MLB Playoffs 2011: The 25 Most Important Players of the 2011 Postseason

The MLB postseason is finally upon us. In the past, there have been a number of players who have stepped up and carried their team in the playoffs. One of the more recent examples of this is when Carlos Beltran hit eight home runs in the 2004 Postseason.

This season, there are a number of players that could do the same. These players are integral to their team's success in the playoffs and their World Series hopes.

25) Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's importance comes from more than just his performance on the field. He is the New York Yankees' leader and plays a major role in their team chemistry.

If the Yankees are going to go far in the playoffs, Jeter will need to produce both with the bat and with his leadership abilities.

24) Zack Greinke

At the beginning of the season, Zack Greinke struggled significantly. In mid July, Greinke had an ERA over 5.00. Since then, Greinke has pitched much better and the Brewers record has improved.

If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to make it past the first round of the playoffs and potentially even further, then they need the Zack Greinke who showed up during the second half of the year to make appearances during the playoffs.

23) Chase Utley

Chase Utley may not have had the type of season that he was looking for this year. However, it will be important that he picks things up in the playoffs.

Utley is still an important bat in the Philadelphia Phillies' lineup. If he struggles, it will hurt the team's playoff chances, even with their elite rotation.

22) Michael Young

If there is one player on this list who deserves much more attention, it is Michael Young. He has been near the top of the batting average leaders all year and he has driven in over 100 runs.

Young plays a key part in the Texas Rangers' lineup. If he struggles during the playoffs, it will have an adverse affect on the Rangers' World Series hopes.

21) Curtis Granderson

The likely American League MVP has produced all season long. There is no reason that this should not continue in the playoffs.

While the Yankees will be depending on Curtis Granderson, there are a number of other players in their lineup that need to produce as well if the Yankees are to win their first World Series title since 2009.

20) Matt Harrison

The Texas Rangers' starting rotation is not as good as it was last year. That means that there will be much more pressure on their pitchers, such as Matt Harrison.

If Harrison can rise to the occasion and relieve a few big starts then the Rangers will have a big edge. He has had a breakout year and could continue his run in the playoffs.

19) Evan Longoria

A two home run performance on the last day of the regular season by Evan Longoria helped get the Tampa Bay Rays into the postseason.

Now, they will need Longoria to continue his heroics in October. One of the best third basemen in baseball, Longoria's bat and glove are a key piece of the Rays' success this year.

18) Yovani Gallardo

Yovani Gallardo will be on the mound for Game 1 of the NLDS and the Milwaukee Brewers are hoping that he will give them a big start.

The young righty will play an important role in how far the Brewers go in the playoffs. He will be handed the ball a number of times this October and he needs to make the most of these opportunities.

17) Alex Rodriguez

This season, Alex Rodriguez had the worst year of his career and yet the New York Yankees still managed to win the American League East.

If the Yankees want to win the World Series, Rodriguez will need to pick things up. He was fantastic in the 2009 postseason when he hit .365 with six home runs and helped lead the Yankees to a title. New York is hoping he can do something similar this year.

16) Lance Berkman

Just one year ago, it seemed as if Lance Berkman was washed up. Then, after signing with the St. Louis Cardinals, Berkman was able to regain his form and was an All-Star.

For the Cardinals to make a deep postseason run, they need Berkman to continue to perform at a high level. He serves as outstanding protection in the Cardinals' lineup.

15) David Price

With the Tampa Bay Rays' season on the brink, David Price had one of his worst starts of the year, going just four innings while giving up five earned runs. If Tampa is going to have success in the playoffs, they cannot have any starts like that from Price.

The 26-year-old struggled in the postseason last year and the Rays were out after just one round. Price needs to step things up this year if the Rays are to win their first World Series title.

14) Ian Kennedy

Ian Kennedy is one of the big reasons why the Arizona Diamondbacks will have a chance to play for the World Series title this season. After showing signs of promise last year, Kennedy broke out in a big way.

He put himself in the middle of the Cy Young discussion with his outstanding season. Kennedy led the NL in wins this year and he will need to keep up his breakout campaign to help the Diamondbacks in the postseason.

