily rising up to contender status but until someone else comes to D.C. and makes his case, Zimmerman will remain the most respected player in our nation's capital.

Florida Marlins: RHP Josh Johnson

Marlins ace Josh Johnson has been sidelined with injury for most of the 2011 season.  However, no one else on his team has stepped up in his absence. 

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez was once one of the game's elite players but has endured season-long struggles this year, hitting only .243 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI. 

With Ramirez falling from grace, fans can hardly wait for JJ to return and open up the new Marlins Ballpark in 2012. 

With a career ERA below 3.00, Johnson has dominated opposing lineups since 2006.  You can bet he has earned the respect of his teammates, Marlins fans and any players who have opposed him.

Milwaukee Brewers: 1B Prince Fielder

The Milwaukee Brewers have been one of the best teams in baseball in 2011, running away with the NL Central late in the 2011 season. 

Most of this has been because of their excellent three-four punch in the lineup, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. 

Obviously those two sluggers are the most respected players in Milwaukee, but which one garners the most respect? Fielder does. 

He has been with the club a few years longer than Braun and quickly established himself as one of the league's premier sluggers. 

Virtually every pitcher in the league knows that if Fielder gets decent wood on the ball, it will go a long way. 

Fielder's ability to not only hit home runs, but to drive them all well over 400 feet has earned him the respect of just about every player in the MLB today. 

This respect should earn Prince a king's ransom this offseason when he hits the free-agent market.

St. Louis Cardinals: 1B Albert Pujols

Was there really any doubt about this one?  Albert Pujols has been considered the best player in the MLB for what feels like forever. 

His consistency and incredible abilities have not only gained him the respect of his fellow players, but pretty much everyone who has anything to do with baseball. 

When Pujols comes up to bat, the pitcher knows he's in for a battle.  One that he knows he doesn't have a very great chance of winning. 

Pujols has a career .329 batting average and is already closing in on 450 home runs.  Even after his first rough start ever this season, he has bounced back and leads the league in home runs. 

Pujols is also going to be a free agent this year and has a chance to pass Alex Rodriguez for the most lucrative contract in baseball history, possibly crossing the $300 million plateau.

Now that's respect.

Cincinnati Reds: 1B Joey Votto

The NL Central really is packed with extraordinary first basemen, isn't it?

Joey Votto seemingly came out of nowhere last year and stole the MVP award away from perennial candidate Albert Pujols. 

He helped lead his Reds to the NL Central title by annihilating opposing pitching and has continued his dominance this season. 

His team has fallen out of contention to the newly revamped Brewers in 2011, but that does not change how the rest of the league looks at him. 

Votto may not be an MVP candidate this year but he'll definitely be up for a Silver Slugger.

Pittsburgh Pirates: CF Andrew McCutchen

On an extremely young Pittsburgh Pirates team, very few players have established themselves enough to earn any real respect from the rest of the league. 

However, Andrew McCutchen wasted no time in stealing the show, becoming the star in Pittsburgh.

Just two years after making his major league debut, he was named to the 2011 All-Star team.  He has even been called the best defensive centerfielder in the game by most sabermetric standards.

When opposing pitchers visit PNC Park in Pittsburgh, they probably figure they'll have an easy time navigating the Pirate lineup. 

There are no big bats to get out and there is only one player with whom to be careful: Andrew McCutchen.

Chicago Cubs: 3B Aramis Ramirez

The Chicago Cubs have not had much to smile about in over 100 years and 2011 is no different.  The team is pretty bad and only Houston's awful season is keeping them out of the cellar of the NL Central. 

Rookie shortstop Starlin Castro is the star of the team for good reasons but he is still far too young and inexperienced to have gained the respect of the league. 

However, his partner on the left side of the infield, Aramis Ramirez, has earned that respect. 

Ramirez consistently bats over .300 and puts up solid power numbers for a team that has had little to no success for the better part of his tenure in Chicago. 

When opposing pitchers visit the great Wrigley Field, it's Aramis Ramirez that they worry about.

Houston Astros: LF/1B Carlos Lee

The Houston Astros have had many respected players play for them over the past few years.  During the last two seasons they have almost all been traded away. 

Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence went to the Phillies, Michael Bourn to the Braves and Lance Berkman to the Yankees.  All that's left in Houston is the former left fielder and current first baseman Carlos Lee.

"El Caballo's" Best days are behind him and he is entering the final stretch of his career.  But he can still run into one every now and then. 

He earned the respect of the league during his better years and even though his skill is deteriorating, pitchers still remember the old Lee and the damage he can do.

Arizona Diamondbacks: RF Justin Upton

The Arizona Diamondbacks are baseball's biggest surprise this year.  They are on track to complete an impressive "worst-to-first" turnaround.

