John Sickels recently posted the following to his blog:
My Top Five Favorite Current Players:
Joe Mauer: Great defense, great hitter, franchise anchor, great makeup. If he lasts long enough, a certain Hall of Famer.
Curtis Granderson: Tremendous makeup and performance. Scouts downplayed his tools in college and the minors, but I always liked him. . .and he’s exceeded even my positive expectations.
Zack Greinke: Combination of power and precision is remarkable. And I admire the tenacity he’s shown in overcoming social anxiety, a problem I had when I was younger.
David Wright: Another guy with tools, skills, makeup.
Kevin Youkilis: I love it when a guy without tools turns into a dominant player on the basis of his skills.
I thought this would be a fun way to while away another afternoon without Yankees baseball. My list would only include Yankees, so I limited myself to one Bronx Bomber. Here is my top five:
1) Mariano Rivera- They know what is coming and have known for almost 15 years. They still cannot hit it.
2) Joe Mauer- Great hitter, great glove behind the plate, humble. The bunt he laid down for a hit against the Yankees tells you all you need to know about this all-around great player.
3) Albert Pujols- The fear he inspires in opposing pitchers in amusing to observe. The only player going today who might merit a walk with the bases loaded.
4) Zach Greinke- His stuff is preposterous. He makes hitters look stupid on a regular basis.
5) Carl Crawford- Hate to pick a Ray, but the electricity that he added to the All-Star game when he reached base made me realize how much fun it is to watch the guy when he is not playing the Yankees.
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14 Responses to Top 5 Favorite Current Players
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TIQ IQ
Nice list, Moshe.
Alright, I’ll do this without any Yankees:
1. Albert Pujols – For obvious reasons.
2. Manny Ramirez – The LA version is fun to watch.
3. Matt Kemp – Another Dodger, should be an All-Star soon.
4. Prince Fielder – The guy is a monster.
5. Tim Lincecum – former UW guy, like myself
If I had a number 6, it’d be Mauer.
1. Pujols – Tim Kurkjian went over some of his #’s this morning and they are redic: most total bases in 1st 9 years of a career in MLB history, 9 straight .300/30/100 seasons to start a career (Ruth has record with 12 total) and many more.
2.HanRam – getting better in the field but what he does at the plate and on the base paths as a SS are sick (ARod-esque)
3. Mauer – that type of production from a C is insane.
4. J. Upton – I think he has the tools to be a top 5 guy in all of MLB soon
5. Mo – see Moshe’s response.
lmao I like your number 5…so true.
1) Teixeira – the guy is a sexy beast. This was the best Christmas gift ever, thanks Cashman. I covoted Tex even before CC & AJB
2) Pujols – seriously, ridiculous.
3) A-ROD – Sorry, I cannot just pick one Yankee… A-ROD has always been my fav, til he announced what he did. Still top 5, but not my fav anymore…
4) Doc Halladay/King Felix – I’m hoping one of these become a Yankee
5) Nathan – probably best, most consistent closer in the game that’s likeable (eff K-Rod, eff Papelbon even more)
One Yankee list:
1. Derek Jeter – favorite athlete ever. Productive and classy.
2. Curtis Granderson – Love the total package. As we were watching the All-Star game, I told my little brother that I really liked Curtis because he was so exciting because of his power and speed. A pitch later, he hits a triple.
3. Ichiro – Wizard with a bat in his hand. Flat-out hits. I like guys who can run.
4. Carl Crawford – I told you like runners. Crawford can burn, hit, and field.
5. Alfonso Soriano – Not a Yankee anymore, so I can put him on the list. Run and hit for power. I like those types.
5a. Hanley Ramirez – Same exact reason as the 4 guys on top of him.
Pujols is great, but he can’t run, so he’s not as exciting to me. And I don’t like Mets so I can’t have Reyes on the list.
1. Joey Votto potential superstar left fielder.
2. Josh Johnson unbelievable stuff.
3. Joe Mauer enough said above.
4. Ryan Braun love his swing.
5. Ryan Howard great power to all fields.
Nathan – probably best, most consistent closer in the game that’s likeable
Mo says Hi!
cmon! Mo’s my 3rd fav Yankee but that wouldve been too many on my list… lol :) I shouldve said Nathan is my fav closer outside of The Right Hand of God (Read: Mariano Rivera)
Scott, I’ve that you’re an advocate for trading for Votto. While it won’t ever happen now, because he has blown up on the NL, I actually wrote a post saying that the Yankees should trade for Votto last August. Feel free to check it out: http://thebronxzoo.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/the-future/
correction – I’ve *seen that you’re…
1. Mariano Rivera–simply the best that ever lived at what he does
2. Joe Mauer–if he stays healthy, he will end up as the best catcher to ever play the game
3. Joe Nathan–forget closer, starter, position player…Joe Nathan has been the most underrated player in the Majors for the last several years
4. Ichiro–the best shot at hitting .400. he won’t do it, but he can make it interesting.
5. Albert Pujols–there very well could be a triple crown in his future
If it’s favorite players in baseball the least is east for me but has a lot of Yankees in it…
1. Joba Chamberlain- Liked him since his first fastball I saw in the minors…
2. Alex Rodriguez- Do not care if injected horse tranquilizer, everyone did it so who cares…
3. CC Sabathia I loved him in Clevland but had to cuss him in the playoffs…
4. Felix Hernandez
5. Carlos Zambrano- True baseball player he can pitch and jack HRs
I like pitchers more than hitters…
I love Felix. The guy can pitch and it’s amazing how young he is.
He really is the definition of a pitching “prodigy” I would be willing to trade Hughes in a deal for him but I am doubtful on putting both Joba and Hughes…
Mauer, Pujols, Lincecum, Greinke, King Felix.