MLB's WORST Starting Player at Every Position in 2011
Well, it has to be someone every year in MLB, and when it happens, that specific player has to make a choice: Either keep playing at a low level and get sent down to the minors, or turn things around next season and display the ability to overcome adversity.
Nonetheless, each of these 10 players is on the bubble heading into the 2011-12 offseason.
Here are the worst players at every position in 2011.
Note: Every player (except the pitcher) had a minimum of 400 at-bats.
1B: Aubrey Huff, Giants
1 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .246
OBP: 306
RBI: 59
HR: 12
Buster Posey going down to injury was rough and definitely played a part in San Francisco not getting the opportunity to repeat.
That said, Aubrey Huff's poor season didn't help.
Having an OBP just over .300 doesn't bode well for the individual, let alone having any chance at helping the team.
2B: Gordon Beckham, White Sox
2 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .230
OBP: .296
RBI: 44
HR: 10
The first of three White Sox on the list, Gordon Beckham's lack of ability to draw walks and score significantly hurt the South Siders.
Can't expect to have a good batting average when you can't draw walks, even if your teammates are struggling.
3B: Casey McGehee, Brewers
3 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .223
OBP: .280
RBI: 67
HR: 13
I wonder if Casey McGehee is aware that yelling at the ump doesn't work.
Maybe he got thrown out at home plate, which wouldn't be surprising since he only scored 46 runs all year (tied for the worst at his position).
Maybe he'll pick it up in the remaining NLCS games.
SS: Alex Gonzalez, Braves
4 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .241
OBP: .270
RBI: 56
HR: 15
The Braves' collapse was definitely a team effort, but Alex Gonzalez's 126 strikeouts (third amongst shortstops) and .270 OBP sure didn't help.
Apparently synergy works both ways in baseball.
LF: Vernon Wells, Angels
5 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .218
OBP: .248
RBI: 66
HR: 25
Arguably the worst player on this list, having a .218 batting average is absurd, as is a .248 OBP.
Don't want to pin the Angels missing out on the postseason on him, but Vernon Wells was arguably their biggest reason.
CF: Alex Rios, White Sox
6 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .227
OBP: .265
RBI: 44
HR: 13
The second of three White Sox on the list—it's not that the South Siders are a bad team, but their three worst players literally performed that awfully this season.
The pitching was respectable, but when a guy like Alex Rios has the worst numbers of any center fielder, something has to be wrong.
RF: David DeJesus, Athletics
7 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .240
OBP: .323
RBI: 46
HR: 10
Amongst right fielders, David DeJesus had the fewest hits (106) and doubles (20).
He also had the second-lowest RBI total, as well as batting average.
With some of the bats (mainly from Texas) in the AL West, if Oakland wants any shot at contending, DeJesus must pick it up next season.
Catcher: Miguel Olivo, Mariners
8 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .224
OBP: .253
RBI: 62
HR: 19
Right now the Seattle Mariners are beginning to build some solid pieces with Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda to go with Ichiro Suzuki.
However, they're not going to improve unless Miguel Olivo does, because we saw how important Buster Posey was to the Giants.
Not saying that Olivo is that good, but it wouldn't hurt for him to do some work this offseason.
Pitcher: Brad Penny, Tigers
9 of 102011 Stats
ERA: 5.30
WHIP: 1.56
Strikeouts: 74
Quality Start Percentage: 42.0
Thanks to his horrendously sad stats, Brad Penny is currently missing out on the Detroit Tigers' postseason run.
He finished last in the American League in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts, as well as the bottom five with the 42 percent rate in quality starts.
Maybe this offseason he'll put in the time to help the Motor City as opposed to hurt it.
DH: Adam Dunn, White Sox
10 of 102011 Stats
Batting Average: .159
OBP: .292
RBI: 42
HR: 11
The final player of the list, and the third of three White Sox.
It would have been hard for Adam Dunn to play worse than he did, and these awful numbers have overrated written all over him.
That's unfortunate, because with Paul Konerko literally dominating at the plate, you'd think anyone would benefit from his play and help him out.
Then again, maybe the release of former manager Ozzie Guillen was stuck in the back of their minds.
Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.
You can also follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.

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