Better yet, they're going to do it at the expense of the reigning World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants. 

There are plenty of players to credit for the team's success, such as breakout ace Ian Kennedy or catcher Miguel Montero.

In the end it's Justin Upton whom the opposition fears when visiting Phoenix. 

The 24-year-old phenom is one of the brightest young stars in the game and will no doubt evolve into a future MVP candidate in Arizona. 

He has already earned the respect of some of baseball's finest and he's only getting better.

San Francisco Giants: RHP Tim Lincecum

Tim Lincecum wasted no time in becoming one of the game's best pitchers. 

After a decent rookie season in 2007, Lincecum followed up with spectacular 2008 and 2009 seasons, netting himself back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards. 

Obviously he earned the respect of the BBWAA and as early as his second season, opposing batters called him "the best arm they had seen all year." 

Lincecum continues to impress every year, racking up strikeouts and keeping a low ERA.  Hitters already fear him and will likely continue to for the next decade or so.

Los Angeles Dodgers: CF Matt Kemp

The way this year started out, it looked like it was all going to be about the right fielder Andre Ethier for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

However, things have taken a slightly different turn in L.A.  Instead, the storyline has revolved around lefty hurler Clayton Kershaw and hot-hitting center fielder Matt Kemp. 

Kershaw could very well win the NL Cy Young Award this season for the Dodgers. 

He is either leading or amongst the league leaders in wins, ERA and strikeouts while pitching for a fairly subpar Dodgers team. 

An argument could easily be made that Kershaw is the most respected player wearing Dodger Blue, but I have to give the nod to Kemp. 

The centerfielder has a legitimate shot at winning the Triple Crown for the first time since Carl Yastrzemski won it for the Red Sox in 1967. 

With league-leading numbers like his, I doubt one opposing pitcher would say they don't get at least a little anxious when they see Kemp step up to bat.

Colorado Rockies: SS Troy Tulowitski

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitski wears No. 2 in honor of his favorite player growing up, Derek Jeter.  Tulowitski can take pride in knowing that he is currently a better player than his former idol. 

He can hit for average and power, he can field his position very well and he might just have the strongest arm of any shortstop in the MLB. 

He has been a star ever since he led his team to its first and only World Series appearance in his rookie season.

The recent breakout of left fielder Carlos Gonzalez has given him a slugging partner up at Coors Field.  But make no mistake, Tulowitski is still the head honcho in Colorado. 

When an opposing pitcher navigates the Rockies lineup, it's the shortstop they worry about.

San Diego Padres: RHP Heath Bell

I don't know how anyone could have anything but the utmost respect for Padres closer Heath Bell.  The guy was given the task of replacing the all time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman, in San Diego. 

After 16 seasons as closer, Hoffman was not offered a new contract for the 2009 season, mainly due to the fact that the Padres felt that Bell was a better option after watching him grow as the setup man for a few years.

Bell was up to the task and has since become one of the game's top closers, right up there with Brian Wilson of the Giants and the Yankees' Mariano Rivera. 

When the opposing team comes up to bat in the ninth and sees Bell on the mound, they get that sinking feeling that they don't have a shot in hell at a comeback.

That's a feeling that comes from earning the respect of your peers.

Now about that Rivera guy...

New York Yankees: RHP Mariano Rivera

This man is not only the most respected man on baseball's most respected team, but the most respected man in the game today. 

Mariano Rivera is only a handful of saves away from three consecutive milestones.  First, he will become only the second closer in history to collect 600 career saves. 

Then, he will tie the all time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman, with his 601st save. 

Shortly after, he will record his record-setting 602nd career save and cement his status as the greatest closer in baseball history.

When you're known as the undisputed greatest closer in history, accomplishing it all with a single pitch, you have the respect of the entire game.  Congratulations, Mo, you've earned it.

Boston Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia

When you enter the league standing at just 5'9" it's going to take a lot of work to be taken seriously.  But that's just what Dustin Pedroia has done. 

Once causing people to question the sanity of the Red Sox's scouting force, Pedroia has risen to stardom on one of baseball's most popular teams. 

He won the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year Award and followed in 2008 with an MVP. 

He has comeback from injury to enjoy a successful 2011 thus far, throwing himself into the discussion for MVP consideration again. 

It's difficult to overcome a stereotype but Pedroia has worked hard and earned the respect of the league. 

He arrives at the ballpark around noon for 7:00 p.m. games and his dedication to his team and the game may one day make him the Red Sox captain. 

Tampa Bay Rays: LHP David Price

At the start of last season, I would have said that none of the Rays' young players other than Evan Longoria has earned himself the undeniable respect of his peers, but this season is different. 

