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I would put Stanton at 3 or 4 after Andrew and Trout
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Essential, as promised.
Disclaimer: I factor in past production/success, age, and potential ceiling.
1. Mike Trout
2. Andrew McCutchen
3. Giancarlo Stanton
4. Bryce Harper
5. Adam Jones
6. Carlos Gomez
7. Justin Upton
8. Jose Bautista
9. Jacoby Ellsbury
10. Yasiel Puig
11. Alex Gordon
12. Carlos Gonzalez
13. Jason Heyward
14. Ryan Braun
15. Yoenis Cespedes
16. Hunter Pence
17. Billy Hamilton
18. Starling Marte
19. Michael Brantley
20. Brett Gardner
Honorable Mention: Matt Kemp, Juan Lagares, Matt Holliday, Melky Cabrera, Christian Yelich
Edit: Jay Bruce added to honorable mention list.
Age and ceiling matter to me because ranking players for one season is pointless to me. Baseball is such a fluid sports and longevity is hard-achieved. Look at the OF debate, just a year or two ago Matty Kemp and Braun were kings of the position. If we transition to pitchers, same could be said of Verlander.I didn't consider age seems irrelevant to the discussion for about who is best now. Ceiling is also something I didn't look at. The ceiling also skews the discussion from my viewpoint and how I wanted to look at it.
I basically weighed last couple of seasons by different metrics, again a very quick look at it without writing down numbers, I basically was trying to keep all the numbers in my head, and going back and forth. (For example: CarGo's numbers this year were terrible, but he's been injured so I give him a little bit of a pass, but as a whole looks like his game is declining just based on what's going on, even disregarding what you could predict out). He'll probably move to the bottom if not off next year.
If I factor in age, list would obviously be different.
As to your points in previous posts. Of course, 2 years from now, maybe even next year, Stanton will be better than Bautista on my list. But I was going right now. Only way I feel comfortable ranking them.
I moved Ellsbury above Upton because Upton's baserunning is declining, partly because his role is different now than it used to be. But Ellsbury is on pace for 44 stolen bases on 88% success. Had he been batting #1 all season, I truly believe his numbers would be better. Hitting him #3 for 3+ months is a ******* travesty, and it really pisses me off he wasn't 1 or even 2 because of Jeter. Ellsbury has 17-23 HR power, solid glove, and one of if not the smartest baserunner in the league. Ellsbury also has a good eye at the plate. It's not a landslide, because Upton has far superior power, and I'd put them around the same in the field. It's slightly Ellsbury over Upton.
Also I think Gardner will shoot up the list for a lot of people next year. Good baserunner, but his lack of aggressiveness keeps him from high stolen base numbers. Great glove. But the biggest change, and what will propel him is that he is much more aggressive at the plate, he used to take a lot of pitches, and let the counts work in his favor, now he attacks regardless of count if you leave him a pitch to hit. I think he'll go on for some seasons hitting 15-20 HRs, before he starts to decline.
Also me having Stanton 6th (I moved him ahead of Upton after looking more) isn't a slight at him. I think Trout is far ahead of everyone, and McCutchen is flat out better. But it isn't like Jones - Gomez - Bautista are even 2x the player. It's all tight, and I picked guys who I think do more in a game. Including running the bases, or fielding, or better eye at the plate.
Age and ceiling matter to me because ranking players for one season is pointless to me. Baseball is such a fluid sports and longevity is hard-achieved. Look at the OF debate, just a year or two ago Matty Kemp and Braun were kings of the position. If we transition to pitchers, same could be said of Verlander.
Just pointing that out specifically, because I'm going to be the only one that has Harp that high at #4. Picked him to be NL MVP and he clearly has disappointed, but I'm not giving on his superstar potential.I have less problem with ceiling as opposed to age. Because I can say right now they are trending up or down. But still not use that as predictor of next year.
I looked at the past 3 seasons, and weighed it. If numbers have been going down, it moves you down the list. If your numbers were good until this year, maybe it's a fluke. So you may slip a spot to a guy who has been consistent, but you won't fall too far.
Just pointing that out specifically, because I'm going to be the only one that has Harp that high at #4. Picked him to be NL MVP and he clearly has disappointed, but I'm not giving on his superstar potential.I have less problem with ceiling as opposed to age. Because I can say right now they are trending up or down. But still not use that as predictor of next year.
I looked at the past 3 seasons, and weighed it. If numbers have been going down, it moves you down the list. If your numbers were good until this year, maybe it's a fluke. So you may slip a spot to a guy who has been consistent, but you won't fall too far.
That's exactly it, the expectations are far too lofty. And Harp will always be paralleled to Trout.Other than his inability to stay healthy, Harper has been as advertised. I mean for the love of god he hit 22 and 20 homers in his age 19 and 20 seasons. Can't fault him for not putting up Trout numbers, but he's still going to be a star if he can be stay healthy. The tools are just too real.
Please elaborate on your first point, why is Giancarlo the exception to possessing a "complete" game?
Man, you love Machado.IF Manny can keep his health, I think he's got a higher upside than Bryce Harper.
******* knee injury, man. Dude was hitting his stride after a slow start.
Understood. That being said, I would not trade Harp for Stanton. Cutch, I'd have to think long and hard about.I just doesn't matter how you create or prevent runs, it just matters how many your create or prevent.
Adam Jones is a better fielder, Hunter Pence is a better base runner, Andrew Mcutchen is above average at everything, but I don't think any of that adds up to being better than Stanton's ability to Mash home runs and get on base.
He has the second higehst trade value in the league other than Trout.
That's exactly it, the expectations are far too lofty. And Harp will always be paralleled to Trout.
Harp for Stanton...I might pull the trigger.Seeing Z's name on a top executives list.
Man, you love Machado.
Understood. That being said, I would not trade Harp for Stanton. Cutch, I'd have to think long and hard about.
That's exactly it, the expectations are far too lofty. And Harp will always be paralleled to Trout.Harp for Stanton...I might pull the trigger.Seeing Z's name on a top executives list.
Man, you love Machado.
Understood. That being said, I would not trade Harp for Stanton. Cutch, I'd have to think long and hard about.
CF Span
3B Rendon
LF Werth
RF Stanton
1B LaRoche/Zimmerman
SS Desmond
2B Cabrera
C Ramos
P
Looks pretty good to me.
You know what's crazy?
I remember when he hit the cover and you and I were one of the few who loved him
Now I feel like you hate him