Top 25 Baseball Players (20-25)

20) Yadier Molina, C, St. Louis Cardinals

Why is Yadi ranked above Joe Mauer, Alex Avila, Victor Martinez, and the rest of MLB's catchers? Hitting wise, Mauer and Martinez are better, no questions asked (although Molina outhit Mauer last year by a landslide). Avila will be. But defensively, Molina is the best the game has to offer. He manages a pitching staff far better than Martinez, and pretty much everyone else outside of Carlos Ruiz. He possesses a cannon for an arm. And a .309 postseason average, where's he been the battery mate of two World Series-winning pitching staffs? Not bad.

21) Justin Upton, RF, Arizona Diamondbacks

One of baseball's brightest rising stars, Upton is still just 24 years of age. In 2010, he had an awful strikeout rate (152 in just 492 ABs), but he cut it down to 126 in 100 more at-bats in 2011. He was an MVP candidate for a D'Back team that surprised all by making a run into the playoffs. By the time his career is done, his fireplace mantel could possess that hardware.


22) Felix Hernandez, P, Seattle Mariners

Though tying a career high with fourteen wins last year (one more than his 2010 Cy Young season, proving wins to a starter don't signify anything), King Felix took a step back from the past two years. His ERA jumped 1.2 points to 3.47, and he threw sixteen fewer innings. That being said, the stuff was there (222 Ks), and 2011 shows all the signs of a slightly off year (and it was still a very impressive season). By the time his career is done, he'll possess a Hall of Fame resume.


23) Jose Reyes, SS, Miami Marlins

Yeah, he won the batting title this past season. He steals bags, too. But Reyes plays a shaky shortstop, and I'm not going to lie, sitting out the last game to preserve his batting title definitely hurt his ranking. He hasn't been clutch or produced much RBI-wise out of the leadoff hole, but heading this potent Marlins lineup could do him wonders.


24) Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston Red Sox

Boston fans love the grit and grind the little guy plays with. He'll probably never again touch his 2008 numbers at the plate, maybe due to the fact he goes out of his way to hit home runs. Nonetheless, Pedroia is a wonderful player, and he'll play an integral part of the Red Sox' attempt to return to the postseason.


25) Michael Young, 3B, Texas Rangers

Certainly his batting stats were inflated by his the protection of Texas' explosive lineup. But still, it takes elite skill to hit .338 under any circumstance. And 213 hits at age 34? Ridiculous. And while this doesn't pertain to rankings, he showed he's an excellent team guy (see: Stranded in Texas) by accepting his role as everyday utilityman. Young's a true professional with a ton of skill (and 2061 career hits).

Honorable mentions: Alex Avila, C, Detroit Tigers; Matt Cain, P, San Francisco Giants; Hunter Pence, RF, Philadelphia Phillies; Joe Mauer, C, Minnesota Twins; Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers; Cole Hamels, P, Philadelphia Phillies; Mariano Rivera, P, New York Yankees

Stranded in Texas

Michael Young has played every infield position regularly for the Rangers except for first base. This season, he will be asked to play primarily DH, but also utility infield, first base included. This fourth role change for Young heading into Spring Training (from 2B to SS to 3B to DH/UTIL), is because of Adrian Beltre's acquisition as the team's primary third baseman, displacing Young.

Part of the reason Young doesn't just change back to one of his former positions is the team's talent: they have a (when healthy) star second baseman in Ian Kinsler and an up-and-coming shortstop in 22-year-old Elvis Andrus. Therefore, Young will serve as an upgrade to backup catcher Mike Napoli as the team's primary DH, and bring out the glove whenever one of the aforementioned starting infielders need an off day or get hurt. Kinsler is injury-prone at second base, missing 59 games last season. So while no one is hoping for this reason, Young might receive extended defensive play.

Young has voiced displeasure over his situation, asking the Rangers to search for trade options. There are reportedly eight teams on his contract that he is interested in. But the Rangers were unable to ship him away, and they never wanted to in the first place. They expected him at camp and Young, known widely for his professionalism, didn't disappoint. While he is by no means overjoyed over his defensive status, he has insisted that he will not be a clubhouse distraction and interfere with his teammates' ability to prepare for the upcoming season. Rather, he is just content to be back playing baseball again and being with his teammates, who look up to him as a clubhouse leader.

Whether Young were to stay in Texas or not, the Rangers would still have one of the league's top lineups, but his presence boosts them to once again being a World Series contender. Young is more than just a valuable asset to this team; he will still receive 600+ at-bats and show off the star power he has left, that has made him an all-pro the past decade.