These are the players I would vote for if I was voting today (which I am). I am just doing the top 3 at each position (except where there is a tie).
American League:
1. Alex Avila Detroit Tigers: fWAR: 2.5. .300/.373/.532/.390.
2. Carlos Santana Cleveland Indians: fWAR: 1.8. .232/.360/.414/.341.
3. Russell Martin New York Yankees: fWAR: 1.8. .233/.342/.407/.344.
Notes: Not that it matters since Avila is so far and away the best catcher in the American League but I have Santana ahead of Martin because of his edge in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
In case you don't like WAR: minimum 100 at-bats: Avila ranks 2nd in average behind Victor Martinez who primarily plays DH. He ranks 2nd in OBP behind Victor Martinez. He ranks 1st in slugging percentage. He's also tied for 1st in RBI's with Victor Martinez and tied for 3rd in home runs. Since Victor Martinez is primarily DH'ing I give the nod to Avila.
First Base: 1. Adrian Gonzalez Boston Red Sox: fWAR: 4.4. .359/.410/.609/.437.
2. Miguel Cabrera Detroit Tigers: fWAR: 3.2. .327/.449/.580/.434.
3. Paul Konerko Chicago White Sox: fWAR: 2.4. .327/.398/.603/.425.
4. Mark Teixeira New York Yankees: fWAR: 2.4. .246/.357/.522/.382.
Notes: Konerko is ranked ahead of Teixeira because he beats him on each offensive category that I look at. I primarily look at the quadruple slash. I'll be free to admit that Teixeira is the better defensive player and it's possible that I underrate defense especially at first base. Not that it matters, I don't think any amount of defense makes up for Adrian Gonzalez's overall dominance.
In case you don't like WAR: Adrian Gonzalez leads all 1B in RBI's, Runs, Hits, Batting Average, Slugging Percentage, and wOBA. He is second in OBP.
Second Base: 1. Dustin Pedroia Boston Red Sox: fWAR: 3.5. .274/.390/.397/.360.
2. Ben Zobrist Tampa Bay Rays: fWAR: 3.5. .264/.341/.475/.359.
3. Howie Kendrick Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: fWAR: 3.2. .305/.362/.481/.374.
Notes: I guess it depends on how you feel about defense and on-base percentage. I have Pedroia as the starter because he has the best On-Base Percentage of all second basemen. His K% is also a little bit lower and has more stolen bases. I like Zobrsit as well, but I feel like he should make the team to be a utility player.
In case you don't like WAR: With the quadruple slash, here are your leaders at second base (minimum plate appearances 100). Batting Average: Howie Kendrick .305. On-Base Percentage: Dustin Pedroia .390. Slugging Percentage: Robinson Cano .520. wOBA: Robinson Cano .377. Why isn't Cano higher? His on-base percentage is a .344 which is lower than Zobrist's and he doesn't play as good as defense as Zobrist. If we were to give out points for top 5 so far in the quadruple slash (5 for 1st place, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, etc.) This is how it shakes out: 1. Howie Kendrick 16 2. Robinson Cano 14. 3. Dustin Pedroia 9. 4. Maicer Izturis 6. 5. Ben Zobrist 5. So, you could argue Kendrick, Cano, or Pedroia. I just like Pedroia the best.
Third Base:
1. Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees: fWAR: 3.6. .296/.375/.510/.389.
2. Kevin Youkilis Boston Red Sox: fWAR: 2.8. .279/.395/.506/.395.
3. Adrian Beltre Texas Rangers: fWAR: 2.3. .259/.306/.439/.325.
Notes: A-Rod has a higher slugging percentage and a higher batting average than Youkilis but Youk has a higer on-base percentage and a higher wOBA. A-Rod is also playing better defense than Youk, as well.
In case you don't like WAR: A-Rod leads American League third basemen in homeruns, slugging percentage, and batting average for third basemen with a minimum of 100 plate appearances.
Left Field:
1. Josh Hamilton Texas Rangers: fWAR: 1.3. .297/.360/.513/.373.
2. Brennan Boesch Detroit Tigers: fWAR: 1.8. .300/.359/.485/.364.
3. Brett Gardner New York Yankees: fWAR: 2.8. .286/.363/.432/.347.
Notes: see In case you don't like WAR.
In case you don't like WAR: To get to this point I awarded points similar to how I did it in the second base section but this time I also included WAR. This was the result, actually Boesch and Hamilton tied so I gave the tie to Hamilton based on higher OBP, slugging percentage, and wOBA.
Center Field:
1. Curtis Granderson New York Yankees: fWAR: 3.9. .278/.356/.584/.401.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury Boston Red Sox: fWAR: 3.1. .310/.372/.465/.374.
3. Denard Span Minnesota Twins: fWAR: 2.8. .294/.361/.385/.338.
Notes: Granderson has been having a fantastic year and is far and away the best centerfielder in the American League even despite his mediocore onbase percentage. His slugging percentage and wOBA are by far the best in the league at his position.
In case you don't like WAR: see Granderson's slugging percentage and wOBA.
Right Field:
1. Jose Bautista Toronto Blue Jays: fWAR: 4.5. .325/.470/.654/.474.
2. Matt Joyce Tampa Bay Rays: fWAR: 2.4. .309/.372/.534/.388.
3. Carlos Quentin Chicago White Sox: fWAR: 2.2. .256/.358/.535/.389.
Notes: It doesn't matter where the other two rank. Bautista is the best player in the American League this year.
In case you don't like WAR: look at every other stat basically.
DH:
1. David Ortiz Boston Red Sox: fWAR: 2.6. .313/.391/.586/.421.
2. Billy Butler Kansas City Royals: fWAR: 1.6. .332/.381/.500/.381.
No comments:
Post a Comment