13) Prince Fielder

This postseason may be the last chance that Milwaukee fans will have to see Prince Fielder wearing a Brewers jersey. After leading the team to their first division title in 29 years, Fielder will continue to be important in October.

The power hitting first baseman will play a big role in Milwaukee's success in the postseason. If Fielder brings his bat with him, the Brewers could make a long playoff run.

12) Cole Hamels

The whole Philadelphia Phillies' rotation will be important in the postseason. It is what carried them in the regular season and they become even more valuable in October.

Cole Hamels is just one of the Phillies' pitchers that opposing teams will be intimidated to face. If he can dominant in his starts, then it is hard to see anyone beating the Phillies.

11) Cliff Lee

After the 2010 season, the Philadelphia Phillies decided that they needed to upgrade their starting rotation. They went out and got the best free-agent pitcher available.

Cliff Lee has been absolutely dominant since rejoining the National League. It is scary that he is not even the best pitcher on the Phillies' staff.

10) Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay is the most dominant of the three aces of the Philadelphia Phillies' pitching staff. His name will be called in many of the big moments.

Halladay could be the difference in any win-or-go-home situation that the Phillies face this postseason. With his dominant pitching, the Phillies should have no need for concern when he is on the mound.

9) CC Sabathia

Even with CC Sabathia heading the New York Yankees' playoff rotation, there are still concerns about the team's pitching. If Sabathia struggles, then the Yankees could be in big trouble.

He cannot have any poor outings this October or else it may put the Yankees into a situation where they are trying to rally to win a series.

8) Doug Fister

At the moment, the Detroit Tigers currently have the best pitcher in baseball in Justin Verlander. However, he will need some help in the postseason.

Doug Fister has been outstanding since he was acquired from the Seattle Mariners this season. If he can keep things up, the Tigers will have a one-two punch that could rival the Philadelphia Phillies.

7) Mariano Rivera

If one player has made a reputation for himself in the postseason, it is most definitely Mariano Rivera. In 94 playoff games, Rivera has a 0.71 ERA and 42 saves.

There is no pitcher that comes close to matching this level of postseason success. Rivera will need to break out some more of his postseason magic to bring another World Series title back to New York.

6) Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton played an important role when the Texas Rangers defeated the New York Yankees in the 2010 ALCS. He then struggled in the World Series and its impact was severe.

For the Texas Rangers to reach the World Series for the second-straight year, they need the Hamilton that showed up against the Yankees to appear at their games. If that happens, then the Rangers may be able to bring home the title this year.

5) Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun may have an even bigger role with the Milwaukee Brewers after this season. That is hard to imagine when he is the team's most important player for this year's playoffs.

Braun is a huge threat for opposing pitchers. He is a major offensive weapon for the Brewers and they will go as far as he can take them.

4) Justin Upton

For most of the 2011 season, Justin Upton put the Arizona Diamondbacks on his back and helped carry them towards the playoffs. This led to his name being involved in the MVP discussion.

Now that the postseason has rolled around, the Diamondbacks are going to need more of the same from Upton. The big question is if he will have enough to carry the Diamondbacks to a title.

3) Ivan Nova

Before the season began, it was not even certain that Ivan Nova would break spring training as anything more than the New York Yankees' fifth starter.

He has had an outstanding year and has surprised everyone. Nova will be a key piece of the Yankees' playoff rotation. If he pitches well, it will take some pressure off of CC Sabathia.

2) Albert Pujols

There are very few players in the majors who are a threat to take over a game. One of those players is Albert Pujols.

After a late run during the regular season, Pujols will be in a St. Louis Cardinals' uniform for a bit longer. This could be his last year in St. Louis and he has a chance to lead his team to a ring.

1) Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander was the best pitcher in the major leagues this season and was an incredibly large part of the Detroit Tigers success.

In the postseason, the Tigers will be counting on Verlander to get them a lead early on in every series. It will be possible that we see Verlander make two or three starts in every series. If he pitches as well as he did in the regular season then teams better watch out for the Tigers.