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SoMnFan -> RE: MLB General Information PT 4 (8/15/2014 3:09:54 PM)
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From Insider
Our evaluation of the best tools in the game continues. On Wednesday, three MLB Insider talent evaluators -- Manny Acta, Jim Bowden and Christopher Crawford -- laid out the "best of the best" of the defensive tools. Today we look at hitting and baserunning tools.
Best hitting tool
1. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
"He can handle every pitch and has the natural ability to always let his eyes tell him what to do with the ball. He doesn't get infield hits; he earns 'em by squaring up the ball. He's simply the best!" -- Manny Acta
2. Mike Trout, Angels
3. Robinson Cano, Mariners
4. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
5. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
Honorable mention: Victor Martinez, Jose Altuve.
Best power hitter
1. Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
"I'm pretty sure he's the first player to break a scoreboard since Robert Redford did it in 'The Natural.'" -- Jim Bowden
2. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: "Gets the nod here over guys with more raw power because it's not how far you hit 'em, it's how often." (Acta)
3. Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
4. Mike Trout, Angels
5. Jose Abreu, White Sox
Honorable mention: Jose Bautista, Paul Goldschmidt, David Ortiz.
Best plate discipline
1. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
"He sometimes is criticized for his lack of aggressiveness, but I find those critiques to be unjust. No hitter in baseball does a better job working counts into his favor than Votto does." -- Christopher Crawford
2. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
3. Carlos Santana, Indians
4. Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers
5. Mike Napoli, Red Sox: "There's a reason he leads the majors in pitches per plate appearance." (Bowden)
Honorable mention: Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Joe Mauer, Dustin Pedroia, Paul Goldschmidt.
Best 'bad-ball' hitter
1. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants
"There are newborns who have more patience than Sandoval does, though he does make hard contact on pitches outside the strike zone as well as any hitter in the game right now." -- Christopher Crawford
2. Victor Martinez, Tigers
3. Hunter Pence, Giants
4. Adrian Beltre, Rangers
5. Salvador Perez, Royals
Honorable mention: Jose Bautista, Billy Hamilton, Jose Altuve, Mark Trumbo, Jean Segura, Dustin Pedroia, Ichiro Suzuki.
Toughest hitter to strike out
1. Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
"Martinez has an amazing combination of strike zone knowledge and hand-eye coordination from both sides of the plate." -- Manny Acta
2. Ben Revere, Phillies: "Revere's swing is geared for contact, making him one of the toughest to get to swing and miss in baseball." (Crawford)
3. Michael Brantley, Indians
4. Jose Altuve, Astros: "He has that small frame, and he doesn't chase many bad pitches." (Bowden)
5. Robinson Cano, Mariners
Honorable mention: Jose Reyes, Denard Span, Albert Pujols, Ian Kinsler, Norichika Aoki.
Best 'small-ball' player
1. Erick Aybar, Los Angeles Angels
"Aybar does all the little things, and he enjoys doing them." -- Manny Acta
2. Jose Altuve, Astros: "Altuve simply does all the little things necessary to win games." (Crawford)
3. Brett Gardner, Yankees
4. Alcides Escobar, Royals
5. Jose Reyes, Blue Jays
Honorable mention: Martin Prado, Leonys Martin, Elvis Andrus, Everth Cabrera.
Fastest baserunner
1. Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds
"His true 80 speed [on the scouting scale] gives him the ability to get from first to third in a hurry and makes him a threat to steal a base -- or two -- every time he gets on." -- Christopher Crawford
2. Dee Gordon, Dodgers: "I would love to see a race between him and Hamilton." (Bowden)
3. Mike Trout, Angels
4. Jarrod Dyson, Royals
5. Ben Revere, Phillies
Honorable mention: Emilio Bonifacio, Jose Altuve, Rajai Davis.
Smartest baserunner
1. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
"His intellect and incredible instincts on the bases have made him the best baserunner in the game." -- Jim Bowden
2. Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees: "In addition to having plus-plus speed, Ellsbury reads pitchers extremely well. He also is one of the best at taking the extra base and understanding outfielders' strengths and weaknesses." (Crawford)
3. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
4. Jose Reyes, Blue Jays
5. Coco Crisp, Athletics: "It's worth noting he has the best stolen base percentage in A's history." (Bowden)
Honorable mention: Andrew McCutchen, Ben Revere, Mike Trout, Denard Span, Billy Hamilton, Dee Gordon.
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