After finishing second in the Cy Young voting in 2010, lefty David Price has followed up with another spectacular season, this time with less offense backing him up. 

The Rays have still been a decent team, and would be fighting for the division title if they resided in the AL Central with the Tigers.

Unfortunately for them, the losses of Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and the entire bullpen have placed them 9.5 games out of first place in the AL East. 

The bright spots on their team have been Price and James Shields, who is enjoying a breakout campaign in 2011.

Price, only 26, has already established himself as one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game. 

He has been an All Star in two of his first three seasons and looks like he will continue to dominate baseball's toughest division for the foreseeable future. 

Tampa Bay is known for its dominating pitching rotation and Price leads the pack.

Toronto Blue Jays: RF Jose Bautista

It's amazing what two years can do. 

Two years ago, no one knew who Jose Bautista was.  He was a journeyman utility player trying to find a fit somewhere. 

He had played for four different teams in his rookie year in 2004, then spent a couple seasons in Pittsburgh before being shipped off to Canada to play for the Toronto Blue Jays. 

He had an average 2009, showing a bit more power in September after receiving more playing time due to the trades of Scott Rolen and Alex Rios.

The 2010 season was the year of the pitcher, but it was also the year of Bautista.  He enjoyed one of the best seasons in Toronto Blue Jays history, smacking a franchise record 54 home runs. 

Bautista's out-of-the-blue success has earned him instantaneous respect from the entire league. 

He is showing this season that it was no fluke, hitting his 40th home run of the season on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

Baltimore Orioles: RF Nick Markakis

This selection was a little different.  Obviously the Baltimore Orioles aren't garnering much respect from their opponents, holding the worst record in the AL and second worst in baseball to the Houston Astros. 

Their pitching has been downright atrocious and their hitting hasn't been much better, even with the additions of Derrek Lee (now a Pirate), Vladimir Guerrero and J.J. Hardy. 

Hardy is having a great year but even he doesn't strike too much fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers.  So if they can't pitch and can't hit, what exactly can they do?

Just ask Nick Markakis.  He has one of the best throwing arms in baseball, rivaled only by Bautista. 

When a runner rounds third on a single to right, he'll often see his third base coach giving him the stop sign, not wanting to mess around with the Markakis' left arm. 

When he waves him home, that's when he gains his respect for the Oriole outfielder the hard way.

Detroit Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander

There's no doubt about it, Justin Verlander is having one hell of a season.

The Tigers ace could stop pitching today, watch C.C. Sabathia and Jered Weaver have dominant Septembers and still win the AL Cy Young Award.  

Obviously, he will pitch the month of September and could wind up with 25 wins by season's end. 

He will win the Cy, a given, but he could also net himself the MVP award with the season he is having for the first place Tigers. 

One could argue that no one has been more important to his team than Verlander.  If you take him off the 2011 roster, the Tigers likely finish third in the Central. 

But that's a whole different argument that I don't want to get into.

Verlander has been dominant ever since his first full season in 2006.  He has pitched two no-hitters (one this season) and many project he will pitch more over the course of his career. 

No one wants to face Justin Verlander.  His presence on the Tigers' postseason roster should scare either the Yankees or the Red Sox who might have to face him twice in the best-of-five ALDS.

Cleveland Indians: SS Asdrubal Cabrera

Asdrubal Cabrera has had a breakout season for the young Cleveland Indians this season, hitting .277 with 22 home runs and 82 RBI through 134 games. 

He has already played in the most games of his career in a single season and he was the AL's starting shortstop for the 2011 All-Star Game. 

He has shown opposing teams that he, not Grady Sizemore or Shin-Soo Choo, is the one they have to worry about in the Indians lineup. 

He is the symbol of all that this Indians team has strived to become over the past few years.  With Cabrera leading the way, the future looks bright in Cleveland.

Chicago White Sox: 1B Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko is one of the best hitters in the AL. 

Since joining the White Sox since 1999, Konerko has become one of the franchise's most distinguished players.  He consistently hits for both average and power while batting in the heart of the Chicago order. 

In 2005 he led the team to their first World Series championship since 1917, ending the second-longest drought in MLB history. 

Konerko was even named White Sox team captain, one of just three team captains in the MLB. 

Even at 35, Konerko is still the main threat of the White Sox lineup.  Opposing pitchers know that if they make a mistake facing him, they aren't likely to get the ball back.

Minnesota Twins: C Joe Mauer

Joe Mauer had been the model of consistency up until this year.  It turns out that the toll of catching is a little too much for Mauer to handle, even this early in his career. 

It makes no sense, as Mauer is in excellent shape, but he will likely need to convert to first base or the outfield soon.  But it doesn't change the kind of hitter he is, one of the game's best. 

Mauer is all but a lock to hit well above .300 and he has the capability to hit for power as well.  

During his 2009 MVP season Mauer hit 28 home runs in the last season at the Metrodome.  Upon moving to the pitcher-friendly Target Field, his home run total plummeted to nine. 

If the Twins can re-harness Mauer's power stroke, they would have a perennial MVP candidate.  Even so, they still have one of the best average hitters in the game. 

Pitchers still know that when Mauer comes up to bat in an important spot, he is one of the best in the game at getting the big hit, making him a dangerous hitter to face.

Kansas City Royals: DH Billy Butler

On an extremely young Royals team, Billy Butler is actually the longest-tenured member.  Since his debut in 2007, Butler has posted a career batting average of near .300. 

He has decent power, but his real skill is getting on base, which he does at an above-average level, ranking amongst the league leaders in on-base percentage. 

Pitchers know that when they come to Kauffman Stadium, they are going to face a mostly inexperienced lineup.  But when Butler comes to bat they will have to battle to keep him off base. 

He is respected by his teammates as a young veteran and a leader to all of the new faces in Kansas City.

Texas Rangers: INF Michael Young

It's hard to not have major respect for Michael Young. 

The way that the Texas Rangers have treated him over the years is absurd, bouncing him from position to position to convenience themselves. 

Then they tried to dump him on another team after signing Adrian Beltre to play his latest position, third base. 

How does he react to this latest slap in the face?  He puts together an MVP-caliber season as a DH/utility infielder. 

Young has played Gold Glove-type defense at every position he has played.  He even won the award in 2008 as a shortstop before being moved to third base the next season to make room for Elvis Andrus. 

He also won a batting title in 2005, and six years later he is vying for another one, currently only hitting a few points below league leader Adrian Gonzalez. 

Young is one of the main reasons the Rangers have been able to rise to perennial contender status.  His teammates know this, his fans know this and his opponents know this. 

Too bad his organization doesn't see all he has meant to them.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: RHP Jered Weaver

Angels ace Jered Weaver has had a fantastic season in Anaheim.  Any other year, he and Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia would be battling it out for the AL Cy Young Award. 

But this year belongs to Verlander.  Regardless, Weaver's contributions are the main reason that the Angels are still fighting for the division title with the Rangers this late in the season. 

He has had to overcome living in his brother Jeff's shadow.  But now when you hear the name Weaver you think of Jered, the brother that has lived up to his potential so far.

In a rotation packed with stars like Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, Weaver had to be better than great to stand out and he's done just that. 

Most opposing hitters have trouble even making contact with his pitches.  Those that can usually can't, drive them. 

When teams visit Angel Stadium, they just hope their stay doesn't coincide with Weaver's turn in the rotation.

Oakland Athletics: DH Hideki Matsui

Hideki Matsui isn't just respected by players and fans of the MLB, he is respected halfway across the world as well. 

Matsui first gained his fame in Japan in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, earning a reputation as one of the greatest home run hitters in the history of Japan. 

When he came to the US, he joined MLB's most storied franchise, the Yankees, and thrived. 

Most Japanese players, excluding Ichiro Suzuki, have had little success in the MLB. 

But Matsui excelled on the grandest of American baseball's stages, the World Series, where he led the Yankees to the 2009 title, earning himself World Series MVP honors. 

Even though he is in the final stages of his illustrious multi-regional career, opposing pitchers know he can still pack a punch.  Let's just say you don't get the nickname "Godzilla" for striking out.

Now I think I mentioned Ichiro...

Seattle Mariners: RF Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki has been the most consistent player in baseball for his entire career. 

He started out in the NPB, just like Matsui, but when he came to the United States to join the Mariners, expectations were quite low for the skinny 5'11" Japanese superstar. 

It didn't take long for Ichiro to change people's views of him, as he showed off a cannon of an arm during his first game in a Seattle uniform.  Shorty after that, he started to hit and never stopped.

Ichiro won the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first year, leading his club to a major league record 116 wins.  Ichiro kept setting records, recording 200-hit seasons like they were nothing. 

He set the single-season hits record with 262 in 2004, and the consecutive stolen base record with 45 straight. 

He currently has a streak of 10 consecutive seasons with 200-plus hits, but that may be in jeopardy this year.

Ichiro has had a year reminiscent to Derek Jeter's subpar season last year, hitting a career-low .275. 

However, he is showing signs of bouncing back, hitting .293 in August and .353 in the four games so far this month.  Ichiro won't get 200 hits this year, but it doesn't matter.

He's earned the respect of two countries and he will forever be remembered for his excellence, even during his decline.